relaxing on Galveston Island

Ok, where to start? Birding in Galveston with no mosquitos (yet)sounded awfully inviting, so off I went. I think these might be Eastern Willets - they were having a serious conversation as one looks like it is getting fussed at by the other!


Any guesses as to what this guy is? He was in the flats just before the causeway crosses over to the island.

There were zillions of blue-gray gnatcatchers zipping around the tree tops ... (I have the sore neck muscles to prove it)... they are so tiny, only 4 1/2" long. (see the video below).

I spotted these 2 contented looking Inca Doves.

Beautiful butterflies were also out in force. I think this one may be a Goatweed Leafwing butterfly.

But the Hooded Warblers ruled this day, singing for me!

They are absolutely breathtaking.

They kept landing closer and closer - cheering me up with their song.













Hope you enjoy the videos, they are meant to give hope to my northern friends, that spring is indeed coming!

The little Blue-gray gnatcatchers and yellowrumped warblers were constantly on the move.

I stopped at a little beach on the way home, noticed these gulls enjoying a bath.

more spring birds in Galveston

I went down to Galveston today with my friend Cynthia... first we stopped off in League City and found this odd couple. (white tailed hawks - the black one is the immature youngster)

WOW - up on the high voltage towers were several Monk Parakeet nests.

They were busy flying into neighborhoods, grabbing branches and bringing them back to the nests. I should have brought these into my yard after Hurricane Ike to help with the cleanup :)

Quite a surprising sight here in League City nevertheless. . . but now on to Galveston!

What a beauty, a Black-throated Green Warbler!!!

I cannot describe how excited I was to see this stunningly beautiful HOODED WARBLER deeper in the woods!!!

Another Black-throated Green!

And a lovely northern Parula!

The Yellow-throated Warbler is an absolutely gorgeous bird!

I liked this tree because it looks like a menorah!

Last bird of the day, a white Ibis.



It is so refreshing to stroll through the woods and enjoy God's creation!

just what I needed in Galveston!

I just had to get back at birding, especially when I heard that the migration was underway... so I headed down to Galveston, for a sunny 64 degree beautiful day. First I saw this cute blue-gray gnatcatcher (he is only about 4 1/2" long).

Black and white warblers defy gravity searching for bugs in the bark...

They are beautiful!

I have to say this is the bird I very much wanted to find today - the Prothonotary Warbler!! It did not seem to mind me being there at all.

He was playing hide and seek!!! What a sight for sore eyes!

Is this a masterful work of art or what!?

Absolutely lovely!

This little guy with the yellow spectacles is a Yellow-throated Vireo. He was singing away!

What a gorgeous bird.

Now you see him, now you don't. This is prime Yellow-throated Vireo habitat :)

(next time get the edge)

Here I am!!

I made a circle around Lafitte's cove, and saw these Blue-Winged Teal in the marsh.

Unusual pattern on a Yellow-rumped Warbler!

This little cutie almost landed on me - a friendly Yellow-throated Warbler!

He is exquisite up close!

The shadows in the woods can play tricks, but I think this is a northern Parula. Brilliant colors!!!
See how tiny it is compared with the dandelion blooms?

The birds all seemed content having a nice place to feed in the middle of Galveston Island. There are not many wooded areas left after Ike.

This was a surprise too - a White-eyed Vireo. Each bird today seemed to be especially breathtaking. Wow. Our Creator has surely given us a taste of Eden once again!!!














A closer look (cropping software is a good thing...)

Kirtland's warbler

How about a trip down memory lane? Last June I traveled to Michigan to find the endangered Kirtland's warblers with my sister and 2 nephews. First we found a chipping sparrow.
Then we heard some lovely singing, and saw our first Kirtland's warblers!

They only nest in young jack pine forests. What a beautiful song he had!

It was early June and the trees were just beginning to bud!

Later we visted a couple parks, where we found this lovely Rose-Breasted Grosbeak.

This is my first ever Evening Grosbeak.

Those jaws mean business!

This is the female Evening Grosbeak.

This is a male Purple Finch.

I think this one is the female Purple Finch.

As cute as can be, here is the White Breasted Nuthatch.

Here are my birding buddies!

I was so glad to be able to meet Arlene in person, after being in an online class together for many months. Turns out we really are kindred spirits!

What a great day!

We got some great looks at a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers, feeding young ones in their tree.

The Scarlet Tanager is just stunningly beautiful!

We really enjoyed the spring flowers too.

This prayer was inside the chapel in the state park! (AMEN)

We never did figure out why the chipmunk was sitting on top of this stick - it doesn't look too comfy...

I am blessed to have help from my nephews to identify this correctly as a Hermit Thrush (thanks Henrey!!).

Spring was anxious to get going, and the woods had tiny flowers popping out everywhere.

I think this is a pink lady's slipper, kind of rare.

We noticed this common loon in a wilderness area (the bird most like me?) and also noticed the bear claw marks on the tree. Suzy and I didn't mention this little fact to each other until we finished our hike :) There is just something wonderful in the call of a loon.

On our drive south we stopped at a small lake and found a Pied Billed Grebe...

... and an Osprey with lunch.

There was one chick in the Osprey nest!

Mama Mallard was taking the kids out for a swim.

The Barn swallows were quite striking up close.

We had a terrific time, and looking at the pictures makes me want to get back out in the woods!