Monday, October 31, 2011

October birding

I am sure enjoying the cool weather (in the 70's)... so I had to go birding! I found a piping plover down in Galveston.The fish inside this Reddish Egret's mouth is saying "You think you are having a bad day?"
The Snowy Egret is one of my favorite birds!
Here is a Marbled Godwit.
In a Houston park I found a hungry Vermilion Flycatcher.
American Kestrels were patrolling the marsh.
Here is an out of range Say's Phoebe, the first in the county!
Back to Galveston, here is an interesting sequence I digiscoped of a Red-tailed Hawk.







Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Birding amidst a mosquito plague

We have been experiencing a mosquito plague of biblical proportions but one can still go birding if armed with deet spray and gloves. So I went to a local marsh and found it teeming with birds as well. This Northern Harrier was on patrol.

There is a tiny Least Sandpiper here in front of the Killdeer.
Nothing like a squadron of Teals - Blue-winged and Green-winged.

The Eastern Phoebee's were enjoying all the bugs!
The Snipes are perfectly camouflaged!
Look closely for the 2 types of teals.
Here is the amazing Snipe taking off.
A Merlin was perched out in the distance.
I wasn't expecting to see the Red Shouldered Hawk near the marsh.
Lots of Snipes today.
What funny little guys!
Hmmm. Off on another distant post was this American Kestrel.
Well, not for long.
Nice bird!

Seems like the Snipes would come out of the woodwork.
The Cattle Egret's were eyeing me!
It was a nice way to spend the afternoon!