The two of us were walking around Corpus Christi Bay [north of the city and over the Harbor Bridge] in hopes of spotting a reported Brown Booby. For the 2nd time in about three months, a Brown Booby has been noted around the ship channel and north bay. But, again, this time it wasn't seen anywhere. At least by us. While Bud and I were in search of the elusive one, a couple of other birders motioned to us to come quickly! We then stopped and did an about face to walk along the board walk and observation deck that juts out over the fresh water marsh. One birder with a spotting scope told me, as I was first to arrive while Bud lagged behind searching here and there with his binoculars; he told me to look through the scope towards a Styrofoam cup laying in the marsh grass, "to the right of the cup you'll see something you don't see often in this area." I spotted it without the scope right away, and knew just where to focus. A fine specimen of a King Rail!! Not to confuse it with a Virgina Rail...the Virginia Rail is smaller, more slender, and much grayer in color with bright orange bill and feet. The King Rail is bulky, stout, more rufous a body color and lighter, grayer bill and feet. It is a good feeling to be able to get home with photos of a bird and be able to mark it off from my bird chart of Texas Birds. [tally so far -199 different birds photographed...make that 201 - I spotted and got a photo of an orange crowned warbler...and then, another 'new' bird that I thought was only seen in desert areas...but guess I've been wrong. I sighted the 2nd bird near the bay shore. Isn't the first time I've been in error, or last!! [will post images soon] That makes the total addition of two in recent days ] ...
...after taking photos, I continued to watch it until it disappeared into the dense vegetation to not be seen again.
KING RAIL
photos taken: Indian Point Park - North Bay, Corpus Christi, Texas
habitat range: King Rail
TAKE NOTE: This weekend, during the Spring Break where our son teaches at the university...he will be here over the weekend with us. So, I won't be online. I'll pay you a visit and view your shared photos and read your posts at the beginning of the week, hopefully on Monday. This is a pre-scheduled posting of mine...
...after taking photos, I continued to watch it until it disappeared into the dense vegetation to not be seen again.
KING RAIL
photos taken: Indian Point Park - North Bay, Corpus Christi, Texas
habitat range: King Rail
TAKE NOTE: This weekend, during the Spring Break where our son teaches at the university...he will be here over the weekend with us. So, I won't be online. I'll pay you a visit and view your shared photos and read your posts at the beginning of the week, hopefully on Monday. This is a pre-scheduled posting of mine...
...now, share your birding experiences:
a very neat sighting! i've never seen any type of rail in person.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new birds! Enjoy your weekend.
ReplyDeleteNice shots! I've never seen one.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the great photos.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice weekend.
Congrats, awesome sighting of the King Rail. It would be a new bird for me too. Wonderful photos. Thank you for hosting, happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteThat's a marvelous looking King Rail...so glad you got to see him!
ReplyDeleteWoW! I am happy for you to add another lifer to the list.
ReplyDeleteSweet Anni!!! Congrats.....that is one cool bird. It looks different from the Virginia Rail with that decurved bill. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHow exciting! Great photos of this very interesting bird. That's wonderful that your son is visiting. I know you're going to have a great time :)
ReplyDeleteTerrific sighting of the King Rail. Thanks for sharing. Have a great time entertaining your son on this St. Patrick's Day weekend.
ReplyDeletewow, gret shots. You were so lucky the bird did not get into the reed. :) Love it!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the video link on teh starlings.. :)
You took some real great close-ups Anni, especially since all rails are skulking things. Thanks for your hosting again.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots of birds.
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome sighting and such wonderful photos!!! Migration is always a fun time. I've added about 5 new lifers this year, one of them the orange-crowned warbler. Have fun on your blogging break! Thanks for having scheduled posts ready to go. :)
ReplyDeleteBtw, I LOVE that blog header!!!
ReplyDeleteNIce shots of this handsome bird.
ReplyDeleteDearest Anni,
ReplyDelete"long live the king" your title wondered what it meant at first p;) It sure seems rare bird to be seen!!! Congratulations on your luck♡♡♡
ps> I LOVE your beautiful bird header as well.
Sending you Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*
Sounds like a nice trip. A Rail is new to me.
ReplyDeleteGreat bird! I have heard one twice in my neighborhood wetlands but never seen it here. Have not seen the Orange-crowned Warblers that usually have shown up here early in migration. Hope you are having an enjoyable visit!
ReplyDeleteAnni,
ReplyDeleteWonderful shots! So you have 201 to your name so far! I am your newest follower!
Cheers,
charlotte
How lucky that the rail didn't disappear - I have such a hard time getting many pictures - they seem to be so shy. Fabulous photos.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the lifer Anni! You got some great shots of that King Rail and yes, it would be a lifer for me too!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful bird! Congrats o all the new birds. Envious! Enjoy your family time!, (as if I have to tell you.)
ReplyDeleteWhat fun birding!
ReplyDelete(ツ) from Cottage Country Ontario , ON, Canada!
Hi Anni Wonderful shot of the King Rail. Hope you are having a great weekend with your son.
ReplyDelete