Pay Dirt!!

About 90 miles southwest of Corpus Christi, one of the 'hot spots' for birding is actually an award winning designed rest stop along the highway. Since its so close to the Mexican border, just a few miles from this area, you are stopped at the Border Patrol Inspection Station...for contraband, drugs, and illegal immigrants. Anyway, the birder's haven is situated at a divided interstate system...among a wonderful, dense oak motte. And the migrating birds flock here...literally. One morning, Bud and I decided to drive there to find a particular bird we used to see a lot of in Colorado, but never in our home vicinity here in Texas. One...a male, was reported being seen there. I wanted a photo to add to my wall collage. Upon arriving, just minutes out of the car, I heard its call and looked up...there it was. I got a few photos; it flew off. The remaining time we walked the numerous paths below the tree canopies, it never reappeared for the morning!!!

As my post title says...we hit pay dirt. Not only this particular one I was hoping to spot, but I also found one I mentioned I'd like to see in a previous post on the different doves in Texas.  Yes, I spotted the one I hadn't yet seen here...a Common Ground Dove.  It's a 'mixture' of points to ID...a bit like a mourning dove and an Inca Dove which you can review in photos from this post.  

Numerous different birds were flitting here, there...everywhere. Just to share a few.  To begin, the one I was hoping to see---:

As you can see, the migratory path barely hits our home area.  Hence, the drive hoping to see the beautiful male of the species!!

WESTERN TANAGER
photos taken: #281 Rest Stop - Outskirts of Falfurrias, Texas
habitat range: Western Tanager





SUMMER TANAGER [juvenile and adult]
photos taken: #281 Rest Stop - Outskirst of Falfurrias, Texas
habitat range: Summer Tanager




JUVENILE BLACK CRESTED TITMOUSE [another "Texas Bird"]
photo taken: #281 Rest Stop - Outskirts of Falfurrias, Texas
habitat range: Black Crested Titmouse




EASTERN BLUEBIRD [juvenile and adult]
photos taken: #281 Rest Stop - Outskirts of Falfurrias, Texas
habitat range: Eastern Bluebird

Another species is of the Finch family...this particular one is what guide books call a TEXAS Goldfinch.  But, in all aspects, it's a Lesser Goldfinch. "Texas Form"  The difference seen only in Texas is the adult male has ALL black compared to partial black found in other states.  From the Cornell Lab I took a screen shot:

LESSER GOLDFINCH [male and female]
photo taken: #281 Rest Stop - Outskirts of Falfurrias, Texas
habitat range: Lesser Goldfinch
Note:  Read More on the Texas Form Lesser Goldfinch from my sidebar/dropdown menu "Photographed Birds"

Here is the 'other dove' I have been seeking for years!!  This is the Common Ground Dove [which isn't so common in my home area].  As you can see by the markings, it's a bit like a Mourning Dove on the wing, and an Inca Dove on the head and chest.  The beak is pink with a black tip...pink feet.

COMMON GROUND DOVE

photo taken:  #281 Rest Stop - Outskirts of Falfurrias,. Texas

habitat range:  Ground Dove

A bird found only on the southern most tip of Texas [and Old Mexico] is the beautiful green jay.  They have a wonderful coloration...two or three shades of green, black, blue, white and yellow.  When they fly, the underwing is bright yellow!!  And trust me, these jays can mimic other bird calls...like the Mockingbird.  I've seen and heard them at feeders calling, and they can even sound like a hawk calling in the distance!!!

MEXICAN GREEN JAY

photo taken:  #281 Rest Stop - Outskirts of Falfurrias, Texas

habitat range:  Green Jay

Now, share your birding experiences:








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