This past Thursday, I ventured through the early morning hours, through heavy fog, driving to Port Aransas. I first wanted to check on the Aplomado Falcons along the highway. It was too dark, so I kept on going [there was a startling discovery when I started home in the vicinity of the Aplomado Platform]. By the time I arrived at Port A's Paradise Pond, it was getting lighter, and the fog was lifting. I walked into the viewing area and saw these "early birds":
YELLOW THROATED WARBLER
photo taken: Paradise Pond
habitat map: Warbler
INDIGO BUNTING
photo taken: Paradise Pond
habitat map: Bunting
A tell-tale sign of this species of thrush [comparing to Northern] is the fact that this thrush bobs its rear up and down when on the hunt...
LOUISIANA WATER THRUSH
photo taken: Paradise Pond
habitat map: Thrush
....if you're an avid bird watcher, you know how warblers are in continual motion. Well, this warbler [there were about 6 counted] was in hyper-mode, so I just kept snapping the shutter button in hopes of getting at least one clear picture:
PROTHONOTARY WARBLER
photos taken: Paradise Pond
habitat map: Warbler
Birds seen throughout the 3 hours are:
Cattle Egret -9
Great Blue Heron - 5
Tri-colored Heron-4
Great Egret - 5
Blue Winged Teal -x
Common Moorhen-10
Grackle-x
Yellow Throated Warbler-1
Prothonotary Warbler-6
Seagulls-x
Franklin Gulls-2
Royal Terns-x
Ruddy Turnstones-7
Wilson's Snipe-1
American Avocets-3
White Ibis-1
Aplomado Falcon-2
Snowy Egrets-x
Brown Pelicans-17
Sanderlings-2
Dowitchers-x
Yellowlegs-8
Willets-2
Shovelers-x
Cormorants-9
Indigo Bunting-1
After spending about an hour at Paradise Pond, I then drove to Leonabelle Refuge. The fog continued to be dense throughout my stay and dark overcast sky. Even rained at a partial area as I drove home. To be continued next week....
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Oh that Prothonotary Warbler is gorgeous! That is one species which I have seen but never photographed. Looking forward to lots more spring arrivals!
ReplyDeleteHello, wonderful sightings and photos of the Warblers. They are all so cute. Thanks for hosting. Have a happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteI do love seeing birds that we never see here. Some great shots of some really pretty birds here. Thanks for hosting, and have a good Sunday Diane
ReplyDeleteYou really did visit Paradise that day! What a nice long list of birds. I love that last little colorful Warbler. We are seeing more Goldfinches and fewer Warblers this week! Enjoy your weekend! It's HOT here so we may have to get out early tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteThe Warblers are all fantastic!! Especially the yellow throated one, it is stunning! Goodness, your list for just a few hours looks like mine for a month!
ReplyDeleteWonderful warblers! Even if I kep snapping in hopes... I would end up with a lot of pictures of where the warblers used to be! Thanks for sharing your very successful efforts and for hosting.
ReplyDeleteThat's a lot of birds! Lovely pictures, as usual. Thanks for hosting.
ReplyDeleteMarvellous Warbler shots ANni
ReplyDeleteGreat photos!
ReplyDeleteThe Yellow-throated Warbler sure has the right name!
I have never seen that many birds in one place and also never seen any of the birds today. the yellows and blue are amazing to me... love the flamingo, those I have seen but not in the wild
ReplyDeletewow, such colorful birds you captured today. Love the PROTHONOTARY WARBLER so beautiful. :)
ReplyDeletemy post today is for you Anni :)
That's some list of birds Anni. Looks like you hit a sweet spot with the warblers heading north. The Prothonotary Wearbler's colours are almost unreal, so too the yellow-throated. It's a great time of year to be out birding for sure.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the links today.
Your birding dedication amazes me.
ReplyDeleteOnce again, you have made me "oooooo and ahhhhhhh", Anni! Your photos are incredible...:)JP
ReplyDeleteThese are all so wonderful Anni! I always enjoy your photos.
ReplyDeleteI am loving the little yellow warbler, absolutely beautiful...
ReplyDelete