I ended up driving to Hans Suter Park last Sunday morning. I enjoyed the warm sun and slight breeze after a couple weeks of cold air. I walked the boardwalk to the end and sighted in on water birds, gulls, ducks, herons, and egrets. One lone white pelican and one single brown pelican. A handful of stilts and that was about it. Going back the way I came, I spotted coots, yellow crowned night herons and tri-colored, plus a few black crowned night herons along the channel that empties into the bay. As I turned the corner, high above on a power pole, I spotted a hawk. It was some distance away to the naked eye, and my binoculars were in the car's trunk! I used my camera zoom...it was a rarely seen Harris's Hawk! I took a few photos before it flew off...only for it to land in a tree near the street. The tree had a second Harris's Hawk!! I only managed one photo, not a good photo, before they flew away!
HARRIS'S HAWK
Habitat map: Hawk
After leaving this part of town, I headed to Flour Bluff, Texas [a suburb of Corpus Christi], driving the county roads to reach a large private lake in hopes of seeing Sandhill Cranes. I saw just a few at the water's edge. Then, back in the car I went, driving toward the freeway to head home. Once again, on a power pole, I spotted what I first thought was a peregrine falcon. As I slowed down, I realized it was another rarity for these parts...a Merlin!! I drove to the nearest residential street and made a U turn to get pictures. This, in nearly 20 years living here, is the 2nd one I've ever seen!!!
MERLIN
Habitat map: Merlin
Wow, that Merlin is spectacular! The second Harris's Hawk was a real bonus. A very fruitful drive!
ReplyDeleteYou captured some fantastic shots Anni, what a lucky day!
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteThe Harris's Hawk is beautiful, I love the Merlin too. Great sightings and photos, congrats!
Thanks for hosting. Have a great weekend.
Wow, what awesome surprises! And your photos are good, too!
ReplyDeleteBoth the Harris and the Merlin would have thrilled me, Anni!!...jp
ReplyDeleteWhat fun you had! It's always thrilling to see big birds and when they are rare to see, I get very excited! And it's snowing on your blog which is pretty exciting too! heehee! Great photos! You did GOOD!!! holiday hugs
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you photographed those raptors. I'd love to get images like these.
ReplyDeleteYou left your bins in the boot/trunk! Naughty naughty Anni. Never mind you recovered well with those cracking photos. It's a little strange for me to see how obliging your Merlin's are. Here a Merlin is almost impossible to get near or to photograph. Great shots Anni.
ReplyDeleteTwo great birds of prey in one day! Better go home and break out the Champagne!
ReplyDeleteawesome that you found two rare birds on one trip. that merlin is beautiful, I have not heard that name before...
ReplyDeletethanks for letting me know i left out a word in the recipe. I fixed that and added the link to the recipe on Allrecipes. here is the link, it has more info on how to do it. https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/231541/easy-crustless-pumpkin-pie/
These birds of prey can be very cruel but also very beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYou were very lucky to be able to photograph them!
You got such wonderful photos..
ReplyDeleteI want to look at them later on the computer.
What gorgeous birds! How exciting to spot not one but two rare birds and on the same day. That Harris Hawk is stunning! Hope you've had a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteFabulous to see.
ReplyDeleteNow, did you as David suggested go home and break out the champagne?
All the best Jan
PS Love how I currently get covered in snowflakes when I visit both your blogs :)
Great hawks! It's so fun to see an elusive bird.
ReplyDeleteHello Anni, how awesome to see two rare birds and thanks for sharing them. I love raptors and loved seeing your Harris' Hawk and Merlin. I'm going to copy your link onto my blog post today. I surmise that's the way to do it? Have a great day. Jo
ReplyDelete