Welcome back to the bird d'pot! Seems like longer than two weeks, yet the days with company flew by all too quickly. I'm here today to share a few birds seen while out and about with family over the holidays...
Commonly seen here in South Texas:
NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD
Texas's State Bird
Habitat map: Mockingbird
NORTHERN CARDINAL
Habitat map: Cardinal
Then, while traipsing through a small city park, I spotted a rarity seen in this area. In fact, I haven't had time to check my 'records' of birds seen, so this may be a first for me -or second time in over a decade of birding in this state! As you can see viewing the habitat map link, it is mostly found in Central America, but occasionally showing up in South Texas. I had a long wait for it to actually come OUT of the park's wildlife watering trough to get the "full" view, but I managed to get a few clear images of it close-up...
CLAY COLORED THRUSH
Habitat map: Thrush
Linking Tool is Closed. Come back Saturday.
Hi Anni. I'm happy to hear you enjoyed your birding. break to meet up with family. That clay coloured thrush looks so much like s female Blackbird. But then they are related. It's good to link up again. And Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteAwwwww.... such precious birds & beautiful pictures, Anni. I'm glad you're back from your holiday "away" from your blog... but I know you had a wonderful time. It does go all too quickly, doesn't it. ~Andrea xoxoxo
ReplyDeleteHello Anni,
ReplyDeletePretty captures of the Cardinal and the Mockingbird. Congrats on finding the Clay Colored Thrush, great photos too. Thanks for hosting! Happy Birding, have a great weekend.
Never heard of a Clay Colored Thrush! It looks like a Robin. That makes sense, since I believe our robins are a kind of Thrush. Wow, I am so impressed that you identified it! Especially since it is not even native to our country! good to see you back, I have missed you.
ReplyDeletelove your image of the NORTHERN CARDINAL and of the CLAY COLORED THRUSH. Congrats to seeing it :) and getting good shots.
ReplyDeleteThis all proves, Anni that a bird that is common (and I mean common) in its native range becomes a rarity and a celebrity once it strays from its regular haunts. I imagine that it was once like this with people. How odd must marco polo have looked to the people he encountered in central asia.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Anni! I have a little mocking bird in my yard that thinks there is another bird inside my husbands truck. He has little fights with the window all the time lol.
ReplyDeleteGlad you could sight the rare Clay Colored Thrush. It looks beautiful! So are your other sightings too. Happy new year!
ReplyDeleteI liked Davids comment about Marco Polo. none of these birds are common to me, i just do not see birds when i am out and about. now I am wondering if i did see them when i was out with diane the birdwatcher like you are... as always the photos are spectacular. I am wondering when you are out do you see dogs? when i am out or watching adds on tv, i see every dog in sight. they are adding dogs to most commercials now
ReplyDeleteGreat photos!
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting!
Have a blessed day!
Hello Anni,, :=) Good to see you back. I enjoyed all your clear shots of the birds you saw. I'm sure you had a wonderful time with your sister and she enjoyed seeing the Northern Cardinal, I think it might be a favourite of hers!! It's certainly a favourite bird of mine. I'm pleased you saw and photographed the Clay coloured Thrush. Beautiful shot of the Mockingbird too!
ReplyDeleteThe Thrush is gorgeous...what beautiful soft colors! It's a great time of year for birding. Enjoy the week ahead! (we hiked TWICE yesterday!)
ReplyDeleteI had never heard of the Clay colored thrush...so many birds I don't know. I love blogging just cause I am always seeing something new. All the birds are gorgeous, of course.
ReplyDeleteLovely set of photos and so glad you had a good Christmas. Wishing you all the very best for 2022. Have a good week, Cheers Diane
ReplyDeleteI did enjoy seeing all of your photographs.
ReplyDeleteMy good wishes for 2022.
All the best Jan
Beautiful blog. Happy new year
ReplyDelete