Take note: Linked posts MUST have shared bird photos in the post somewhere!!
This last month has been a doozy for me. I've been witness to a lot of good stuff; different stuff. I don't know which to post about first. Last week I mentioned the influx of duck migration. Every and any water area, large or small, the ducks are there. I've conversed through emails with another avid birder from this area of Texas. He told me about a wood duck that was spotted just a few miles from my home. I have only once seen a wood duck [male, at that] in my lifetime. And, that was nearly 30 years ago; in Colorado. I wasn't 'into' birding like I am now...so never took a photo of it. Now, I want to see one badly and can't seem to find one to photograph. Bud and I hopped in the car to go to the area John told me about, and we found the hidden pond just off the road...as soon as I opened the car window to lift my camera toward the pond dozens of ducks flew away...we were warned before we left home that these ducks are particularly skittish. I dropped my camera to watch them, and saw only redheads and mottled ducks fly to the sky. That day, no wood duck.
REDHEAD DUCKS
photo taken: Pond just outside Flour Bluff, Texas
habitat map:
Redhead Duck
While the car windows were wide open the distant calls from Sandhill Cranes were heard. If you've ever heard them, you know then, that the cranes can be heard from miles away. Anyway we left the hidden pond area and went down another country road...
...we found the Sandhill Cranes. They were on a horse ranch property near a small watering hole on the pasture---
SANDHILL CRANES
photos taken: Just outside Flour Bluff, Texas
habitat map:
Sandhill Cranes
Where there is livestock, you're bound to see vultures. Atop a power pole nearby the ranchland, a Black Vulture waited patiently.
BLACK VULTURE
photo taken: Just outside Flour Bluff, Texas
habitat map:
Black Vulture
...we drove back to the same area the following day in hopes of seeing the duck, but this time, no ducks at all on the pond when we arrived. Taking the same back road to return to the main street to head back to the freeway, I stopped to take a panoramic view of the Sandhill Cranes. When I got home to get the photos off the SD card, I spied a killdeer [take note of white arrow] on the same field as the cranes. Didn't notice it when out there with the camera. I guess, at the time, I was too busy concentrating on another bird ---
Sandhill Cranes & in the distance: Killdeer
---the 'other' bird was an American Kestrel that flew up onto a power pole and cleaned itself up. Only to fly back down to the pasture for dessert!
AMERICAN KESTREL
photos taken: Just outside Flour Bluff, Texas
habitat range:
Kestrel
Now, share your birding experiences:
