I'd Rather B Birdin': Bobolink

I hope now that we're back in the 'business' of sharing, that your New Year started with happiness and health. With the lack of getting out because of all the renovations being done around Anni's; finishing three rooms so far and beginning the huge livingroom this weekend, I am resorting to sharing some photos taken thru the cellphone from the bird photo portfolio that I had published several years ago for my own Texas Reference Book. In the last pages of the book, I have recorded where each bird was seen [location] and month/year. All the photos shared are from my camera over the decade plus of birding in my own vicinity. {number of photos are over 200, but I share just a few for now}....

From top to bottom:

Bobolink [rare]

Bobwhite Quail

Groove-billed Ani

Lazuli Bunting [rare]

Whooping Crane

White-eyed Vireo

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In last week's post I mentioned I had spotted a highly unusual bird in our neck of the woods. Hans Suter Wildlife Preserve, all within the city limits, is a vast stop over for migratory birds; along with the usual feathered residents in and around the bay's surroundings which can be found nearly any day of the year. On this particular, overcast, dreary and threatening rainstorms-kind-a-day, we were walking along the raised boardwalk to the gazebo at the end where we can watch the water birds, this dark bird flew into the tall grasses. I had not seen this before. As I aimed my camera toward where it had landed, I was hoping that it wouldn't fly away before I could focus better. I started hitting the shutter as it flitted about the grounds in search for food; then, it flew into the tall bushes along the water way that drains into the bay. Looking through the viewfinder I had no idea what I was looking at. The identification eluded me...I was anxious to get home to my bird books and study. My first two books I used, both Texas Birds, there was no bird like it! I went online and typed in what I saw, the tell-tale markings and colors. Still nothing came close. I then resorted to my huge volume of North American Birds that sits on our bookshelf, and found it!! A Bobolink. Online again, I typed in the bird's name and read a whole lot more. In all reality, I had spotted a near 'one of a kind' bird in our area. According to the habitat map, these birds rarely are seen anywhere near the state of Texas. Scarce, even along Texas' eastern boundary. And then, only during migration. So, I consider myself lucky to have been there at the right time and had the opportunity to watch it for just a short time before it flew to other fields far, far away. All I can say is thank goodness for the powerful zoom lens on the camera - I was able to get up close and personal!!

The Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) is a small New World blackbird and the only member of genus Dolichonyx. I read, also, that it's the only bird in America that has a black chest!! Its black and yellow and white colors on the male are only during the breeding season - the rest of the year both male and female bobolinks are very similar in coloration; a drab grayish brown [as seen in the beginning photo - borrowed from a Goggle Image Search; not my photo and no copyright infringement intended]. Oftentimes, they're not recorded as their colors are so like other birds in their markings, and there is a considerable redundancy of many bird species. Further reading told me that these birds migrate to Argentina, Bolivia, and Paraguay. One bird was tracked flying 12,000 miles (19,000 km) over the course of the year, and up to 1,100 miles (1,800 km) in one day. The numbers of these birds are declining due to loss of habitat. Here are a few of my photos of the Bobolink taken on that day...

BOBOLINK
photo taken: Hans Suter Reserve - Corpus Christi, Texas
Habitat Range:

For the difference of vagrant, lost, or rare birds, there is a great article with a good explanation through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine. Read more...

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This is a photo share of Hans Suter Wildlife Refuge area. From the Parking lot kiosk, to the bay, pathways and boardwalks...

Left to Right - top to bottom:

The kiosk, An observation bench nestled in the wooded area
Boardwalk to bay [seen in far background]
Tree covered path on the 1 mile hiking trail, The Boardwalk looking from the bay's gazebo
Bridge atop a small fresh water creek, bay view of hiking trail

Also, the very same day, when we got back into the car to leave for another birding area close by, stuck under our windshield wiper blade on the driver's side was a beautiful photo share!! There is one man that does the maintenance of the park's grounds that we see often and we converse with him most every time we are there. Once he is done with his clean-up chores, he usually walks along the boardwalk to view the birds; carrying his small camera. It seems his favorite bird is the Roseate Spoonbill....he's always telling us about his "Rosies"!! Well the photo was of the Roseate Spoonbills in the bay. We know it was from him --- he was there, busy doing his work at the time we left!! That was so sweet of him. At least I'm 99% sure it's he who did this act of kindness, 'cause he's regularly showing us two photos he's taken with his digital through the viewfinder...

PS...when this post is published by a pre-scheduled time, Bud and I are celebrating our 45th wedding anniversary! [May 11th] So, naturally, I won't be online then. I'll see y'all on Sunday.

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§ From my book...

§ Boba-loo!!! No, wait, it's a....

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