Here, in our yard, the lack of hummingbirds for the migratory season was dumbfounding....yet, we saw them in abundance at local parks. It dawned on me why....the Spring rains brought a whole slew of flowering plants, profusely blooming all around town and the barrier islands!! The hummingbirds prefer the blossoms' natural nectar!! Can't blame 'em. We've only had TWO active at our feeders over time. During the drought...........dozens!!
No...the following bird photos I share were NOT seen in El Paso, Texas!! They're migrants that were just passing through our area this past month, on their way to their summer breeding grounds....el paso [the passage].
Without a whole lotta chit chat, I'll just share the photos I got of several seen mainly in one area of town [along the island highway] over several different days in April:
FEMALE SUMMER TANAGER - WOOD THRUSH [?]
photos taken: Paradise Pond - Port Aransas, Texas
habitat map: Summer Tanager, Wood Thrush
MALE ROSE BREASTED GROSBEAK - YELLOW BREASTED CHAT
photos taken: Packery Channel Motte - Padre Island [North]
ORCHARD ORIOLE - FEMALE ROSE BREASTED GROSBEAK
photos taken: Packery Channel Park - Padre Island [North]
habitat map: Orchard Oriole, Grosbeak
INDIGO BUNTING - YELLOW BILLED CUCKOO
photos taken: Packery Channel Park - Padre Island [North]
PAINTED BUNTING - CHESTNUT SIDED WARBLER
photos taken: Packery Channel Park and Paradise Pond
CHUCK WILL'S WIDOW - SCARLET TANAGER
photos taken: Blucher Park [widow-Corpus Christi] - Packery Channel [tanager]
habitat map: Chuck Will's Widow, Scarlet Tanager
NORTHERN PARULA - BALTIMORE ORIOLE
photos taken: Port Aransas and Packery Channel - Padre Island [North]
Now share your birding experiences:
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We just saw our first hummingbird today. Your photos are very colourful this week, just love seeing all the birds.
ReplyDeleteSo many colorful show stopping birds today!
ReplyDeleteThe Grosbeaks, Buntings, and Chuck Will's Widdow are my absolute favorites! An abundance of wonder today, I amazed and smiling!
ReplyDeleteyou certainly get to see a wonderful variety of migrants!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear about the lack of hummers. This year we have a lot. Last weekend we moved one of the feeders into the raised garden bed and they went CRAZY. The most hummers we counted at just that one feeder that day was 15. I think they gravitate to it so much because 1). the feeder has a comfortable perch for them, and 2). The location of the feeder gives them a lot of resting options. (They have the wire cage around the tomatoes, and then the fence with all the little squares for them to perch inside. They also have the Oak Tree real close by). After that one day, the average number of hummers we've had was 7 or 8. We have to feed them twice a day now. I don't know how their little bodies can stand drinking so much.
ReplyDeleteI do think the hummers will come to your neck of the woods. I think they arrived here a little late this year, too. I remember worrying for a while that they might not even come around this year. When they do visit you, I can't wait to see your pictures! I saw a pic of a male hummer the other day that had purple around it's neck. I wish we got those!
But your photos.... we have lots of different species of birds around here, but nothing like what you've captured. I've never even seen half of those. You're pretty lucky!
Gorgeous shots and beautiful birds !!
ReplyDeleteHave a nice weekend :)
What a treasure trove of birds! I especially like the ones I have not yet had the opportunity to photograph-- the Chuck-Will's-Widow, the Yellow-billed Cuckoo, as well as the Wood Thrush that has never given me a good shot-- and the chat that I have only captured when partially hidden in the underbrush! Thanks for hosting us and so glad to see you are obviously "back in the groove." (I lived in El Paso, Texas and that was a pretty deep groove between Mexico and the US).
ReplyDeleteWow Anni, awesome birds and photos.. I can not pick a favorite I love them all. But, the Chuck Will's Widow is on my wish list.. Thanks for hosting, have a happy Mother's Day! Enjoy your weekend!
ReplyDeleteGreat collection of migratory birds! I especially love the cuckoo, I guess because he was always called a rain crow by my Grandmother, and he is so elusive. I have rarely seen photos. Love the other birds...such a variety! A great "el paso."
ReplyDeleteSuch a variety! How blessed you are, Anni!
ReplyDeleteDearest Anni Good Morning from Japan. Oh My what gorgeous varieties of birds♬♬♬ They all are colorful and pretty birdies♡♡♡ You certainly made me jealous :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for hosting and have a wonderful coming Mothers Day. (here already)
Sending Lots of Love and Hugs to my Dear friend in America, xoxo Miyako*
I love seeing all those spring birds. Some of those very birds are beginning to show up in my parts.
ReplyDeleteLOVE your photos!! We are in the country seeing lots of beautiful birds but I did not bring my bird books and I have no clue to who these are! Mockingbirds are here and we know and love them!
ReplyDeleteYour blog header andbackground is gorgeous and so YOU!!! Hope you are feeling well! Please know you are loved by those you have never met!
Beautiful photos Anni. I wish I had your talent or mojo for getting songbirds to pose. We never see as many different kinds as you do, but even if we dii I would never get such great portraits. Very interesting on the hummingbirds and also thanks for the brush up on my Spanish skills. I wondered there for a minute. Thanks for hosting.
ReplyDeleteWhat a variety of beautiful birds! Beautiful captures, Anni.
ReplyDeleteWoW-zers!!! what a beautiful, colorful variety of birds!!! sight a delight to the birders eye!!!
ReplyDeletethe blog looks fabulous, i really like what you have done with it!!!!
Anni, Chuck Will's Widow - what an interesting bird. Splendid variety. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThese are all marvelous, Anni!
ReplyDeleteA new color palate with each photo - so pretty.
ReplyDeleteVery pretty birds Anni, you got some great shots. I don't think I have seen any of these birds.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great variety of birds you have shared Anni. Always a pleasure. I hope you enjoyed a beautiful Mother's Day~
ReplyDeleteSuch lovely Pictures. They do gladden the heart and senses!
ReplyDeleteSuch an impressive collection of bird images. Many I have never seen before, but are on my bucket list. The Chuck Will's, Chestnut-sided Warbler, and Yellow-breasted Chat to name a few. Wow, I am blown away by the birds you are able to see and capture.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful assortment of birds! I really need to get my feeders set up for summer.
ReplyDeleteReally wonderful photos, Anni!
ReplyDelete