Where do I begin? Early last Saturday morning, I went to the islands by myself. Bud stayed home... I think he missed out on a good bird trip!! But, that's my opinion.
The first stop was Leonabelle Turnbull Nature Center. The large pond was active with so many different birds, I was thrilled. And still I didn't know where to point the camera first. Excuse my terminology, but there were oodles of different birds. Baby Chicks, Gallinules, Coots, herons, sandpipers, willets, bitterns, egrets, gulls, grackles, terns, stilts, warblers along the walkway before entering the pond area, flycatchers, cormorants and more... too numerous to mention.
The first that caught my eye were the Common Gallinule Chicks [moorhens]. So ugly; can't help but think they're adorable sweeties...and oh so vulnerable.
GALLINULE CHICKS [moorhen]
photos taken: Leonabelle Turnbull Nature Center - Port Aransas, Texas
habitat range: Gallinule
Along the boardwalk just feet from the babies, I spotted other birds, swimming in the water...
DOUBLE CRESTED CORMORANT [young] & PIED BILLED GREBE
photos taken: Leonabelle Turnbull Nature Center - Port Aransas, Texas
habitat range: Cormorant, Pied Billed Grebe
Scanning the reed grasses [cattail] I spotted a Least Bittern, grooming.
LEAST BITTERN
photos taken: Leonabelle Turnbull Nature Center - Port Aransas, Texas
habitat range: Bittern
I was hoping the Bittern would take flight while I stood and watched it through the camera lens, but no go. I did get some 'action' shots off to my left as a Snowy Egret came flying in...
SNOWY EGRET
photos taken: Leonabelle Turnbull Nature Center - Port Aransas, Texas
habitat range: Egret
As I got to the end of the boardwalk, and the last platform I turned around to leave for another "hot spot". Nearing the parking lot, I stopped to watch a Least Flycatcher [If it is an incorrect ID, please inform me] catch its breakfast...
LEAST FLYCATCHER
photos taken: Leonabelle Turnbull Nature Center - Port Aransas, Texas
habitat range: Flycatcher
I will conclude my short solo excursion next week, with Paradise Pond birds!!
Now, share your birding experiences:
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I´m envious, I hardly even seen moorhens this summer. And there used to be lots of them. The same with flycatchers, Have not seen even one pair breeding :(
ReplyDeleteGreat shot of the landing egret :)
Hello Anni, the moorhen chicks are adorable. Awesome sighting of the Least Bittern. I keep looking for one but they are hiding from me. :) The flycatcher with the dragonfly is cool. Wonderful photos.
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting, have a happy weekend!
Great to see all these beautiful birds, Anni !
ReplyDeleteYou showed them in wonderful shots !
Happy weekend :)
lovely waterbirds! cute chicks and i like the anhinga's tail in the water. :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful birds! I'm so behind again. Just got back from St. George. Hope to catch up soon.
ReplyDeleteOh I am SO homesick looking at your photos, I used to go to field trips on Padre Island in college. Your bird shots are wonderful, the fluffy moorheen chicks with their bald spots are adorable. The comorant with the blue tail fanned out in the water is amazing. And the Snowy Egret caught suspended above the water with golden feet extended, wonderful!
ReplyDeleteAmazing pictures.I would love to spend time in an area with lots,or oodles of birds.That sounds like so much fun.
ReplyDeleteWonderful images! Mine are crude in comparison but in my defense, it was raining.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos, Anni! I love the Bittern and the Egret...they are all great. I just adore those "so ugly they are cute" moorhen chicks! What a great birding excursion. Yes, you hubby missed out! :-)
ReplyDeleteThe snowy egret looks like a skater doing a jump. Love you shots.
ReplyDeleteYes only a mother could love those chicks. Your photos are super . Love the Egrets shots and all the reflections.
ReplyDeleteLove all the images!
ReplyDeleteI envy your warm (hot) temperatures Anni.Its all downhill here now. I need my alarm clock so as to get up real early and go birding before most folk are up and about- it's not that it runs my life or that I am a slave to time.
ReplyDeleteMoorhen chicks have a certain charm which you captured in those pictures, images I can rarely obtain as our Moorhens are very shy.
Your Pied-billed Grebe picture is superb and it's a species I like seeing over here when they turn up very, very occasionally. Nice work with the Least and the Snowy Egret too.
Please tell Bud he needs to be out there birding with you or he'll miss the Big One someday.
Lovely shots! Thanks for hosting.
ReplyDeleteAnni, cute chicks. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteawwwww anni, those chicks are the perfect blend of cute and a lil ugly!!! love those dancing egrets, with their gold slippers on!!!!
ReplyDeleteMarvelous birding photo trip Anni, gorgeous photos. The chicks I found very interesting because I have a moorhen for my post but don't believe I saw any chicks though I did see quite a few coot chicks.
ReplyDeleteanni, none of my pictures are protected, if there is ever one you want. i have a couple good female cardinal images in the feathered friends tab at the top of my blog!!!! and enjoy today!!!!
ReplyDeleteReally fantastic captures. Looks like an exciting time out. I know I would have been thrilled! Especially with the Least Bittern. Hope you have a fun week planned ahead. Chris
ReplyDelete