I drove to the island and Port Aransas to go birding only once in the past few days. I stopped at only one wildlife refuge: Leonabelle Wildlife Refuge. This is what I came home with on my camera card. One I've been searching for and hoping to see again this July:
MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD
photos: top two are juvenile [white head] and bottom two are adult [female?] -I believe the adult male is ALL black except with throat color change during breeding season.
Habitat map: Frigatebird
Length: 40 inches
Wingspan: 90 inches
COMMON MOORHEN [Gallinule]
photos: juveniles
Habitat map: Moorhen
Length: 14 inches
Wingspan: 20-22 inches
BROWN PELICAN
photos: Top, adult...bottom, juvenile
Habitat map: Pelican
Length: 50 inches
Wingspan: 82 inches
BARN SWALLOW
photo: juvenile
Habitat map: Swallow
Length: 7.5 inches
Wingspan: 13 inches
AMERICAN COOT
photos: chicks
Habitat map: Coot
Length: 15 inches
Wingspan: 25 inches
...following is a "new" bird for me [age wise]. I have record of seeing one before, but I'm still not sure what year plumage, or if it may have been a Great Black Backed Gull. Maybe you'd help me confirm? They're a bit uncommon in my area of Texas.
LESSER BLACK BACKED GULL
photos: 1st year plumage
Habitat map: Gull
Length: 22 inches
Wingspan: 54 inches
Note: I did drive to Whitecap Beach [on the islands] yesterday to check the Gulf Waters for any tropical storm wave action before they closed the beaches. Today, the storm should make landfall near Corpus Christi at the status of category 1...Hurricane Hanna
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Participating this week:
Gina
Bird Loving Nana
A Quiet Corner
Arun
Linda, Virginia, USA
Jean@SoNotOrganized
Terri @ Coloring Outside The Lines
Birds Seen in Europe and Africa
Traveling With Birds [no hyperlink used]
Eileen
Rosyfinch Ramblings
Lavender Dreams
Phil UK
Lea's Menagerie
Love seeing all the baby birds! I can see how the Magnificent Frigatebird got its magnificent name!
ReplyDeleteHope Hurricane Hanna does not do a lot of damage.
Isn't that Coot the cutest little fellow! I'm praying you are safe during this bad storm. Take care and hunker down! Let us know how you are too! Hugs, Diane
ReplyDeleteLove your pics, Anni, and your ability to get out to see the wildlife. Stay safe from Hurricane Hanna!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE critters that are so ugly they are cute and my new love is the american coot chick. to cute for words. love those beautiful frigate birds. hope you and your birds are safe right now from the storm
ReplyDeleteNice bunch of youngsters. Wow, I've never seen an immature frigatebird. Beautiful! Love the baby coots and moor... oops I have get used to calling them Common Gallinules. All because we do not have "moors" in the US. A rose by any name...
ReplyDeletehttps://txtbba.tamu.edu/species-accounts/common-moorhen/
DeleteThe Frigatebirds! They are the pirates of the sea! I think they never come to land except to have chicks. The Coot chicks are quite something else, they are wild and crazy looking!! So are the Moorhen chicks. I have never seen a chick of either of these. Great post today! The only birds I have seen here are the Coot and Barn swallow.
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the Frigatebird sighting. The baby coots are adorable. I always enjoy seeing the Pelicans. Great birds and photos. Thanks for hosting. I hope you stay safe from the storm. Take Care! Have a happy weekend!
Not hard to understand why you would be thrilled to see the Magnificent Frigatebird. I have seen them by the hundreds in places such as Costa Rica, but the only spot I have seen them in North America is from the Florida Keys. And the pictures of the assorted young are encouraging for all of us.
ReplyDeleteHi Annie,I would love to see a Frigatebird and those American coot chicks are so funny at this stage. Sorry I am struggling to keep up the garden is taking over my life at the moment. Keep well and thanks for hosting. Diane
ReplyDeleteSo glad you got to see the Frigate Bird! Great captures....and I so want one of those Coot chicks...well, I wish they were where I could go see them!
ReplyDeleteThe Frigatebird is so neat looking. I'd love to see one of those! The Coot chicks look like they are fun to watch. Hope you stay safe during the storm.
ReplyDeleteI think the pelican spotted you. Great shots!
ReplyDeleteGreat images of Frigatebird. Love to see one of those in the flesh. Now only a its mother could love those coots!! Stay safe and have a great week ahead.
ReplyDeleteHi Anni. I can't help thinking that those Magnificent Frigatebirds would like close look at the fluffy chicks. I remember when I watched the Frigatebirds in Mexico how threatening they were to all the shorebirds - gulls, terms and waders. Despite that, I must admit to enjoying the spectacle.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your weekend and thanks for the link today.
Great assortment of photos. I'm still not getting out to take photos anywhere, because I'm erring on the side of caution and sheltering in place except for essential trips, due to covid-19.
ReplyDeleteI adore baby wildlife... thank you for a peek at these, Anni. Love, Andrea xoxo
ReplyDeletebeautiful love the babies Thank you for sharing
ReplyDeleteThe Frigatebird definitely deserves that adjective in its name! Wow, congratulations on the sighting and the wonderful photos. Just after I left a comment last night at your other place, I read about where the storm would make landfall . Almost came back then to tell you I was thinking of you. Hope all is well and you are safe (and dry).
ReplyDeleteBeautiful series. Love all the juveniles!
ReplyDeleteWow! What awesome photos. I love your bird photos. You always have such a beautiful posting.
ReplyDeleteAnni, I remember well the first time I saw a Frigate...they're huge!!!...:)jp
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