I'd Rather B Birdin': APLOMADO FALCON

Showing posts with label APLOMADO FALCON. Show all posts

§ This Week...

This past week, I stayed off the ladder. The only bit of work I did was act as an apprentice for Bud and his electrical work. He is removing the old light sockets and plates with the new improved "modern" ones that are shielded from electrical shock. I guess it's a good thing. But, holding the flashlight and setting up the hurricane lanterns for him was "my job".

I did get out to see what birds I could see on the islands. Thing is by the time I arrived at my destination, the sea fog moved in and I couldn't even see the big cargo ships on the channel. I did see a few birds tho. So the trip wasn't wasted...

APLOMADO FALCON
Habitat map: Falcon

greater/LESSER SCAUP
Habitat map: Scaup

LEAST GREBE
Habitat map: Grebe

CATTLE EGRET
Habitat map: Egret

GREEN WINGED TEAL
Habitat map: Teal

TRI-COLORED HERON
Habitat map: Heron

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§ Celebration of Flight 2022...

After two years of COVID, the annual Celebration of Flight in Calallen, Texas [Hazel Bazemore Park] was non-existent. This year, on the last weekend of September, the Hawkwatch finally held the event. I attended a few short hours on Sunday, the 25th. I must admit, it was not disappointing, but it WAS the same ol' same ol' program itinerary! I do wish they'd give a change of venue!!!

Again, the morning was humid and hot. I got there early to walk the park and then follow the show. By the time I finished my walk around the trails and 'hot spots' for birds, I was drenched in sweat and in need of water. So, I cut my visit short; short of watching the show itself, yet still visiting the Sky King's Falconry "staff"....the birds exibition...

APLOMADO FALCON
Habitat map: Falcon

KOOKABURRA
Habitat map: Kookaburra [australian]

HARRIS HAWK
Habitat map: Hawk

GREAT HORNED OWL
Habitat map: Owl

PIED CROW [white collared crow]
Habitat map: Crow [africa]

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§ Birding in Early Spring...

With school's Spring Break this week, and College Spring Break next week, I'm sticking close to home. These photos shared today are from the previous week and this past Sunday...before vacation times for the educators/students. The GB Heron was seen along Ocean Drive on the road to the Naval Base. Of course the falcon nest platform is along the island highway. There are two platforms, about 5 miles apart, but this one is the only one ever used. The black arrow shows where it's located, and then using the zoom. The Glaucous Gull is a vagrant in these parts of the coast...I have ONE MORE rare gull seen that I will share next week I hope to remember. The white morphed reddish egret seems to be coming into breeding plumage. And the two scaups are at the pond at a local park.

GREAT BLUE HERON
[with redtailed catfish]
Habitat map: Heron

APLOMADO FALCON
[2nd image using zoom lens]
Habitat map: Falcon

GLAUCOUS GULL
[Rare in Texas]
Habitat map: Gull

REDDISH EGRET
[white morph]
Habitat map: Egret

LESSER SCAUP
[male/black female/brown]
Habitat map: Scaup

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§ At Port Aransas Texas

APLOMADO FALCON [rare, endangered]
Habitat map: Falcon

WHITE PELICANS
Habitat map: Pelicans

GREAT BLUE HERON
Habitat map: Heron

GREAT EGRET
Habitat map: Egret

AMERICAN AVOCET
Habitat map: Avocet

COMMON GALLINUEL [moorhen]
Habitat map: Gallinule

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§ Describing My Morning on the Islands...

One very warm day this past week, I ventured to the islands for tallying my 10000 step count. I walked the Port Aransas Jetty first. It can be a challenge with uneven footfalls on the huge boulders, but giving me movement of many muscles that normally wouldn't get a workout. After counting about 2 miles in steps, I sat down to watch the huge cargo ships going out to the Gulf from the Port O' Call. The early morning sun was beautiful reflecting its light on the channel -in the hazy distance miles out to sea, a line of tankers and large cargo ships were awaiting a channel pilot boat to guide them through...and the waterfowl was aplenty - terns of all kinds, seagulls, pelicans, egrets, cormorants, turnstones, the all intrustive grackles, sandpipers, and turtles bobbing up for air in the channel. One large tanker was a virtual playground for the bottle-nosed dolphins. I took pictures. Along the huge boulders, in a small inlet, I notice the shadow of an egret on the rock. I found it hunting for its breakfast. [above photos] By the time the ship got to the open waters, the day was becoming quite warm, and I had many more steps to count. I ended up at Charlie's Pasture [also along the ship channel]. Upon arriving, I was VERY pleased to see, after three years of hurricane Harvey damage, the park road was finally repaired and repaved!!! I could get to the covered pavilion and perhaps find some swallows busying with their young. Indeed, the mud nests were filled and the parents were active! My total steps accomplished along the trails with finding no rattlesnakes on the paths [they are here, I've seen a couple in my walking the boardwalk days], and I sat under the protection of the pavilion's roofing and enjoyed the cooler sea breeze gently blowing through as I watched the feeding frenzy...

Upon my return drive to Corpus Christi, I pulled off the park road to check on the Aplomado family. Both ma and pa were out of the hacking tower [nest box] and no sign of the two little ones in the nest...did they fledge? Did coyotes or raptors get 'em? Maybe snakes? Who knows. I may take another drive there over this weekend to check and see if they may be nearby. Otherwise, it'll be until next Spring I suppose.

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Participating this week:

Travels With Birds [David uses no hyperlink]
Birds Seen in Europe and Africa
Linda, Virginia, USA
Arun, India
Linda aka Crafty Gardener
Eileen
Ella
tomthebackroadstraveller
notafraidofcolor
Phil, UK
The Early Birder
Jean@sonotorganized
Lavender Dreams
Lea's Menagerie
Rosyfinch Ramblings

§ This Week...

§ Celebration of Flight 2022...

§ Birding in Early Spring...

§ At Port Aransas Texas

§ Describing My Morning on the Islands...

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