I'd Rather B Birdin': Lesser Scaup

Showing posts with label Lesser Scaup. 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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§ 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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§ Winter Texans....

This past week it's been a miserable week for me to be outdoors! High winds, near freezing temps in the middle of the day [icy conditions on bridges for driving], so I stayed home for the most part. I still have to laugh at myself, being that I grew up in the Colorado foothills; living there for over 50 years, and when it gets to be wintry here in South Texas, I am chilled to the bone. I know a lot of that has to do with heavy humidity, but still, I've become a weakling when the cold snaps linger for days. I went out only a couple of days. Yes, one morning it was a mild 70° [F] and I walked a trail in shorts and t-shirt. By the time I got my 3 miles' walk completed and back to the car the temp had dropped some 20+° and I was happy to get back in the car with the heater. Another day I drove to Humble Channel in search of a rare gull that was spotted...the Glaucous...but never saw it. Too windy to stand on the coast without being blown over. Another pair of female ducks were reported at Port Aransas, but I never got a chance to get there. Harlequin Ducks. Needless to say, not many 'special' birds seen; the usual winter residents. But, I will share some photos taken:

Along Humble Channel...

LESSER SCAUP
Habitat map: Scaup

GREAT BLUE HERON
Habitat map: Heron

REDHEAD DUCK
Habitat map: Duck

Gulls
But, not the one I was hunting.

At a park...

NORTHERN CARDINAL
Habitat map: Cardinal

GREEN JAY
Habitat map: Jay

INCA DOVE
Habitat map: Dove

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§ Campus Birds on the Bay....

A cold front that moved in over the weekend, created icy conditions along with sleet falling here and there around town. But not for long. A slow trend of some warmer weather is now predicted. These photos were taken on a sunny, but windy, morning, behind the Texas A&M campus along the bay on Ward Island...

LONG BILLED CURLEW
Habitat map: Curlew

LESSER SCAUP
Habitat map: Scaup

NORTHERN PINTAIL
Habitat map: Pintail

GREATER YELLOWLEGS
Habitat map: Yellowlegs

BLACK BELLIED PLOVER
Habitat map: Plover

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§ A "New" Bird Was Seen!

Walking around the larger pond of the area known as Pollywog Ponds just a few miles northwest of town, I think I sighted in on a new sparrow for me; one I've only read about in my guide books...the Song Sparrow [?]--And my question mark is validated to be incorrect ID...it's a female red-winged blackbird. Thanks to David for steering me clear on it. It was too small to be another female blackbird by my estimation, about 1/2 the size [about 5 inches, but I guess I'm wrong]. It's the last photo of the series. I only got the one photo before it went off into the tree branches and I was unable to follow it with the lens and get a better view.

LESSER SCAUP
photo taken: Pollywog Ponds
habitat map: Scaup
length: 16 to 18 inches
wingspan: 24- 32 inches

SNOWY EGRET
photo taken: Leonabelle Refuge
habitat map: Egret
length: 22-36 inches
wingspan: 46 inches

RED WINGED BLACKBIRD [male, black - female, brown]
photos taken: Leonabelle Refuge
habitat map: Blackbird
length: 7.5 to 9 inches
wingspan: 12 to 14 inches

SOLITARY SANDPIPER
photos taken: Pollywog Ponds
habitat map: Sandpiper
length: 8 inches
wingspan: 16 inches

VERMILION FLYCATCHER
photo taken: Bazemore Park
habitat map: Flycatcher
length: 6 inches
wingspan: 9.5 inches

WHITE IBIS
photo taken: Leonabelle Refuge
habitat map: Ibis
length: 24 inches
wingspan: 38 inches

SONG SPARROW [new bird for me!] ?
Correction: female red-winged blackbirds

photo taken: Pollywog Ponds

Those participating this week:

Nature Footstep PhotoArt
Calendula
Eileen
Rosyfinch Ramblings
Linda, Virginia, USA
Tom the Back Roads Traveler
Lavender Dreams
Crafty Gardener
Phil UK
Travels With Birds
Lea's Menagerie

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§ This Week...

§ Birding in Early Spring...

§ Winter Texans....

§ Campus Birds on the Bay....

§ A "New" Bird Was Seen!

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