Fulvous Whistling Ducks at Santa Ana

 Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge 7 miles south of Alamo, TX is where Fulvous Whistling Ducks can be spotted in Willow Lakes. Earlier in January there were 4 that could be seen at one time. These beautiful ducks tend to hang out where Eco Tourists can just barely ID them. I was lucky to photograph the six. The Fulvous feed with their heads down in the water with butts up or down depending how deep their food source is. They tend to be in a tight group while feeding or resting with their heads tucked on shore or in the pond.

Fulvous Whistling Duck 

Two tipped up with exposed butts taken on 2/3. 

 

Misc. Butterflies at NABA

Mimosa Yellow 

            

White Checkered Skipper (1")

White Checkered Skipper & Checkered White

                     

Southern Dogface 

            

Southern Skipperling

Dogface (yellow sulfur)

               

Reakirt's Blue (1") 

Gray Hairstreak (1")

Sleepy Orange (2")

Reakirt's Blue (better but not yet) 1"

(Moving)  Black Swallowtail (3.5')

               

Black Swallowtail (3.5')

Black Swallowtail (3.5')

Southern Skipperling  (1")

Common Mellana (1")

National Butterfly Center

My Favorite Fritillaries.

Mexican Fritillary 

Variegated Fritillary

Gulf Fritillary

Estero Butterfly Walk

Male Wood duck

My fourth Butterfly Walk at Estero Lano Grande State Park was probably the least productive as far as seeing variety of species. It seems many of the plants which attract the butterflies were past. I was more at ease with my camera but it is still very challenging to find the tiniest butterfly with my small field of vision..The highlight of the BW was a male wood duck close to the deck and watching a Virginia Rail scurry out of sight in the sledges right before our eyes. The butterfly of the day was a Flacate Orangetip. I did not get a photo but I saw it. Jim Oettel kindly sent me his photos. 

 Thank you Carolee and Sue Keefer for opening my eyes to the wonders of butterflies.  I hope to see you both again.   Julie, you were a pro even in the beginning. Your photos at Falcon were exquisite. I loved how Kathy and Bill took to butterflies also. Birding is wonderful in the morning but when birds are scarce in the afternoon butterflies are there flitting around waiting for an ID or photo shoot. 

Falcate Orangetip (male 1.5")

Falcate Orangetip Open

                                                       

White Peacock

Damsel fly Blue Darner

Olive Clouded Skipper

Zebra Heliconian 

 Zebra Heliconian (3") Zebra Longwing was previous name.
I wanted to crop this but the right wing extends to the bottom edge.

Edinburg Scenic Wetlands

Queen  (3.5")

Texan Crescent

Queen

Sleepy Orange

Dainty Sulfur (1")

Queen 

Phaon Crescent

Brazilian Skipper

Someday I will get this tiny Ministreak

Skipper

National Butterfly Center Birds

Previously post but accidentally deleted.  I will get the hang of this and not call for G help. Thanks G.

Love Birds- Julie & Ian

Fox Squirrel

Clay-colored Thrush

Altamira Oriole

Golden-fronted Woodpecker

Walking Stick on Camera

Walking Stick, Ian, Julie, Hector, & Gunnar