Fulvous Ducks at Edinburg

     Four Fulvous Whistling Ducks were hiding out on Pintail Lakes at Santa Ana most of February. It was a good day to locate them.  In early March six could be viewed from the enclosed blinds. On March 9th a small flock were in full sight with the Black-bellied Whistling Ducks at the ponds at Edinburg Scenic Wetlands. Both the Black-bellied and the Fulvous  make whistling sounds. It seemed too easy to photograph them after spending hours hiking the trails to spot them.

                                                                                                                                                                                                 

 

Farewell Estero State Park

After a day of packing, G and I drove the familiar route to Estero. The cloudy and windy day had become sunny and calmer. It was after the park office closed and few visitors were still there. The serene was broken when a hawk flew low over the shorebirds, they flew or dove into the water. I walked to Alligator Lake looking for little blue butterflies and Gunnar stayed watching from the deck. After a few photos I walked back to the boardwalk opposite of the deck.  As the sun was at just the right angle, a dozen green-wing teal swam to the center of the pond. One of the male green-wing started peeping and raised himself in the water. The rest of the teal were swimming in a circle around him as the sun lit the iridescent feathers on his head. Another two males took their turn in this spring/setting sun ritual. It was a magical. What a way to say farewell.

Teal, Shovelers

Green-wing Teal, male & female Shoveler

Ringed-neck Duck

Northern Harrier

Common Buckeye (not a Blue)

Mostly Dowitchers

Green-wing Teal, male

Green-wing Teal, male

Green-wing Teal, male

Gunnar watching the green-wing teal.

South Padre - The Sora Rail & Common Moorhen

Sora Rail

At South Padre World Birding Center the most obvious birds are the large herons and ducks. The more elusive birds are rails such as Soras, Clapper Rails, American Bittern,  Least Bittern and Green Heron.  Margaret from Door County is there everyday trying to spot these jewels of the reeds. Right now because the reconstructing of the boardwalk and drainage of the ponds many of the birds are displaced. Lucky for the birds,  they have to get from their homes in the reeds to the water's edge.

The Common Moorhen alias Common Gallinule.  Not seen a Purple Gallinule yet.  It is rare in the area.

Roseate Spoonbill at South Padre Island

A male Roseate Spoonbill flew into the crowded shoreline of the  Laguna. To our delight he proceeded to bathe in the shallow water without any concern. We were flabbergasted at his full breeding colors including an orange tail. There was no female in sight so it was not a mating display.  Some of the shots look like he is wearing headsets.

Besides pink, rose and an orange tail, the spoon-shaped bill is light blue, skull is pale yellow and brighter yellow eyes. 

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Estero Llano Grande State Park

Diamond-backed Water Snake Suspended over Alligator Lake

Sachem (2")

Lyside Sulfur (2")

Fewer butterflies in the park,

but there are usually skippers   and sulfurs. Saw large white   high in a tree but no ID or photo.

No Northern Parula which is visiting the Tropical Area.

Long-billed Dowitcher

Long-billed Dowitchers

Dowitcher & N. Shoveler (female)

Green-winged Teal

Northern Shoveler

Northern Shoveler (female & male) 

Green-wing Teal  (female)

Morf of Little Blue Heron