A Cool Quiet AM in Estero

Arriving at Estero at 7:20 with hope of seeing the Rose-throated Becard was dashed almost immediately.  No birds were out meaning the hawks were looking for their breakfast.  Even putting out seeds and citrus did not entice the birds. The Becard doesn't show up at the feeders but he doesn't show with a hawks around.  Interesting conversations with birders, the morning sun and a few good birds made the morning a success.   

Mockingbird in Sun

Snowy Egret

Tricolor Heron

Anhinga

                                                                                      Golden Fronted Woodpecker 

                         Vermilion Flycatcher 

Small Day Birding at McAllen Nature Center

Yesterday we didn't arrive at McAllen Nature Center until 10 AM. Obviously all the good birds were already used up. The Audubon Oriole came near but it did not come out in the open when we were there. The Hooded Oriole was no where in sight. Walking the perimeter added a Belted Kingfisher but not the Cactus Wren. The early birder gets the early birds, next time.

Long-bill Thrasher above and Curved-bill Thrasher below

Mockingbird and Kingfisher below

Great Blue with a Fish at South Padre

        A Great Blue Heron, a Showy Egret and a Tri-colored Egret were all  in sight. The commotion started just a few yards from us.  Wings flapping and then there was a large   fish in the Great Blue's mouth.  The Snowy Egret hardly moved from his hunting spot     while the Great Blue maneuvered to swallow his prey.  The hunt, killing and the swallowing lasted 10 minutes. 

Cinnamon and Green-wing Teal at Estero Llando

The Cinnamon Teal was beautiful and ever, as was the Green-wing Teal.  The alligator in the small pond was a surprise for us but the ducks were very aware of it. 

South Padre Clapper Rail

South Padre is always a treat for us.  Birding is up close and personal at the World Birding Center.  The challenge there is spotting the rails who are always very secretive.  This trip it was the Clapper Rail that came out for a few birders.  The photos show is beautiful camouflage feather covering and his huge feet.  The Clapper is a bottom feeder usually only his beak is under the water but one photo shows his head fully emerged.  The Clapper gets its name by its sound so a gathering of Clappers is called an Applause. 

Butterflies at Edinburgh and Santa Ana

    What a grand day of butterflying!          Monarchs,  Queens, Admirals, Crescents,  

      Crimson Patch .  .  .   Old friends and new.

                  

                                                   Monarchs                

 Crimson Patch  

                                     















                                                Checkered White

               Pearl Crescent                                                          Pale-banded Crescent

                                                                                                                   Southern Dogface

Birds were scarce or hunkered down again.  But it was a very butterfly or flutterby afternoon in Edinburgh on Thursday.  Both today and yesterday was partly cloudy, humid and winds to 20 mph.  The highlight was the numbers of butterflies and two Zebra Heliconia. They fluttered by me many times but did not light. At Santa Ana the lowlights were a Gulf Flitillary and a beat up Common Mestra.  

Queens

                            Large Yellow

                                 Melana

 White Peacock

                                                                   Gulf Flitillary

                                                             Common Mestra

                                             
                                     Variegated Meadowhawk Dragon Fly