David McDonald Photography
Friendswood Texas
October 18, 2008
Bulletin #54 –Misc UTC summer/fall birds #3
Hello friends,
I went to Chappell Hill, Texas, about 50 miles west of Houston, to bird with guide Darrell Vollert on Labor Day weekend. I have used Darrell several times previously. Darrell's website is http://www.darrellvollertnaturetours.com/
I was particularly interested in the small flycatchers known as 'empids', a contraction of the genus name empidonax. There are 11 different empids in ABA area. They are all very similar and best IDed by voice. So Darrell was my expert to find these birds as they migrated through the area. The smallest of these birds (5.25") is appropriately named the Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus). They all have 2 wing bars and an eye-ring. This one is mostly grayish.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/102395724
The other one we found was the Acadian Flycatcher (Empidonax virescens). This bird does nest across the southeast USA. It has a more greenish back. The wing bars on this bird are buffy that may indicate a 1st year bird.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/102395713 click 'next' once
A third empid, that I photographed in Galveston the week before, is the Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (Empidonax flaviventris). It also has a greenish back, but considerable yellow on the abdomen.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/102077291 click 'next' once
Another bird Darrell found for me was a migrating Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni). These hawks breed in the western USA and migrate all the way to Argentina for the winter. They can be found moving through the upper Texas coast in late summer. This is the lighter color phase. The overhead view is unusual as the wings are white and the trailing edge is dark. This is the reverse pattern of many raptors. He also has a dark chest.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/104704531
Galveston before the hurricane hit on Sept 13th also provided some good photos. The Mottled Duck (Anas fulvigula) resembles a female Mallard, but is a resident breeder along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. I found several in the pond at LaFitte's Cove. Here is a pair swimming side-by-side. The male is in the foreground with the yellow bill. The female behind has a dull orange bill. The second photo shows a male with the blue wing patch.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/104706917 click 'next' once
The most exciting bird of the last several months was a European sandpiper that was found in Galveston. This bird, I think, is unique in that the sexes have different names. The male is called a Ruff. The female is called a Reeve. The scientific name is Philomachus pugnax.Interestingly, it was found by a Norwegian birder. The bird had been missed by all the local birders, as it is so rare. In fact, this is only the second time in 18 years that I have seen it. It is a female in non-breeding plumage and quite indistinct. I certainly would not have known it was something rare. Here are 2 photos.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/102495698 click 'next' once
This female Hooded Warbler (Wilsonia citrine) posed beautifully for her portrait. The white under the tail is a characteristic of this species and is clearly visible.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/102077216
Also, this Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus) flew to an open branch and provided my best photo ever of this species. The yellow belly, gray throat, and rufous on the wings is characteristic of this genus. This is the only species of this genus that occurs here.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/102077288
Lastly, on a visit to LaFitte's Cove at dawn on an overcast drizzly day, I found both an Armadillo and an Opossum. I have been unable to find these mammals in the past 18 months since I got my larger lens and they were both here 10 minutes apart and at the same location!
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/101742366 click 'next' once
All comments and suggestions are welcomed and appreciated.
Happy birding and photography,
David McDonald
davidkmcd@comcast.net
photos copyright 2006 - 2008 David McDonald
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Monday, October 6, 2008
Bulletin #53 – Houston summer/fall birds #2
David McDonald Photography
Friendswood Texas
October 6, 2008
Bulletin #53 – Houston summer/fall birds #2
Hello friends,
I haven’t been to Anahuac NWR since hurricane Ike, but I assume it is in disarray as much of the debris from The Bolivar peninsula would have washed across Galveston Bay and piled up on the shore at Anahuac. Also, it was probably inundated for the storm surge.
However, I did make several trips in August and got some good photos.
The Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularia) is a common sandpiper over the northern 2/3 USA and all of southern and central Canada. In fact, as a child growing up in canada, it was the only shorebird I ever identified. In breeding plumage, the spotted breast and bobbing gait is distinctive. This bird winters all across the southern USA and seldom is seen with the spotted plumage. It loses the spots in winter. The first weekend of August, I found one bird that had not molted yet. There were a pair together – one with spots and one without. Here is the breeding plumage bird.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/101102075
And here is his companion without spots. This bird is IDed in this plumage by the yellowish legs and the white shoulder spot. Here are 2 photos of the same bird.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/101102094 click ‘next’ once
Also, I found a juvenile Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus). The juvenile has a more gray-looking back and pale pink legs.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/101102121
Rails are always difficult birds to find, but on 2 successive weekend visits to Anahuac NWR, I found and adult and juvenile King Rail (Rallus elegans). This large rail (14.5”) nests at Anahuac and uses fresh water marshes. It is a warm brown color with a long bill. These were the best views I ever had of this bird. I have probably only seen it 5-6 times in 20 years. Rails are very thin side to side to allow then to walk between the reeds in the marsh. This was the source of the expression ‘thin as a rail’.
Here is the adult – 2 views.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/101102117 click ‘next’ once
The juvenile has a spotted breast rather than the warm brown of the adult.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/101423670
The Seaside Sparrow (Ammodramus maritimus) is our only breeding sparrow in the Houston area (excepting the House Sparrow which is an old world bird from a different family). This sparrow, as it name implies, lives along the sea coast from New England to Texas. It is quite an attractive sparrow in the spring, but by late summer before it molts, becomes drab or as described ‘worn’.
The yellow line above the eye is an important ID mark. Here are 2 photos of a ‘worn adult’ bird as described in Sibley. Look closely at the tail of the bird in the second photo, and you can see the feathers are very ragged.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/101102126 click ‘next’ once
This Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) is also showing wear and needs to molt a new set of feathers. The handsome bird with gray back and white breast looks like he has formal wear on. The distinguishing mark is a terminal white band on his tail. This bird has almost no white left on the tip of his tail.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/101423739
The Tricolored Heron (Egrettea tricolor) in my opinion is more beautiful as a juvenile than the adult plumage. The juvenile has reddish stripes on the neck and reddish spots on the blue-gray wings and back.
This is the same bird in 2 photos. The first is the complete bird, and the second a close up of the head and neck.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/101423594 click ‘next’ once
All comments and suggestions are welcomed and appreciated.
Happy birding and photography,
David McDonald
davidkmcd@comcast.net
photos copyright 2006 - 2008 David McDonald
Friendswood Texas
October 6, 2008
Bulletin #53 – Houston summer/fall birds #2
Hello friends,
I haven’t been to Anahuac NWR since hurricane Ike, but I assume it is in disarray as much of the debris from The Bolivar peninsula would have washed across Galveston Bay and piled up on the shore at Anahuac. Also, it was probably inundated for the storm surge.
However, I did make several trips in August and got some good photos.
The Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularia) is a common sandpiper over the northern 2/3 USA and all of southern and central Canada. In fact, as a child growing up in canada, it was the only shorebird I ever identified. In breeding plumage, the spotted breast and bobbing gait is distinctive. This bird winters all across the southern USA and seldom is seen with the spotted plumage. It loses the spots in winter. The first weekend of August, I found one bird that had not molted yet. There were a pair together – one with spots and one without. Here is the breeding plumage bird.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/101102075
And here is his companion without spots. This bird is IDed in this plumage by the yellowish legs and the white shoulder spot. Here are 2 photos of the same bird.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/101102094 click ‘next’ once
Also, I found a juvenile Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus). The juvenile has a more gray-looking back and pale pink legs.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/101102121
Rails are always difficult birds to find, but on 2 successive weekend visits to Anahuac NWR, I found and adult and juvenile King Rail (Rallus elegans). This large rail (14.5”) nests at Anahuac and uses fresh water marshes. It is a warm brown color with a long bill. These were the best views I ever had of this bird. I have probably only seen it 5-6 times in 20 years. Rails are very thin side to side to allow then to walk between the reeds in the marsh. This was the source of the expression ‘thin as a rail’.
Here is the adult – 2 views.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/101102117 click ‘next’ once
The juvenile has a spotted breast rather than the warm brown of the adult.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/101423670
The Seaside Sparrow (Ammodramus maritimus) is our only breeding sparrow in the Houston area (excepting the House Sparrow which is an old world bird from a different family). This sparrow, as it name implies, lives along the sea coast from New England to Texas. It is quite an attractive sparrow in the spring, but by late summer before it molts, becomes drab or as described ‘worn’.
The yellow line above the eye is an important ID mark. Here are 2 photos of a ‘worn adult’ bird as described in Sibley. Look closely at the tail of the bird in the second photo, and you can see the feathers are very ragged.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/101102126 click ‘next’ once
This Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) is also showing wear and needs to molt a new set of feathers. The handsome bird with gray back and white breast looks like he has formal wear on. The distinguishing mark is a terminal white band on his tail. This bird has almost no white left on the tip of his tail.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/101423739
The Tricolored Heron (Egrettea tricolor) in my opinion is more beautiful as a juvenile than the adult plumage. The juvenile has reddish stripes on the neck and reddish spots on the blue-gray wings and back.
This is the same bird in 2 photos. The first is the complete bird, and the second a close up of the head and neck.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/101423594 click ‘next’ once
All comments and suggestions are welcomed and appreciated.
Happy birding and photography,
David McDonald
davidkmcd@comcast.net
photos copyright 2006 - 2008 David McDonald
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Bulletin #52 – Houston summer/fall birds #1
David McDonald Photography
Friendswood Texas
September 28, 2008
Bulletin #52 – Houston summer/fall birds
Hello friends,
We are now 2 weeks post Hurricane Ike. I hope that all of you who were affected are safe, along with your families. I presume most of you have your power back as well and have sustained minimal damage other than downed trees and fences etc.
I just got the last 5 trees removed yesterday. Now, the putting back together begins – waiting on trash pickup, fences put back up, and replacement of kitchen ceiling sheetrock and painting.
This was a large storm over a wide area, but fortunately only a category 2 with winds 105 mph. The power was out over an area the size of the state on New York. The mountains of broken trees and limbs is estimated at 5-10 million cubic yards just in the Houston area alone. It will take months to haul it all off.
I was supposed to go on vacation on Sept 12th, the day before the storm, but the airports were closed and I wasn’t going to leave in the face of a hurricane anyway. This had to be my worst vacation ever, as I worked ½ days in the office and spent the afternoons cleaning up around the house.
So here are some birds that I photographed in August and September at home and around the Houston area.
I actually have had some good hawk photos at my house. I always keep my camera in the laundry room of the kitchen, so I can grab it at a moments notice if I see something interesting.
The first was a juvenile Cooper’s Hawk (Accipter cooperii). I happened to look out the kitchen window on 8-23-08 and saw this bird sitting on the driveway. Accipters are short winged, long tailed hawks that pursue other smaller birds and take them on the wing. The juvenile has dark streaks on the breast along with a buffy orange head. It has a rounded tail with terminal white band. It is similar to the smaller Sharp-shinned Hawk, but the latter has a square tail. This was the best look I have ever had of this bird. The photos were taken out the kitchen window so as not to disturb the bird. What a ferocious looking bird!
http://www.pbase.com/image/102077339
I have several bird feeders in the area and I assume that he had caught and lost something and landed to look for it, as he proceeded to look all around and under a small shrub.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/102077348
The last photo shows the rounded tail.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/103770050
And here he was in a tree on Sept 1st. I had seen him about 5 times in 2 weeks at the end of August, but haven’t seen him since the hurricane. I hope he is still around.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/103770099
The resident hawk at my house is the Red-shouldered Hawk RSH(Buteo lineatus). Here is an adult who was sitting 10 feet off the ground across the driveway from my garage. I took this photo from inside the garage.
This bird is somewhat unusual as eastern RSH are supposed to have the horizontal orange stripes all the way down the breast and belly. This individual has a solid orange breast with stripes on the belly. This is characteristic of California birds, but they also have orange heads.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/103770321
The last individual hawk was a juvenile RSH taken 3 days ago when he landed on my lawn and caught a lizard. As he tried to manipulate the lizard, the lizard bit him on the tongue, and the hawk dropped his meal and took off.
Here is the post with the sequence of photos that I uploaded to Texbirds. The post says salamander, but someone ID’ed it as a Ground Skink – a lizard, not a salamander.
I saw this juvie RS Hawk 2 days ago in a tree in my yard and grabbed the camera for some photos.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/103704249
He then flew down on the lawn beside my patio and captured what looks like a salamander. He has it in the middle as legs can be seen on both sides of his mouth.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/103704257
3 frames later, he grabs the salamander with his right foot and changes it's position.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/103704278
4 frames later, all four legs can be seen hanging out the near side of the birds mouth.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/103704318
2 frames later the bird suddenly opens his mouth wide. The salamander can be seen in its entirety with the head inside the birds beak.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/103704319
And a close up suggests that the salamander has a hold of the hawk's tongue.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/103704328
A second later, the hawk has his mouth closed and no salamander is to be seen. Presumably the salamander let go of his grip and dropped to the ground.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/103704349
Several seconds later, the hawk flew off revealing underwing pattern.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/103704352
Photography is so much fun, as I didn't see this process in action as I was taking the pictures.
Some other birds seen in August and September include the Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger). This unmistakable bird has the lower mandible longer than upper mandible. In breeding plumage shown here, the nape of neck is black, continuous with head and back. In basic plumage, the nape of neck is white.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/103770427
I showed some photos of the Least Bittern (Ixobrychus exilis) in Bulletin #48. I obtained better photos of this elusive bird in 2 visits to Anahuac NWR in August.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/101423478 click ‘next’ twice
All comments and suggestions are welcomed and appreciated.
Happy birding and photography,
David McDonald
davidkmcd@comcast.net
photos copyright 2006 - 2008 David McDonald
Friendswood Texas
September 28, 2008
Bulletin #52 – Houston summer/fall birds
Hello friends,
We are now 2 weeks post Hurricane Ike. I hope that all of you who were affected are safe, along with your families. I presume most of you have your power back as well and have sustained minimal damage other than downed trees and fences etc.
I just got the last 5 trees removed yesterday. Now, the putting back together begins – waiting on trash pickup, fences put back up, and replacement of kitchen ceiling sheetrock and painting.
This was a large storm over a wide area, but fortunately only a category 2 with winds 105 mph. The power was out over an area the size of the state on New York. The mountains of broken trees and limbs is estimated at 5-10 million cubic yards just in the Houston area alone. It will take months to haul it all off.
I was supposed to go on vacation on Sept 12th, the day before the storm, but the airports were closed and I wasn’t going to leave in the face of a hurricane anyway. This had to be my worst vacation ever, as I worked ½ days in the office and spent the afternoons cleaning up around the house.
So here are some birds that I photographed in August and September at home and around the Houston area.
I actually have had some good hawk photos at my house. I always keep my camera in the laundry room of the kitchen, so I can grab it at a moments notice if I see something interesting.
The first was a juvenile Cooper’s Hawk (Accipter cooperii). I happened to look out the kitchen window on 8-23-08 and saw this bird sitting on the driveway. Accipters are short winged, long tailed hawks that pursue other smaller birds and take them on the wing. The juvenile has dark streaks on the breast along with a buffy orange head. It has a rounded tail with terminal white band. It is similar to the smaller Sharp-shinned Hawk, but the latter has a square tail. This was the best look I have ever had of this bird. The photos were taken out the kitchen window so as not to disturb the bird. What a ferocious looking bird!
http://www.pbase.com/image/102077339
I have several bird feeders in the area and I assume that he had caught and lost something and landed to look for it, as he proceeded to look all around and under a small shrub.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/102077348
The last photo shows the rounded tail.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/103770050
And here he was in a tree on Sept 1st. I had seen him about 5 times in 2 weeks at the end of August, but haven’t seen him since the hurricane. I hope he is still around.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/103770099
The resident hawk at my house is the Red-shouldered Hawk RSH(Buteo lineatus). Here is an adult who was sitting 10 feet off the ground across the driveway from my garage. I took this photo from inside the garage.
This bird is somewhat unusual as eastern RSH are supposed to have the horizontal orange stripes all the way down the breast and belly. This individual has a solid orange breast with stripes on the belly. This is characteristic of California birds, but they also have orange heads.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/103770321
The last individual hawk was a juvenile RSH taken 3 days ago when he landed on my lawn and caught a lizard. As he tried to manipulate the lizard, the lizard bit him on the tongue, and the hawk dropped his meal and took off.
Here is the post with the sequence of photos that I uploaded to Texbirds. The post says salamander, but someone ID’ed it as a Ground Skink – a lizard, not a salamander.
I saw this juvie RS Hawk 2 days ago in a tree in my yard and grabbed the camera for some photos.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/103704249
He then flew down on the lawn beside my patio and captured what looks like a salamander. He has it in the middle as legs can be seen on both sides of his mouth.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/103704257
3 frames later, he grabs the salamander with his right foot and changes it's position.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/103704278
4 frames later, all four legs can be seen hanging out the near side of the birds mouth.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/103704318
2 frames later the bird suddenly opens his mouth wide. The salamander can be seen in its entirety with the head inside the birds beak.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/103704319
And a close up suggests that the salamander has a hold of the hawk's tongue.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/103704328
A second later, the hawk has his mouth closed and no salamander is to be seen. Presumably the salamander let go of his grip and dropped to the ground.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/103704349
Several seconds later, the hawk flew off revealing underwing pattern.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/103704352
Photography is so much fun, as I didn't see this process in action as I was taking the pictures.
Some other birds seen in August and September include the Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger). This unmistakable bird has the lower mandible longer than upper mandible. In breeding plumage shown here, the nape of neck is black, continuous with head and back. In basic plumage, the nape of neck is white.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/103770427
I showed some photos of the Least Bittern (Ixobrychus exilis) in Bulletin #48. I obtained better photos of this elusive bird in 2 visits to Anahuac NWR in August.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/101423478 click ‘next’ twice
All comments and suggestions are welcomed and appreciated.
Happy birding and photography,
David McDonald
davidkmcd@comcast.net
photos copyright 2006 - 2008 David McDonald
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Bulletin #51 – South Padre Island TX pelagic trip
David McDonald Photography
Friendswood Texas
September 7, 2008
Bulletin #51 – South Padre Island TX pelagic trip
Hello friends,
This was my second pelagic trip this year. This one was into the western Gulf of Mexico departing from extreme south Texas. I enjoy pelagics as one gets to see marine mammals along with birds and occasionally some neat fish, sea turtles etc. I so far have been immune from seasickness which is a hazard on these boat trips.
The first interesting bird we found was on an offshore platform soon after departure. The male Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) is all black with a red throat pouch. Frigatebirds are seabirds that steal food from gulls and terns by bombing them and harassing them until they drop their catch. The frigatebird then swoops down and catches the meal before it hits the water.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/100531367
The next bird was a Masked Booby (Sula dactylatra). This is a huge seabird (32” with 5 foot wingspan) that dives into the water to catch fish. This adult flew up to the boat and then followed right above the stern of the boat about 10 feet up. I was taking the photos right under the bird. It is white with a black mask and black on the wings and tail. Here are 2 photos.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/100531369 click ‘next’ once
The next bird seen was a Band-rumped Storm-Petrel (Oceanodroma castro). These small (9”) seabirds are purely oceanic, coming ashore only to breed on remote islands and at night.They are dark brown, with a white band above its tail. This bird flew across in front of the boat at about 25 yards distance when I got these photos. Prior to this it was about 50 yards away and really out of photographic range for such a small bird.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/100531833 click ‘next’ once
We also found 2 shearwaters. The first was the Greater Shearwater (Puffinus gravis). This bird is 18” in length and had a mostly white head and neck, but with a sharp black cap and dark bill. This was a life bird for me.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/100531410
And the other was a Cory’s Shearwater (Calonectris diomedia). This bird is also 18” long but has a dusky gray head and yellow bill. Here are 2 photos.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/100531503 click ‘next’ once
The last bird seen was a Pomarine Jaeger (Stercorarius pomarinus). Jeagers are gull like seabirds that also harass gulls and terns to steal their food.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/100531454
I admit, these seabirds are dull colored, but the ability to live offshore almost completely is rather interesting. And most people have never seen these birds at all!
We also came across 2 mammal species.
The first was Risso’s Dolphin (Grampus griseus) This is a blunt nosed gray dolphin that with age, develops whitish streaks on its body. They live in deep water (600’) off the continental shelf. Here are 3 photos.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/100531371 click ‘next’ twice
The other was a Short-finned Pilot Whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus). We came upon a pod of about a dozen of these 15 foot whales.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/100531374
All comments and suggestions are welcomed and appreciated.
Happy birding and photography,
David McDonald
davidkmcd@comcast.net
photos copyright 2006 - 2008 David McDonald
Friendswood Texas
September 7, 2008
Bulletin #51 – South Padre Island TX pelagic trip
Hello friends,
This was my second pelagic trip this year. This one was into the western Gulf of Mexico departing from extreme south Texas. I enjoy pelagics as one gets to see marine mammals along with birds and occasionally some neat fish, sea turtles etc. I so far have been immune from seasickness which is a hazard on these boat trips.
The first interesting bird we found was on an offshore platform soon after departure. The male Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) is all black with a red throat pouch. Frigatebirds are seabirds that steal food from gulls and terns by bombing them and harassing them until they drop their catch. The frigatebird then swoops down and catches the meal before it hits the water.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/100531367
The next bird was a Masked Booby (Sula dactylatra). This is a huge seabird (32” with 5 foot wingspan) that dives into the water to catch fish. This adult flew up to the boat and then followed right above the stern of the boat about 10 feet up. I was taking the photos right under the bird. It is white with a black mask and black on the wings and tail. Here are 2 photos.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/100531369 click ‘next’ once
The next bird seen was a Band-rumped Storm-Petrel (Oceanodroma castro). These small (9”) seabirds are purely oceanic, coming ashore only to breed on remote islands and at night.They are dark brown, with a white band above its tail. This bird flew across in front of the boat at about 25 yards distance when I got these photos. Prior to this it was about 50 yards away and really out of photographic range for such a small bird.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/100531833 click ‘next’ once
We also found 2 shearwaters. The first was the Greater Shearwater (Puffinus gravis). This bird is 18” in length and had a mostly white head and neck, but with a sharp black cap and dark bill. This was a life bird for me.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/100531410
And the other was a Cory’s Shearwater (Calonectris diomedia). This bird is also 18” long but has a dusky gray head and yellow bill. Here are 2 photos.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/100531503 click ‘next’ once
The last bird seen was a Pomarine Jaeger (Stercorarius pomarinus). Jeagers are gull like seabirds that also harass gulls and terns to steal their food.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/100531454
I admit, these seabirds are dull colored, but the ability to live offshore almost completely is rather interesting. And most people have never seen these birds at all!
We also came across 2 mammal species.
The first was Risso’s Dolphin (Grampus griseus) This is a blunt nosed gray dolphin that with age, develops whitish streaks on its body. They live in deep water (600’) off the continental shelf. Here are 3 photos.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/100531371 click ‘next’ twice
The other was a Short-finned Pilot Whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus). We came upon a pod of about a dozen of these 15 foot whales.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/100531374
All comments and suggestions are welcomed and appreciated.
Happy birding and photography,
David McDonald
davidkmcd@comcast.net
photos copyright 2006 - 2008 David McDonald
Friday, August 22, 2008
Bulletin #50 - RGV TX #2
David McDonald Photography
Friendswood Texas
August 22, 2008
Bulletin #50 – Rio Grande Valley (RGV), TX birds #2
Hello friends,
I feel like I have reached a milestone of sorts as this is the 50th bulletin I have sent out since I started in May 2007. Thank you to all the subscribers, as without your support and comments it would not be worthwhile to do.
I again hired a guide, Darrell Vollert, of Chappell Hill Texas. He also guides in the ‘valley’
Darrell’s website is http://www.darrellvollertnaturetours.com/
Several bird species, which are native to Mexico, just cross over into the USA in the RGV or Arizona. So in order to see these birds, one must travel to those locations.
In bulletin #49 last week, I neglected to mention that I visited a private ranch north of Harlingen to take some of the photos. The Harris’s Hawk and the Golden-fronted Woodpecker reproduced below were taken there. It is the San Miguelito Ranch and the owner is Leticia Tijerina. It is a premier destination to find the Ferruginous Pygmy Owl in the spring as they nest on the property. Unfortunately for me, I was a couple of weeks late, but I do intend to return next spring to photo this owl. Their web site is http://www.sanmiguelitoranch.com/
I got photos of 3 species of Tyrant Flycatchers. All these birds just extend their range into south Texas and/or southwestern USA.
The Great Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus) is a large (10”), noisy, & colorful flycatcher. It is unmistakable with the striped head and lemon yellow breast.
http://www.pbase.com/image/100629756 click ‘next’ once
The Brown-crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus tyrannulus) has a brown back and wings with gray throat and pale yellow breast. It is similar to several other flycatchers and best distinguished by voice.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/100629757 click ‘next’ once
The third is the Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrucephalus rubinus). The male is beautiful and unmistakable. I always take photos of this bird when I find it.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/100648311
The Yellow-green Vireo (Vireo flavoviridis) is another Mexican species that just crosses the border at Brownsville. It is similar to Red-eyed Vireo.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/100629921
The Audubon’s Oriole (Icterus graduacauda) is one of 2 orioles in the USA that is black and yellow instead of the usual black and orange plumage. It is found only along the Rio Grande near Falcon Dam. Here is the male. This was a lifer for me.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/100629895 click ‘next’ once
The Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps) is a small cute gray bird with a yellow head and red shoulder patches.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/100629890
Another tiny bird is the Black-tailed Gnatcatcher (Polioptila melanura). Gnatcatchers are gray birds with long tails. This species has a black tail as its distinguishing characteristic. Normally they are difficult to photograph as they are so active. However, this bird responded to the tape and perched up, calling back to the tape.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/101799702
I finally found a male Pyrrhuloxia (Cardinalis sinuatus). This is a member of the cardinal family but is gray and red rather than all red.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/100629850 click ‘next’ once
Lastly, when we were along the Rio Grande at the hamlet of Salineno, we saw a Ringed Kingfisher flying across the river. This is the largest kingfisher in the new world at 16” in length.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/100629823
Also, across the river was a heavily armed contingent of the Mexican army patrolling for drug and human smuggling. It reinforces the sense of danger that exists in this rural area along the Texas-Mexico border. http://www.pbase.com/image/109528224
All comments and suggestions are welcomed and appreciated.
Happy birding and photography,
David McDonald
davidkmcd@comcast.net
photos copyright 2006 - 2008 David McDonald
Friendswood Texas
August 22, 2008
Bulletin #50 – Rio Grande Valley (RGV), TX birds #2
Hello friends,
I feel like I have reached a milestone of sorts as this is the 50th bulletin I have sent out since I started in May 2007. Thank you to all the subscribers, as without your support and comments it would not be worthwhile to do.
I again hired a guide, Darrell Vollert, of Chappell Hill Texas. He also guides in the ‘valley’
Darrell’s website is http://www.darrellvollertnaturetours.com/
Several bird species, which are native to Mexico, just cross over into the USA in the RGV or Arizona. So in order to see these birds, one must travel to those locations.
In bulletin #49 last week, I neglected to mention that I visited a private ranch north of Harlingen to take some of the photos. The Harris’s Hawk and the Golden-fronted Woodpecker reproduced below were taken there. It is the San Miguelito Ranch and the owner is Leticia Tijerina. It is a premier destination to find the Ferruginous Pygmy Owl in the spring as they nest on the property. Unfortunately for me, I was a couple of weeks late, but I do intend to return next spring to photo this owl. Their web site is http://www.sanmiguelitoranch.com/
I got photos of 3 species of Tyrant Flycatchers. All these birds just extend their range into south Texas and/or southwestern USA.
The Great Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus) is a large (10”), noisy, & colorful flycatcher. It is unmistakable with the striped head and lemon yellow breast.
http://www.pbase.com/image/100629756 click ‘next’ once
The Brown-crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus tyrannulus) has a brown back and wings with gray throat and pale yellow breast. It is similar to several other flycatchers and best distinguished by voice.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/100629757 click ‘next’ once
The third is the Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrucephalus rubinus). The male is beautiful and unmistakable. I always take photos of this bird when I find it.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/100648311
The Yellow-green Vireo (Vireo flavoviridis) is another Mexican species that just crosses the border at Brownsville. It is similar to Red-eyed Vireo.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/100629921
The Audubon’s Oriole (Icterus graduacauda) is one of 2 orioles in the USA that is black and yellow instead of the usual black and orange plumage. It is found only along the Rio Grande near Falcon Dam. Here is the male. This was a lifer for me.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/100629895 click ‘next’ once
The Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps) is a small cute gray bird with a yellow head and red shoulder patches.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/100629890
Another tiny bird is the Black-tailed Gnatcatcher (Polioptila melanura). Gnatcatchers are gray birds with long tails. This species has a black tail as its distinguishing characteristic. Normally they are difficult to photograph as they are so active. However, this bird responded to the tape and perched up, calling back to the tape.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/101799702
I finally found a male Pyrrhuloxia (Cardinalis sinuatus). This is a member of the cardinal family but is gray and red rather than all red.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/100629850 click ‘next’ once
Lastly, when we were along the Rio Grande at the hamlet of Salineno, we saw a Ringed Kingfisher flying across the river. This is the largest kingfisher in the new world at 16” in length.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/100629823
Also, across the river was a heavily armed contingent of the Mexican army patrolling for drug and human smuggling. It reinforces the sense of danger that exists in this rural area along the Texas-Mexico border. http://www.pbase.com/image/109528224
All comments and suggestions are welcomed and appreciated.
Happy birding and photography,
David McDonald
davidkmcd@comcast.net
photos copyright 2006 - 2008 David McDonald
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Bulletin #49 - RGV TX #1
David McDonald Photography
Friendswood Texas
August 16, 2008
Bulletin #49 – Rio Grande Valley (RGV), TX birds
Hello friends,
I again hired a guide, Darrell Vollert, of Chappell Hill Texas. He also guides in the ‘valley’
Darrell’s website is http://www.darrellvollertnaturetours.com/
This was my second birding trip to the ‘valley’ since I started doing photography. I had missed a number of birds on the trip last October and there was also a pelagic trip from South Padre Island that was part of the trip.
Several bird species, which are native to Mexico, just cross over into the USA in the RGV or Arizona. So in order to see these birds, one must travel to those locations.
Here is a Harris’s Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus). It is a distinctive dark brown color with rufous shoulder patches. It occurs from Texas to Arizona.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/100629748
The next bird is the Golden-fronted Woodpecker (Melanerpes aurifrons). This is a central Texas bird. The gold patches on the head are the ID mark. This is the female. She has no red on the top of her head.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/100629750
The next 2 birds were found bathing in the pond at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge north of Brownsville TX. The Green Jay (Cyanocorax yncas) is the most colorful of the jays in the USA with yellow, green and blue. However, here he is rather disheveled with his wet feathers.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/100629752
This male Bronzed Cowbird (Molothrus aeneus) also enjoyed a bath on the hot dry day. He is IDed with the red eye.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/100629753
I also found 3 species of sparrow to photograph. The Olive Sparrow (Arremonops rufivirgatus) is a south Texas specialty bird. As its name implies, it has olive colored feathers on the wings.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/100629755
The Botteri’s Sparrow (Aimophila botterii) is a widely distributed Mexican species that just extends its range into extreme SE Texas and also into SE Arizona. I had missed it last fall, as it had migrated south when I visited the valley. It is a non-descript brown bird best IDed by voice and my guide was able to find it. It tends to be a skulker in the grass, but we managed to tape this bird up and he landed on a barb wire fence and sat there for his portrait.
Here are 2 photos of this bird. It was a lifer for me.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/100629945 click ‘next’ once
The last sparrow is the Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata). It is one of the more attractive sparrows with its striped face and black throat patch. I had photographed this bird before, but if another opportunity presents itself, I will take new photos in case I can get a better photo.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/100648320
All comments and suggestions are welcomed and appreciated.
Happy birding and photography,
David McDonald
davidkmcd@comcast.net
photos copyright 2006 - 2008 David McDonald
Friendswood Texas
August 16, 2008
Bulletin #49 – Rio Grande Valley (RGV), TX birds
Hello friends,
I again hired a guide, Darrell Vollert, of Chappell Hill Texas. He also guides in the ‘valley’
Darrell’s website is http://www.darrellvollertnaturetours.com/
This was my second birding trip to the ‘valley’ since I started doing photography. I had missed a number of birds on the trip last October and there was also a pelagic trip from South Padre Island that was part of the trip.
Several bird species, which are native to Mexico, just cross over into the USA in the RGV or Arizona. So in order to see these birds, one must travel to those locations.
Here is a Harris’s Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus). It is a distinctive dark brown color with rufous shoulder patches. It occurs from Texas to Arizona.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/100629748
The next bird is the Golden-fronted Woodpecker (Melanerpes aurifrons). This is a central Texas bird. The gold patches on the head are the ID mark. This is the female. She has no red on the top of her head.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/100629750
The next 2 birds were found bathing in the pond at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge north of Brownsville TX. The Green Jay (Cyanocorax yncas) is the most colorful of the jays in the USA with yellow, green and blue. However, here he is rather disheveled with his wet feathers.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/100629752
This male Bronzed Cowbird (Molothrus aeneus) also enjoyed a bath on the hot dry day. He is IDed with the red eye.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/100629753
I also found 3 species of sparrow to photograph. The Olive Sparrow (Arremonops rufivirgatus) is a south Texas specialty bird. As its name implies, it has olive colored feathers on the wings.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/100629755
The Botteri’s Sparrow (Aimophila botterii) is a widely distributed Mexican species that just extends its range into extreme SE Texas and also into SE Arizona. I had missed it last fall, as it had migrated south when I visited the valley. It is a non-descript brown bird best IDed by voice and my guide was able to find it. It tends to be a skulker in the grass, but we managed to tape this bird up and he landed on a barb wire fence and sat there for his portrait.
Here are 2 photos of this bird. It was a lifer for me.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/100629945 click ‘next’ once
The last sparrow is the Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata). It is one of the more attractive sparrows with its striped face and black throat patch. I had photographed this bird before, but if another opportunity presents itself, I will take new photos in case I can get a better photo.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/100648320
All comments and suggestions are welcomed and appreciated.
Happy birding and photography,
David McDonald
davidkmcd@comcast.net
photos copyright 2006 - 2008 David McDonald
Friday, August 1, 2008
Bulletin #48 - Houston summer birds #2
David McDonald Photography
Friendswood Texas
August 1, 2008
Bulletin #48 – Houston TX area summer birds #2
Hello friends,
I hired a guide, Darrell Vollert, of Chappell Hill Texas. This town is about 1 hour west of Houston. I went specifically to find some of the migrants that I had missed in the spring. Some of the birds nest in that area.
Darrell’s website is http://www.darrellvollertnaturetours.com/
We found most of the target birds including Yellow-throated Vireo (Vireo flavifrons). This bird somewhat resembles the White-eyed Vireo except for the yellow throat.
http://www.pbase.com/image/97977487 click ‘next’ once
The next was the Swainson’s Warbler (Limnothlypis swainsonii). They nest in the area and we were able to tape in a bird, who finally perched up and allowed some photos. I had photographed this bird on the ground during migration, but the light was horrible. This is one of the more difficult warblers to locate. It is brownish with white eye stripe, bright brown cap and long bill.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/97977405 click ‘next’ once
The Western Kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis) was readily located on some power lines in the middle of town. The dark tail with lateral white margins is the ID mark to separate this bird from other similar kingbirds.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/97977549
The one bird we saw, but were unable to photograph was the Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis). Luckily for me, several weeks later Ed and Bernice Jackson, who live just northeast of Houston, reported a nest of the birds on Texbirds. They were kind enough to show me the birds and nest with chick. Kites are graceful hawks of the tropical regions. The Mississippi Kite is a fairly common bird, but I had seen it only 3 times before. Here is the adult perched, and the nest with a chick.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/99715731 click ‘next’ once
Ed also offered to take me in his boat on the Trinity River to find the Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus). We made the trip a week later and found several of these graceful birds soaring over the river. This bird is unmistakable. Thanks a million Ed and Bernice for showing me those birds.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/100068246
The Least Bittern (Ixobrychus exilis) is the smallest and most secretive of the herons in USA. It is confined to the southeast and perhaps the best place to see it is at Anahuac NWR just east of Houston. To photograph them is a struggle. Jay Mangum and I went to Anahuac on July 4th and we both managed to get some respectable photos of this bird. The way we finally did it, was to just sit in the car for 15-20 minutes and wait for the bird to come out of the weeds to feed. The birds are brown with vertical stripes on the breast and dark top of head and back. The male has black on the head and the female has dark brown. Here are the male and female.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/99695475 click ‘next’ once
Bolivar Flats along the coast on July 4th had a large flock of Reddish Egrets (Egretta rufescens). This heron is strictly confined to salt water and marsh areas. As it was just after breeding season, they still had the bushy neck feathers and plumes extending beyond the tail. Here is a close-up of this bird and a second photo of him scratching his head.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/99695469 click ‘next’ once
This bird also exists in an all white plumage variant and I saw my first ever white Reddish Egret in the same flock of birds. This bird photo is now posted on the Houston Audubon Society web site.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/99695471
There were some nice shorebirds on Bolivar flats as well. Here is a Long-billed Curlew with his wings raised to show the brown underwing color.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/99695447
The Willet is a dull gray shorebird with exceptionally marked wings in flight. This is the best photo I have taken of this bird in flight. It also made the Huston Audubon web site.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/99696246
Here is a Barn Swallow and nest with 3 babies. There are 2 more photos of the babies in nest, so to see them click ‘next’ twice.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/99695544
Lastly is a neat looking dragonfly, the Halloween Pennant (Celithemis eponina). I assume it is named for the orange and black wings. I had seen pictures of it in books, so when I found one at Brazoria NWR, I knew exactly what it was. This is a male.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/100981408
All comments and suggestions are welcomed and appreciated.
Happy birding and photography,
David McDonald
davidkmcd@comcast.net
photos copyright 2006 - 2008 David McDonald
Friendswood Texas
August 1, 2008
Bulletin #48 – Houston TX area summer birds #2
Hello friends,
I hired a guide, Darrell Vollert, of Chappell Hill Texas. This town is about 1 hour west of Houston. I went specifically to find some of the migrants that I had missed in the spring. Some of the birds nest in that area.
Darrell’s website is http://www.darrellvollertnaturetours.com/
We found most of the target birds including Yellow-throated Vireo (Vireo flavifrons). This bird somewhat resembles the White-eyed Vireo except for the yellow throat.
http://www.pbase.com/image/97977487 click ‘next’ once
The next was the Swainson’s Warbler (Limnothlypis swainsonii). They nest in the area and we were able to tape in a bird, who finally perched up and allowed some photos. I had photographed this bird on the ground during migration, but the light was horrible. This is one of the more difficult warblers to locate. It is brownish with white eye stripe, bright brown cap and long bill.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/97977405 click ‘next’ once
The Western Kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis) was readily located on some power lines in the middle of town. The dark tail with lateral white margins is the ID mark to separate this bird from other similar kingbirds.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/97977549
The one bird we saw, but were unable to photograph was the Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis). Luckily for me, several weeks later Ed and Bernice Jackson, who live just northeast of Houston, reported a nest of the birds on Texbirds. They were kind enough to show me the birds and nest with chick. Kites are graceful hawks of the tropical regions. The Mississippi Kite is a fairly common bird, but I had seen it only 3 times before. Here is the adult perched, and the nest with a chick.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/99715731 click ‘next’ once
Ed also offered to take me in his boat on the Trinity River to find the Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus). We made the trip a week later and found several of these graceful birds soaring over the river. This bird is unmistakable. Thanks a million Ed and Bernice for showing me those birds.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/100068246
The Least Bittern (Ixobrychus exilis) is the smallest and most secretive of the herons in USA. It is confined to the southeast and perhaps the best place to see it is at Anahuac NWR just east of Houston. To photograph them is a struggle. Jay Mangum and I went to Anahuac on July 4th and we both managed to get some respectable photos of this bird. The way we finally did it, was to just sit in the car for 15-20 minutes and wait for the bird to come out of the weeds to feed. The birds are brown with vertical stripes on the breast and dark top of head and back. The male has black on the head and the female has dark brown. Here are the male and female.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/99695475 click ‘next’ once
Bolivar Flats along the coast on July 4th had a large flock of Reddish Egrets (Egretta rufescens). This heron is strictly confined to salt water and marsh areas. As it was just after breeding season, they still had the bushy neck feathers and plumes extending beyond the tail. Here is a close-up of this bird and a second photo of him scratching his head.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/99695469 click ‘next’ once
This bird also exists in an all white plumage variant and I saw my first ever white Reddish Egret in the same flock of birds. This bird photo is now posted on the Houston Audubon Society web site.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/99695471
There were some nice shorebirds on Bolivar flats as well. Here is a Long-billed Curlew with his wings raised to show the brown underwing color.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/99695447
The Willet is a dull gray shorebird with exceptionally marked wings in flight. This is the best photo I have taken of this bird in flight. It also made the Huston Audubon web site.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/99696246
Here is a Barn Swallow and nest with 3 babies. There are 2 more photos of the babies in nest, so to see them click ‘next’ twice.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/99695544
Lastly is a neat looking dragonfly, the Halloween Pennant (Celithemis eponina). I assume it is named for the orange and black wings. I had seen pictures of it in books, so when I found one at Brazoria NWR, I knew exactly what it was. This is a male.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/100981408
All comments and suggestions are welcomed and appreciated.
Happy birding and photography,
David McDonald
davidkmcd@comcast.net
photos copyright 2006 - 2008 David McDonald
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