Bulletin #78 – West Texas – Davis Mountains #2

David McDonald Photography
Friendswood Texas
May 8, 2009

Bulletin #78 – West Texas – Davis Mountains #2

Hello friends,

I had my first trip to west Texas. I went with Ed Arenson from Denver and we used Darrell Vollert as our guide. His web site is http://www.darrellvollertnaturetours.com/

We spent the first day and a half in the Davis Mountains near Alpine Texas. There were 2 areas we visited – Davis Mountains State Park and TNC Davis Mountain Preserve.

There were several species of warblers in the area. The most important is Grace’s Warbler (Dendroica graciae). This was a lifer for me. It is very similar to the Yellow-throated Warbler of the east, but has a yellow stripe over the eye rather than white. The Grace’s does not have the vertical white stripe behind the cheek that is seen on the Yellow-throated. Here is a second photo of the bird.

The Yellow-rumped Warbler (Dendroica coronata) exists in two forms that used to be considered separate species. The eastern (Myrtle) form has a white throat. The western (Audubon’s) has a yellow throat. Both these birds were at the feeding station in Davis Mountains State Park and allowed nice comparisons of the plumage distinction. Here are the 2 birds with Myrtle the first photo and Audubon’s the second.

A new bird photo for me was the Plumbeous Vireo (Vireo plumbeus). This is a bird of the western mountains. It is a split from the old Solitary Vireo and thus has the grayish head and white ‘spectacles’. They are generally mostly gray and may have a slight yellow wash on the flanks as does this bird. It was IDed by voice by our guide. The hooked upper mandible typical of vireos is plainly seen.

Here is a Western Scrub-Jay (Aphelecoma californica). This species may be split once again, according to Sibley, as the Pacific coast birds are quite different from the interior birds – voice and some plumage.

Here is the female Hepatic Tanager (Piranga flava). She is mostly yellow with grayish cheeks.

Next is a female Phainopepla (Phainopepla nitens). This nifty looking bird is all gray with 2 wing bars, a bushy crest and a bright red eye. The male is all glossy black without any wing bars.









Here is a female Lazuli Bunting (Passerina amoena). She is grayish with pale rusty breast, 2 white wing bars and a faint blue wash on the wings and tail. Here is a second photo.









Lastly is an up close and personal look at a male Bronzed Cowbird (Molothrus aeneus). He was so close that I couldn’t get him all in the photo. He is all black with a bright red eye.







Happy birding and photography,

David McDonald

email: davidkmcd@comcast.net


photos copyright 2009 David McDonald


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Bulletin #77 – West Texas – Davis Mountains #1

David McDonald Photography
Friendswood Texas
May 6, 2009

Hello friends,

I had my first trip to west Texas. I went with Ed Arenson from Denver and we used Darrell Vollert as our guide. His web site is http://www.darrellvollertnaturetours.com/

We spent the first day and a half in the Davis Mountains near Alpine Texas. There were 2 areas we visited – Davis Mountains State Park and TNC Davis Mountain Preserve.

The state park is the premier location in the USA to see Montezuma Quail as they feed them. Unfortunately, despite about 8 hours there, we didn’t see it. However, with the food and water, many other species were close at hand.

The Black-headed Grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus) was there in all plumages. The male (left) has an all black head and rufous breast. The female has a streaked breast and striped face. The first year male with rufous breast but striped face.

The next bird was a lifer for me, the Scott’s Oriole (Icterus parisorum). This is a yellow and black oriole. Again, there were several plumages seen with male (solid black head – 2nd photo), female (a little black on throat) and first year male with a partial black head.

This Ash-throated Flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens) was seen on the ground at the drip. It is unusual to find flycatchers on the ground. The yellow belly is quite pale on this bird compared to other USA myiarchus species.

The next bird is another flycatcher – Cassin’s Kingbird (Tyrannus vociferans). It has a dark gray breast and yellow belly. Of the similar species Tropical, Cassin’s, Western and Couch’s Kingbirds, the Cassin’s has the darkest gray on throat and breast.

The Rufous-crowned Sparrow (Aimophila ruficeps) is a western USA sparrow found on rocky hillsides. As the name implies, it has a bright rufous top of head. It is IDed by the white eye-ring and black whiskers at the border of the white throat. The breast is not streaked.

The last bird was another lifer for me, the Zone-tailed Hawk (Buteo albonotatus). This is a bird of the southwestern USA-Mexico border region. It is black with 2 white tail stripes, one wider than the other. A pair of these birds flew over and I was able to get this photo.

All comments and suggestions are welcomed and appreciated.

Happy birding and photography,
David McDonald
email: davidkmcd@comcast.net

photos copyright 2009 David McDonald
To have these trip reports sent to your email, please email me at the above address and ask for subscribe.