Southeastern Texas, February 16-28, 2005

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Despite mostly so-so to poor weather, we saw nearly two hundred species during the two weeks, on a circuit from San Antonio to McAllen in the lower Rio Grande valley, then the South Padre Island area (including Laguna Atascosa NWR), and lastly Port Aransas for the annual Whooping Crane Festival. On a festival boat trip, we were fortunate to see 9 of the 215 cranes currently wintering on the Aransas NWR at relatively close range, and we heard fascinating talks on the International Crane Foundation’s project to expand the whooping crane population. The winter has brought a considerable number of rarities from Mexico to the region, but we saw only one of them well–the Crimson-collared Grosbeak. Two spots offered good photographic blinds: the Martin’s Homestead not far from McAllen, and La Copita Ranch near Alice.

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A is for Armadillo (thus the first image) seen near the Visitor Center at the Aransus NWR. Least Grebe, whose normal range is a small portion of southern Texas; seen at the Edinburg Wetlands (north of McAllen).\nWe had seen our life least grebe in Tucson Arizona (an accidental) in January 2004. A Brown Pelican, taking off, near Port Aransus. A juvenile Brown booby, near the ferry at Port Aransus, on February 27th. This tropical bird had been seen in Texas less than two dozen times previously, and its presence drew dozens of birders; its normal range is the Caribbean, as well as the Gulf of Baja California. Thanks Rick (for the brief boat ride to take this shot). White-morph Reddish Egret (much less common than the dark morph), off the boardwalk at the Convention Center, South Padre Island. I photographed a similar bird in precisely the same spot in February 2002--could it have been the same bird? White-faced Ibis, in winter plumage, Edinburg Wetlands (north of McAllen). Roseate Spoonbill, Aransus NWR. Roseate Spoonbill in flight, Aransus NWR. White-tailed Kite. Laguna Atascosa NWR. A pair of Harris's Hawks, at Laguna Atascosa NWR. In the US, these raptors are found only in southern Texas and parts of the extreme southwest. They often are seen in family groups, as here (a third was perched nearby). A Harris's Hawk in flight, showing its characteristic white rump. Seen between San Antonio and McAllen. White-tailed Hawk, Laguna Atascosa NWR. It's found in a limited range in southeastern Texas. Plain Chachalaca, taken on a misty morning at the Homestead, Martin Refuge, Edinburg Northern Bobwhite, Bentsen State Park (near McAllen), taken on a dark morning under trees. Clapper Rail, from the boardwalk at the Convention Center, South Padre Island. This is the best spot for reliably spotting rails that I have ever experienced--on two days we saw several clapper rails each day, and on the second day over a half-dozen soras. Clapper Rail, from the board walk at the Convention Center, South Padre Island. The prey appeared to be a small, almost transparent crab. A family of Whooping Cranes--parents and a first-year juvenile (with partly rusty plumage), on the Aransus NWR. Whoopers are solitary (in contrast to sandhills, which congregate in groups), and a family stakes out a rather large foraging territory, with only very rarely more than one offspring. The juvenile Whooping Crane from the same family group in the Aransus NWR. The only way to approach this part of the refuge is by boat, and despite being on a relatively large vessel (ca. 80 on board) and nearly constant rain. we were fortunate to encounter a group this close. We saw nine cranes in all; a total of about 215 are present this winter on the refuge. An adult Whooping Crane from the same family group in the Aransus NWR. Greater Roadrunner, Laguna Atascosa NWR. Taken from our car, as is normally the only way to approach these critters. Eastern Screech Owl, Bentsen State Park. Despite the intervening branches I love the way this image shows the owl's bark-like plumage. A Green Kingfisher--madam ... ... and mister Green Kingfisher. This was clearly a pair, close together for several minutes, in the Edinburg Wetlands (north of McAllen). Curiously, both have a bit of what looks like mud on the tips of their long bill! A male Golden-fronted Woodpecker (with red on his crown), at Laguna Atascosa NWR. A Great Kiskadee--too bad you can't hear the raucous call. The Homestead, Martin Refuge, in Edinburg. A Green Jay with a bit of a punk hairdo. At La Copita Ranch, near Alice (SE of San Antonio). Black-crested titmouse (separated from tufted titmous in 2002). At La Copita Ranch, near Alice TX. Sedge Wren, from the board walk at the Convention Center, South Padre Island. This fellow just plopped right in front of me and hopped around for a minute or so--one of the best-behaved wrens I ever experienced. Cactus wren, on a prickly perch! The Homestead, Martin Refuge (Edinburg) . Clay-colored Robin. A regional specialty, not always easy to see; in Bentsen State Park. Shot in late sun on our first day--and then the sun mostly disappeared for the rest of our two weeks! Long-billed Thrasher. At La Copita Ranch, near Alice (SE of San Antonio). Less common and more secretive than the duller Curve-billed Thrasher. Curve-billed Thrasher. The Homestead, Martin Refuge (Edinburg). Quite common on our trip. Orange-crowned warbler, bathing. The Homestead, Martin Refuge (Edinburg) . After yellow-rumped warblers. this is the commonest warbler in the region Yellow-throated warbler. This gorgeous individual hung around Paradise Pond, Port Aransus, for several days--but was constantly in motion and often harassed by yellow-rumps. Female Pyrrhuloxia. At La Copita Ranch, near Alice (SE of San Antonio). Male Pyrrhuloxia (note the more extensive red trim, compared to the female). The Homestead, Martin Refuge (Edinburg) . Male Pyrrhuloxia, in a picturesque tangle. At La Copita Ranch. The south Texan male Northern Cardinals often appeared intensely red to our northeastern eyes. The Homestead, Martin Refuge (Edinburg) . Crimson-collared Grosbeak. A rare visitor from Mexico; at least a couple of individuals reportedly hung around for weeks. Frontera Audubon Refuge, Weslaco. Olive sparrow, a regional specialty. At La Copita Ranch, near Alice. Black-throated Sparrow, found in much of the southwest and portions of the interior west. At La Copita Ranch. Lincoln's sparrow. Common during much of our trip. The Homestead, Martin Refuge (Edinburg) . Lincoln's sparrow, bathing. The Homestead, Martin Refuge (Edinburg) . Altamira Oriole, Bentsen State Park. Nice color on a misty, drizzly day! Audubon's Oriole. Uncommon in its very limited Texas range. At La Copita Ranch, near Alice. This was one of the only pair which I saw well (though very briefly).

Bird Photographs by John Van de Graaff