We have been counting hawks for six weeks with two more to go from
Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park in Mission, Texas.
Every sunrise is unique and a special gift from God.
Although hawk counting is our main emphasis, we count other bird species too.
We usually have about 80 species. This Verdin is setting up territory
below the tower.
Warblers are now migrating through South Texas and we saw this Hooded Warbler.
Birders from all over the U.S. are coming to hopefully see this rarity. The Hook-billed Kite.
So, this is what we watch each day. Specks in the sky sometimes.
Here are 37 Broad-winged Hawks forming a kettle in the warmer updrafts.
This Swainson's Hawk is building a nest near the tower.
Coral Bean flowers attract birds and bees
Texas Olive in bloom
Couch's Kingbird calling "Beer"
Couch's Kingbird watching for insects
White-winged Doves increasing in numbers
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher migrating north in great numbers
Ty got a sursprise while doing his early morning owl survey.
A six foot plus Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake
Western Kingbird
Golden-fronted Woodpecker with her long tongue lapping in the hummingbird feeder
This tiny guy has a name longer than he is -
Northern Beardless Tyrannulet
Giant Mesquite Bug
Brown-crested Flycatcher
The rare dark morph Broad-winged Hawk
Of the thousands of Broad-wings, we have seen only two.
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Northern Harrier juvenile - daily visitor
Are you taking my photo again? How many times do I have to fly by here?
Hawk tower visitor - a real turkey - walked up the whole ramp and flew off the 30 ft platform
Another visitor coming up the ramp.
Ruthven's snake - an uncommon species
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher hawks for a large insect
We drove to South Padre Island for the day with friends to see the great passerine migration
Feeder areas provide stopovers for food, water and rest.
Northern Parula and Nashville Warbler check out the oranges.
Northern Parula
Male Summer Tanager
Tennessee Warbler
Blue Grosbeak
Orchard Oriole
Green Heron greets us at the Birding Center
Look carefully! This Green Heron is on the nest in the mangroves.
This resident Spotted Sandpiper displaying his Spring spots.
The very special Mangrove Warbler is setting up nesting territory at the Birding Center
Mangrove Warbler singing
Clapper Rail calling mate
There she is! The call must have worked!
Northern Waterthrush
White Ibis with crab pincher still pinching bill.
He finally got it free by plunging it in the mud.
Rising sun - (note sunspot at about 2 oclock position)
The rising sun is a stark reminder of the Risen Son, our Savior Jesus Christ on this Easter Sunday.
Love & Prayers,
Ty & Ida Baumann
No comments:
Post a Comment