Another beautiful sunrise over the Gulf of Mexico from Isla Blanca Park on South Padre Island.
We drove about 10 miles west of the island on Hwy. 100 to search for the Aplomado Falcons.
What a pleasant surprise to find the pair sitting next to the parking area.
They flew away for a few minutes without a photo but fortunately returned to the Yucca.
What an amazing close-up. Note leg band.
What a blessing to see them so close.
Turkey Vulture taking off at the South Texas Ecological Center.
We went to Resaca de la Palma State Park for a couple very rare bird species.
We drove over with our Canadian birding friend Randall Robinson,who took this great photo of the Roadside Hawk.
This rare bird is from Southern Mexico - the Gray-collared Becard (a life bird for us)
Blue-headed Vireo
This Altamira Oriole is trying very hard to get the last bit of suet in the basket.
This Inca Dove shows off it's usually hidden colors.
The Blue Metalmark female butterfly is only found in extreme southeast Texas
Back to the Island and with recent high tides and strong winds some jellyfish were close to shore
Sea Nettle Jellyfish
Some washed up on the beach - Cannonball Jellyfish
Very poisonous Portuguese Man-of-War
Two foot diameter Moon Jellyfish
Loggerhead Sea Turtles eat jellyfish and are resistant to the poison stings.
A pod of Bottlenose Dolphins feed in the channel.
And playfully interact.
Common Tern that is not very common here....
But the similar Forester's Tern is.
Empty Skate egg case washed up on the beach.
Ghost Shrimp burrow cone (miniture volcano)
Fisherman suction pumping Ghost Shrimp for bait.
Ghost Shrimp - 3 inches long
Brown Pelicans fishing - amazing pouch
Laughing Gull perches on Pelican's head hoping to get leftovers.
Thousands of Mullet school for blocks along the jetty..
Mullet
Mullet down the hatch
Or in the Osprey's talons
American Avocets fishing in the surf
Every tide brings in a varity of shells like this Saw-toothed Pen Shell,
many people walk the beach each day collecting.
Giant Atlantic Cockle
Back at the Birding Center we see many fish like this two foot Snook.
Little Blue Heron with a bad itch
It must be catching - Great Blue Heron
Has to be catching! Yellow-crowned Night-heron
Possitively catching - Clapper Rail
American Coot - what big feet you have!
Black Skimmer demonstrates it's unique fishing bill.
Skimmer heads out over the waves for a last catch.
Hard to believe we have been here on South Padre Island for two months, and now winter like weather has arrived at least for a couple days. Temps in the low 40's, wind chill and rain, Good day to do a blog.
Love & Prayers,
Ty & Ida Baumann
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