As we were leaving Mission to head to Weslaco we saw this perched Harris's Hawk
And a male Golden-fronted Woodpecker bids us farewell.
Coyote greets a fog shrouded sunrise on the trails of Estero Llano Grande State Park
Female Summer Tanager feasts on Africanized Bees
Watching for the next bite.
Milkweed Vine blooming throughout the park.
Hot weather brings out the Bull Snake
And an Indigo Snake
White-tailed Kite heading to favorite perch along the Llano Grande Lake
Time to preen after flight
Female Ringed Kingfisher, largest kingfisher in North America, all 16 inches of her.
Loggerhead Shrike
Visiting Birder's favorite - Green Jay
Looking for the biggest sunflower seed.
Black-crested Titmouse loves the feeding stations
Gray Catbird arrives for the winter
Good time for a bath in the water feature
Orange-crowned Warbler at communal bathing area
Indigo Bunting juveline male starting to show his true blue colors
Blue-headed Vireo
Nashville Warbler
Texas specialty, White-tipped Dove
Lincoln's Sparrow
Hidden in the brush on the ground is the Common Pauraque
Anhinga sun drying reflection
Least Grebe
Rare sightings in Texas are the Limpkins (far right & left) joined by Tricolored Heron and
Blue-winged Teal
Wood Stork attracted by other wading birds
Wood Stork leaves after short visit
Roseate Spoonbill
Wading birds congregate to feed in shallow pools, Great Egrets, White Ibis and Roseate Spoonbills
Great Egret catches a large Silver Minnow
Yellow-crowned Night-heron
Juvenile Little Blue Heron
Texas "Death's Head" Orb Weaver Spider
Harris's Hawk crouches to launch
Uneasy landing, balancing act for this Harris's Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Northern Harrier Juvenile
Crested Caracara
Red-crowned Parrots and.....
and this single Red-lored Parrot landed at Estero Llano tree canopy
Burrowing Owl near the highway on irrigation stand pipe
One more week in Weslaco before heading to South Padre Island for three months and
volunteering at the Birding & Nature Center.
Love & Prayers,
Ty & Ida Baumann
