Vermillion Flycatcher

VERMILLION

FLYCATCHER

I HAVE SEEN THESE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS

OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS AND HAVE SPENT

A LOT OF TIME TRYING TO GET A DECENT PHOTOGRAPH. AS THEY SPEND MOST OF THEIR

TIME IN WIDE OPEN FIELDS, OR VERY HIGH IN

THE TREE TOPS, THEY ARE VERY DIFFICULT

TO GET CLOSE TO. I WAS PRETTY LUCKY TO

GET THIS CLOSE TO ONE.

FINALLY!!!

US BORDER PATROL, ON THE JOB

♪   ♪   ♪

ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST

♫♫ANOTHER ONE GONE,♫♫

♫♫ ANOTHER ONE GONE, ♫♫

ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST♪♪♪

I saw all the vehicles come tearing into the area and all the commotion. This was as close as I dared to get.

BIRDS OF THE LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY PART - 4

BIRDS OF THE LOWER

RIO GRANDE VALLEY

PART - 4

These next photos were taken

from the balcony at my hotel in

Mission, TX

RUBY THROATED HUMMINGBIRD

 

HOUSE FINCH

 

AND THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY

For several days, I saw a pair of rare (for South Texas) Hooded Orioles

in and around the palm trees, near the hotel balcony.

I tried on numerous occasions to get a photo.

This is as near as I got.

Still pretty happy with the rare sighting of these birds

BIRDS OF THE LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY PART - 3

BIRDS OF THE LOWER

RIO GRANDE VALLEY

PART - 3

ANHINGA

 

BLACK BELLIED WHISTLING DUCK

 

AMERICAN COOT

 

GADWALL

 

LEAST GREBE

 

KILDEER

 

LEAST TERN

 

LITTLE BLUE HERON

 

MOORHEN

 

NORTHERN SHOVELER DUCK

 

SPOTTED SANDPIPER

 

BLACK NECKED STILT

 

BLUE WING TEAL &

BLACK NECKED STILT

 

PAIR OF BLUE WING TEAL

 

WHITE IBIS

BIRDS OF THE LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY PART - 2

BIRDS OF THE LOWER

RIO GRANDE VALLEY

PART - 2

"KETTLE" OF

BROAD-WINGED HAWKS

During migration thousands of these hawks congregate in huge numbers,

called "kettles". This group also has a few Swainson's Hawks in the mix.

On this particular day there were approximately

10000 hawks that eventually joined this "kettle".

Very impressive!

 

MISSISSIPPI KITES

And equally as impressive, on another day, I found this

"kettle" of Mississippi Kites, in migration.

Although not quite the same in numbers.

This group was probably several hundred Kites

 

CHACHALACA

     

WHITE-WINGED DOVE

INCA DOVE 

ELF OWL

These are extremely nocturnal, and I waited until well after dark to get a look at this one.

Not a great photo perhaps, but I was happy to get a look at this rare owl.

A full grown adult is only 5"- 6" tall.

 

"THE STATE BIRD OF TEXAS"

NOTE: Just in case you are from a foreign country, this is a Mocking Bird!

BIRDS OF THE LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY PART - 1

BIRDS OF THE LOWER

RIO GRANDE VALLEY

PART - 1

ALTIMIRA ORIOLE

 

BLACK PHOEBE

 BROWN CRESTED FLYCATCHER

  

COUCH'S KINGBIRD

 

GREEN JAY

 

GREAT KISKADEE

 

LADDER BACKED WOODPECKER

GOLDEN FRONTED WOODPECKER