Nature Keeps The Peace

This is my first year to pay attention to birds migrating through my area. By actively doing this I've added several birds to my life list. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to get viable photos of them all. I've seen the Mississippi kite, male orchard oriole, and Eastern towhee, but can't prove it. Remaining elusive are the male scarlet tanager, summer tanager and painted bunting—my birding buddies at Bluebonnet Swamp have all seen these, with photos to boot. When I voice my frustration at not seeing these birds, they say, "But you got the gray fox! That trumps everything." They are too nice. Nothing too exciting has been seen of late. Below is a new one and a repeat:

Brown-crested flycatcher, Bluebonnet Swamp, 4/18/13.
Not the sharpest shots by any means, sorry. These were taken hand held on a cloudy day.

Stretch....
They have a pale yellow underside. I wish he had turned around to face me. 

The birds are very attracted to all the wild berries. Bluebonnet Swamp, 4/18/13

The Indian pink are blooming profusely.
Bluebonnet Swamp, 4/23/13

Sorry for another pic of the rose-breasted grosbeak. This is his back side.

Both photos taken 4/25/13, Bluebonnet Swamp. Where else?

Broad-headed skink. I can't say he's a handsome fella, but his markings and head color are interesting.
Look at the intricate pattern on his arm.
Bluebonnet Swamp, 4/25/13

Now you see where I got my post title. :)
A sign from Capitol Lakes, 4/27/13

Thanks, Stewart!

Thanks, Anni!

Thanks, Michelle!

EDIT: Thanks so much to Hilary, of The Smitten Image for selecting my post, Choose Mother Nature in her Phine Photography category! It's always an honor to be chosen. Please visit Hilary's blog and the other POTW recipients.

Crawfishin'

Are you sick of Barbara yet? I hope not because I plan to draw water from this well as long as it's available. She seems to be on a schedule, coming out of the nest around 10:30AM and again at 3:30-4:00PM. My birding buddies told me that she was 7 for 7 on crawfish runs the other day. Of course I missed it. Her eyesight must be incredible because here we are standing on the edge of the boardwalk and can barely see any mud bugs from just a few feet away, yet Barbara can spot one from 10-15' up in a tree. I still want to see her nab a snake, though. But I am also eagerly awaiting the appearance of the owlets. Should be soon! This series was captured around 4PM on 3/28/13.

Thanks, Stewart!

Thanks, Anni!

Nurturing Nature

Since Tuesday was supposed to be the last of our sunshine for a while, I found myself back at Bluebonnet Swamp hoping to spot the Eastern Towhee I had seen last week. No such luck, but I met a very nice fellow blogger visiting all the way from the UK. Steve, I enjoyed your delightful accent and showing you around the swamp introducing you to our native wildlife. Hope you will visit our wonderful state again sometime!

An abundance of lizards were out in force.

Downy Woodpecker, female

Gray Squirrel munching on a sweet gum ball.

Damselfly

Steve helped me spot this little fella. 

Titmouse

Titmouse with visible tongue getting ready for the suet.

When I returned home the sun was still very bright, so off to the backyard I went where I was dazzled even more!

Look who came to visit my neighbors' Chinese Tallow tree: the Cedar Waxwings!

If only I could get their back wings - the color and spots of red are exquisite.

Some type of sparrow resting on the palm tree.

Yellow-rumped warbler swallowing a crane fly. Good! One less to enter the house.

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On A Bender

Oh my stars, I am so tired. Yesterday was the big bird watching expedition at Bluebonnet Swamp. I met lots of nice birders, learned some new things, and found out about new birding areas. For 9-1/2 hours I was on the go with only a breakfast bar and a half a cup of coffee to sustain me. I guess you could say I was on a bird bender! I even found a huge eagles' nest where two eaglets have recently hatched. Double D was nice enough to accompany me there this afternoon for three hours. So far I have spent seven hours observing the eagles in two days. I am waiting to perfect my photos before I show them on here.

On the way home from the eagles' nest, this little Killdeer crossed the road right in front of us. Good thing I was only going about 30 mph, and with no cars behind me I was able to stop and get some shots. Poor guy appeared lost and there were no others of his kind around. I hope he found his family and friends.

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