Traveling in Texas

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

Of all the Scissor-tails I saw on this trip, this one had the longest tail of all! I was so glad to get a few shots of him on the fence. Somewhere in open country in south Texas.

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

This beautiful bird was seen along a road in open country in south Texas. This species appeared to like open areas, showing up on telephone wires and fence wires by the road. This one was nice enough to pose for me!

Crested Caracara

For as many of these great birds as I saw, I got almost no photos of them. I loved seeing them, perched on telephone poles or flying by. They do play the role of scavenger--at one point I saw a deer carcas beside the road, with 2 vultures, one Caracara and one Harris' Hawk.

Northern Cardinal

This cardinal was photographed at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, Alamo, Texas.

Altimira Oriole

Photographed at Bentsen State Park, Mission, Texas

Olive Sparrow

Bentsen State Park, Mission, Texas

Plain Chachalaca

I saw quite a few of these strange birds in several locations in south Texas. They like to make quite a chorus, usually with other birds, in the early mornings, filled with all sorts of loud, deep ringing calls and squawks. This one was photographed on the grass outside Bentsen State Park, Mission, Texas.

Clay Colored Thrush

Estero Llano Grande State Park, Texas

Green Jay

This Green Jay was photographed at National Butterfly Center, Mission, Texas.

Inca Dove

This little Inca Dove was photographed at National Butterfly Center, Mission, Texas.

Long-billed Thrasher

Estero Llano Grande State Park, Weslaco, Texas

Anhinga

Alligator Lake, Estero Llano Grande State Park, Weslaco, Texas.

Brown Anole

This displaying anole was photoshopped along the boardwalk railing at Estero Llano Grande State Park, Weslaco, Texas

Golden-fronted Woodpecker at Nest

Estero LLano Grande State Park, Weslaco, Texas

Golden-fronted Woodpecker

Seen at the nest, Estero Llano Grande State Park, Weslaco, Texas.

Long-billed Thrasher

On the trail to Alligator Lake, Estero Llano Grande State Park, Weslaco, Texas.

White-tipped Dove

This dove, named for the white tips on its tail feathers, was photographed at Estero Llano Grande State Park, Weslaco, Texas.

Spider Web in the Sky

This was one of dozens of spiderwebs observed one foggy morning at Estero Llano Grande State Park, Weslaco, Texas. The combination of moisture from the fog and the low angle of light, made the web more visible.

Spider Web

On an early foggy morning, with the sun still low in the sky, dozens of spiderwebs were shown to be draped on grasses, bushes, and railings. It was an amazing sight, with just the tiniest drops festooning the webs. An hour or so later, walking in the same area, the webs were invisible. Estero Llano Grande State Park, Texas.

Painted Bunting - Judith Sparhawk

One of the most sought-after birds by birders and photographers, this beautiful male Painted Bunting. This one was very shy and nervous--seldom staying still for more than a second at a time. Photographed on South Padre Island, Texas.

Painted Bunting

Photographed on South Padre Island, Texas.

Indigo Bunting

Photographed on South Padre Island, Texas.

Tri-colored Heron

South Padre Island, Texas

Orchard Oriole

Photographed on South Padre Island, Texas.

Scarlet Tanager

South Padre Island, Teas

Wood Thrush

South Padre Island, Texas

Indigo Bunting

This beautiful little bird chose a perfect place to sit for his portrait, in the midst of yellow blooms! South Padre Island, Texas.

Great Kiskadee

This large and beautiful flycatcher was seen in many locations, but was photographed here on South Padre Island, Texas.

Scarlet Tanager

Photographed on South Padre Island, Texas.

Tennessee Warbler

South Padre Island, Texas.

Indigo Bunting

At one point I saw about a dozen of these little beauties all at once, some on the ground like this one, others in the bushes. South Padre Island, Texas.

Hooded Warbler

South Padre Island, Texas

Roseate Spoonbill

South Padre Island, Texas

Roseate Spoonbill

South Padre Island, Texas

Prothonotary Warbler

Photographed on South Padre Island, Texas.

Northern Parula

South Padre Island, Texas

Tennessee Warbler

Photographed on South Padre Island, Texas.

Northern Parula

South Padre Island, Texas.

Summer Tanager

South Padre Island, Texas

White Ibis

South Padre Island, Texas

Solitary Sandpiper

South Padre Island, Texas

The Line-up

A row of Laughing Gulls on the beach at Padre Island, Texas.

Laughing Gulls

The "default" gull on the Texas coast, Laughing Gulls. Padre Island, Texas.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Padre Island, Texas