Two new "Lifers": Yellow-billed Cuckoo and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher as well as Mr. and Mrs. Painted Bunting, etc.

I went to River Ranch County Park which is my fourth visit there I think. I saw two new "Lifers" (first time I've seen them): a Yellow-billed Cuckoo and a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. The Gnatcatcher is tiny!!! I mean barly the size of a hummingbird.

A male and a female Painted Bunting appeared but not really together. The male came and went probably five times while I saw the female only once and that was very brief.

The other big controvery is a titmouse. I'm 99% sure it is a Black-crested Titmouse but it sure does look odd. According to my field guide, the Tufted Titmounse and the Black-crested Titmouse were assumed to be one species but were seperated but they also interbred so its a confused mess. There is also a Juniper Titmouse which is what these images look like but according to the range, they are no in Texas. Mostly in far west Texas to eastern California. More images are here.

Enough gab... I hope you enjoy the images.

Is this a Black-crested Titmouse or perhaps either a Tufted Titmouse or a Juniper Titmouse

Let me know your thoughts:

Rock Squirrel and other friends of Lake Muir

I am sure you have heard of Rocky the Flying Squirrel. Well, this is a Rock Squirrel. I don't recall ever seeing one especially in Texas. The fur looks rather thick as if they tend to be further north.

I think this is an Olive-sided Flycatcher. The identifying engines don't agree. The other choices are a Western Pewee or an Eastern PeWee. In any case, it is a cute bird.

Last, I put together this sequence of shots of a Western Kingbird landing. I actually have the whole sequence of it flying from one twig to another but the camera lost focus for most of the way. Such is life.

Rewarding Trip to Granger, TX

I've been out to Granger Lake and that area twice this year but it was during winter. A friend went and had great success so I tried it. I got nine "lifers" -- first time I've seen them.

Part of the adventure was going to Friendship Park which is on Granger Lake. There were TONS!!! of mayflies and the birds were having a feast. When I walked through the grass, something kept bothering me. I assumed it was mesquitoes but eventually figured out it was the Mayflies.

Here are the new birds. As always, I hope you enjoy the images.

Today's flying bird: Killdear

Today I went to Old Settler's Park in Round Rock. I was there almost an hour and the Great Egret sat in the same spot and preened itself the entire time. There were no big finds. I practiced photographing birds in flight on a Killdear.

I hope you enjoy the image.

Today's adventure: White morph Reddish Egret

About a month ago while I was out birding I bumped into Twylabird. She has way more knowledge about birding than I do. After I sent her my blog post of the Barn Swallows she said I should go out to San Gabriel Park and photograph the white morph Reddish Egret out there. I kinda sorta know about morphs but only barely.

So this morning I got up and went and basically walked right up to it after Twylabird's directions the previous day. Here are two of the best images of it along with a few other feathered friends I saw.

I hope you enjoy the images.

Better Barn Swallow Images

When opportunity strikes!!! Two barn swallows were flying around Muir Lake. They would land close to the water's edge. The high grass made it so I couldn't see what they were doing. When they took off, they were headed into a slight headwind so it was easy to get the initial focus at that point. Plus, I had my settings set better. Of the one burst I took which was probaly 150 images, I kept 55 of them. Here are seven of the images. The exposure is hard to do because the birds are relatively dark and the background is pretty light so the birds come out under exposed. I probably could double my shutter speed too. Anyhow... I'm pleased with the progress.

I hope you have a terrific day and enjoy the images.