Jack Rabbit
I would sneak up on this rabbit in Texas on the ranch and take a few pictures before it would run away. Sneak up on it again . . . . it happened multiple times!! Happy Wordless Wednesday!!
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3 February 2010
Jack Rabbit [Wordless Wednesday]
2 February 2010
Groundhogs Day 2010
Marshmallow the Albino Woodchuck
To all my Blogging friends; I Allegany Tom on the 2nd of February 2010 did not see my shadow when I woke up this morning. I predict that spring will come early this year!! I just love this holidays and on a side note . . . . Punxstawney Phil did see his shadow this morning! He is predicting that there will be “six more weeks of winter”!!
27 January 2010
Lark Buntings in Texas
Lark Bunting
Found this Lark Bunting in its basic plumage which has a “sparrow-like” appearance to it. This wasn’t an easy bird to identify and I spent more time studying the pictures of these birds than any other birds on my Texas trip. Lark Bunting – LIFER (CHECK)!!
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26 January 2010
Woodpeckers on the Ranch
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
The first morning on the Texas Ranch was exciting and after lunch everyone was chatting about the animals that were found around the hunting blinds. A few of us were sitting under this large tree in the back yard when Patty asked about woodpeckers . . . . . most specifically the Ladder-backed Woodpecker. We were using our BirdsEye application (on our iPhone) and noticed it had been seen recently within the area. Then within 15 minutes I said “Patty come look at this bird . . . . I think this is your woodpecker”!! Sure enough the Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Lifer –CHECK) made an appearance as if to say “here I am”!!
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25 January 2010
Bewick’s Wren Misidentification
Bewick’s Wren
Thanks to Nick from Biological Ramblings in helping me add another bird to my life list!! I was a little careful in my identifications and should have more closely investigated my “Carolina Wren” that was actually a Bewick’s Wren. I missed the obvious rust-brown underparts in the Carolina Wren and the white-edged tail with dark bars on the Bewick’s Wren. I was anticipating the Bewick’s to be more Gray than brown and just didn’t spend the time at home identifying it like I should have done. Anyways . . . . . Bewick’s Wren (CHECK)!! Thanks Nick!
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15 January 2010
My Blunch Lifers
Prickly Pear
After breakfast I was walking around with Patty and her brother who were telling me about the deers they encountered that morning. I noticed this large bird in the distance and quickly pulled the binoculars up . . . could it have been?? Keep reading →
14 January 2010
Friendly Wren
Carolina Bewick’s Wren
The first morning on the ranch brought us an amazing sunrise and an outstanding day to be out looking for lifers! I didn’t know what to expect and found myself trying to carefully analyze each bird encounter. Are those House Finch really House Finch?? . . . . . then using my field guide and iPhone app . . . what other options could this bird be??
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13 January 2010
Texas Sunrise [Wordless Wednesday]
Sunrise started with a purple sky!
I have never seen such an amazing Sunrise as I did the first morning on the Ranch!!
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11 January 2010
We make it to the Ranch
Windmill
After a quick Dairy Queen visit we finally arrived at Rocksprings to meet our 3 guides who would be taking everyone around for the next few days. The vehicles got filled up with gas and Patty headed over to the local grocery store for her hunting license. We then drove northwest . . . . drove some more. . . and drove a little longer than expected . . . . everyone showed great calmness as soon as we turned into the Canyon Ranch gate. We couldn’t believe our eyes and this ranch was more beautiful than we had ever imagined it being.
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8 January 2010
First findings in Texas
Northern Mockingbird
We arrived in Waco Texas around 2am in the morning and we had not seen our first Texas bird until we woke up that morning. Patty said “can you hear the birdies outside??” . . . . scratching my head and not knowing the bird dialect that I was hearing. I walked outside and found this Northern Mockingbird outside mimicking Texas birdies that I did not know!! We also found Starlings, House Finch, House Sparrows, Rock Pigeion. . . etc. . . we added these to our trip checklist!!
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