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!!
Mexican Food next to McDonalds
We were on the road again heading south towards the “Hill Country” of Texas . . . . . and decided to stop at McDonalds for breakfast. We found this neat Mexican Food stand where Patty said “I need to photograph this place” because it was so “Texas”!!
Great-tailed Grackles in the Road
We decided to take a quick breakfast break to investigate these large grackles that were in the road. I tried to entice the young-ins while eating our sausage egg and cheese biscuits but they were more interested in the road kill in the middle of the road. House Sparrows did take us up on our offerings though (as expected)!
Juvenal Great-tailed Grackle
I first thought this bird was a Boat-tailed Grackle like I had seen last spring over in Chincoteague but after studying the book further . . . . no doubt these guys were Great-tailed Grackles (CHECK – Lifers for both Patty and I)!!
Common Raven
The whole trip we were watching the Black Vultures flying around and Patty’s mother located something different flying . . . . Ravens . . . . could they have been the Chihuahuan Raven? ? ? I quickly identified the grackle wrong just hours before and didn’t want to do the same with this raven so I posted my question on Facebook . . . Chihuahuan or Common Raven?
Common Raven
What is great about technology is that I got many answers fast . . . “is it Crow size” . . . “are you in the Hills” . . . “what does it sound like” . . . Sorry about your luck its not a Chihuahuan but a Common Raven like you see most every day in Allegany! However this Raven wasn’t a lifer but I did find many other birds which I will blog post here soon . . . . stay tuned for our Texas adventure to continue. . . .
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Nice Taco Truck! That’s what they’re called here in Columbus at least. They’ve cropped up all over town in the past year or two. I’m sure they’ll make there way to Western NY before long…… They’re quite the rage in the city, I must say, they have quite the following, and I hear they stay open all winter.
8 January 2010 at 8:16 pm
Enjoy Texas! It’s my home state! I am really looking forward to seeing your adventures—we didn’t start adventuring as much until we moved to Florida
8 January 2010 at 9:06 pm
What a great beginning, Tom! Can’t wait to read the rest!
8 January 2010 at 9:28 pm
Texas would be a great place to be right now with all the stupid snow we are getting. Have fun!!
9 January 2010 at 1:58 am
I’ve been to Texas, but never to go birding. Definitely on my wish list, but until then I’ll vicariously through your blog.
11 January 2010 at 8:37 am
I would love to go to Texas, strictly for the birds! What a cool start to the trip. Love those great-tailed grackles.
11 January 2010 at 5:05 pm
what a wonderful beginning-how could you not have eaten at that taco place?
11 January 2010 at 7:34 pm