My Texas Sunset
Last night in Texas had an amazing sunset!
This Sunset series will be the last of my Texas photos. . . Promise!! I did mention that I was going to milk this for as long as I could!! I am now ready to move on to local birds starting to move north into the area.
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Vesper Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
I even had the opportunity to photograph Vesper Sparrows while out in Texas.
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House Finch
House Finch
House Finch was all over the Ranch while visiting Texas last December. They are easily ignored but they really are pretty birds.
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Western Bluebirds
Western Bluebird in Mistletoe
One of the most unexpected finds while at the Texas Ranch was the discovery of Western Bluebirds (CHECK Lifer). We only saw the bluebirds on the last two days in Texas but they were sure there in numbers.
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Mourning Dove
Mourning Dove
I have many Mourning Doves around my home but it takes a trip to Texas to capture my best Mourning Dove photos ever!!
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Southern Outdoor Experience
Patty Self Portrait in the Blind
Our Texas trip originated after Patty won a hunting trip for two at the 2009 Deerassic Classics Outdoor Expos last summer. I remember walking by the booth and seeing the Southern Outdoor Experience logo saying “Out of all the hunting shows on TV, this is the one show that I actually remembered watching ”!! We decided to stop at the booth to chat with the producers and I decided to purchased one of their hats. Southern Outdoor Experience had an amazing raffle for a 3 days trophy hunt for two in Texas, to get completely outfitted (clothing), a new riffle and scope. I noticed Patty and her mother were quickly filling their names on a few raffle tickets.
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Jack Rabbit [Wordless Wednesday]
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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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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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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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?? (more…)
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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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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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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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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Road trip to Texas via my iPhone
Dinosaur World
Everything started with Patty winning the Southern Outdoor Experience hunting trip at the 2009 Deerassic Classic Outdoor Expo this summer. Being a birdwatcher . . . my mind was spinning with the thoughts of finding “Texas LIFERS”!! We had 5 months to plan this trip to the Canyon Ranch in Sonora Texas with the Southern Outdoor Experience film crew. The time finally came to make the adventure!
Mon@rch's Nature Blog 