Daily Archives: May 10, 2020

Two Afternoons at a Blind Near South Padre Island, Texas

I didn’t get much time for photography this spring, but I did make two quick trips by myself to an isolated photo blind near South Padre Island. On a third half day trip to the island, a few migrant songbirds appeared, but things just weren’t the same with Covid 19 travel restrictions in place.

Here are a few images from those trips:

Scarlet Tanager, male foraging for insects in shrubry, s. Texas.
Scarlet Tanager, female on perch.
Black-chinned Hummingbird feeding at Bottle Brush blooms at South Padre Island.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker by pond
Yellow Warbler, male
Wood Thrush foraging by small pond, s. Texas, migration
Rose-breasted Grosbeak, male headed to water
Female Orchard Oriole perched in Tepeguaje tree, South Padre Island, Texas.
Hooded Oriole female foraging for fruits and insects at South Padre Island habitat.
Common Yellowthroat bathing
Black-throated Green Warbler on perch.
Eastern Cottontail sneaking in for an afternoon drink, s. Texas.
Hooded Oriole male on perch.

These were pretty much the only individuals I saw on those limited outings, so I’m thankful for those few hours in the brush. Let’s hope next spring brings more birds and free time for photographers to enjoy.

Larry

Recent Captures

As a facilities planner and photo guide at the Santa Clara Photo Ranch in south Texas, I was able to access some of the blinds one day in early May. By then, most of the spring songbird migration was done, but bird activity was good that day.

Greater Roadrunners mating. Male is holding a Texas Horned Lizard, his bonding gift to the female, Santa Clara Ranch, Starr Co., Texas.
Golden-winged Warbler lost in the thorny woodlands on Santa Clara Ranch in Starr Co., Texas.

The little Golden-winged Warbler above was the first of that species we’d ever seen at Santa Clara Photo Ranch. He was visible for only a few seconds, but we got a few captures.

Northern Bobwhite male under Manzanita bush, s. Texas.
Long-billed Thrasher fluffing feathers as rain begins to fall.
Eastern Cottontail sampling Manzanita fruits.
Green Jay adult, head and shoulder portrait.
Courtship ritual, Northern Cardinals, male feeding female.
Painted Bunting male flushing while drinking.
Painted Bunting male diving in for a bath.
White-tipped Dove eyeing a Manzanita fruit, s. Texas.
White-tipped Dove landing by Manzanita bush.

Manzanita is somewhat rare in south Texas, but grows naturally in the Rio Grande delta near Brownsville. Since many birds and mammals are attracted to its drupes, I often carry fruiting branches from my garden to the ranch to use as perches.

When leisure travel is permitted again, the ranch will be open year round so check their web site (SantaClaraPhotoRanch.com) for schedules and other information.