On Wednesday of last week, when there was a break in the rainfall, I jumped in the car and took off in search of a special bird. I never found the bird I was looking for [that day...I did find it later in the week upon a return trip], but the drive, over wet highways, I watched the clouds as I made my way to the private property and then, later, on the way to Wright's Pond to check the egret rookery nearing the beginning of Texas Hill Country! This is what I encountered in part:
This is the private property where the vagrant bird was reported seen. The owner was gracious enough to let me go through the gate and into the back side of the house to scope out the landscape for the bird! He was a birder too, obviously, since he had at least a dozen hummingbird feeders and seed feeders throughout the open spaces! By the way, I was kinda skeptical to enter, they had a pit bull. All it did was slobber all over me in friendship. I'm sure it would've been different if the owner wasn't there. Then, it started to drizzle again, so I took off to the rookery. Along the highway you can see the beginning of the hill country which is quite a big deal to Texas Natives...
I arrived at the junction taking me toward San Patricio Texas and Wright's Pond. There, I pulled off on the shoulder of the busy highway and watched for baby egrets in the nest. Found 'em!! Photos taken before the rain began again and I headed back home about 40 miles away and lots of potential of more highway flooding!
I will have better photos and close ups of the baby egrets in the nest on my Bird Photo Blog, opening publication on Saturday.
...and to continue showcasing my Trolls...
↓ My 22nd Troll Share ↓
Holiday Themed Pilgrim  |
That sky sure looks angry! We have never seen baby egrets in the nest before. They look pretty big babies!
ReplyDeleteThose in the tree are adults on the nests.
DeleteThat's a lot of nests all in one tree. Do they always build their nests so close together like that?
ReplyDeleteYa, most often...in colonies
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI am glad you found the vagrant and met a nice birder. The egret rookery is cool to see!
Have a great day!
Me too!! And, yes...those egret chicks were sweet to watch.
DeleteHappy to read that you found the Vagrant. Congrats! And WOW...that is an AMAZING amount of nests in that tree! I love your photos of the stormy sky because I love the look of a stormy sky.
ReplyDeleteBtw, I don't think I ever mentioned this to you, but I have a friend who lives in San Antonio. I met she and her husband when we all lived in Florida. About three years ago, they moved back to Texas, which is where they used to live in the early 90's. They love Texas!
There's so much Texas has going for it...but, all states have their good points imo
Deletethe only nests and colonies i have seen are in Jungle gardens in sarasota. none in the wild. you know my favorite thing would have been the slobbers from the pit bull.. Big boy was a pitty and the friendliest dog in the world, whetehr we were home or not. glad you found the vagrant. when i read the title i thought you were at our local library where you can grab photos of vagrants daily. ha ha
ReplyDeleteVagrants...library..
DeleteGot it. lol
Really dark and impressive skies here! Waiting to see the babies! Egrets are beautiful birds!
ReplyDelete😊. Working on Saturday's post now.
DeleteI had no idea they built their nests in colonies, can't wait to see more on Saturday. By the look of the sky I would have been heading home as fast as I could, I don't like driving in the rain at all these days! The pilgrim Troll is adorable. :)
ReplyDeleteMost rains aren't bad ...it's when it comes down in torrents & you can't see the front of the car!!
DeleteThose skies on't look like they are done with you yet. Hope you get beneficial, not flooding. Interesting about he colonies. Guess they prefer safety in numbers.
ReplyDeleteClear and hot today tho!!
DeleteLove the shot of that tree full of baby egrets! Can't wait to see it a bit closer.
ReplyDeleteMy granddog is a pittie, and he is a big baby. But you're right--if the owner hadn't been there and showed you to be a friend, the greeting may have gone differently.
Those are all adults egrets sitting on nests.
DeleteAnni, love your Pilgrim..really a cutie.
ReplyDeleteThose clouds look ominous but great for photographing.
Sorry you didn't find the mystery bird..anxious to find out what the vagrant is.
You Texans are really getting the flooding rains...be safe but glad you grabbed the chance to get out and explore.
Sue
I guess I have got to go back and read your post again. I think I misread about the vagrant...oh well, I haven't had my morning coffee yet...that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it... (:0)
DeleteSue
I have only a few (notso good) photos of the "mystery bird"
DeleteNo coffee excuse...lol
DeleteDon't 'let go' until you find what you are seeking!!!!!!
ReplyDelete🌺 💖 🌺
Patience is a virtue.
DeleteWOW, your last photo is amazing! I can't wait till your next post with more of it and the chicks. You are SO brave to even get out of the car with a Pit Bull there!! Owner there or not, that is a scary thing!
ReplyDelete...working on my Saturday post now.
DeleteLooking Forward To The "Better" Photos Of The Nest - And Good On You For Adventuring On - Big Hugs
ReplyDeleteCheers
I try! 😊
DeleteHow is the air quality ... Worse, better,same?
Much Better After Two Days Of Rain - Dawn Patrol For My 50th This Morning - Wait Until You See Those Photos - Like WoW
DeleteCheers
Coming over to check it out...
DeleteYoungest son tries to convince me to get a Pit Bull. He thinks they're the most wonderful dogs but I'm scared of them.
ReplyDeleteThey do have a bad reputation
DeleteThreatening looking skies!
ReplyDeleteSo many nests in one tree.
I would not go in a yard with a pit bull if the owner wasn't there either. A little leery of those dogs.
Me too. They don't have a friendly reputation.
DeleteThose egrets make pristine standouts in the trees! Despite what pit bull lovers may say about them, I will always have a fear of them; even with the owner present. I've heard of too many "accidents" to feel assured.
ReplyDeleteExactly...of course all dogs can have a killer instinct I guess. It's just the stories you hear.
DeleteLove your photos
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute little troll!
ReplyDeleteI love those Cloudy skies. Looking forward to the baby egrets.
We've had some beautiful skies lately.
DeleteWow, I learned something new today. So many nests in the tree, and so close together. I had no idea egrets lived in colonies. And what kind of a bird is the vagrant bird? Hope you post a picture.
ReplyDeleteThe vagrant bird will be revealed in a photo post soon!
DeleteThat’s a long trip! Glad you found the egrets at least. That pittie warms my heart.
ReplyDeleteHe was a happy one.
DeleteThose skies do look threatening.
ReplyDeleteThey were for days!!
DeleteYou are a dedicated birder!! Thank you for sharing with us!
ReplyDeleteNot like I used to be. The pandemic & now the heat has slowed me down considerably.
DeleteYou go on such fun and interesting exploring trips. Thanks for taking me along.
ReplyDeleteGlad you could be with me.
DeleteGreat shot of the egrets! I look forward to more, and thanks for all the wonderful pictures of everything else. :-)
ReplyDeleteIt is such a distant image...much closer zoomed in photos coming tomorrow.
DeleteAwwwwww... a Thanksgiving troll. I love it!! Nope, I wouldn't have gone near that Pitbull. I think it was inconsiderate for the owner not to keep it indoor while you were there but... it's not me. I'm glad you had the chance to get out a bit, Anni. I'm still hearing about all your rain. You'll need to build an ark soon!! ~Andrea xoxoxo
ReplyDeleteThere is just no pleasing me tho...now, instead of flooding, mosquitoes and 110° heat index.
DeleteAnni you all have had a 100 year flood there too it seems. I heard Bucks Co PA had what they are calling 100 year flooding. Just hot as blue blazes here.
ReplyDeleteHugs Cecilia
Nah, it floods like this often.
DeleteThat Thanksgiving troll is so cute. You have a great collection. Glad you got out to take these photos. That man certainly was a birder with all the feeders. Skies look like they are about to burst. Looking forward to the baby egrets. Have a great weekend Anni :)
ReplyDeleteTomorrow I will get the nestlings published.
Delete