Living on the Edge?


Finally, on Tuesday, after a dreary gray morning beginning, the sun came out and I was in the car on my way to the islands in a flash! Altho, it was a late start, I wanted to enjoy being outdoors after being cooped up for several days; on the water with its sparkles and birdlife! On the way, driving, I noticed at Mustang Island, a lone and rare [endangered] species of falcon was perched on the nesting platform. I stopped to get a photo the best I could...it's a far distance from the highway. I left again when it was safe to pull out from the road's shoulder and continued on my way to Port Aransas. I then hit the two 'major' birding areas and took photos. White Pelicans, cormorants, gulls, egrets, herons, migrating ducks, avocets, moorhens, coots, grebes were seen at both locations. Then, I headed for the ship channel and the jetty. There I saw more gulls, and brown pelicans. In fact I spotted one brown pelican that was banded. I get thrilled when I see banded birds. Of course, in my years birding, I've seen a few, mostly local birds, but some [plovers mostly] that were banded way up north into Canada, migrating south for the winter.

How do I know where they were banded you ask? I have this site, United States Fish and Wildlife, that I use as my 'go to' website to fill out a report, get a certificate, and find out WHERE, WHEN, etc....the history of the bird!! It's just another passion of mine.

This particular bird was stopped and on the jetty as I walked and noticed the red leg band. I then take photos for when I get home to fill out the report. I await the info plus certificate!!




64 comments:

  1. Glad you were able to get out finally. I need it to stop snowing here and maybe see a little sulnshine.

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    1. Winters with lots of snow just drag on forever!!

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  2. How exciting for your red band capture! The water is so gorgeous and sparkly and serene.

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    1. I really love my time on the shore!!

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  3. yay for sunshine and tons of birds and a website to track said birds. so glad you could get out of the house finally. we are still in day 4 of dreary, and sat/sun will be full sunshine but the coldest days of the year so far. maybe more frost. you know how much i love pelicans, maybe i have seen this one beore. can you tell where he has been?

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    1. no bacon on those pans, the iron pans are upside down over the coals burning them clean...

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    2. Moldy bacon slabs are common during wartime tho.

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    3. In regards to the pelicans, most were tagged nearby.

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  4. Wow, you can really see what is on that band. The only banded birds I ever see are swans, Around their necks! At least I assume it is banding. But they are light yellow, and the writing is light, so cannot see. I haven't seen any at all this year, and have yet to see a Mute Swan. Normally I always see a few of them.

    You can see what I mean in my post on Feb 19, 2010, or Jan 26, 2017...

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  5. I can hear the excitement in your "voice", Anni. I'm so glad you got the chance to be outdoors once again, doing what you love. Thank you for taking us along! ~Andrea xoxo

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    1. Glad you could be at my side Andrea.

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  6. Oh, I'd love that--reporting a banded bird and finding out about it. How fun and interesting! I'm glad you finally got out and down to the water. I WISH! Woke up to single digits again this morning.

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    1. It's53° here, and raining ...again.

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  7. So glad you were able to get out Anni. Exciting to see the rare species of falcon, and to see the other birds that day. And what fun to see the banded birds and be able to read up on their history. Not only interesting to see the band for me, but those feet are extraordinary.

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  8. How cool that the bird"s travel history can be tracked and even better that you have now become part of his history.

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    1. As I said, I'm thrilled to find a tagged bird.

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  9. Glad that you were able to get out and enjoy the outdoors! How nice that you can find out about the migration of these birds based on their banding. Some birds must be truly annoyed by those bands when they feel it move on their leg/foot.

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    1. I'm sure it doesn't bother them that much tho.

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  10. Oh Anni I am applauding and singing joyful Yays for you. I truly understand the thrill
    you had seeing a banded bird. WOW. What a wonderful day you had and GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO PATIENTLY wait for good weather. I get the same feeling when I have a new sighting. Not than hummingbird sighting is new they return each year but I do the boot scoot boogie when I see my first one of the year on my feeder. Years ago I saw my frist Grosbeak and Cedar Wax wings. They pass thru here each spring.
    YAY you!! Hugs Cecilia

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    1. I mark the hummingbirds' first sighting each year!!

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  11. Inspired by the blue of the water, your whole blog look, is blue. :-)

    Have never seen a banded bird. But then, I have never been looking for one. We seem to have ordinary birds anyway, being inland. Not those to band, I suppose.

    💗 💗 💗

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    1. Conservation everywhere for birds...so, I'm sure there is banding no matter what part of the country

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  12. "Finally" tells it all! You were really itchin' to go out and about and then were rewarded with seeing and photographing the banded pelican! What a nice thrill!

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  13. I can feel your excitement in your wording about your escape to the great outdoors.
    I'm anxious to learn about the banded bird and where it was from. Your passion is contagious.
    Sue

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    1. I received the certificate yesterday!!

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  14. Re my postso--I published the same video on both blogs...you had commented on my other blog. Just letting you know you were correct.


    I was so distracted by how easily that band can be read that I totally forgot to tell you how much I liked the pelican picture. I just love seeing them. If I am lucky, I get to see the white pelicans once at year down at the Goose Pond area that is about an hour from me. It just makes my day to be able to get to go down there and see them.

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    1. My favorites are the brown pelicans...oh thank you, I thought I did comment...but sometimes my blond roots show up

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  15. I'd call that an amazing birding day!! Makes up for the days that you had to stay home.

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  16. Glad ya had a good outing !

    love the new header on you blog!
    good day

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  17. So pleased you were able to get out and about.

    I do like your new header ...

    All the best Jan

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  18. Great photo of the Brown Pelican, and exciting to find it had been clearly banded.

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    1. Exciting for me, and always a lot of anticipation.

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  19. So nice to be able to get outside again after a few days. I miss walking in town but at least I have the lane.
    How exciting to find the banded bird!

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  20. That is so cool! To know that much about anything wild is wonderful. Thanks for sharing this information with me. :-)

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  21. You escaped! Yay! What fascinating places you have to visit too! I know they band birds to track their migration habits, etc,. but I have never seen any close enough to actually see any banding...even through a camera lens. Then, again, our biggest populations of migratory birds in these parts are Robins, hummingbirds and the ever-populous and ubiquitous Canadian geese. I bet it is fun to read a bird's passport. ~Robin~

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  22. That is really interesting. I knew about banded birds, but didn't know you could go online to report them or find out more about them. Glad you saw this one!

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  23. I didn't know people could track the banded birds! Good shot of the bird bling on the leg and Mr or Ms Pelican looks very satisfied to have found a sunny spot.

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    1. It was right next to a fisherman! lol

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  24. I love how much YOU love your life and getting out to see all the birds and walk on the beach. I would love to live nearer the beach and hope Summer and I can make a trip to the coast before spring break.

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  25. Hello,
    It does feel good to get outdoors and enjoy the sunshine and the birds.
    Love the view of the water and great Pelican photo. Take care, enjoy your day! Have a happy weeekend!

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    1. Yes! Always a good outing for me when birds are involved. 😊

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  26. How wonderful to get out and about and take such great pictures. Amazing that they can band the birds and thus keep track of them. Love the pelican shot!!! have a great Friday xo Diana

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  27. How fun to be able to get out and see such beautiful birds!

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    1. I love watching birds, and finding "new" ones.

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  28. I hope you will tell us the rest of the story when you get back information. This is a worthy passion you have. I would love to come walk with you!

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    1. I did hear from them this morning...will be my next post, hopefully.

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  29. It is a thrill to see a banded bird. I've only seen a few. One was a Snowy owl.

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  30. Wonderful weather and then such a great pelican discovery - how great! :-D I'm happy for you, dear Anni!
    All the best after my blog break!
    Traude
    https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2022/01/blogpause-beendet.html

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  31. What fun seeing a banded bird. I never have.
    Love your new header.

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