§ BIRDIEST FESTIVAL IN AMERICA...

This past week, during April 20-25th Corpus Christi and the adjacent areas of birding hotspots has hosted the annual BIRDIEST FESTIVAL IN AMERICA! Trust me when I say a lot of birders from all over the country round up here [and some from foreign countries] to take tours of South Texas and go birding!! I, of course, try to steer clear of the busy times during this...trying to avoid the big crowds and bus-loads of people.   My main reason is [I've been on birding tours many times] it turns into a "gab session" of what birds they've seen, where, and not paying attention to birds at all!!!  But, Sunday, after a week of yard work, I left home to take a day-trip to San Patricio County...a specific private pond that is known for a large rookery. Last year I drove there during the hatching time of year to get pics of the 'chicks'. This year, I was hoping to get there for the breeding plumage showcase! When I arrived, the trees were speckled with white, nests, pink, and active with flight here and there. I saw what I went for...the beautiful egrets and their plumage of...

Egrets were named for these special breeding season plumes, from the French word “aigrette” (pron: ay-grette). It was these gossamer feathers that nearly caused the Great Egret's demise. At the turn of the 20th century, egrets were hunted ruthlessly for their plumes, which were used to decorate women's hats.

As Ginny suggested in her comment last week, I must add that BOTH female and male have the lime green lores AND the feathers which they grow this time each year and molt in the Fall...The plumage is entirely white. During the breeding season, both males and females grow long lacy, delicate and flowing plumes called...("aigrettes").

I took way too many photos; it took me most of the morning on the computer to resize them for my blogs. I have DOZENS to share of the beauty nature creates with the breeding season on my bird blog. After I reluctantly left the area I then drove to Calallen back in MY county and stopped at a park there. Buses, people, photographers galore. I talked with a gentleman from California who came here just for the festival! Guess where his wife was? Behind the wheel of their SUV, sleeping!! lol I then walked some and took photos of course. And one area, I was skimming the larger lake with my camera lens and spotted a couple of birders out on an observation deck. I had to smile. I thought "How cute!" To see an older couple out together, enjoying what they both like to do together!! Then, I stopped..."Hey, Anni!? You're white haired and the older generation too" "Suck it up!"

The last two images, the flowering palo verde tree, there IS a bird in the photo...can you spot it? Then, I zoomed in between the branches and caught it to show you it's a Red Winged Black Bird...

§ ...and all that Jazz?

In October, for the last 59 years, the city of Corpus Christi has held an annual JAZZ festival. And, both Bud and I attend one of the three days and nights. Thing is, this may have been the last one we go to since the music for last year, and then again, this year, has NOT been to our liking. There are three stages and a long time ago, each stage actually had JAZZ ans SWING...the oldies but goodies! The last two times the bands have played very little JAZZ and more rock and rhythm and blues. Bud and I like the likes of Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller. When we sat at one stage this weekend, the bands were playing classic rock. This is not JAZZ. Of course another purpose of attending is the beer garden, the tents set up showing and selling T-shirts, jewelry, crafts and cultural things....candles, dolls, children's toys and more. I always check out the displays of jewelry....

Here is part of our Sunday...

You'd think these old duffers would've played Sing, Sing, Sing or Night Train....but nope, they were playing Old Time Rock and Roll at the time of me taking photos!!!  They were so exciting....NOT!!!!

And we shopped [Bud in blue t-shirt] the different vendors lined up and made use of the beer garden afterward...it was getting hot outside.

I stopped at 'em all...and this particular piece I liked at the Catholic Church Booth. A very contemporary .929 silver crucifix. Eventually, I will most likely have it blessed by a priest. For now tho, I'm wearing it.

§ Hummer Fest in Rockport Texas...

This past weekend, at Rockport-Fulton, Texas the annual hummingbird - fest was held. It's a self-guided route [driving] to many, many areas throughout the two town radius. With people's homes and parks open for viewing the migration of the ruby-throated hummingbird. And may I add the hummer-bird festival, as what it's called in Autumn is also dedicated to all migratory birds that fly south for the winter where food is more readily available for them. But, the hummingbirds can be seen by the thousands!!!

With my camera and binoculars at the ready in the passenger seat of the car, I left home at daybreak to beat the predicted heat of the day that was sure to be upon us birders in no time. About midway to Rockport it rained enough to wet the pavement on the highway; making it more sultry. Once beyond the straight-away section of the road, the sun would be off to my right, making visibility a bit more safe. Some drivers just don't slow down....even with the bright sun in our eyes. Not me...I creep along like an old lady who is afraid to be behind the steering wheel. At least until I'm heading in a different direction. Then, of course, I make up for lost time. lol

Upon arriving, I hit the well-known parks and birding areas first. I was elated to see the hundreds of nectar feeders throughout. My first thought was "Whoever has the responsibility of keeping these feeders filled should be commended". They were everywhere I looked! Along the roads, in parks, yards...the signage was directing us in every direction of town and along the coast. And the birds, once they were awake, were hungry!!! I started taking photos and soon gave up and just watched their frenzied feeding....filling up for their long journey to Mexico and South America. Here are some photos I took at first, before I stopped altogether.  I just couldn't keep up with them all at once...

...and of course, a few hummers!!!

From Linda Castro Refuge [which had 8 feeders that I saw], to Tule Marsh [a dozen feeders], around town;  groups of five or more in one spot, to along the coast, lined on poles, etc. and people's yards with varied numbers of feeders...anywhere from a couple to hundreds of ruby throats at one time, the feeders were busy!!  And, after walking some along Tule Creek, I gathered up my camera and binoculars, headed to the street fair to see what crafty wares were for sale at the tented booths, and a short drive around the harbor/yacht club before heading home. I did buy one seasonal [no need for a hint, I'm sure you can guess] thing at the street fair. I'll show you on another post.