I've oftentimes thought of lookin' for a bumper sticker/sign "Gone Birdin'" or "I'd Rather be Birdin'" similar to those I see a lot of that say "Gone Fishin'" - "I'd Rather be Fishin'". Wonder if they even print them? I'm sure they do. But, I always talk myself out of it 'cause I don't want to clutter the car with bumper stickers. Altho, I do display one on the trunk proudly ---"I'm a Proud Parent of a Marine". That's it...that says it all. Around here, fishing is a huge sport with lots of money involved that I can't see spending a fortune for. I used to golf...that too became quite an expense and I sold my clubs, never again to dole out mega bucks for green fees, cart rentals, club house amenities, not to forget the cost of golf shoes... etc. etc. Now, as I said around here "the" sport is fishing...so too is birding. People, I've read about and talked with at certain popular birding spots close-by, come from all parts of the world to see just one species of bird indigenous to this area. Afterall, we are part of the Great Gulf Birding Trails. I'd much prefer spending the cost of gas [which fluctuates a lot these days] to drive to the 'hot spots' where a certain bird has been spotted by other birders. All in all, that is the main expense...gasoline to and from. And there is so much to enjoy besides the colorful birds --the scenery, the other people, the weather and great outdoors including sometimes, a sandy beach here and there. The photos I'm sharing are all taken from different areas within a 40 mile radius from home....such as, Suter Park, Oso Bay near Flour Bluff, Texas, Whitecap Beach on Padre Island, and Hazel Bazemore Park near Calallen Texas.
HERON or IBIS (?)
on post...Red Faced CORMORANT - wader with pink legs...BLACK NECK STILT
AMERICAN AVOCET
SEAGULL
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD
CONNECTING TO:
- - -
WEEKEND FUNNIES
...and when out birding, we dine out sometimes, depending on the distance from home we travel. Speaking of eating out, did you know this? ---
no infringement intended
The Top 10 Rejected McDonald's New Items:
10. Salmon McNella
9. McKitty Sandwich
8. Chicken McBobbitts
7. McGristle
6. Way Too Damn Happy Meal
5. McShrooms
4. The Depressed Meal
3. McMenudo
2. Filet O'Gefilte Fish
... and the #1 Rejected McDonald's New Item:
1. Rocky Mountain McOysters
HERON or IBIS (?)
on post...Red Faced CORMORANT - wader with pink legs...BLACK NECK STILT
AMERICAN AVOCET
SEAGULL
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD
CONNECTING TO:
- - -
WEEKEND FUNNIES
...and when out birding, we dine out sometimes, depending on the distance from home we travel. Speaking of eating out, did you know this? ---
no infringement intended
The Top 10 Rejected McDonald's New Items:
10. Salmon McNella
9. McKitty Sandwich
8. Chicken McBobbitts
7. McGristle
6. Way Too Damn Happy Meal
5. McShrooms
4. The Depressed Meal
3. McMenudo
2. Filet O'Gefilte Fish
... and the #1 Rejected McDonald's New Item:
1. Rocky Mountain McOysters
Hi Anni, it is wonderful to live in such a great place for birding. Great shots of all the birds. Some day I hope to visit Texas for a birding vacation. Have a wonderful weekend.
ReplyDeleteGood morning Eileen. Oh, if you do come down to Texas and on the coast close by...let me know!!! I'd love to go birding with you as I enjoy your bird photos on your blog too!!!
DeleteI absolutely LOVE to go birding! I never thought much about it until the lovelies left home and I was left here with tons of time on my hands. That's when I discovered the fun and pure pleasure of watching and photographing birds! I love that Black Neck Stilt- never saw one before!!!
ReplyDeleteIf you're anything like I am....it becomes very addictive. And a great way to get outdoors and walk 'round searching --while getting exercise!!!
Delete"I'm a Proud Parent of a Marine" You are lucky enough, to be able to display that sticker! What more could you possibly want?!?
ReplyDeletePlease thank him/her for their Service. And thank you and his Daddy too. Because not only do the Warriors Serve, but their family does too. By supporting them. THANK YOU!!!
"Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart."
~~William Wordsworth
Funny thing is, I always get 'thank you' from total strangers in a parking lot that notice my sticker. It's amazing [and so different from the Viet Nam era] how the military is finally getting the respect they deserve.
DeleteAnd reading about your Marine, got me so pepped up, that I nearly forgot....
ReplyDeleteTo thank you for being so sweet as to notice my new Blog Look. Thank you much for that too. :-)
"Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart."
~~William Wordsworth
You're welcome....
DeleteCool birds! And your pictures are darn good. I got into birds when I moved to the Pacific Northwest, and it's fun to walk to the bus and identify the calls I hear. Now that spring is coming, there are a lot more!
ReplyDeleteI bet it's beautiful in your area in the Spring!!! And with all your hiking, I can only imagine the beauty and serenity of it all.
DeleteI would much rather be birding than fishing too:-) We have a few bird watchers clubs around here but of course we don't get many of the birds you get over there. There's a place in Sudbury called Lily Creek which is a natural wetland and has an interpretive walk for the naturalists. I often plan on going there but never get around to it...the day I did decide to go, it was to find out it's closed to repair the boardwalk! lol
ReplyDeleteI'll be sure not to order any of these new McDonald items! LOL xoxo
I wouldn't order those items on the menu either. LOL Well, Pea, try and get by to visit your Lily Creek soon. I know you won't be disappointed.
DeleteLove the photos of the birds...the black-necked stilt is a new one for me! And I think I will pass on any of those items from McD's! I love birding...and fishing...would probably be very much at home there in Texas, but I doubt I will ever move form Virginia...we have lots to see here too...with the ocean and bay and rivers.
ReplyDeleteYep....I've been to Virgina and the Atlantic coast...I know just how pretty it all is...my favorite time of year in your part of our world is Spring!!
DeleteFantastic captures!
ReplyDeleteThe redwings are just coming back here.
Their song is so pretty, I do so enjoy them...we get 'em in our yard. They should be showing up in 'droves' real soon.
DeleteAnni, like the photo of the Black Neck Stilt. You might enjoy this video.
ReplyDeleteWoW!! I think I counted a gazillion of 'em before I ran out of digits! AMAZING!~
DeleteGreat shots, I think the top picture is a Heron-never seen an Ibis with that colour before. Cannot say I would order those meals either, especially not the Oysters -yuck!
ReplyDeleteGood, I am glad you think it's a heron too. I can't be sure, 'cause I couldn't get it to look at me. LOL [there are darker ibis other than white]
DeleteI love that you have that bumper sticker. We have never had any on our car until we put the "Proud parent of a soldier" on ours either.
ReplyDeleteYou're a great birder and I love that you share the pictures with us!
I love to support the 'troops'...all of 'em, but once a Marine, always a Marine [or so they say], and I'll continue to place a sticker like the one I have forever. Same car, new car, truck...whatever I drive. LOL
DeleteAs for your compliment on my birding..."awwww, shucks Mari, you have me blushing"...glad you enjoy my photos.
cool shots, Anni, they always look like they're walkin on water! =)
ReplyDeleteHave I ever told you l love your profile avatar? That animated dragonfly is awesome. Thanks for visiting with me today.
Deletelove that gorgeous b&w stilt. :)
ReplyDeleteThey are pretty...and you know what? I liked your hunter's booty too today.
DeleteWould love to spend time doing that - those are fantastic captures! Such different kinds of birds down your way! - oh, and those meal suggestions sounds YUCK - as my grands would say!
ReplyDeleteI know...I think I'd have to agree with "YUCK" myself.
DeleteThose shots are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThanks...and thanks for visiting with me today.
DeleteBeautiful birds.
ReplyDeleteRegards and best wishes
Thank you kind lady!!! Your comments are very valued as I know your work, and it's always perfection.
DeleteI don't know much about birds, but love the variety the Creator gave us! I do know I love to hear their lovely sounds as spring approaches. And I love to watch the congregation of water fowl on our lake each morning - more and more all the time.
ReplyDeleteYes, Fort Collins - you would never recognize the place, nor Loveland. The hospital, where my kids were born in a 3 story box, now goes on and on and on - they have an enormous parking garage across the street now for employees, so at least visitors can find a place to park when we go visit someone. As for traffic - it's nuts during the school year, and at least half nuts the rest of the time - so many red lights and so many student cars. We also got caught in street repairs, which disallowed the most important left turn on Taft (which becomes Shields in FC), so had to go to 287, which just drags through both towns.
As for the boot - it was so terribly uncomfortable yesterday, much more so than the old one I had that broke. I was absolutely miserable. Today I decided to go without it - I keep hoping I can do without it and return it for a large refund.
Though I'm not fond of pumpkin pie, I am impressed with your from scratch pie, and from scratch dish washing!
Have a lovely week-end!
Oh I love to bake from scratch mostly...but today, I was surprised at my efforts, and from all the cleaning I've done the past couple of weeks, I quickly got tuckered out.
DeleteYou're right, I probably would never know the northern part of the front range any longer.
We've been to the Rockport area several times over the past few months, and I've never seen a black neck stilt. Are they really common? Do they have a particular hang-out down there?
ReplyDeleteLove all your photos. I can never capture birds.
Ya, they are quite numerous for shore birds...see if you can't get over the ship channel from Rockport to Port Aransas...once you get on the other side of the channel...go along the south side of the channel [there is a road after you get off the ferry]...I've seen several there also [there is a salt flat park where you can walk along for about 1 mile] --if you find the outdoor veranda/gazebo type thing, you're in the right place. There have been several there. And it's not too far a distance to drive.
DeleteDon't you just love watching shore birds - much more interesting that people watching at the airport!
ReplyDeleteI'LL say!!! But people watching is interesting too.
DeleteOMC the birding opportunities in your city are numerous.
ReplyDeleteMom would love to see some of the birds you see.
Great shots
Hugs Madi and Mom
Come on down M&M!!!
DeleteWish I could tell if that's a heron or ibis. I've never seen an ibis but we have tons of herons (love love love them). The stilt and avocet are gorgeous. (I have a love affair going with cormorants too.)
ReplyDeleteWell it didn't cooperate with me....I waited for it to show its face, but to no avail...I have another image that shows an odd looking beak, so that is why I think it's an ibis. Still, tho, not sure. And the cormorants are odd, comical birds.
DeleteI remember goin' fishin' with Dad (and of course Mom) when we were kids, and we always heard birds, even if we couldn't spot them. Dad's favorite fishing holes were in the rivers of British Columbia (about which he wrote three books) so it wasn't a particularly expensive sport (there are 800 or more rivers in BC).
ReplyDeleteLoved your photos today, Anni. The only bird we seem to have in common is the red-winged blackbird. I've never been to the Gulf, but have often thought about it.
K
Those are beautiful Anni.!
ReplyDeleteMy Critter Post, have a blessed weekend.
I love the pictures of the birds.
ReplyDeleteBirding sounds like a nice hobby. Love that black neck stilt!
ReplyDeleteAnni, you are a hoot and I love you!
ReplyDeleteYour photos are fabulous!
Greetings from Cottage Country!