On the Road Again!

Yep, early Sunday morning I had my chores done for the day before sun-up. On purpose. I wanted to get out of the house and on the road to the islands once again. The city/county had all the residents that live on the island stranded. All roads leading into the city of Corpus [the causeway, the harbor bridge, and interstate 37] closed down. But, mild temps Saturday and then Sunday morning upon awakening, the highways were once again open. I couldn't wait. Not necessarily to go birding, just more or less to get out of the house!!

My first stop along the island highway was to check the nest platform of the rare aplomado falcons. I pulled off the road onto the shoulder; saw one of the falcons preening on the perch. As I zoomed for a closer look, it seemed to have brand new, fresh, nesting material in the covered "cage". Once I got home, I expanded the images taken, and the female was INSIDE, laying on the new nest. Obviously the male was preening. If I remember correctly, 6-8 weeks incubation and there may be hatchlings! Success again this year?! I hope so.

There was about a 10 degree temperature difference on Mustang Island than where our house is, inland. But, still quite comfortable even with a mild sea breeze. I hopped back in the car and headed toward the fishing village of Port Aransas. My second stop of course was my favorite refuge. I walked across the street from the park, to a small open area of fresh water pools. The birdsong was nearly deafening...red winged black birds! As I sat and scoped out the surroundings, I noticed a very light colored black bird...not at all a red winged! I turned on my camera and looked through the viewfinder to notice it was a yellow headed blackbird! Awesome. I got busy with the shutter button! Eventually something musta spooked them, and off they flew.

Back to the refuge parking lot, and walking into the area where there is a huge observation deck. Ducks, Teals, Pelicans, Stilts, Cormorants, and Warblers. Not much activity tho, too early for them? Who knows. I walked the newly open trail that meanders behind the refuge into another low-lying wilderness; sat along the side of the path on a park bench and searched for more birds. Nothing happening. I walked back and saw one Ibis, coots, and moorhens and a couple of killdeer. The red winged blackbirds were singing again, near the parking lot. I also saw one Robin and a Wilson's Snipe! Since Snipes don't like to fly much, I had a good opportunity of capturing its feeding ritual on ground! I only spent about another half hour there as I wanted to get to the grocery store. I continue to re-supply things. I even found a deli-fresh pizza at this store. Guess what we had for dinner? Speaking of groceries, the area was being resupplied with bottled water and fresh foods via C-130 military aircraft. I feel like what the cattle musta felt like in the blizzard on the plains from many decades ago when they dropped hay to them so they wouldn't starve! LOL Now that the highways are clearing of ice and snow, I expect things to be back to normal this week.