2. Nature
  3. Birds

Anahuac NWR January 19, 2015

I had had no luck getting close to male Northern Shovelers in my first 10 years of bird photography, but I finally found some cooperative ones at Anahuac NWR. Those Shovelers and some other opportunities, plus perfect weather and sun, made for a great day.
Read More
  • Male Northern Shoveler duck.

    Male Northern Shoveler duck.

  • Savannah Sparrow from less than 15 feet.

    Savannah Sparrow from less than 15 feet.

  • Meadowlark. Blue background is part of a pond.

    Meadowlark. Blue background is part of a pond.

  • Pair of Shovelers, male and female.

    Pair of Shovelers, male and female.

  • Male Shoveler in the ditch that borders the road around Shoveler Pond. It's ironic that it took me so many visits (over 30) to capture a Shoveler at Shoveler Pond.

    Male Shoveler in the ditch that borders the road around Shoveler Pond. It's ironic that it took me so many visits (over 30) to capture a Shoveler at Shoveler Pond.

  • Male Shoveler.

    Male Shoveler.

  • Male Shoveler Duck taking flight.

    Male Shoveler Duck taking flight.

  • Untitled photo
  • White-tailed Kite.

    White-tailed Kite.

  • White-tailed Kite.

    White-tailed Kite.

  • Snowy Egret. It was so close to my car on Shoveler Pond road I had to back off the zoom to get it in the frame.

    Snowy Egret. It was so close to my car on Shoveler Pond road I had to back off the zoom to get it in the frame.

  • Meadowlark launching into flight.

    Meadowlark launching into flight.

  • Blue-winged Teal duck.

    Blue-winged Teal duck.

  • First year Vermillion Flycatcher.

    First year Vermillion Flycatcher.

  • White-faced Ibis just after it landed.

    White-faced Ibis just after it landed.

  • Brown Pelicans decided the fishing was good at Anahuac and at least one or more were actively fishing the whole time I was there.

    Brown Pelicans decided the fishing was good at Anahuac and at least one or more were actively fishing the whole time I was there.

  • A group of Northern Shovelers on water is called a brace, but not often! Taken on the third leg of Shoveler Pond Road.

    A group of Northern Shovelers on water is called a brace, but not often! Taken on the third leg of Shoveler Pond Road.

  • Ducks everywhere. All the dots on the back water are ducks, coots and Grebes.

    Ducks everywhere. All the dots on the back water are ducks, coots and Grebes.

  • American Bittern from about 15 feet.

    American Bittern from about 15 feet.

  • American Bittern. It was slowly moving through the foliage at the waterline.

    American Bittern. It was slowly moving through the foliage at the waterline.

  • This is common behavior for a Bittern when it thinks it has been spotted, or just wants to take a good look at something.

    This is common behavior for a Bittern when it thinks it has been spotted, or just wants to take a good look at something.

  • Bitterns will stay motionless for long periods and blend in well to their chosen environment.

    Bitterns will stay motionless for long periods and blend in well to their chosen environment.

  • American Bittern.

    American Bittern.

  • American Bittern.

    American Bittern.

  • Northern Shoveler duck.

    Northern Shoveler duck.

  • Blue-winged Teal stretching its wings.

    Blue-winged Teal stretching its wings.

  • Pair of American Coots.

    Pair of American Coots.

  • Northern Shoveler duck, male.

    Northern Shoveler duck, male.

  • Cormorant catches a catfish.

    Cormorant catches a catfish.

  • Cormorant with a Catfish. Cormorants are voracious fish eaters.

    Cormorant with a Catfish. Cormorants are voracious fish eaters.

  • Cormorant flips the fish as he tries to subdue it for swallowing.

    Cormorant flips the fish as he tries to subdue it for swallowing.

  • This 4 photo sequence is a selection from dozens of pictures of this one feeding. It took the Cormorant several minutes and a half dozen aborted swallowing attempts to finally put it away.

    This 4 photo sequence is a selection from dozens of pictures of this one feeding. It took the Cormorant several minutes and a half dozen aborted swallowing attempts to finally put it away.

  • Shoveler male.

    Shoveler male.

  • Shoveler adult male duck. All adult male ducks are called drakes. The shoveler female has less colorful plumage.

    Shoveler adult male duck. All adult male ducks are called drakes. The shoveler female has less colorful plumage.

  • Untitled photo
  • Untitled photo
  • Ruddy duck.

    Ruddy duck.

  • Great Blue Heron in the top of a tree. This was taken along the south road that leads to the Galveston Bay boat ramps.

    Great Blue Heron in the top of a tree. This was taken along the south road that leads to the Galveston Bay boat ramps.

  • Meadowlark. The 2 species, Eastern and Western, are rivals. They look similar and are best distinguished by their call if they are playing fair. Both have a rich, sweet sound but each species has been known to mock the other, presumably to find an intruding rival and go kick his tail. It's not easy being a bird.

    Meadowlark. The 2 species, Eastern and Western, are rivals. They look similar and are best distinguished by their call if they are playing fair. Both have a rich, sweet sound but each species has been known to mock the other, presumably to find an intruding rival and go kick his tail. It's not easy being a bird.

  • Meadowlark along the Bay access road.

    Meadowlark along the Bay access road.

  • Northern Shoveler.

    Northern Shoveler.

  • Northern Shoveler. FYI, there are no Southern Shovelers.

    Northern Shoveler. FYI, there are no Southern Shovelers.

  • Redhead duck. They are the fastest flying ducks at around 60MPH and usually like large open bodies of water. I had never seen one on a pond this small. He had plenty of room when he tookoff, though.

    Redhead duck. They are the fastest flying ducks at around 60MPH and usually like large open bodies of water. I had never seen one on a pond this small. He had plenty of room when he tookoff, though.

  • Great Blue Heron.

    Great Blue Heron.

  • Brown Pelican.

    Brown Pelican.

  • White-faced Ibis.

    White-faced Ibis.

  • Photo Sharing
  • About SmugMug
  • Browse Photos
  • Prints & Gifts
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Contact
  • Owner Log In
© 2021 SmugMug, Inc.