1. Nature
  2. Birds

Galveston Winter 2015

Friend Aubrey Cruse and I went to Galveston on Friday, Feb 6 2015 disgruntled at the surprise cloud cover. A few minutes on the Island made us realize the day could be quite good, however, as multiple photo opportunities were popping up simultaneously. From one spot we could see (at reasonable photo distances) several Sandhill Cranes, two Northern Harriers, an adult Meadowlark, and two adult Kestrels. We returned the following Weds. and on both visits experienced the rare stress of passing up an appealing photo target because a better one was waiting. Soon I had experienced my best looks and photos ever of several species I had chased for years. It turned out to be two very rewarding days. The Caracara shown here endured 3 photo sessions. In the end it held its ground as we exhausted all photo angles possible and finally walked away. We did not count the Kestrels but likely saw around 25 or 30 on the first trip-far more than I have ever seen in one outing. I counted nearly 200 Skimmers in cropped photo #16-about half of the flock.
Read More
  • The Meadowlark has a beautiful call. We kept edging closer to this one and it held its ground for a long time, singing all the time. it was a rare and wonderful moment in nature for both of us.

    The Meadowlark has a beautiful call. We kept edging closer to this one and it held its ground for a long time, singing all the time. it was a rare and wonderful moment in nature for both of us.

    Meadowlark

  • Meadowlark

    Meadowlark

  • Meadowlark

    Meadowlark

  • Meadowlark

    Meadowlark

  • Crested Caracara-also known as a Mexican Eagle.

    Crested Caracara-also known as a Mexican Eagle.

  • Caracara

    Caracara

  • Caracara

    Caracara

  • Caracara

    Caracara

  • Untitled photo
  • Immature Shoveler drake

    Immature Shoveler drake

  • Sandhill Cranes

    Sandhill Cranes

  • Untitled photo
  • American Kestrel

    American Kestrel

  • Untitled photo
  • Mottled Duck

    Mottled Duck

  • Black Skimmers

    Black Skimmers

  • Untitled photo
  • Untitled photo
  • Untitled photo
  • Untitled photo
  • A pair of Widgeon Ducks

    A pair of Widgeon Ducks

  • Untitled photo
  • Untitled photo
  • Untitled photo
  • Untitled photo
  • This Meadowlark let us get as close as possible under the wire, but it was high enough to still miss some detail.

    This Meadowlark let us get as close as possible under the wire, but it was high enough to still miss some detail.

  • This Coyote split the two groups of Sandhill Cranes we were photographing, pushing the other group not seen here very close to us and giving me my best ever Sandhill images.

    This Coyote split the two groups of Sandhill Cranes we were photographing, pushing the other group not seen here very close to us and giving me my best ever Sandhill images.

  • Untitled photo
  • Untitled photo
  • Untitled photo
  • Untitled photo
  • Untitled photo
  • Untitled photo
  • A White-tailed Kite holds serve against a larger Harrier's buzz job. The Kite opened his mouth but never flinched.

    A White-tailed Kite holds serve against a larger Harrier's buzz job. The Kite opened his mouth but never flinched.

  • Loggerhead Shrike from about 20 feet.

    Loggerhead Shrike from about 20 feet.

  • Untitled photo
  • Untitled photo
  • The young red-tail was just cruising by when he got back-sided by the White-tailed Kite which was working the area with a mate.

    The young red-tail was just cruising by when he got back-sided by the White-tailed Kite which was working the area with a mate.

  • Untitled photo
  • Untitled photo
  • Two Kites come in for a landing in a Palmetto tree.

    Two Kites come in for a landing in a Palmetto tree.

  • Untitled photo
  • Untitled photo
  • Untitled photo
  • Untitled photo
  • Untitled photo
  • Untitled photo
  • Untitled photo
  • Photo Sharing
  • About SmugMug
  • Browse Photos
  • Prints & Gifts
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Contact
  • Owner Log In
© 2021 SmugMug, Inc.
    The Meadowlark has a beautiful call. We kept edging closer to this one and it held its ground for a long time, singing all the time. it was a rare and wonderful moment in nature for both of us.
    Meadowlark