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Texas Birds 2011

Use the slideshow mode to view the photos. They show up much clearer with far better detail. Unless identified otherwise, most of these photos were taken at Boy Scout Woods blind and drip in High Island, Texas in April 2011. High Island is a major migration corridor in the spring for birds moving into North America from Mexico and South America. Tired from a non-stop flight over the Gulf of Mexico, they are anxious to find rest and food. High Island rises a few meters above the flat beach as a result of being over a natural salt dome. The birds see it from way off and gravitate in huge numbers. Over time, bird lovers have groomed the island's plants and landscapes as a purposeful haven for the weary travellers. This gallery has more repeat species than I normally post, but I wanted to show color variants of male, female, immatures and effects of water and flash on the feathers. I had the good fortune of having captured some of that. Conditions on two of the days bordered on a mild fallout, which helped make it a great season!
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    Snowy Egret at the rookery on High Island, Tx. As if the spring parade of migrant birds is not enough, the Island's local lake is a haven for nesting Egrets, Spoonbills, and Herons. Unfortunately hurricanes, tropical storms and drought have knocked out nearly all of the large nesting trees in the last five years. A decade ago this was one of the top spots in the world for nesting birds. Still entertaining, this rookery will take a long time to fully recover, and the tall trees will be sorely missed.
    Red-eyed Vireo, High Island drip.
    A Purple Gallinule tightropes a branch at Brazos Bend S.P., June 30 on the side channel that opposes the hiking path beside 40 Acre Lake. Distance was about 25 feet. Their long toes let them distribute their already light load so they can walk across small lilypads and other floating plants while hunting for food.