In search for a painted bunting...

So after waiting for the wind to die down and migration to pick back up I decided to take Meghan for a trip to Brazos Bend. They are known to have painted buntings and she desperately wanted to see one.

The day started out rough... I forgot my SD card so I had to drive an extra 30 minutes to buy one. (now I have an extra) Well after that the day started rolling in... Oh and I guess it was fate that I had to buy one because I saw a Mississippi Kite on my way. (Plus one)

When we got to the 40 mile lake there were many White Eyed Vireos just chirping away. "Quick, get the beer check." One of my favorites.

White Eyed Vireo, Photo by Shaun Owen

You can definitely see why they are called "white eyed".

Once we started walking around there were tons of little blues and yellow crowns. The one addition that I was able to add to the list was a Purple Gallinule.

Purple Gallinule, Photo by Shaun Owen

Then after continuing around past the observation tower I decided to walk around towards the car. I was able pick out what I was looking for. I had heard that prothonotary warblers nest along the levee and sure enough. Found this guy singing, "sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet."

Prothonotary Warbler, Photo by Shaun Owen

He looks much like a blue winged warbler but without the eye line and slightly larger.

We walked around a bit and then... In some of the open wooded habitat (older growth) we found what Meghan was looking for.

Painted Bunting, Photo by Shaun Owen

He was awesome and Meghan was very excited. They are quite the bird. Many people think that this bird was let loose or they say "Oh that's someone's pet that got away." But no, this is native to Texas. They are very striking.

Painted Bunting, Photo by Shaun Owen

Overall they day was very successful. If anyone wants to go on a birding trip I am more than willing to take a trip. I have had a few people interested in going out birding with me so just let me know. Until next time happy birding!

Current Moderate Year Count - 166 Species
Recently Added Species - Painted Bunting, Purple Gallinule, Prothonotary Warbler

High Island

So for a professional development(PD) opportunity I was able to go birding and get inservice hours at the same time! The bad news was that the birds were not the best I have ever seen. But the good news is that I added new birds!!!

I showed up pretty early to get some personal birding before the actual PD. I did walk around a bit and there wasn't that much active. I did get to sneak up on a yellow breasted chat... Not a very good picture considering it was so dark... But a new bird to the list nonetheless.

Then as everyone showed up and they were telling us different information a scarlet tanager and a rose breasted grosbeak kept landing around her. To say the least I was slightly distracted. Not a great picture... He really didn't want to pose.

Rose Breasted Grosbeak, Photo by Shaun Owen

 Then we decided to take a walk down in search of some indigos... Nothing really exciting happened... It was a very very slow morning... When we got back to the main bleachers a Northern Waterthrush (new bird) decided to walk along the bank of the small water feature.

It was about 10 o'clock when we decided to check out the rookery. Besides the massive amounts of roseate spoonbills, cormorants, snowy egrets, and great egrets there wasn't much going on. The one bird that we did see had about 20 people trying to scope it out and it was just a Tennessee Warbler. They all thought they had seen a blackpoll so they were trying to work very hard for it. The one thing about that is that luck plays a huge factor.

That brings me to our lunch... We got back to Boy Scout Woods and started to eat lunch. Then all of a sudden a Blackpoll flew right in above us. Complete Luck!

Blackpoll Warbler, Photo by Shaun Owen

The pictures were not that great because of lighting.

Boy Scout Woods was a bust but I really had a good time and I want to thank everyone that was out there. So after everyone left I decided to blaze my regular spot... I traveled down to LaFitte's Cove... It wasn't much better but I did get some decent pictures.

Tennessee Warbler, Photo by Shaun Owen

Then there was this guy who did not want to stay still.

Blue Winged Warbler, Photo by Shaun Owen

Or this new bird to the list...

Red Eyed Vireo, Photo by Shaun Owen

But I really think the best picture of the day is the molting tanager.

Summer Tanager, Photo by Shaun Owen

After a few hours... I decided to get out of there. It was a long day but also exciting. Until next time happy birding!

Current Moderate Year Count - 162 Species
Recently Added Species - Blackpoll, Rose Breasted Grosbeak, Yellow Breasted Chat, Northern Waterthrush, Red Eyed Vireo

One week later...

Got back from Iowa and weather was horrible... Not much to see but I was able to get a canada goose and common grackle. No pictures. It's hard to bring the camera.

Today though was the good day... I was able to get some really good pictures. I saw about 5 or 6 Indigo's and a couple orioles.

Baltimore Oriole

Orchard Oriole

The eastern bluebirds were also back but couldn't get any good pictures of them. I did get some Eastern Kingbirds. There were about 3 of them lingering around but the best picture I could get is...

Eastern Kingbird

This weekend... High Island...

Current Moderate Year Count - 153
Recently Added Species - Eastern Kingbird, Mottled Duck, Orchard Oriole

Adding 1 more...

Ok so after getting some verification I am adding one more bird to the list...But first another good pic - Swamp Sparrow.

Swamp Sparrow, Photo by Shaun Owen

And the new one a Tennessee Warbler...

Tennessee Warbler, Photo by Shaun Owen

So after that it brings my total to a whopping 142!!! That's crazy. It has only been 4 months and I haven't traveled outside of Texas. I am very lucky to live in this state. Next weekend we are taking a trip to Iowa so I might be able to get some Iowian birds in. In the meantime I might just make another trip down to Galveston.

Until next time Happy Birding!

Current Moderate Year Count - 142 Species
Recently added - Tennessee Warbler

Galveston, Oh how wonderful!

Traveled down the road a ways to enjoy some migratory land birds. It was a BONANZA! We arrived there pretty early to get a good spot. Some birders were already there. After setting up and waiting a bit I heard tons of birds but they were everywhere except in my camera viewfinder. So I decided to leave Meghan to watch over the camera as I enjoyed some other birds. I walked around a corner and there was a Baltimore Oriole... No I didn't get a picture but still, one new bird.

After a while I decided to be patient. Patience is a virtue... Other people were admiring some other birds and this guy stopped right down in front of me. He's a beaute.

Kentucky Warbler, Photo by Shaun Owen

I have some more photos of this guy on my Google+ page.

And then it just started raining birds. One after the other had to come for a drink. Everything from a white eyed vireo to these...

Ovenbird, Photo by Shaun Owen

Black and White Warbler, Photo by Shaun Owen

Then after a while I finally had to see something else. We drove down the road to Dos Vacas Bird Sanctuary and that was awesome. I was able to see a Worm Eating Warbler, Female Ruby Throated hummer, and tons more. Here are a few of the pictures I was able to pick up.

Green Tailed Towhee, Photo by Shaun Owen

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Photo by Shaun Owen

White Tailed Kite, Photo by Shaun Owen

White Tailed Kite, Photo by Shaun Owen

All in all it was a wonderful day! I have to check on some species of birds but by this I have added 11 new species of birds. Until next time happy birding.

Current Moderate Year Count - 141 Species
Recently added species - Kentucky Warbler, Black and White Warbler, White Eyed Vireo, Ovenbird, Baltimore Oriole, Northern Parula, White Tailed Kite, Ruby throated hummingbird, Green Tailed Towhee, Worm Eating Warbler, Wood Peewee

The new lens...

I know I haven't written much lately but I was waiting for this... The unveiling of the best. The Sigma 150-500mm lens. This is a beast. I went out yesterday to try for the first time and it was awesome. I really enjoyed every minute of it. I just went to the regular old spot and was able to get this picture from about 150 yards away. This is slightly cropped. This is handheld with the OS.

Ring Necked Duck, Photo by Shaun Owen

After getting the feel for the lens I was able to produce some more great images. The bokeh on this lens is amazing. I was able to snap a few of a Carolina Chickadee. This one was a bit closer but the detail is awesome.

Carolina Chickadee, Photo by Shaun Owen

Carolina Chickadee, Photo by Shaun Owen

Note the spider web in the top of the picture. This thing just amazes me. The plan for the weekend are more trips around the Houston area. I should have a larger repertoire by the end of the 4 day weekend. Until then Happy birding!!!

No new birds. Just a new lens :)