Black Necked Stilt

These pictures were taken on January 23rd, 2010 at Estero Llano Grande State Park. to get this effect in a bird picture you have to get down to the water level with your camera. For these shots I was laying on my tummy on a board walk that went through the middle of a pond. I think some people thought I was nuts. Stay tuned, I have more Stilt Pictures that I'll post in a few days.

Least Sandpiper

These pictures were taken on January 23rd, 2010 at Estaro Llano Grande State Park, Mercedes Texas.

Greater Roadrunner

These pictures were taken on January 29th, 2010 at Edinburg Wetlands, Texas.

White Ibis

These pictures were taken on January 23rd, 2010 at Estero Llano Grande State Park, Mercedes Texas.

Least Grebe

This picture was taken on January 23rd 2010 at Estero Llano Grande State Park, Mercedes Texas.

Ring-necked Duck

These pictures were taken on January 23rd, 2010 at Estero Llano Grande State Park, Texas.

Black Crested Titmouse

This picture was taken on January 10th, 2010 at Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park, Mission, Texas.

Clay colored Thrush

These pictures were taken on January 10th, 2010 at Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park, Mission Texas. Previously they were known as a Clay Colored Robin. Note the body similarities to the American Robin.

Pauraque

This picture was taken on December 31st, 2009 at Estero Llano Grande State Park, Mercedes, Texas. Pauraques are nocturnal so it's difficult to get a picture of them with their eyes open.

Red Crowned Parrot

These pictures were taken on January 17th & 20th, 2010 at Llano Grande RV Resort, Mercedes, Texas. There is a flock of about 100 to 200 of these guys that show up in this park every morning and evening at about 8 AM and 5 PM. It's not certain if they're strays from Mexico or if they are escaped pets.

Little Blue Heron

This picture was taken on December 31st, 2009 at Estero Llano Grande State Park, Mercedes, Texas.

Great Egret

This picture was taken on December 31st, 2009 at Estero Llano Grande State Park, Mercedes, Texas.

Loggerhead Shrike

These pictures were taken on January 11th, 2010 at Mike Rhodes river front property, Mission Texas. Loggerhead Shrikes are predators although they don't have strong claws like raptors. They do however have a strong hooked bill and a sharp tooth that they use to sever the spinal column of their prey. They will then take their prey and impale it on a large thorn or barbed wire where it will rip it apart or save for later. Note the mouse in this picture.

Eastern Phoebe

This picture was taken on January 11th, 2010 at Mike Rhodes river front property, Mission Texas.

Altamira Oriole

This picture was taken on January 10th, 2010 at Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park, Mission Texas.

Great Kiskadee

This picture was taken on January 10th, 2010 at Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park, Mission Texas.

Green Jay

These pictures were taken on January 10th, 2010 at Bentsen Rio Grande Valley, Mission Texas.

Red shouldered Hawk, Juvenile

This picture was taken on January 11th, 2010 at Old Military road, Mission Texas.

Least Grebe

These pictures were taken on January 9th, 2010 at Edinburg Wetlands. To me, this guy is something special. He's not very big, about 9" long but the fiery eyes really get me. He sure does look like a mean cuss.

Blue Winged Teal male

These pictures were taken on January 9th, 2010 at Edinburg Wetlands, Texas.

Northern Shoveler

These pictures were taken on January 9th, 2010 at Edinburg Wetlands. The top picture is the male and the bottom picture is the female.

American Coot

This picture was taken on January 9th, 2010 at Edinburg Wetlands, Texas.

Northern Cardinal, male

These pictures were taken on January 10th, 2010 at Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park, Mission Texas.

Wilson's Warbler

These pictures were taken on January 9th, 2010 at Edinburg Wetlands, Texas. This is a common but difficult to photograph warbler that inhabits most of North America. The three top pictures are a male while the bottom picture is a female (no black cap).