fred walsh photos

Friday, December 07, 2007

Blomfilds Beauty

These pictures were taken on 5th & 6th December, 2007 at the NABA Butterfly Park, Mission, Texas. This butterfly is seldom seen in Texas but some people believe that due to global warming, butterflies are making their way further north into southern Texas. This guy is very colourful when he spreads his wings which is seldom. I had my camera trained on this guy for about half an hour waiting for him to spread his wings and fly. I got distracted by an Orange Crowned Warbler that was being quite photogenic and by the time I looked back, the butterfly was gone.

Common Banner, female

These pictures were taken on 5th December, 2007 at the NABA Butterfly Park, Mission, Texas. This is a rare butterfly in Texas, but more commonly seen in Mexico.

Monday, December 03, 2007

Great Kiskadee

These pictures were taken on 20th November, 2007 at the Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park, Mission, Texas.

Red tailed Hawk

This picture was taken 1st December, 2007 just outside Bentsen Palm Village RV Resort, Mission, Texas. This is the most common Hawk in North America. It's wingspan is approximately four feet.

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

These pictures were taken on 30th November, 2007 at Mike Rhodes riverfront property, Mission, Texas. These are very striking birds and in flight their tale forms a long scissor like V. The length of the birds including tail can measure up to 15 inches in length. They breed in Central North America and is the state bird of Oklahoma.

White tipped Dove

This picture was taken on 26th November, 2007 at the Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park, Mission, Texas. These guys are very common throughout the Rio Grande Valley and Mexico.

Say's Phoebe

These pictures were taken on 29th November, 2007 at Mike Rhode's riverfront property, Mission, Texas. The Say's Phoebe nests further north than any other flycatcher and nests even above the tree line in Alaska.

Eastern Phoebe

This photograph was taken on 30th November, 2007 at Mike Rhodes riverfront property, Mission, Texas. The Eastern Phoebe is the most recognizeable Phoebe in Eastern North America. They are loners and seldom associate with other Phoebe's . Even during mating, the female will chase the male away when laying eggs.

Northern Cardinal-male

This picture was taken on 26th November, 2007 at the Bentsen Rio Grande State Park, Mission, Texas. Cardinals don't migrate, but have steadily increased their range over the last 200 years except in California where they may disappear due to habitat loss. Male Cardinals will fiercely defend their territory from other male cardinals and if they see their reflection in a mirror, will fight the mirror for hours. An interesting fact about Cardinal males is that the brighter the colour, the more successful they are at breeding and establishing good territories.

Crested Caracara

These pictures were taken on 29th & 30th November, 2007 at Mike Rhodes riverfront property, Mission Texas. Crested Caracara's are a member of the Falcon family and have a four foot wingspan. They will eat almost anything but there preferred diet is Carrion. They are also know as Mexican Eagle. Unlike most Falcons, they build a nest of sticks and it takes about three months for the young before they can fly.