Birding a record-breaking day.

The weather here has been great lately, as I have mentioned before.  Ann and I got out yesterday for a few hours, and birds, along with spring, were in the air.  Our birding exploits netted us 45 species, which broke our daily record of 44  set last year.  It was hard to believe for a January day.  But when the temps get to the mid 70s, even the birds are happy.

Photographically, it was somewhat of a bust.  Oh, I got photos, but I am, as a photographer, always looking for presentable, saleable images, i.e., photos that are good enough for my Fine Art Gallery, but none of those were to be had.  However, strictly for birding bragging images, here are a few that I captured.  Click on any of them to see an enlargement.

Ladder-backed Woodpecker

Above, this Ladder-backed Woodpecker was enjoying himself.

Brown Creeper

As was this Brown Creeper.  It seems they love to work the underside of the branches.

Greater Yellowlegs

This Greater Yellowlegs was feeding along the river’s edge.  Really hustling, and paying no mind to anything around him.

We also saw an American Goldfinch.  I was unable to get an image of it, as it was too quick for me.  However, I will show you one that I shot at an earlier date.  Below that is a photo of a Lesser Goldfinch, that I came across in my files during my search for the previous mentioned American.  I thought you’d be interested in the comparison.

American Goldfinch – female

Lesser Goldfinch – male

For you birders that are interested in the birds that are found around this west Texas city, here is a complete list of what we saw.

1. Northern Mockingbird
2. Double-crested Cormorant
3. Eastern Bluebird
4. Western Meadowlark
5. European Starling
6. Oranged-crowned Warbler
7. Killdeer
8. Belted Kingfisher
9. Pied-billed Grebe
10. American Coot
11. Northern Shoveler
12. Bufflehead
13. Vermilion Flycatcher
14. House Finch
15. Great Blue Heron
16. Golden-fronted Woodpecker
17. Yellow-rumped Warbler
18. Black-crested Titmouse
19. Black-bellied Whistling Duck
20. Mute Swan
21. Great Egret
22. Mallard
23. Red-tailed Hawk
24. American Goldfinch
25. Great Horned Owl
26. Northern Cardinal
27. American Robin
28. White-crowned Sparrow
29. Brown Creeper
30. Ladder-backed Woodpecker
31. Gadwall
32. Green-winged Teal
33. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
34. Eastern Phoebe
35. Greater Yellowlegs
36. Wilson’s Snipe
37. Northern Flicker
38. Bewick’s Wren
39. Wild Turkey
40. Ring-billed Gull
41. Black Vulture
42. Spotted Sandpiper
43. White-winged Dove
44. Great-tailed Grackle
45. House Sparrow

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