We got back from the Live Oak Lodge at the X-bar Ranch this morning. Still in the act of getting caught on some of my stuff that needs doing. We picked up Suzie, our Shi-Tzu from the sitters and she is glad to be back. We had a great time and are looking forward to going back in the spring.
We saw a bunch of birds there that we don’t usually see around San Angelo. There were many Hermit Thrushes. I hadn’t seen one in the wild in a couple of years. Susan and Sid Johnson, who live in Eldorado not far away, brought pizza out to our cabin Tuesday evening so they could bird with us for with a couple of hours. Suzanne instantly brought our attention to a Dark-eyed Junco. Darn, she’s good. 🙂
Hermit Thrush
Wednesday morning Ann and I got out early and saw a Spotted Towhee, then a somewhat rare White-throated Sparrow. That is another lifer. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a photo of it. It didn’t stay long enough to get a decent image.
In other news, I have decided to start a Bird of the Week series. It will begin tomorrow, so watch for it every Friday. Earlier I had contemplated doing a Bird of the Day, but decided that series wouldn’t last very long at that rate. But the weekly idea means I can string it out much longer.
As you can see, I have inserted a photo of the Hermit Thrush. On Monday, I will show you some more images after I sort through them and do a little editing. And I’ll have a little story about our hike.
Texas Tweeties by Bob Zeller 
What a gorgeous shot! I can’t wait to read the hike story.
Thanks for the compliments on the shot. Those thrushes are little cuties. I must have took nearly images of them alone.
As for the hike story, well, hmm…..I was afraid you’d say that. 🙂
Bob…I did a bit of investigating and I was wrong. The bird I described to you is the white crowned sparrow. Here’s the link : http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/127/overview/White-crowned_Sparrow.aspx
Toby
Also, here is the link to the White-throated Sparrow. As you can see both birds are similar, the White-throated Sparrow has some yellow on the head.
http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/640/_/White-throated_Sparrow.aspx
Nice work on the Thrush, Bob. I’d heard of X-Bar on the Heart of Texas trail, but I never made it down there before Uncle Sam sent me north. I’m looking forward to seeing what else you scared up while you were there.
-jim
Thanks, Jim.
The only Hermit Thrush that I ever saw was at a banding session. I took of it while someone was holding it in their hand. I didn’t think that should count toward my life list, so now I don’t have a guilty conscience for adding it anyway. 🙂
Bob
Thanks, Steve, stay tuned………… 🙂
Nice to see you back, Bob! It sounds like you’ve had another great time. Can’t wait to see the birds of the week and your captures from this latest birding adventure.
Send it on and I’ll give it a try.
Bob
Bob…glad you two made it back safely. Regarding the white throated sparrow, if I am not mistaken, we have an abundance of those little boogers up here. If they aren’t white throated sparrows, then they are close cousins. I’ ll try to get a snapshot of one of them and maybe you could help me determine what it is. Take care, amigo.
Toby