Okay, okay, I know I haven’t posted in a few days. I’ve been waiting for a sunshine-filled happy day. As I am writing this, it may not happen for awhile. This morning it is very, very foggy. However, I am hoping for the sun to break through later today. So I will fill in with the latest birding results from yesterday, posted at the end of this post, and a couple of pictures.
Nine-banded Armadillo
What is a post without some pictures, right? Yesterday, after doing a little birding, we were on our way out of San Angelo State Park, when we observed a couple of Armadillos rooting around, looking for something edible. The above image pictures one of them. Also, a little earlier, while at the bird blind, I photographed this Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus). I believe that it is a 1st year male. Click on either photo to see an enlargement.
Red-winged Blackbird
The following is a list of birds that we saw and reported yesterday.
Location: San Angelo State Park
Observation date: 1/16/11
Number of species: 24
Northern Shoveler 6
American White Pelican 20
Great Blue Heron 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Kestrel 2
American Coot 12
Killdeer 2
Greater Yellowlegs 2
Least Sandpiper 6
Ring-billed Gull 50
White-winged Dove 6
Greater Roadrunner 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Northern Mockingbird 10
Curve-billed Thrasher 1
Spotted Towhee 1
Canyon Towhee 1
White-crowned Sparrow 12
Northern Cardinal 4
Pyrrhuloxia 5
Red-winged Blackbird 10
Western Meadowlark 1
House Finch 6
House Sparrow 8
Happy Birding!!
Texas Tweeties by Bob Zeller 
Very interesting post! I didn’t know there is more than one species of armadillo – ‘nine banded’ – and although the song of the red-winged blackbird brings joy to me every time I hear it, visiting ponds and lakes in the summer, I have never seen one without its breeding plumage and I would never have recognized this gorgeous fellow. Beautiful images, as always, Bob.
Honestly, Cindy, I really don’t know if there is another species of Armadillo. I just know what the “official” name of this one is, and it is common in Texas. As for the Red-winged Blackbird, I am more surprised with the more I learn. At first glance I thought it was a female of the species. Shows how much I still have to learn. Thanks for commenting.
Bob
Nice shots Bob! My daughter will love that Armadillo, she’s had a fascination with them since then mentioned them in class last year. That blackbird is awesome, I love the detail on it, the wing feathers almost seem unreal!!
Thank you, Holly. It is a first year adult, and not quite black yet. 🙂 But someday………..
Bob
What a pretty blackbird!