I had always been envious of some other parts of Texas, that had some birds that we didn’t have here in San Angelo. Here in my area, depending on the time of year, we have 371 different species of birds, so I shouldn’t be disappointed. But, as they say, the grass always look greener over the fence.
In far west Texas, they have great birds like the Scott’s Orioles, Montezuma Quail, etc. In east Texas the have exotic shore birds, and the beautiful Green Jay. But, I should be satisfied that I have 371 species to look for. Anyway, one of those birds from the west got off course and flew in to visit for a few days. It is the Green-tailed Towhee, (Pipilo chlorurus).
Yesterday morning I got an e-mail from a fellow bird photographer of mine, Bill Yeates, who had been to the bird blind at San Angelo State Park. He had spotted, and photographed a Green-tailed Towhee. I had to see this, so Ann and I set out this morning to see if this bird was still around. If I could spot it, it would be number 240 on my life-list.
We got to the blind about 9:30, and we didn’t have to wait long. Sure enough it made it’s appearance from the brush and grass near one of the trees. In fact, it popped in and out of there about four times during our two-hour stay. At that time of the morning, this time of year, the lighting in that blind is absolutely horrible. The sun is fairly low and bright from the left. This is why, as I mentioned in a previous post, I would rather have cloudy or overcast skies.
But as they say, if you get lemons, try to make lemonade. I got several images and I was able to pick out these two that are reasonably acceptable.
Green-tailed Towhee
Green-tailed Towhee
These photos aren’t up to my usual standards, but I wanted to show another colorful and unusual bird that we have here in Texas.
Click on either image to see an enlargement.
Texas Tweeties by Bob Zeller 
Love Green-Tailed Towhee! Saw them in New Mexico years ago and now you’ve made me miss them. I have to go West again. 🙂
What a lovely bird! Nice photos too. 🙂
Thanks, Linda. 🙂
That’s a gorgeous bird! And the photos are fine, Bob. Unfortunately I don’t get to see this one up here in Ohio, unless one is really lost 🙂
This one was a somewhat rarity for me, too. It is found more west of me and summers in the western states. Yes, it is a very pretty bird.
It’s a beautiful bird, and your photos show it off well. Congrats on number 240!
Thank you very much, Robin. I appreciate your compliments and the comment on my #240 as well. 🙂
Very pretty, Bob & congrats on the lifer-240!
Thank you very much, Karen. 🙂
Well done on your 240th bird! Very nice pics, too, considering the conditions.
Thank you so much, Jo. I appreciate it. 🙂
Bob, your lovely little bird looks like he is wearing shoes…
(Pink legs, dark gray feet) Adorable! As Frank has pointed out, your “sub par photos are better then most peoples good pictures,” and speaking for myself, I must agree. ~ Lynda
Thank you very much, Lynda. I appreciat all of your very kind words. 🙂
Sure looks like lemonade to me, Bob. Congrats on #240. Nice shooting.
Thanks, Jim. I appreciate it. Lighting was better today. 🙂
Bob,
I hate to tell you this but your sub par photos are better then most peoples good pictures…Keep up the wonderful stuff and we’ll just keep enjoying them.
Hi Frank, Thanks for the great compliment. I appreciate it very much. See you for breakfast on the 28th. 🙂
Great looking forward to it…
I think the birds are very pretty, Bob, and I know what you mean about the light in certain places and at certain times. I have been trying to get a particular shot of Ripon Cathedral frontage, including the many chimney roofed buildings in front of it, for years without success! I saw the light I wanted once not long after we moved here, but with no camera present, I was unable to take advantage of it. Unfortunately, I have been unable to catch that light again at just the right moment! As we do, we keep trying though and I will get it someday! Great post, Bob!
John
As they say in photography, it is all about the light. And most of the time it is never perfect, and we just have to make do. I did get back there this morning. We have cloudy skies with rain threatening, but the overall light was better. I will check out my images later today and see if I have something better.
We do have the Green Towhee here in Colorado..they are delightful little birds. As usual in spite of the lighting, your photos are fabulous..you have the ability to capture the moment..Brightened my snow day..I had a meeting to go to and when I pulled in to where the meeting was, there were two ruddy red fox playing in the snow..that is one big advantage to Pagosa Country, our wildlife..Take care and keep the photos coming…
I would love to see all of your wildlife, too, Syl. It must be very exciting to see things like that. Thanks for the great comment.
You folks certainly have the variety of birds to view!!! Great job Bob!!!
Thanks, David. There are 371 different bird species that visit this area depending on the time of the year. So we always have something to look forward to, (and to look for). 🙂
Congrats. You get to a point where “lifers” are hard to come by.
Dave, I couldn’t agree with you more. I need to travel further now to see more.
Thanks for showing this bird. I can’t wait to see your blog on birds. Its a chance for me to see other birds besides backyard ones. Thanks
Thank you so much. It is nice to have another person that likes what I write. It gives me more incentive. Stay tuned for more………….:-)
You made some great lemonade 🙂 What a beautiful little bird! And two great photos.
Thank you very much, Angeline. I certainly appreciate your comment and compliments. 🙂
That’s a rare find and a beautiful one! Congratulations Bob! 🙂
Thank you very much, H.J.
I always enjoy seeing photos of this species because in a way these towhees sparked my initial interest in birds many years ago. I was taking an ornithology class in college and my field project was doing research on these towhees. Still don’t have any decent imaages of them though. Nice photos, especially under the conditions you describe.
Thanks, Ron. I hope to get back there again. It is cloudy today so maybe I will be blessed with better light, and hopefully the bird will still be around. I appreciate your comments.
Big congrats on lifer 240! I think you did well with these images considering the conditions that you described. It is always wonderful to see a new bird & get photographs of it.
Thanks, Mia. It is a blast to find out that there is a new bird to “chase down” and photograph.
Very cool Bob and congratulations!
Hey, Melissa, thank you very, very much. 🙂
As far as wishing to see the birds from other parts of Texas, I think that is true no matter where you live. One of the few good things about driving over the road was seeing so many unfamiliar species of birds. Some I knew from having read a lot of bird books, but my ex-girlfriend learned to keep the bird guide handy for when I called home. I would describe the birds I saw to her over the phone. She would mark the birds that I described to her, then I would look them up again when I got home. That was especially true on the Texas runs that I made.
Thanks for the great comment. Of course, one solution that I have handy, is that I just need to get in my car and travel. Actually, I am going to further west Texas the end of this month, and maybe later I will get to east Texas.
This is unusual, Bob. A very pretty bird indeed. 🙂 Good that you could capture it! And wonderful writing: could appreciate on some quotes you have mentioned. Great work, Bob. 🙂
Thank you very much, Nandini. You are the first to comment on this post and I appreciat what you have to say. 🙂
Yes, I am. I like that too. 🙂