Since we had better weather for a couple of days we have been to our local parks a couple of times. Today, Saturday, of course, the weather has changed, getting cooler then downright cold for the next six days or so. Anyway, I managed to get a few photos of some of the smaller birds, plus a pretty nice shot of a Great Blue Heron. I will show them here starting with three images of a Golden-fronted Woodpecker, which I think is one the most photogenic of that species.
Golden-fronted Woodpecker
Golden-fronted Woodpecker
Golden-fronted Woodpecker
This Savannah Sparrow flew from a tree into the edge of the water. It is one of my better shots of one of these. It usually is difficult to get such close-ups of them.
Savannah Sparrow
The same goes for the American Goldfinches such as the one pictured below. I was lucky with this image. The bird was in dense brush, inside a fence line. I think I took 30 shots, before I got one that showed nearly the whole bird in focus.
American Goldfinch
There was still a lot of water standing in the roadways and this Western Meadowlark decided that it wasn’t too cold for a bath.
Western Meadowlark – taking a bath
I have always had difficulty getting decent photos of swans. Usually the ones around here are on open water, making getting good compositions hard to come by. Also there is the problem of getting the exposure good because of the whiteness of the feathers. I believe this image of the two Mute Swans is a bit more interesting with the rocks in the background.
Mute Swans
What can I say about the Great Blue Herons. I always enjoy trying to get interesting images of them. We ate at the ‘Golden Arches’ for breakfast early Thursday morning. It was cold, drizzly, and a bit dark. When we left the restaurant, Ann noticed the heron in the little arroyo adjacent to the parking lot. Of course, I just happened to have my camera in the car, so I got it out and managed to get several images in the very low light. I like the photo especially the way the wet weather saturated the colors.
Great Blue Heron
Click on any of these images to see enlargements.
By the way, I still have copies of my highly acclaimed book, “Birds, Beasts and Buttes”, available. To order autographed copies, contact me at bobzeller1@aol.com.
Texas Tweeties by Bob Zeller 
Lovely! First one is my favorite. 😀 Because of colors. Colors divert my attention very easily. 🙂
Thank you very much, Nandini. 🙂
Beautiful Golden-fronted Woodpecker, cracking swan photograph and as always I think herons are brill!
Cheers
John
Thanks, John.
Gorgeous shots Bob!
Thank you very much, Donna.
What a beautiful bird the Golden-Fronted Woodpecker is! Nice shots of it Bob.
Thank you very much, Alison. I think these woodpeckers are so very photogenic.
Thank you very much, Phil. I just perused your blog and I am impressed wity your photography, too. I hope you come back to visit again.
Just signed on to follow your blog Bob, so I’ll be around. 🙂
Thanks, Phil. I done the same, signed on to follow your blog, also. 🙂
Great shots, Bob. I have never seen a golden-fronted woodpecker, that would be a sight. And you outdid yourself on the Savannah. Enjoyed them all.
Thanks, Jane, I appreciate your comments. I’m glad you enjoyed another shot of the Savannah. 🙂
A wonderful series! My favorite is the golden-fronted woodpecker; I saw my first at Rio-Bentsen State Park in May (I’m from Utah – they’re hard to find up here!). Your great photos bring back wonderful memories, and hopes that I’ll see them again one day!
Thank you very much, Melissa. I am glad that you enjoy my images. Please visit again. 🙂
You’re so right about the exposure problem with the swans. I tried to photograph some the other week and they came out completely blown out. I suppose it makes them look sort of ethereal, but it was definitely not my aim!
Thanks for your comment, Katie. I always have difficulty photographing swans so most of the time I avoid them. 🙂
Love them all..the Gold Fronted Woodpecker is such a handsome bird, and I love the Western Meadowlark..but the little Savannah Sparrow is priceless. they are all fabulous.
Thanks so much, Syl. You know I appreciate it.
The woodpeckers are amazingly beautiful with the hint of color on the head that adds nice contrast to any photo. Good to see my great blue heron again…
The males of the Golden-fronted Woodpecker have that very red cap. The females don’t have the red. Glad you liked the heron image. Thanks for the kind words, Martina.
The woodpecker pics are amazing, Bob – don’t know which one I like best. Such beautiful plumage! The western meadowlark looks a bit offended at you taking a photo of him in the bath. I hope you asked his permission!
The woodpecker images are of the same bird. They were taken seconds apart, as he was moving around quickly. I am glad you enjoyed them, Jo, and thanks for commenting.
Great images bob, I love your birds, thanks MJ
Thanks, MJ.
These are beautiful Bob! I actually shot some bird photos the other day and I need to post. I love the woodpecker and blue herons! Hope you and your wife are enjoying this nice weather 🙂
Thank you so much, Polly. I really appreciate your thoughtful words. 🙂
As usual the most lovely pics! I haven’t worked out on my camera how to focus beyond a close subject i.e. the fence, I will have to spend some time figuring it out.
Thank you very much, Margo. I hope you can get it worked out. 🙂
Too right on the photogenic! The girls just went to open the iBird app to hear his call. You’ll have to get some pileated shots if you ever come out east. They’re real posers too…and so prestigious. (Pop over when you get a minute…you can be the first to see the new digs. Will post on Monday. Tee hee!)
I have a great friend in Knoxville, TN, and she just e-mailed me a couple shots of some Pileated that she and her husband got. They are amazing and beautiful birds. I’ll check you out. 🙂
Bob, where the swans?
They’re out around Lake Nasworthy, but they don’t stay in the same spots. Sometimes they are around that little marina by Mary Lee park, and sometimes you have to drive around Fishermen’s Road. There are five of them, sometimes together, and sometimes they are scattered all over. 🙂
Beautiful Bob! We don’t get those Goldens! Nice!
Thanks, Sheila. I appreciate it. 🙂
Beautiful shots, Bob! Love the Golden-Fronted Woodpecker and the bathing Western Meadowlark, in particular. Need to add these birds to my list some day.
Thanks for being the first to comment, Lisa. 🙂 I am glad that you loved the Woodpecker. That species is so photogenic, I can’t resist taking the shots. 🙂