On Monday morning Ann and I decided that we would start the week with a little birding, and of course that sometimes leads to some photo ops. We decided to check out the “honey hole” that I told you about before. We headed out west on Highway 67 to the turnoff that goes to the parks around Twin Buttes Reservoir. It is about a mile’s drive to the honey hole, or the mud puddle that it actually is. Amazing. By the time we had driven a half mile down the road, we had spotted a Northern Bobwhite (pictured below), Northern Mockingbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, Mourning Dove, Lark Sparrow, Pyrrhuloxia, Bullock’s Oriole, Painted Bunting, and an Ash-throated Flycatcher. Nine species, and we had just got started and had not even gotten to our destination.
At the water hole, which has dried up to a puddle about 5′ x 5′, we added a few more before leaving to drive around and over the Twin Buttes dam, reaching the Middle Concho and Spring Creek Parks, where we saw some wading birds. In total we saw thirty-three different species. Unfortunately I couldn’t possibly photograph them all. Here are four of those of what I did get.
Northern Bobwhite is mesquite tree.
Canyon Towhee
“Rats!! Missed it!!
Great Blue Heron
I hope you enjoyed the photos. Click on any of them to see enlargements. To see more photos that I am proud of, click on the FLICKR logo on the right side of this page. It may be another week before another post as we are taking a few days off before heading to Fredericksberg, Texas to join some close friends for the weekend.
If you’re still around, have a great trip. Sorry for the late comment, all work and no play lately. Beautiful photos, again. I wish I could see a Bobwhite – I finally got to hear one this year, but that’s as close as I’ve come so far. Love the Great Egret with the reflection and the splash!
We’re leaving Friday, just for a weekend trip. No apology necessary for your “late” comment. They are welcome anytime. Thank you for your glowing compliments. 🙂
And thank you! Have a great trip. 🙂
Again, these photos are terrific Bob!
Thank you very much, Dave, I always appreciate your kind words. 🙂
Beautiful shots, Bob. You live in such a great place for birding. So many species to see within a few miles of your home. And you are blessed with the photographic skills to take advantage of it.
Thanks very much, Dwynne. I really like your comment and your compliments.
Love the Bobwhite, there are tons of them around here.
Nothing like listening to them as you drift off to sleep at night.
I agree, Raven. Thanks for commenting.
They are all nice but the GBH sure stands out with the grass in the background and the flowers too-how good is that!!
Thanks, Jane, I really appreciate your input. 🙂
How about that! I’m the first to comment, for once. My life must be getting back to normal again. Enjoy your trip! I hear there’s a great beer brewery there. And a big granite rock to climb. And a fantastic WWII museum. And some place where Willie and Waylon and the boys like to go. 🙂
And some fantastic friends to meet, too… 🙂