2019 – A New Beginning

Well, here we are.  This is my first post of 2019.  Hopefully, there will be many more.  2018 was not my best year as there were too many distractions healthwise, etc.  but I am not one to dwell on the past.

This year started with a lot of inclement weather.  Here in west Texas, that can mean tornados, thunder, lightening, rain, hail, snow, warm days, very warm days, cold days, and very cold days.  And that was only the first three days of the year.

But finally, January 4 dawned brightly. Skies cleared, temperatures climbed and the birds came out from hiding.  Ann and I decided it was time for us to get out, too.  I packed my cameras and Ann into the car and headed for the parks around Lake Nasworthy.  We might have gone to San Angelo State Park, but it was closed for hunting.

We fared very well for the past three days, seeing 46 different species and getting some good photographs.  So, let’s get right to it, and show you the highlights.

It was still a little early when we entered Spring Creek Park.  The tiny birds were just awakening, that included this cute Blue-gray Gnatacatcher.  They are very quick and difficult to photograph.

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Next, is this Pyrrhuloxia.  For birders, this one of the most sought after.  They dwell in southwest Texas and Mexico, so we get visitors from other areas of Texas and United States, looking to see one.

Pyrrhuloxia

It is hard to ignore the busy Ladder-backed Woodpecker.  Always pecking away at the bark, searching for any tiny morsel.  They are very quiet vocally, going about their work, but you can usually hear them tapping in the tree.

Ladder-backed Woodpecker – female

The Spotted Towhee is a very shy bird.  But if you are lucky, you can catch one when it sneaks out from the brush.

Spotted Towhee

Who can resist the cute level rising when these tiny bird Ruby-crowned Kinglets show their presence.  Occasionally, when they get excited, they will show that tiny red crown.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Although the Red-breasted Nuthatch show to be rare here in the Concho Valley, they do make appearances occasionally, and it is a delight to try to photograph them as the scurry up and down the trees.

Red-breasted Nuthatch

This was the only raptor that we saw during the weekend.  However, it is one of my favorites.  There was a little wind blowing and it gave the Osprey a little hair lift.

Osprey

So that ended our first little foray of the year, into the wild.  I hope you enjoyed the photos.  I will be back with more.

Happy Birding!