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!
Great pics, Bob! You made a great start to 2019. Here’s to good health for you both in the coming year!
Thank you, Jo, I appreciate your comment. I wish you good wishes for the new year, too. 🙂
Good to see you back at WP. Lovely work as always. Hope we have a good 2019.
Thank you very much, Sherry. I too hope we have a great year. 🙂
The Ruby Crowned Kinglet with its wing up in the air—looks very feisty and animated!
Great photo….so cute!
Love all the stories, photos and how you and your wife have been married for 60 years!! You are so blessed!!! And what a fairytale courtship and wedding!!! Absolutely amazing!!!
Hi Sandy. I am so glad that you follow my blog. I am feeling so good again, that is fun to be writing again. Thank for you wonderful comment.:-)
Gorgeous captures, Bob, my favorite is your Pyrrhuloxia shot! Glad to see you back to posting your fabulous photos! 😊
Hi Donna, thanks for commenting. I wish the Pyrrhuloxia could be seen in your area.. If I remember right the Osprey is one of your favorite birds, right?
Yes it is! I was lucky this past summer to watch and post about an Osprey family just a couple hundred feet from my balcony. What entertainment they provide! We had two successful fledglings. 🙂
There are several here I’ve never seen — let alone photographed! You’re certainly right about their quickness. It’s one good reason to have those long lenses: it’s easier to keep a little distance and not send the birds off in a flutter at your presence. I see ospreys a lot, but that photo’s wonderful.
The long lens helps, but I still have to get closer, so I stay in my little car and quietly move towards the brush. I then sit and wait for the tell-tale movement with my camera resting on a beanbag on my window sill. Then it is a matter of trying to keep the little cuties in the viewfinder. I usually takes me 50-60 attempts to get one good one. What fun!! Thank you for your nice comment.
What a joy it must be for you to get out birding, and see so many birds.I am happy for you. I enjoyed seeing the photos, they are so clear and free of distractions.While I still go out for photo shoots, I am waiting for an appointment with the eye doctor then surgery for cataracts-hoping it will be before birding season in the spring!
It is definitely a joy. If you are as lucky as I was, when you get your cataracts removed, you see like it is hi-definition. What a difference mine made. I must say, though, I still need glasses for closeup reading. But otherwise, I can see for miles, so to speak. 🙂
Great shots, don’t know how you got the RC Kinglet and BG Gnatcatcher to pose for you.
Thank you, Carl. Their poses last for only a second. I need to be quick with the shutter. 🙂
As always, you took some great photos. Great start to 2019! Hope to see many more in coming months.
Thanks, Mike. I hope so too.
Those fast little birds are just too cute to ignore. Thanks for a really nice first post for 2019. You and Ann did good! hugs
Thanks, Beth. We are excited to be back to birding without other worries. “-)