And another year begins…….

It has been eight years since I wrote my first post to this blog.  My first article was posted in September of 2009.  In that eight years, I have written 968 posts…..this one is number 969.  Hopefully, I can reach the 1,000th soon.  My blog has been viewed 222,164 times as of this writing, reaching readers in 168 countries.

Coincidentally, I also begin my 84th year on this planet, as today is my 83rd birthday. No applause, please.  It is just another passing milestone.  I am enjoying writing this now as much as I did when first started back in September of 2009.  I never dreamed that I would get this far, but here I am.

Okay, enough about celebrating.  Here are a few photos that I captured since my last post.  I hope you enjoy.

This Belted Kingfisher was along the shoreline of Lake O. C. Fisher at San Angelo State Park.

Belted Kingfisher

I love photographing raptors, and this Cooper’s Hawk posed nicely for me in the trees.

Cooper’s Hawk

The Great Kiskadees are back for another winter.  They normally are out of range here in Tom Green County.  However, 3 or 4 of them arrived a year ago and stayed all of last winter near Spring Creek Park.  Now, here again on almost a year later exactly, we spotted three again.  Perhaps the same as last year.  I have no way of knowing with certainty.

Great Kiskadee

During a drive around San Angelo State Park, this young armadillo showed off for us.

Nine-banded Armadillo

As I said, I love photographing raptors.  This a juvenile Swainson’s Hawk.

Swainson’s Hawk, juvenile

How about an Osprey, another raptor.

Osprey

Egyptian Geese are not on the official American Birding Association list.  However, they are a strange looking bird.

Egyptian Goose

Swainson’s Hawk, adult.

Swainson’s Hawk

It is always a task, trying to photograph the tiny birds such as this Wilson’s Warbler, but very rewarding.

Wilson’s Warbler

And who can resist these tiny, feisty American Kestrels.  They are difficult to get in my viewfinder, as they move from one spot to another quickly.

American Kestrel

Well, I guess that is about it for this post.  I hope you enjoyed my photos.  Now I believe I will celebrate my birthday the rest of the day. 🙂

Bobwhite, Roadrunners, and other stuff.

It is still pretty warm around here.  Mid 90s and higher.  We may just skip fall and go directly to winter without passing go and collecting our $200. 🙂

We did spot some duck types way off in the middle of O.C. Fisher Lake.  I guess they can keep cooler out there.  We are not seeing them closer to shore yet.  As a matter of fact there are few winter birds having arrived yet.

But there are still of our usual residents around and we have no trouble spotting a few at San Angelo State Park.

Here are a few images from our forays there in the past few days.  Enjoy.

This is probably one of the best photos of a Northern Bobwhite that I have taken to date.

Northern Bobwhite

These American White Pelicans did a brief flyover while were visiting San Angelo State Park.

American White Pelicans

Belted Kingfishers always lead me a merry chase.  This one finally stopped for a few minutes near Lake Nasworthy.

Belted Kingfisher

Notice the remnants of a grasshopper in this photo of the Northern Mockingbird.

Northern Mockingbird

A Greater Roadrunner at San Angelo State Park.  They seem to be in great numbers there.

Greater Roadrunner

The Loggerhead Shrike speaks for itself.  It is doing it’s thing, waiting for a snack to impale on one of those thorns.

Loggerhead Shrike

The white eye-ring is prominent on this Vesper Sparrow.

Vesper Sparrow

The next two photos are of the same Greater Roadrunner at San Angelo State Park.  I liked both poses so I decided to post both.

Greater Roadrunner

Greater Roadrunner

This Nine-banded Armadillo is a young one.  It was feeding along the road in the state park and did not mind me getting this close-up.

Nine-banded Armadillo

I hope you enjoyed these images.  Check back in a few days for a few more.

Happy Birding!!

Nine-banded Armadillo

We went to the San Angelo State Park wildlife viewing area this morning  to feed the birds and we surprised this Nine-banded Armadillo romping in and around the little pond.  I believe it is an adult pregnant female.  Enjoy the photo and click on the image for an enlargement.

Nine-banded Armadillo