Birding the Big Bend – Part I, Fort Davis

June 16, 2015 by Bob Zeller

Over social media such as FaceBook I have seen comments from many people who have never visited the Big Bend area, wanting more information about birding, lodging, the national park, and other areas of interest. So I have decided to do a couple of posts telling about our experiences and favorite stops.

Santa Elena Canyon – Big Bend National Park

Ann and I have two main areas of interest when we visit the Big Bend area of west Texas. One is the biggest area near the bend of the Rio Grande. That includes Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park. Our other favorite area, that I will write about in this post, is Fort Davis. In the area there are the Davis Mountains, Davis Mountains State Park, McDonald Observatory and Balmorhea. I should also include the actual Fort Davis, one of the best preserved frontier forts in the country.

An ideal trip for Ann and I would be to leave from San Angelo, head south to Sonora, and take I-10 west until finding Hwy 17 that leads to Fort Davis. Traveling on I-10 is typical as Interstate travel can be. The fun starts when you make the turn off onto Hwy 17. You will travel through Balmorhea, then head through the beautiful Davis Mountains into the city of Fort Davis.

There are several places to stay in Fort Davis. At the Davis Mountains State Park there is the Indian Lodge. Nearby is the Prude Ranch and Fort Davis Motor Inn. Ann and I prefer to stay at the Davis Mountains Inn, a nice little bed and breakfast.

Davis Mountains Inn

We like to eat at the historic Fort Davis Drugstore. Great food, and upstairs is the Drugstore Art Gallery, where yours truly, (that’s me) has numerous prints for sale.

Acorn Woodpecker – Davis Mountains State Park

Birding is great at the Davis Mountains State Park, about seven miles northwest of town on Hwy 118.. There are two recently renovated bird blinds and plenty of birds. On occasion, if you are lucky, you might spot some Montezuma Quail. That place is one of our favoite birding areas. The blinds are very good at attracting birds. You can elect to sit inside and observe through the windows, or sit in the convenient stools outside.

Southwest of town on Hwy 118 is the Chihuahuan Nature Center and Botanical Gardens. When we last visited it was literally humming with various species of Humming Birds. There is also some very nice hiking trails.

Black-chinned Hummingbird – female

One of our favorite things while in the area, is to take the Wildlife Viewing Loop. It is a 75 mile drive heading northwest on Hwy 118, going by the McDonald Observatory high in the mountains. A few miles later you will see a park on the left at Madera Canyon. Pause there for awhile as it is a very good birding area. A Stellar’s Jay, was just seen there just a few days ago. After that continue the loop, bearing left to Hwy 166, always looking out for the hawks and other birds and wildlife that inhabit the area. You will end up back in Fort Davis, ready for a good meal at the Drugstore or a pizza from Murphy’s Pizza.

Red-tailed Hawk in flight

After a good night’s sleep, a trip to Balmorhea sounds like a nice side journey. The drive is north on Hwy 17 for about 40 miles. We love that trip, because the drive itself is a great birding drive. Hawks in abundance; Aoudads and Pronghorned Antelope line the mountain ridges. And who can not stop to photograph Wild Rose Pass.

Wild Ross Pass

As you approach Balmorhea, you will see Balmorhea State Park. It is small and it’s main feature is the world’s largest spring-fed swimming pool. But it also has a wetlands area where you can see some great birds. East of town, is Lake Balmorhea, where during the colder months many species of water birds, ducks, egrets, herons, grebes, etc. can be found. A Bald Eagle is usually seen hanging around, too.

Lesser Scaup

Be sure to schedule your Balmorhea trip to include lunch at the Bear Den. It bills itself as “the cutest restaurant in town”. Great Tex-Mex food and cold beer.

In the evening, you might be interested in driving south to Marfa, where you can see the famous “Marfa Lights”, that mysteriously glow after sundown in the direction of the Chinati Mountains. We have see them every time that we have visited there. Very strange, indeed. They are just east of town on Hwy 90 where the Texas Highway Department has erected a special viewing area.

After a couple or three days here, we are ready to go south to the area of the Big Bend National Park. That area will be the subject of Part II.

Friday the 13th Birding

February 13, 2015 by Bob Zeller

Friday the 13th fell on a Friday this month. Does this scare me. Of course not. I am not suspicious of stuff like that. I ain’t afraid of the dark, either, nor am I afraid of the creatures that lurk under my bed. However, I keep my feet under the covers just in case. I also don’t walk under ladders since I once fell off of one once. Luckily, I was standing on the bottom rung at the time.

So with that in mind, Ann and I decided to throw caution to the wind and go birding. We thought we would get lucky. Well it depends on what you could call lucky. On the unlucky side, there weren’t many birds. It was a beautiful day and I can’t understand that. We did see 32 species, but most were flyovers, or on the move in the trees, or too far to consider even trying to photograph. Most of what I did try to shoot were, save for a few exceptions, very far away, up to 250 yards, and that doesn’t make for good closeups.

On the lucky side, I was able to make lemonade out of the lemons. Thanks to my 150-600mm Tamron zoom lens, I was able to get some cropable (is that at word?) images. Here is an example. This Red-tailed Hawk was of those distant ones. Here is the original image, and keep in mind, this is through my long lens. Imagine what it looked like at with the naked eye.

Uncropped image of a Red-tailed Hawk

Cropped imge:

cropped Red-tailed Hawk

We continued driving and saw these at Spring Creek Park. This female Northern Cardinal gave me problems with the lighting in the shadows. It was mid-morning and the sun was bright. I was able to correct it in my post processing.

female Northern Cardinal

A few minutes later we spotted this Great Horned Owl. Same shadow problems. But heck, I was happy to get the photos any way I can.

Great Horned Owl

Below the trees a male Northern Cardinal was scratching in the grass and leaves.

Northern Cardinal

Then cruising along the water, looking across about 200 yards away again this Great Blue Heron was standing and just gazing. Heavily cropped like the hawk photo above.

Great Blue Heron

High above, about another 250 yards away, a Black Vulture was enjoying the light, warm breeze. Again heavily cropped.

Black Vulture

On the way home we stopped again at the beach at Mary Lee Park to check on the Ring-billed Gulls.

Ring-billed Gull

Well that’s it for tonight. Going to bed, with my feet under the covers, because you never know………. (cue Friday the 13th music.)

Leaking pipes and a Red-tailed Hawk…….

February 7, 2015 by Bob Zeller

Just realized that I haven’t posted to this blog since January 29. But I guess I could be forgiven as Ann and I have been busy. It started on Friday, January 23, a little over two weeks ago. I was working in my office at the computer when I little wet spot on the carpet caught my eye. Thinking that our little Shi-tzu, Susie, had an accident, we started soaking up water. However, after using up an entire roll of paper towels, we decided that was a little too much water for a little 13 lb. dog.

We called a plumber who came promptly and diagnosed the problem as a leak in the hot water line above the slab. He turned off the water, and except for turning it back on for short few minute intervals, we were basically out of water until the following Tuesday morning.

Then the repairs were made then. I won’t go into details how they did the repairs, will say that several holes were cut in our walls to locate the problem piping. As I write, repairmen are here repairing the holes in the dry wall.

During the past several days while all of this was going on, we didn’t get out much. Besides it has been pretty dang cold on some of those days.

However, on one of our short forays we were at Middle Concho Park. As we approached one area near a small inlet from the river, we spotted a Red-tailed Hawk on the ground. He was trying to snack on an American Coot that he apparently had captured moments before. I approached him carefully with our car, keeping some trees between us. I was able to get in position for this photo, from about 150 feet away.

Red-tailed Hawk with deceased prey.

We watched him for a few minutes. He eventually sensed that he was being watched and he took flight. He headed for another tree nearby, but on the way he dropped the Coot. He decided to stay on the tree limb for awhile.

Red-tailed Hawk

He was somewhat shaded in this photo, but I guess that he decided to help me out, and moved to a better open position on another limb so I could get a better shot. I was probably about 200 feet away at this new location.

Red-tailed Hawk

This was a much better position. We then watched him for awhile from a spot behind some trees hoping to catch him as he left the perch to retrieve his meal. It didn’t happen so we drove away and left him alone. I think we were far enough away to avoid distressing him, but I didn’t want to take chances of doing so.

These photos were taken with my Canon 7D Mark II. The lens was my older Canon 100-400mm lens with a 1.4 teleconverter attached. I discovered that it doesn’t focus as fast, with the teleconverter, as my new Tamron 150-600mm lens. That lens is on it’s way back from the factory where I had sent it for a free firmware update. It should be back “Tuesday before 8:00PM” says the tracking. That really means that it will be delivered at 8:00PM. 🙂

Birding Uvalde – Return trip

January 17, 2015 by Bob Zeller

We first made a trip to Uvalde back in October of 2014. Since then we have always wanted to return, as we felt that there were many birds that we missed seeing and also missed getting good photographs.

Ann recently had a birthday on January 10, so she decided a trip back to Uvalde would be her birthday present. Not that we needed an excuse to go back. I was ready.

We left early Monday morning the 12th. A usual two and half hour trip, it took us about two hours longer. Of course, we had a breakfast stop in Sonora, but when you are also birding along the way………need I say more?

American Kestrel

We got into the Live Oaks Bed & Breakfast around 1:00, then called our good friends, Bob and Anna Shackleford, and told them we were in town and on the way over to their place. Not only does Bob has his own bird blind, he is also well informed about birding in the area. The afternoon was beautiful so we spent some time in the blind, then sat on the porch of their home, visited, and took photos of birds in the yard. One of them was this Great Kiskadee. A new lifer for us as we had never seen one before.

Great Kiskadee

From inside his Chicken Coop Blind, I got these images of a Long-billed Thrasher and a Green Jay.

Long-billed Thrasher

Green Jay

As we were leaving Bob’s home he mentioned that there were two Couch’s Kingbirds hanging around his neighbor’s yard. We drove down the road about 100 yards, and sure enough there was one of them. I maneuvered my car so I could shoot a photo. By then he had turned an had his back to me, and as I got him in the viewfinder he flew. He was another lifer as again, it was another new bird for us. I was disappointed in not getting the photo, but there is always a next time.

We made plans to meet again at Bob’s and Anna’s place to spend the day birding on Tuesday. We woke that morning to a very cold day. But after breakfast, we headed over, determined to make the best of it. Since we decided it was too cold to sit in the blind, Bob suggested he take us out on some ranch land that he knew of, saying there was a good chance of seeing some Sandhill Cranes.

We we were warm and comfy in our little Ford Escape. It has high clearance and we drove all over that ranch. If Bob hadn’t been with us, I would surely have gotten lost. Of course, if he hadn’t been with us, we probably wouldn’t have gotten on the ranch to begin with. Anyway, I did get some images of the Sandhill Cranes, albeit very distant ones. They were at a distance of nearly 300 yards. Both of these image are heavily cropped.

Flyover of some Sandhill Cranes

Pair of Sandhill Cranes

After we decided that I couldn’t get any closer to the cranes we continued driving through various pastures and and other areas of the ranch. As we drove, I was able to get a few more photos of other birds.

Crested Caracara

Vesper Sparrow

Leaving the ranch, Bob took us down some other back roads that look promising. Along there we saw a couple of raptors.

Harris’s Hawk

Then this magnificent Red-tail Hawk took off from another nearby tree.

Red-tailed Hawk

We had planned on getting together again on Wednesday, but not only was it still cold, it was very drizzly. Bob called us in our room and told us that Anna was feeling ill and we felt it was not in our best interests to try to get out in the weather. Ann and I spent the rest of the day in our room, watching the Cardinals, Thrashers, and Cactus Wrens cavort outside our window. We left the following morning, Thursday, and headed back to San Angelo. Despite the weather, we felt that we really had a great time anyway. We saw a total of 47 bird species for the trip, 25 of which were to be added to our 2015 Big Year list. We also added those two lifers. My life list total is now at 280. As for our 2015 Big Year list, since we got back we added a couple more and we have a total of 80 as of this writing. As I mentioned before, our new goal is 210 for this year. Piece of cake. Right? Yeah, sure. 🙂

Harris’s Hawk

I hope you enjoyed this post and the photos. By the way, I have my 2015 calendar for sale. Twelve gorgeous, knock-em dead, photos suitable for framing if you should desire. If you are interested in buying one contact me, or mail a check for 25.00 that also covers all taxes and shipping to Bob Zeller, 4401 White Ash Ln., San Angelo, TX 76904-4528. You will not be disappointed.

Happy Birding!

Birding fun in Uvalde, Texas

October 4, 2014 by Bob Zeller

Okay, boys and girls, hang on to your hats. I have a brazilion photos to show you from our two day trip to Uvalde, Texas. At only about 195 miles south of San Angelo, it has much to offer in the way of birding.

Green Jay

First, I would like to mention that we arrived Wednesday afternoon at the Live Oaks Bed and Breakfast. Owned and operated by Pat and Gaye Morris, it is a perfect way to spend a few days. All the amenities that you would expect, plus a great breakfast. Four rooms inside the main house, and three individual casitas of which we stayed in one called “Treehouse”. No, silly people, we weren’t in a tree, but a wonderful little comfy cabin. Click the above link for more information.

We decided to come to Uvalde when a Facebook friend, Bob Shackleford mentioned that his place was nearly overrun with Green Jays. That really got my attention, as that was one bird that have dreamed of seeing and photographing for years. I contacted him and invited myself to visit him when we came to Uvalde. He has this delightful little bird blind, and sure enough there were more than enough Green Jays to satisfy any photographer.

Bob Shackleford’s bird blind

We were able to check in early Wednesday afternoon, so I called Bob and we decided to pay him and his wife, Marianne, a visit. He wanted us to try out the blind immediately, and for a few minutes, I was rewarded with photo opportunities right away.

Green Jay

Northern Cardinal

We didn’t stay in the blind very long since it was very hot, and we wanted to visit with Bob and Anne (pronounced Anna) a bit longer, before we had to go check in to our little casita. Before we left, we made arrangements to return the following day which was my birthday, and spend the day. Anne, had already baked a cake for my birthday. How great is that?

Green Jay

The following morning, after a sumptuous breakfast, cooked by Gaye, we headed back to the Shacklefords. We headed right for Bob’s “Chicken House Bird Blind”. Of course, I first photographed another Green Jay, then a few others. Here are a few highlights.

Green Jay

Northern Cardinal, female

Yellow-rumped Warbler – Audubon variety

Black-crested Titmouse

Later, after going back to our room for a brief nap, we returned to have supper with the Shacklefords. Wow! That man knows how to use a barbeque grill. He grilled some chicken breasts along with a bunch of veggies. Then to top it off we had some of Anne’s pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting and pecans. Fantastic!

After that, Bob mentioned that we should drive out along the highway, as we could probably find some various hawks. So we all piled into our little Ford Escape and headed out. Here are some of the highlights of that drive. There are many. I forgot to mention, click on any of the photos in this post and you will see beautiful enlargements.

Red-tailed Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk in flight

Forgive the clipped wings in the above photo, but I thought it was too beautiful to leave out of this post.

Scaled Quail – in late afternoon light.

Harris’s Hawk

Two Crested Caracaras share a utility pole crossbar.

Swainson’s Hawk

A drive along a country drive wouldn’t be complete with seeing one of these vultures.

Black Vulture surveys the landscape.

After saying goodbye to the Shacklefords, and promising to return in a few months we headed to our room, feeling great about our birding and photographic adventures. We had hoped to see a Great Kiskadee, but that will have to wait until the next time.

The next morning after another great breakfast, I began my first day as an eighty-year old, and we headed back to San Angelo. We were making good time, so we made a brief stop at the South Llano River State Park. They have wonderful bird blinds there so we had time to check out one of them.

Nashville Warbler photographed at South Llano State Park

Nashville Warbler photographed at South Llano River State Park

For the trip, we saw a total of 40 species of birds. We added two to my life list: Green Jay and Long-billed Thrasher. That life list now stands at 275. Maybe I can get to 300 before I turn 90.

For my 2014 Birding Big Year list, I added those two plus the Crested Caracara and the Harris’s Hawk, bring the total to 189. Only eleven to go to make my goal of at least 200 species seen this year.

I feel great and I think it is going to be fun being an 80 year-old. That is as long as I stay away from those senior centers and not let those old people influence me. 🙂

It’s all about the light…..

March 19, 2014 by Bob Zeller

I have a love/hate relationship with the sun sometimes. I love to be out in the bright sunshine, just enjoying the day. Then I pick up the camera, and ugh, there are those nasty, harsh shadows. You have a subject in the viewfinder, one side in shadow, the other in the bright light. What to do. The only thing to do is to work with it in the darkroom (digital), and hope to correct it a little.

But then, there are days like today. It was bright, but there was a very high, thin cloudiness that diffused the sun. Harsh shadows were at a minimum, and the light was spread more even.

Ann and I overslept this morning for some reason or other. Perhaps we are getting old, and enjoying our sleep more. Whatever the reason or cause, we hurried to breakfast at Stango’s Coffee Shop, finished a Scrabble game while we ate, then decided it would be a great day for the camera.

We headed towards Middle Concho and Spring Creek Parks in anticipation of seeing a few birds, (of course) and getting some nice photos. As I have been doing lately, I attached only my Tamron 150-600mm zoom to my Canon EOS 70D. The waters of the rivers and creeks have dropped by a vertical distance of about 30 inches in the past few weeks. Lack of rain will do that. We have received only .08 (that’s eight one-hundredths of an inch, or less than a tenth) to date this year.

Fortunately, the birds have faith, and are still hanging around. We saw 37 species. One was this beautiful juvenile Red-tailed Hawk soaring over out heads.

Red-tailed Hawk

We saw a few other species, such as Spotted Towhee, but it was too elusive to get a good photo. I will be back for another try. I know where it lives. As were were to enter Spring Creek Park, we spotted this beautiful Osprey atop a utility pole. I pulled over onto the grass a hundred yards away, and walked back through the trees to get a good vantage point for a photo. I got a nice image of it.

Osprey

After entering that park, we first searched for the Great Horned Owl that we have seen in the past. It was nowhere to be found, but we saw this Great Blue Heron across the river. I still have trouble resisting photographing them, and this time was no different.

Great Blue Heron

Farther along was this Ladder-backed Woodpecker.

Ladder-backed Woodpecker – female

Then along the shore of the water, a Killdeer.

Killdeer

I hope you enjoy the highlights of this enjoyable day. Please click on the images to see some beautiful enlargements.

2014 Big Year total update:

#118 Orange-crowned Warbler

#119 Grasshopper Sparrow

#120 Snowy Egret

#121 Ash-throated Flycatcher

Red-tailed Hawk – off and flying

February 25, 2014 by Bob Zeller

A couple of days ago while doing a bit of birding at Middle Concho Park, I happened to look across the river, about 200 yards away, and saw this Red-tailed Hawk perched on a tree branch. I thought to myself, here is a good chance to see what my new Tamron 150-600mm lens could do. I pulled my vehicle around to my side of the river bank, so I could photograph from the driver’s side window. I came up with this series of images of this stunning raptor. All photos hand-held.

Red-tailed Hawk on tree branch.

He suddenly stands up, opend his wings and decides it is time to fly…….

…and away he goes…..

….and goes……..

…..and goes…..

…….and goes……

…and eventually heads for another tree out of sight.

Except for the first image, all others have been cropped to present close-ups of the hawk. Click on any of them to see some beautiful enlargements. Of course, all images are for sale. Just contact me.

My Big Year update:

#112. Common Yellow Throat

#113. Marsh Wren

Canada Geese plus Sunday photos

January 26, 2014 by Bob Zeller

I got a call from my bird look-out friend yesterday (Saturday) afternoon. Sue Oliver is an intense birder always watching for anything new to appear. It was late in the day, but I was ready to go. She said there were some Canada Geese at a neighborhood park near downtown San Angelo. Since I am the “have camera, will travel” type of guy I headed out.

When I got there the sun was very low as evening was coming on. I spotted a few of the geese in the grass, but they were far inside the fence. This is a private neighborhood park. They were feeding then, but as we watched they took flight and flew into the pond about 100 feet away. I drove around the block to the other side of the park which was closer to the water, and it was easier to get a few images there. Because of the late, low sun, the exposure was difficult.

Canada Geese

Canada Goose

Granted, the Canada Geese are thought of as nuisances in some cities. As a matter of fact, one time when we where were visiting relatives near Mackinaw, Michigan, we ventured into a park where there were many mother geese with their goslings following them around. In trying to get photos I got more than my share of goose poop in and on my shoes. But it was nice to see them here, as they are a rarity around here.

This morning, Ann and I woke early to a beautiful Sunday morning and decided that we would venture to the local parks after partaking of our Happy Meals at the nearby Golden Arches. After arriving at the Spring Creek Park, we spotted this Red-tailed Hawk high in a tree. He was facing away, but decided to have a look at me before making his way to more promising hunting grounds.

Red-tailed Hawk

After checking out some other smaller birds that were there, we drove over to Middle Concho Park. There we drove along the water and got images of a Great Blue Heron and a Great Egret.

Great Blue Heron

Great Egret

Both birds were across the river and I was able to use my 500mm lens with a 1.4 teleconverter, shooting from my car parked along the near side of the water.

Enjoy the photos and click on any of them to see enlargements.

Photographing Birds in Flight

January 23, 2014 by Bob Zeller

As most of you photographers know, one of the most challenging projects to tackle, is to photograph birds in flight. A few of my other blogging photographer friends have touched on the subject recently. I thought I would put my proverbial two cents worth in about this challenge.

Of course what is needed is a fast shutter speed along with a long lens. Most of the time I am shooting with my Canon 7D or my 70D. My preferred lens is my Canon 100-400mm zoom. Sometimes I use the same camera with my Canon 500mm lens attached, using my tripod with a gimbal head for fast maneuverablity.

For the larger birds, I can use the widest angle of the lens to acquire the bird, then zoom in to pan the camera after locking in my auto-focus. The fact that the large birds, hawks, vultures, pelicans, etc, appear to be flying slower helps quite a bit. As for the tiny birds, well, I practice a lot and therefore get lucky alot.

House Finch in flight. Canon EOS 7D, 500mm lens /1.4 teleconverter. 1/2500 sec, f5.6, ISo 1000

One of those lucky shots was the one above of the House Finch in flight. I was on a porch, with the described setup mounted on my tripod with a gimbal head. The finches were flying back and forth between some shrubs below me. I kept trying to swing the camera as the birds flew, and fortuntely the odds were with me, and I got lucky and captured it with it’s wings spread.

Red-tailed Hawk in flight. Canon EOS 7D, 100-400mm lens. 1/3200 sec. @f6.3, ISO 400.

Red-tailed Hawk . Canon EOS 7D, 100-400mm lens. 1/3200 sec. @f6.3, ISO 400. Hand-held.

This Red-tailed Hawk pictured above was somewhat easier. I was driving towards Ballinger when I spotted the bird in the grass off of the left shoulder. I moved quickly to the right hand side of the road, grabbed my camera off of my lap, where I always have it at the ready. By then he had started to take flight. My lens and camera easily acquired him, locked onto the auto-focus. In burst mode I was able to fire off several exposures.

Red-tailed Hawk. Canon 40D with 100-400mm lens. 1/800 @ f6.3, ISO 400. Hand-held.

This photo is an example of being able to pan and therefore not having to use a super fast shutter speed. The hawk and been perched atop a sotol int the desert of west Texas. I had stopped to observe it from about 150 yards. When it decided to take flight, I was ready. I locked in on him and panned the camera. Notice the 1/800 second shutter speed versus the 1/3200 speed in the previous photo.

Red-tailed Hawk – Canon EOS 40D, 1/1000 sec. @ f8, ISO 400. Hand-held.

The shot above was quite easy. He was soaring overhead. I exited the car and just panned as he flew around. Again with burst mode, I got several nice exposures. I liked this pose even though, I clipped a wing a bit.

Great Egret. Canon EOS 7D, 100-400mm lens. 1/500 sec. @ f9, ISO 1600. Hand-held.

The Great Egret was flying slowly down the Concho River in San Angelo. I was able to pan with the slower shutter speed again. The under-exposed dark background is the shadows of a building in the background.

Great Blue Heron. Canon EOS 40D, 100-400mm lens. 1/1000 @ f11, ISO 400. Hand-held.

Of course, what would my post be without a photo of one of my favorite subjects, the Great Blue Heron. This photo was made near Lake Nasworthy here in San Angelo, Texas.

You may click on any of the images to see enlargements.

To update my west Texas “Big Year”, I added one more.

#85 Greater Yellowlegs.

Note: My book, “Birds, Beasts and Buttes” is still going strong. You can obtain one at this link, here. Over 100 of my best photographs.

About those Ruby-crowned Kinglets

January 4, 2014 by Bob Zeller

It has been a long time since I have written about the Ruby-crowned Kinglets. I tried to see some yesterday morning but they were not to be found. So I am going to write about them anyway. These photos were taken about a year ago, and I took them from my archives. They are tiny birds. They flit around in thick underbrush. They think they can hide from my long lens. To actually get the images showing the ruby colored spot on the head of the male was a bonus. It is usually concealed.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

In actuality, I was only about 25 feet away from him, sitting in my car/blind. At the Cottonwood Campground in Big Bend National Park there is an area along the boundary of the area where there is fence that is partly obscured by thick vines and brush. I brought my car close and drove very, very slowly at a silent idling speed along the area. I was constantly looking into the brush with my binoculars.

We finally noticed a lot activity in the dense foliage. We stopped and silently watched the kinglets and some other sparrow types hassling each other. I had my Canon EOS 7D with a 100-400mm zoom lens at the ready. I spotted one kinglet throught the viewfinder and tracked him through branches, trying to catch him at a brief stop. That is the only way one is going to get a photograph. To make it easier, I set the focus so I was using only one center focus point. Otherwise, the lens goes wild trying to get the bird in focus between the vines and twigs.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Enjoy the photos and click on any of them to see enlargements.

On the subject of birding, Ann and I are on a quest to see at least 210 birds this year. Our previous annual record is 194 and we feel that if we stay alert we can get to our new goal. We are off to a good start. Here is our list for the first four days of the new year. I will update you as we go. 41 is our current total.