After a few months break, I'm back to my project and getting caught up posting old pics before I start posting new ones.
I've officially crossed the line between "birdwatcher" (one who watches birds) to "birder" (one who chases birds). I heard there was a special bird hanging out in Corpus Christi, hopped in my car, and drove 3 and 1/2 hours to find him. The seawall is not a site on the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail, but a rare bird made it worth a visit and it's own post.
I took this picture from the top of a small wall that juts out into the bay. There weren't any signs warning to keep off. In fact, a gap in the barricade actually invited a stroll, so out I went to get closer to the birds along the breakwater and to get pics of the seawall from a more interesting angle.
There are benches facing both ways, gazebos spaced at regular intervals which are nice and shady, and steps leading all the way down to the water. This is not a bad place to spend a sunny afternoon.
When I first arrived, a fellow birder informed me the Brown Boobies were gone. "Maybe they'll come back," I replied. "In the meantime, I'll photograph the other birds hanging around."
A Great Blue Heron was standing beside the wall I mentioned.
Further out, on top of another wall, were Brown Pelicans in their beautiful breeding plumage, and Royal Terns.
Along the bottom of the stairs, I found Ruddy Turnstones also in breeding plumage. These are supposed to be winter birds, but I've seen them here in Texas as late as June.
I searched each of the breakwaters with my binoculars, hoping to find a Brown Booby. I finally noticed a bird on top of the #2 sign between them. One of them did return! These birds spend most of their life at sea and a view from shore is rare.
This is the best photo I could get since he was quite a distance away and it was very windy.
One of the birders from the convention came out and set up a tripod in the gazebo and asked if I would like to view him through a scope. Of course I would. The image bounced around a bit, but it was nice to get a better look.
Date of visit: 4/26/2014
2 pm
Windy, overcast
85 deg F
Species identified (8): Laughing Gull, Brown Pelican, Herring Gull, Great Blue Heron, Royal Tern, Willet, Ruddy Turnstone, Brown Booby
I'm linking up with I'd Rather B' Birdin'.
You got a GREAT photo of the brown booby!! Indeed. My husband and I went to the Marina several times trying to get a good photo. At one time there were two on the #2 sign. Yep, I've walked out on the cement jetty also. You can get some super images out there at times.
ReplyDeleteGlad your drive to my town wasn't a total loss!!! And I so enjoyed reading your commentary.
Thanks for linking to I'd Rather B Birdin' this weekend. Much appreciated. And I do hope you'll share more each weekend if possible! Looking forward to having another Texan participate. [Not that I'm partial]
I am a birder as well, welcome to the other side!! Awesome capture, I LOVED the heron, I chase them as well!!
ReplyDeletesoon you'll have to move down there near anni. :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on crossing the line Jen. You do realise there's no turning back now don't you? Even if you had not seen the Boobie I don't think your trip was wasted with those other sightings.
ReplyDeleteNice shot of the pelican and Royal Terns as it makes for good size comparison. Those big terns look tiny.
I love that picture of the Ruddy Turnstone!! How beautiful :-)
ReplyDeleteWonderful birds. I haven't crossed the line yet, I'm only a birdwatcher.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know there was a distinct between birdwatcher and birding. The pics you took look nice and I'm glad you were able to find a rare one.
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