Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Blucher Park

Since I didn't make it to the valley on Saturday, I decided to explore some birding trail sites in Corpus Christi on Sunday.  A drive down to Mission, TX, my original plan, and then back to Houston the same day would have meant a whole lot of driving and not much birding.    


I'd heard a lot about Blucher Park, so I started there.  I've seen posts advising rarities located here many times, and several birders recommended visiting.   The  driving directions on the trail maps are sometimes pretty useless, as was the case this time.  I saw a sign with a book, indicating a library was nearby, and followed it since it was mentioned that Blucher Park was near the library.    



No rarities this time, but I did find a lifer.  The Gray Catbird and I had a bit of a "conversation" before he finally came out and had a drink from the stream.




A couple of Southern Leopard Frogs were near the bridge.  I know frogs sing love songs to each other after heavy rains, but isn't it a bit late in the year for this?



The park has a nice butterfly garden, in which I spent quite a bit of time.  I made use of my recently acquired field guide to identify the White Checkered-Skipper.  Skippers have "distinctive flight and large bodies" I learned from my guide.  I'm not sure I recognized anything special about his flight, but the large body is obvious.




Gossamerwings are the very small, delicate butterflies.  Some are about the size of a thumb nail and never impressed me until I took a closer look.  This beautiful little Ceraunus Blue actually cooperated while I placed my camera lens very close for a true macro shot.  I'm linking him up with Macro Monday 2.

10/19/2014
CTC071
Morning, 70's, Partly cloudy
Species Identified (9):  Northern Cardinal, White-winged Dove, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Inca Dove, Northern Mockingbird, Gray Catbird, Great-tailed Grackle, Couch's Kingbird

Also butterflies:  Bordered Patch, White-checkered Skipper, and Ceraunus Blue

 

14 comments:

  1. Lovely photos of the butterflies! They are such beautiful creatures!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Seems like a nice park. As to the frogs, every time I see flowers here in McAllen, I ask myself that same question. Summer just seems to last a lot longer here.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wonderful photos! I love the frogs.

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is one of my favorite parks in town! Thing is, sometimes it's a bit trashy. But lots of birds during migration.

    Enjoyed your photos Jen.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Frog porn? :) Nice photos, I enjoy your bird watching adventures.

    ReplyDelete
  6. hehehe, yes x rated frogs for sure!!! I love catbirds, they always spend summers here at my feeders!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love the catbird and those toads!! I wish you a wonderful weekend :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wonderful shots from the park. Nice variety.

    ReplyDelete
  9. that little catbird is a beautiful one. And so are the butterflies. :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a stunner the White Checkered-Skipper is - such great contrasts against the yellow flower.

    A super shot of the Grey Catbird too as your photo really does show those grey tones off well.

    ReplyDelete
  11. These are wonderful! We have snow today.
    (ツ) from Cottage Country Ontario , ON, Canada!

    ReplyDelete