Saturday, December 13, 2014

San Luis Pass County Park

Date of visit:  11/23/2014

Someone posted they had seen a Lesser Black-backed Gull in Surfside.  The Bluewater Loop of the GTCBT leads there, so I made another day trip to the coast.  From Galveston Island I headed south, crossed the San Luis Pass on the toll bridge, and took the first right to the first stop of the day, San Luis Pass County Park.        

Neotropic Cormorant
I found a Neotropic Cormorant swimming in the little lagoon area between the cabins and the RV campground.

Herring Gull
A Herring Gull was fishing in the marshy area next to the beach.  This is the first time I've ever seen any gull actually catching his own fish.  He stood very still, much like a heron, staring at the water.  I saw him with at least two different catches.  He tried to pick this one up and march off, but he didn't get very far before dropping it and having to pick it back up.  Good thing he'd already made sure it couldn't swim away.  

Loggerhead Shrike
The Loggerhead Shrike likes thorny bushes.  I didn't see any impaled creatures this time, but he makes use of those spikes.

Monarch Butterfly
I have heard that Monarch Butterflies are declining in numbers, but I've been seeing more and more of them.  It's very possibly because I've just been paying more attention.


I saw something small and furry near the laundry room.  He was thin and there was something missing in his eyes.  It looked like he needed someone to take him home and love him.  He ran away and hid, so it couldn't be me.  Poor little tabby.

Linking with Saturday's Critters.

UTC103
Midday
70 deg F, windy, clear
Bird Species Identified (11):  Willet, Great Blue Heron, Brown Pelican, White Pelican, Great Egret, Neotropic Cormorant, Ring-billed Gull, Loggerhead Shrike, Herring Gull, Mourning Dove, Ruddy Turnstone
    

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26 comments:

  1. TexWisGirlDecember 13, 2014 at 11:39 AM

    that's a huge catch for the gull! great shot of the shrike, too! poor kitten.

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  2. Margaret Birding For PleasureDecember 13, 2014 at 12:18 PM

    Lovely selection of critters. i have never seen a gull catch a fish. Have a lovely weekend.

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  3. eileeninmdDecember 13, 2014 at 1:34 PM

    Cool shot of the cormorant.. And what a big fish for the gull, I hope it was hungry.. Cute kitty, I hope it finds a home.. Great critter post and photos. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Have a happy weekend!

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  4. RevrunnerDecember 13, 2014 at 6:29 PM

    Very interesting seeing the gull fishing rather than simply scavenging.

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  5. DeniseinVADecember 13, 2014 at 6:50 PM

    Great photos Jen and hope little kitten will find a nice home.

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  6. AlDecember 13, 2014 at 6:56 PM

    Pretty birds, but I feel bad for that little kitten.

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  7. Stewart MDecember 13, 2014 at 11:31 PM

    Poor old puss!

    The water in my picture is a large puddle formed by poor drainage in a car-park! It really is not a lake!

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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  8. Bob BushellDecember 14, 2014 at 1:10 AM

    Beautiful photos, especially the Shrike, it is winner.

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  9. LeoviDecember 14, 2014 at 2:35 AM

    Wonderful pictures, I love how you managed to capture the beauty of these birds and butterfly and cat!

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  10. IrmaDecember 14, 2014 at 2:39 AM

    Beautiful series, I hope the kitten find a home where they can grow.
    The shrike and the monarch butterfly are really great.

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  11. Marco LuijkenDecember 14, 2014 at 2:47 AM

    Nice shots!!
    Great the gull with the big fish. Funny shot of the cat , waiting for the hole.

    Kind regards,
    Marco

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  12. Jenn JilksDecember 14, 2014 at 4:35 AM

    Lovely series. Poor little tabby.

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  13. EG CameraGirlDecember 14, 2014 at 6:18 AM

    I love seeing the Loggerhead Shrike. They are endangered here in Ontario.

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  14. Phil SladeDecember 14, 2014 at 6:35 AM

    I think your Loggerhead Shrike is a little more attractive than a Lesser Black-back. We've got millions Jen - I'll send you one.

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  15. Hootin AnniDecember 14, 2014 at 9:46 AM

    That poor sweet kitty!!!
    And the H. Gull....my goodness, that fish is nearly the size of the bird.

    Oh, and the Loggerback song...it's beautiful.

    PS...yes, I've had H E B Brand of ice cream. They're sensational.

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  16. Kristin_TexasDecember 14, 2014 at 10:27 AM

    That has got to be one of the prettiest butterfly photos I've ever seen!

    And the kitten looks so much like my Wendy Kitty when she was young. That was another great shot you got there.

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  17. Sharon WagnerDecember 14, 2014 at 10:59 AM

    Oh, he's a cutie. The little kitten.

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  18. Kenneth Cole SchneiderDecember 14, 2014 at 11:05 AM

    It is amazing how big a gull's gape can be. I bet that fish could be swallowed whole.

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  19. sunshineDecember 14, 2014 at 1:00 PM

    Great photos, like the shrike.

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  20. NatureFootstepDecember 14, 2014 at 2:19 PM

    that´s a big catch the Herring gull has :) And you found a shrike I never seen before :)

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  21. Bethany CarsonDecember 14, 2014 at 3:16 PM

    Looks like the Herring gull had great success fishing! Poor little kitty; I hope he finds a good home!

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  22. DebbieDecember 14, 2014 at 7:02 PM

    another great group of images!! that gull really hit the jack-pot!!!!

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  23. Gail DixonDecember 15, 2014 at 11:20 AM

    I am so happy to see the Neotropic Cormorant because I recently took photos of this bird and was on the fence whether it was Neotropic or Double-crested. I definitely shot the Neotropic. :) Awesome set; especially the gull with fish, the Monarch and the Loggerhead Shrike. Nice job!

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  24. Sallie (FullTime-Life)December 15, 2014 at 2:06 PM

    Good heavens, the gulls breakfast is almost as big as he is! Yeah, they don't usually have to work that hard for their meal do they? Great shot. All your pics are.

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  25. sageDecember 17, 2014 at 7:02 AM

    More beautiful shots and I am impressed with your identification skills. I want to take you along on some kayak trips, you would be a great asset to those of us who only know a bit about birds.

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  26. A Colorful WorldDecember 21, 2014 at 8:09 AM

    Poor sweet little kitten! I hope it finds a home. Loved your photos, and particularly was fascinated by the gull catching fish. Very nice!

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