Meadowlark

While watching Northern Harriers hunting in adjacent fields, this Meadowlark perched on a wire above me and sang me a song.

(More Meadowlark photos and info HERE.)

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Northern Harrier

We parked along a road on the south edge of town this morning to see if some local Harriers would do a show for us. They did. There were two or three hunting adjacent fields in their usual manner - flying low over fields and ambushing prey of opportunity. This one slammed on his brakes when he spoted a meal.

(More Northern Harrier photos and info HERE.)

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Mississippi Kite

I guess Mississippi Kites have to scratch what itches, too.


And they even get stiff and have to stretch out those joints now and then. Note the Kite's left side is very much extended. He is perched by one foot.

See more HERE.

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Great Egret

This is a chance shot I took over the weekend - of a Great Egret passing by the house. (Click on the photo for a larger view.)

See more photos and info here.

Swainson's Hawk

Swainson's Hawk is very common in the panhandle, as it is in its breeding grounds and summer home. This hawk feeds on small mammals such as mice, voles, and ground squirrels. Also on its menu are small birds and large insects such as grasshoppers and crickets. As such, they may be a party to rescuing crops from outbreaks of these insects. Swainson's Hawk is slightly less bulky than the Red-Tailed Hawk, and can be mistaken for the Red-Tail. The first things you might notice are its dark hood, and its white underside and white wings with a dark trailing edge (flight feathers).

The business end of the Swainson's Hawk.

Here, a Western Kingbird urges a Swainson's Hawk to move along.

The typical "V" of its wings as it soars above. The dark flight feathers and his hood are clearly seen in this shot.

A Swainson's Hawk soars above two others, perched in adjacent trees.

This one seems to have a "hangnail". Or would that be a "hangfeather"?

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Mississippi Kite

I can't help it. Mississippi Kites are one of my favorite birds, and they are a challenge to photograph. This one landed in a nearby tree, and was nice enough to stick around for a photo shoot. These show their mask, eyes, and coloring more clearly than some of my other shots.

See more of my Mississippi Kite shots and information HERE.

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Turkey Vulture

Another trip to Palo Duro Canyon today gave us another treat shortly before sunset. Hundreds - literally hundreds of turkey vultures were amassing at the lower end of the park to roost in trees. Wave after wave of vultures arrived for a good hour anyhow. It was the most amazing thing I've seen in the bird world.

Everybody knows Turkey Vultures - the big black birds soaring high overhead, searching for carrion to make a meal of. Their red heads are just a bit on the ugly side, somewhat resembling a turkey's. Hence the name.



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Gambel's Quail

This is a first sighting for me - seen in Palo Duro Canyon State Park. The Gambel's Quail is about the size of a robin, and has a plume coming from his forehead that makes this quail readily identifiable. We saw this one standing watch for his mate and a brood of chicks they were raising together.


Gambel's Quail usually forages for seeds, buds and shoots, cacti, fruit, and will occasionally eat insects. They nest on the ground under cover of shrubs or grass.

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Bullock's Oriole

Shelley and I were spending the morning in Palo Duro Canyon today. At one point, this Oriole caught our attention when it flew through our field of view. Its bright orange coloring was ablaze in the morning sun, making it impossible to ignore. After entertaining us with fly-bys several times, it landed in the top of a nearby tree.


The Bullock's Oriole builds an elaborate hanging pouch nest that provides both shelter and protection. This nest is often the only evidence of this bird being there, seen hanging in a bare tree in the fall. This oriole is common in the western half of Texas. It eats caterpillars, wasps, beetles, and will also feed on fruit and nectar.

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Western Kingbird

This Western Kingbird was nice enough to pose for me so I could get a good series of his portraits.

(Click for a larger view.)

See more of my photos and info on the Western Kingbird HERE.

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Mississippi Kite

On a recent trip into Palo Duro Canyon, we saw many Mississippi Kites soaring overhead. Some were perched in trees - often 3 to a tree. These Kites were hunting along the canyon walls.

(Click on the images for larger views.)

You can see more of my Kites and related info HERE.

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Western Kingbird

The Western Kingbird can be seen many places throughout the panhandle as well as most of the rest of Texas. It is a flycatcher, and dines on insects but will eat berries, too. This Kingbird will perch on a fence post or wire, waiting to ambush a flying insect as it passes nearby. Its aerobatic skills are top notch and he will pursue a dragonfly, bee, butterfly, or cicada for 40 feet or more. They are quite noisy as they engage in their courtship/mating rituals.



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Mississippi Kite

While in Palo Duro Canyon yesterday, many of these Kites were soaring above us. There were at times 3 or 4 of them in a single tree. It appeared that some of them were involved in their mating ritual.

(See more of the Mississippi Kites HERE.)

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Ash-Throated Flycatcher

While in Palo Duro Canyon today, this flycatcher presented himself for a shot. I have tentatively ID'ed it as an Ash-Throated Flycatcher with the help of a friend. He didn't give me a very good pose, so I'll hold off on any specific commentary about him until I find out for sure. If anybody can give me a positive ID on it, I will amend this post.

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Mockingbird

The Mockingbird is one of the most interesting birds around. It is the great impersonator, hence its name. He tries to impress females with his many voices, to the point of mating. They are easily identified by the white bars on their wings in flight.


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