Hi Sandra:

Yikes, I’m glad there are no poisonous snakes in the Northwest. The entire Texas Coast is a top birding site for migratory and resident birds, such as the spoonbills. I never could get a decent close-up, and no one is going to wade across a pond that has alligators. I’ve seen them up close before on other trips to the coast. We lived in San Antonio for 32 years (long story) and enjoyed the balmy winters but never really got used to the summer heat and lack of rain. As far as I’m concerned, nothing beats the Northwest.

Ed, we got that cool spell! Thank you so much for wishing it. I also found my birding map that you mentioned, in with other maps.

Sandra, my daughter just found a baby copperhead in her home, under her toddler's chair (like an armchair). Needless to say that freaked her out. Going to put up screens on the foundation.

That is scary with that snake - I guess very very dangerous, means very very poisonous?
Yuck,
carolyn

Yikes Sandra, if I had gone into the shower with that snake there, you would have heard me scream in Nanaimo

There are still some Snowy Owls at Boundary Bay. Ian and I counted about 8 when we were there in the pouring rain last Saturday. Weather did not provide a good photo op but I got one fairly decent one.

Some photos of the 3 raptors in attendance at WildARC last Saturday; not a vacation but definitely an adventure

Beaker, a Burrowing Owl


Easy, a Harris Hawk


Chance, a Peregrine Falcon

Carolyn, Kay, Elle, Sandra Gee, and Ed,

Great photos from you vacations and adventures!!!! I love them all. Kay and Elle, wonderful shots of the Snowy Owl. Sandra Gee, I love snakes but not where I sleep, WOW!
I will be checking back again, thanks for sharing, they are all beautiful shots of nature.

Quote by: sassyk

Thanks Sandra I was pretty sure the bird was some type of heron but had to look in my book to find out the name.

there is also a YCNH, which has a Yellow Crown!!! great picture@@ we have both of them in LA.....

Quote by: edkeagle

Hello Kay: I have the same thoughts as you regarding that crane and its banding. We watched it cover a lot of ground, however, and it did not seem to be hampered. I do understand why it’s necessary to band the cranes since they are an endangered species. I hope you get to see some Caracaras up close on your upcoming trip to the Caribbean. They are quite colorful. All my pictures were taken from a moving boat so could not get close to them. Good to be back out of the Texas heat and will be checking your threads later.

because they are endangered, they are tagging many of them so they can follow their flight and see where they go and what habitats are attracting them. there are issues with the drought and the reduced supply of blue crabs which are causing concerns for the flock in aransas.
you may know that we have a reintroduced flock of whooping cranes in Louisiana in hopes of helping to increase the numbers of these birds on the planet. I have been involved in this project and it is interesting.
It hasn't seemed to be a big topic of interest on this forum, since we don't have a dedicated thread for them.....
The birds do not seem to be impacted by the transmitters/bands on their legs..... I agree, they look odd.

I've not been to aransas yet and hear its great!!!

great pictures of your tx adventures!!! thanks.