Thirsty cedar waxwings come in for a drink
Cedar waxwings were lined up along the rim of the fountain and dipping down to drink. All that berry hunting is hard work!… Read More
Wild ponies and birds on Chincoteague and Assateague Island
On Chincoteague and Assateague Islands, wild ponies roam the marshes and water birds stalk the shallows. I enjoyed seeing both on a boat tour.… Read More
Birding and beaches at South Padre Island
South Padre Island has more to offer than spring-break parties. It’s a great spot for birding and beautiful beach strolls.… Read More
Screech owl family – more pics!
May 14, 2018 The owl channel is playing 24/7 in our garden as the screech owl chicks grow more active. They are close to fledging, I think, and Mama and Papa Owl are kept busy night after night, bringing them … Read More
Screech owl pair await nighttime owlet feeding
April 29, 2018 Yesterday, to our excitement, we spotted Lucy and Desi, our nesting screech owl pair, perched in live oak trees near the owl box. I’d suspected that their chicks had hatched and were getting bigger because Lucy was … Read More
Meet Lucy, the red-headed screech owl
March 26, 2018 The female screech owl nesting in our owl box is a rufous, or red-feathered, owl. She gives me some funny looks when she hangs out in the doorway, and I’ve named her Lucy. Desi, her mate, hangs … Read More
Owl’ll be happy to see you!
March 18, 2018 For 5 years in a row, screech owls nested in our owl box every spring. Watching them raise their chicks was an annual delight. But then they stopped coming, and for the past 2 years, no owls, … Read More
Hungry garden visitors
February 19, 2018 High-pitched, whistling cries have filled the skies lately, alerting me to our cedar waxwing visitors. Flocking into berry-laden junipers (i.e., “cedars”), possumhaw and yaupon hollies, hackberries, and even invasive ligustrum to gorge themselves, these beautiful crested and … Read More
RIP, wren chicks — you were no match for a rat snake
May 20, 2017 Tragedy for the wrens raising week-old chicks in a birdhouse I’ve been observing from my office window. Yesterday morning, as I sat down at my desk, I looked out to check on the little family — I’ve … Read More
Newborns and other wildlife in the garden
May 17, 2017 While I was turning off a hose Monday, water dribbled into a thick stand of inland sea oats, and something moved among the grasses. I saw a small head and thought, cat. Having endured a year of … Read More