Category: Kathy’s blog
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Black and white warbler
by M. Kathy Raines New to the rigors of warbler identification—an exasperatingly large number of these charmers being yellow, adorned with varying patterns of black—I thrill to spotting, and confidently IDing, the lovely and lively zebra-striped black-and-white warbler (Mniotilta varia). This five-inch wood warbler, in the family Parulida—which includes small, primarily arboreal, insectivorous New World…
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Those Hardy Roly-Polys
by M. Kathy Raines Many of us have fond childhood memories of playing with roly-poly bugs (Armadillidium vulgare)—also called pill bugs, woodlice, sow bugs or doodlebugs—those tiny, tough, multi-legged creatures that roll up into a ball. My three-year-old grandson snatches up the little black pills—troubled when they do not promptly curl up—then nudges them to…
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The Masked Booby: A Rare but Welcome Visitor!
by M. Kathy Raines A massive bill, like an oddly-fitting mask, protruded from its face. The large white bird with slender brownish-black wings and a pointed tail—clearly not a pelican—stood on its platform feet, scarcely moving, right next to me on the jetties one July afternoon last summer. And it permitted closeup after closeup. …
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The Bull Snake, a Welcome Valley Resident
by M. Kathy Raines Unable to ignore our blue heeler’s fervent barking, I peered outside. A long, plump snake, creamy with dark blotches, glided towards our glass door, its tail just beneath the fence. Shoving the dog inside, I locked the door—as if the snake might slide it open. I thought it a rattlesnake, but…
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Stunning, Clever Green Jays
by M. Kathy Raines Bright blue caps its head, suggesting woodland shadows. Black velvet encircles its eyes, draping cheeks and throat. Olive back feathers and a lemon underbelly wash into milky green as it flutters off, dissolving into foliage, yellow blossoms and Spanish moss. Green jays, South Texas’ pride and joy, possess startling beauty. And,…
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Crested Caracara, the Mexican Eagle
by M. Kathy Raines With its sky-blue bill and facial skin reminiscent of candy corn, I instantly recognize this handsome, flat-heated, black-capped fellow—even as I zip down Highway 281 at 75 mph. The bird has an unmistakable silhouette. A slender raptor, the crested caracara (Caracara cheriway) has a large, black-crested head, orangish facial skin, white…