This wide-eyed thrush—pot-belled, brown-spotted and robin-like in posture—traipsed among eager photographers at the South Padre Island Convention Center one October. It, like other migrants resting and refueling during their southward journey, looked weary.
Category: Blogs
The snowy egret slipped its yolk-yellow feet, toes first, into waters of the saltmarsh and strode across, stealthy and alert, ready to strike.
I have some Bailey’s ball moss (Tillandsia baileyi) in my backyard that I enjoy tremendously. Some were given to me by friends while others I picked up at either festivals or events and meetings that were part of both the Texas Master Naturalist program and the Native Plant Project. I have had them for several years now and am always amazed when they are in bloom. Their delicate, tiny flowers in hues of blue and violet, are always a nice surprise and joy to behold.
I’ve hesitated to speak aloud the word drought, in case it would make it real, but without an abundance of water, things “they are a-changin,’” as Bob Dylan wrote in a 1963 folk song.
The abnormally hot June and July temperatures, lack of rain and persistent wind have caused many water sources to dry up. In place of the water is a veritable sea of new vegetation. Two species particularly noticeable where the edge of our resaca once was, are described below.
Thanks to this edition contributors.
For many years, I have sought out opportunities to experience, firsthand, the dance of the male Bronzed Cowbird. His dance involves vocalizations and a series of postures, ruffling of feathers, and an impressive hovering and helicoptering flight pattern above a female Bronzed Cowbird. The sole purpose of all this is to catch the eye (and favor) of a potential mate. He delivers quite an aerial spectacle to impress her with an unbelievable flight performance comprised of rapid-fire, fast moving wing beats that lift him up off the ground, a mere foot or so, directly above her.