This set of photos of an American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) perched in a distant tree overlooking the San Antonio River was taken on my walk along the Mission Reach of the River on Wednesday, January 9, 2013:
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Another American Kestrel Sighting
Thursday, January 24, 2013
This set of photos of an American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) perched in a distant tree overlooking the San Antonio River was taken on my walk along the Mission Reach of the River on Wednesday, January 9, 2013:
This set of photos of an American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) perched in a distant tree overlooking the San Antonio River was taken on my walk along the Mission Reach of the River on Wednesday, January 9, 2013:
South to San Juan Dam
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
San Antonio River, Mission Reach, VFW Blvd Trailhead
downstream to San Juan Dam at Padre Park and back
Today's photos:
The newest segment of the San Antonio River Greenway from VFW Blvd downstream to San Juan Dam at Padre Park opened a short while ago. Today was my first opportunity to walk this new section of the Greenway Trail. With each new section of trail that opens, the enormous scale of the River Improvement Project becomes more apparent and more impressive.
In this set of photos, there are:
An European honey bee,
A neotropic cormorant (Phalacrocorax brsilianus) fishing. In the last photo of that series, the cormorant has just resurfaced with a small catfish grasped firmly in its beak,
A lesser yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes),
My friend, the red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus),
A slider turtle,
And an orange sulphur butterfly (Colias eurytheme).
The second to the last photo is a view of the new river segment looking downstream from Mission County Park toward San Juan Dam.
The last photo is a view of the Mission San José bell tower and dome. This was taken from about the center of the VFW Blvd bridge looking toward the west southwest. One of the primary purposes of the River Improvement Project is to re-establish the historic link between the River and the Missions. The process of nominating the River Greenway and the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park as a World Heritage Site is well underway. Achieving that status will be an important recognition for both the site and for the San Antonio community.
San Antonio River, Mission Reach, VFW Blvd Trailhead
downstream to San Juan Dam at Padre Park and back
Today's photos:
In this set of photos, there are:
An European honey bee,
A neotropic cormorant (Phalacrocorax brsilianus) fishing. In the last photo of that series, the cormorant has just resurfaced with a small catfish grasped firmly in its beak,
A lesser yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes),
My friend, the red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus),
A slider turtle,
And an orange sulphur butterfly (Colias eurytheme).
The second to the last photo is a view of the new river segment looking downstream from Mission County Park toward San Juan Dam.
The last photo is a view of the Mission San José bell tower and dome. This was taken from about the center of the VFW Blvd bridge looking toward the west southwest. One of the primary purposes of the River Improvement Project is to re-establish the historic link between the River and the Missions. The process of nominating the River Greenway and the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park as a World Heritage Site is well underway. Achieving that status will be an important recognition for both the site and for the San Antonio community.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
"Bird Island"; Birds at Elmendorf Lake, Part 4
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
There are two islands in Elmendorf Lake. The main island is a fairly large, thin island. While I didn't walk over to this island, it is accessible by a pedestrian footbridge.
The second island is relatively small by comparison and is inaccessible. This smaller island is a short distance east of the SW 24th St bridge.
I don't know if this smaller island has a name, but if it doesn't, it undoubtably should be named "Bird Island." In this first photo, the "bird island" is in the foreground, the large island in the background and just to the right of center in the distance is the Tower of the Americas, a major San Antonio landmark located in downtown to the southeast of the lake:
There are two islands in Elmendorf Lake. The main island is a fairly large, thin island. While I didn't walk over to this island, it is accessible by a pedestrian footbridge.
The second island is relatively small by comparison and is inaccessible. This smaller island is a short distance east of the SW 24th St bridge.
I don't know if this smaller island has a name, but if it doesn't, it undoubtably should be named "Bird Island." In this first photo, the "bird island" is in the foreground, the large island in the background and just to the right of center in the distance is the Tower of the Americas, a major San Antonio landmark located in downtown to the southeast of the lake:
A large number of cormorants, primarily double-crested but with a few neotropic mixed in, nest in the trees on this island. Numerous great egrets and black-bellied whistling ducks can be seen on the ground under the trees.
This set of photos was taken on my walk around Elmendorf Lake on Monday, January 7, 2013. Here are links to additional posts from this walk: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and the Vermillion Flycatcher. There will be at least one more additional post in this series.
Monday, January 21, 2013
Amid Winter Trees
Monday, January 21, 2013
Salado Creek Greenway, Oakwell Trailhead upstream
Today's photos:
Amid winter trees…
The temperature rose to a high of 72º (F) today, while a week ago the highs were in the upper 40s. The high temperatures for the next few days are forecast to be in the mid to upper 70s. This is South Texas, after all.
Milkweed pods ripen and go to seed propagating more milkweed vine. Milkweed is the host plant for monarch butterfly caterpillars and the preferred source of nectar for adult monarchs. Put very simply: if there's no milkweed vine, there will be no monarchs. Period.
A black vulture soars high above.
A rock squirrel scampers through the underbrush along the bank of the creek.
A small amount of water flows through the creek. There is enough water from the rain a couple weeks ago remaining in the water table to continue the flow a few more days. Even when we get too much rain too fast, we always need more rain in South Texas.
White-winged doves were very active flying from tree to tree.
Live oak trees remain evergreen.
Salado Creek Greenway, Oakwell Trailhead upstream
Today's photos:
The temperature rose to a high of 72º (F) today, while a week ago the highs were in the upper 40s. The high temperatures for the next few days are forecast to be in the mid to upper 70s. This is South Texas, after all.
Milkweed pods ripen and go to seed propagating more milkweed vine. Milkweed is the host plant for monarch butterfly caterpillars and the preferred source of nectar for adult monarchs. Put very simply: if there's no milkweed vine, there will be no monarchs. Period.
A black vulture soars high above.
A rock squirrel scampers through the underbrush along the bank of the creek.
A small amount of water flows through the creek. There is enough water from the rain a couple weeks ago remaining in the water table to continue the flow a few more days. Even when we get too much rain too fast, we always need more rain in South Texas.
White-winged doves were very active flying from tree to tree.
Live oak trees remain evergreen.
Sunday, January 20, 2013
The Bluebird Song, A Sunday Special Edition
Sunday, January 20, 2013
The Bluebird Song
"Bluebird said to me, 'Get up my grandchild. It is dawn,' it said to me." - From the Navajo Nightway Ceremony
This set of photos of an eastern bluebird were taken on my walk on the Leon Creek South Greenway at Rodriquez County Park on Friday, January 11, 2013. This post is specially dedicated to my friend Courtenay "Bluebird."
From 1980 through 1985, I had the good fortune of working with and learning much about Navajo life and culture from Noël Bennett. As I was preparing this set of photos for posting, I recalled that in the Navajo Nightway Ceremony, the bluebird is a symbol for dawn. The Bluebird Song is the concluding chant of the nine day ceremony and is sung just before dawn of the final night.
I probably should mention that, here in South Texas, the bluebirds are all eastern bluebirds. This is about the western extent of their range. From the Trans-Pecos region of West Texas and westward across New Mexico and Arizona there are the very similar western bluebird and mountain bluebird.
Here is a beautiful rendition of the Bluebird Song by Lena Clark:
From 1980 through 1985, I had the good fortune of working with and learning much about Navajo life and culture from Noël Bennett. As I was preparing this set of photos for posting, I recalled that in the Navajo Nightway Ceremony, the bluebird is a symbol for dawn. The Bluebird Song is the concluding chant of the nine day ceremony and is sung just before dawn of the final night.
I probably should mention that, here in South Texas, the bluebirds are all eastern bluebirds. This is about the western extent of their range. From the Trans-Pecos region of West Texas and westward across New Mexico and Arizona there are the very similar western bluebird and mountain bluebird.
Here is a beautiful rendition of the Bluebird Song by Lena Clark:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)