The Loggerhead Shrike, A Rare Opportunity, Part 2 of 4

In the previous post, we left the Loggerhead Shrike hanging onto a dried sunflower stalk trying to keep its balance in the wind. I was convinced the shrike was going to fly off to find a more secure perch. Well, it did take off, but instead of flying away, it actually flew even closer to where I was standing. It landed on a more secure perch and began scanning the ground for any prey that might be hiding in the grass below:

This bird did not seem the least bit concerned about my close presence... (to be continued)

This set of photographs was taken at the Roosevelt Park Trailhead on the Mission Reach of the San Antonio River on Thursday, January 2, 2014.

The Loggerhead Shrike, A Rare Opportunity, Part 1 of 4

It is fairly rare for smaller birds to perch close to where I am photographing and remain long enough to take a short series of photos, but this Loggerhead Shrike was exceptionally cooperative. I was looking for wildflowers still blooming at the beginning of January when this shrike flew across the river and landed on a drying sunflower stalk about fifteen to twenty feet from where I was standing. There was just enough wind, it was having some difficulty keeping its balance:

I had the impression it was getting a bit frustrated holding on to the stalk and would fly off to find a more secure perch... (to be continued)

This set of photographs was taken at the Roosevelt Park Trailhead on the Mission Reach of the San Antonio River on Thursday, January 2, 2014.

A Haunting Expression

I was going to post a different set of photographs this evening, but there was something about this Snowy Egret's appearance and expression that has haunted me all afternoon:

The three ducks seen almost in silhouette in the first photograph are Gadwalls, another species of birds that have migrated back to South Texas for the winter.

This set of photographs was taken from the Roosevelt Park Trailhead on the Mission Reach of the San Antonio River on Thursday, January 2, 2014.

Hanging On Well Into Winter

Even if they were far and few between, I was a bit surprised by the number of flowers still blooming last Thursday before the deep freeze arrived. All of them except the White Sweetclover were in the Compositea Family: Common and Maximilian Sunflowers, Mexican Hat, Spiny Aster, Camphorweed and one lone Goldenrod. All had survived the light freezes of December.

One Mexican Hat (Ratibida columnifera) in particular caught the sun at just the right angle:

This set of photographs was taken along the Mission Reach of the San Antonio River at the Roosevelt Park Trailhead on Thursday, January 2, 2014.

A Propitious Beginning to the New Year

I did manage to get in two walks at the beginning of this month before the deep freeze set in. On both walks, I was pleased to see a Spotted Sandpiper busily bobbing its tail as it walked along. It must not have found anything to eat at this location and flew off upstream. This was the first Spotted Sandpiper I have seen this season:

This is another one of the birds that spends the summer in the north, but heads south for the winter. They frequently winter over along the river. This sandpiper still has a few spots on its breast characteristic of its summer plumage.

Fortunately, deep freezes are short lived here in South Texas. The weather forecast looks favorable for more walks in the next couple of weeks.

This set of photographs was taken at the first weir downstream from the Lone Star Blvd bridge at Roosevelt Park on the Mission Reach of the San Antonio River on Thursday, January 2, 2014.

Dainty and Sweet

After a much needed holiday break, it's time to get back to posting again. What better way to start the new year with something "dainty and sweet:"

As I have pointed out in previous posts, flower blossoms are far and few between this time of year. Pollinator insects that survive through the winter rely on whatever they can find in bloom. The Dainty Sulphur (Nathalis iole) is one of the most winter-hardy of the butterflies having a year round flight. This Dainty Sulphur was taking full advantage of the White Sweetclover (Melilotus alba) blooming along the river bank.

White Sweetclover was introduced from Eurasia to the United States in late 1600s most likely for honey production and livestock forage. It was also considered to be an excellent plant for soil reclamation. As with so many introduced plants, the Sweetclovers have become invasive as they can quickly produce a monoculture, especially in disturbed riparian areas.

This set of photographs was taken along the Mission Reach of the San Antonio River on Thursday, December 19, 2013.