The Northern Bobwhite is a handsome quail found mostly in the eastern half of the United States and Mexico. It is named after its song, which sounds like Bob White!
These photos were taken at Santa Clara Ranch, near McAllen, Texas, in May, 2019.
A female Northern Bobwhite.
While in south Texas last year I also spent a day at another ranch which caters to bird photographers, the Santa Clara Ranch, hosted by superb photographer Hector Astorga.
This ranch has numerous photo blinds, many with water features, all set up to have optimal light either in the early morning or the late afternoon.
One of the blinds is next to an area designed to attract raptors. And it certainly did attract them! During our time in that blind there was a constant stream of avian visitors, mostly Crested Caracaras, Harris's Hawks, and Black Vultures. Here is a handsome Harris's Hawk.
Did you know? The range of the Harris's Hawk includes scattered regions of South and Central America and much of Mexico. In the United States it is exclusively found in the states which border Mexico, though it is uncommon in California. I have seen them in Jacumba (east of San Diego), about 100 yards from the border fence.
A Purple Martin, photographed near McAllen, Texas, in May, 2019. This bird is either a female or immature male.
Did you know? Purple Martins in Arizona and other far western states nest mostly in natural cavities, like this one in a saguaro. In the eastern United States, they nest exclusively in nest boxes. These birds in Texas were nesting in man-made nest boxes.
A Carolina Wren, photographed at Quinta Mazatlán, a botanical garden in McAllen, Texas, in May, 2019.
The Plain Chachalaca is found through much of Eastern Mexico and parts of Central America. In the United States it is only found in southernmost Texas. Here are two pictures taken at Quinta Mazatlán, a botanical garden in McAllen, Texas, where they are quite tame. Photographed in May, 2019.
A White-winged Dove, photographed at Quinta Mazatlán, a botanical garden in McAllen, Texas, in May, 2019.
A Northern Cardinal was minding its own business on a perch at Laguna Seca Ranch.
A Pyrrhuloxia coveted the perch.
Here I come!
Off you go!
Mine now!
A Curve-billed Thrasher, photographed at Laguna Seca Ranch in April, 2019.
Photographed in April, 2019 at Laguna Seca Ranch, Texas.
More photos of the incredibly colorful Green Jay, photographed at Laguna Seca Ranch in Texas, in April, 2019.
