I recently reviewed photos that I took during February, 2019, during a short visit to Manzanillo, a coastal town in the state of Colima, Mexico.
I'll post a number of photos over the next few days.
The Gray Hawk can be found in portions of Arizona and Texas, but is more common in much of Mexico, Central and South America.
A Black Vulture circles overhead:
Reviewing photos from 2007 to find pictures of Maria Sharapova, I decided to look at some of my early attempts at bird photography.
I found this one of Great Egrets feeding at the San Diego River Mouth at Robb Field.
The pink background is from clouds at sunset reflected in the water.
Crested Caracaras are abundant in much of Mexico, Central and South America. In the United States South Texas is the best place to see them.
I think the Harris's Hawk is in contention for the most handsome raptor!
Here are two photographed at Laguna Seca Ranch is South Texas in January of this year:
The White-tailed Hawk is found in various regions of Mexico, Central and South America. In the United States it is found mostly in South Texas. This was a life-bird for me!
The Olive Sparrow is another example of why birders flock (so to speak!) to South Texas. It is found in various regions of Mexico and Central America, but in the United States can only be found in South Texas.
The Common Ground Dove is found through much of northern South America, Central America, Mexico, and much of the southern United States:
Yellow-rumped Warbler:
Taking a bath:
Green Jays are found in various parts of Mexico, Central and South America. In the United States they are only found in South Texas.
They are certainly one of the more flamboyant birds on our continent!
The Curve-billed Thrasher is found throughout much central and northern Mexico as well as the desert southwestern United States.
Here is one photographed at Laguna Seca Ranch in the Rio Grande Valley in January of this year:
The Long-billed Thrasher is only found in Northeast Mexico and South Texas.
I think it is by far the most handsome of all thrashers!
Laguna Seca Ranch is one on a number of private ranches in South Texas with features designed for photographers to more easily capture images of local bird specialties.
Owner and photographer Gene Gwin has constructed various blinds, ponds, perches and bird feeders on the property, all optimized for either morning or afternoon light.
My two birding friends were anxious to experience photography sessions there, and I was returning for a second visit.
When I look at photos taken in South Texas, I can usually tell those taken at a photography ranch, the poses and perches often seem just too perfect. Gene, however, is expert at making perches that appear as natural as possible while striving for an artistic composition.
In January of this year we spent one morning and a separate afternoon on the property, and were not disappointed with the photos obtained.
Male Northern Cardinal:
Gene set out this colorful perch (below) at the end of our morning session. He knew it would bend under the weight of the birds, and some of them would spread their wings to keep their balance.
Exactly as planned, this Northern Cardinal obliged. It may be my favorite photo from the week we spent in South Texas.
