Photo ABCs

Ladder-backed Woodpecker

The Ladder-backed Woodpecker is found throughout Mexico and most of the southwest United States.

Here is one photographed at Laguna Seca Ranch in southern Texas in April of last year.

Baltimore Oriole

A Baltimore Oriole, photographed at Laguna Seca Ranch in April, 2019.

Summer Tanager

The adult male Summer Tanager is a striking red bird. The immature male, however, looks like this. To me, it looks like a mixture of lemon and orange sherbet!

Seeing this unusual bird was one of the highlights of my visit to Laguna Seca Ranch in April, 2019.

Green Jay

The Green Jay is found in various regions of Mexico, Central and South America. In the United States it is only found in southernmost Texas.

Photographed in April of last year at Laguna Seca Ranch, near McAllen, Texas.

Golden-fronted Woodpecker

The Golden-fronted Woodpecker is found through much of Mexico. In the United States it is only found in Texas. Like many woodpeckers, males have red on their crowns.

These photos were taken at Laguna Seca Ranch in April, 2019.

Crested Caracara

A pair of Crested Caracaras, photographed in April, 2019 at Laguna Seca Ranch in southern Texas.

These caracaras spent ten or fifteen minutes wrestling with a large turtle that they found in the grass.

Common Ground-Dove

A Common Ground-Dove takes a drink from a pond at Laguna Seca Ranch in Texas. Photographed in April of last year.

Did you know? Pigeons and doves are unique among birds in their ability to drink without lifting their heads to swallow the water.

Olive Sparrow

The Olive Sparrow lives in various regions in Mexico, and in the United States only in southern Texas.

Here is one photographed at Laguna Seca Ranch, near McAllen, Texas, in April, 2019.

Northern Cardinal

Northern Cardinals are spectacular birds.

Birders in the Eastern United States may take these birds for granted, but in California we do not have them. (though there are a few escaped birds in the Los Angeles area and there may still be some in the Tijuana River Valley in San Diego.)

A number of cardinals visited the perches at Laguna Seca Ranch when I was there in April, 2019. Thanks to Ruth Hoyt for setting up unique and artistic perches!

A female Northern Cardinal.

Long-billed Thrasher

The Long-billed Thrasher is only found in northeastern Mexico and southern Texas.

Despite its name, many other thrashers have longer bills!

These birds were photographed on Laguna Seca Ranch near McAllen, Texas, in April, 2019. It is one of a number of ranches in the area which have dedicated resources to attracting birds and wildlife to the ranch and have set up blinds for photography. The blinds are strategically placed for optimal lighting in either the early morning or late afternoon. Most have a water feature and feeders to attract birds and other wildlife. The blinds are sunk into the earth, which affords eye-level shots of the birds.

I spent a day there with photographer Ruth Hoyt, who was quite talented in setting up artistic and natural appearing perches for the birds, using vegetation from the ranch.

Often when I see photos from ranches like this I think they almost look too "perfect" in their composition, etc. But it sure was enjoyable having birds coming to you instead of searching, often in vain, for birds elsewhere. If you are ever in southern Texas, Laguna Seca Ranch should be a top choice for bird photography! In one day I obtained more photos that I was thrilled with than the rest of my week in south Texas combined!

I'll be sharing lots of photos from Laguna Seca Ranch over the next week or two.

This bird looks around from a nearby tree, deciding whether to approach the feeding area.

A welcome drink of water from the pond directly in front of the photo blind.