|
 |
Coastal
birds defined are birds that occur in my usual travel areas along
the entire Texas coast.
When I take a publishable picture of a bird it is a Texas Coastal
Bird in my opinion.
When I look for birds now I pick up my camera. Like most Texans I
was a bird hunter for a time but I put my shotgun down thirty years
ago. Given the title of Mr. Third Coast I am still only an amateur
birder who has attended annually, several lectures and presentations
each of the last 25 years.
With this edition of pictures I want to share some of my experiences
on how you can get more chances at taking bird pictures you like.
There are basically three items needed to accomplish this goal. First,
learn to recognize environments where certain birds tend to perch.
Second, provide a method in your vehicle so that your camera is always
ON and READY to shoot a picture. Third, when appropriate, use the
camera self-timer to trip the shutter (set at the highest useable
speed). The first two assure you will be prepared and the third reduces
camera movement. |
 |
When traveling
make a practice of looking ahead at the highway power poles, wires
and fence posts for shapes that may be birds. Along side any coastal
highway kingfishers and osprey like a high perch over any water. And
on any highway hawks of many kinds use man made wires, poles and towers
to have a higher perch.
Roseate Spoonbills like to fly from point to point causing most people
to call attention to them by pointing and exclaiming “pinks” (it’s
difficult to say “roseate spoonbill” before they disappear). Chachalacas
are mostly a ground bird. They only fly short distances if at all.
Over the years I have found the wastewater plant at Port
Aransas to be the most consistent public location for bird close-up
photos. |
|
|
HOME
