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Connie
Hagar came to Rockport
in 1935. Until she died in 1973 she traveled a 9 mile route she hewed
out the area, twice a day to record the birds she saw. Since 1982,
we have done a similar thing without her discipline. Our findings
are the same. Like she found birds are frequently perched at the same
place, at the same time for days or weeks at a time. Birds want food,
sex and safety. If their perch gives them that – they will be back
– even if it is not until next year.
Rockport’s
position is at the geometric apex on the Coastal Bend, so it should
get more wind and wave action than any other Gulf area. All this wind
action stirs the water helping produce abundant food for the birds,
resident and migratory.
Yvonne and I have listened to 25 years of Hummer/Bird talks. These
speakers have their experiences in common with birds and insects,
but little else. These speakers tell how all birds and insects live
by the herd mentality, without saying it. Just like all living beings,
humans are included in the herd. Long ago man's observation about
becoming a leader was - determine which way the herd is headed, and
then get out front, and act like the leader. But a few years later
that same man said I will not seek, nor will I accept, being your
leader any more because I have learned a free people (or birds) are
naturally their own leader good, bad or ugly.
Details
about my 4th series of costal birds follow: the Summer Tanagers
and Orchard Oriole were shot at Paradise Pond at Port
Aransas. The Parakeet was shot in a Houston
backyard. It must have been a house pet that escaped, and is seen
often and apparently doing well. |
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The Brown
Pelican series were taken at the fish cleaning area of Cove Harbor
south of Rockport.
Brown Pelicans are a resident bird making spectacular dives up to
40 feet to catch a fish.
The Scissor-Tail Flycatchers were on their March 2013 migration
north and there were hundreds, if not thousands of them in town. |
| Scissor-Tail
Flycatcher, Fulton
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| We can often
see Roadrunners but getting a decent photo is entirely a different
thing. This photo was made near Roma.
We Texans see Buzzards everyday, but not necessarily in bird books.
This Buzzard is doing what all birds do sometimes which I call
“drying his wing-pits”. |
Roseate Spoonbills
are seldom seen in the Rockport/Fulton
area now as compared to five years ago. The following photo shows
the water in a circular rippling as a result of the swinging of its
bill for food which is called spooning.
The Osprey is a fish eater. Like an ordinary hawk flying low
in a field after rodents, the Osprey flies low over water. They also
perch on wires over water waiting for opportunities to snag a fish
with their talons. |
| Purple Martins
live off flying insects. Martins shown here are gathering before migrating.
The following photo was taken in August 2013 when thousands of them
were roosting in Houston.
FM1960W at Centerfield Dr about 8PM is the location shown. |
White Pelicans
migrate from Canada to Rockport/Fulton
arriving in November and leaving about March. They swim most of the
day eating an occasional fish. In the late afternoon they tend to
gather causing a spectacle which encourages people to feed them. Unlike
sea gulls bombing gullible feeders from overhead, the pelicans eat
while swimming in the water.
If you like these pictures - then choose large camera files and fast
shutter speeds. |
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