Sometimes it’s not the photos taken, but photos not taken that you remember. On Monday afternoon I came across a male bobcat getting a drink just 15 feet away! Unfortunately, I had not yet taken the camera out of the car. If I was athletic enough, I would have kicked myself (which would have made a really great photo). Now that I know where the cat comes for a drink, I’ll be better prepared and, eventually, I will get photos!
Fortunately, there are always plenty of nice birds to photograph. Altamira Orioles and Aplomado Falcons are my favorite Lower Rio Grande Valley permanent resident birds and photographing these two nesting orioles has been a real treat.
Male Altamira Oriole at the nest.
Altamira Oriole pair.
The orange colors on these big, beautiful birds seem to practically glow in certain lighting. Watching these birds around sunset is an unforgettable sight!
An Altamira Oriole glowing in the last light of the day.
A stunning Altamira Oriole at sunset.
Not only does their stunning plumage make them fun to watch, but their nest is pretty amazing too. Altamira Orioles make the largest hanging nest of any North American bird.
Altamira Oriole nest- a marvel of natural engineering.
Watching the nest also gives me chances of getting shots of them in flight.
Altamira Oriole taking off from the nest.
Altamira Oriole in flight.
I expect the newborns to fledge on or about June 15 and hopefully I will finally get to see them. Altamira Oriole nests are deep gourds and the chicks never come into view until they are ready to leave. I also expect to start seeing Aplomado Falcons in July.
While I watch the oriole nest, sometimes, other animals show up like this Javelina.
Javelina in southern Texas.
Although Harris’s Hawk preys on mammals like rabbits and ground squirrels, it probably also takes birds when the opportunity presents itself. I doubt that the orioles were very pleased to see one near their nest!
Harris’s Hawk
Always lots of nice insects to photograph now too!
A small skipper species in southern Texas.