It has been overcast the past two days, but always there is always something to see and photograph in southern Texas no matter what the weather. Granted, rainy days are tough and cloudy weather isn’t ideal for photography, but with some patience, you can come home with excellent shots.
Clapper Rail
Sometimes, rails are more active on cloudy days. Clappers are common in the salt marshes of south Texas but it’s always nice to see them. Green Kishifishers also posed nicely for the camera. There was one male and either one or two females but I can’t be certain because there was an hour’s difference between sightings.
This male Green Kingfisher caught a small fish.
The male Green Kingfisher can be recognized by its red-orange breast band.
The female Green Kingfisher looks just as nice as the male. A close look reveals ivory highlights on her white underparts.
A female Green Kingfisher waits for prey while perched above the water.
This female is showing the classic hunting pose of a Green Kingfisher.
Note the long, straight bill- ideal for catching minnows and small crustaceans.
I also saw lots of insects, including several blue metalmark butterflies which don’t show up in the Lower RGV every year!
This little beauty is a Silver-Banded Hairstreak
These striking insects are Red Cotton Stainer Bugs.
This jewel-like, odd creature is a Tortoise Beetle.
Although it’s essentially winter in south Texas, there is still plenty to see.