Traveling and Photographing in the great state of Texas … and beyond …
Wildlife Found in the great state of Texas along with some relevant information.
The Barred Owl is a medium sized and large-headed owl with large, brown eyes, concentric rings around pale face, no ear tufts. Upperparts are brown with white markings. Underparts are white with dark bars on breast and dark streaks on belly. Heavily streaked, spotted, and variegated brown, white, and buff overall.
This particular owl was spotted and photographed at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, Sherman, Texas.
The bird commonly known as the American Robin is one of the most familiar birds all across North America. From the wilds of Alaska to the Florida Everglades, from Cabo San Lucas to Nova Scotia, from Mexico to Canada at some point in the year a person just about anywhere in North America is certain to see a Robin. A group of Robins is known as a “worm” of Robins. The Robin is at home in towns and cities as well as in the forest or in meadows. I find Robins just about everywhere I go in the state of Texas.
Medium sized thrush with dark gray head and upperparts.
White splotches around the eyes.
White throat with black streaks
Vibrant red breast.
The Brown Thrasher is a medium thrasher with rufous upperparts and black-streaked, pale brown underparts. Eyes are yellow. Brown-black bill curves down and the lower mandible has a pale base. Wings have two white and black bars. Tail is long and red-brown. Legs and feet are brown. Fast flight on shallow, rapid wing beats.
Brown Thrashers have the largest repertoire of songs of all the North American birds and are able to vocalize 3000 distinct songs. They have an absolutely beautiful voice, in my opinion. They are a very aggressive defender of their nest, and have been known to strike people and dogs hard enough to draw blood. Populations seem to be slowly declining throughout their range. We are on the western edge of its year-round range and in the middle of its winter range in North Texas.
I was just sitting in my favorite local birding spot right behind my office in a greenbelt thicket, and this beautiful creature just jumped in front of my camera and belted out the most beautiful sounds. I hear these birds quite often, now I know what they look like too!! In the link at the bottom of the page, you will have access to the different sounds they make.
More Information: Information
Texas is the winter home to numerous bald eagles. Every year in the winter more sightings are generally noted. This year at least three have been sighted (and photographed) at our home refuge on the shores of Lake Texoma. These creatures are known to hunt for fish as well as mammals and on occasion waterfowl. For that reason, they are more likely to be found around bodies of water. If you have never seen one in the wild, it is a sight to behold. Their power, majesty and grace are unparalleled. It is no wonder whatsoever why this bird was chosen as our national symbol.
This photo was taken just after sunrise with a 150 to 500mm zoom while standing in 5 foot vegetation, handheld, from a distance of approximately 50 yards.
These photos were taken in bright sunlight with a 150 to 500mm zoom peering through the forest from a distance of approximately 30 yards.
This photo was taken with a 150 to 500mm zoom in the early morning light about 30 minutes after sunrise across a farm field at a distance of approximately 75 yards.
All images were taken with a Nikon D5100 at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, Sherman, Texas on Febuary 17 2013.
Our Home Refuge (I am here at least weekly unless we are out of town): Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge and please visit: Friends of Hagerman
Some Resources for further study:
The white throated sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) is a member of the family Emberizidae.
The breast has gray/tan streaks, the streaks continue down the flanks, however, the belly is generally light gray. The wings are rufous with two distinct white wing bars.
There are two adult plumage variations known as the tan-striped and white-striped forms. On the white-striped form the crown is black with a white central stripe. On the tan form, the crown is dark brown with a tan central stripe.
Some individuals may show dark lateral stripes of each side of the throat.
In the northeastern U.S. and across most of Canada, white-throateds breed in forests within dense undergrowth. The conversion of forested lands to agricultural fields does eliminate potential breeding habitats, as it does for many species.
In Texas, these birds are plentiful in the winter months and can be seen most anywhere food is available. These birds do frequent backyard feeders and are right at home in a dense forest area.
Photo taken in Frisco, Texas Febuary 5, 2013
The photo, above shows, clearly, the field marks of the white-striped form or morph. It also shows an individual with dark lateral stripes on each side of the throat.
The Carolina Wren is the state bird of South Carolina. It is found in Central to Eastern Texas year round. Stunning little creature with cinnamon color plumage, barred tail and wing feathers, tail often cocked upward while perched.
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