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.
Description
Medium sized thrush with dark gray head and upperparts.
White splotches around the eyes.
White throat with black streaks
Vibrant red breast.
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.
Bald Eagle at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, Texas
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.
Bald Eagle Perched above Big Mineral Creek, Texas
Bald Eagle using it’s Talon as a toothpick
These photos were taken in bright sunlight with a 150 to 500mm zoom peering through the forest from a distance of approximately 30 yards.
Bald Eagle perched in the tree tops early in the morning
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.
We were looking for something to do, today. We looked through the events catalog for the lakes and prairies area of Texas (AKA North East Texas) and Mineola’s “Invitation to Musicians to play in the Gazebo” started today!! 🙂 So, in true form I map out this whole route …. out on US 80 … stop at Terrell, Wills Point, Edgewood, Grand Saline, on to Mineola. Saw a few things along the way …. Our plan was to arrive at 11 … stake out an area to listen to some bluegrass or country Jamming have lunch see the town and head back using US 69 South out of Mineola stop at the Mineola Wildlife Preserve and on to Lindale pick up TX 16 West over to Canton then 243 out of Canton into Kaufman then US 175 out of Kaufman back to Dallas.
Everything went Perfect!! EXCEPT NO MUSICIANS SHOWED UP!! lol!! We about half expected that, anyway. No harm. We spent the day traveling, and that is exactly what we wanted to do. We had lunch at the East Texas Burger Company right in Downtown Mineola and it Was fantastic!! Excellent Food, Excellent Service, Excellent atmosphere!! Make sure you try it!! AND the fried Pie was Fabulous!! (We had Peach and Apricot) East Texas Burger
We went to the Mineola Historical Museum in the old post office (It’s free, but, donations are accepted … and if you are like us you will be compelled to leave one) That place was amazing!! So many artifacts to see, it is well worth the time it takes to look.
Mineola Historical Museum
We learned the there were two rail lines in Mineola in the old days. Texas and Pacific ran Dallas to Mineola and International and Great Northern ran Mineola to Tyler.
Texas and Pacific Caboose #13553 and the Historic Turn of the Century Beckham Hotel
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.
White Throated Sparrow Habitat:
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/Details/Information:
Photo taken in Frisco, Texas Febuary 5, 2013
White Throated Sparrow
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.
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