Two more Lifers

We are running out of time on the Gulf Coast, and so we’re heading back to some of the birding locations that we hit when we first got here to see if we might find something different, and to get a bird fix before it’s too late.  We headed back to Hugh Ramsey Nature Park in Harlingen, and were rewarded for the drive. We spotted this Orange Crowned Warbler, which is noted for not having any really remarkable features – it appears to be just a small green bird. We weren’t lucky enough to see it excited, which is the only time its bright orange crown is visible. Again, we’d probably seen these guys before, just never actually identified them, making it a Lifer for us.

We had a good day. We saw Buff-bellied Hummingbirds, male and female Cardinals, Green Jays, Hooded Orioles, Thrashers, Golden Fronted Woodpeckers, and got really up close and personal with a huge Javelina. But we finally saw a bird that we have never seen before. And he was gorgeous! Not just a bird we had seen before but just not identified, a totally new bird for us. This Black Crested Titmouse winters all over the South coast of the US.

The signs of approaching spring are seen everywhere. We’re seeing all kinds of buds and emerging flowers wherever we go. But while there are more colorful blooms we see around, there is probably none more striking than when the tops of the Yucca plants explode in bloom. You can spot these guys from miles away!

BTW, holy crap! I turned 65 today - what a geezer! Honestly, I never really thought I would make it, but I am kinda glad I did!

Talk to you soon!