Monday, April 24, 2017--Day 2--Fallout on S. Padre Island

     It is 75 degrees at 7:45 am as we start out to see what has transpired fallout- and bird-wise overnight. 

     We stop on the way to check out the water tower. A fellow birder told us a Peregrine Falcon has claimed it as his own watchtower, and we easily spot him perched on the railing.

     On to Sheepshead Road, we find Lincoln Sparrows in abundance—practically the only sparrow to be found except for the uncommon House Sparrow. Talk about camouflage!

     Our new birding friend from Frontera is there and is very knowledgeable on warblers. This is a new way of looking for warblers for us, in these low green bushes. You watch for the leaves moving and occasionally see a spot of color which is the warbler. No more warbler neck from looking up in the trees! 

     If you are lucky, a Golden-winged Warbler appears. 

Of course, the downside is that he goes behind a leaf before you can get a good photo, but it is easier on your arms.

     Blue-winged Warbler sitting in his bushes and zoomed-in

     Blackburnian Warbler

     Tennessee Warbler before and after bath!

     It is difficult enough to ID the male birds that we haven’t seen before, but a real challenge to keep all the new females straightened out. 

     I was particularly thrilled to study an Ovenbird. I had heard them visiting my sis in Pennsylvania years ago, but could never find one, even though I looked hard. 

     When I saw it on the list as seen today, I tracked it down. It was so much smaller than its big song!

     Sun enhances the Baltimore Orioles already stunning colors. A photographer's dream.

     Today we had better looks at the birds, and there were more warblers and vireos. After deleting half of yesterdays photos, we were more deliberate in focusing today. We had also gained experience on how to photograph them, so had better results, like this Blue-headed Vireo,

 this Philadelphia Vireo,

and this female Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Eastern Kingbird.

     A Juvenile male Hooded Oriole

     Finally saw the REAL Reddish Egret instead of the white morph with Laughing Gulls and a Great-tailed Grackle!

     There were plenty of BIG LENS cameras, but some birders get great photos with smaller ones

     Hooded Warbler and Indigo Bunting and Scarlet Tanager

How is this for color?

     Black-throated Green Warbler and Yellow Warbler

     Pair of Indigo Buntings

     Bird checklist at Convention Center on Monday, April 24. Checks indicate was seen on Monday also.

     Nashville Warbler and Black-and-white Warbler

     Bay-breasted Warbler

     Another pair of those colorful Scarlet Tanagers

Three Buntings in a row, left to right male Painted, Indigo and Lazuli and female Cerulean Warbler

     Female Ruby-throated Hummingbird and Red-eyed Vireo

     Before calling it a day, we take a walk on the boardwalk in the evening sun

We can see the Convention Center behind us and our RV Park across the road

With the busy part of South Padre Island in front of us

     The Least Bittern is in his usual spot under the boardwalk

     We check out the ocean-side of the Convention Center

As the sun turns gold, we say goodbye to two fisherman 

and the day comes to a close on our second big fallout day at S. Padre Island. 

These photos show what Our Eyes Were On Today

There is really nothing more to say!!!!