A pair of whooping cranes is flying low over a grassy area on the bay. They are very large white birds with black wing tips.
#BirdoftheDay
#LargeBirdsinFlight
I'm going to the archives for this one because my first thought was Whooping Cranes!! I saw these rare lovelies in January 2024 at #AransasNWR. With a wingspan of 7 feet+ (2.1 meters+), I think they qualify for today's theme.
#birds #originalcontent #photography 📷🪶
It has been such a thrill to see Whooping Cranes here in Texas. Once down to just 15 individuals, there are nearly 600 here at the Aransas NWR. Hunting and habitat loss nearly rendered the species extinct, but now there's hope! ❤️❤️❤️ #WhoopingCrane #AransasNWR #BirdsSeenIn2026
A kingfisher is perched on the branch of what looks to be a small dead tree with a small fish in its long pointed bill. The head, wings and upper chest of the bird are a lovely slate gray. The neck and belly are white.
#BirdoftheDay
#AlansNemesis
Is the Kingfisher a nemesis for @alan678.bsky.social because they are difficult to capture at times? I was lucky to catch this Belted Kingfisher pausing to eat its breakfast at #AransasNWR back in February. (Previously posted)
#birds #originalcontent #photography 📷🪶
A large alligator on a grassy bank with its mouth wide open showing lots of teeth. It almost looks like s/he is smiling.
Happy #Critterday! I'd like this photo better but it reminds me that I have a dental procedure coming up.
#originalcontent #photography 📷🦎
Alligator, #AransasNWR, Feb 2025
A close up showing the heron's blue-gray head and neck, purple shoulders and white throat.
And one final Tricolored Heron for #FeatheredFriday. This close up shows more of the purple color around the lower neck that is part of the heron's color palette.
#AransasNWR #birds #originalcontent #photography 📷
5/5
A Tricolored Heron at the top of a bare tree against a backdrop of blue sky.
Another Tricolored Heron for #FeatheredFriday, this one with the neck tucked in and showing the white stripe that runs down the front of the throat.
#AransasNWR #birds #originalcontent #photography 📷
4/5
The heron is striding forward through shallow water with the neck fully extended as it is likely hunting for breakfast. The base of the neck to the tip of the long dagger-like bill looks to be close to 2 feet long.
Another Tricolored Heron for #FeatheredFriday. I think this is the first time I have seen the neck fully extended. It's hard to believe that neck can be tucked away so neatly!
#AransasNWR #birds #originalcontent #photography 📷
3/5
This one shows the heron with the neck untucked and extended in a reverse S shape as it strides through shallow water. Its long long legs also fully extended.
Another Tricolored Heron for #FeatheredFriday. Look at those legs!
#AransasNWR #birds #originalcontent #photography 📷
2/5
A Tricolored Heron poised on a branch with reeds in the background. The entire photo is bathed in early morning sunlight. The heron is primarily a blueish-gray with rusty accents and a white belly. The long bill is black on top and orange on the bottom extending to the eye. The legs are long and yellow.
During my recent trip to #AransasNWR, I saw several beautiful Tricolored Herons. These interesting birds give you different looks depending on what they're up to. For #FeatheredFriday, a thread of these cool birds. #birds #originalcontent #photography 📷
First, my favorite in soft morning light
1/5
Several gulls and dowitchers are standing in shallow pale blue water and are reflected almost perfectly in the smooth still water.
For #WaterWednesday, I really liked how still and reflective the water was on my boat tour of #AransasNWR last month. Laughing Gulls and Long-billed Dowitchers (I think). #birds #originalcontent #photography 📷
A beautiful small raptor perches precariously on a twig at the top of a tree. This male kestrel has a gray head and white face with two black streaks on the neck below the eyes, a rust-colored body with black spots, orange feet and claws and a longish tail. It is very cute.
This American Kestrel appeared to be enjoying the sunshine on a pretty day earlier this month at #AransasNWR. Enjoy those days when you get them. Happy Sunday! #birds #originalcontent #photography 📷
An armadillo digging in the leaves. You can see a long pointed pink snout and pointy ears on a scaly gray head that is small for its body. You can only see a little of its body in this photo but you can see its gray armorlike scaly covering and one of its front claws which is pink.
In this photo, the armadillo has its nose down in the leaves, but you can clearly see the bands of "armor" on its body.
Another photo of the armadillo with its head down in the leaves but its small beady eye and pointed ears visible as well as the front part of its body and a scaly pink foot.
Happy #Critterday! On days that the birds are being quiet and coy, you should still keep your eyes open. You never know what you'll see on that walk in the woods.
Armadillo digging for bugs, #AransasNWR, Feb 2025
#mammals 🦊 #originalcontent
A Whooping Crane standing in a field with one leg raised. It is a good look at the red skin on the forehead, the black face by the long bill and the beautifully fluffy "bustle" of snow white feathers at the tail of this large white bird.
My timeline is largely a hot mess right now so I'm bringing back my Whoopers for another #FeatheredFriday as a timeline cleanse. First off, Mama Whooping Crane looking absolutely fetching! #AransasNWR Feb 2025. #birds #originalcontent #photography 📷
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Several gulls and terns surround a Black Skimmer. The skimmer has a black head, back and wings, a white face, neck, chest and belly and a long distinctive two-tone bill, orange toward the face and black toward the tip.
Not the greatest of photos, but a new lifer is a new lifer! Amongst the terns and gulls, I found a Black Skimmer on my boat tour of the #AransasNWR a couple weeks back. Very distinctive bird! #birds #originalcontent 📷
A large bulky bird with white head and upper body and pink wings and lower body is standing in shallow water, facing the camera. The bird's spoonbill (a very long bill that tapers in the middle and expands to a wide paddle-shape at the end) is dripping water. He/she likely just went fishing and came up empty except for a mouthful of water.
This feels like a Monday kind of post. Roseate Spoonbill, #AransasNWR, February 2025. #birds #originalcontent #photography 📷
Two shorebirds, one behind the other facing in opposite directions are sitting on a rocky shore. They both have black heads, necks and backs with white bellies. But what makes them really stand out is the bright orange eye and bright orange long bill.
Last weekend at #AransasNWR was the first time I've ever gotten a good photo of American Oystercatchers. I get as excited by that as I do at getting a new lifer! #birds #originalcontent #photography 📷
Several turkeys crossing a field, including a couple of large toms.
I didn't even have my camera out yet, but luckily had my cell phone handy to catch these Wild Turkeys greeting me at the entrance to #AransasNWR over the weekend. I had to get a picture for @prepekka98.bsky.social!! #birds #originalcontent #photography 📷
A Common Gallinule crosses a log on the water, casting a reflection. The chicken-like bird of mostly black and brown with spots of white has a distinctive orange and yellow beak. You can see the long yellow legs (with a spot of orange near the body) and the really long toes as one of the legs is raised to take a step. The background is of brown and tan reeds which are also reflected in the water.
From the weekend at #AransasNWR, I really liked this photo of a Common Gallinule for getting a good look at those awesome feet! #WaterWednesday #birds #originalcontent #photography 📷
A Belted Kingfisher rests on a bare branch and shows his catch of the day, a small fish with its tail hanging out of the bill on the side toward the camera. The Kingfisher is a stocky bird with a deep blue-gray head and wings, a white neck and belly and a thick blue-gray stripe across the chest. The background is muted grasses and scrub trees.
From a fabulous boat tour yesterday out of Fulton, TX that explored #AransasNWR from the water, we spied this Belted Kingfisher having a bit of breakfast. Have a great day, y'all!! #birds #originalcontent #photography 📷
Roseate Spoonbills taking off and showing me their tail ends!
A bonus #FeatheredFriday. I like to call this one, "Was it something I said?" Roseate Spoonbills taking umbrage with my presence. #AransasNWR #birds #originalcontent #photography 📷
