Lesser Scaup

by | Feb 12, 2012 | Birding

Two scaup species live in North America: the Greater Scaup prefers salt water and is found in America and Eurasia, while the Lesser Scaup prefers freshwater and is found only in North America. The Lesser Scaup is one of the most abundant and widespread of the diving...

Spotted Towhee

by | Feb 12, 2012 | Birding

“The Spotted Towhee is a large, striking sparrow of sun-baked thickets of the West. When you catch sight of one, they’re gleaming black above (females are grayish), spotted and striped with brilliant white. Their warm rufous flanks match the dry leaves they spend...

Ladder-backed Woodpecker

by | Feb 5, 2012 | Birding

For the past week, we’ve seen or heard two different woodpeckers on the property – the  Ladder-backed and the Golden-fronted.  Today, I was able to find and photograph both the male and female Ladder-backed Woodpeckers.  Hopefully, we can catch the...

Birding in Texas

by | Jan 31, 2012 | Birding

Fun mix of birds here this time of year with both “Texas only” birds and wintering migrants.  We have seen about 40 species in our first few days here.  Every morning there are 100’s of Chipping Sparrows feeding on the ground and dozen’s of Gold Finches on...