Just back from a few days at Fort Davis. Stopped in at Sandia Wetlands (a nice stop just off I10) and Lake Balmorhea and had 9 species of shorebird. Killdeer, BN Stilt, Avocet, Wilson’s Phal, Spotted Sand, Western Sand (flyby), Upland Sand (several flyovers), Greater yellowlegs and my fav: fly right over the head 12 LB Curlews.
I didn’t get any pix of shorebirds as they were distant, but had a great time with insects.
Ok, it’s insect time. Here’s one of my top 3 insects — White-lined Sphinx. Found2 of these beauties at Lake Balmorhea. Interestingly, my camera on pretty high speed seemed to be exactly coordinated with the wingbeats. I always feel that these guys are mimicking hummingbirds to avoid predation.
In addition to birds, photography of insects has greatly enhanced my NEDs (nature exploration days)!! Was pleased to find 6 examples of my favorite beetle yesterday!
Had 13 shorebird species at Lake Balmorhea this morning. American Avocet, Less Yellowlegs, Greater Yellowlegs, Least Sandpiper, Snowy Plover, Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper, Long-billed Curlew, Upland Sandpiper, Black-necked stilt, Solitary Sandpiper, Wilson’s Phalarope, and Western Sandpiper. Other birds of interest were: an early Ring-billed gull, Tricolored Heron, Black terns, Forster’s Tern, Neotropic cormorant and Black and…
A few trans-Pecos birds.
Bugs are cool too!! But small. This is some type of Robber Fly.
I just can’t stop !!
