A Green Heron stands on a weathered log at the water's edge, enjoying the morning sun before beginning its grooming routine.

Morning Grooming

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Every morning, while sitting on the deck, I never know what is in store at the pond. Yesterday, for example, a couple of snapping turtles surprised me with their attempts at mating — I had never seen snapping turtles here … Read More

Red-bellied Woodpecker clinging to the side of a small blue bird feeder, stretching its beak toward a seed port, with green foliage blurred in the background.

An Acrobat at the Feeder

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In my ongoing struggle to keep squirrels off a bird feeder (yeah, probably a lost cause), I can report that for four days now I have not seen a squirrel attacking the feeder in its new location. Instead, I have … Read More

A Striated Heron stands on wet, leaf-strewn mud at the water’s edge, its gray-and-cream streaked plumage and yellow legs catching the light as it fixes on the shallows. Ibirapuera Park, São Paulo, Brazil, 2023.

The Same Heron, Two Continents Apart

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Back in December 2023, I wrote about my first Striated Heron, spotted while we walked through Ibirapuera Park in São Paulo. On weekends, the park’s 390 acres (158 hectares) fill with thousands of people, so I was surprised to find … Read More

A Green Heron stands in shallow water at the edge of an algae-covered pond, its neck drawn low against its body in a classic crouched hunting stance. Morning light reveals the bird's iridescent green back and rust-colored neck. Teravista, Round Rock, Texas.

Two Years by the Pond: A Green Heron on Alert

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It has now been two years since we moved to Teravista in Round Rock, Texas. It has been full of good mornings on the deck overlooking our natural pond — some spent in quiet meditation, many more just watching whatever … Read More

A Greater Roadrunner stands tall and alert in a sun-drenched meadow of Indian Blanket wildflowers, gazing skyward with a composed, slightly regal expression. Soft golden light and a painterly blur of red and gold blooms surround the bird. Likely the female.

Love Dance

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I was out walking and photographing wildflowers at Southwest Williamson County Regional Park when a movement in the grass caught my eye. A Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) — not an unusual sight on the Texas trails I frequent — but … Read More

Side profile of a Crested Caracara walking through a green field, showing its hooked bill with an orange base and pale blue-gray tip, black crest, pale barred neck and breast, dark brown wings and long tail, and bright yellow legs.

Carcará in Texas: Meeting the Crested Caracara

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During a recent walk at Berry Springs Park & Preserve in Georgetown, Texas, one of my friends pointed out this Crested Caracara in a distant field. That was a lifer for me. I had heard about this bird of prey … Read More

Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus) perched on a bare branch against a pale sky, showing rufous wing and tail feathers, buffy underparts, and raised crest — National Butterfly Center, Mission, Texas.

A Flash of Yellow in the Canopy

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“It’s not what you look at that matters,it’s what you see.” — Henry David Thoreau Spring migration through South Texas brings surprises, and this Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus) was one of the first birds to greet me during my … Read More

Close-up of a male Red-Winged Blackbird perched beside a green wire suet feeder at Garey Park in Georgetown, Texas, his glossy black body filling the frame and a flash of red and yellow showing on his folded shoulder.

Wings of Fire: A Red-Winged Blackbird in Full Display

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Since I first spotted a Red-Winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) many years ago, I have always wanted to see one with its wings thrown wide — shoulders flared, the scarlet epaulets blazing in the sun. It was not until last month, … Read More

A male Golden-Fronted Woodpecker perched on a mossy mesquite branch, body turned upward and beak tilted toward the sky, showing its bright golden-yellow forehead, buff-colored breast, and finely barred black-and-white back, framed by feathery green leaves.

Wearing the Sun: Meeting the Golden-Fronted Woodpecker

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My visit to South Texas continues to be a source of never-ending pleasures. Whether photographing the flora or fauna, there were plenty — and I mean plenty! — of observations to use. So much of what I captured was first-time … Read More

A Green Jay with a lime-green back, lemon-yellow belly, and blue-and-black head forages along the forest floor among fallen twigs and leaf litter at the National Butterfly Center.

A Green Jay for Earth Day: Treasures of the National Butterfly Center

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I spent five days around South Padre Island and Mission, Texas, last week. One place I wanted to visit was the National Butterfly Center. I was not sure what I would find, but knowing the Center is right on the … Read More

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