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Sunday, April 11, 2010

Laguna Atascosa NWR, Texas

Howdee all.

While here on the coast Jeff and I went several times to

Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife refuge

We drove the 16 mile loop road..in hopes of seeing the Aplomado Falcon.Laguna Altacosa_005

We had fun birding here..Laguna Altacosa_007 and did a short side trail..seeing a few birds and picking up some ticks as well.

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We saw bunnies, deer and a bobcatlaguna altacosa_004 Crested Cara Cara

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There were plenty of shorebirds in the bay…we had mostly distant views..Laguna Altacosa_017 So ..not any photos…too far for my lens..

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   Instead I took photos of the clouds

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and landscape..

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and Jeff watching the birdsLaguna Altacosa_017Laguna Altacosa_009The Prickly pear cactus are blooming..  Laguna Altacosa_024A viewing stand…Laguna Altacosa_036 very distant views of Red-head Ducks..

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Just a few Yuccas still blooming..most have finished and have gone to seed heads.. Laguna Altacosa_034

Either before of after the drive..

We would stop at the visitor centre for some birding

Laguna Altacosa_002 There are a few trails.. Laguna Altacosa_004Laguna Altacosa_005Beautiful wildflowers..  Laguna Altacosa_006feeders set out to attract the birds..

Green Jaylaguna altacosa_074 Padre Island birding_218  Padre Island birding_217 Altamira oriole

Padre Island birding_225Padre Island birding_236oriole building its nest..laguna altacosa_098

Bronzed cowbirdlaguna altacosa_029Plain chachalacalaguna altacosa_084

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Female Great-tailed grackle

laguna altacosa_113And unidentified butterflylaguna altacosa_096  We didn't see the Aplomado falcon

But we did have some

Birds of the Day

Great-tailed grackle,Altamira oriole,Mockingbird,Common yellowthroat
Long-billed Thrasher,Turkey vulture,Cardinal,Roadrunner,Bob white,White-tailed kite
Black vulture.White-tailed hawk,White-eyed vireo,Morning dove,Meadowlark
Red-winged blackbird,Little blue heron,American Coot,Eared grebe,Pied-billed grebe
Northern shoveler,Greater yellowlegs, Least sandpiper,Ruddy duck,Loggerhead shrike
Long-billed curlew,Great blue heron,Willet ,Black-bellied plover,Long-billed thrasher
Great egret,Red-breasted merganser,Caspian tern,White ibis,Fosters tern,Piping plover
Mottled duck,Crested caracara,Double crested Cormorant.Redhead,Blue-winged teal
Common moorhen,Northern harrier,Golden-fronted woodpecker,Least sandpiper
Curved-bill thrasher,Cattle egret,Harris hawk,Anhinga, Lesser yellowlegs
Short-billed dowitcher,Long-billed dowitcher,Least sandpiper,Stilt sandpiper
Western sandpiper, Kestrel, Whimbrel

11 comments:

  1. Sounds like an awesome location!

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  2. Even though you didn't see the bird you came for, you had some great birds there and beautiful sceneries.
    Love all those colours in the birds and the landscape!

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  3. Looks like a wonderful place to birds. Love the skies, scenery and all the cool birds. The Green Jay is one of my favorites that I hope to see some day.

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  4. Your pics are awesome Dawn! Sounds like fabulous birding!!

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  5. Dawn, a really nice spot there. I love the Yuccas. Great bird shots, the colors on the green jay look like painted with watercolors.
    Safe journeys

    dan

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  6. Sounds like yet another great location. What can you expect with great bird lists and free puppies on every road? Great marketing, that. I would have been driving the 20 hours home with a new pup I think.

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  7. Oops, commenting on the wrong post - even though this location didn't have puppies it sure seems to make up for it with great birds, and a bonus bobcat! Nice.

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  8. Hmmm. Oranges. I think I need some of those. Great idea & wonderful pictures of a 16 mile bird ...anza.

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  9. Great landscape and cloud shots and I loved that green jay. It was so pretty/ I like the orange one too, but forgot the name of it.

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  10. What an impressive bird list & some lovely scenary photos from "baby camera". That's it...I'm going in November.

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  11. Thanks everyone for you nice Comments....Laguna Altacosa is a great birding spot..Dont miss it if you travel to the south of Texas!

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ok what do you really think?????