Pic of the Day

Plain Chachalaca, Ortalis vetula:  Bentsen State Park, Texas

     On November 15, I was at Bentsen State Park in the Rio Grande Valley photographing Green Jays, Great Kiskadees and Plain Chachalacas.  The Chachalaca is a noisy, social bird that travels through the woods in fairly large groups.  It is a game bird, but it's smaller size makes it less desirable to hunters than the larger turkey.  Maybe one of the reason I liked the Chachalaca so much is that it remined me of the turkey, and it was less than two week before thanksgiving.  Or, maybe its because I just love saying, Cha-Cha-La-caaaaaa!

Click this link to here calls of the Chachalaca: http://birds.audubon.org/birds/plain-chachalaca

Pic of the Day

Green Jay, Cyanocorax yncas:  Bentsen State Park, Texas

     Though I shot this image a Bentsen State Park, the Green Jay is a common bird through out the Rio Grand Valley.  In every park and refuge I went, I found the Green Jay to be a loud vociferous bird that ruled the roost.  Well, at least the feeder. 

     This bird was perched on a branch just above a feeder where it typically would alight before dropping to the feeder.  The predictable behavior made it quite easy to get photographs of this beautiful Neotropical species. To learn more about birding at Bentsen State Park go to: http://www.theworldbirdingcenter.com/Bentsen.html

Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f4, 1/320 second. @ f6.3

Pic of the Day

Green Jay, Cyanocorax yncas;  Bentsen State Park; McAllen, Texas

     I spent the last three days in McAllen, Texas birding in the Rio Grande Valley; the number one birding destination in the USA.  There are thirty-nine species on the ABA (American Birding Association) check list that can only be found in the valley.  On my short, fast paced stint I saw at least a dozen or more of those specialty species.   Ten of those specialties were lifers that I saw.  The Green Jay is not only an exotic, but it is also the official bird of McAllen.  I shot this Green Jay at Bentsen State Park, just southeast of the center of town.  McAllen is a birder's paradise, and a "must," destination for any birder, or those who just love to watching birds.  
Follow this link to learn more about birding at Bentsen State Park: www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/bentsen-rio-grande-valley

Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f4, 1/160 sec. @ f7.1