2020-03-16 Aransas NWR Day 2 | shadeTreeImaging

White Ibis - Eudocimus albus — This flock of White Ibis put a smile on my face when they flew overhead and dropped into the marsh beyond my view. It was my second day at Aransas NWR on Monday. It was only a half day there, where I mostly spent my time at Heron Flats. The cranes that eluded me on Sunday gave themselves to me on this morning, as did some other nice birds.

“Wow” hardly seems sufficient to describe my morning! I stayed in Austwell Sunday night and I was only 12 miles from Aransas NWR, so I could achieve an early launch time. I arrived at the reserve as it was still dark. I parked by the Heron Flats Trail and walked out to the platform, hoping to see the outline of tall white birds nearby. I saw none, so I walked back to the RV to take a nap.

When the day brightened up I walked out to the platform to capture some scenery images, and I saw cranes working the grassy marsh not far away. So I walked back to the RV and gathered my long lens gear and hiked out on the marsh trail to get as close as possible. I was lucky the birds were walking in my direction. The 460 foot gap (measured with Google Maps) between me and the cranes would have been better at the 100 feet I’d have liked, but it was a damn sight better than the one mile view I experienced Sunday.

The cranes weren’t my only treat this morning. I met Tricolored, Great Blue, and Little Blue Herons. There was also a delightful moment when a flock of White Ibis flew over low, allowing a series of image captures.

I signed up for a boat tour for Tuesday morning. Several people I spoke with recommended the “Skimmer” and her captain Tommy Moore, so I drove at midday to Rockport (Texas) where I planned to spend the rest of the day resting and processing pictures. (You’ll learn later that the universe had other plans for me and my time.)

The subjects I captured at the reserve this morning were American Coot, Neotropic Cormorant, Double-Crested Cormorant, Dowitchers, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Osprey, Pied-Billed Grebe, Royal Tern, Tricolored Heron, White Ibis, White-Tailed Deer, and Whooping Crane.

American Coot - Fulica americana — **American Coot**
*(Fulica americana)*

**Description:**
My second day at Aransas NWR on Monday, was only a half day, mostly spent at Heron Flats. The cranes that eluded me on Sunday gave themselves to me on this morning, as did some other nice birds.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:03:16 9:51

**Location:**

Aransas NWR
Austwell, Texas
United States
52.49 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/7.1, 1/1000

**File Name:** AmericanCoot_D501926-Aransas-NWR

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Pin It — **American Coot**
*(Fulica americana)*

**Description:**
My second day at Aransas NWR on Monday, was only a half day, mostly spent at Heron Flats. The cranes that eluded me on Sunday gave themselves to me on this morning, as did some other nice birds.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2020:03:16 9:51

**Location:**

Aransas NWR
Austwell, Texas
United States
52.49 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/7.1, 1/1000

**File Name:** AmericanCoot_D501926-Aransas-NWR

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Neotropic Cormorant - Phalacrocorax brasilianus — **Neotropic Cormorant**
*(Phalacrocorax brasilianus)*

**Description:**
Loafing cormorants. My second day at Aransas NWR on Monday, was only a half day, mostly spent at Heron Flats. The cranes that eluded me on Sunday gave themselves to me on this morning, as did some other nice birds.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:03:16 9:43

**Location:**

Aransas NWR
Austwell, Texas
United States
52.49 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/7.1, 1/1000

**File Name:** NeotropicCormorant_D501900_Aransas-NWR

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Double-Crested Cormorant - Phalacrocorax auritus — **Double-Crested Cormorant**
*(Phalacrocorax auritus)*

**Description:**
Cormorant flyover. My second day at Aransas NWR on Monday, was only a half day, mostly spent at Heron Flats. The cranes that eluded me on Sunday gave themselves to me on this morning, as did some other nice birds.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:03:16 9:50

**Location:**

Aransas NWR
Austwell, Texas
United States
52.49 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/7.1, 1/4000

**File Name:** DoubleCrestedCormorant_D501914-Aransas-NWR

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Dowitcher Species - Limnodromus sp. — **Dowitcher Species**
*(Limnodromus sp.)*

**Description:**
I hesitate to make the call for these birds, but this near the coast I would think "Short-Billed" most likely. My second day at Aransas NWR on Monday, was only a half day, mostly spent at Heron Flats. The cranes that eluded me on Sunday gave themselves to me on this morning, as did some other nice birds.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:03:16 9:54

**Location:**

Aransas NWR
Austwell, Texas
United States
52.49 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/7.1, 1/1600

**File Name:** Dowitcher_D501964-Aransas-NWR

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Great Blue Heron - Ardea herodias — **Great Blue Heron**
*(Ardea herodias)*

**Description:**
Heron landing. This is the SECOND tallest bird on the reserve. My second day at Aransas NWR on Monday, was only a half day, mostly spent at Heron Flats. The cranes that eluded me on Sunday gave themselves to me on this morning, as did some other nice birds.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:03:16 9:55

**Location:**

Aransas NWR
Austwell, Texas
United States
52.49 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/7.1, 1/1250

**File Name:** GreatBlueHeron_D501991-Aransas-NWR

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Great Egret - Ardea alba — **Great Egret**
*(Ardea alba)*

**Description:**
I met this Great Egret foaraging for its breakfast. My second day at Aransas NWR on Monday, was only a half day, mostly spent at Heron Flats. The cranes that eluded me on Sunday gave themselves to me on this morning, as did some other nice birds.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:03:16 10:21

**Location:**

Aransas NWR
Austwell, Texas
United States
52.49 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/7.1, 1/1000

**File Name:** GreatEgret_D502241-Aransas-NWR

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Osprey - Pandion haliaetus — **Osprey**
*(Pandion haliaetus)*

**Description:**
Osprey hunting for breakfast over the marsh. My second day at Aransas NWR on Monday, was only a half day, mostly spent at Heron Flats. The cranes that eluded me on Sunday gave themselves to me on this morning, as did some other nice birds.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2020:03:16 9:53

**Location:**

Aransas NWR
Austwell, Texas
United States
52.49 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/7.1, 1/4000

**File Name:** Osprey_D501959-Aransas-NWR

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Pied-Billed Grebe - Podilymbus podiceps — **Pied-Billed Grebe**
*(Podilymbus podiceps)*

**Description:**
My second day at Aransas NWR on Monday, was only a half day, mostly spent at Heron Flats. The cranes that eluded me on Sunday gave themselves to me on this morning, as did some other nice birds.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2020:03:16 9:39

**Location:**

Aransas NWR
Austwell, Texas
United States
52.49 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/7.1, 1/1000

**File Name:** PiedBilledGrebe_D501873-Aransas-NWR

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Royal Tern - Thalasseus maximus — **Royal Tern**
*(Thalasseus maximus)*

**Description:**
This Royal Tern foraging over Thomas Pond fooled me at first to believing it was an Elegant Tern. Study of the pictures revealed its true identity. My second day at Aransas NWR on Monday, was only a half day, mostly spent at Heron Flats.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:03:16 9:59

**Location:**

Aransas NWR
Austwell, Texas
United States
52.49 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/7.1, 1/2000

**File Name:** RoyalTern_D502058-Aransas-NWR

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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The Pond At Heron Flats - Scenery — **The Pond At Heron Flats**
*(Scenery)*

**Description:**
This quiet pond greets visitors to Heron Flats. My second day at Aransas NWR on Monday, was only a half day, mostly spent at Heron Flats. The cranes that eluded me on Sunday gave themselves to me on this morning, as did some other nice birds.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:03:16 9:08

**Location:**

Aransas NWR
Austwell, Texas
United States
13.12 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON Z 7, 24 mm, f/11.0, 1/160

**File Name:** Scenery-HeronFlats_Z7X1212-Aransas-NWR

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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The Marsh At Heron Flats - Scenery — **The Marsh At Heron Flats**
*(Scenery)*

**Description:**
White-Tailed Deer wandered into this scene for me. My second day at Aransas NWR on Monday, was only a half day, mostly spent at Heron Flats. The cranes that eluded me on Sunday gave themselves to me on this morning, as did some other nice birds.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2020:03:16 9:08

**Location:**

Aransas NWR
Austwell, Texas
United States
13.12 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON Z 7, 70 mm, f/11.0, 1/200

**File Name:** Scenery-HeronFlats_Z7X1213-Aransas-NWR

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Tricolored Heron - Egretta tricolor — **Tricolored Heron**
*(Egretta tricolor)*

**Description:**
This adult bird was working the shallow marsh waters near the observation deck at well named "Heron Flats". My second day at Aransas NWR on Monday, was only a half day, mostly spent at Heron Flats. The cranes that eluded me on Sunday gave themselves to me on this morning, as did some other nice birds.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2020:03:16 9:17

**Location:**

Aransas NWR
Austwell, Texas
United States
52.49 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/7.1, 1/1000

**File Name:** TriColoredHeron_D501555-Aransas-NWR

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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American White Ibis - Eudocimus albus — **American White Ibis**
*(Eudocimus albus)*

**Description:**
This flock of White Ibis put a smile on my face when they flew overhead and dropped into the marsh beyond my view. My second day at Aransas NWR on Monday, was only a half day, mostly spent at Heron Flats. The cranes that eluded me on Sunday gave themselves to me on this morning, as did some other nice birds.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2020:03:16 9:20

**Location:**

Aransas NWR
Austwell, Texas
United States
52.49 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/7.1, 1/1250

**File Name:** WhiteIbis_D501603-Aransas-NWR

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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White-Tailed Deer - Odocoileus virginianus — **White-Tailed Deer**
*(Odocoileus virginianus)*

**Description:**
I saw White-Tailed on each of my three visits. My second day at Aransas NWR on Monday, was only a half day, mostly spent at Heron Flats. The cranes that eluded me on Sunday gave themselves to me on this morning, as did some other nice birds.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2020:03:16 9:36

**Location:**

Aransas NWR
Austwell, Texas
United States
52.49 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/7.1, 1/640

**File Name:** WhiteTailedDeer_D501855-Aransas-NWR

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Whooping Crane - Grus americana — **Whooping Crane**
*(Grus americana)*

**Description:**
The five foot tall crane walks past the much smaller Tricolored Heron. My second day at Aransas NWR on Monday, was only a half day, mostly spent at Heron Flats. The cranes that eluded me on Sunday gave themselves to me on this morning, as did some other nice birds.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:03:16 9:33

**Location:**

Aransas NWR
Austwell, Texas
United States
52.49 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/7.1, 1/1000

**File Name:** WhoopingCrane_D501767-Aransas-NWR

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Click map markers to reveal further information

American Coot

Fulica americana

My second day at Aransas NWR on Monday, was only a half day, mostly spent at Heron Flats. The cranes that eluded me on Sunday gave themselves to me on this morning, as did some other nice birds.

Neotropic Cormorant

Phalacrocorax brasilianus

Loafing cormorants. My second day at Aransas NWR on Monday, was only a half day, mostly spent at Heron Flats. The cranes that eluded me on Sunday gave themselves to me on this morning, as did some other nice birds.

Double-Crested Cormorant

Phalacrocorax auritus

Cormorant flyover. My second day at Aransas NWR on Monday, was only a half day, mostly spent at Heron Flats. The cranes that eluded me on Sunday gave themselves to me on this morning, as did some other nice birds.

Dowitcher Species

Limnodromus sp.

I hesitate to make the call for these birds, but this near the coast I would think "Short-Billed" most likely. My second day at Aransas NWR on Monday, was only a half day, mostly spent at Heron Flats. The cranes that eluded me on Sunday gave themselves to me on this morning, as did some other nice birds.

Great Blue Heron

Ardea herodias

Heron landing. This is the SECOND tallest bird on the reserve. My second day at Aransas NWR on Monday, was only a half day, mostly spent at Heron Flats. The cranes that eluded me on Sunday gave themselves to me on this morning, as did some other nice birds.

Great Egret

Ardea alba

I met this Great Egret foaraging for its breakfast. My second day at Aransas NWR on Monday, was only a half day, mostly spent at Heron Flats. The cranes that eluded me on Sunday gave themselves to me on this morning, as did some other nice birds.

Great Egret

Ardea alba

I met this Great Egret foraging for its breakfast. My second day at Aransas NWR on Monday, was only a half day, mostly spent at Heron Flats. The cranes that eluded me on Sunday gave themselves to me on this morning, as did some other nice birds.

Great Egret

Ardea alba

I met this Great Egret foaraging for its breakfast. It moved on looking for better food (I guess). My second day at Aransas NWR on Monday, was only a half day, mostly spent at Heron Flats. The cranes that eluded me on Sunday gave themselves to me on this morning, as did some other nice birds.

Osprey

Pandion haliaetus

Osprey hunting for breakfast over the marsh. My second day at Aransas NWR on Monday, was only a half day, mostly spent at Heron Flats. The cranes that eluded me on Sunday gave themselves to me on this morning, as did some other nice birds.

Pied-Billed Grebe

Podilymbus podiceps

My second day at Aransas NWR on Monday, was only a half day, mostly spent at Heron Flats. The cranes that eluded me on Sunday gave themselves to me on this morning, as did some other nice birds.

Royal Tern

Thalasseus maximus

This Royal Tern foraging over Thomas Pond fooled me at first to believing it was an Elegant Tern. Study of the pictures revealed its true identity. My second day at Aransas NWR on Monday, was only a half day, mostly spent at Heron Flats.

Royal Tern

Thalasseus maximus

Royal Tern

Thalasseus maximus

The Pond At Heron Flats

Scenery

This quiet pond greets visitors to Heron Flats. My second day at Aransas NWR on Monday, was only a half day, mostly spent at Heron Flats. The cranes that eluded me on Sunday gave themselves to me on this morning, as did some other nice birds.

The Marsh At Heron Flats

Scenery

White-Tailed Deer wandered into this scene for me. My second day at Aransas NWR on Monday, was only a half day, mostly spent at Heron Flats. The cranes that eluded me on Sunday gave themselves to me on this morning, as did some other nice birds.

The Marsh At Heron Flats

Scenery

Views to the marsh at Heron Flats from the observation deck. My second day at Aransas NWR on Monday, was only a half day, mostly spent at Heron Flats. The cranes that eluded me on Sunday gave themselves to me on this morning, as did some other nice birds.

Tricolored Heron

Egretta tricolor

This adult bird was working the shallow marsh waters near the observation deck at well named "Heron Flats". My second day at Aransas NWR on Monday, was only a half day, mostly spent at Heron Flats. The cranes that eluded me on Sunday gave themselves to me on this morning, as did some other nice birds.

Tricolored Heron

Egretta tricolor

This immature bird was working the shallow marsh waters at well named "Heron Flats". My second day at Aransas NWR on Monday, was only a half day, mostly spent at Heron Flats. The cranes that eluded me on Sunday gave themselves to me on this morning, as did some other nice birds.

Tricolored Heron

Egretta tricolor

This immature bird was working the shallow marsh waters at Heron Flats, and finally flew off for happier hunting elsewhere. My second day at Aransas NWR on Monday, was only a half day, mostly spent at Heron Flats. The cranes that eluded me on Sunday gave themselves to me on this morning, as did some other nice birds.

Tricolored Heron

Egretta tricolor

American White Ibis

Eudocimus albus

This flock of White Ibis put a smile on my face when they flew overhead and dropped into the marsh beyond my view. My second day at Aransas NWR on Monday, was only a half day, mostly spent at Heron Flats. The cranes that eluded me on Sunday gave themselves to me on this morning, as did some other nice birds.

American White Ibis

Eudocimus albus

American White Ibis

Eudocimus albus

White-Tailed Deer

Odocoileus virginianus

I saw White-Tailed on each of my three visits. My second day at Aransas NWR on Monday, was only a half day, mostly spent at Heron Flats. The cranes that eluded me on Sunday gave themselves to me on this morning, as did some other nice birds.

White-Tailed Deer

Odocoileus virginianus

Whooping Crane

Grus americana

The five foot tall crane walks past the much smaller Tricolored Heron. My second day at Aransas NWR on Monday, was only a half day, mostly spent at Heron Flats. The cranes that eluded me on Sunday gave themselves to me on this morning, as did some other nice birds.

Whooping Crane

Grus americana

The much smaller Snowy Egret decided to vacate when the five foot tall crane walks past. My second day at Aransas NWR on Monday, was only a half day, mostly spent at Heron Flats. The cranes that eluded me on Sunday gave themselves to me on this morning, as did some other nice birds.

Whooping Crane

Grus americana

The much smaller Reddish Egret and Tricolored Heron give ground as the two cranes pass by. My second day at Aransas NWR on Monday, was only a half day, mostly spent at Heron Flats. The cranes that eluded me on Sunday gave themselves to me on this morning, as did some other nice birds.

Whooping Crane

Grus americana

A Double-Crested Cormorant has to take the cranes into accound before he can decide where to land. My second day at Aransas NWR on Monday, was only a half day, mostly spent at Heron Flats. The cranes that eluded me on Sunday gave themselves to me on this morning, as did some other nice birds.

Whooping Crane

Grus americana

Even the relatively tall Great Egret is dwarfed by the five foot cranes. My second day at Aransas NWR on Monday, was only a half day, mostly spent at Heron Flats. The cranes that eluded me on Sunday gave themselves to me on this morning, as did some other nice birds.