2020-04-17: Feeder Vigil in Brownsville

I believe I’ve identified the birds in the gallery below correctly, but I welcome any corrections that experienced Texas birders might care to share.

Bronzed Cowbird - Molothrus aeneus — This was my first encounter with the Bronzed Cowbird. I found these birds at a well stocked feeder in camp where I stayed in Brownsville Texas.

I’ve always tried to be a glass-half-full person. I could complain how I’m in the middle of bird heaven, but shut in and not able to experience some of the best birding locations in the region. But that would be both pointless and selfish. So many people have REAL problems during the current pandemic. I think I am blessed. I have my health (so far). I have a secure place to stay. I’m surrounded by good people where I’m camped. Most of all, I’m in south Texas, not south Los Angeles or south San Diego.

Some of my neighbors keep bird feeders at their camp sites, and invited me to use their yards for photography. I passed by on walks and scoped out who was being fed, and I saw a lot of House Sparrows at the feeders, but also there were orioles, doves and hummingbirds. I knew it would be a mistake not to sit and watch over the course of the day to see what birds might drop in.

Friday I spent a few morning hours there and again a few more in the afternoon. It was a good decision and I met several birds I’d never met before. The images I captured were of Baltimore Orioles, Black-Crested Titmouse, Bronzed Cowbird, Buff-Bellied Hummingbird, Clay-Colored Thrush, Curve-Billed Thrasher, European Starling, Golden-Fronted Woodpecker, Great-Tailed Grackle, Green Jay, Hooded Oriole, Red-Winged Blackbird, Ruby-Throated Hummingbird, Summer Tanager, and White-Winged Dove.

I expect to try more sessions at the feeders in the coming days. I’d like to get better images of the Clay-Colored Thrush, the Buff-Bellied Hummingbird, the Black-Crested Titmouse, or any other members of the ‘hood who might surrender an image to my camera.

Baltimore Oriole - Icterus galbula — **Baltimore Oriole**
*(Icterus galbula)*

**Description:**
I don't believe Baltimore Orioles breed in south Texas. These birds are probable migrants headed north for the summer. I found these birds at a well stocked feeder in camp where I stayed in Brownsville Texas.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:04:17 10:39

**Location:**

Breeze Lake
Brownsville, Texas
United States
39.37 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/16.0, 1/250

**File Name:** BaltimoreOriole_D502139-Breeze-Lake-TX

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Pin It — **Baltimore Oriole**
*(Icterus galbula)*

**Description:**
I don't believe Baltimore Orioles breed in south Texas. These birds are probable migrants headed north for the summer. I found these birds at a well stocked feeder in camp where I stayed in Brownsville Texas.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:04:17 10:39

**Location:**

Breeze Lake
Brownsville, Texas
United States
39.37 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/16.0, 1/250

**File Name:** BaltimoreOriole_D502139-Breeze-Lake-TX

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Black-Crested Titmouse - Baeolophus atricristatus — **Black-Crested Titmouse**
*(Baeolophus atricristatus)*

**Description:**
The titmouse paid only a couple of visits while I was standing watch. I found these birds at a well stocked feeder in camp where I stayed in Brownsville Texas.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:04:17 10:48

**Location:**

Breeze Lake
Brownsville, Texas
United States
39.37 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250

**File Name:** BlackCrestedTitmouse_D502288-Breeze-Lake-TX

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Golden-Fronted Woodpecker - Melanerpes aurifrons — **Golden-Fronted Woodpecker**
*(Melanerpes aurifrons)*

**Description:**
Golden-Fronted Woodpeckers sound their loud calls all day in camp, but they are shy here, staying high on palms or poles, without allowing close approaches. I found these birds at a well stocked feeder in camp where I stayed in Brownsville Texas.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:04:17 11:25

**Location:**

Breeze Lake
Brownsville, Texas
United States
39.37 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250

**File Name:** GoldenFrontedWoodpecker_D502818-Breeze-Lake-TX

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Green Jay - Cyanocorax yncas — **Green Jay**
*(Cyanocorax yncas)*

**Description:**
Green Jays don't seem to venture far into camp here, but the feeders at the boundary brings them in. I found these birds at a well stocked feeder in camp where I stayed in Brownsville Texas.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:04:17 10:53

**Location:**

Breeze Lake
Brownsville, Texas
United States
39.37 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000

**File Name:** GreenJay_D502418-Breeze-Lake-TX

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Hooded Oriole - Icterus cucullatus — **Hooded Oriole**
*(Icterus cucullatus)*

**Description:**
I noticed Hooded Orioles in camp soon after I arrived. Their calls caught my attention, but the calls I heard were somewhat soft, and much quieter than the birds I'm used to from my southern California yard. I found these birds at a well stocked feeder in the RV camp where I stayed in Brownsville Texas.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:04:17 15:33

**Location:**

Breeze Lake
Brownsville, Texas
United States
39.37 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/640

**File Name:** HoodedOriole_D503087-Breeze-Lake-TX

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Ruby-Throated Hummingbird - Archilochus colubris — **Ruby-Throated Hummingbird**
*(Archilochus colubris)*

**Description:**
I don't believe Ruby-Throats breed in this part of Texas, so these birds would be migrating north (and east). I found these birds at a well stocked feeder in camp where I stayed in Brownsville Texas.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:04:17 11:07

**Location:**

Breeze Lake
Brownsville, Texas
United States
39.37 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800

**File Name:** RubyThroatedHummingbird_D502683-Breeze-Lake-TX

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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White-Winged Dove - Zenaida asiatica — **White-Winged Dove**
*(Zenaida asiatica)*

**Description:**
There are three species of dove I've seen in camp; Common Ground, Eurasian Collared, and White-Winged. By far the most vocal are these, who may be heard at any hour, day or night. I found these birds at a well stocked feeder in camp where I stayed in Brownsville Texas.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:04:17 10:33

**Location:**

Breeze Lake
Brownsville, Texas
United States
39.37 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 400 mm, f/16.0, 1/320

**File Name:** WhiteWingedDove_D502022-Breeze-Lake-TX

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Click map markers to reveal further information

Baltimore Oriole

Icterus galbula

I don't believe Baltimore Orioles breed in south Texas. These birds are probable migrants headed north for the summer. I found these birds at a well stocked feeder in camp where I stayed in Brownsville Texas.

Baltimore Oriole

Icterus galbula

Baltimore Oriole

Icterus galbula

Baltimore Oriole

Icterus galbula

Baltimore Oriole

Icterus galbula

Baltimore Oriole

Icterus galbula

Black-Crested Titmouse

Baeolophus atricristatus

The titmouse paid only a couple of visits while I was standing watch. I found these birds at a well stocked feeder in camp where I stayed in Brownsville Texas.

Bronzed Cowbird

Molothrus aeneus

This was my first encounter with the Bronzed Cowbird. I found these birds at a well stocked feeder in camp where I stayed in Brownsville Texas.

Bronzed Cowbird

Molothrus aeneus

This was my first encounter with the Bronzed Cowbird. I found these birds at a well stocked feeder in camp where I stayed in Brownsville Texas.

Bronzed Cowbird

Molothrus aeneus

This was my first encounter with the Bronzed Cowbird. I found these birds at a well stocked feeder in camp where I stayed in Brownsville Texas.

Golden-Fronted Woodpecker

Melanerpes aurifrons

Golden-Fronted Woodpeckers sound their loud calls all day in camp, but they are shy here, staying high on palms or poles, without allowing close approaches. I found these birds at a well stocked feeder in camp where I stayed in Brownsville Texas.

Green Jay

Cyanocorax yncas

Green Jays don't seem to venture far into camp here, but the feeders at the boundary brings them in. I found these birds at a well stocked feeder in camp where I stayed in Brownsville Texas.

Green Jay

Cyanocorax yncas

Green Jays don't seem to venture far into camp here, but the feeders at the boundary brings them in. I found these birds at a well stocked feeder in camp where I stayed in Brownsville Texas.

Green Jay

Cyanocorax yncas

Green Jays don't seem to venture far into camp here, but the feeders at the boundary brings them in. I found these birds at a well stocked feeder in camp where I stayed in Brownsville Texas.

Hooded Oriole

Icterus cucullatus

I noticed Hooded Orioles in camp soon after I arrived. Their calls caught my attention, but the calls I heard were somewhat soft, and much quieter than the birds I'm used to from my southern California yard. I found these birds at a well stocked feeder in the RV camp where I stayed in Brownsville Texas.

Hooded Oriole

Icterus cucullatus

Hooded Oriole

Icterus cucullatus

Hooded Oriole

Icterus cucullatus

Hooded Oriole

Icterus cucullatus