

On this early Tuesday morning, cloudy gray skies greeted me at the South Padre Island Convention Centre (SPICC). I investigated the center’s bayside and its boardwalks, but the birds were not active. It encouraged me to see offerings of nectar and fruit placed around the grounds, even though no migrants were in view. Having these offerings available seemed a good idea. When the migrating birds do show up, there will be food on hand to provide sustenance. Later I drove three miles south to the Sheepshead Preserve, but things weren’t any better there. As with the SPICC, volunteers here provided food for avian travellers if they show up.
I returned to the SPICC, made myself breakfast and watched the lawns and hedges while I ate my granola. While enjoying my morning meal, I saw a White Ibis family probing deep into the soft ground at the borders of the hedges. A mob of Savannah Sparrows gathered on the lawn, eating flower buds that grew among the grass blades. Black-and-White Warblers worked over the trunks and larger branches of the shade trees, clinging to the underside of horizontal branches in their nuthatch-like way. Clearly, the birds here were becoming more active.
During breakfast, Spring Breakers began filing in, reminding me the next two weeks here might be hectic. I knew I’d have plenty of company today, whether I liked it or not. The next two weeks here will be more of the same. I felt I should make the most of this day on SPI. The height of Spring migration here isn’t expected for another month. I think I might spend my time in the coming weeks at other locations in the Lower RGV, and return when the ratio of birds to Spring Breakers might favor the birds.
While roaming the grounds at the SPICC, birds weren’t the only subjects I found to entertain me. Reptiles and butterflies roamed the grounds and offered me occasional fleeting glimpses. My patient style of sit and wait photography had an unexpected benefit when a Mexican Racer (snake) slipped into a water feature for a drink. I was waiting on birds to photograph, but this fast-moving and elusive reptile added an unusual touch to my day.
As morning turned to afternoon, herons, rails, and skimmers patrolled the marsh and added moments of action to a day that began so slowly. Tuesday’s end concluded with a list of species I’d captured that included Black-and-White Warbler, Black-Necked Stilt, Black Skimmer, Brown Anole (Lizard), Caspian Tern, Common Gallinule, Cooper’s Hawk, Gray Catbird, Great Blue Heron, Green Heron, Gulf Fritillary (Butterfly), Laughing Gull, Lesser Yellowlegs, Mexican Racer (Snake), Savannah Sparrow, Short-Billed Dowitcher, Sora, Tricolored Heron, White Ibis, and Yellow-Rumped Warbler.

Black-and-White Warbler(Mniotilta varia) |
Description: Some Black-and-White Warblers will spend winters on the Texas Gulf Coast. My trip to South Padre Island this day started slowly, but picked up nicely before the day finished. The Convention Centre delivered wonderful birds, as it often will. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:16 8:55 |
Location:
Convention Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: BlackandWhiteWarbler_D5X2523-SPI_ConventionCenter |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Black-and-White Warbler(Mniotilta varia) |
Description: Some Black-and-White Warblers will spend winters on the Texas Gulf Coast. My trip to South Padre Island this day started slowly, but picked up nicely before the day finished. The Convention Centre delivered wonderful birds, as it often will. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:16 8:56 |
Location:
Convention Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: BlackandWhiteWarbler_D5X2574-SPI_ConventionCenter |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Black-and-White Warbler(Mniotilta varia) |
Description: Some Black-and-White Warblers will spend winters on the Texas Gulf Coast. My trip to South Padre Island this day started slowly, but picked up nicely before the day finished. The Convention Centre delivered wonderful birds, as it often will. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:16 11:36 |
Location:
Convention Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: BlackandWhiteWarbler_D5X2757-SPI_ConventionCenter |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
Description: Near the end of my visit, a mob of Black Skimmers sailed in and made multiple passes over the marsh. My trip to South Padre Island this day started slowly, but picked up nicely before the day finished. The Convention Centre delivered wonderful birds, as it often will. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:16 14:47 |
Location:
Convention Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: BlackSkimmer_D5X3176-SPI_ConventionCenter |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
Description: Near the end of my visit, a mob of Black Skimmers sailed in and made multiple passes over the marsh. My trip to South Padre Island this day started slowly, but picked up nicely before the day finished. The Convention Centre delivered wonderful birds, as it often will. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:16 14:49 |
Location:
Convention Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: BlackSkimmer_D5X3223-SPI_ConventionCenter |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
Description: Near the end of my visit, a mob of Black Skimmers sailed in and made multiple passes over the marsh. My trip to South Padre Island this day started slowly, but picked up nicely before the day finished. The Convention Centre delivered wonderful birds, as it often will. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:16 14:49 |
Location:
Convention Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: BlackSkimmer_D5X3236-SPI_ConventionCenter |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
Description: Near the end of my visit, a mob of Black Skimmers sailed in and made multiple passes over the marsh. My trip to South Padre Island this day started slowly, but picked up nicely before the day finished. The Convention Centre delivered wonderful birds, as it often will. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:16 14:50 |
Location:
Convention Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: BlackSkimmer_D5X3357-SPI_ConventionCenter |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Brown Anole(Anolis sagrei) |
Description: I met a couple of reptiles during my visit, including this lizard. My trip to South Padre Island this day started slowly, but picked up nicely before the day finished. The Convention Centre delivered wonderful birds, as it often will. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:16 13:28 |
Location:
Convention Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: BrownAnole-Lizard_D5X3054-SPI_ConventionCenter |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Caspian Tern(Hydroprogne caspia) |
Description: Caspian Tern patrols included trips through the wetlands. My trip to South Padre Island this day started slowly, but picked up nicely before the day finished. The Convention Centre delivered wonderful birds, as it often will. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:16 14:20 |
Location:
Convention Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: CaspianTern_D5X3118-SPI_ConventionCenter |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Common Gallinule(Gallinula galeata) |
Description: You can count on the presence of gallinules in these wetlands. My trip to South Padre Island this day started slowly, but picked up nicely before the day finished. The Convention Centre delivered wonderful birds, as it often will. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:16 12:01 |
Location:
Convention Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: CommonGallinule_D5X2825-SPI_ConventionCenter |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Cooper's Hawk(Accipiter cooperii) |
Description: This hawk’s pale coloring seemed to help it blend in and avoid being noticed as it kept an eye out for potential meals. My trip to South Padre Island this day started slowly, but picked up nicely before the day finished. The Convention Centre delivered wonderful birds, as it often will. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:16 12:38 |
Location:
Convention Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: CoopersHawk_D5X2932-SPI_ConventionCenter |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Gray Catbird(Dumetella carolinensis) |
Description: Catbirds spend winters in locations like the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. My trip to South Padre Island this day started slowly, but picked up nicely before the day finished. The Convention Centre delivered wonderful birds, as it often will. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:16 13:34 |
Location:
Convention Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: GrayCatbird_D5X3075-SPI_ConventionCenter |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Gray Catbird(Dumetella carolinensis) |
Description: Catbirds spend winters in locations like the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. My trip to South Padre Island this day started slowly, but picked up nicely before the day finished. The Convention Centre delivered wonderful birds, as it often will. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:16 13:34 |
Location:
Convention Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: GrayCatbird_D5X3077-SPI_ConventionCenter |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Great Blue Heron(Ardea herodias) |
Description: Great Blue Herons are the tallest birds in south Texas. My trip to South Padre Island this day started slowly, but picked up nicely before the day finished. The Convention Centre delivered wonderful birds, as it often will. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:16 14:21 |
Location:
Convention Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: GreatBlueHeron_D5X3124-SPI_ConventionCenter |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Green Heron(Butorides virescens) |
Description: I always enjoy meeting Green Herons. My trip to South Padre Island this day started slowly, but picked up nicely before the day finished. The Convention Centre delivered wonderful birds, as it often will. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:16 14:31 |
Location:
Convention Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: GreenHeron_D5X3139-SPI_ConventionCenter |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Gulf Fritillary(Agraulis vanillae) |
Description: I find Butterflies are compelling subjects, and this one came to me as I was waiting on birds. My trip to South Padre Island this day started slowly, but picked up nicely before the day finished. The Convention Centre delivered wonderful birds, as it often will. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:16 13:46 |
Location:
Convention Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: GulfFritillaryButterfly_D5X3086-SPI_ConventionCenter |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Laughing Gull(Leucophaeus atricilla) |
Description: Laughing Gulls, whether seen or heard, will always let you know they are around. My trip to South Padre Island this day started slowly, but picked up nicely before the day finished. The Convention Centre delivered wonderful birds, as it often will. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:16 12:00 |
Location:
Convention Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: LaughingGull_D5X2818-SPI_ConventionCenter |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Lesser Yellowlegs(Tringa flavipes) |
Description: These Lesser Yellowlegs were giving me their impressions of phalaropes while foraging in some deeper places in the wetlands. My trip to South Padre Island this day started slowly, but picked up nicely before the day finished. The Convention Centre delivered wonderful birds, as it often will. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:16 12:50 |
Location:
Convention Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: LesserYellowlegs_D5X3003-SPI_ConventionCenter |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Lesser Yellowlegs(Tringa flavipes) |
Description: Lesser Yellowlegs spent much of their time during high tide loafing in mixed flocks on the wetlands. My trip to South Padre Island this day started slowly, but picked up nicely before the day finished. The Convention Centre delivered wonderful birds, as it often will. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:16 12:54 |
Location:
Convention Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: LesserYellowlegs_D5X3030-SPI_ConventionCenter |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Mexican Racer(Coluber constrictor oaxaca) |
Description: I met a couple of reptiles during my visit, including this snake. My trip to South Padre Island this day started slowly, but picked up nicely before the day finished. The Convention Centre delivered wonderful birds, as it often will. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:16 13:24 |
Location:
Convention Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: MexicanRacer-Snake_D5X3050-SPI_ConventionCenter |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Savannah Sparrow(Passerculus sandwichensis) |
Description: Savannah Sparrows showing why “Grazin' in the grass is a gas, baby, can you dig it”. My trip to South Padre Island this day started slowly, but picked up nicely before the day finished. The Convention Centre delivered wonderful birds, as it often will. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:16 8:35 |
Location:
Convention Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: SavannahSparrow_D5X2408-SPI_ConventionCenter |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Savannah Sparrow(Passerculus sandwichensis) |
Description: Savannah Sparrows showing why “Grazin' in the grass is a gas, baby, can you dig it”. My trip to South Padre Island this day started slowly, but picked up nicely before the day finished. The Convention Centre delivered wonderful birds, as it often will. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:16 9:00 |
Location:
Convention Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: SavannahSparrow_D5X2662-SPI_ConventionCenter |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Short-Billed Dowitcher(Limnodromus griseus) |
Description: Among the yellowlegs, stilts, killdeer and other shorebirds on the wetlands were these dowitchers. My trip to South Padre Island this day started slowly, but picked up nicely before the day finished. The Convention Centre delivered wonderful birds, as it often will. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:16 12:50 |
Location:
Convention Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: ShortBilledDowitcher_D5X3004-SPI_ConventionCenter |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Sora(Porzana carolina) |
Description: The pickings seemed plentiful for this shy rail. My trip to South Padre Island this day started slowly, but picked up nicely before the day finished. The Convention Centre delivered wonderful birds, as it often will. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:16 12:14 |
Location:
Convention Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: Sora_D5X2841-SPI_ConventionCenter |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Sora(Porzana carolina) |
Description: The pickings seemed plentiful for this shy rail. My trip to South Padre Island this day started slowly, but picked up nicely before the day finished. The Convention Centre delivered wonderful birds, as it often will. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:16 12:17 |
Location:
Convention Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: Sora_D5X2874-SPI_ConventionCenter |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Tricolored Heron(Egretta tricolor) |
Description: This Tricolored Heron was quite bold and seemed to show off for the camera. My trip to South Padre Island this day started slowly, but picked up nicely before the day finished. The Convention Centre delivered wonderful birds, as it often will. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:16 11:56 |
Location:
Convention Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: TricoloredHeron_D5X2800-SPI_ConventionCenter |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Tricolored Heron(Egretta tricolor) |
Description: This Tricolored Heron was quite bold and seemed to show off for the camera. My trip to South Padre Island this day started slowly, but picked up nicely before the day finished. The Convention Centre delivered wonderful birds, as it often will. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:16 12:46 |
Location:
Convention Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: TricoloredHeron_D5X2978-SPI_ConventionCenter |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Tricolored Heron(Egretta tricolor) |
Description: This Tricolored Heron was quite bold and seemed to show off for the camera. My trip to South Padre Island this day started slowly, but picked up nicely before the day finished. The Convention Centre delivered wonderful birds, as it often will. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:16 13:10 |
Location:
Convention Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: TricoloredHeron_D5X3044-SPI_ConventionCenter |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Tricolored Heron(Egretta tricolor) |
Description: This Tricolored Heron was quite bold and seemed to show off for the camera. My trip to South Padre Island this day started slowly, but picked up nicely before the day finished. The Convention Centre delivered wonderful birds, as it often will. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:16 14:20 |
Location:
Convention Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: TricoloredHeron_D5X3114-SPI_ConventionCenter |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


American White Ibis(Eudocimus albus) |
Description: Some of the White Ibis I met were still foraging in family groups, teaching their brown juvenile offspring the ropes. My trip to South Padre Island this day started slowly, but picked up nicely before the day finished. The Convention Centre delivered wonderful birds, as it often will. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:16 11:14 |
Location:
Convention Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: WhiteIbis_D5X2721-SPI_ConventionCenter |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


American White Ibis(Eudocimus albus) |
Description: Some of the White Ibis I met were still foraging in family groups, teaching their brown juvenile offspring the ropes. My trip to South Padre Island this day started slowly, but picked up nicely before the day finished. The Convention Centre delivered wonderful birds, as it often will. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:16 11:49 |
Location:
Convention Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: WhiteIbis_D5X2764-SPI_ConventionCenter |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


American White Ibis(Eudocimus albus) |
Description: Some of the White Ibis I met were still foraging in family groups, teaching their brown juvenile offspring the ropes. My trip to South Padre Island this day started slowly, but picked up nicely before the day finished. The Convention Centre delivered wonderful birds, as it often will. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:16 14:56 |
Location:
Convention Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: WhiteIbis_D5X3370-SPI_ConventionCenter |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Yellow-Rumped Warbler(Setophaga coronata coronata) |
Description: Winters in south Texas find plentiful Yellow-Rumped Warblers on hand. My trip to South Padre Island this day started slowly, but picked up nicely before the day finished. The Convention Centre delivered wonderful birds, as it often will. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:16 9:54 |
Location:
Convention Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: YellowRumpedWarbler_D5X2716-SPI_ConventionCenter |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |

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