2021-04-11 SPI: New Actors and Familiar Faces On Stage

Indigo Bunting - Passerina cyanea — Getting the subject’s identity while taking its picture can be a challenge. This Indigo Bunting looked like a finch to me while I was struggling to get an image while it darted in and out of view. Sunday was a day when the birds and then birders increased their respective presence on South Padre Island. Both are to be expected as spring migration steps up the bird numbers moving through on their way north.

I should have learned my lesson by now. This day reminded me when I’m trying to track a subject bouncing through the canopy, the effort is all-consuming. There’s not always time for identifying your subject. One example was a wet-feathered, immature male or female Indigo Bunting that I thought was a finch at the time of shooting. Another bird that gave me the briefest of looks in poor lighting and obscured by foliage was a Red-Eyed Vireo I took for a Tennessee Warbler. The third bird from this excursion that surprised me was a Yellow-Breasted Chat. This bird never gave me an unobstructed view, and I thought while shooting it was a Nashville Warbler.

The saving grace is that by reviewing captured images, no matter how bad they may be, I can overcome these misidentifications. I admire those skills I see in others where all attention is observational, and identity is the primary goal. A bird photographer’s primary goal is to get a clear image of the subject. In this, as with so many other endeavors in my life, I am a work in progress.

Meeting the Black-Throated Green Warbler for the first time was a high point for me on this day. All the birds I met this morning at the SPI Convention Centre (SPICC) were a joy. The list includes: Baltimore Oriole, Black-and-White Warbler, Black-Throated Green Warbler, Great Blue Heron, Hooded Warbler, Indigo Bunting, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Little Blue Heron, Northern Parula, Nashville Warbler, Orchard Oriole, Red-Eyed Vireo, Summer Tanager, Yellow-Breasted Chat, and Yellow-Rumped Warbler.

With warbler migration ramping up, so goes the attendance of the birding community. Perhaps in part because it was Sunday, it seemed to me there were more people visiting the SPICC than I’ve seen this year. Meeting my friend Luciano Guerra (from the National Butterfly Center) and his family this morning was a lovely surprise.

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

**Description:**
This bird was the first of its kind this spring to pay us a visit here. Sunday was a day when the birds and then birders increased their respective presence on South Padre Island. Both are to be expected as spring migration steps up the bird numbers moving through on their way north.
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**Date Taken:** 2021:04:11 9:42

**Location:**

Convention Center
South Padre Island, Texas
United States
9.84 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000

**File Name:** BaltimoreOriole_D5X3955-SPI_ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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

**Description:**
This bird was the first of its kind this spring to pay us a visit here. Sunday was a day when the birds and then birders increased their respective presence on South Padre Island. Both are to be expected as spring migration steps up the bird numbers moving through on their way north.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:04:11 9:42

**Location:**

Convention Center
South Padre Island, Texas
United States
9.84 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000

**File Name:** BaltimoreOriole_D5X3955-SPI_ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Black-and-White Warbler - Mniotilta varia — **Black-and-White Warbler**
*(Mniotilta varia)*

**Description:**
Black-and-White Warblers have been here all winter, but by now migrants are showing up as well. Sunday was a day when the birds and then birders increased their respective presence on South Padre Island. Both are to be expected as spring migration steps up the bird numbers moving through on their way north.
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**Date Taken:** 2021:04:11 10:09

**Location:**

Convention Center
South Padre Island, Texas
United States
9.84 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/500

**File Name:** BlackAndWhiteWarbler_D5X4037-SPI_ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Black-Throated Green Warbler - Setophaga virens — **Black-Throated Green Warbler**
*(Setophaga virens)*

**Description:**
Here is another bird I met for the first time at the Convention Centre. The list just keeps getting longer. Sunday was a day when the birds and then birders increased their respective presence on South Padre Island. Both are to be expected as spring migration steps up the bird numbers moving through on their way north.
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**Date Taken:** 2021:04:11 9:32

**Location:**

Convention Center
South Padre Island, Texas
United States
9.84 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000

**File Name:** BlackThroatedGreenWarbler_D5X3767-SPI_ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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

**Description:**
Flying over Laguna Madre. Sunday was a day when the birds and then birders increased their respective presence on South Padre Island. Both are to be expected as spring migration steps up the bird numbers moving through on their way north.
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**Date Taken:** 2021:04:11 11:50

**Location:**

Convention Center
South Padre Island, Texas
United States
9.84 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000

**File Name:** GreatBlueHeron_D5X4307-SPI_ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Hooded Warbler - Setophaga citrina — **Hooded Warbler**
*(Setophaga citrina)*

**Description:**
Hooded Warblers are fast becoming my favorite SPI bird. Sunday was a day when the birds and then birders increased their respective presence on South Padre Island. Both are to be expected as spring migration steps up the bird numbers moving through on their way north.
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**Date Taken:** 2021:04:11 10:11

**Location:**

Convention Center
South Padre Island, Texas
United States
9.84 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/250

**File Name:** HoodedWarbler_D5X4064-SPI_ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Lincoln's Sparrow - Melospiza lincolnii — **Lincoln's Sparrow**
*(Melospiza lincolnii)*

**Description:**
Soon these Lincoln’s Sparrows will leave Texas and travel as far as Canada and Alaska. Sunday was a day when the birds and then birders increased their respective presence on South Padre Island. Both are to be expected as spring migration steps up the bird numbers moving through on their way north.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:04:11 9:00

**Location:**

Sheepshead Bird Sanctuary
South Padre Island, Texas
United States
9.84 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800

**File Name:** LincolnsSparrow_D5X3744-SheepsHead

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Little Blue Heron - Egretta caerulea — **Little Blue Heron**
*(Egretta caerulea)*

**Description:**
This Little Blue Heron shows a preference for the tall grasses in the marsh. Sunday was a day when the birds and then birders increased their respective presence on South Padre Island. Both are to be expected as spring migration steps up the bird numbers moving through on their way north.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:04:11 12:05

**Location:**

Convention Center
South Padre Island, Texas
United States
9.84 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000

**File Name:** LittleBlueHeron_D5X4339-SPI_ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Nashville Warbler - Leiothlypis ruficapilla — **Nashville Warbler**
*(Leiothlypis ruficapilla)*

**Description:**
I found Nashville Warblers at both Sheepshead and the Convention Center. Sunday was a day when the birds and then birders increased their respective presence on South Padre Island. Both are to be expected as spring migration steps up the bird numbers moving through on their way north.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:04:11 9:00

**Location:**

Sheepshead Bird Sanctuary
South Padre Island, Texas
United States
9.84 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800

**File Name:** NashvilleWarbler_D5X3752-SheepsHead

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Northern Parula - Setophaga americana — **Northern Parula**
*(Setophaga americana)*

**Description:**
Northern Parulas are not hard to find in south Texas, yet it is still a pleasure to see them. Sunday was a day when the birds and then birders increased their respective presence on South Padre Island. Both are to be expected as spring migration steps up the bird numbers moving through on their way north.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:04:11 10:32

**Location:**

Convention Center
South Padre Island, Texas
United States
9.84 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/500

**File Name:** NorthernParula_D5X4133-SPI_ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Red-Eyed Vireo - Vireo olivaceus — **Red-Eyed Vireo**
*(Vireo olivaceus)*

**Description:**
These poor images were all this vireo would offer me. Sunday was a day when the birds and then birders increased their respective presence on South Padre Island. Both are to be expected as spring migration steps up the bird numbers moving through on their way north.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:04:11 11:04

**Location:**

Convention Center
South Padre Island, Texas
United States
9.84 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800

**File Name:** RedEyedVireo_D5X4232-SPI_ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Summer Tanager - Piranga rubra — **Summer Tanager**
*(Piranga rubra)*

**Description:**
Immature male Summer Tanagers have an interesting blotchy coat. Sunday was a day when the birds and then birders increased their respective presence on South Padre Island. Both are to be expected as spring migration steps up the bird numbers moving through on their way north.
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**Date Taken:** 2021:04:11 11:02

**Location:**

Convention Center
South Padre Island, Texas
United States
9.84 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000

**File Name:** SummerTanager_D5X4191-SPI_ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Yellow-Breasted Chat - Icteria virens — **Yellow-Breasted Chat**
*(Icteria virens)*

**Description:**
This image of the chat lacks panache and is here for ID purposes only. Sunday was a day when the birds and then birders increased their respective presence on South Padre Island. Both are to be expected as spring migration steps up the bird numbers moving through on their way north.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:04:11 8:59

**Location:**

Sheepshead Bird Sanctuary
South Padre Island, Texas
United States
9.84 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800

**File Name:** YellowBreastedChatr_D5X3738-SheepsHead

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Yellow-Rumped Warbler - Setophaga coronata coronata — **Yellow-Rumped Warbler**
*(Setophaga coronata coronata)*

**Description:**
Soon these Myrtle Warblers will be leaving Texas. Sunday was a day when the birds and then birders increased their respective presence on South Padre Island. Both are to be expected as spring migration steps up the bird numbers moving through on their way north.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:04:11 8:54

**Location:**

Sheepshead Bird Sanctuary
South Padre Island, Texas
United States
9.84 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800

**File Name:** YellowRumpedWarbler_D5X3733-SheepsHead

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Click map markers to reveal further information

Baltimore Oriole

Icterus galbula

This bird was the first of its kind this spring to pay us a visit here. Sunday was a day when the birds and then birders increased their respective presence on South Padre Island. Both are to be expected as spring migration steps up the bird numbers moving through on their way north.

Black-and-White Warbler

Mniotilta varia

Black-and-White Warblers have been here all winter, but by now migrants are showing up as well. Sunday was a day when the birds and then birders increased their respective presence on South Padre Island. Both are to be expected as spring migration steps up the bird numbers moving through on their way north.

Black-Throated Green Warbler

Setophaga virens

Here is another bird I met for the first time at the Convention Centre. The list just keeps getting longer. Sunday was a day when the birds and then birders increased their respective presence on South Padre Island. Both are to be expected as spring migration steps up the bird numbers moving through on their way north.

Black-Throated Green Warbler

Setophaga virens

Black-Throated Green Warbler

Setophaga virens

Black-Throated Green Warbler

Setophaga virens

Black-Throated Green Warbler

Setophaga virens

Black-Throated Green Warbler

Setophaga virens

Great Blue Heron

Ardea herodias

Flying over Laguna Madre. Sunday was a day when the birds and then birders increased their respective presence on South Padre Island. Both are to be expected as spring migration steps up the bird numbers moving through on their way north.

Hooded Warbler

Setophaga citrina

Hooded Warblers are fast becoming my favorite SPI bird. Sunday was a day when the birds and then birders increased their respective presence on South Padre Island. Both are to be expected as spring migration steps up the bird numbers moving through on their way north.

Indigo Bunting

Passerina cyanea

Indigo Buntings have had a presence here for over a week now. Sunday was a day when the birds and then birders increased their respective presence on South Padre Island. Both are to be expected as spring migration steps up the bird numbers moving through on their way north.

Indigo Bunting

Passerina cyanea

Getting the subject's identity while taking its picture can be a challenge. This Indigo Bunting looked like a finch to me while I was struggling to get an image while it darted in and out of view. Sunday was a day when the birds and then birders increased their respective presence on South Padre Island. Both are to be expected as spring migration steps up the bird numbers moving through on their way north.

Indigo Bunting

Passerina cyanea

Indigo Bunting

Passerina cyanea

Lincoln's Sparrow

Melospiza lincolnii

Soon these Lincoln’s Sparrows will leave Texas and travel as far as Canada and Alaska. Sunday was a day when the birds and then birders increased their respective presence on South Padre Island. Both are to be expected as spring migration steps up the bird numbers moving through on their way north.

Little Blue Heron

Egretta caerulea

This Little Blue Heron shows a preference for the tall grasses in the marsh. Sunday was a day when the birds and then birders increased their respective presence on South Padre Island. Both are to be expected as spring migration steps up the bird numbers moving through on their way north.

Nashville Warbler

Leiothlypis ruficapilla

I found Nashville Warblers at both Sheepshead and the Convention Center. Sunday was a day when the birds and then birders increased their respective presence on South Padre Island. Both are to be expected as spring migration steps up the bird numbers moving through on their way north.

Nashville Warbler

Leiothlypis ruficapilla

Nashville Warbler

Leiothlypis ruficapilla

Northern Parula

Setophaga americana

Northern Parulas are not hard to find in south Texas, yet it is still a pleasure to see them. Sunday was a day when the birds and then birders increased their respective presence on South Padre Island. Both are to be expected as spring migration steps up the bird numbers moving through on their way north.

Northern Parula

Setophaga americana

Red-Eyed Vireo

Vireo olivaceus

These poor images were all this vireo would offer me. Sunday was a day when the birds and then birders increased their respective presence on South Padre Island. Both are to be expected as spring migration steps up the bird numbers moving through on their way north.

Red-Eyed Vireo

Vireo olivaceus

Summer Tanager

Piranga rubra

Immature male Summer Tanagers have an interesting blotchy coat. Sunday was a day when the birds and then birders increased their respective presence on South Padre Island. Both are to be expected as spring migration steps up the bird numbers moving through on their way north.

Summer Tanager

Piranga rubra

Yellow-Breasted Chat

Icteria virens

This image of the chat lacks panache and is here for ID purposes only. Sunday was a day when the birds and then birders increased their respective presence on South Padre Island. Both are to be expected as spring migration steps up the bird numbers moving through on their way north.

Yellow-Rumped Warbler

Setophaga coronata coronata

Soon these Myrtle Warblers will be leaving Texas. Sunday was a day when the birds and then birders increased their respective presence on South Padre Island. Both are to be expected as spring migration steps up the bird numbers moving through on their way north.