2021-04-15 SPI And Three Bags Full

Veery - Catharus fuscescens — *My first ever meeting with this species went rather well.*

Dickcissel - Spiza americana — I’d never seen a Dickcissel before. I had to ask a nearby birder what it was. I had an exceptional day at the SPI Convention Centre. I met three new bird species: Veery, Dickcissel, and Black-Billed Cuckoo.

Black-Billed Cuckoo - Coccyzus erythropthalmus — *And down the hatch! This bird has a well-earned reputation for eating caterpillars. It took awhile to find an angle that wasn’t obscured by foliage, but at last the bird cooperated.*

I had an exceptional day at the SPI Convention Centre. I met three new bird species: Veery, Dickcissel, and Black-Billed Cuckoo. Not that the rest of the birds I met weren’t amazing, it’s just hard to beat the high I get when a new bird comes into my life. One new bird is enough to get me excited. Three in a day is over-the-top. South Padre Island has been generous. Only once this spring have I failed to meet at least one new species. This is the second visit that gifted me with three.

I started my morning at the Sheepshead Bird Sanctuary, but spent most of my morning at the Convention Centre. While there, reports kept coming from next door at the Nature Center about a Black-Billed Cuckoo in the parking area, so I ended my tour of the island with a visit there. It was a twin cuckoo day! While chasing the Black-Billed Cuckoo, a Yellow-Billed Cuckoo showed up. I’d have liked to spend more time with it, but I had to choose one or the other, and the likelihood of meeting the Black-Billed again anytime soon seemed remote.

The list of species that blessed me on this excursion is Black-Bellied Whistling-Duck, Black-Billed Cuckoo, Brown-Headed Cowbird, Cape May Warbler, Clay-Colored Sparrow, Dickcissel, Indigo Bunting, Northern Waterthrush, Red-Winged Blackbird, Rose-Breasted Grosbeak, Summer Tanager, Veery, Western Tanager, Yellow-Billed Cuckoo, and Yellow-Headed Blackbird.

Black-Bellied Whistling-Duck - Dendrocygna autumnalis — **Black-Bellied Whistling-Duck**
*(Dendrocygna autumnalis)*

**Description:**
The Whistling Ducks were acting out their ‘duck politics’, but I missed capturing the best action. I had an exceptional day at the SPI Convention Centre. I met three new bird species: Veery, Dickcissel, and Black-Billed Cuckoo.
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**Date Taken:** 2021:04:15 11:47

**Location:**

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

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

**File Name:** BlackBelliedWhistlingDuck_D5X5716-SPI_ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Pin It — **Black-Bellied Whistling-Duck**
*(Dendrocygna autumnalis)*

**Description:**
The Whistling Ducks were acting out their ‘duck politics’, but I missed capturing the best action. I had an exceptional day at the SPI Convention Centre. I met three new bird species: Veery, Dickcissel, and Black-Billed Cuckoo.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:04:15 11:47

**Location:**

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

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

**File Name:** BlackBelliedWhistlingDuck_D5X5716-SPI_ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Brown-Headed Cowbird - Molothrus ater — **Brown-Headed Cowbird**
*(Molothrus ater)*

**Description:**
Cowbirds and blackbirds forage together on the lawn. I had an exceptional day at the SPI Convention Centre. I met three new bird species: Veery, Dickcissel, and Black-Billed Cuckoo.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:04:15 10:26

**Location:**

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

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1500

**File Name:** BrownHeadedCowbird_D5X5293-SPI_ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Cape May Warbler - Setophaga tigrina — **Cape May Warbler**
*(Setophaga tigrina)*

**Description:**
Cape May Warblers were still present almost a week after first being sighted. I had an exceptional day at the SPI Convention Centre. I met three new bird species: Veery, Dickcissel, and Black-Billed Cuckoo.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:04:15 11:23

**Location:**

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

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

**File Name:** CapeMayWarbler_D5X5676-SPI_ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Clay-Colored Sparrow - Spizella pallida — **Clay-Colored Sparrow**
*(Spizella pallida)*

**Description:**
This bird gave me my best views for the species I’ve captured to date. I had an exceptional day at the SPI Convention Centre. I met three new bird species: Veery, Dickcissel, and Black-Billed Cuckoo.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:04:15 10:28

**Location:**

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

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

**File Name:** ClayColoredSparrow_D5X5325-SPI_ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Indigo Bunting - Passerina cyanea — **Indigo Bunting**
*(Passerina cyanea)*

**Description:**
Indigo Buntings have been present for a week, but there seemed to be more of them today than recent days. I had an exceptional day at the SPI Convention Centre. I met three new bird species: Veery, Dickcissel, and Black-Billed Cuckoo.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:04:15 10:33

**Location:**

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

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

**File Name:** IndigoBunting_D5X5406-SPI_ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Northern Waterthrush - Parkesia noveboracensis — **Northern Waterthrush**
*(Parkesia noveboracensis)*

**Description:**
Waterthrushes seem to enjoy the enormous water feature at the Birding and Nature Center. I had an exceptional day at the SPI Convention Centre. I met three new bird species: Veery, Dickcissel, and Black-Billed Cuckoo.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:04:15 14:02

**Location:**

South Padre Island WBC
South Padre Island, Texas
United States
13.12 ft above sea level

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

**File Name:** NorthernWaterthrush_D5X6044-SPI_BirdNatureCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Red-Winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus — **Red-Winged Blackbird**
*(Agelaius phoeniceus)*

**Description:**
Most of the Red-Winged Blackbirds on site were male. This female almost seemed out of place. I had an exceptional day at the SPI Convention Centre. I met three new bird species: Veery, Dickcissel, and Black-Billed Cuckoo.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:04:15 10:48

**Location:**

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

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/125

**File Name:** RedwingedBlackbird_Female_D5X5516-SPI_ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Rose-Breasted Grosbeak - Pheucticus ludovicianus — **Rose-Breasted Grosbeak**
*(Pheucticus ludovicianus)*

**Description:**
Most of the Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks on site were male. This female almost seemed out of place. I had an exceptional day at the SPI Convention Centre. I met three new bird species: Veery, Dickcissel, and Black-Billed Cuckoo.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:04:15 11:08

**Location:**

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

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

**File Name:** RoseBreastedGrosbeak_D5X5621-SPI_ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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

**Description:**
This female tanager was the only bird I captured during my early (and brief) visit to the Sheepshead Bird Sanctuary. I had an exceptional day at the SPI Convention Centre. I met three new bird species: Veery, Dickcissel, and Black-Billed Cuckoo.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:04:15 9:19

**Location:**

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

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/750

**File Name:** SummerTanager_Female_D5X5264-SPI_SheepsheadPreserve

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Western Tanager - Piranga ludoviciana — **Western Tanager**
*(Piranga ludoviciana)*

**Description:**
Western Tanagers have somewhat a celebrity status in south Texas. This bird was still soaking wet from a bath. I had an exceptional day at the SPI Convention Centre. I met three new bird species: Veery, Dickcissel, and Black-Billed Cuckoo.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:04:15 11:37

**Location:**

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

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/6000

**File Name:** WesternTanager_D5X5702-SPI_ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Yellow-Billed Cuckoo - Coccyzus americanus — **Yellow-Billed Cuckoo**
*(Coccyzus americanus)*

**Description:**
I’d have spent more time working with this bird, but there was a nearby Black-Billed Cuckoo that drew my attention away. I had an exceptional day at the SPI Convention Centre. I met three new bird species: Veery, Dickcissel, and Black-Billed Cuckoo.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:04:15 13:30

**Location:**

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

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

**File Name:** YellowBilledCuckoo_D5X5786-SPI_BirdNatureCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Yellow-Headed Blackbird - Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus — **Yellow-Headed Blackbird**
*(Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus)*

**Description:**
Yellow-Headed Blackbirds are common in Texas, but this was the first I met here. I had an exceptional day at the SPI Convention Centre. I met three new bird species: Veery, Dickcissel, and Black-Billed Cuckoo.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:04:15 10:27

**Location:**

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

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

**File Name:** YellowHeadedBlackbird_D5X5311-SPI_ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Click map markers to reveal further information

Black-Bellied Whistling-Duck

Dendrocygna autumnalis

The Whistling Ducks were acting out their ‘duck politics’, but I missed capturing the best action. I had an exceptional day at the SPI Convention Centre. I met three new bird species: Veery, Dickcissel, and Black-Billed Cuckoo.

Black-Bellied Whistling-Duck

Dendrocygna autumnalis

Black-Billed Cuckoo

Coccyzus erythropthalmus

It took awhile to find an angle that wasn’t obscured by foliage, but at last the bird cooperated. I had an exceptional day at the SPI Convention Centre. I met three new bird species: Veery, Dickcissel, and Black-Billed Cuckoo.

Black-Billed Cuckoo

Coccyzus erythropthalmus

Black-Billed Cuckoo

Coccyzus erythropthalmus

This bird has a well-earned reputation for eating caterpillars. It took awhile to find an angle that wasn’t obscured by foliage, but at last the bird cooperated. I had an exceptional day at the SPI Convention Centre. I met three new bird species: Veery, Dickcissel, and Black-Billed Cuckoo.

Black-Billed Cuckoo

Coccyzus erythropthalmus

Black-Billed Cuckoo

Coccyzus erythropthalmus

And down the hatch! This bird has a well-earned reputation for eating caterpillars. It took awhile to find an angle that wasn’t obscured by foliage, but at last the bird cooperated. I had an exceptional day at the SPI Convention Centre. I met three new bird species: Veery, Dickcissel, and Black-Billed Cuckoo.

Black-Billed Cuckoo

Coccyzus erythropthalmus

Brown-Headed Cowbird

Molothrus ater

Cowbirds and blackbirds forage together on the lawn. I had an exceptional day at the SPI Convention Centre. I met three new bird species: Veery, Dickcissel, and Black-Billed Cuckoo.

Brown-Headed Cowbird

Molothrus ater

Cowbirds and blackbirds forage together on the lawn. I had an exceptional day at the SPI Convention Centre. I met three new bird species: Veery, Dickcissel, and Black-Billed Cuckoo.

Cape May Warbler

Setophaga tigrina

Cape May Warblers were still present almost a week after first being sighted. I had an exceptional day at the SPI Convention Centre. I met three new bird species: Veery, Dickcissel, and Black-Billed Cuckoo.

Clay-Colored Sparrow

Spizella pallida

This bird gave me my best views for the species I’ve captured to date. I had an exceptional day at the SPI Convention Centre. I met three new bird species: Veery, Dickcissel, and Black-Billed Cuckoo.

Clay-Colored Sparrow

Spizella pallida

Clay-Colored Sparrow

Spizella pallida

Dickcissel

Spiza americana

I’d never seen a Dickcissel before. I had to ask a nearby birder what it was. I had an exceptional day at the SPI Convention Centre. I met three new bird species: Veery, Dickcissel, and Black-Billed Cuckoo.

Dickcissel

Spiza americana

Dickcissel

Spiza americana

Indigo Bunting

Passerina cyanea

Indigo Buntings have been present for a week, but there seemed to be more of them today than recent days. I had an exceptional day at the SPI Convention Centre. I met three new bird species: Veery, Dickcissel, and Black-Billed Cuckoo.

Indigo Bunting

Passerina cyanea

Indigo Bunting

Passerina cyanea

Indigo Bunting

Passerina cyanea

Indigo Bunting

Passerina cyanea

Indigo Bunting

Passerina cyanea

Northern Waterthrush

Parkesia noveboracensis

Waterthrushes seem to enjoy the enormous water feature at the Birding and Nature Center. I had an exceptional day at the SPI Convention Centre. I met three new bird species: Veery, Dickcissel, and Black-Billed Cuckoo.

Northern Waterthrush

Parkesia noveboracensis

Red-Winged Blackbird

Agelaius phoeniceus

Most of the Red-Winged Blackbirds on site were male. This female almost seemed out of place. I had an exceptional day at the SPI Convention Centre. I met three new bird species: Veery, Dickcissel, and Black-Billed Cuckoo.

Rose-Breasted Grosbeak

Pheucticus ludovicianus

Most of the Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks on site were male. This female almost seemed out of place. I had an exceptional day at the SPI Convention Centre. I met three new bird species: Veery, Dickcissel, and Black-Billed Cuckoo.

Rose-Breasted Grosbeak

Pheucticus ludovicianus

Rose-Breasted Grosbeak

Pheucticus ludovicianus

Summer Tanager

Piranga rubra

This female tanager was the only bird I captured during my early (and brief) visit to the Sheepshead Bird Sanctuary. I had an exceptional day at the SPI Convention Centre. I met three new bird species: Veery, Dickcissel, and Black-Billed Cuckoo.

Summer Tanager

Piranga rubra

Veery

Catharus fuscescens

My first ever meeting with this species went rather well. I had an exceptional day at the SPI Convention Centre. I met three new bird species: Veery, Dickcissel, and Black-Billed Cuckoo.

Veery

Catharus fuscescens

My first ever meeting with this species went rather well. I had an exceptional day at the SPI Convention Centre. I met three new bird species: Veery, Dickcissel, and Black-Billed Cuckoo.

Veery

Catharus fuscescens

My first ever meeting with this species went rather well. I had an exceptional day at the SPI Convention Centre. I met three new bird species: Veery, Dickcissel, and Black-Billed Cuckoo.

Western Tanager

Piranga ludoviciana

Western Tanagers have somewhat a celebrity status in south Texas. This bird was still soaking wet from a bath. I had an exceptional day at the SPI Convention Centre. I met three new bird species: Veery, Dickcissel, and Black-Billed Cuckoo.

Yellow-Billed Cuckoo

Coccyzus americanus

I’d have spent more time working with this bird, but there was a nearby Black-Billed Cuckoo that drew my attention away. I had an exceptional day at the SPI Convention Centre. I met three new bird species: Veery, Dickcissel, and Black-Billed Cuckoo.

Yellow-Billed Cuckoo

Coccyzus americanus

Yellow-Headed Blackbird

Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus

Yellow-Headed Blackbirds are common in Texas, but this was the first I met here. I had an exceptional day at the SPI Convention Centre. I met three new bird species: Veery, Dickcissel, and Black-Billed Cuckoo.