2020-03-15 My First Day At Aransas NWR

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29 Photos

American Alligator - Alligator mississippiensis — **American Alligator**
*(Alligator mississippiensis)*

**Description:**
I met my first 'wild' aligators at Aransas. I drove to Aransas NWR late Saturday, but my first serious explorations were on Sunday, when I fell in love with Heron Flats, though my explorations carried me all the way to the "Big Tree" tower.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:03:15 13:00

**Location:**

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

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 280 mm, f/7.1, 1/500

**File Name:** AmericanAlligator_D500213-Aransas-NWR

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Pin It — **American Alligator**
*(Alligator mississippiensis)*

**Description:**
I met my first 'wild' aligators at Aransas. I drove to Aransas NWR late Saturday, but my first serious explorations were on Sunday, when I fell in love with Heron Flats, though my explorations carried me all the way to the "Big Tree" tower.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2020:03:15 13:00

**Location:**

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

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 280 mm, f/7.1, 1/500

**File Name:** AmericanAlligator_D500213-Aransas-NWR

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Nine-Banded Armadillo - Dasypus novemcinctus — **Nine-Banded Armadillo**
*(Dasypus novemcinctus)*

**Description:**
This Armadillo was my first as I was leaving early in the evening. I drove to Aransas NWR late Saturday, but my first serious explorations were on Sunday, when I fell in love with Heron Flats, though my explorations carried me all the way to the "Big Tree" tower.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:03:15 18:00

**Location:**

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

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/7.1, 1/500

**File Name:** Armadillo_D501519-Aransas-NWR

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Black Vulture - Coragyps atratus — **Black Vulture**
*(Coragyps atratus)*

**Description:**
I drove to Aransas NWR late Saturday, but my first serious explorations were on Sunday, when I fell in love with Heron Flats, though my explorations carried me all the way to the "Big Tree" tower.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:03:15 17:20

**Location:**

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

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/7.1, 1/6400

**File Name:** BlackVulture_D501243-Aransas-NWR

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Blue-Winged Teal - Spatula discors — **Blue-Winged Teal**
*(Spatula discors)*

**Description:**
The only ducks I saw my first day at Heron Flats were Blue-Winged Teals. I drove to Aransas NWR late Saturday, but my first serious explorations were on Sunday, when I fell in love with Heron Flats, though my explorations carried me all the way to the "Big Tree" tower.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:03:15 15:03

**Location:**

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

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/7.1, 1/2500

**File Name:** BlueWingedTeal_D500746-Aransas-NWR

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Common Gallinule - Gallinula galeata — **Common Gallinule**
*(Gallinula galeata)*

**Description:**
I drove to Aransas NWR late Saturday, but my first serious explorations were on Sunday, when I fell in love with Heron Flats, though my explorations carried me all the way to the "Big Tree" tower.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2020:03:15 10:48

**Location:**

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

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/7.1, 1/400

**File Name:** CommonGallinule_D500036-Aransas-NWR

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Couch's Kingbird - Tyrannus couchii — **Couch's Kingbird**
*(Tyrannus couchii)*

**Description:**
If I saw any kingbirds in South Texas, it was most likely these birds. I drove to Aransas NWR late Saturday, but my first serious explorations were on Sunday, when I fell in love with Heron Flats, though my explorations carried me all the way to the "Big Tree" tower.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:03:15 9:32

**Location:**

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

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/7.1, 1/2500

**File Name:** CouchsKingbird_D509835-Aransas-NWR

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Greater Yellowlegs - Tringa melanoleuca — **Greater Yellowlegs**
*(Tringa melanoleuca)*

**Description:**
There were many dozens of Yellowlegs on the marsh, most were "Greater". I drove to Aransas NWR late Saturday, but my first serious explorations were on Sunday, when I fell in love with Heron Flats, though my explorations carried me all the way to the "Big Tree" tower.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:03:15 15:52

**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:** GreaterYellowLegs_D501027-Aransas-NWR

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Green Heron - Butorides virescens — **Green Heron**
*(Butorides virescens)*

**Description:**
One of my favirite encounters this day was this bird. I drove to Aransas NWR late Saturday, but my first serious explorations were on Sunday, when I fell in love with Heron Flats, though my explorations carried me all the way to the "Big Tree" tower.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2020:03:15 10:54

**Location:**

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

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 420 mm, f/7.1, 1/800

**File Name:** GreenHeron_D500068-Aransas-NWR

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Northern Harrier - Circus hudsonius — **Northern Harrier**
*(Circus hudsonius)*

**Description:**
At Aransas NWR I fell in love with Heron Flats, where I met birds such as this Northern Harrier performing lazy soaring moves and pouncing on any prey it could find.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:03:15 14:42

**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:** NorthernHarrier_D500657-Aransas-NWR

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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

**Description:**
I drove to Aransas NWR late Saturday, but my first serious explorations were on Sunday, when I fell in love with Heron Flats, though my explorations carried me all the way to the "Big Tree" tower.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2020:03:15 13:22

**Location:**

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

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/7.1, 1/2500

**File Name:** PiedBilledGrebe_D500271-Aransas-NWR

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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

**Description:**
All the RWBB's I saw at the marsh here, were females. I drove to Aransas NWR late Saturday, but my first serious explorations were on Sunday, when I fell in love with Heron Flats, though my explorations carried me all the way to the "Big Tree" tower.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2020:03:15 16:56

**Location:**

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

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/7.1, 1/3200

**File Name:** RedWingedBlackBird_D501215-Aransas-NWR

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Roseate Spoonbill - Platalea ajaja — **Roseate Spoonbill**
*(Platalea ajaja)*

**Description:**
These immature spoonbills approached briefly close enough for decent images. I drove to Aransas NWR late Saturday, but my first serious explorations were on Sunday, when I fell in love with Heron Flats, though my explorations carried me all the way to the "Big Tree" tower.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2020:03:15 14:37

**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:** RoseateSpoonbill_D500362-Aransas-NWR

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Scenery From The Big Tree Tower - Scenery — **Scenery From The Big Tree Tower**
*(Scenery)*

**Description:**
The forty foot high East Bird Observation Tower provides a commanding view of the marsh at Big Tree Trail. I drove to Aransas NWR late Saturday, but my first serious explorations were on Sunday, when I fell in love with Heron Flats, though my explorations carried me all the way to the "Big Tree" tower.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:03:15 12:27

**Location:**

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

**Camera Information:**
NIKON Z 7, 24 mm, f/11.0, 1/400

**File Name:** Scenery-FromBigTreeTower_Z7X1203-Aransas-NWR

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Turkey Vulture - Cathartes aura — **Turkey Vulture**
*(Cathartes aura)*

**Description:**
I drove to Aransas NWR late Saturday, but my first serious explorations were on Sunday, when I fell in love with Heron Flats, though my explorations carried me all the way to the "Big Tree" tower.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2020:03:15 17:45

**Location:**

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

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 390 mm, f/7.1, 1/1600

**File Name:** TurkeyVulture_D501428-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 Deer on all three of my visits to Aransas. I drove to Aransas NWR late Saturday, but my first serious explorations were on Sunday, when I fell in love with Heron Flats, though my explorations carried me all the way to the "Big Tree" tower.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:03:15 8:50

**Location:**

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

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 390 mm, f/7.1, 1/640

**File Name:** WhiteTailedDeer_D509813-Aransas-NWR

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Click map markers to reveal further information

American Alligator

Alligator mississippiensis

I met my first 'wild' aligators at Aransas. I drove to Aransas NWR late Saturday, but my first serious explorations were on Sunday, when I fell in love with Heron Flats, though my explorations carried me all the way to the "Big Tree" tower.

Nine-Banded Armadillo

Dasypus novemcinctus

This Armadillo was my first as I was leaving early in the evening. I drove to Aransas NWR late Saturday, but my first serious explorations were on Sunday, when I fell in love with Heron Flats, though my explorations carried me all the way to the "Big Tree" tower.

Black Vulture

Coragyps atratus

I drove to Aransas NWR late Saturday, but my first serious explorations were on Sunday, when I fell in love with Heron Flats, though my explorations carried me all the way to the "Big Tree" tower.

Blue-Winged Teal

Spatula discors

The only ducks I saw my first day at Heron Flats were Blue-Winged Teals. I drove to Aransas NWR late Saturday, but my first serious explorations were on Sunday, when I fell in love with Heron Flats, though my explorations carried me all the way to the "Big Tree" tower.

Blue-Winged Teal

Spatula discors

I called this group of Blue-Winged Teals "The Suitors". One hen with four drakes in tow, wherever she went, they were quick to follow. I drove to Aransas NWR late Saturday, but my first serious explorations were on Sunday, when I fell in love with Heron Flats, though my explorations carried me all the way to the "Big Tree" tower.

Blue-Winged Teal

Spatula discors

Blue-Winged Teal

Spatula discors

Common Gallinule

Gallinula galeata

I drove to Aransas NWR late Saturday, but my first serious explorations were on Sunday, when I fell in love with Heron Flats, though my explorations carried me all the way to the "Big Tree" tower.

Common Gallinule

Gallinula galeata

I drove to Aransas NWR late Saturday, but my first serious explorations were on Sunday, when I fell in love with Heron Flats, though my explorations carried me all the way to the "Big Tree" tower.

Couch's Kingbird

Tyrannus couchii

If I saw any kingbirds in South Texas, it was most likely these birds. I drove to Aransas NWR late Saturday, but my first serious explorations were on Sunday, when I fell in love with Heron Flats, though my explorations carried me all the way to the "Big Tree" tower.

Greater Yellowlegs

Tringa melanoleuca

There were many dozens of Yellowlegs on the marsh, most were "Greater". I drove to Aransas NWR late Saturday, but my first serious explorations were on Sunday, when I fell in love with Heron Flats, though my explorations carried me all the way to the "Big Tree" tower.

Green Heron

Butorides virescens

One of my favirite encounters this day was this bird. I drove to Aransas NWR late Saturday, but my first serious explorations were on Sunday, when I fell in love with Heron Flats, though my explorations carried me all the way to the "Big Tree" tower.

Green Heron

Butorides virescens

Green Heron

Butorides virescens

Northern Harrier

Circus hudsonius

At Aransas NWR I fell in love with Heron Flats, where I met birds such as this Northern Harrier performing lazy soaring moves and pouncing on any prey it could find.

Pied-Billed Grebe

Podilymbus podiceps

I drove to Aransas NWR late Saturday, but my first serious explorations were on Sunday, when I fell in love with Heron Flats, though my explorations carried me all the way to the "Big Tree" tower.

Pied-Billed Grebe

Podilymbus podiceps

This image is one of my favorites from this day. I drove to Aransas NWR late Saturday, but my first serious explorations were on Sunday, when I fell in love with Heron Flats, though my explorations carried me all the way to the "Big Tree" tower.

Pied-Billed Grebe

Podilymbus podiceps

I drove to Aransas NWR late Saturday, but my first serious explorations were on Sunday, when I fell in love with Heron Flats, though my explorations carried me all the way to the "Big Tree" tower.

Pied-Billed Grebe

Podilymbus podiceps

I drove to Aransas NWR late Saturday, but my first serious explorations were on Sunday, when I fell in love with Heron Flats, though my explorations carried me all the way to the "Big Tree" tower.

Pied-Billed Grebe

Podilymbus podiceps

I drove to Aransas NWR late Saturday, but my first serious explorations were on Sunday, when I fell in love with Heron Flats, though my explorations carried me all the way to the "Big Tree" tower.

Red-Winged Blackbird

Agelaius phoeniceus

All the RWBB's I saw at the marsh here, were females. I drove to Aransas NWR late Saturday, but my first serious explorations were on Sunday, when I fell in love with Heron Flats, though my explorations carried me all the way to the "Big Tree" tower.

Red-Winged Blackbird

Agelaius phoeniceus

Roseate Spoonbill

Platalea ajaja

These immature spoonbills approached briefly close enough for decent images. I drove to Aransas NWR late Saturday, but my first serious explorations were on Sunday, when I fell in love with Heron Flats, though my explorations carried me all the way to the "Big Tree" tower.

Roseate Spoonbill

Platalea ajaja

Roseate Spoonbill

Platalea ajaja

Roseate Spoonbill

Platalea ajaja

Scenery From The Big Tree Tower

Scenery

The forty foot high East Bird Observation Tower provides a commanding view of the marsh at Big Tree Trail. I drove to Aransas NWR late Saturday, but my first serious explorations were on Sunday, when I fell in love with Heron Flats, though my explorations carried me all the way to the "Big Tree" tower.

Turkey Vulture

Cathartes aura

I drove to Aransas NWR late Saturday, but my first serious explorations were on Sunday, when I fell in love with Heron Flats, though my explorations carried me all the way to the "Big Tree" tower.

White-Tailed Deer

Odocoileus virginianus

I saw White-Tailed Deer on all three of my visits to Aransas. I drove to Aransas NWR late Saturday, but my first serious explorations were on Sunday, when I fell in love with Heron Flats, though my explorations carried me all the way to the "Big Tree" tower.