Memories of Laguna Atascosa NWR, Texas

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White-Tipped Dove - Leptotila verreauxi — **White-Tipped Dove**
*(Leptotila verreauxi)*

**Description:**
When first I heard the moaning call of these birds, I was confused about who the singer was. I found them the most numerous dove on the reserve. Atascosa NWR was a short drive from my camp in Brownsville, Texas, and remained open during the COVID-19 crisis, when many other nearby birding hotspots shut down.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:04:20 10:37

**Location:**

Atascosa NWR
Los Fresnos, Texas
United States
26.25 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 500 mm, f/8.0, 1/400

**File Name:** WhiteTippedDove_D504436-Atascosa-NWR

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Pin It — **White-Tipped Dove**
*(Leptotila verreauxi)*

**Description:**
When first I heard the moaning call of these birds, I was confused about who the singer was. I found them the most numerous dove on the reserve. Atascosa NWR was a short drive from my camp in Brownsville, Texas, and remained open during the COVID-19 crisis, when many other nearby birding hotspots shut down.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2020:04:20 10:37

**Location:**

Atascosa NWR
Los Fresnos, Texas
United States
26.25 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 500 mm, f/8.0, 1/400

**File Name:** WhiteTippedDove_D504436-Atascosa-NWR

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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

**Description:**
All the Red-Winged Blackbirds I met in the reserve were male. Atascosa NWR was a short drive from my camp in Brownsville, Texas, and remained open during the COVID-19 crisis, when many other nearby birding hotspots shut down.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:04:20 17:34

**Location:**

Atascosa NWR
Los Fresnos, Texas
United States
36.09 ft above sea level

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

**File Name:** RedwingBlackbird_D505562-Atascosa-NWR

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Northern Cardinal - Cardinalis cardinalis — **Northern Cardinal**
*(Cardinalis cardinalis)*

**Description:**
During my visit to the reserve, cardinals were noticably engaged in breeding behaviours. Atascosa NWR was a short drive from my camp in Brownsville, Texas, and remained open during the COVID-19 crisis, when many other nearby birding hotspots shut down.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2020:04:20 8:11

**Location:**

Atascosa NWR
Los Fresnos, Texas
United States
26.25 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/60

**File Name:** NorthernCardinal_D503841-Atascosa-NWR

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura — **Mourning Dove**
*(Zenaida macroura)*

**Description:**
Mourning Doves were few at the reserve while I visited. My third visit to Atascosa NWR in South Texas was intended to pickup images of a couple of the birds I came up short with on my second visit. But then I started meeting new birds and I stayed all day.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2020:04:24 11:22

**Location:**

Atascosa NWR
Los Fresnos, Texas
United States
36.09 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/400

**File Name:** MourningDove_D506044-Atascosa-NWR

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Mexican Ground Squirrel - Ictidomys mexicanus — **Mexican Ground Squirrel**
*(Ictidomys mexicanus)*

**Description:**
This squirrel came out from its hiding place inside the pipe once the threatening roadrunner departed. Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge on the South Texas Coast.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:03:20 12:34

**Location:**

Laguna Atscosa NWR
Los Fresnos, Texas
United States
32.81 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/6.3, 1/3200

**File Name:** MexicanGroundSquirrel_D506300-LagunaAtascosa

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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

**Description:**
Green Jays, until this meeting, had teased me with distant and poorly lit images. This group at Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge on the South Texas Coast was more cooperative.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:03:20 15:18

**Location:**

Laguna Atscosa NWR
Los Fresnos, Texas
United States
32.81 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 340 mm, f/6.3, 1/1000

**File Name:** GreenJay_D506928-LagunaAtascosa

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Blue Grosbeak - Passerina caerulea — **Blue Grosbeak**
*(Passerina caerulea)*

**Description:**
Blue Grosbeaks in south Texas might stay and breed for the summer, or they may be moving further north. This is another bird familiar to me in southern California. My third visit to Atascosa NWR in South Texas was intended to pickup images of a couple of the birds I came up short with on my second visit. But then I started meeting new birds and I stayed all day.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2020:04:24 11:04

**Location:**

Atascosa NWR
Los Fresnos, Texas
United States
36.09 ft above sea level

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

**File Name:** BlueGrosbeak_D505874-Atascosa-NWR

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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American Redstart - Setophaga ruticilla — **American Redstart**
*(Setophaga ruticilla)*

**Description:**
This was my first meeting with the American Redstart. If you study the images you may see a tick attached to the bird's neck. Atascosa NWR was a short drive from my camp in Brownsville, Texas, and remained open during the COVID-19 crisis, when many other nearby birding hotspots shut down.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:04:20 16:16

**Location:**

Atascosa NWR
Los Fresnos, Texas
United States
36.09 ft above sea level

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

**File Name:** AmericanRedstart_D505083-Atascosa-NWR

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Altamira Oriole - Icterus gularis — **Altamira Oriole**
*(Icterus gularis)*

**Description:**
I made an impromptu visit to Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge on the South Texas Coast on Friday as I was headed from Corpus Christi to Brownsville Texas. I spent the afternoon meeting birds, including my ‘first encounter’ with this oriole.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2020:03:20 12:12

**Location:**

Laguna Atscosa NWR
Los Fresnos, Texas
United States
32.81 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 310 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500

**File Name:** AltamiraOriole_D506216-LagunaAtascosa

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Caspian Tern - Hydroprogne caspia — **Caspian Tern**
*(Hydroprogne caspia)*

**Description:**
Osprey Overlook at Laguna Atascosa provided meetings with birds like these terns. I made an improptu visit to Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge on the South Texas Coast on Friday and spent the afternoon meeting birds.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:03:20 14:15

**Location:**

Laguna Atscosa NWR
Los Fresnos, Texas
United States
32.81 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/6.3, 1/6400

**File Name:** CaspianTern_D506692-LagunaAtascosa

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Crested Caracara - Caracara cheriway — **Crested Caracara**
*(Caracara cheriway)*

**Description:**
Until this meeting, I'd been frustrated trying to capture images of Caracaras. This bird posed for me until another vehicle approached before taking off. I drove to Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge for an impropnt visit on the South Texas Coast on Friday and spent the afternoon meeting new birds.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:03:20 14:47

**Location:**

Laguna Atscosa NWR
Los Fresnos, Texas
United States
32.81 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 330 mm, f/6.3, 1/6400

**File Name:** CrestedCaracara_D506878-LagunaAtascosa

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Harris's Hawk - Parabuteo unicinctus — **Harris's Hawk**
*(Parabuteo unicinctus)*

**Description:**
This immature hawk kept calling (wheezing) to the adults not far away. Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge on the South Texas Coast.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:03:20 15:35

**Location:**

Laguna Atscosa NWR
Los Fresnos, Texas
United States
32.81 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/6.3, 1/1000

**File Name:** HarrisHawk_D507031-LagunaAtascosa

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Killdeer - Charadrius vociferus — **Killdeer**
*(Charadrius vociferus)*

**Description:**
Osprey Overlook at Laguna Atascosa provided meets with birds like these Killdeer. Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge on the South Texas Coast.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:03:20 13:50

**Location:**

Laguna Atscosa NWR
Los Fresnos, Texas
United States
32.81 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/6.3, 1/8000

**File Name:** Killdeer_D506558-LagunaAtascosa

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Northern Mockingbird - Mimus polyglottos — **Northern Mockingbird**
*(Mimus polyglottos)*

**Description:**
Northern Mockingbirds sound similar to Brown Thrashers, but repeat phrases in threes, and Brown Thrashers repeat in twos. Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge on the South Texas Coast.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:03:20 13:39

**Location:**

Laguna Atscosa NWR
Los Fresnos, Texas
United States
32.81 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/6.3, 1/6400

**File Name:** NorthernMockingbird_D506474-LagunaAtascosa

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher - Tyrannus forficatus — **Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher**
*(Tyrannus forficatus)*

**Description:**
At Atascosa, the Scissor-Tailied Flycatchers I met allowed me closer encounters than my previous meetings. Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge on the South Texas Coast.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:03:20 15:38

**Location:**

Laguna Atscosa NWR
Los Fresnos, Texas
United States
32.81 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/6.3, 1/1000

**File Name:** ScissorTailedFlycatcher_D507110-LagunaAtascosa

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Tricolored Heron - Egretta tricolor — **Tricolored Heron**
*(Egretta tricolor)*

**Description:**
Osprey Overlook at Laguna Atascosa provided meets with birds like these herons. Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge on the South Texas Coast.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:03:20 13:21

**Location:**

Laguna Atscosa NWR
Los Fresnos, Texas
United States
32.81 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/6.3, 1/5000

**File Name:** TricoloredHeron_D506362-LagunaAtascosa

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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

**Description:**
I drove to Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge on the South Texas Coast on Friday and spent the afternoon meeting new birds.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2020:03:20 16:16

**Location:**

Laguna Atscosa NWR
Los Fresnos, Texas
United States
32.81 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/5.6, 1/6400

**File Name:** TurkeyVulture_D507274-LagunaAtascosa

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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White-Eyed Vireo - Vireo griseus — **White-Eyed Vireo**
*(Vireo griseus)*

**Description:**
I met this species in many of the Texas locations I visited, but here at Atascosa were some of my best encounters. I drove to Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge on the South Texas Coast on Friday and spent the afternoon meeting new birds.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:03:20 11:44

**Location:**

Laguna Atscosa NWR
Los Fresnos, Texas
United States
32.81 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500

**File Name:** WhiteEyedVireo_D506157-LagunaAtascosa

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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American White Ibis - Eudocimus albus — **American White Ibis**
*(Eudocimus albus)*

**Description:**
Osprey Overlook at Laguna Atascosa provided meetings with birds like this ibis. Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge on the South Texas Coast.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:03:20 13:18

**Location:**

Laguna Atscosa NWR
Los Fresnos, Texas
United States
32.81 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/6.3, 1/6400

**File Name:** WhiteIbis_D506312-LagunaAtascosa

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Plain Chachalaca - Ortalis vetula — **Plain Chachalaca**
*(Ortalis vetula)*

**Description:**
When I left California for Texas, this was a bird I was hoping to meet and photograph. Atascosa NWR was a short drive from my camp in Brownsville, Texas, and remained open during the COVID-19 crisis, when many other nearby birding hotspots shut down.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2020:04:20 9:57

**Location:**

Atascosa NWR
Los Fresnos, Texas
United States
26.25 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 330 mm, f/8.0, 1/200

**File Name:** PlainChachalaca_D504194-Atascosa-NWR

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Bronzed Cowbird - Molothrus aeneus — **Bronzed Cowbird**
*(Molothrus aeneus)*

**Description:**
Bronzed Cowbirds are known for their thick-necked appearance, which results from their ability to raise the feathers on their necks. My third visit to Atascosa NWR in South Texas was intended to pickup images of a couple of the birds I came up short with on my second visit. But then I started meeting new birds and I stayed all day.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:04:24 10:13

**Location:**

Atascosa NWR
Los Fresnos, Texas
United States
36.09 ft above sea level

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

**File Name:** BronzedCowbird_D505820-Atascosa-NWR

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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

**Description:**
Golden-Fronted Woodpeckers seemed to resit my efforts to capture a nice portrait, but this bird pose nicely for me. My third visit to Atascosa NWR in South Texas was intended to pickup images of a couple of the birds I came up short with on my second visit. But then I started meeting new birds and I stayed all day.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:04:24 10:09

**Location:**

Atascosa NWR
Los Fresnos, Texas
United States
36.09 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000

**File Name:** GoldenFrontedWoodpecker_D505776-Atascosa-NWR

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Greater Roadrunner - Geococcyx californianus — **Greater Roadrunner**
*(Geococcyx californianus)*

**Description:**
Greater Roadrunners are not uncommon in Texas, but this bird's love of the water provided my most memorable meetings during my visit to the state in 2020. My third visit to Atascosa NWR in South Texas was intended to pickup images of a couple of the birds I came up short with on my second visit. But then I started meeting new birds and I stayed all day.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2020:04:24 12:03

**Location:**

Atascosa NWR
Los Fresnos, Texas
United States
36.09 ft above sea level

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

**File Name:** GreaterRoadRunner_D506756-Atascosa-NWR

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Long-Billed Thrasher - Toxostoma longirostre — **Long-Billed Thrasher**
*(Toxostoma longirostre)*

**Description:**
I was unsatisfied with the images I'd collected of this bird on my first two visits, and my mission for this day was to do better. This was my third visit to Atascosa NWR in South Texas, and I intended to pick up better images of some of the birds I came up short with on my second visit. But then I started meeting new birds, and I stayed all day.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:04:24 11:28

**Location:**

Atascosa NWR
Los Fresnos, Texas
United States
36.09 ft above sea level

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

**File Name:** LongBilledThrasher_D506190-Atascosa-NWR

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Olive Sparrow - Arremonops rufivirgatus — **Olive Sparrow**
*(Arremonops rufivirgatus)*

**Description:**
Because Olive Sparrows love dense thickets and understory, they are difficult to capture their images. These were one of the birds I applied effort to find on this day. My third visit to Atascosa NWR in South Texas was intended to pickup images of a couple of the birds I came up short with on my second visit. But then I started meeting new birds and I stayed all day.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:04:24 8:57

**Location:**

Atascosa NWR
Los Fresnos, Texas
United States
29.53 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/500

**File Name:** OliveSparrow_D505722-Atascosa-NWR

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Painted Bunting - Passerina ciris — **Painted Bunting**
*(Passerina ciris)*

**Description:**
I was hoping to meet the male Painted Bunting in Texas, but this young lady was a nice consolation prize. My third visit to Atascosa NWR in South Texas was intended to pick up images of a couple of the birds I came up short with on my second visit. But then I started meeting new birds and I stayed all day.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2020:04:24 11:39

**Location:**

Atascosa NWR
Los Fresnos, Texas
United States
36.09 ft above sea level

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

**File Name:** PaintedBunting_D506474-Atascosa-NWR

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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

**Description:**
This meeting with the immature male Rose-Breasted Grosbeak came as a welcome surprise to me. On my third visit to Atascosa NWR in South Texas I intended to pick up images of some of the birds I missed on my second visit. But then I started meeting new birds and I stayed all day.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:04:24 11:42

**Location:**

Atascosa NWR
Los Fresnos, Texas
United States
36.09 ft above sea level

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

**File Name:** RoseBreastedGrosbeak_D506544-Atascosa-NWR

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Great-Tailed Grackle - Quiscalus mexicanus — **Great-Tailed Grackle**
*(Quiscalus mexicanus)*

**Description:**
When the grackle mob showed up at the feeding station, it was every bird for itself. I spent the day in Laguna Vista and Laguna Atascosa Thursday. I didn’t find any unusual birds, but I enjoyed those that I met.
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**Date Taken:** 2021:02:04 11:29

**Location:**

Laguna Atascosa NWR
Los Fresnos, Texas
United States
42.65 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/500

**File Name:** GreatTailedGrackle_D5X8217-AtascosaNWR-TX

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Ladder-Backed Woodpecker - Dryobates scalaris — **Ladder-Backed Woodpecker**
*(Dryobates scalaris)*

**Description:**
Ladder-backed Woodpeckers worked all the trees around the feeders at Atascosa. I spent the day in Laguna Vista and Laguna Atascosa Thursday. I didn’t find any unusual birds, but I enjoyed those that I met.
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**Date Taken:** 2021:02:04 12:48

**Location:**

Laguna Atascosa NWR
Los Fresnos, Texas
United States
42.65 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/16.0, 1/1000

**File Name:** LadderBackedWoodpecker_D5X8952-AtascosaNWR-TX

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Ash-Throated Flycatcher - Myiarchus cinerascens — **Ash-Throated Flycatcher**
*(Myiarchus cinerascens)*

**Description:**
Ash-Throated Flycatchers are familiar near my home in southern California. It was fun to meet them in Texas too. This bird turned out to be to only Texas encounter I would have with the species.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:04:24 11:49

**Location:**

Atascosa NWR
Los Fresnos, Texas
United States
36.09 ft above sea level

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

**File Name:** AshThoatedFlyCatcher_D506630-Atascosa-NWR

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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

**Description:**
Baltimore Orioles pass through southern Texas on their way north. My third visit to Atascosa NWR in South Texas was intended to pickup images of a couple of the birds I came up short with on my second visit. But then I started meeting new birds and I stayed all day.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:04:24 15:09

**Location:**

Atascosa NWR
Los Fresnos, Texas
United States
36.09 ft above sea level

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

**File Name:** BaltimoreOriole_D507192-Atascosa-NWR

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Click map markers to reveal further information

White-Tipped Dove

Leptotila verreauxi

When first I heard the moaning call of these birds, I was confused about who the singer was. I found them the most numerous dove on the reserve. Atascosa NWR was a short drive from my camp in Brownsville, Texas, and remained open during the COVID-19 crisis, when many other nearby birding hotspots shut down.

Red-Winged Blackbird

Agelaius phoeniceus

All the Red-Winged Blackbirds I met in the reserve were male. Atascosa NWR was a short drive from my camp in Brownsville, Texas, and remained open during the COVID-19 crisis, when many other nearby birding hotspots shut down.

Northern Cardinal

Cardinalis cardinalis

During my visit to the reserve, cardinals were noticably engaged in breeding behaviours. Atascosa NWR was a short drive from my camp in Brownsville, Texas, and remained open during the COVID-19 crisis, when many other nearby birding hotspots shut down.

Mourning Dove

Zenaida macroura

Mourning Doves were few at the reserve while I visited. My third visit to Atascosa NWR in South Texas was intended to pickup images of a couple of the birds I came up short with on my second visit. But then I started meeting new birds and I stayed all day.

Mexican Ground Squirrel

Ictidomys mexicanus

This squirrel came out from its hiding place inside the pipe once the threatening roadrunner departed. Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge on the South Texas Coast.

Green Jay

Cyanocorax yncas

Green Jays, until this meeting, had teased me with distant and poorly lit images. This group at Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge on the South Texas Coast was more cooperative.

Green Jay

Cyanocorax yncas

Green Jays were the most numerous bird at the Visitor Center. Atascosa NWR was a short drive from my camp in Brownsville, Texas, and remained open during the COVID-19 crisis, when many other nearby birding hotspots shut down.

Blue Grosbeak

Passerina caerulea

Blue Grosbeaks in south Texas might stay and breed for the summer, or they may be moving further north. This is another bird familiar to me in southern California. My third visit to Atascosa NWR in South Texas was intended to pickup images of a couple of the birds I came up short with on my second visit. But then I started meeting new birds and I stayed all day.

American Redstart

Setophaga ruticilla

This was my first meeting with the American Redstart. If you study the images you may see a tick attached to the bird's neck. Atascosa NWR was a short drive from my camp in Brownsville, Texas, and remained open during the COVID-19 crisis, when many other nearby birding hotspots shut down.

Altamira Oriole

Icterus gularis

I made an impromptu visit to Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge on the South Texas Coast on Friday as I was headed from Corpus Christi to Brownsville Texas. I spent the afternoon meeting birds, including my ‘first encounter’ with this oriole.

Caspian Tern

Hydroprogne caspia

Osprey Overlook at Laguna Atascosa provided meetings with birds like these terns. I made an improptu visit to Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge on the South Texas Coast on Friday and spent the afternoon meeting birds.

Crested Caracara

Caracara cheriway

Until this meeting, I'd been frustrated trying to capture images of Caracaras. This bird posed for me until another vehicle approached before taking off. I drove to Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge for an impropnt visit on the South Texas Coast on Friday and spent the afternoon meeting new birds.

Harris's Hawk

Parabuteo unicinctus

This immature hawk kept calling (wheezing) to the adults not far away. Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge on the South Texas Coast.

Killdeer

Charadrius vociferus

Osprey Overlook at Laguna Atascosa provided meets with birds like these Killdeer. Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge on the South Texas Coast.

Mourning Dove

Zenaida macroura

Northern Mockingbird

Mimus polyglottos

Northern Mockingbirds sound similar to Brown Thrashers, but repeat phrases in threes, and Brown Thrashers repeat in twos. Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge on the South Texas Coast.

Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher

Tyrannus forficatus

At Atascosa, the Scissor-Tailied Flycatchers I met allowed me closer encounters than my previous meetings. Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge on the South Texas Coast.

Tricolored Heron

Egretta tricolor

Osprey Overlook at Laguna Atascosa provided meets with birds like these herons. Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge on the South Texas Coast.

Turkey Vulture

Cathartes aura

I drove to Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge on the South Texas Coast on Friday and spent the afternoon meeting new birds.

White-Eyed Vireo

Vireo griseus

I met this species in many of the Texas locations I visited, but here at Atascosa were some of my best encounters. I drove to Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge on the South Texas Coast on Friday and spent the afternoon meeting new birds.

American White Ibis

Eudocimus albus

Osprey Overlook at Laguna Atascosa provided meetings with birds like this ibis. Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge on the South Texas Coast.

Plain Chachalaca

Ortalis vetula

When I left California for Texas, this was a bird I was hoping to meet and photograph. Atascosa NWR was a short drive from my camp in Brownsville, Texas, and remained open during the COVID-19 crisis, when many other nearby birding hotspots shut down.

Bronzed Cowbird

Molothrus aeneus

Bronzed Cowbirds are known for their thick-necked appearance, which results from their ability to raise the feathers on their necks. My third visit to Atascosa NWR in South Texas was intended to pickup images of a couple of the birds I came up short with on my second visit. But then I started meeting new birds and I stayed all day.

Golden-Fronted Woodpecker

Melanerpes aurifrons

Golden-Fronted Woodpeckers seemed to resit my efforts to capture a nice portrait, but this bird pose nicely for me. My third visit to Atascosa NWR in South Texas was intended to pickup images of a couple of the birds I came up short with on my second visit. But then I started meeting new birds and I stayed all day.

Greater Roadrunner

Geococcyx californianus

Greater Roadrunners are not uncommon in Texas, but this bird's love of the water provided my most memorable meetings during my visit to the state in 2020. My third visit to Atascosa NWR in South Texas was intended to pickup images of a couple of the birds I came up short with on my second visit. But then I started meeting new birds and I stayed all day.

Golden-Fronted Woodpecker

Melanerpes aurifrons

Greater Roadrunner

Geococcyx californianus

Greater Roadrunners are not uncommon in Texas, but this bird's love of the water provided me with some memorable meetings during my visit to the state in 2020. My third visit to Atascosa NWR in South Texas was intended to pickup images of a couple of birds I came up short with on my second visit. But then I started meeting new birds and I stayed all day.

Long-Billed Thrasher

Toxostoma longirostre

I was unsatisfied with the images I'd collected of this bird on my first two visits, and my mission for this day was to do better. This was my third visit to Atascosa NWR in South Texas, and I intended to pick up better images of some of the birds I came up short with on my second visit. But then I started meeting new birds, and I stayed all day.

Olive Sparrow

Arremonops rufivirgatus

Because Olive Sparrows love dense thickets and understory, they are difficult to capture their images. These were one of the birds I applied effort to find on this day. My third visit to Atascosa NWR in South Texas was intended to pickup images of a couple of the birds I came up short with on my second visit. But then I started meeting new birds and I stayed all day.

Olive Sparrow

Arremonops rufivirgatus

Plain Chachalaca

Ortalis vetula

Chacalacas are brash and bold, and their loud and raucous calls can be heard from great distances. My third visit to Atascosa NWR in South Texas was intended to pickup images of a couple of the birds I came up short with on my second visit. But then I started meeting new birds and I stayed all day.

Painted Bunting

Passerina ciris

I was hoping to meet the male Painted Bunting in Texas, but this young lady was a nice consolation prize. My third visit to Atascosa NWR in South Texas was intended to pick up images of a couple of the birds I came up short with on my second visit. But then I started meeting new birds and I stayed all day.

Plain Chachalaca

Ortalis vetula

Rose-Breasted Grosbeak

Pheucticus ludovicianus

This meeting with the immature male Rose-Breasted Grosbeak came as a welcome surprise to me. On my third visit to Atascosa NWR in South Texas I intended to pick up images of some of the birds I missed on my second visit. But then I started meeting new birds and I stayed all day.

Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher

Tyrannus forficatus

At Atascosa, the Scissor-Tailied Flycatchers I met allowed me closer encounters than my previous meetings. Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge on the South Texas Coast.

Long-Billed Thrasher

Toxostoma longirostre

I met my first Long-Billed Thrashers last spring here at Atascosa, and I enjoyed getting re-acquainted. I spent the day in Laguna Vista and Laguna Atascosa Thursday. I didn’t find any unusual birds, but I enjoyed those that I met.

Great-Tailed Grackle

Quiscalus mexicanus

When the grackle mob showed up at the feeding station, it was every bird for itself. I spent the day in Laguna Vista and Laguna Atascosa Thursday. I didn’t find any unusual birds, but I enjoyed those that I met.

Ladder-Backed Woodpecker

Dryobates scalaris

Ladder-backed Woodpeckers worked all the trees around the feeders at Atascosa. I spent the day in Laguna Vista and Laguna Atascosa Thursday. I didn’t find any unusual birds, but I enjoyed those that I met.

Northern Cardinal

Cardinalis cardinalis

Cardinals are a fixture in most places here in south Texas, and Atascosa was no exception. I spent the day in Laguna Vista and Laguna Atascosa Thursday. I didn’t find any unusual birds, but I enjoyed those that I met.

Green Jay

Cyanocorax yncas

Green Jays are always entertaining. These at Atascosa were no exception. I spent the day in Laguna Vista and Laguna Atascosa Thursday. I didn’t find any unusual birds, but I enjoyed those that I met.

Ladder-Backed Woodpecker

Dryobates scalaris

Great-Tailed Grackle

Quiscalus mexicanus

Ash-Throated Flycatcher

Myiarchus cinerascens

Ash-Throated Flycatchers are familiar near my home in southern California. It was fun to meet them in Texas too. This bird turned out to be to only Texas encounter I would have with the species.

Baltimore Oriole

Icterus galbula

Baltimore Orioles pass through southern Texas on their way north. My third visit to Atascosa NWR in South Texas was intended to pickup images of a couple of the birds I came up short with on my second visit. But then I started meeting new birds and I stayed all day.

White-Tipped Dove

Leptotila verreauxi

The only doves I saw during my visit to Atascosa were White-Tipped. I spent the day in Laguna Vista and Laguna Atascosa Thursday. I didn’t find any unusual birds, but I enjoyed those that I met.