Memories of The Sabal Palm Sanctuary

Read the blog

23 Photos

Least Grebe - Tachybaptus dominicus — **Least Grebe**
*(Tachybaptus dominicus)*

**Description:**
The Least Grebes were highly vocal this morning. I suspect they were courting and/or pair-bonding. Only 5 miles from my camp in Brownsville (Texas), I paid a brief, 3+ hour visit to this sanctuary on this foggy damp morning.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:03:26 8:36

**Location:**

Sabal Palm Sanctuary
Brownsville, Texas
United States
52.49 ft above sea level

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

**File Name:** LeastGrebe_D5X5402-SabalPalms

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

Pin It — **Least Grebe**
*(Tachybaptus dominicus)*

**Description:**
The Least Grebes were highly vocal this morning. I suspect they were courting and/or pair-bonding. Only 5 miles from my camp in Brownsville (Texas), I paid a brief, 3+ hour visit to this sanctuary on this foggy damp morning.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:03:26 8:36

**Location:**

Sabal Palm Sanctuary
Brownsville, Texas
United States
52.49 ft above sea level

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

**File Name:** LeastGrebe_D5X5402-SabalPalms

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

Gadwall - Mareca strepera — **Gadwall**
*(Mareca strepera)*

**Description:**
Unlike the Blue-Winged Teal wintering in south Texas, Gadwall rarely breed here. So these birds will probably leave Texas soon. Only 5 miles from my camp in Brownsville (Texas), I paid a brief, 3+ hour visit to this sanctuary on this foggy damp morning.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:03:26 9:44

**Location:**

Sabal Palm Sanctuary
Brownsville, Texas
United States
52.49 ft above sea level

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

**File Name:** Gadwall_D5X5523-SabalPalms

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

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

**Description:**
White-Eyed Vireos are often skulking birds, but I managed to catch a couple of clear shots this morning. Sabal Palm Sanctuary is only five miles from where I camp in Brownsville. My last visit was late January 2021 and felt it was time to get reacquainted. I couldn’t have picked a better day. There was glorious weather and wonderful birds.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:03:19 9:06

**Location:**

Sabal Palm Sanctuary
Brownsville, Texas
United States
45.93 ft above sea level

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

**File Name:** WhiteEyedVireo_D5X3450-SabalPalmSanctuary

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

Ringed Kingfisher - Megaceryle torquata — **Ringed Kingfisher**
*(Megaceryle torquata)*

**Description:**
Belted Kingfishers showed up early during my visit, but when the Ringed Kingfisher joined in, I knew it would be an exceptional day. Sabal Palm Sanctuary is only five miles from where I camp in Brownsville. My last visit was late January 2021 and felt it was time to get reacquainted. I couldn’t have picked a better day. There was glorious weather and wonderful birds.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:03:19 11:07

**Location:**

Sabal Palm Sanctuary
Brownsville, Texas
United States
45.93 ft above sea level

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

**File Name:** RingedKingfisher_D5X3997-SabalPalmSanctuary

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

Red-Eared Slider - Trachemys scripta — **Red-Eared Slider**
*(Trachemys scripta)*

**Description:**
The only freshwater turtle species I’ve met in Texas has been the Red-Eared Slider. Sabal Palm Sanctuary is only five miles from where I camp in Brownsville. My last visit was late January 2021 and felt it was time to get reacquainted. I couldn’t have picked a better day. There was glorious weather and wonderful birds.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:03:19 10:55

**Location:**

Sabal Palm Sanctuary
Brownsville, Texas
United States
45.93 ft above sea level

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

**File Name:** RedEaredSlider_D5X3887-SabalPalmSanctuary

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

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

**Description:**
A bird outing in Texas doesn’t feel complete without a cardinal encounter. Sabal Palm Sanctuary is only five miles from where I camp in Brownsville. My last visit was late January 2021 and felt it was time to get reacquainted. I couldn’t have picked a better day. There was glorious weather and wonderful birds.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:03:19 8:45

**Location:**

Sabal Palm Sanctuary
Brownsville, Texas
United States
45.93 ft above sea level

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

**File Name:** NorthernCardinal_D5X3431-SabalPalmSanctuary

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

Belted Kingfisher - Megaceryle alcyon — **Belted Kingfisher**
*(Megaceryle alcyon)*

**Description:**
Belted Kingfishers showed up early during my visit, but when the Ringed Kingfisher joined in, I knew it would be an exceptional day. Sabal Palm Sanctuary is only five miles from where I camp in Brownsville. My last visit was late January 2021 and felt it was time to get reacquainted. I couldn’t have picked a better day. There was glorious weather and wonderful birds.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:03:19 11:05

**Location:**

Sabal Palm Sanctuary
Brownsville, Texas
United States
45.93 ft above sea level

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

**File Name:** BeltedKingfisher_D5X3939-SabalPalmSanctuary

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

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

**Description:**
Blue-Winged Teals seem to be the most common inland winter duck in south Texas. Sabal Palm Sanctuary is only five miles from where I camp in Brownsville. My last visit was late January 2021 and felt it was time to get reacquainted. I couldn’t have picked a better day. There was glorious weather and wonderful birds.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:03:19 10:48

**Location:**

Sabal Palm Sanctuary
Brownsville, Texas
United States
45.93 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000

**File Name:** BlueWingedTeal_D5X3843-SabalPalmSanctuary

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

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

**Description:**
When not exploiting the food at the feeding station, these doves skulked through the thick brush under the trees. It was ten days earlier when I paid my first visit to the Sabal Palm Sanctuary in Brownsville Texas. I tried to explore trails I missed last time here.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:01:28 11:32

**Location:**

Sable Palms Sanctuary
Brownsville, Texas
United States
42.65 ft above sea level

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

**File Name:** WhiteTippedDove_D5X5719-SabalPalms

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

Osprey - Pandion haliaetus — **Osprey**
*(Pandion haliaetus)*

**Description:**
The highlight of my morning was this Osprey’s capture of a fish and watching it wheel over the resaca on its way to finding a perch to enjoy its meal. It was ten days earlier when I paid my first visit to the Sabal Palm Sanctuary in Brownsville Texas. I tried to explore trails I missed last time here.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:01:28 10:07

**Location:**

Sable Palms Sanctuary
Brownsville, Texas
United States
42.65 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/2000

**File Name:** Osprey_D5X5579-SabalPalms

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

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

**Description:**
Just as on my first visit to the sanctuary, I found about a hundred vultures (mostly Turkey Vultures) roosting in the palms, then kettling out as the day warmed up. It was ten days earlier when I paid my first visit to the Sabal Palm Sanctuary in Brownsville Texas. I tried to explore trails I missed last time here.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:01:28 8:18

**Location:**

Sable Palms Sanctuary
Brownsville, Texas
United States
42.65 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/2000

**File Name:** TurkeyVulture_D5X5139-SabalPalms

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

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

**Description:**
Cardinals, jays, titmice, and thrashers were attracted to the feeders and water provided by the staff at the sanctuary. It was ten days earlier when I paid my first visit to the Sabal Palm Sanctuary in Brownsville Texas. I tried to explore trails I missed last time here.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:01:28 11:37

**Location:**

Sable Palms Sanctuary
Brownsville, Texas
United States
42.65 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/250

**File Name:** LongBilledThrasher_D5X5793-SabalPalms

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

Buff-Bellied Hummingbird - Amazilia yucatanensis — **Buff-Bellied Hummingbird**
*(Amazilia yucatanensis)*

**Description:**
Buff-Bellied Hummers remain year-round in south Texas. It was ten days earlier when I paid my first visit to the Sabal Palm Sanctuary in Brownsville Texas. I tried to explore trails I missed last time here.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:01:28 8:51

**Location:**

Sable Palms Sanctuary
Brownsville, Texas
United States
42.65 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/2000

**File Name:** BuffBelliedHummingbird_D5X5230-SabalPalms

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

Carolina Wren - Thryothorus ludovicianus — **Carolina Wren**
*(Thryothorus ludovicianus)*

**Description:**
Wrens, like the titmice, keep an eye out for the neighborhood. It was ten days earlier when I paid my first visit to the Sabal Palm Sanctuary in Brownsville Texas. I tried to explore trails I missed last time here.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:01:28 8:39

**Location:**

Sable Palms Sanctuary
Brownsville, Texas
United States
42.65 ft above sea level

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

**File Name:** CarolinaWren_D5X5198-SabalPalms

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

Great Egret - Ardea alba — **Great Egret**
*(Ardea alba)*

**Description:**
The only wader I saw on the resaca was this lone egret. It was ten days earlier when I paid my first visit to the Sabal Palm Sanctuary in Brownsville Texas. I tried to explore trails I missed last time here.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:01:28 10:50

**Location:**

Sable Palms Sanctuary
Brownsville, Texas
United States
42.65 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/2000

**File Name:** GreatEgret_D5X5655-SabalPalms

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

Black-Crested Titmouse - Baeolophus atricristatus — **Black-Crested Titmouse**
*(Baeolophus atricristatus)*

**Description:**
Titmice take their neighborhood watch roles seriously. It was ten days earlier when I paid my first visit to the Sabal Palm Sanctuary in Brownsville Texas. I tried to explore trails I missed last time here.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:01:28 11:41

**Location:**

Sable Palms Sanctuary
Brownsville, Texas
United States
42.65 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/250

**File Name:** BlackCrestedTitmouse_D5X5822-SabalPalms

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

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

**Description:**
Olive Sparrows love thick tangled underbrush, and the sanctuary here has them in spades. On my first visit to Texas last spring, the pandemic of 2020 caused the Sabal Palm Sanctuary to close its doors. It took until this Monday in January for me to manage my first visit here.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:01:18 9:54

**Location:**

Sable Palms Sanctuary
Brownsville, Texas
United States
36.09 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/2000

**File Name:** OliveSparrow_D5X1739-SabalPalms

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

Green Kingfisher - Chloroceryle americana — **Green Kingfisher**
*(Chloroceryle americana)*

**Description:**
Green Kingfishers are the smallest of North American kingfishers. This was my first meeting with them. On my first visit to Texas last spring, the pandemic of 2020 caused the Sabal Palm Sanctuary to close its doors. It took until this Monday in January for me to manage my first visit here.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:01:18 10:33

**Location:**

Sable Palms Sanctuary
Brownsville, Texas
United States
36.09 ft above sea level

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

**File Name:** GreenKingfisher_D5X2034-SabalPalms

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

Click map markers to reveal further information

Least Grebe

Tachybaptus dominicus

The Least Grebes were highly vocal this morning. I suspect they were courting and/or pair-bonding. Only 5 miles from my camp in Brownsville (Texas), I paid a brief, 3+ hour visit to this sanctuary on this foggy damp morning.

Gadwall

Mareca strepera

Unlike the Blue-Winged Teal wintering in south Texas, Gadwall rarely breed here. So these birds will probably leave Texas soon. Only 5 miles from my camp in Brownsville (Texas), I paid a brief, 3+ hour visit to this sanctuary on this foggy damp morning.

White-Eyed Vireo

Vireo griseus

White-Eyed Vireos are often skulking birds, but I managed to catch a couple of clear shots this morning. Sabal Palm Sanctuary is only five miles from where I camp in Brownsville. My last visit was late January 2021 and felt it was time to get reacquainted. I couldn’t have picked a better day. There was glorious weather and wonderful birds.

Ringed Kingfisher

Megaceryle torquata

Belted Kingfishers showed up early during my visit, but when the Ringed Kingfisher joined in, I knew it would be an exceptional day. Sabal Palm Sanctuary is only five miles from where I camp in Brownsville. My last visit was late January 2021 and felt it was time to get reacquainted. I couldn’t have picked a better day. There was glorious weather and wonderful birds.

Red-Eared Slider

Trachemys scripta

The only freshwater turtle species I’ve met in Texas has been the Red-Eared Slider. Sabal Palm Sanctuary is only five miles from where I camp in Brownsville. My last visit was late January 2021 and felt it was time to get reacquainted. I couldn’t have picked a better day. There was glorious weather and wonderful birds.

Northern Cardinal

Cardinalis cardinalis

A bird outing in Texas doesn’t feel complete without a cardinal encounter. Sabal Palm Sanctuary is only five miles from where I camp in Brownsville. My last visit was late January 2021 and felt it was time to get reacquainted. I couldn’t have picked a better day. There was glorious weather and wonderful birds.

Least Grebe

Tachybaptus dominicus

I wasn’t sure the Least Grebes would give me a photo-op this visit, but they finally cruised by and caught a meal or two in my presence. Sabal Palm Sanctuary is only five miles from where I camp in Brownsville. My last visit was late January 2021 and felt it was time to get reacquainted. I couldn’t have picked a better day. There was glorious weather and wonderful birds.

Belted Kingfisher

Megaceryle alcyon

Belted Kingfisher

Megaceryle alcyon

Blue-Winged Teal

Spatula discors

Blue-Winged Teals seem to be the most common inland winter duck in south Texas. Sabal Palm Sanctuary is only five miles from where I camp in Brownsville. My last visit was late January 2021 and felt it was time to get reacquainted. I couldn’t have picked a better day. There was glorious weather and wonderful birds.

White-Tipped Dove

Leptotila verreauxi

When not exploiting the food at the feeding station, these doves skulked through the thick brush under the trees. It was ten days earlier when I paid my first visit to the Sabal Palm Sanctuary in Brownsville Texas. I tried to explore trails I missed last time here.

Osprey

Pandion haliaetus

The highlight of my morning was this Osprey’s capture of a fish and watching it wheel over the resaca on its way to finding a perch to enjoy its meal. It was ten days earlier when I paid my first visit to the Sabal Palm Sanctuary in Brownsville Texas. I tried to explore trails I missed last time here.

Turkey Vulture

Cathartes aura

Just as on my first visit to the sanctuary, I found about a hundred vultures (mostly Turkey Vultures) roosting in the palms, then kettling out as the day warmed up. It was ten days earlier when I paid my first visit to the Sabal Palm Sanctuary in Brownsville Texas. I tried to explore trails I missed last time here.

Northern Cardinal

Cardinalis cardinalis

Cardinals, jays, titmice, and thrashers were attracted to the feeders and water provided by the staff at the sanctuary. It was ten days earlier when I paid my first visit to the Sabal Palm Sanctuary in Brownsville Texas. I tried to explore trails I missed last time here.

Long-Billed Thrasher

Toxostoma longirostre

Least Grebe

Tachybaptus dominicus

Even though I’d photographed these grebes when I first met them here recently, I could not resist the temptation to gather more images. It was ten days earlier when I paid my first visit to the Sabal Palm Sanctuary in Brownsville Texas. I tried to explore trails I missed last time here.

Buff-Bellied Hummingbird

Amazilia yucatanensis

Buff-Bellied Hummers remain year-round in south Texas. It was ten days earlier when I paid my first visit to the Sabal Palm Sanctuary in Brownsville Texas. I tried to explore trails I missed last time here.

Carolina Wren

Thryothorus ludovicianus

Wrens, like the titmice, keep an eye out for the neighborhood. It was ten days earlier when I paid my first visit to the Sabal Palm Sanctuary in Brownsville Texas. I tried to explore trails I missed last time here.

Great Egret

Ardea alba

The only wader I saw on the resaca was this lone egret. It was ten days earlier when I paid my first visit to the Sabal Palm Sanctuary in Brownsville Texas. I tried to explore trails I missed last time here.

Black-Crested Titmouse

Baeolophus atricristatus

Titmice take their neighborhood watch roles seriously. It was ten days earlier when I paid my first visit to the Sabal Palm Sanctuary in Brownsville Texas. I tried to explore trails I missed last time here.

Black-Crested Titmouse

Baeolophus atricristatus

Olive Sparrow

Arremonops rufivirgatus

Olive Sparrows love thick tangled underbrush, and the sanctuary here has them in spades. On my first visit to Texas last spring, the pandemic of 2020 caused the Sabal Palm Sanctuary to close its doors. It took until this Monday in January for me to manage my first visit here.

Green Kingfisher

Chloroceryle americana

Green Kingfishers are the smallest of North American kingfishers. This was my first meeting with them. On my first visit to Texas last spring, the pandemic of 2020 caused the Sabal Palm Sanctuary to close its doors. It took until this Monday in January for me to manage my first visit here.