Tuesday's Excitement !

Galveston RV Resort
Galveston, TX
January 23, 2018

Early Tuesday morning, we heard them approaching...the Sandhill Cranes that is.  I grabbed my camera and ran out the door.  It's such a treat to see these grand birds over head...hundreds of them...filling the air with trumpeting calls.  There is a pasture just down the street where the Sandhills like to hang out searching for lizards, snakes, grains, etc.  Imagine my delight when three of these grand birds decided to stop in the field behind our home.  It's a big field and I couldn't get close enough for really good pictures...even so,   my first Sandhill Crane sighting had to posted.  

After breakfast and puppy time at the doggie park, we were off to the Tree Sculpture Tour (It's a walking tour in Historic Galveston with tree sculptures made from trees blown down in 2008 when Hurricane Ike passed over...more on that later.)   As we were heading east on San Luis Pass Road I happened to see pink fly by.  "Follow the pink birds" I shouted (several times) which Joe did...down a side street to a small pond. I jumped out running with camera in hand determined to get pictures.  

Thrilled by our first sighting of the Spoonbills, it was hard to stop taking pictures.  But, sometimes the camera gets in the way of just enjoying the moment so I did manage to simply watch for a long while...captivated by their beauty, gracefulness and individuality.  



Being full-time residents of the Gulf in Florida, Texas, and Mexico they forage in shallow muddy water sweeping their bill from side to side detecting dinner by feel.

I noticed one of these beauties did not have the dark pink  shoulder patch...a sign it is an immature Spoonbill. 

Spoonbills eat a lot of shrimp.  Shrimp eat a lot of algae and algae make their own red and yellow pigments.  



Some scientists believe that the pink coloration that Roseate Spoonbills acquire as they mature is due to their diet.  The more they eat, the pinker they get.  

 Also wading and foraging with the Spoonbills were a few White Ibis.   Another resident along the Gulf coast from Florida to Mexico, 


these slow moving birds use their long curved bills to probe muddy bottoms for crustaceans and insects. 
















The brown Ibis in the picture below is an immature White Ibis.  Juvenile White Ibis are brown and creamy white from July through December.  During December, white feathers begin to appear on their backs and by August they will be completely white.   

Eventually the Roseate Spoonbills flew away and we left.  What an exciting Tuesday and such a special time that we can take to enjoy the little things that fly into our lives.  We did continue on to the Tree Sculpture Walking Tour...more on that later.  Until then, 

HAPPY TRAILS !       

West Bay

Galveston RV Resort
Galveston, TX
January 22, 2018

Monday was marsh day at West Bay.  I love the wading birds and at the top of the list to see were a Roseate Spoonbill and a Reddish Egret.  Here is a sampling of our sightings.  



I couldn't believe it when I spotted a   Reddish Egret and a Great Egret in a small pond when we first arrived.

Reddish Egrets are permanent residents on the island.  These long-legged, long-necked waders are either dark or white for life beginning with the downy stage in the nest. 

Another full-time resident is the Tricolored Heron.  These slender birds prefer to feed alone in shallow waters.  Standing like a statue they patiently wait for small fish, insects and crustaceans to come their way.  







 

The Great Blue Heron is the largest of the North American herons.  It's always a treat to see these large, grumpy looking birds.  They can be found in saltwater and freshwater habitats and foraging in grasslands.

 The elegant Great Egret is slightly smaller and more svelte (more slender...I had to look that word up.) than the Great Blue Heron.  These birds sparked conservation movements and some of the first laws to protect birds.  It seems they were nearly hunted to extinction for their plumes in the late 1800s.  


   
It was so much fun riding along with high hopes at what we might find around every turn.  We did walk a lot too...through the muddy reeds and grasses.  

It's very special to visit these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. 






West Bay is wonderful...a delightful way to spend a few hours.  As you probably  guessed, we didn't see a Roseate Spoonbill on Monday, but we are not done yet !

Looking across the bay to the mainland.

 

Until next time...

HAPPY TRAILS !