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Green jays are colorful birds sporting a lime green upper body, blue and black head and yellow underparts. The tail feathers sometimes look turquoise. They are noisy, making a variety of calls including a very good imitation of a red-tailed or red-shouldered hawk. They come to my feeders but prefer to do so only when I'm not out there. Occasionally, however I will have a few cooperative subjects like this.
Montell, Uvalde County, Texas in August 2021
Hiking the Window Trail at Big Bend National Park was a treat until I sprained my ankle and had to hike back up nearly 2 miles. But, some interesting wildlife captured my attention. This robber fly was quite large and posed on the side of a boulder so I could snap a couple of shots.
As Texas spiny lizards go, this particular one was pretty small. Just a young sprout, but with plenty of bold personality. Trying to claim this huge live oak limb as its territory, I think.
Montell, Uvalde County, Texas in April 2021
Greater roadrunner was trying to be sneaky and mostly managed to elude my efforts to snap a photo. I got two unimpressive shots, but liked the lighting and the documentation of it's appearance in our meadow. Generally, they prefer the more open land on nearby ranches.
Montell, Uvalde County, Texas.
Beautiful species of warbler seen at the Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center in Port Aransas, Texas during spring migration.
First time I have observed this species at our Montell property beyond the period of migration. It seems we had some that nested and produced babies this year. I hope they decide to make a habit of this. In Montell, Uvalde County, Texas.
From June 9, 2022. Taken in our yard in Montell, Uvalde County, Texas. Caught this little one hovering over some pale purple flowers in the yard. I think a female black-chinned.
Although I have seen this species occasionally on our property in the past, this is the first year that I have seen so many and I was seeing some every day for a few months. Such a joy to see a different species feel at home near my home. They are winter visitors - in the past very shy and remaining in thick underbrush away from the house.
Montell, Uvalde County, Texas
The Meadow Brown is the most abundant butterfly species in many habitats. Hundreds may be seen together at some sites, flying low over the vegetation. Adults fly even in dull weather when most other butterflies are inactive.
It is one of our most widespread species, but many colonies have been lost due to agricultural intensification.
Habitats include, Grasslands in downland, heathland, coastal dunes, hay meadows, roadside verges, hedgerows, woodland rides and clearings, and waste ground. It also occurs in parks, gardens, and cemeteries.
- Butterfly Conservation
A image from August 2020, taken in Montell. I believe the flower is called frostweed, but I may be wrong about that. The moth is pretty, but the webworm (caterpillar) can be very destructive when in your prized trees.
I have a lot of difficulty identifying the juvenile orioles, unless they happen to be accompanied by some adult birds. This young one had very attentive parents (hooded orioles) watching as it investigated the bird bath in my yard.
Montell, Uvalde County, Texas in August 2021
In Montell, Uvalde County, Texas. We are thankful to have many flycatcher species since there are lots of flying insects there.
You can see the bronze sheen in the feathers when the sunlight hits it just right, otherwise they appear kind of just black or blackish-brown to my eyes. The red eye is quite striking. This male posed quite nicely on the arch of a birdfeeder pole in my yard.
Montell, Uvalde County, Texas in April 2022
Got a few shots of this very cooperative and curious red-eyed vireo. July 2018 in Montell, Uvalde County.
In Montell, Uvalde County, Texas.
Surrounded by water spray from a water sprinkler as it seeks to cool off from the brutal summer heat of Southwest Texas.
Male house finch. These are very common birds that reside year round in our area. The males can be quite vividly colored as this example shows.
Montell, Uvalde County, Texas in April 2021
A small skipper butterfly with a checkered pattern on the wings. This one was enjoying the prairie verbena in our meadow.
Montell, Uvalde County, Texas
My mom bought this bird feeder hanger for my yard. Birds occasionally perch in an ideal spot to see the welcome message. This little pine siskin was checking out the variety of seeds to decide what would be its dinner.
Montell, Uvalde County, Texas in April 2022
I didn't get a good enough look to ID this tiny skipper butterfly, but liked the textures presented on the uneven edge of this cement birdbath.
Montell, Uvalde County, Texas
This relatively widespread butterfly can occupy a range of habitat types and, although its range has changed little, many colonies have disappeared in recent decades.
This species occurs on grassland where there are fine grasses, especially in dry, well-drained situations where the sward is short and sparse. The largest colonies occur on downland, heathland, and coastal dunes. Smaller populations occur in many other locations including roadside verges, waste ground, woodland rides and glades, moorland, and parkland.
- Butterfly Conservation
The fluffy orb-shaped blooms of the button bush are great for pollinators. These two bumble bees were busy working away on this one. Montell, Uvalde County, Texas in August 2021
This little bird was seen in my sister's backyard in Dallas, Texas. Cute little member of the sparrow family.
Some toadstools growing on a grassy knoll at a golf course in Cancun, Mexico. I'm not an expert on fungi so I'm not sure what species this is. But interesting and a nice subject.
This little cutie perched just long enough for me to snap one pic before it moved on. They are quick as they flit among foliage looking for small insects to eat. The males have a distinctive red crown patch and can raise the feathers of that red patch to look like a ruby colored crown. But when the crown feathers are flattened down, it is difficult to see the red patch and females don't have it. I could not tell the gender of this one but liked the pose on that slanted narrow tree trunk.
Montell, Uvalde County, Texas in December 2021
I have a lot of difficulty identifying the juvenile orioles, unless they happen to be accompanied by some adult birds. This young one had very attentive parents (hooded orioles) watching as it investigated the bird bath in my yard.
Montell, Uvalde County, Texas in August 2021
In April we had a few rain showers. Rain results in a bloom of rain lilies such as this one. We sure could use some rain now in July when temperatures are reaching 110 f and no hint of moisture in the air. Texas mid-summer.
Montell, Uvalde County, Texas during April 2020
To catch these shots, I placed the camera/lens right on the wooden handrail where this wasp was perched. I was happy to have a long zoom because I have found these red wasps to be aggressive and they have painful stings. But I like the resulting images.
Uvalde, Texas at the Cook's Slough nature area.
One of the songbirds that visits our place during summer. They seem pretty shy as I rarely get a good photo opportunity even though I see and hear them often.
Montell, Uvalde County, Texas in June 2022
I believe this is an eastern leaf-footed bug, in nymph stage. It was perched in a location where it was at risk of becoming prey to some dragonflies nearby. Perhaps, it thought it would prey on them instead. It was colorful at this stage. Adults are dark grey with white markings.
Montell, Uvalde County, Texas in September 2021
More from my day trip to Lost Maples State Natural Area (Texas) with my sister. The day started out overcast and windy. This made for some tricky shooting due to light and unexpected movements of the subjects. But we managed to find some beautiful color and scenes.
I searched and searched for one perfect maple leaf and this was the best on I found. Not exactly perfect but maybe made for a near-perfect color study.
This beautiful green jay took a few minutes to pose for some portraits. Montell, Uvalde County, Texas. Although these birds were primarily residents of deep south Texas (Rio Grande Valley region) and further south into Mexico and Central Mexico, we have been seeing more and more of them taking up residence further north in Texas. We have had a family group here for about 10 years.