AMBER'S ANIMAL TALES AROUND AUSTIN VOL 5/11/08 - Beautiful Birds

This morning was sad for me. My Mother & my Grandmother have both passed so I was not thrilled with the Happy Mother's Day notes I received online. Instead of moping around though, I woke up early and went on a bird watching hike. This Blog Page full of native, springtime, Central Texas birds is for my Grandmother Helen, who was an avid bird watcher. I wish I could have brought her to my home before she died, where she could watch all kinds of lovely birds here in Central Texas, with me. I took all of these bird pictures here this year (in April and May) at home in Central Texas.


Not sure what kind of bird this first one is. He was sitting out with the turtles this morning. I would love to hear from folks who can tell me about any of the birds loaded here.

9-27-08 Correction - From Smithsonian Field Guide to Birds of North America, page 109, I think this bird is actually a Yellow-crowned Night-Heron

Next several shots are a baby Blue Heron I think. He sat still for a long time this morning and watched me shoot pictures of him.

Vulture in flight

Not sure what kind of bird this is

Crane or Egret?

Might be a young Blue Heron (that's what he looked like when he flew away).

Not sure what kind of bird he is

Black Headed Red Bird

Vulture

Cardinals

Young Blue Heron I think

Swallow, scissor tale?

Cardinal

Crane or Egret?

Vulture

Woodpecker

Red Shouldered Blackbird?

9-27-08 Addition - From Smithsonian Field Guide to Birds of North America, page 460, this bird may be a male Red-winged Blackbird. These birds often have some yellow with the red tips. The field guide indicates there is a bi-colored Blackbird like this that is native to California. (I am in Texas.)