Back to Falcon, Texas

Weather was overcast and raining. So I could not resist a trip back to Falcon state park, Texas. Got a couple new birds so worth the trip I guess. I am still in the park. Decided to explore some around here. A really great place. I bet in the winter migration it is aw-some.
I am going to try and spend next winter here i think. A few more shots are at: www.flickr.com/photos/​avianphotos

Scaled Quail (Callipepla squamata)

Top quality set, as usual Gary.

What a great collection, Gary; I'm gonna have to Google that place, it looks like a wonderful resource.
Al

Thanks Joe, Al. Is is really a good place. Hot now but all of the summer birds are here. I am going to explore some before I leave. If I find any other good places I will post.

Gorgeous photos...Best bird shots I've seen in a while...Such beautiful colors and detail...That last one is a museum piece, should be on a stamp or something...Great work!

Well done Gary, A wonderful set of shots! I really like the Quail image. We see Caracaras up here in the DFW area every so often.

Thnk's allot Mark, Brad. You know I have never seen the Caracaras in San Antonio and I should of? Maybe I am not paying enough attention there. Kinda weird I always seem to think traveling is the only way to see birds. And these guys are in my back yard really. This park is about 200 or so miles from S.A.
I went to the river this morning and it is amazing!!!!!! + . I saw so many birds I am going back with my bins tomorrow just to see what is there. It is a wildlife refuse about 15 miles from the park here.
Also when on the river this morning I got some pics of the rangers or Border patrol boats that cruse the river. WOW, I don't know if you guys have seen these boats/planes. But these guys are decked out. AMAZING to see.

Not birding exactly. But this is what greeted me this morning on the Rio Garnd while birding the river.
They were two of them, one about 500 yd's behind the other. Kinda scared the birds away for the rest of the day. These guys mean business.

More excellent pictures from the LRGV - great series. I've seen and taken lots of shots of Couch's Kingbirds down there, but never one on the ground like that - that's awesome.

Great set. I've never heard of a Crested Caracara. Powerful looking bird.

I just got this guy again about 7:30 this evening. He was in the same spot about 5 miles from the park. He let me drive my truck up pretty close. Then flew away.

Again beautiful...Very majestic.

Gary,

REALLY impressive shots!
That is so strange that I can go a year without getting that many shots in my collection, and you get them in such a short while!
I wonder what that means? heheheh

I love the Caracara, I got mine last year at a lake (kind of near) me, (Lake Tawakoni) and although I love my shot, it's not near as nice as yours. For me to see one around me was a dream come true, I know they're here, but to actually see one, well, you know...
Every one of your shots are just perfect. I've also wanted to get a Swainson's too, hopefully soon, I know that you got me to wondering if I shouldn't head that way to Falcon Lake this Winter myself. heheh
(I was there back in 1982, I wasn't shooting birds back then, and all I really remember is how hot it was, it was in August, so you know how hot it can be)

As impressive as the bird shots are, and they are, the air-boat shot for me was the winner here, that shot deserves to be on a cover, or something, that is so dramatic, I keep coming back to look at it. Intimidating is the word, at least for me, those guys mean business, I've been to Big Bend just a few years ago and didn't see this, but I was stopped by the Border Patrol on the way out, and they mean business too, no smiling, no jokes, all business.
Anyway, a REALLY impressive group of shots, and I mean that, I'd be proud to have taken any one of these.

Sorry to be so long, but you made me do it... heheh

Keep on shooting the good stuff, I hope to see more from you there soon.

Randy

very nice series, Gary - well captured