Not a spectacular photograph of an Andean Condor, but I’m just happy I got to see one. Taken at Cerro Castor in Ushuaia, Argentina in November 2023.Plush Crested Jay, taken at Iguazu Falls National Park in Argentina, November 2023. Out of the 97 species I saw in Argentina, 83 were new birds.The black-throated sparrow at South Llano River State Park in October 2023 was a new lifer for me – a bird I was seeing for the first time.Male House Finch, also taken at South Llano River State Park in October 2023This picture was not taken in Louisiana, despite the gator and the swamp. It was taken at the Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge east of Houston in October 2023. So close enough, I guess.Male Magnolia Warbler on a branchA Cinnamon Teal, seen at Cattail Marsh in January 2023 just south of Beaumont, TX. Again, not my first sighting but definitely my best photo.Red-Eyed Vireo on a branch over some coreopsis flowers at Quintana Neotripcal Bird Sanctuary in April 2023 in Quintana, TexasA Great Horned Owl fledgling at Brazos Bend State ParkThe Great Horned Owl fledgling’s mother, keeping an eye on meDown in the swamps, even the birds like crawfish! This one is a Little Blue Heron at Brazos Bend State ParkWoodhouse’s Scrub Jay taking advantage of a feeder at South Llano River State ParkThere is a flock of peacocks that has become established in a Galveston neighborhood, and in spring you can watch them displaying. They don’t even seem to mind visitors if you’re calm.This bird, a solitary sandpiper, was a rare find for Brazos Bend State Park in January, as they are only found in most of the US during migration season in spring and fall, with the exception of summer breeding grounds in Alaska and southern Texas during the winter.
