2.02.2010

Aransas Continued...

.

Just a few more images from the Aransas, Texas trip with Van back in November:


American Oystercatcher
See larger version HERE
.


American Avocet
See larger version HERE
.


See larger version HERE
.


Common yellowthroat
.


Blue-winged Teal
See larger version HERE
.


See larger version HERE
.


Pied-billed Grebe
See larger version HERE
.


Mocking Bird
See larger version HERE
.


Pelicans and Terns
See larger version HERE
.


Sandhill Cranes
See larger version HERE
.


Golden-fronted Woodpecker
.


Rail
See larger version HERE
.


See larger version HERE
.


Seaside Sparrow
See larger version HERE
.


Lesser Goldfinches
.


See larger version HERE
.


Mocking Bird
.

And the Whooping Cranes, of which there are only 264 currently.
In the 1940s there was a population of only 15 birds left.
According to Saving Cranes:
"The only remaining natural, self-sustaining flock of Whooping Cranes breeds in Wood Buffalo National Park in the Northwest Territories, Canada and winters in Aransas National Wildlife Refuge (Texas). This flock reached a low of only sixteen birds in the winter of 1941-1942, and numbered under 35 birds over the next two decades. In 2006, there were over 200 birds in the flock. The population migrates during both spring and fall through a relatively narrow (80-300 km wide) corridor between Aransas and Wood Buffalo."

Read more about the birds HERE.

We took a Whooping crane tour via The Skimmer with Capt. Tommy.
Read more about his tour operation HERE.


Whooping Cranes 1
See larger version HERE

.


Whooping Cranes 2
See larger version HERE
.

We stayed at Fulton Beach Bungalows, which I loved, in Bungalow 8. I would like to go back and stay in the same Bungalow 8 every year from now on.


See larger version HERE
.


See larger version HERE
.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

having fun with the new computer?? photos are amazing, as always