Thursday at bolivar flats, it was hard to figure out what to watch. First a single american avocet was taking a bath http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/143567677 http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/143567678 It then posed and preened before wandering off http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/143567679 http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/143567681 After a bit, the avocet came back and discovered a plastic bag http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/143567683 Which it would pry and pull http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/143567690 And then jump up and down on http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/143567688 http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/143567687 This went on for a couple of cycles. Made me wish that I had some bubble wrap to put out there so that the avocet could really have fun jumping. At the same time a one of the piebald reddish egrets flew into the pond to drink. The white feathers were at the ends of its wings and did not show when the egret's wings were not spread. Lost track of the egret until I looked up and saw the egret looked like this http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/143567524 I tried to get a picture when it completely dunked under the water but these have to do http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/143567523 http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/143567521 One good batch of shorebirds along Bolivar was mainly white-rumped sandpipers http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/143567511 Which are becoming much more into courtship and displays than even a week ago http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/143567515 http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/143567514 Several stilt sandpipers were in the same flock and fed in a similar manner http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/143567509 Feeding http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/143567513 http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/143567503 Ruddy turnstones are mostly in breeding plumage http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/143567357 But only a small portion of the sanderling flocks have molted. Quite a few of the non-molting birds can summer here so the ones with good color will soon be gone. http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/143567356 One of the tropical kingbirds from Pelican Island was on the wires http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/143567355 The high water at Anahuac had common nighthawks on the road shoulders http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/143567351 These pictures and more pictures can be browsed at http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/inbox -- Joseph C. Kennedy on Buffalo Bayou in West Houston Josephkennedy36@xxxxxxxxx
