The hummingbird feeders on the tower took on a new meaning when a praying mantis arrived to feed http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/146766052 http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/146766051 The bug was very alert to the approaching hummers http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/146766053 And the hummers were alert to him too http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/146766054 For a change, rufous hummers hung around enough and were assertive enough to be regulars http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/146766017 http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/146766015 I never saw two together but there were two with differing new gorget feathers http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/146766014 http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/146766012 A wood stork showed how they can fly with the other storks even when missing many wing feathers http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/146766001 And skeins of white pelicans kept up with the big white birds http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/146765998 Turkey vultures were around in the morning until they crossed the bay after many tries; in the pm almost no birds were seen http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/146765996 http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/146765995 Turkey vultures in marching array http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/146765992 A northern harrier from Sunday http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/146765991 And still broad-winged hawks http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/146765988 Lots of competition for the longest tail among the scissor-tails swarming along Hawkins Camp Road http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/146766160 http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/146766159 And unlimited opportunities for pictures http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/146766156 And shorter tails http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/146766153 Crossed tails http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/146766119 There were lots of migrating dragonflies being eaten but also wasps http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/146766117 And less color http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/146766114 Or lots of color http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/146766108 Just no shortage of variety http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/146766103 The red-breasted nuthatches hung around the dead trees along Hawkins Camp http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/146766082 And on top http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/146766079 And typical nuthatch creeping http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/146766076 In fact, you could say the trees were hopping with nuthatches http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/146766075 http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/146766077 A whimbrel was scavening on the oyster shells among the usual scroungers http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/146766061 http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/146766063 It could get down into the mound easier than the others http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/146766064 But the turnstones used the whimbrel to get them food. They clustered around as the whimbrel probed http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/146766065 And then rushed in http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/146766066 And if lucky knocked the whimbrel hard enough so that it lots its grip and fed the turnstones http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/146766067 All these and many more can be browsed at http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/inbox http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/2012_hawk_watch -- Joseph C. Kennedy on Buffalo Bayou in West Houston Josephkennedy36@xxxxxxxxx
