The seasons are changing. The first of the year's crop of cattle egrets were out at Anahuac http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/150787965 And last year's young black-crowned night herons are molting into adult plumage starting at the back http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/150787962 Lots of cliff swallows were sitting on the wires http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/150787969 the numbers became lots as they were being joined by youngsters and the parents could sit around a little. Still lots of birds in nests http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/150787967 Marsh wrens were harder to squeak out http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/150787966 Reddish egrets are gathering but no youngsters seen yesterday http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/150787978 I counted just short of 200 white pelicans at rollover pass. There are additional birds behind the island but all I got was a glimpse of a head popping up now and then. By far the most summering birds I have seen. There are 2 more pictures to get this group in with another flock further along http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/150787979 The breeding plumage horned grebe at the Quintana hurricane levee appears to be losing a little of his color but never stopped preening to really pose. Far away in lots of haze and shimmer http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/150788003 http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/150788002 The peeps in the lagoons were really hard to id due to distance and light. I think that this bird was a western http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/150787988 but it has no semipalmations http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/150787987 It is good that semipalmated sandpipers are much smaller http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/150787989 A couple of snowy plovers. Both appear to be males but there was a young bird that apparently did not get into a picture or had its back to me http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/150787990 http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/150787991 This bird was a western sandpiper http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/150787993 And there were several white-rumped sandpipers http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/150787994 http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/150787995 A young of the year Wilson's plover looked like it could fly well but did not. Note the sort of crest where downy feathers remain among the new feathers. This will last for a month or so and can be even more distinct. http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/150787996 Challenging birding to say the least. -- Joseph C. Kennedy on Buffalo Bayou in West Houston Josephkennedy36@xxxxxxxxx Edit your Freelists account settings for TEXBIRDS at //www.freelists.org/list/texbirds Reposting of traffic from TEXBIRDS is prohibited without seeking permission from the List Owner
