TEXAS TRIP REPORT: PAGE 3
March 17 to April 2, 2006
Text and images copyright Heather Forcier, all rights reserved

Lens and Land: El Tecolote Ranch
Unfortunately the weather again took a turn for the worst and it was hard to work at several of the ranches, including El Tecolote. But this ranch has a lot to offer; of interest to me was the Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, which nests on the property. Bob Simpson, who works with the ranch, was kind enough to take me out to the area where they might be spotted and not only did I get to hear their wonderful call, but I got a few glimpses at a male and a female. I was even able to photograph one of them briefly during a short break in the clouds.

Other species at this ranch included Rio Grande variety of Wild Turkey, Eastern Bluebird, Great Kiskadee, Crested Caracara, Harris’s Hawk, and of course the South Texas regulars of Northern Cardinal, Pyrrhuloxia, Green Jay, Northern Mockingbird.

Thanks to the assistance of Bob Simpson we were able to locate and view the Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl. The bird in this photo is calling.

 

Lens and Land: Weaver Ranch
Again, unforgiving weather conditions made photography at this ranch a bit difficult, but it does have a lot to offer. Its large raptor blind had Black and Turkey Vulture, Harris’s Hawk, and Crested Caracara. The feeders around the ranch house are supposed to have Painted and Indigo Buntings as regular visitors during summer, as well as Blue Grossbeak.

My friend Brendan Quigley is photographing at the Weaver Ranch for the 2006 Valley Land Fund contest.

I have seen Javalina numerous times on different ranches but this was the first opportunity I'd had to photograph one.

Lens and Land: Martin Ranches - Homestead and Javalina
John and Audrey Martin are a big part of the Lens and Land cooperative and have two properties of their own, The Homestead and The Javalina. There was plenty of activity at both properties: notable species at The Homestead included Northern Cardinal, Pyrrhuloxia, Northern Mockingbird, Green Jay, Olive Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, Great Kiskadee, Plain Chachalaca. My blind at The Javalina was very active with Northern Cardinal, Pyrrhuloxia, Northern Bobwhite, Scaled Quail, Curve-billed and Long-billed Thrasher.
Northern Cardinal and Prickly Pear Cactus.
Scaled Quail close up.

 

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