I only had one day this week where I could go hiking and birding all morning. So I headed out early to maximize my time. I first stopped at the Ojito de San Antonio Open Space. I only went in a little ways where the spring and fruit trees are just to see what might be around. I saw lots of birds, but most of them didn’t cooperate for photos very well. They insisted on staying high up in the trees or deep in the bushes. It’s like a bulletin went out or something :-\
I did manage to get photos of a Cedar Waxwing, American Robin, Spotted Towhee, Cassin’s Finch and Evening Grosbeak. I also got a photo of what at first seemed to be a Red Crossbill. But upon closer inspection I think it’s an American Robin with a beak deformity. It seems the bottom half of the beak is normal while the upper portion is severely curved.
I then drove into town to walk along the bosque to the Tingley Beach Duck Ponds. I saw quite a few birds. There were lots of Yellow-Rumped Warblers in the canopy. I was lucky to find one male singing in a low bush. It was a beautiful crisp spring morning so lots of bird activity along the trail.
After visiting the duck ponds I headed out to see if there were any baby owls showing themselves. Success! The nest at the Calabacillas Arroyo had two babies. One of them looked quite a bit further along than the other. I didn’t see the parent around. But the babies were as curious of me as I was of them. Adorable!
I then headed over to the Piedra Marcadas nest. I don’t think they’ve hatched yet. Still only the female on the nest and no sign of the male.
I did see a really pretty butterfly there. Thanks to Joe I’m noticing them all the time now 🙂 It was plain brown on the outside but beautiful orange when it spread its wings.
All in all a great morning for hiking and birding. Was really nice to get out after working the gardens and greenhouse and doing my bookkeeping all week.
Great photos and story. Really liked the Kestrel, Mallards with the turtle and of course the baby owls. Color me JEALOUS. Got a sunny day coming tomorrow. I will be out to see what is there.
Wow! That butterfly looks like a Tropical Leafwing (Anaea aidea). If it is, you might just have a County record! Oh, and fyi, folks are starting to see 3 little ones in Calabacillas.