Frost at home and work

2nd-winter Glaucous Gull, Dogsthorpe Tip, Peterborough

Another roadrunner

Greater Roadrunners galore

The classic crest-up, tail-up pose



Greater Roadrunners appear to be habitual sunbathers. They turn their backs to the sun and raise up the feathers on the rump, lower back and mantle. The feathers appear to be incredibly erectile all over, but they are also able to sit very flat, so that the roadrunner can be a remarkable shapeshifters.



Preening poses



The crest is particularly erectile




This bird was so tame, it was coming straight for me, looking for food nearby. I really had to back off to get all (or even most) of the bird in the frame, even though I was using a 300mm lens.


Look at the change in shape between this and the previous photo

When they want to, roadrunners can flatten themselves as low as lizards, to creep along on their bellies and get under the lowest-hanging branches. Their legs appear very strong and flexible.

Texas. LRGV part 2

Santa Ana NWR

A spider...

Alligator, Estero Llano Grande


Common Pauraque, Estero Llano Grande

Eastern Phoebe, Estero Llano Grande

Red-eared Slider, Estero Llano Grande



Eastern Screech Owl,Estero Llano Grande

Inca Dove, Valley Nature Center, Weslaco

Audubon's Oriole, Salineño

Hooded Oriole, Salineño


American Pipit, Salineño (aka American Buff-bellied Pipit)



Green Jay, Salineño

Harris's Hawk attacked!

This Northern Mockingbird was not very keen on the presence of a small flock of Harris's Hawks in its territory. So, it engaged in repeated mobbing attacks. The hawk wasn't too bothered, though, and just decided to leave at its leisure.