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Eastern Screech-Owl (Megascops asio)Observer
kalamurphykingDescription
Frack Takes A Break From Brooding
I can only guess at what is going on inside my backyard owl house. Frack has been in residence 28 days now. The pecan tree is leafing out, providing shade above her. For the first week she was in the opening most of the day, enjoying the warmth and view. Then she changed over to being out of sight all day and I would only see her maybe once, at random times. This behavior indicates she is sitting on eggs. On this day she peeked out at 5:19 pm. It was the only time I saw her that day and she was back inside within a minute. My first proof of babies will be when a cute, fuzzy bobblehead peeks out. I can't wait for that day. Fingers crossed.
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Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea)Observer
kalamurphykingDescription
Busted!
He caught me taking his photo as he flew around.
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Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)Observer
kalamurphykingDescription
Beautiful Pair Of Mallards
What a sweet scene. She might be sitting on a nest, but she never got up & showed me. I didn't disturb them.
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Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes)Observer
kalamurphykingDescription
Lesser Yellowlegs Taking A Bath
Nice of it to do this while I was there. Just wish it had not been so cloudy.
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Green Heron (Butorides virescens)Observer
kalamurphykingDescription
FOS Green Heron
FOS means first of season. First one I've seen this year. It was way up high on a tree top.
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Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)Observer
kalamurphykingDescription
Suet Wars
Every now and then we have a bit of drama at the suet basket. This time it was 3 ladies disagreeing over who was first in line. I don't often get to see the red on the female wings.
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Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea)Observer
kalamurphykingDescription
They're Back
The males have returned to the wetlands in North Texas & are singing to claim their territory.
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Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes)Observer
kalamurphykingDescription
This one is for the yellowlegs
Lesser Yellowlegs & Solitary Sandpiper
Always excited to have the opportunity to get a comparison shot of 2 hard to identify shorebirds. The solitary is in front. Quite a bit smaller than the yellowlegs. Solitary has a defined eye ring and the flanks are a clean white. Both birds are in breeding plumage. Spots on the solitary's back; a mottled pattern on the yellowlegs' back. The legs are brighter yellow on the yellowlegs and it has some barring on it's flanks.
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Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria)Observer
kalamurphykingDescription
This one is for the solitary
Lesser Yellowlegs & Solitary Sandpiper
Always excited to have the opportunity to get a comparison shot of 2 hard to identify shorebirds. The solitary is in front. Quite a bit smaller than the yellowlegs. Solitary has a defined eye ring and the flanks are a clean white. Both birds are in breeding plumage. Spots on the solitary's back; a mottled pattern on the yellowlegs' back. The legs are brighter yellow on the yellowlegs and it has some barring on it's flanks.
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Yellow-headed Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus)Observer
kalamurphykingDescription
Posing In A Tree
He was taking a break from foraging on the ground. No leaves or sticks in the way this time.
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American Robin (Turdus migratorius)Observer
kalamurphykingDescription
First Bath In The New Fountain
Figures it was a robin. They do love a good bath. They don't like to share either & I noticed there were no other birds there while the robin was having his bath.
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Red-eared Slider (Trachemys scripta ssp. elegans)Observer
kalamurphykingDescription
Turtle Reflection
Calm, serene, peaceful...a happy place.
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Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes)Observer
kalamurphykingDescription
Love those long yellow legs. All the migrating shorebirds seem to love foraging in the shallow water and mud. This lake attracts a lot of migrants fueling up for their trip.
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Yellow-headed Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus)Observer
kalamurphykingDescription
Such A Beautiful Bird!
The stunning colors really pop amongst the spring green. We only see these beautiful birds briefly as they migrate thru twice a year.
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Texas Bluebonnet (Lupinus texensis)Observer
kalamurphykingDescription
Spring In Texas
There are lots of wildflowers showing up now, but I keep coming back to the bluebonnets.
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Hairy Vetch (Vicia villosa)Observer
kalamurphykingDescription
Spring Wildflowers Are Popping Up All Over
This is my favorite time of year. Birds are migrating back and wildflowers are blooming. And my favorite color is the green of all that new spring growth.
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Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos)Observer
kalamurphykingDescription
Shore Bird Reflection
Mirror, mirror, on the lake...any food down there?
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Eastern Screech-Owl (Megascops asio)Observer
kalamurphykingDescription
Frack Watching A Squirrel
Yesterday morning I went outside to say hello to Frack. However, all her attention was on the squirrel foraging below her.
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Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus)Observer
kalamurphykingDescription
The Seeds Are Obviously Better Up There
Even birds think the grass is always greener on the other side.
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Bristle Flies (Family Tachinidae)Observer
kalamurphykingDescription
This one is for the fly
Spidey Snack
Teeny Tiny spider with a big web in my shrubs caught a nice little fly for a snack.
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Orchard Orbweaver (Leucauge venusta)Observer
kalamurphykingDescription
This one is for the spider
Spidey Snack
Teeny Tiny spider with a big web in my shrubs caught a nice little fly for a snack.
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What
Eastern Screech-Owl (Megascops asio)Observer
kalamurphykingDescription
Fourteen Days & Counting
Over the last couple of days, Frack has started staying out of sight inside the house more. I'm still hopeful but not holding my breath.
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Wood Duck (Aix sponsa)Observer
kalamurphykingDescription
Picture Perfect...Except For The Feet
Someone forgot to clean their feet before their photo session.
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Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria)Observer
kalamurphykingDescription
I love this time of year. Spring shorebird migration & pretty water colors.
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Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus)Observer
kalamurphykingDescription
Tiny Finch, Giant Sunflower Seed
He carefully looked over all the seeds & selected the biggest one. Then flew off with it.
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Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos)Observer
kalamurphykingDescription
A Pair Of Pectoral Sandpipers
They were just casually strolling thru the muddy water. I love spring when the shore birds drop by during migration.
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Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus)Observer
kalamurphykingDescription
Pine Siskin In My Fountain
I looked out my window & spotted this little guy in my fountain. He waded out in the middle of the water to do his drinking. I'm guessing this felt more natural to him, like drinking from a creek.
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Texas Bluebonnet (Lupinus texensis)Observer
kalamurphykingDescription
A Texas Tradition
They are popping up all over DFW. Always have to get a few shots every Spring. As a native Texan, I have tradition to uphold.
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Eastern Screech-Owl (Megascops asio)Observer
kalamurphykingDescription
I Heard There Were Storms Coming
This is how Frack greeted me at 7:17 am this morning. We have severe thunderstorms with possible large hail & tornados predicted for late this afternoon & evening. This owl house is in a protected spot on a large pecan tree trunk high up.
With her in the backyard house (no cameras & squirrel junk inside) I won't know if she is sitting on eggs, or we have any babies until a fuzzy little face peeks out several weeks from now. Fingers crossed.
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Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)Observer
kalamurphykingDescription
After Drink Launch In 3,2,1...
Got that moment right before she flew.
