Woodpecker

Debbie was watering the plants on the front porch when she heard a tapping sound. She looked up and spotted the source: a ladder-backed woodpecker working its way up the trunk of our neighbors’ red oak tree. We don’t see many woodpeckers around here, so it was definitely a photo opportunity. In the second photo,… Continue reading Woodpecker

Green Heron

I spotted a bird of a type I hadn’t previously seen wading in the stream between the two ponds this morning. I took a couple dozen photos and shipped a few off to our resident wildlife expert, Burr Williams, who identified the bird as a green heron. He said they reside year-around in certain parts… Continue reading Green Heron

First, coyotes. Now, barn swallows. Roadrunners can’t catch a break.

You’d think that by now I’d have learned not to leave my camera inside when I retire to the front porch for Sunday morning coffee. I invariably see things that I wish I could share with you, but by the time I rush back inside, the moment has passed and all you’re left with are… Continue reading First, coyotes. Now, barn swallows. Roadrunners can’t catch a break.

This Bird’s a Hoot!

More nature encounters…this time, a Great Horned Owl makes an appearance in the neighborhood.

Turkey Stalking

I’ve written before about the flock of wild turkeys that have taken up residence in my old neighborhood in Fort Stockton. For whatever reasons, the size of the group has dwindled from the upper teens to just three, a gobbler (male) and two hens. The male has been known to exhibit aggressive behaviors towards people,… Continue reading Turkey Stalking

Neighborhood Killdeer

Killdeer are exceedingly common throughout the US, and they’re even regularly observed around bodies of water in our arid part of the state. Still, I haven’t had the opportunity to observe them up close until a family took up residence around the stream and pond located in our new neighborhood. I shot the following video… Continue reading Neighborhood Killdeer

Cruel Nature

It’s a tough world out there, and sometimes your best efforts to cope with it can backfire.