As many of you may already know, I have moved this winter from Texas to Pennsylvania. Winter in Pennsylvania is an entirely different creature! The photos you'll see here are from my last months in Texas and reflect the variety of primarily birds I found on my many early winter walks in the parks and wild areas around Fort Worth.
A visit to Fort Worth Nature Center paid off with an unexpected Bald Eagle encounter. A park naturalist let me know that he had never seen Bald Eagles there before although they were reported rare visitors. Here he is soaring low over the river in search of fish.
The naturalist also told me that Osprey were regular residents and in these photos you can see the Osprey coming out to protect its territory from the eagle. Both were loudly screeching, spreading their talons, and defending their rights to hunt.
In the end, the smaller Osprey left the area and the Bald Eagle continued hunting.
The Double-crested Cormorant is a favorite of mine. He breeds in Canada in the springtime, but is a common sight around Fort Worth in the winter months. I especially love his emerald green eye surrounded with a gold circle reminiscent of a jewel and ring setting.
Frequently seen swimming with their beaks in a lifted position and often in pairs or groups which remind me of synchronized swimmers.
Although they're most often found along the shoreline, it's not uncommon to find them perched high in a tree as they dry off after a swim.
Cormorant Drama! This fellow floated around for at least ten minutes like this perhaps showing off for his partner who was nearby.
More birds who winter in Texas include this American Coot, Ring-necked Duck, and Pied-billed Grebe.
Also the Northern Shoveler, this one a male, visits in the winter. Here you can see his habit of skimming the surface of the pond, with his specially designed wide bill, for small plants and creatures to eat.
Surprising as it may be, this White Pelican along with a few others, wintered on fresh water at Lake Benbrook near Fort Worth.
An American Kestrel feeding on a grasshopper.
A male and female pair of Mountain Bluebirds.
A Great Egret
Great Blue Heron and Great Egret in showy winter plumage.
Western Meadowlark and winter foliage.
Cedar Waxings explode simultaneously from a tree full of berries.
A Mockingbird
I found this sleepy Osprey guarding his fish atop a telephone pole. He could hardly keep his eyes open, yet didn't want to sleep while holding on to this large piece of fish.
Kingfisher
Mallards in flight.
A domestic duck enjoys the warm morning sunshine.
I'd frequently see this muskrat along a small stream in the evening. Here you can just make out the two large bright orange front teeth that allow him to gnaw the tough, fibrous cattails and other water weeds.
A lovely doe turns to bid me goodbye before disappearing into the woods.
