Thompson's Beach

Short-billed Dowitcher

Clapper Rail

wren

Thompson's Beach is a very cool place that the Heinz Photo Group introduced me to a few weeks ago.  I've been back twice since and took these photos.  One major highlight of the location is the Clapper Rail.  They make a really cool noise but hide out in the tall grass.  While I was waiting for a rail to show itself the Short-billed Dowitcher thoroughly cleaned his/her feathers.  I love the combination puff and shake.  There was a lot of that going around as you can see by the second rail photo.  And I always love a wren.  Seems like it should be a Marsh Wren but I'm not positive.  Usually Marsh Wren look scragglier to me so for the purposes of this post I'll just call it a wren.

Willow and Wren

Out for a walk

Olivia and I spent a few hours at Tyler Arboretum yesterday. She bagged 14 butterflies and I photographed some birds. These are generally compatible activities although...there are also conflict of interest scenarios. For example, I'd been chasing this towhee all over the place trying to get a closer photo only to have Olivia scare him off chasing after a butterfly.

So this is my best shot.


On the other hand, if this little wren had come any closer I would have had to step back to get the shot. I first saw him fly into a pine tree across the path from me. Little did I know that he wanted in to the bird house right behind me. Glad I didn't scare him off his task.


And finally, a colorful shot from the butterfly house. One of Olivia's contributions!