JDW Photos and Life

I have not see a lot of Roseate Spoonbills outside of Smith Oaks but we ran across a pair in the ditch along the back roads. As always, when we stopped, they flew but atypical of my experience, they kept circling over us. Maybe they had a nest or something going on nearby. We remained stopped for a few minutes as they made their passes overhead before leaving them alone. These spoonbills did not have their intense breeding pink colors yet. Thanks, Doug White https://jdwarchive.blogspot.com/

The e-mail yesterday should have been Bolivar - 04. I lost count. Here are a few more photos from the Bolivar Flats featuring shorebirds. Thanks, Doug White https://jdwarchive.blogspot.com/

I don't normally think about sanderlings needing a runway to take off but this one did just that. The ship in the background is passing through the Houston ship channel with Galveston in the distance. Thanks, Doug White https://jdwarchive.blogspot.com/

We drove out to the Bolivar Flats - a bird sanctuary at the far end of the  peninsula. The tide was low allowing us to venture out a bit further towards the gulf. The wave patterns in the sand were still very clear. We saw this sanderling (not guessing the specific species) hurrying from spot to spot in search of food.   Thanks, Doug White https://jdwarchive.blogspot.com/

While driving the back roads on the North side of main road along the  peninsula, we saw this tern (not going to guess the specific variety) fishing in the shallows next to the road.  Unfortunately once we stopped, he fished on the other side of the marsh grass keeping us from photographing the water entry or any catch he made. They are still interesting birds to watch. We had a decent breeze so he could hover about 20-30 feet above the water until spotting something and making the dive. Thanks, Doug White https://jdwarchive.blogspot.com/

A "late" post as I finally took time to download some photos taken recently. A few weeks ago, I met up with some friends and visited Bolivar Peninsula, Anahuac Wildlife Refuge, and High Island. These shots were take around Bolivar. The first photo is a Mexican Whistling Duck not wishing to have his picture take but I like the colors and reflections. The second is Dowitcher (I think) searching for food in the shallows during low tide. The third photo is the lighthouse. Though it was not a hot day, there was a lot of atmospheric distortion in this photo. Thanks, Doug White https://jdwarchive.blogspot.com/

A water canon salute is a traditional aviation event marking a significant passing event. One example is when a longtime pilot takes his/her last flight or a significant plane is retired. As this event marked the last official flight of Apaches at Conroe, they set up a water canon salute for the Apaches as they passed in review and headed out to fly for the ceremonies. The first photo shows the setup of fire truck and a nice water arch. You see a couple of photographers near the trucks and a videographer (short video at  https://youtu.be/hQLAGut20Xs  not mine) in the foreground. The five Apaches were lining up to pass through the arch in review. Let's just say that a water canon salute for a helicopter is VERY different than one for an airplane! An airplane taxis through the water arch with little issue. A helicopter pulls the water down to the ground and soaks anybody and everybody in its path sending the photographers running (my buddy Pedro in the red shirt)! I was fortunat...

Tomorrow will wrap up the photos of Apaches at Conroe. The Army likes ceremonies and they had two days of activities (practice followed by official) around the change from Apaches to Blackhawks. We were fortunate to get to watch both days. One of the days, we were allowed in the Air Traffic Control Tower to take a few photos - not exactly an everyday opportunity. If you are an enemy of the US, this is one of the last sights you would wish to see. In fact, it may well be the last thing you see on your way to meet your maker. Thanks, Doug White https://jdwarchive.blogspot.com/

Two more Apache shots that rank as favorite angles. The head-on shot it plenty intimidating - even without missiles and rockets loaded. A reasonably clear view of Chris in the front seat is a bonus. The side-view shot gives a little perspective on the size of this craft. I also have just the right amount of blade-blur as it prepares to taxi. Thanks, Doug White https://jdwarchive.blogspot.com/

I am struggling to find inspiration so I continue to look back on some old photo opportunities. 2016 was a jam-packed year so I am back to March of 2016. The US Army Reserve unit at Conroe had their official transition ceremony from an Apache attack unit to a Blackhawk unit. This was the last formal flying of the the Apache. Not just everyone gets to fly one of these beasts and it puts chills in parents' spines when watching their son be one to climb into such a machine as a pilot. Most of us just climb into our cars and get on the road. It's a bit different with a helicopter. The crew chiefs are great at their job but the final inspection is the pilots' responsibility. The pre-checks are fun to watch. I bet my gun is bigger than yours! Thanks, Doug White https://jdwarchive.blogspot.com/

Mr and Mrs Cardinal posing for us. Thanks, Doug White https://jdwarchive.blogspot.com/

The winecups must produce a sweet nectar and tasty pollen. It is common to see insect activity in and around these flowers. In the first photo, you see a beetle about to go in to eat pollen. Once inside, the beetle will be coated in pollen that it doesn't happen to eat before leaving to visit another flower - a great pollinator. In the second photo, you see ants feasting on some kind of insect trapped in the bottom of the flower. A winecup flower is about the size of a quarter. Next time you are in nature, take time to look at the small details and appreciate what you see! Thanks, Doug White https://jdwarchive.blogspot.com/

I had a very distracted morning today and am late getting photos out. So, let's have a cup of wine and enjoy wildflowers. Well, maybe not a real cup of wine. These flowers are known as wine cups. They have one of the most interesting centers of all flowers. Thanks, Doug White https://jdwarchive.blogspot.com/

A turtle and a caracara as to wrap up the Anahuac trip. The caracara was not actually in Anahuac. Thanks, Doug White https://jdwarchive.blogspot.com/

A major transmission line for our provider was cut by road construction yesterday. You get a photo of my baking yesterday - cinnamon raisin bread and a nutella coffee cake. Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android

In the same general area as the heron, we saw a few Northern Shoveler ducks. This pair were modeling for us though their backs were to each other (maybe a spat?). You can see how well camouflaged the hen is in the grass. A bit further down the road and across a ditch running next to the road, we saw this huge alligator sunning in the grass. After we stopped to take photos, the gator moved closer to the water. We did not stay around too long with this one as it seemed the gator was not thrilled with our presence. Thanks, Doug White https://jdwarchive.blogspot.com/

A few more shots of the great blue heron. The first shot would not be one I would typically share. It is badly blurred but it is the only one I have showing the similarity of a bird to a snake with the breathing tube away from where prey are swallowed. There must be a common lineage in there somewhere! The second photo is striking a pose on a good hair day. Enough of that, it's time to get back looking for food stretching my long neck to see any motion better. Thanks, Doug White https://jdwarchive.blogspot.com/

These photos show the rest of the blue heron/snake action. With the snake's head in the right direction (yesterday), it just slithers down the gullet! Afterwards, a tall stretch of the neck/head to assure it made it all the way to the stomach. And the circle of life keeps turning. Thanks, Doug White https://jdwarchive.blogspot.com/