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Coastal
birds defined are birds that occur in my usual travel areas along the entire Texas
coast. When I take a publishable picture of a bird it is a Texas Coastal Bird
in my opinion.
When I look for birds now I pick up my camera. Like most
Texans I was a bird hunter for a time but I put my shotgun down thirty years ago.
Given the title of Mr. Third Coast I am still only an amateur birder who has attended
annually, several lectures and presentations each of the last 25 years.
With
this edition of pictures I want to share some of my experiences on how you can
get more chances at taking bird pictures you like. There are basically three items
needed to accomplish this goal. First, learn to recognize environments where certain
birds tend to perch. Second, provide a method in your vehicle so that your camera
is always ON and READY to shoot a picture. Third, when appropriate, use the camera
self-timer to trip the shutter (set at the highest useable speed). The first two
assure you will be prepared and the third reduces camera movement. |
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When traveling make
a practice of looking ahead at the highway power poles, wires and fence posts
for shapes that may be birds. Along side any coastal highway kingfishers and osprey
like a high perch over any water. And on any highway hawks of many kinds use man
made wires, poles and towers to have a higher perch.
Roseate Spoonbills
like to fly from point to point causing most people to call attention to them
by pointing and exclaiming “pinks” (it’s difficult to say “roseate spoonbill”
before they disappear). Chachalacas are mostly a ground bird. They only fly short
distances if at all.
Over the years I have found the wastewater plant
at Port Aransas to
be the most consistent public location for bird close-up photos.
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Rockport
Hotels | Port
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