GRiaT

We are finally back from our exploration part deux.  For those that didn’t already figure it out based on the recent comments, we headed down to the shores of Alabama and the Florida Panhandle for some migration birding.  Ron was able to join us down there making for a wonderful time.  We managed to hit the fallout while at Dauphin Island and had the best birding of our lives.  Ron and I are both in the +20s which means almost certain I’ll be hitting my 300 bird list goal by the end of the year .. assuming I can get those posts out by then.  More on the trip when I get to those posts. For now, going with what was previously the most recent trip – Texas in January.

So, to set the stage for this featured feathered friend, I need to weave in one of my fellow bloggers. Timothy over at Off Center & Not Even (link here) is an Owl aficionado, purveyor of sunsets , accomplished musician, clever poet, Bird tinner, Cat nurturer and owns a slick looking red car… to highlight just a few facets of things he covers on his entertaining blog. 

Hit the jump to see more of this new behavior.

Recently he has been featuring images of something that has been eluding me for years.  No, not Cats, that’s by choice ha.  Ever since I came back to birding I’ve always wanted to tin a Grebe with babies on its back and a Wood Duck in a tree (WDiaT). Wildlife behavior is kinda my thing (if you are new to the blog) and have the two mentioned scenarios tops on my list still to experience.  Admittedly, I just need to put more energy into it as I am aware of the proper timing and locations – just need to get my ass in gear, especially since I can’t use the work excuse anymore.

Not sure if Timothy has the Grebe behavior shot yet or not, but I know for a fact he has the Wood Duck in a tree shot because he recently featured it.  Seeing that was like a dagger in my back.. no wait, that was what I thought one of his Cats was planning to do to me.  Then his Cat convinced him to twist the dagger and feature ANOTHER set of WDiaT.  Well, that got me thinking of what my next post should be.

Continuing the “In/On a Tree” series started back with the Ringed Kingfisher (link here), how “GRiaT” would it be to feature a Greater Roadrunner in a tree.  I know, bad pun, but I can’t get that damn Liberty Mutual Emu commercial out of my head .. you know the one.. how great is it we get to annoy everybody with our stupid motto.  We couldn’t fast forward through commercials on our trip so I’ve been subjected to that marketing hell NON STOP!  Sorry, I digress.  The specimen you see here was found at Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park in Mission Texas.  One of our favorite Texas birding spots – unfortunately in the region with the crisis at the moment.  I was heading out to their Hawk tower at the back of the park when I spotted this Roadrunner standing by the side of the road just staring at me – judging me, assessing my running ability and finding it wanting compared to its top speed of 17-20mph.

You would think since I have the image of a Roadrunner permanently affixed to my body (link here) there would be some kind of instant kinship formed – nope, the damn bird scoffed at me, and flew into a nearby tree.  Now I have never seen a Roadrunner in a tree, much less one that wasn’t impressed with my ability to run roads.  Definitely behavior that needed to be captured.  The Hawks can wait, time to tin me a road bird in a tree – even managed to channel Ron and get the back perspective.  Not as nice as a Wood Duck, but I definitely enjoyed a few minutes experiencing a new behavior.  

The next time we come upon a Roadrunner, I’ll have to mention these Birds have no fear of Rattlesnakes, in fact they will team up and kill them based on a blurb from Cornell. One distracts while the other grabs its head and “bashes the snake against a rock”. Meet Linda’s new favorite Bird ha!

Take it easy everyone .. and check out Timothy’s blog when you get a chance.