Acrobatic Kite

Tailed kites, Gallinules, and frigates

I do not usually trek far to go birdwatching. My travels are usually local. However, I teamed with a partner watching birds from the past to do so. My partner in this journey was someone I birded the last century (mid-eighties). So when I received the email inviting me and others to join him on a day trip all ornithologists, I could not refuse. Thus began the redevelopment schedules and meet normal requirements for this adventure that begins 100 miles from home before dawn.

We were facing our fears, anticipating that inspire us. The routine early coffee and sandwiches to make them later in the day went like clockwork. Gear packed the night before was re-checked again. We've noticed that everyone was different, and better quality binoculars since our last birded. We had two opted for the new roof prism technology. Even my partner new scope has been carefully stored in the van, we knew we were going to use it on the coast.

The day's objectives were to find tailed kites near Liberty, Texas; Gallinules Purple Anahuac; frigates superb near Galveston. In light of dawn we left College Station bound for Dayton and freedom. My partner has checked with colleagues on Texbirds ornithologists to see if anyone had recently seen the kite. An email has confirmed that we had a good chance.

We arrived at the little freedom after 8:00 and parked on the frontage road near the bridge over the Trinity River to begin our watch for flying kites. Application of local law we checked to see what we were going. Having decided that we had a legitimate purpose, they have left us in our research. Two and a half hours later we got the vision in three kites very agile and graceful as they hunt insects and lizards from the treetops. In between these hours we also received many darters, common and snowy egrets, great blue herons, cormorants, Eurasian Collard Dove and a kingfisher. For thirty minutes we enjoyed the kites and their acrobatics.

Towards the south, we traced the path of the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge. We have not met any of our other objectives of this day. However, we delight in viewing a large number of water and their fluffy little chicks, green herons, and Marsh Wrens. We have noted the "floating" log had eyes.

We arrived at High Island and stopped to take a look at the colony of herons and spoonbills Roseated. We noticed a log floating with eyes. High Island has been in Bolivia apartments where we saw Royal, Caspian and Sandwich Terns, Marbled Godwits, a Long-billed Curlew, brown pelicans and egrets, reddish. One of reddish egrets engaged in a spirited dance for which they are known.

Our next objective of Galveston and frigates has been thwarted by a puncture and a very long line waiting for ferries. Tired, hot and thirsty we headed to our base. Back in College Station this evening, thirteen hours later we had traveled over 400 miles and saw 52 species of birds. I marvel at the mileage, because I remember my history classes where I learned those brave pioneers who crossed the continent headed for Oregon or California in their wagons would often travel to only eight fourteen miles a day. But I, like Mr. Frost, still had miles to go before I sleep. I was still far from home.

There may be some who could count the days without success, because we had accomplished one of our goals. However, bird watching and fishing have in common that we do not always have goals. Casting our lures in the water is not always clear to us a fish. Casting our binoculars on the ground did not always result in an observation. However, when you do hook the fish or the sight of the bird, a rush it is. .