Double-crested Cormorant 11/30/08

Osprey 2/9/08

Seen hunting the neighborhood lake maybe once a week in winter, Ospreys can nearly always be found on the nearby Canyon Lake in the winter.

Sharp-shinned Hawk 12/20/08

This bird was agitated (hungry?). She was rapidly swishing her tail back and forth like a pendulum, and kept rocking from one foot to the other.

Cooper's Hawk 11/23/08

A large individual-therefore, female?

Cooper's Hawk 11/23/08

Cooper's Hawk 2/25/07

Adult. Likes White-winged Doves.

Zone-tailed Hawk 12/26/07

Zone-tails are uncommon winter residents in the area. I'm most likely to spot one over my neighborhood when the wind is strong and out of the north.

Zone-tailed Hawk 12/26/07

Zone-tailed Hawk 12/26/07

Smaller than a Turkey Vulture, and a darker, less reflective shade of black--but otherwise easy to overlook.

Zone-tailed Hawk 12/26/07

American Kestrel 11/23/07

American Kestrel 11/23/07

Ordinarily, Kestrels aren't common near the house, but winter of 2007, this bird often perched nearby. He was quite vocal, and I used that to my advantage to catch this shot (I heard him coming!)

American Kestrel 11/23/07

Rufous Hummingbird 1/12/08

Rufous Hummingbird 12/2/07

Initially thought this was an adult female, but now am considering that it may be an immature male. It seems to have more gorget color, and occasionally emits wing-whistle.

Rufous Hummingbird 12/2/07

Adult female? Or immature male? Still trying for a good look at the tail to solve this dilemma!

Rufous Hummingbird 11/22/07

An adult male. While this species is often around in the winter, I don't often have the pleasure of hosting a full color male.

Rufous Hummingbird 11/22/07

An adult male. Could he be the male that spent the winter here last year, as an immature?

Rufous Hummingbird 11/22/07

Adult male. In spite of his striking color, it took me awhile to realize I was staring at him in the middle of this persimmon. When he perches in a Spanish Oak, he looks just like a fall-colored leaf.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 12/30/06

Ruby-crowned Kinglets are frequent visitors to the Sumac just off the front porch. The sumac seeds are feasted upon by a variety of species.

Hermit Thrush 3/21/08

Another species whose numbers vary greatly from one winter to the next. Water seems to be essential for attracting them.

Hermit Thrush 3/29/08

Generally secretive, the Hermit Thrush starts practicing its song before it departs to the north and may become easier to spot.

American Robin 11/22/07

One of several winter species that is fond of Juniper berries.

Cedar Waxwing 3/24/08

Numbers vary greatly from year to year, but there are usually a least of few Waxwings around in my neighborhood.

Orange-crowned Warbler 11/4/07

Orange-crowned Warbler 12/06/08

Orange-crowned Warbler 12/07/08

Orange-crowned Warbler 12/06/08

Orange-crowned Warbler 11/4/07

Chipping Sparrow 11/22/07

Chipping Sparrow, imaged through an 80mM scope.

Chipping Sparrow 11/22/07

Clay-colored Sparrow 3/30/08

Probably an under reported winter species in south central Texas. Difficult to distinguish from winter Chipping Sparrows for most of the winter, Clay-coloreds are easier to spot, and present in larger numbers in early spring.

Lincoln's Sparrow 11/10/08

Lincoln's Sparrow 3/29/08

Dark-eyed Junco 11/23/08

Pine Siskin 4/26/09

A yellow adult. Note the bright yellow wingbars, and nearly unstreaked breast (compare to other siskin photos).

Pine Siskin 11/3/07

Pine Siskin 11/3/07

Pine Siskins 2/3/08

Considered accidental or irruptive on local checklists, Siskins seem to be regular winter residents in my yard.

American Goldfinch 3/30/08

Male American Goldfinches in breeding plumage are a treat. They wear a much drabber plumage for most of their stay in S. Texas, coloring up just before they head north.

American Goldfinches 2/3/08

Winter plumaged birds.