UTC 083: Nassau Bay Park

The Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail, Upper Texas Coast

I was not expecting much from this site because the map/guide stated this is "not a major birding destination", but is included as a respite for business travelers.  I was pleasantly surprised.  I saw a greater variety of birds at this park than the others I have visited so far this year.  In the photo above a great blue heron, two brown pelicans, several double-crested cormorants, and a neotropic cormorant  (the little one) seem to be harmoniously sharing a platform.    

Not quite as harmonious were the American white pelican and smaller ducks.  He tried several times to approach and they wanted nothing to do with him.  Seeing the size of that beak, I can understand why.  Was he hunting them?  A little internet research confirms he very well may have been.

The gold tones in the photo are a reflection of the sunrise.  I got up early and arrived at the park just as the sun was coming up.

Another pleasant surprise was the small flock of monk parakeets I found here.  I knew there were places descendants of escaped pets now breed in the wild.  I didn't realize one of those places was less than three miles from my home.

This one is dining on an acorn.
  

I also found and photographed my first warbler.  The yellow rump, yellow patch on the chest, and yellow crown revealed in a second photograph confirm he's a yellow-rumped "myrtle" warbler.  The audubon version has a yellow throat.

When I first arrived, there was only one other vehicle in the parking lot with the owner nowhere in sight.  As other people starting arriving I was asked, "Are you a photographer?" and "What kind of camera is that?"  They didn't exchange quick, pleasant greetings - they wanted to hold conversations.  I'm glad I live in a friendly town and won't complain, but I can't find birds and talk at the same time.  It was time to go.

Birds seen this visit:  American Coot, Mallard, American White Pelican, Ruddy Duck, Greater White-fronted Goose, Grackle, Rock Pigeon, Monk Parakeet, Great Blue Heron, Brown Pelican, Double-crested Cormorant, Neotropic Cormorant, Yellow-rumped "myrtle" Warbler, Laughing Gull, and Great Egret.      

This is a multi-use park with picnic tables, restrooms, fishing pier, enclosed dog runs, covered basketball court, and playground.      

I'm linking up with Wild Bird Wednesday.  Visit to see other amazing birds from all over the world or link up your own.