Home Is Where You Park It!: January 3 Sunshine at last!

Finally a sunshiny day and a chance to get out and really bird.

We started by driving to Osprey Overlook...

a viewing area overlooking Laguna Atascosa, the only place visitors can actually view the lake without going on a refuge birding tour.

This sign has been added on Lake Shore Drive since we were here last year. A cougar had been reported by hunters and one of our birding tours had the experience of seeing him cross the road on the west side of the lake.

The last week of hunting season begins January 4, so the bow hunters were preparing their stands for an early morning start. They bike or hike in several miles to their designated area before sunrise. Even the bikes are camo.

While birding the area we were treated to a beautiful Verdin and an Indigo Bunting, sadly both escaped before photos could be taken. The Mockingbird obliged, but everything turned out fuzzy so they were deleted.

Back at the Visitor Center the Alligator was very

obliging... although he never came out of the water, the view was terrific, thanks to the clarity. Cold weather, I guess.

This is another new sign for advanced warning upon approaching the alligator trough.

A Ladder-backed Woodpecker scolded noisily overhead, guess he was glad the sun was shining, too.

I caught a glimpse of Eastern Phoebe, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Cardinal, and maybe a Tropical Parula. I saw the bird, the visitor standing next to me described it perfectly, but wasn't sure of the ID.

A very handsome Olive Sparrow took advantage of the weather to enjoy the bird blind feeding area.

I can't resist the Kiskadee, even though they're thick as fleas. This one utilized the water feature in front of the visitor center, sometimes overrun with grackles and blackbirds.

Two Grey Catbirds decided to join the party...