Cattail Marsh, Beaumont, TX, April 2017
A few last images from Cattail Marsh. Howard and I enjoyed our visit here and will return again to wander around this natural preserve.
~Last images from Cattail Marsh
Tag Archives: Cattail Marsh
~Long-billed Dowitcher
Cattail Marsh, Beaumont, TX, April, 2017
When feeding the Dowitcher uses their long bill in the motion of a sewing machine needle, up and down. They usually stay for longer periods of time in one spot, as opposed to other shorebirds that wade and probe.
I believe this bird is the Long-billed, which has a bulkier body with a more rounded back and a longer bill.
Can be difficult to tell between the Long and Short billed Dowitcher.
Happy Birding!
~Pink Legs, Big Eyes & a White Face
Cattail Marsh, Beaumont, TX, April, 2017
Not many Black-necked Stilts on the marsh when we were there. We were lucky to see a few of these cute birds. They don’t stand still, continually using their long bill to forage for food in the muddy waters.
I saw my first Black-necked Stilt on April 7, 1995 in Kauai, Hawaii. Howard and I were there celebrating our 20th anniversary.
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Too far away for a good photo, but you can still make out this White-faced Ibis in breeding plumage.
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The photo below shows a typical marshy area in the southern states. Beaumont has done an excellent job in preserving this area. We observed several species of birds; however, it would have been fun to be there a little later to see more of them migrating through.
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Forty degrees this morning in Loveland, Colorado. We have cloudy skies and occasional snow flakes. Spring is coming!
~Birding in Texas and A Japanese Lantern Poem
A Japanese lantern poem:
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Small
Duck
Relaxing
Sunning herself
Sweet
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Is this beauty a Green-winged Teal or a Blue-winged Teal?
~Birding in Texas, Blue-winged Teal
Cattail Marsh, Beaumont, TX, April, 2017
A very handsome guy in his breeding plumage, with a white crescent on his face and a white hip patch.
She has a vague crescent, with white at the base of bill and a whitish throat.
Happy Birding!
~Birding in Texas, American Avocet
Cattail Marsh, Beaumont, TX, April, 2017
Groups of Avocets gather in shallow water, sweeping their bills from side to side to feed. They rest in compact flocks, as seen in my photos.
Identification tip: You can tell a male from a female by their bill. Males bill is longer and straighter.
Header photo: Beautiful evening light highlights these gorgeous birds.
~Birding in Texas, Green-winged Teal
Cattail Marsh, Beaumont, TX, April, 2017
There are several towns we like to stop when traveling east and west along I-10. Beaumont, TX is one of them. We discovered, less than four miles from the RV Park, Cattail Marsh, a scenic wetland and broadwalk. There are hiking trails around the marches with lovely views of sleeping alligators (ha), and the lovely broadwalk that extends over the water that provides excellent views of the birds. Beaumont is where we stay when visiting High Island.
The Green-winged Teal is our smallest duck. They are common and usually found on shallow ponds, marshes and flooded fields. It was fun watching them resting, sleeping, feeding and foraging.
Happy Birding!
