2024-04-15 South Padre Island

After a brief peek at the bird action at the SPI Convention Centre this morning, I enjoyed breakfast at my new ‘favorite’ cafe (Josephine’s) on South Padre Island this morning. It is a quick 2+ mile bike ride from my Andy Bowie camp.

The passerine action on the island since I arrived has been very slow. With the lull, I felt it was a good time to spend with the shorebirds, gulls, and terns that frequent the sandy flats north of the SPI Convention Centre. I did not capture every species present. Some birds positioned themselves too far away for me to capture worthwhile images. So I found a few potential perches to park my bike and set up my camera gear.

Laughing Gulls are virtually EVERYWHERE in south Texas, so I ignored them during my mini-vigil. Instead, I turned my attention to the terns and shorebirds that surrounded me. I am a big fan of gathering ‘low-hanging fruit’ when given an opportunity. As a part of my preferred ‘glass half-full’ philosophy, I find it more satisfying to enjoy what the universe offers than to whine about what she hides. I enjoyed the company of Dunlins, Willets, and Semipalmated Plovers. Black-Bellied Plovers loafed along the mangrove margins, beyond my range for photographs. Least Terns, Royal Terns, Sandwich Terns, and Black Skimmers were more cooperative subjects.

When I was done with the birds on the sandy Laguna Madre flats, I investigated the marshy sedges between my Andy Bowie camp and the highway. Folks here earlier in the morning were waiting on a Sedge Wren near camp, but this is a very difficult and shy species. Eastern Meadowlarks sang for me, but they avoided my gaze. I settled for the Lesser Yellowlegs, Spotted Sandpipers, and Great-Tailed Grackles that surrendered to me more easily. It has been a long time since I worked with my camera gear. Health issues have been at the root of my absence. I used the eclipse as an excuse to visit Texas again. Birding here may not be a cure, but it is surely good medicine.