2022-08-30 at Laguna Atascosa NWR

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43 Photos

Ash-Throated Flycatcher - Myiarchus cinerascens — **Ash-Throated Flycatcher**
*(Myiarchus cinerascens)*

**Description:**
I’d met Ash-Throated Flycatchers at the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge during my spring visits to Brownsville Texas in 2020 and 2021. This bird in August 2022 was silent, so I’m not 100% sure of its identity. Brown-Crested and Great Crested Flycatchers look very much like the Ash-Throated Flycatcher.
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**Date Taken:** 2022:08:30 10:00

**Location:**

Laguna Atascosa NWR
Buena Vista, Texas
United States
42.65 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000

**File Name:** AshThroatedFlycatcher_8506369-LagunaAtascosa

© 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Pin It — **Ash-Throated Flycatcher**
*(Myiarchus cinerascens)*

**Description:**
I’d met Ash-Throated Flycatchers at the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge during my spring visits to Brownsville Texas in 2020 and 2021. This bird in August 2022 was silent, so I’m not 100% sure of its identity. Brown-Crested and Great Crested Flycatchers look very much like the Ash-Throated Flycatcher.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2022:08:30 10:00

**Location:**

Laguna Atascosa NWR
Buena Vista, Texas
United States
42.65 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000

**File Name:** AshThroatedFlycatcher_8506369-LagunaAtascosa

© 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Green Jay - Cyanocorax yncas — **Green Jay**
*(Cyanocorax yncas)*

**Description:**
Green Jays are the most common birds at the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge. On this August visit, many of the birds were molting, with sheathed feathers erupting from their heads and faces. Some of the birds sported fresh feathered finery, and some were young birds from the recent breeding season.
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**Date Taken:** 2022:08:30 10:43

**Location:**

Laguna Atascosa NWR
Buena Vista, Texas
United States
42.65 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/500

**File Name:** GreenJay_8506509-LagunaAtascosa

© 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Long-Billed Thrasher - Toxostoma longirostre — **Long-Billed Thrasher**
*(Toxostoma longirostre)*

**Description:**
Like many locations in south Texas, the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge has its share of Long-Billed Thrashers. On my summer visit in August 2022, they seemed more shy than my spring visits in 2020 and 2022.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2022:08:30 11:16

**Location:**

Laguna Atascosa NWR
Buena Vista, Texas
United States
42.65 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250

**File Name:** LongBillThrasher_8506628-LagunaAtascosa

© 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura — **Mourning Dove**
*(Zenaida macroura)*

**Description:**
I believe the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge has four large dove species year-round. Mourning Doves, White-Winged, and White-Tipped Doves are native, but the invasive Eurasian Collared Dove is not. The much smaller and shier Common Ground Doves and Inca Doves are also found here.
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**Date Taken:** 2022:08:30 11:45

**Location:**

Laguna Atascosa NWR
Buena Vista, Texas
United States
42.65 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/3200

**File Name:** MourningDove_8506732-LagunaAtascosa

© 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Mourning Warbler - Geothlypis philadelphia — **Mourning Warbler**
*(Geothlypis philadelphia)*

**Description:**
Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge is only a few miles north of South Padre Island on the Texas Gulf Coast. Migrating birds, such as this young Mourning Warbler, pass through here each spring and fall.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2022:08:30 9:37

**Location:**

Laguna Atascosa NWR
Buena Vista, Texas
United States
42.65 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/250

**File Name:** MourningWarbler_8506281-LagunaAtascosa

© 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Red-Eyed Vireo - Vireo olivaceus — **Red-Eyed Vireo**
*(Vireo olivaceus)*

**Description:**
Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge is only a few miles north of South Padre Island on the Texas Gulf Coast. Migrating birds, such as this Red-Eyed Vireo, pass through here each spring and fall.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2022:08:30 9:42

**Location:**

Laguna Atascosa NWR
Buena Vista, Texas
United States
42.65 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/500

**File Name:** RedEyedVireo_8506328-LagunaAtascosa

© 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Rio Grande Ground Squirrel - Ictidomys parvidens — **Rio Grande Ground Squirrel**
*(Ictidomys parvidens)*

**Description:**
When I saw these small squirrels at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, I thought it was a Thirteen-Lined Ground Squirrel. When I researched their range online, I learned they were not found this far south. I then realized these were Rio Grande Ground Squirrels.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2022:08:30 10:55

**Location:**

Laguna Atascosa NWR
Buena Vista, Texas
United States
42.65 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1600

**File Name:** RioGrandeGroundSquirrel_8506539-LagunaAtascosa

© 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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White-Tipped Dove - Leptotila verreauxi — **White-Tipped Dove**
*(Leptotila verreauxi)*

**Description:**
I believe the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge has four large dove species year-round. Mourning Doves, White-Winged, and White-Tipped Doves are native, but the invasive Eurasian Collared Dove is not. The much smaller and shier Common Ground Doves and Inca Doves are also found here.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2022:08:30 9:53

**Location:**

Laguna Atascosa NWR
Buena Vista, Texas
United States
42.65 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1600

**File Name:** WhiteTippedDove_8506356-LagunaAtascosa

© 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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White-Winged Dove - Zenaida asiatica — **White-Winged Dove**
*(Zenaida asiatica)*

**Description:**
I believe the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge has four large dove species year-round. Mourning Doves, White-Winged, and White-Tipped Doves are native, but the invasive Eurasian Collared Dove is not. The much smaller and shier Common Ground Doves and Inca Doves are also found here.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2022:08:30 9:44

**Location:**

Laguna Atascosa NWR
Buena Vista, Texas
United States
42.65 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/320

**File Name:** WhiteWingedDove_8506339-LagunaAtascosa

© 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Worm-Eating Warbler - Helmitheros vermivorum — **Worm-Eating Warbler**
*(Helmitheros vermivorum)*

**Description:**
Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge is only a few miles north of South Padre Island on the Texas Gulf Coast. Migrating birds, such as this Worm-Eating Warbler, pass through here each spring and fall. This was my favorite bird of the day.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2022:08:30 10:00

**Location:**

Laguna Atascosa NWR
Buena Vista, Texas
United States
42.65 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1600

**File Name:** WormEatingWarbler_8506381-LagunaAtascosa

© 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Red-Winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus — **Red-Winged Blackbird**
*(Agelaius phoeniceus)*

**Description:**
At Atascosa, all the blackbirds I met seemed to be bachelor Red-Wings. I spent the day in Laguna Vista and Laguna Atascosa Thursday. I didn’t find any unusual birds, but I enjoyed those that I met.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:02:04 11:22

**Location:**

Laguna Atascosa NWR
Los Fresnos, Texas
United States
42.65 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/250

**File Name:** RedWingedBlackbird_D5X8087-AtascosaNWR-TX

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Orange-Crowned Warbler - Leiothlypis celata — **Orange-Crowned Warbler**
*(Leiothlypis celata)*

**Description:**
As with many places I visited this winter in south Texas, Orange-Crowned and Yellow-Rumped were most prevalent. I spent the day in Laguna Vista and Laguna Atascosa Thursday. I didn’t find any unusual birds, but I enjoyed those that I met.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:02:04 12:05

**Location:**

Laguna Atascosa NWR
Los Fresnos, Texas
United States
42.65 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/16.0, 1/125

**File Name:** OrangeCrownedWarbler_D5X8556-AtascosaNWR-TX

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Northern Cardinal - Cardinalis cardinalis — **Northern Cardinal**
*(Cardinalis cardinalis)*

**Description:**
Cardinals are a fixture in most places here in south Texas, and Atascosa was no exception. I spent the day in Laguna Vista and Laguna Atascosa Thursday. I didn’t find any unusual birds, but I enjoyed those that I met.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:02:04 12:12

**Location:**

Laguna Atascosa NWR
Los Fresnos, Texas
United States
42.65 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/16.0, 1/250

**File Name:** NorthernCardinal_D5X8726-AtascosaNWR-TX

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Great-Tailed Grackle - Quiscalus mexicanus — **Great-Tailed Grackle**
*(Quiscalus mexicanus)*

**Description:**
When the grackle mob showed up at the feeding station, it was every bird for itself. I spent the day in Laguna Vista and Laguna Atascosa Thursday. I didn’t find any unusual birds, but I enjoyed those that I met.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:02:04 12:37

**Location:**

Laguna Atascosa NWR
Los Fresnos, Texas
United States
42.65 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/16.0, 1/125

**File Name:** GreatTailedGrackle_D5X8938-AtascosaNWR-TX

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Plain Chachalaca - Ortalis vetula — **Plain Chachalaca**
*(Ortalis vetula)*

**Description:**
Chacalacas are brash and bold, and their loud and raucous calls can be heard from great distances. My third visit to Atascosa NWR in South Texas was intended to pickup images of a couple of the birds I came up short with on my second visit. But then I started meeting new birds and I stayed all day.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2020:04:24 11:54

**Location:**

Atascosa NWR
Los Fresnos, Texas
United States
36.09 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250

**File Name:** PlainChachalaca_D506657-Atascosa-NWR

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Rose-Breasted Grosbeak - Pheucticus ludovicianus — **Rose-Breasted Grosbeak**
*(Pheucticus ludovicianus)*

**Description:**
This meeting with the immature male Rose-Breasted Grosbeak came as a welcome surprise to me. On my third visit to Atascosa NWR in South Texas I intended to pick up images of some of the birds I missed on my second visit. But then I started meeting new birds and I stayed all day.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2020:04:24 11:42

**Location:**

Atascosa NWR
Los Fresnos, Texas
United States
36.09 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250

**File Name:** RoseBreastedGrosbeak_D506544-Atascosa-NWR

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Painted Bunting - Passerina ciris — **Painted Bunting**
*(Passerina ciris)*

**Description:**
I was hoping to meet the male Painted Bunting in Texas, but this young lady was a nice consolation prize. My third visit to Atascosa NWR in South Texas was intended to pick up images of a couple of the birds I came up short with on my second visit. But then I started meeting new birds and I stayed all day.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2020:04:24 11:39

**Location:**

Atascosa NWR
Los Fresnos, Texas
United States
36.09 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000

**File Name:** PaintedBunting_D506474-Atascosa-NWR

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

Olive Sparrow - Arremonops rufivirgatus — **Olive Sparrow**
*(Arremonops rufivirgatus)*

**Description:**
Because Olive Sparrows love dense thickets and understory, they are difficult to capture their images. These were one of the birds I applied effort to find on this day. My third visit to Atascosa NWR in South Texas was intended to pickup images of a couple of the birds I came up short with on my second visit. But then I started meeting new birds and I stayed all day.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2020:04:24 14:18

**Location:**

Atascosa NWR
Los Fresnos, Texas
United States
36.09 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/500

**File Name:** OliveSparrow_D507133-Atascosa-NWR

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Greater Roadrunner - Geococcyx californianus — **Greater Roadrunner**
*(Geococcyx californianus)*

**Description:**
Greater Roadrunners are not uncommon in Texas, but this bird's love of the water provided my most memorable meetings during my visit to the state in 2020. My third visit to Laguna Atascosa NWR in South Texas was intended to pickup images of a couple of the birds I came up short with on my second visit. But then I started meeting new birds and I stayed all day.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2020:04:24 12:03

**Location:**

Atascosa NWR
Los Fresnos, Texas
United States
36.09 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/640

**File Name:** GreaterRoadRunner_D506756-Atascosa-NWR

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Click map markers to reveal further information

Ash-Throated Flycatcher

Myiarchus cinerascens

I’d met Ash-Throated Flycatchers at the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge during my spring visits to Brownsville Texas in 2020 and 2021. This bird in August 2022 was silent, so I’m not 100% sure of its identity. Brown-Crested and Great Crested Flycatchers look very much like the Ash-Throated Flycatcher.

Green Jay

Cyanocorax yncas

Green Jays are the most common birds at the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge. On this August visit, many of the birds were molting, with sheathed feathers erupting from their heads and faces. Some of the birds sported fresh feathered finery, and some were young birds from the recent breeding season.

Green Jay

Cyanocorax yncas

Green Jay

Cyanocorax yncas

Green Jay

Cyanocorax yncas

Green Jay

Cyanocorax yncas

Long-Billed Thrasher

Toxostoma longirostre

Like many locations in south Texas, the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge has its share of Long-Billed Thrashers. On my summer visit in August 2022, they seemed more shy than my spring visits in 2020 and 2022.

Mourning Dove

Zenaida macroura

I believe the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge has four large dove species year-round. Mourning Doves, White-Winged, and White-Tipped Doves are native, but the invasive Eurasian Collared Dove is not. The much smaller and shier Common Ground Doves and Inca Doves are also found here.

Mourning Warbler

Geothlypis philadelphia

Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge is only a few miles north of South Padre Island on the Texas Gulf Coast. Migrating birds, such as this young Mourning Warbler, pass through here each spring and fall.

Mourning Warbler

Geothlypis philadelphia

Mourning Warbler

Geothlypis philadelphia

Mourning Warbler

Geothlypis philadelphia

Red-Eyed Vireo

Vireo olivaceus

Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge is only a few miles north of South Padre Island on the Texas Gulf Coast. Migrating birds, such as this Red-Eyed Vireo, pass through here each spring and fall.

Red-Eyed Vireo

Vireo olivaceus

Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge is only a few miles north of South Padre Island on the Texas Gulf Coast. Migrating birds, such as this Red-Eyed Vireo, pass through here each spring and fall.

Rio Grande Ground Squirrel

Ictidomys parvidens

When I saw these small squirrels at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, I thought it was a Thirteen-Lined Ground Squirrel. When I researched their range online, I learned they were not found this far south. I then realized these were Rio Grande Ground Squirrels.

Rio Grande Ground Squirrel

Ictidomys parvidens

Rio Grande Ground Squirrel

Ictidomys parvidens

White-Tipped Dove

Leptotila verreauxi

White-Winged Dove

Zenaida asiatica

Worm-Eating Warbler

Helmitheros vermivorum

Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge is only a few miles north of South Padre Island on the Texas Gulf Coast. Migrating birds, such as this Worm-Eating Warbler, pass through here each spring and fall. This was my favorite bird of the day.

Worm-Eating Warbler

Helmitheros vermivorum

Worm-Eating Warbler

Helmitheros vermivorum

Worm-Eating Warbler

Helmitheros vermivorum

Worm-Eating Warbler

Helmitheros vermivorum

Worm-Eating Warbler

Helmitheros vermivorum

Long-Billed Thrasher

Toxostoma longirostre

I met my first Long-Billed Thrashers last spring here at Atascosa, and I enjoyed getting re-acquainted. I spent the day in Laguna Vista and Laguna Atascosa Thursday. I didn’t find any unusual birds, but I enjoyed those that I met.

Red-Winged Blackbird

Agelaius phoeniceus

At Atascosa, all the blackbirds I met seemed to be bachelor Red-Wings. I spent the day in Laguna Vista and Laguna Atascosa Thursday. I didn’t find any unusual birds, but I enjoyed those that I met.

Orange-Crowned Warbler

Leiothlypis celata

As with many places I visited this winter in south Texas, Orange-Crowned and Yellow-Rumped were most prevalent. I spent the day in Laguna Vista and Laguna Atascosa Thursday. I didn’t find any unusual birds, but I enjoyed those that I met.

Northern Cardinal

Cardinalis cardinalis

Cardinals are a fixture in most places here in south Texas, and Atascosa was no exception. I spent the day in Laguna Vista and Laguna Atascosa Thursday. I didn’t find any unusual birds, but I enjoyed those that I met.

Green Jay

Cyanocorax yncas

Green Jays are always entertaining. These at Atascosa were no exception. I spent the day in Laguna Vista and Laguna Atascosa Thursday. I didn’t find any unusual birds, but I enjoyed those that I met.

Great-Tailed Grackle

Quiscalus mexicanus

When the grackle mob showed up at the feeding station, it was every bird for itself. I spent the day in Laguna Vista and Laguna Atascosa Thursday. I didn’t find any unusual birds, but I enjoyed those that I met.

Great-Tailed Grackle

Quiscalus mexicanus

Ash-Throated Flycatcher

Myiarchus cinerascens

Ash-Throated Flycatchers are familiar near my home in southern California. It was fun to meet them in Texas too. This bird turned out to be to only Texas encounter I would have with the species.

Plain Chachalaca

Ortalis vetula

Chacalacas are brash and bold, and their loud and raucous calls can be heard from great distances. My third visit to Atascosa NWR in South Texas was intended to pickup images of a couple of the birds I came up short with on my second visit. But then I started meeting new birds and I stayed all day.

Rose-Breasted Grosbeak

Pheucticus ludovicianus

This meeting with the immature male Rose-Breasted Grosbeak came as a welcome surprise to me. On my third visit to Atascosa NWR in South Texas I intended to pick up images of some of the birds I missed on my second visit. But then I started meeting new birds and I stayed all day.

Painted Bunting

Passerina ciris

I was hoping to meet the male Painted Bunting in Texas, but this young lady was a nice consolation prize. My third visit to Atascosa NWR in South Texas was intended to pick up images of a couple of the birds I came up short with on my second visit. But then I started meeting new birds and I stayed all day.

Olive Sparrow

Arremonops rufivirgatus

Because Olive Sparrows love dense thickets and understory, they are difficult to capture their images. These were one of the birds I applied effort to find on this day. My third visit to Atascosa NWR in South Texas was intended to pickup images of a couple of the birds I came up short with on my second visit. But then I started meeting new birds and I stayed all day.

Greater Roadrunner

Geococcyx californianus

Greater Roadrunners are not uncommon in Texas, but this bird's love of the water provided my most memorable meetings during my visit to the state in 2020. My third visit to Laguna Atascosa NWR in South Texas was intended to pickup images of a couple of the birds I came up short with on my second visit. But then I started meeting new birds and I stayed all day.

Long-Billed Thrasher

Toxostoma longirostre

I was unsatisfied with the images I'd collected of this bird on my first two visits, and my mission for this day was to do better. This was my third visit to Atascosa NWR in South Texas, and I intended to pick up better images of some of the birds I came up short with on my second visit. But then I started meeting new birds, and I stayed all day.

Greater Roadrunner

Geococcyx californianus

Greater Roadrunners are not uncommon in Texas, but this bird's love of the water provided me with some memorable meetings during my visit to the state in 2020. My third visit to Atascosa NWR in South Texas was intended to pickup images of a couple of birds I came up short with on my second visit. But then I started meeting new birds and I stayed all day.

Olive Sparrow

Arremonops rufivirgatus

When I left California for Texas, this was a bird I was hoping to meet. Atascosa NWR was a short drive from my camp in Brownsville, Texas, and remained open during the COVID-19 crisis, when many other nearby birding hotspots shut down.

Olive Sparrow

Arremonops rufivirgatus

Olive Sparrow

Arremonops rufivirgatus

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