Memories of High Island

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50 Photos

Roseate Spoonbill - Platalea ajaja — **Roseate Spoonbill**
*(Platalea ajaja)*

**Description:**
Capturing spoonbills in flight was my mission while visiting the rookery. I camped on High Island (Texas) a half mile from the Smith Oaks Sanctuary, where among its 177 acres is a large pond hosting a rookery for egrets, spoonbills and cormorants. I spent my Saturday morning there and returned for another visit in the afternoon.
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**Date Taken:** 2021:03:06 16:40

**Location:**

Smith Oaks
High Island, Texas
United States
32.81 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000

**File Name:** RoseateSpoonbill_D5X9707-HighIsland_SmithOaks

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Pin It — **Roseate Spoonbill**
*(Platalea ajaja)*

**Description:**
Capturing spoonbills in flight was my mission while visiting the rookery. I camped on High Island (Texas) a half mile from the Smith Oaks Sanctuary, where among its 177 acres is a large pond hosting a rookery for egrets, spoonbills and cormorants. I spent my Saturday morning there and returned for another visit in the afternoon.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:03:06 16:40

**Location:**

Smith Oaks
High Island, Texas
United States
32.81 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000

**File Name:** RoseateSpoonbill_D5X9707-HighIsland_SmithOaks

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Great Egret - Ardea alba — **Great Egret**
*(Ardea alba)*

**Description:**
My primary objective in visiting the rookery was spoonbill-driven, but observing green-faced egrets nesting and pair-bonding was a treat. I camped on High Island (Texas) a half mile from the Smith Oaks Sanctuary, where among its 177 acres is a large pond hosting a rookery for egrets, spoonbills and cormorants. I spent my Saturday morning there and returned for another visit in the afternoon.
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**Date Taken:** 2021:03:06 16:38

**Location:**

Smith Oaks
High Island, Texas
United States
32.81 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000

**File Name:** GreatEgret_D5X9703-HighIsland_SmithOaks

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Neotropic Cormorant - Phalacrocorax brasilianus — **Neotropic Cormorant**
*(Phalacrocorax brasilianus)*

**Description:**
The grunting calls of Neotropic Cormorants were the loudest sounds on the rookery pond. I camped on High Island (Texas) a half mile from the Smith Oaks Sanctuary, where among its 177 acres is a large pond hosting a rookery for egrets, spoonbills and cormorants. I spent my Saturday morning there and returned for another visit in the afternoon.
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**Date Taken:** 2021:03:06 8:53

**Location:**

Smith Oaks
High Island, Texas
United States
32.81 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000

**File Name:** NeotropicCormorant_D5X8739-HighIsland_SmithOaks

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Eastern Gray Squirrel - Sciurus carolinensis — **Eastern Gray Squirrel**
*(Sciurus carolinensis)*

**Description:**
It seems birds weren’t the only creatures thriving in these woods. I camped on High Island (Texas) a half mile from the Smith Oaks Sanctuary, where among its 177 acres is a large pond hosting a rookery for egrets, spoonbills and cormorants. I spent my Saturday morning there and returned for another visit in the afternoon.
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**Date Taken:** 2021:03:06 17:41

**Location:**

Smith Oaks
High Island, Texas
United States
32.81 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000

**File Name:** EasternGraySquirrel_D5X0494-HighIsland_SmithOaks

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Black-and-White Warbler - Mniotilta varia — **Black-and-White Warbler**
*(Mniotilta varia)*

**Description:**
After my morning at the rookery, I walked some of the sanctuary trails and found this warbler. I camped on High Island (Texas) a half mile from the Smith Oaks Sanctuary, where among its 177 acres is a large pond hosting a rookery for egrets, spoonbills and cormorants. I spent my Saturday morning there and returned for another visit in the afternoon.
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**Date Taken:** 2021:03:06 10:15

**Location:**

Smith Oaks
High Island, Texas
United States
49.21 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000

**File Name:** BlackandWhiteWarbler_D5X9384-HighIsland_SmithOaks

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Black Vulture - Coragyps atratus — **Black Vulture**
*(Coragyps atratus)*

**Description:**
These Black Vultures enjoyed roosting with the Turkey Vultures cousins in the tall trees here. I camped on High Island (Texas) a half mile from the Smith Oaks Sanctuary, where among its 177 acres is a large pond hosting a rookery for egrets, spoonbills and cormorants. I spent my Saturday morning there and returned for another visit in the afternoon.
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**Date Taken:** 2021:03:06 10:19

**Location:**

Smith Oaks
High Island, Texas
United States
49.21 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000

**File Name:** BlackVulture_D5X9399-HighIsland_SmithOaks

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Common Gallinule - Gallinula galeata — **Common Gallinule**
*(Gallinula galeata)*

**Description:**
Gallinules, coots and grebes were present on the rookery pond’s waters. I camped on High Island (Texas) a half mile from the Smith Oaks Sanctuary, where among its 177 acres is a large pond hosting a rookery for egrets, spoonbills and cormorants. I spent my Saturday morning there and returned for another visit in the afternoon.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:03:06 16:26

**Location:**

Smith Oaks
High Island, Texas
United States
32.81 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000

**File Name:** CommonGallinule_D5X9538-HighIsland_SmithOaks

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Crested Caracara - Caracara cheriway — **Crested Caracara**
*(Caracara cheriway)*

**Description:**
A late afternoon flyover by this caracara caught me off guard. I camped on High Island (Texas) a half mile from the Smith Oaks Sanctuary, where among its 177 acres is a large pond hosting a rookery for egrets, spoonbills and cormorants. I spent my Saturday morning there and returned for another visit in the afternoon.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:03:06 17:38

**Location:**

Smith Oaks
High Island, Texas
United States
32.81 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000

**File Name:** CrestedCaracara_D5X0426-HighIsland_SmithOaks

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Double-Crested Cormorant - Phalacrocorax auritus — **Double-Crested Cormorant**
*(Phalacrocorax auritus)*

**Description:**
Most of the cormorants in the rookery were Neotropic, but a few were Double-Crested. I camped on High Island (Texas) a half mile from the Smith Oaks Sanctuary, where among its 177 acres is a large pond hosting a rookery for egrets, spoonbills and cormorants. I spent my Saturday morning there and returned for another visit in the afternoon.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:03:06 17:16

**Location:**

Smith Oaks
High Island, Texas
United States
32.81 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000

**File Name:** DoubleCrestedCormorant_D5X0011-HighIsland_SmithOaks

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Tricolored Heron - Egretta tricolor — **Tricolored Heron**
*(Egretta tricolor)*

**Description:**
Anytime I visit High Island Texas, I can’t pass up an opportunity to stop by the Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary. I’ve never been disappointed with the times I’ve spent there. Wading birds and cormorants abound, and lots of nesting takes place.
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**Date Taken:** 2023:06:25 17:23

**Location:**

Smith Oaks Sanctuary
High Island, Texas
United States
52.50 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800

**File Name:** TriColoredHeron_Z9X3311_HighIsland-TX

© 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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River Cooter - Pseudemys concinna — **River Cooter**
*(Pseudemys concinna)*

**Description:**
Anytime I visit High Island Texas, I can’t pass up an opportunity to stop by the Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary. I’ve never been disappointed with the times I’ve spent there. Wading birds and cormorants abound, and lots of nesting takes place. I couldn’t resist capturing a picture of this turtle with a dragonfly perched on his nose.
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**Date Taken:** 2023:06:25 16:03

**Location:**

Smith Oaks Sanctuary
High Island, Texas
United States
45.93 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800

**File Name:** TexasRiverCooter_Z9X2458_HighIsland-TX

© 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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

**Description:**
Anytime I visit High Island Texas, I can’t pass up an opportunity to stop by the Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary. I’ve never been disappointed with the times I’ve spent there. Wading birds and cormorants abound, and lots of nesting takes place. I heard grackles, Yellow-Billed Cuckoos, Carolina Wrens, and Blue Jays in the woods during my June 2023 visit. Great-Tailed Grackles were the only ones that presented themselves to me.
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**Date Taken:** 2023:06:25 16:26

**Location:**

Smith Oaks Sanctuary
High Island, Texas
United States
59.06 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800

**File Name:** GreatTailedGrackle_Z9X2785_HighIsland-TX

© 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Little Blue Heron - Egretta caerulea — **Little Blue Heron**
*(Egretta caerulea)*

**Description:**
Anytime I visit High Island Texas, I can’t pass up an opportunity to stop by the Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary. I’ve never been disappointed with the times I’ve spent there. Wading birds and cormorants abound, and lots of nesting takes place.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2023:06:25 17:52

**Location:**

Smith Oaks Sanctuary
High Island, Texas
United States
39.37 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000

**File Name:** LittleBlueHeron_Z9X3448_HighIsland-TX

© 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Anhinga - Anhinga anhinga — **Anhinga**
*(Anhinga anhinga)*

**Description:**
Anytime I visit High Island Texas, I can’t pass up an opportunity to stop by the Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary. I’ve never been disappointed with the times I’ve spent there. Wading birds and cormorants abound, and lots of nesting takes place. My favorite memory of my June 2023 visit was watching an Anhinga parent feeding its twin offspring.
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**Date Taken:** 2023:06:25 17:57

**Location:**

Smith Oaks Sanctuary
High Island, Texas
United States
36.09 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800

**File Name:** Anhinga_Z9X3653_HighIsland-TX

© 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Cattle Egret - Bubulcus ibis — **Cattle Egret**
*(Bubulcus ibis)*

**Description:**
Anytime I visit High Island Texas, I can’t pass up an opportunity to stop by the Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary. I’ve never been disappointed with the times I’ve spent there. Wading birds and cormorants abound, and lots of nesting takes place.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2023:06:25 18:00

**Location:**

Smith Oaks Sanctuary
High Island, Texas
United States
36.09 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800

**File Name:** CattleEgret_Z9X3944_HighIsland-TX

© 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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American Alligator - Alligator mississippiensis — **American Alligator**
*(Alligator mississippiensis)*

**Description:**
Anytime I visit High Island Texas, I can’t pass up an opportunity to stop by the Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary. I’ve never been disappointed with the times I’ve spent there. During my June 2023 visit, I was treated to a confrontation between a 12 foot alligator, and a somewhat smaller one. The smaller gator got away, but not before the big boy made his point.
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**Date Taken:** 2023:06:25 16:16

**Location:**

Smith Oaks Sanctuary
High Island, Texas
United States
65.62 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800

**File Name:** AmericanAlligator_Z9X2708_HighIsland-TX

© 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Golden Silk Orb-Weaver - Trichonephila clavipes — **Golden Silk Orb-Weaver**
*(Trichonephila clavipes)*

**Description:**
The woods at the Smith Oaks Sanctuary in High Island Texas were decorated with the webs of Golden Silk Orb-Weaver spiders. Many were as large as four inches long.
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**Date Taken:** 2022:08:14 15:14

**Location:**

Smith Oaks Sanctuary
High Island, Texas
United States
32.81 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/640

**File Name:** GoldenSilkOrbWeaver_8503574SmithOaks.HighIsland.TX_

© 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Carolina Wren - Thryothorus ludovicianus — **Carolina Wren**
*(Thryothorus ludovicianus)*

**Description:**
The loud songs of Carolina Wrens rang through the Smith Oaks Sanctuary in High Island Texas.
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**Date Taken:** 2022:08:14 16:30

**Location:**

Smith Oaks Sanctuary
High Island, Texas
United States
32.81 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000

**File Name:** CarolinaWren_8503798SmithOaks.HighIsland.TX_

© 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Click map markers to reveal further information

Roseate Spoonbill

Platalea ajaja

Capturing spoonbills in flight was my mission while visiting the rookery. I camped on High Island (Texas) a half mile from the Smith Oaks Sanctuary, where among its 177 acres is a large pond hosting a rookery for egrets, spoonbills and cormorants. I spent my Saturday morning there and returned for another visit in the afternoon.

Roseate Spoonbill

Platalea ajaja

Roseate Spoonbill

Platalea ajaja

Roseate Spoonbill

Platalea ajaja

Roseate Spoonbill

Platalea ajaja

Roseate Spoonbill

Platalea ajaja

Roseate Spoonbill

Platalea ajaja

Roseate Spoonbill

Platalea ajaja

Great Egret

Ardea alba

My primary objective in visiting the rookery was spoonbill-driven, but observing green-faced egrets nesting and pair-bonding was a treat. I camped on High Island (Texas) a half mile from the Smith Oaks Sanctuary, where among its 177 acres is a large pond hosting a rookery for egrets, spoonbills and cormorants. I spent my Saturday morning there and returned for another visit in the afternoon.

Great Egret

Ardea alba

Essential to nest building is gathering sticks for construction. My primary objective in visiting the rookery was spoonbill-driven, but observing green-faced egrets nesting and pair-bonding was a treat. I camped on High Island (Texas) a half mile from the Smith Oaks Sanctuary, where among its 177 acres is a large pond hosting a rookery for egrets, spoonbills and cormorants. I spent my Saturday morning there and returned for another visit in the afternoon.

Great Egret

Ardea alba

Neotropic Cormorant

Phalacrocorax brasilianus

The grunting calls of Neotropic Cormorants were the loudest sounds on the rookery pond. I camped on High Island (Texas) a half mile from the Smith Oaks Sanctuary, where among its 177 acres is a large pond hosting a rookery for egrets, spoonbills and cormorants. I spent my Saturday morning there and returned for another visit in the afternoon.

Neotropic Cormorant

Phalacrocorax brasilianus

Essential to nest building is gathering sticks for construction. The grunting calls of Neotropic Cormorants were the loudest sounds on the rookery pond. I camped on High Island (Texas) a half mile from the Smith Oaks Sanctuary, where among its 177 acres is a large pond hosting a rookery for egrets, spoonbills and cormorants. I spent my Saturday morning there and returned for another visit in the afternoon.

Roseate Spoonbill

Platalea ajaja

Roseate Spoonbill

Platalea ajaja

Roseate Spoonbill

Platalea ajaja

Essential to nest building is gathering sticks for construction. Capturing spoonbills in flight was my mission while visiting the rookery. I camped on High Island (Texas) a half mile from the Smith Oaks Sanctuary, where among its 177 acres is a large pond hosting a rookery for egrets, spoonbills and cormorants. I spent my Saturday morning there and returned for another visit in the afternoon.

Great Egret

Ardea alba

Great Egret

Ardea alba

Passing the baton! My primary objective in visiting the rookery was spoonbill-driven, but observing green-faced egrets nest building and pair-bonding was a treat. I camped on High Island (Texas) a half mile from the Smith Oaks Sanctuary, where among its 177 acres is a large pond hosting a rookery for egrets, spoonbills and cormorants. I spent my Saturday morning there and returned for another visit in the afternoon.

Great Egret

Ardea alba

My primary objective in visiting the rookery was spoonbill-driven, but observing green-faced egrets nest building and pair-bonding was a treat. I camped on High Island (Texas) a half mile from the Smith Oaks Sanctuary, where among its 177 acres is a large pond hosting a rookery for egrets, spoonbills and cormorants. I spent my Saturday morning there and returned for another visit in the afternoon.

Great Egret

Ardea alba

Great Egret

Ardea alba

Great Egret

Ardea alba

Great Egret

Ardea alba

Eastern Gray Squirrel

Sciurus carolinensis

It seems birds weren’t the only creatures thriving in these woods. I camped on High Island (Texas) a half mile from the Smith Oaks Sanctuary, where among its 177 acres is a large pond hosting a rookery for egrets, spoonbills and cormorants. I spent my Saturday morning there and returned for another visit in the afternoon.

Black-and-White Warbler

Mniotilta varia

After my morning at the rookery, I walked some of the sanctuary trails and found this warbler. I camped on High Island (Texas) a half mile from the Smith Oaks Sanctuary, where among its 177 acres is a large pond hosting a rookery for egrets, spoonbills and cormorants. I spent my Saturday morning there and returned for another visit in the afternoon.

Black Vulture

Coragyps atratus

These Black Vultures enjoyed roosting with the Turkey Vultures cousins in the tall trees here. I camped on High Island (Texas) a half mile from the Smith Oaks Sanctuary, where among its 177 acres is a large pond hosting a rookery for egrets, spoonbills and cormorants. I spent my Saturday morning there and returned for another visit in the afternoon.

Common Gallinule

Gallinula galeata

Gallinules, coots and grebes were present on the rookery pond’s waters. I camped on High Island (Texas) a half mile from the Smith Oaks Sanctuary, where among its 177 acres is a large pond hosting a rookery for egrets, spoonbills and cormorants. I spent my Saturday morning there and returned for another visit in the afternoon.

Crested Caracara

Caracara cheriway

A late afternoon flyover by this caracara caught me off guard. I camped on High Island (Texas) a half mile from the Smith Oaks Sanctuary, where among its 177 acres is a large pond hosting a rookery for egrets, spoonbills and cormorants. I spent my Saturday morning there and returned for another visit in the afternoon.

Double-Crested Cormorant

Phalacrocorax auritus

Most of the cormorants in the rookery were Neotropic, but a few were Double-Crested. I camped on High Island (Texas) a half mile from the Smith Oaks Sanctuary, where among its 177 acres is a large pond hosting a rookery for egrets, spoonbills and cormorants. I spent my Saturday morning there and returned for another visit in the afternoon.

Double-Crested Cormorant

Phalacrocorax auritus

Tricolored Heron

Egretta tricolor

Tricolored Heron

Egretta tricolor

River Cooter

Pseudemys concinna

Anytime I visit High Island Texas, I can’t pass up an opportunity to stop by the Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary. I’ve never been disappointed with the times I’ve spent there. Wading birds and cormorants abound, and lots of nesting takes place. I couldn’t resist capturing a picture of this turtle with a dragonfly perched on his nose.

Roseate Spoonbill

Platalea ajaja

Great-Tailed Grackle

Quiscalus mexicanus

Anytime I visit High Island Texas, I can’t pass up an opportunity to stop by the Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary. I’ve never been disappointed with the times I’ve spent there. Wading birds and cormorants abound, and lots of nesting takes place. I heard grackles, Yellow-Billed Cuckoos, Carolina Wrens, and Blue Jays in the woods during my June 2023 visit. Great-Tailed Grackles were the only ones that presented themselves to me.

Little Blue Heron

Egretta caerulea

Great Egret

Ardea alba

Great Egret

Ardea alba

Anhinga

Anhinga anhinga

Anytime I visit High Island Texas, I can’t pass up an opportunity to stop by the Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary. I’ve never been disappointed with the times I’ve spent there. Wading birds and cormorants abound, and lots of nesting takes place. My favorite memory of my June 2023 visit was watching an Anhinga parent feeding its twin offspring.

Common Gallinule

Gallinula galeata

Anytime I visit High Island Texas, I can’t pass up an opportunity to stop by the Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary. I’ve never been disappointed with the times I’ve spent there. Wading birds and cormorants abound, and lots of nesting takes place. I hoped I’d see a Purple Gallinule during my June 2023 visit. I settled for this Common Gallinule.

Cattle Egret

Bubulcus ibis

Tricolored Heron

Egretta tricolor

Hungry Tricolored Heron juveniles seemed ‌in perpetual pursuit of their parents at the Smith Oaks Sanctuary in High Island Texas.

American Alligator

Alligator mississippiensis

Anytime I visit High Island Texas, I can’t pass up an opportunity to stop by the Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary. I’ve never been disappointed with the times I’ve spent there. During my June 2023 visit, I was treated to a confrontation between a 12 foot alligator, and a somewhat smaller one. The smaller gator got away, but not before the big boy made his point.

Golden Silk Orb-Weaver

Trichonephila clavipes

The woods at the Smith Oaks Sanctuary in High Island Texas were decorated with the webs of Golden Silk Orb-Weaver spiders. Many were as large as four inches long.

Cattle Egret

Bubulcus ibis

Adult Cattle Egret struggled to keep their juvenile offspring fed at the Smith Oaks Sanctuary in High Island Texas.

Cattle Egret

Bubulcus ibis

Adult Cattle Egret struggled to keep their juvenile offspring fed at the Smith Oaks Sanctuary in High Island Texas.

American Alligator

Alligator mississippiensis

There were as many as four large alligators in the water below the Smith Oaks observation deck in High Island Texas. The eight-footers showed the good sense to give way to the thirteen-footers.

Anhinga

Anhinga anhinga

Anhingas patrolled the marshy ponds at the Smith Oaks Sanctuary in High Island Texas.

Cattle Egret

Bubulcus ibis

Hungry Cattle Egret juveniles were comical in their pursuit of their parents at the Smith Oaks Sanctuary in High Island Texas.

Carolina Wren

Thryothorus ludovicianus

The loud songs of Carolina Wrens rang through the Smith Oaks Sanctuary in High Island Texas.

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