Birds and Nature

Yesterday I refound the Groove-billed Anis in the Donna Reservoir area. They had moved from the taller vegetation adjacent to the fallow ag fields to the cattails and other plants in a ditch with a little water in it. I watched them for about 15 minutes as they flew mostly through the vegetation and vocalizing to each other. While I was watching 3 of them at least partially visible I could hear at least one more a little further down the ditch so there are at least 4 in this group. The photo below is often the most I could see of these anis as stayed mostly inside the vegetation so I was really surprised when the bird above came out in the open and perched for a couple of minutes. Finally a shots that are clear of vegetation so they sharply focused. I think their scalloped-like plumage is quite handsome. SeEtta

Today I did some poking around various locations, both known birding spots and other locations including a stop at the Donna Reservoirs. As I drove down the road between a reservoir and some fallow agricultural fields I spotted a few Groove-billed Anis perched on some vegetation. These Groove-billed Anis appeared to be sunning themselves. They were about 80 feet from the road so these photos are pushed to max. There were at least 3 anis and possibly 4. This area is some miles from the other locations where anis have been reported so I think they are a new group. They flew further away so I followed in my car but they flew down when they heard my camera (sound is off but they all make some not-natural noise that some birds are sensitive to. SeEtta