Birds and Nature

I was surprised to see these (and several other small groups totaling around 20) Black-bellied Whistling Ducks flying over Lake Nasworthy in San Angelo,TX--this is West Texas and I think of these ducks as South Texas neotropical specialties. I don't recall seeing any here during earlier trips. But when I checked the range map in Sibley's "Field Guide to Birds", I found that they are also found in central plus northeast Texas with an even wider vagrancy range. I did read that they have expanded their range signicantly over the the past 39+ years--hey, maybe they will show up in Colorado some day. SeEtta

This Marsh Wren was behaving like Marsh Wrens do, skulking in the vegetation. This one was not technically in a marsh but rather in the reeds along the edge of Lake Nasworthy in San Angelo, Tx. There were also Black-crowned Night-Herons in the wider vegetative areas but I couldn't get a pic when one of them flew out nearby. SeEtta