Birds and Nature

Uncommon in the Rio Grande Valley, one or more Indigo Buntings have been seen in Hugh Ramsey Nature Park in Harlingen for the past month or so. I saw this adult male today as it enjoyed a bath even though it had to share it with a Northern Cardinal. Buff-bellied Hummingbirds such as the one below are fairly common residents in the Rio Grande Valley. An apparent pair of Long-billed Thrashers foraged together. This is one of several Couch's Kingbirds I saw and heard singing in the park. I had to add this bottom pic to show what bright yellow underparts these birds have. SeEtta

I spotted this Golden-fronted Woodpecker and Northern Cardinal in the Roselawn Cemetery getting a drink from one of the urns that are filled with fresh flowers. This source of drinking water, the first I have observed, adds to the better known amenities such as diversity of trees and minimal disturbance that cemeteries offer to birds. SeEtta