Bachman's Again and Again

They say the third time is the charm. I guess they are correct. I picked up Jan at the airport on Sunday in the middle of a thunder storm and headed up I-40 from Little Rock to the Bachman's site. I did not have high hopes. We got out and set up the camera and played the song at a few places. Nothing but Field Sparrows. At about the fourth spot we head some quiet chips and saw some movement in an Oak near us. Bingo, it was a quiet Bachman's. He sat there for a long time and preened and ignored us. I blazed away. :) Then a car came by and we thought it was over. Wrong. He came back and gave us different views, flew to some low open bushes sat for a bit and then dove into the shrubs. Wow! Great views and OK pictures. However, I did take about 75 of them.
We came back to the trailer and hooked up and headed to Texas at 6:00 pm. We got a camp site ahead of time and rolled into Texarkana about 10:00 pm. It was a great park WAY out in the bush by a lake and very dark. I had trouble seeing a space and then backing into it in the dark. Again, a very nice family volunteered to help. The man backed the trailer in and we turned on the air. Boy, is it hot and muggy but we have birds!
We birded the park in the morning and got Pileated Woodpecker etc. We then headed for the Texas coast to find the Seaside Sparrow. We are in Galveston Island State Park.
We got up early this morning and drove across the road from our campsite to the salt marsh area and played a few songs. Up popped a male AND it turns out a juvenile. I got some great pictures of both adult and juvenile. There was also a little territory stuff going on when another bird (darker) flew in and was chased off(?). It was a great opportunity. We are sitting on a free! Ferry headed for Bolivar State Beach. It was one of my favorite places when I was here a few years ago. I bought a scope because of this beach :). It did not take a lot of convincing.
We plan to head for Goose Island State Park later this afternoon. It is near Aransas National Wildlife Refuge of Whooping Crane fame. They will not be there at this time of year. Although the woman on the phone said there is one that did not migrate however it is out on Matagorda Island - huge area, no roads, no bridge, no chance. So, no Whooping Crane Other birds will be there though.
Wearing glasses in this climate is interesting. They steam up every time I go from air conditioning to outside. This morning I thought it was very foggy. I did not realize it was my glasses for a few minutes. I had to laugh at myself.
There are gulls here called Laughing Gulls. They are very vocal and I love the sound. They called all the way across the ferry ride. Great music.
Take care, Donelda
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T