At one of my first stops, this Ash-throated Flycatcher popped out in the open. These birds can be secretive at times, but this one wasn't. I've seen an Ash-throated at this spot for 3 or 4 weeks, always coming out to pose. These sightings might all be the same bird, maybe a winterer.
At the same spot, I came across this nice duo of sparrows, a Clay-colored and a Grasshopper. The picture is lousy, but the pairing isn't bad.
Marsh Hawks (a.k.a. Northern Harriers) were on the hunt everywhere. These raptors float like air-hockey pucks over the fields, close to the ground, tilting from side to side as they scan the ground for small game. Speaking of names for these birds, my grandfather had a cool one: coissarde (pronounced kind of like "Kway-sard"). Older Cajuns knew quite a bit about the birds of the area, and one as conspicuous as the Marsh Hawk, with its white rump band and slow-motion levitation, was probably well-known to many.
Red-tailed Hawks were in good numbers along the coastal strip, probably making a great living off the native rat population. Rats rebounded well after Hurricane Ike, and predators are only now putting a noticeable dent in their numbers. Last year was a good one for hawks and owls, and I'm hoping for an encore this winter.
Most winter birds haven't shown up in typical numbers yet, but Eastern Phoebes were pretty liberally spread throughout the landscape. The one below was in a territorial struggle, and seemed more worried about flying off and giving ground to its rival than about landing next to me.
Early November is a crossroads time on the coast, with a blend of winter arrivals and lingering fall migrants. Among the lingerers were Nashville Warbler (which sometimes winters), and Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Summer Tanager, below.
White-winged Doves, now common along the coast throughout the year, were also present in decent numbers.
I crossed the ferry into Cameron and headed east toward home late in the day. This cool dark Red-tailed on the eastern edge of the town was cooperative, but the light was getting horrible. I would've loved a closer look and just a few more minutes of sunlight, but the days are getting shorter.
Nothing spectacular, but a lot of enjoyable birds.
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