Reflections of the Natural World

Travel with me as I explore the wild things and wild places of our planet. – Jim Gain

  • Let’s Groove Tonight

    Let’s Groove Tonight

    Groove-billed Ani – Crotophaga sulcirostris Ranging from the tip of Northern Chile to the lowlands of Southern Texas, the Groove-billed Ani is a member of the Cuculidae Family that also includes Roadrunners and Cuckoos. It can be found throughout the Yucatán Peninsula often found foraging on the arthropods flushed up from ant swarms. In Search Read more

  • Black Phoebe – Sayornis nigricans

    Black Phoebe – Sayornis nigricans

    A medium-sized flycatcher with a sooty-black back and head with a white belly. Typically seen singly or in pairs, usually sitting conspicuously on a low perch often near water. The Black Phoebe can frequently be seen pumping its tail up and down. View from the Valley  The Black Phoebe is a common year round valley Read more

  • In Search of a 5-Star Rated Vermilion Flycatcher Photo

    In Search of a 5-Star Rated Vermilion Flycatcher Photo

    After seeing several recent excellent photos of the returning Vermilion Flycatcher by Doug Krajnovich at Lake Yosemite County Park In Merced County, CA., I decided I ought to try and track it down and shoot it. Digitally that is! ABOUT THE PARK Lake Yosemite is a freshwater reservoir built in 1888 for irrigation purposes and Read more

  • The Laguna Madre Mudflats

    The Laguna Madre Mudflats

    Post #8 of The Great Texas Birding Adventure Previous Post #7 A Convention Center for Birds and Birders Just north of the Bird Center and Convention Center, the Bay Access provides easy access to the extensive mudflats of the Laguna Madre during low tide. If one is cognizant of the nesting birds along the perimeter Read more

  • A Convention Center for Birds and Birders

    A Convention Center for Birds and Birders

    Post #7 of The Great Texas Birding Adventure Previous Post #6 Baa Baa Sheepshead, Have you any Birds? About the Area The South Padre Island Convention Center grounds include three main attractions for birders. Laguna Madre Nature Trail The Laguna Madre Nature Trail head starts right next to the whaling wall. This 1,500-foot boardwalk is Read more

  • Baa Baa Sheepshead, Have you any birds?

    Baa Baa Sheepshead, Have you any birds?

    Post #6 of The Great Texas Birding Adventure Previous Post #5 South Padre Island – Migratory Bird Mecca Smallest of the South Padre Island (SPI) Big Three birding spots, the Valley Land Fund Lots on Sheepshead Dr. seems to have the biggest concentration of birds. The fact that the dense vegetation is at the southern Read more