A white bird is flying in and sits down on the metal of the bridge of the sound. A Forster’s Tern (Sterna forsteri) has one of its strongholds on Texas coast here near Aransas NWR. It is a good 80 kilometers from Houston to the numerous state parks on the Gulf of Mexico. The extensive swamps and alluvial plains are a mecca for wildlife photographers. Approx. 350 bird species are counted between November and March alone. The Snowy Egret (Egretta thula), Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga), Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax), Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis), Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia),
Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum), Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) and Willets (Tringa semipalmata), which can be found all year round, are joined by many winterers during this time, the highlight of which is undoubtedly the Whooping Cranes (Grus americana), which occur in the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge slightly to the south. Practically the entire remaining population of this large walking bird – around 400 individuals – winters here and made this refuge known in ornkhological circles worldwide. The whooping crane is the largest bird in North America and one of the most impressive birds with its snow-white plumage, red hat, bugle call and graceful courtship dance. It is also one of our rarest birds and is a testament to the tenacity and creativity of conservation biologists.
The species declined to about 20 birds in the 1940s, but through captive breeding, wetland management and an innovative program that teaches young cranes to migrate, the number has now increased to about 600 total. Crane crews can always be identified with the spotting scope. However, the whooping cranes in the extensive swamp areas are usually beyond the reach of even long telephoto lenses. It is easier to photograph Caspian Terns and Roseate Spoonbills (Platalea ajaja) at the park entrance not far from an oxbow lake. Goose Island State Park, located on a peninsula about 20 km south of Aransas, also offers excellent photo opportunities. At the campsite there are some large acacia trees where Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura) spend the night. They warm itself here in the morning rays of sunshine. At the nearby “Lamar Beach” you also have good opportunities to see some North American waders such as Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca), Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus), Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes), Long-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus scolopaceus),
Short-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus) and Willets get in front of the lens. This spot is also very good for photos of the Rhinoceros Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos). Provided you stay calm. Focal lengths from 400 mm are definitely recommended.
In order to meet the growing demand for top images of the rarer species of Palaearctic Bird-lens.com has specifically made trips to remote places. Additionally every chance is used, if a rare bird is around the homeground. This to do everything to ensure excellent photos of the Birds of the Western Palearctic . The yield of pictures also of rare Western Palaearctic birds is very good. There are other nice images of birds, that you will find behind the tab “Picture Shop“. Just give a notice if you need a picture of a bird which is not online