Fort Davis 2017-07
I was very fortunate to be able to spend July 8-16, 2017 with fellow birders and naturalists Cecilia Riley and Mike Gray in Fort Davis, Texas. Here's a short account of each day. See attached observations.
Saturday July 8
I left Austin at about 8:45 AM and arrived at Cecilia and Mike's at about 5 PM. I took Highway 29 out of Austin to Mason, and then took 190. There was very little traffic and lots and lots of high fences and mesquite trees on both sides of the road. At a picnic area east of Iraan I found some Gray Fox tracks.
Sunday July 9
Morning: Looked for kit foxes on 166 west of Fort Davis. eBirded Crow's Nest Ranch.
Evening: Watched hummingbirds in Madge Lindsey's yard.
Monday July 10
Morning: Birded James King's property adjacent to TNC preserve and Lawrence Wood picnic area.
Evening: Road cruising with Lee Hoy.
Tuesday July 11
Light day. Slept in after road cruising. Birded Limpia Creek next to neighborhood entrance, Painted Tree area, and McDonald Observatory. Looked for Painted Damsels but things were just too dry.
Wednesday July 12
Spent time in Davis Mountains State Park. Birded Seep Trail with Cecilia, then hiked long loop up to peak by myself. In the late afternoon birded the two bird blinds in the park and drove up Skyline Drive.
Thursday July 13
Great day. Mike drove me down to Caroline Ohl's Christmas Mountains Oasis just north of Big Bend national park. Then drove "river road" between Terlingua and Presidio. Then up to Marfa where we met Cecilia and her sister for dinner.
Friday July 14 and Saturday July 15
TNC Davis Mountains Preserve. Partially rained out.
More photos are on Flickr here.
Observations
Photos / Sounds
What
Common Black Hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken at Crow's Nest near Fort Davis, Texas.
Photos / Sounds
What
Cassin's Kingbird (Tyrannus vociferans)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken at Crow's Nest near Fort Davis, Texas.
Photos / Sounds
What
Western Wood-Pewee (Contopus sordidulus)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken at Crow's Nest near Fort Davis, Texas.
Photos / Sounds
What
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken at Crow's Nest near Fort Davis, Texas.
Photos / Sounds
What
Cassin's Sparrow (Peucaea cassinii)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken on road 166 southwest of Fort Davis, Texas.
Photos / Sounds
What
Lilian's Meadowlark (Sturnella lilianae ssp. lilianae)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken on road 166 southwest of Fort Davis, Texas.
Photos / Sounds
What
Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken on road 166 southwest of Fort Davis, Texas.
Photos / Sounds
What
Black-tailed Jackrabbit (Lepus californicus)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken on road 166 southwest of Fort Davis, Texas.
Photos / Sounds
What
Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken on road 166 southwest of Fort Davis, Texas.
Photos / Sounds
What
Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken on road 166 southwest of Fort Davis, Texas. Juvenile bird.
Photos / Sounds
What
Black-tailed Jackrabbit (Lepus californicus)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken on road 166 southwest of Fort Davis, Texas.
Photos / Sounds
What
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken on road 166 southwest of Fort Davis, Texas.
Photos / Sounds
What
Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken on road 166 southwest of Fort Davis, Texas.
Photos / Sounds
What
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken on road 166 southwest of Fort Davis, Texas.
Photos / Sounds
What
Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken on road 166 southwest of Fort Davis, Texas.
Photos / Sounds
What
Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken on road 166 southwest of Fort Davis, Texas.
Photos / Sounds
What
Crevice Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus poinsettii)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken in Cecilia Riley's and Mike Gray's backyard in Fort Davis, Texas.
Photos / Sounds
What
Montezuma Quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken in Cecilia Riley's and Mike Gray's backyard in Fort Davis, Texas.
Photos / Sounds
What
Rivoli's Hummingbird (Eugenes fulgens)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken in Madge Lindsey's yard near Fort Davis, TX.
Photos / Sounds
What
Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken in Madge Lindsey's yard near Fort Davis, TX.
Photos / Sounds
What
Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Dryobates scalaris)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken in Madge Lindsey's yard near Fort Davis, TX.
Photos / Sounds
What
Curve-billed Thrasher (Toxostoma curvirostre)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken in Madge Lindsey's yard near Fort Davis, TX.
Photos / Sounds
What
Scaled Quail (Callipepla squamata)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken in Madge Lindsey's yard near Fort Davis, TX.
Photos / Sounds
What
Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken in Madge Lindsey's yard near Fort Davis, TX.
Photos / Sounds
What
Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken in Madge Lindsey's yard near Fort Davis, TX.
Photos / Sounds
What
Plumbeous Vireo (Vireo plumbeus)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken near the TNC Davis Mountains Nature Preserve.
Photos / Sounds
What
Gray Flycatcher (Empidonax wrightii)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken near the TNC Davis Mountains Nature Preserve.
Photos / Sounds
What
Western Red-bellied Tiger Beetle (Cicindela sedecimpunctata)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken near the TNC Davis Mountains Nature Preserve.
Photos / Sounds
What
Marine Blue (Leptotes marina)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken near the TNC Davis Mountains Nature Preserve.
Photos / Sounds
What
Two-tailed Swallowtail (Papilio multicaudata)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken near the TNC Davis Mountains Nature Preserve.
Photos / Sounds
What
Flame Skimmer (Libellula saturata)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken near the TNC Davis Mountains Nature Preserve.
Photos / Sounds
What
Ornate Tree Lizard (Urosaurus ornatus)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken near the TNC Davis Mountains Nature Preserve.
Photos / Sounds
What
Familiar Bluet (Enallagma civile)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken on Limpia Creek near Fort Davis, TX.
Photos / Sounds
What
Filigree Skimmer (Pseudoleon superbus)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken on Limpia Creek near Fort Davis, TX.
Photos / Sounds
What
Cottontail Rabbits (Genus Sylvilagus)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken while road crusing with Lee Hoy near Fort Davis, TX on roads 166 and 2810.
I'm hoping to get some help from the iNat community identifying this cottontail. (I was alarmed by the number of ticks on its ears!)
Photos / Sounds
What
Mojave Rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken while road crusing with Lee Hoy near Fort Davis, TX on roads 166 and 2810.
This Mojave Rattlesnake was a new species for me, and was quite docile when Lee moved it off the road.
Photos / Sounds
What
Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken while road crusing with Lee Hoy near Fort Davis, TX on roads 166 and 2810.
This Western Diamondback Rattlesnake was the most active snake we encountered. It kept moving sideways, trynig to get under Lee's jeep.
Photos / Sounds
What
Red-spotted Toad (Anaxyrus punctatus)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken while road crusing with Lee Hoy near Fort Davis, TX on roads 166 and 2810.
Photos / Sounds
What
Texas Toad (Anaxyrus speciosus)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken while road crusing with Lee Hoy near Fort Davis, TX on roads 166 and 2810.
Photos / Sounds
What
Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken while road crusing with Lee Hoy near Fort Davis, TX on roads 166 and 2810.
Photos / Sounds
What
Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken while road crusing with Lee Hoy near Fort Davis, TX on roads 166 and 2810.
This very young Western Diamondback Rattlesnake was so flat on the road I thought it had been run over. I started to put my ruler down next to it and Lee had to stop me!
Photos / Sounds
What
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken while road crusing with Lee Hoy near Fort Davis, TX on roads 166 and 2810.
Photos / Sounds
What
Black-tailed Jackrabbit (Lepus californicus)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken while road crusing with Lee Hoy near Fort Davis, TX on roads 166 and 2810.
Photos / Sounds
What
Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken on Limpia Creek, near where it crosses under road 118, just east of Olds Creek Drive, west of Fort Davis, TX.
Photos / Sounds
What
Cassin's Kingbird (Tyrannus vociferans)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken on Limpia Creek, near where it crosses Painted Tree Road near Fort Davis, TX.
Photos / Sounds
What
Common Green Darner (Anax junius)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken on Limpia Creek, near where it crosses under road 118, just east of Olds Creek Drive, west of Fort Davis, TX.
This male Common Green Darner was hunting over the creek and finally landed to eat a smaller dragonfly it caught. I think the dragonfly it caught was a Variegated Meadowhawk.
Photos / Sounds
What
Canyon Tree Frog (Hyla arenicolor)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken on Limpia Creek, near where it crosses under road 118, just east of Olds Creek Drive, west of Fort Davis, TX.
Photos / Sounds
What
Familiar Bluet (Enallagma civile)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken on Limpia Creek, near where it crosses under road 118, just east of Olds Creek Drive, west of Fort Davis, TX.
Photos / Sounds
What
Filigree Skimmer (Pseudoleon superbus)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken on Limpia Creek, near where it crosses under road 118, just east of Olds Creek Drive, west of Fort Davis, TX.
Photos / Sounds
What
Flame Skimmer (Libellula saturata)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken on Limpia Creek, near where it crosses under road 118, just east of Olds Creek Drive, west of Fort Davis, TX.
Photos / Sounds
What
Kiowa Dancer (Argia immunda)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken on Limpia Creek, near where it crosses under road 118, just east of Olds Creek Drive, west of Fort Davis, TX.
Photos / Sounds
What
Mexican Forktail (Ischnura demorsa)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken on Limpia Creek, near where it crosses under road 118, just east of Olds Creek Drive, west of Fort Davis, TX.
Photos / Sounds
What
Mexican Forktail (Ischnura demorsa)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken on Limpia Creek, near where it crosses under road 118, just east of Olds Creek Drive, west of Fort Davis, TX.
Photos / Sounds
What
Indomitable Graphic Moth (Melipotis indomita)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken on Limpia Creek, near where it crosses under road 118, just east of Olds Creek Drive, west of Fort Davis, TX.
Photos / Sounds
What
Mallophora fautrixObserver
mikaelbDescription
Taken on Limpia Creek, near where it crosses under road 118, just east of Olds Creek Drive, west of Fort Davis, TX.
Photos / Sounds
What
Variegated Meadowhawk (Sympetrum corruptum)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken on Limpia Creek, near where it crosses under road 118, just east of Olds Creek Drive, west of Fort Davis, TX.
Male Variegated Meadowhawk, I think this was the dragonfly that the Common Green Darner in the next photo is eating.
Photos / Sounds
What
Thin-legged Wolf Spiders (Genus Pardosa)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken on Limpia Creek, near where it crosses under road 118, just east of Olds Creek Drive, west of Fort Davis, TX.
Photos / Sounds
What
Variegated Meadowhawk (Sympetrum corruptum)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken on Limpia Creek, near where it crosses under road 118, just east of Olds Creek Drive, west of Fort Davis, TX.
Male Variegated Meadowhawk
Photos / Sounds
What
Western Red-bellied Tiger Beetle (Cicindela sedecimpunctata)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken on Limpia Creek, near where it crosses under road 118, just east of Olds Creek Drive, west of Fort Davis, TX.
Photos / Sounds
What
Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken on highway 118 on the way south to the Christmas Mountains.
Adult Swainson's Hawk
Photos / Sounds
What
Scott's Oriole (Icterus parisorum)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken at Carolyn Ohl's Christmas Mountains Oasis, just north of Big Bend National Park.
Singing male Scott's Oriole
Photos / Sounds
What
Black-tailed Gnatcatcher (Polioptila melanura)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken at Carolyn Ohl's Christmas Mountains Oasis, just north of Big Bend National Park.
Photos / Sounds
What
Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken at Carolyn Ohl's Christmas Mountains Oasis, just north of Big Bend National Park.
Photos / Sounds
What
Bronzed Cowbird (Molothrus aeneus)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken at Carolyn Ohl's Christmas Mountains Oasis, just north of Big Bend National Park.
Photos / Sounds
What
Empress Leilia (Asterocampa leilia)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken at Carolyn Ohl's Christmas Mountains Oasis, just north of Big Bend National Park.
Photos / Sounds
What
Flame Skimmer (Libellula saturata)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken at Carolyn Ohl's Christmas Mountains Oasis, just north of Big Bend National Park.
Photos / Sounds
What
Lucifer Hummingbird (Calothorax lucifer)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken at Carolyn Ohl's Christmas Mountains Oasis, just north of Big Bend National Park.
Female Lucifer Hummingbird
Photos / Sounds
What
Lucifer Hummingbird (Calothorax lucifer)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken at Carolyn Ohl's Christmas Mountains Oasis, just north of Big Bend National Park.
Male Lucifer Hummingbird
Photos / Sounds
What
Lucifer Hummingbird (Calothorax lucifer)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken at Carolyn Ohl's Christmas Mountains Oasis, just north of Big Bend National Park.
Female Lucifer Hummingbird
Photos / Sounds
What
Lucifer Hummingbird (Calothorax lucifer)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken at Carolyn Ohl's Christmas Mountains Oasis, just north of Big Bend National Park.
Female Lucifer Hummingbird (right) watching a displaying male (left).
Photos / Sounds
What
Lucifer Hummingbird (Calothorax lucifer)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken at Carolyn Ohl's Christmas Mountains Oasis, just north of Big Bend National Park.
Immature male Lucifer Hummingbird
Photos / Sounds
What
Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken at Carolyn Ohl's Christmas Mountains Oasis, just north of Big Bend National Park.
Photos / Sounds
What
Pyrrhuloxia (Cardinalis sinuatus)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken at Carolyn Ohl's Christmas Mountains Oasis, just north of Big Bend National Park.
Female Pyrrhuloxia (left), male Varied Bunting (right)
Photos / Sounds
What
Rio Grande Leopard Frog (Lithobates berlandieri)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken at Carolyn Ohl's Christmas Mountains Oasis, just north of Big Bend National Park.
Photos / Sounds
What
Scaled Quail (Callipepla squamata)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken at Carolyn Ohl's Christmas Mountains Oasis, just north of Big Bend National Park.
Photos / Sounds
What
Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken at Carolyn Ohl's Christmas Mountains Oasis, just north of Big Bend National Park.
This Spotted Sandpiper was my biggest surprise, out there in the desert. I assume this bird was on its way south.
Photos / Sounds
What
Varied Bunting (Passerina versicolor)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken at Carolyn Ohl's Christmas Mountains Oasis, just north of Big Bend National Park.
Male Varied Bunting
Photos / Sounds
What
Varied Bunting (Passerina versicolor)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken at Carolyn Ohl's Christmas Mountains Oasis, just north of Big Bend National Park.
Male Varied Bunting
Photos / Sounds
What
Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken at Carolyn Ohl's Christmas Mountains Oasis, just north of Big Bend National Park.
Photos / Sounds
What
Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken at Carolyn Ohl's Christmas Mountains Oasis, just north of Big Bend National Park.
Photos / Sounds
What
Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken at Carolyn Ohl's Christmas Mountains Oasis, just north of Big Bend National Park.
Photos / Sounds
What
Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken on the north "primitive" side of Davis Mountains State Park. Taken near Limpia Creek Vista, the highest point in the park.
Photos / Sounds
What
Filigree Skimmer (Pseudoleon superbus)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken on the north "primitive" side of Davis Mountains State Park.
Filigree Skimmer Female
On Seep Trail.
Photos / Sounds
What
Red Satyr (Cissia rubricata)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken on the north "primitive" side of Davis Mountains State Park.
Photos / Sounds
What
Giant Robber Flies (Genus Promachus)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken on the north "primitive" side of Davis Mountains State Park.
Photos / Sounds
What
Branded Skippers (Genus Hesperia)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken on the north "primitive" side of Davis Mountains State Park. Taken near Limpia Creek Vista, the highest point in the park.
Photos / Sounds
What
Chihuahuan Spotted Whiptail (Aspidoscelis exsanguis)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken on the north "primitive" side of Davis Mountains State Park.
Photos / Sounds
What
Chihuahuan Spotted Whiptail (Aspidoscelis exsanguis)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken on the north "primitive" side of Davis Mountains State Park.
Photos / Sounds
What
Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken at the Davis Mountains State Park bird blinds.
Photos / Sounds
What
Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken at the Davis Mountains State Park bird blinds.
Photos / Sounds
What
Black-headed Grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken at the Davis Mountains State Park bird blinds.
Photos / Sounds
What
Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken at the Davis Mountains State Park bird blinds.
Photos / Sounds
What
Rufous-crowned Sparrow (Aimophila ruficeps)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken at the Davis Mountains State Park bird blinds.
Photos / Sounds
What
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken at the Davis Mountains State Park bird blinds.
Photos / Sounds
What
Gambel's Quail (Callipepla gambelii)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken on the "river road" (170) driving from Terlingua to Presidio with Mike Gray.
Photos / Sounds
What
Red Saddlebags (Tramea onusta)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken on the "river road" (170) driving from Terlingua to Presidio with Mike Gray.
Photos / Sounds
What
Ocellated Tiger Beetle (Cicindela ocellata)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken on the "river road" (170) driving from Terlingua to Presidio with Mike Gray.
Photos / Sounds
What
Triorla interruptaObserver
mikaelbDescription
Taken on the "river road" (170) driving from Terlingua to Presidio with Mike Gray.
Photos / Sounds
What
Powdered Dancer (Argia moesta)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken on the "river road" (170) driving from Terlingua to Presidio with Mike Gray.
Photos / Sounds
What
Common Black Hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken on the "river road" (170) driving from Terlingua to Presidio with Mike Gray.
This Common Black Hawk was surrounded by Turkey Vultures while it ate a softshell turtle, until it flew to the other side of the river.
Photos / Sounds
What
Cassin's Kingbird (Tyrannus vociferans)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken between Marfa and Fort Davis with Mike Gray.
Photos / Sounds
What
Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken between Marfa and Fort Davis with Mike Gray.
Photos / Sounds
What
Lark Sparrow (Chondestes grammacus)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken between Marfa and Fort Davis with Mike Gray.
Photos / Sounds
What
Collared Peccary (Pecari tajacu)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken between Marfa and Fort Davis with Mike Gray.
Photos / Sounds
What
Common Reed (Phragmites australis)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken on the "river road" (170) driving from Terlingua to Presidio with Mike Gray.
Is this our native giant cane?
Photos / Sounds
What
Eastern Ringtail (Erpetogomphus designatus)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken on the "river road" (170) driving from Terlingua to Presidio with Mike Gray.
Photos / Sounds
What
Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken on The Nature Conservancy's Davis Mountains Preserve during an open weekend. Unfortunately both days I spent on the preserve were rainy, but I made two hikes both mornings with Robert Becker.
Taken on the trail up to Tobe Canyon.
Photos / Sounds
What
Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken on The Nature Conservancy's Davis Mountains Preserve during an open weekend. Unfortunately both days I spent on the preserve were rainy, but I made two hikes both mornings with Robert Becker.
Taken on the trail up to Tobe Canyon.
These were so plentiful in the preserve and the males were singing! I'm not used to hearing their song, so it took me a little while to figure out what I was hearing before I saw one.
Photos / Sounds
What
Gray Flycatcher (Empidonax wrightii)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken on The Nature Conservancy's Davis Mountains Preserve during an open weekend. Unfortunately both days I spent on the preserve were rainy, but I made two hikes both mornings with Robert Becker.
Taken on Livermore Vista Trail.
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