Block Creek Birds and More

Last week, I was at the Block Creek Natural Area near Comfort, Texas to lead an instructional photo tour with three other photographers and our hosts Sharron and Larry Jay.  It was a fun four days with good company, great food and lots of wildlife.

During the week, John Karger, Director of “Last Chance Forever” brought several of his hawks and owls to the ranch.  It was educational and gave us an opportunity to photograph the birds at close range.

The following group of images should give you a pretty good idea of the beauty and wildlife diversity we enjoyed.  Be sure to click on the right side of each image to enlarge and sharpen it and to find the “next” arrow to take you through the images.

The Block Creek Natural Area Bed & Breakfast on a cool, clear night with crescent moon.
The Block Creek Natural Area Bed & Breakfast on a cool, clear night with crescent moon.

During the photo tour, we experienced unbelievably great weather with cool days and chilly, clear nights.

Star trails behind the old windmill right outside the front door.
Star trails behind the old windmill right outside the front door.

The painted bunting was number one on everybody’s priority list for this shoot.  No one was disappointed.

Male painted bunting and butterfly milkweed at an evening blind.
Male painted bunting and butterfly milkweed at an evening blind.

Each of us tried to hold our camera settings at 1/2000th second to stop flight action and head motion.  During the sunrise and sunset hours, we had to settle for something slower, but we never stopped looking for behavior and action shots.  The bunting was at 1/640th second and f4; the goldfinch was 1/400th second and f4.  Except for the hawks and owls where I used a wide angle lens or small zoom on the Canon 7D,  my bird captures were made with the 500 mm IS lens and Feisol carbon-fiber tripod with Wimberley head.

Lesser goldfinch launching from perch at an evening blind.
Lesser goldfinch launching from perch at an evening blind.
the reddish phase eastern screech was the first I'd seen or photographed.
The reddish phase eastern screech was the first I’d seen or photographed.

 

Harris's Hawk in a dive.
Harris’s Hawk in a dive.
Harris's Hawk landing.
Harris’s Hawk landing.

This hawk passed within two feet of my head and 24 mm lens while landing.

Male black-chinned hummingbird feeding at lantana blooms near a photo blind.
Male black-chinned hummingbird feeding at lantana blooms near a photo blind.
Black-chinned hummingbirds, male and female, feeding at a thistle flower with grass as a background and natural light.
Black-chinned hummingbirds, male and female, feeding at a thistle flower with grass as a background and natural light.
Fox squirrels and wild turkey visited several photo blinds each day.
Fox squirrels and wild turkey visited several photo blinds each day.
Black-crested titmice were at every blind.
Black-crested titmice were at every blind.
Male house finch is colorful plumage.
Male house finch in colorful, spring plumage.
Chipping sparrows were common around the photography blinds at Block Creek Natural Area.
Chipping sparrows were common around the photography blinds at Block Creek Natural Area.
Male vermilion flycatcher on thistle.
Male vermilion flycatcher on thistle.

Having saved the best for last, we photographed this male vermilion flycatcher on Sunday morning in a meadow in front of the ranch house.

I hope to lead another photo tour at the Block Creek Natural Area next spring during the first week of May.  Plan to join me if you like colorful birds, starry skies and good food.

Larry