Birding in Balmorhea

Pulling in, paying the lake fee and greeted by the Says Phoebe we started off right there at the lake office and walked down to the lake side and snapped a few shots of two playful Greater Yellow Legs and then made our way to the damn wall. We assumed that what we were seeing off in the distance was the Clark’s Grebe, but as parked there was a slight, but noticeable difference between the Grebes. Yep! A new bird for our Life List, the Western Grebes were out among the Clark’s. There really is a Tale of Two Birds here and told best by a quick blog from International Bird Rescue.

Driving another 100 yards down the damn a few black water foul are out on the water, parking I assume they are cormorants as we approach. Grabbing the Nikon and starting to zoom in, it was becoming clear we were not looking at Cormorants, but there they were Common Loons. I think I yelled “Loons” louder than I care to admit. Less than 30 minutes in and we have added two new bird species to our Life List.

Making our way to the Southside of the lake, we were able to drive out onto the lake bed, the lake itself was unbelievably low, as just about every water source in Texas has been this year. Walking out to the water more Greater Yellowlegs were on display, with the Black-necked stilt, Least Sandpipers and a couple of unknown ducks joining in the huddle. Getting our cameras focused in before getting too close, it became obvious we were looking at Mexican ducks. (Now adding them to our Life List) At this very moment, less than 50 yards out an Osprey hit the water with a tremendous impact sending the birds scattering and rising out of the water with a success catch. We were just staring at each other with knowing eyes that we love this new found hobby and love of birds, grins across our face like children on Christmas morning.

Making our way to the Southside of the lake, we were able to drive out onto the lake bed, the lake itself was unbelievably low, as just about every water source in Texas has been this year. Walking out to the water more Greater Yellowlegs were on display, with the Black-necked stilt, Least Sandpipers and a couple of unknown ducks joining in the huddle. Getting our cameras focused in before getting too close, it became obvious we were looking at Mexican ducks. (Now adding them to our Life List) At this very moment, less than 50 yards out an Osprey hit the water with a tremendous impact sending the birds scattering and rising out of the water with a success catch. We were just staring at each other with knowing eyes that we love this new found hobby and love of birds, grins across our face like children on Christmas morning.

Thinking how could it possibly get any better a large squadron of Pelicans rose out of the west side of the lake and as we watched them get their fleet together, they pointed their pod toward us, flying low and slow they went right over our heads, no more than 20 feet above us, you could here their wings cutting through the air, with a slow rhythmic beat that was hypnotizing, it was like being plugged-in a direct connection to the birds, to Balmorhea to the earth beneath us.

Adding the Black-bellied Plover, Black-throated Sparrow, Snow Goose and the incredible Pyrrhuloxia to our Life List, each with their own unique story, as we are sure every new bird comes with an amazing story for every birder out there.

Until west Texas calls again…