Swamp guards alert birds that photographer is in the swamp.

While I was out shooting at the Cattail Marsh Scenic Wetlands and Boardwalk in Tyrrell Park in Beaumont, TX, these Black-Necked Stilts would be quick to spring from the marsh and to warn other birds that I was a threat.  They would fly throughout the nearby marsh screeching their warning.

They would also fly over me to take a good look and apparently to let other birds know of my presence.  It was a behavior I had seen in other areas, but these watchbirds were much more aggressive.

I don't know how this Red-Winged Black Bird found something strong enough to hold him up in this sea of young plants out on Pleasure Island. But he grabbed hold of two stalks -- on in each leg and sent a message by looking up. However the wind was brisk and after a few minutes he gave up his King on the Flowers position.

Calico shore bird turns escape artist

We were down on Bolivar Peninsula checking out the pre-storm conditions (with Hurricane Harvey moving up through the Gulf of Mexico) when I shot this photo of a Rudy Turnstone.  Because of the bright conditions, I didn't notice at the time that this guy had gotten snagged in what looks like a remnant from a net.  I checked the photos I took after this and notice that he did finally get free from his bondage.

Mellow marsh menagerie on display on Gulf-side boardwalks

The walkways over the marsh at Sea Rim State Park give an up-close view of these "next-to-the-Gulf" habitats.

Long-billed bird wave feeding at Sea Rim State Park

This Long-Billed Curlew was one of our finds at Sea Rim State Park this week.  The Gulf of Mexico beach is a great place to see a variety of birds all feeding together in between the waxing and waning waves.

Nest on electric panel has been source of joy, mourning for dove

This Mourning Dove has been returning a couple times a year for the past few years to this spot above our electric panel on the side of the house. It has been perilous a a few times when storm winds blew the nest and chicks to the ground.

She abandoned the nest a week or so ago while we were away.  The nest is still there and we expect her back in the Spring.

Watchful white-winged dove

As long as I kept a reasonable distance, this white-winged dove in my backyard didn't mind me snapping a few shots.

Grackles grapple with glass of goodies

The guy on the bottom seems to be saying "I tell you there's a way to get those seeds out.  I saw that little bird do it.  It CAN be done."  (They didn't figure it out.)

Black Skimmer in flight over Port Arthur

Skittish as they were, I was still able to catch this shot of a Black Skimmer while I was in Port Arthur Sunday.  As soon as they saw my head over the bushes, the squawking got visible louder and sharper.  However, a few of them flew past where I was standing. That's how I snapped this photo.

Black Skimmers having summer beach party in Port Arthur

Daragh Castillo posted on her Facebook page that Mary Meaux with the Port Arthur News had taken a photo of some black skimmers in Port Arthur.  Since I had never seen black skimmers, I took a ride down there and found these guys.  There were about 30 of them, but it was hard to get them all in the photo.  In fact, it was hard to get a picture at all -- they were so wary.

As soon as my head popped over the bushes, the call went out and they took flight. A white bird, not a black skimmer, was doing the watch-out duties and kept flying over my head and squawking -- just in case any of the black skimmers needed to know where the enemy was.

The photo below shows why they are called "skimmers" -- they fly just inches off the top of the water and all they have to do is open their beaks. The beak easily scoops up what they are after in the water.

Both pictures were taken on a sand bar beach on Pleasure Island just to the right about 200 feet where the bridge road drops out on Hwy 82.

Feather-flustered grackle

Size does make a difference.  This grackle was frustrated because he couldn't fit on the small lip around the bird feeder and all of his blustering and puffing was to no avail.  The smaller birds were thrilled to see him fly off feather-flustered.

One of the things I love to watch on Galveston Island is the pelicans flying in formation.  They are taking advantage of aerodynamics to conserve energy -- getting a little lift from the pelican in front and a little to the side of them.

Their dawdling drift down the beach will put you in a mood to slow down and watch.

Gulls gamble for ferry throws

"Come on dude, off my back, I was here first.  This ferry boat food is mine."  This shot is from a ride across the Galveston to High Island ferry.

Pelican sentry caught eyes wide shut.

I captured this shot of this Pelican thinking he was looking out from the ferry landing, waiting for the next ferry (i.e. the next meal to come rolling in.  However, when I blew up the shot, I discovered the real truth:  Look at the eyes -- he is SLEEPING!

Laughing Gull gets the last laugh (and bravado)

This brave Laughing Gull landed on the hood of our car as we waited for the Bolivar ferry to Galveston Island. His was not just a quick landing and a scoot, either. He spent time enjoying the stay -- he probably went back to his buds and bragged about his coup.

Comorants take the lofty watchout

The Comorants are the generals of the birds that trail behind the ferry from Bolivar Peninsula to Galveston Island.  Gulls lead the charge, flocking up close to the boat to catch pieces of food thrown by the ferry riders. The pelicans follow close behind ready to swoop to a landing in the ferry's wake if they see something worthy of a meal.  The Comorants come in behind the noisy crowd only after the ferry is about a half mile from the dock.  They take the soaring overlook, with an eye out for anything that is worthy of their lofty watchout.

Tree houses pose dangers for birds

Life is dangerous for creatures who live in trees.  This year was a good example of that.  I found five dead birds in my yard this spring.  They seemed to be victims of stormy winds that blew them from safety before they were ready to fly.  This seems to be number six.  It is hard to make it out from the ground, even with a powerful lens.  But it looks like a young chick didn't get very far before it was flipped over the side.  The nest is at the very top of a large azalea tree.  Such is life.

Gull turns on a feather

We need some air breaks here!  Time to do a quick correction change. Feathers, don't fail me now.  (I am interpreting here for the gull.  My gullian may be a little rusty). This was shot from the rear of the Galveston to Bolivar ferry.

Pelican's flight floats above the froth

A brown pelican shows off his gliding skills as he skims across the Galveston, TX, shore waters looking for breakfast.

The long art of pruning your pelican feathers

Can you imagine combing your hair with a brush with a handle this long?  This pelican seems to have mastered the art, but it does give his neck a good workout. He was displaying his mastery at the Bolivar Peninsula ferry landing recently.