Lesser or Greater?

“Lesser or Greater?”

Lesser Scaup
Judy Royal Glenn Photography

Identifying birds is a challenging task for me. There are slight changes amongst a species that makes them different. 
  

The key that helped me identify this bird as a lesser scaup verses a greater scaup was the skinnier black marking on his bill. There are other subtle differences in the head shape and other characteristics that were too difficult for me to distinguish.

Location: Ascarate Lake - El Paso, Texas

Surprise

“Surprise”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

Rarely, do I have the pleasure of sitting in a bird hide, but this particular morning, I sat in a hide at the Franklin Mountains State Park - Tom Mays Unit. In Georgia, we only have the ruby-throated hummingbird, although a rufous hummingbird has been wintering here.

I enjoyed hearing the different sounds the rufous hummingbird’s wings make!

Location: Franklin Mountains State Park, El Paso, Texas

Mexican Fiesta

"Mexican Fiesta"

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

This ruby-throated hummingbird is having a fiesta on the Mexican bird of paradise plant!

Location: El Paso, Texas

Hi!

“Hi!"

Crested Duck

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

These ducks crack me up. My how the Lord has a sense of humor!

Location: Ascarate Lake - El Paso, Texas

Baby

"Baby"

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

Meet Baby—she is a mandarin duck from East Asia. I also photographed her while in El Paso, Texas. A resident that has been feeding her for years, named her. 

I too feel sorry for Baby because she does not have a mate. Don't ask me how she got there.

Happy first day of spring!! 

Location: Ascarate Lake, El Paso, Texas

Little Plateada

“Little Plateada”

Ringed Teal Duck (male)

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

I learned of “Little Plateada” while photographing in El Paso, Texas. A lady named Jayne introduced me to him and named him.

Yes, these birds are from South America, but someone probably bought him and abandoned him at this lake. He’s a long way from home and sadly, does not have a mate. He’s forced to live a life of solitude.

Location: Ascarate Lake, El Paso, Texas

Eared Grebe

“Eared Grebe”

Breeding plumage

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

I was excited to photograph birds while I was in El Paso, Texas last week because I would see birds not found in Georgia.

I was in love with this little guy. Don't you love his bright eye and fluffy butt?

Location, Ascarate Lake, El Paso, Texas

Favorite Critter

"Favorite Critter"

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

It won't be long before my favorite critter to photograph, the ruby-throated hummingbird, comes back to Georgia. I miss them so much and anticipate their return each year! It gives me something to look forward to as I do not like winter.

This photo was taken at Chamizal National Memorial Park in El Paso, Texas as I was visiting my daughter. The plant is the Texas Red Yucca.

I love Texas because they have tons of species of hummingbirds!

Cornered?

"Cornered?"
Judy Royal Glenn Photography

I enjoyed my time at Keystone Heritage Park, in El Paso, Texas. I mainly went there to photograph the black-necked stilt, but I will photograph anything that moves in front of my camera.

I walked around the wetlands to see how far I could go. As I passed some brush, I noticed a rabbit that was startled and panicked looked for a place to escape. There was a major problem…...he was on a peninsula surrounded by water except where I was standing. He took a desperate leap right into the water.

I did not know rabbits could swim. He swam to the other side then hopped away!


Wet but happy he got away from me.

A Prickly Place

"A Prickly Place"

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

While in El Paso, Texas, I also photographed birds through a bird hide in Franklin Mountains State Park. We actually got to talk to the guy who built the hide and takes care of feeding the birds. There are several feeders there and some sort of watering hole for the birds.

This particular bird picked a prickly place to feed its young!

I decided to process the photo with an antique look. It's something I have never tried before.

Mesmerized Meerkat

"Mesmerized Meerkat"

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

One of my favorite animals to photograph at the El Paso Zoo were the meerkats. I don't know who enjoyed seeing each other more, us watching the meerkats or the meerkats watching us. I will have to admitted I was mesmerized by the meerkats:) 

Location: El Paso, Texas

In Love!

"In Love!"

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

Yesterday was strictly devoted to photographing birds while I was in Texas. I did a lot of research before we went there and knew the locations I wanted to shoot.

I greatly anticipated the opportunity to photograph the black-necked stilt, and it felt like Christmas morning when I saw them in the pond! 

Location: El Paso, Texas