Yellow-faced Grassquit at Goose Island, 2/23/11

Yesterday Honey and I got up early and made the long journey to Goose Island State Park north of Rockport where a Yellow-faced Grassquit was found a few weeks ago. I saw the Bentsen bird back in 2002 but wanted some pics so I thought a trip was worthwhile. After a brief look and several hours of searching I eventually hit the jackpot at site 218. As I was the only there, sneaking up on the bird got me some good photos.







His travelling buddies included a flock of Field Sparrows.



And this Clay-colored Sparrow.



Unfortunately the Harris' Sparrow and Anna's Hummingbird were not so cooperative. One of the visiting birders discovered this Green Treefrog on a cocklebur. This is one of the cooler things I have ever seen.



The nearby family of Whooping Cranes at the Big Oak Tree were closer to the road than I had hopped.





One of them had both leg bands and a radio transmitter. Not sure I would want to fly a couple of thousand miles with those attached.



Then a run over to the Port Aransas Jetty for the Little Gull gave ame a brief look before a car scared the flock but no photo. Lots of Bonaparte's Gulls were not a good substitute