The colonial-waterbird 2008 annual-census takers were: Chester Smith, Warden of Sundown Island, Ed Taylor, David Newstead (Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program), Andy Kasner (Audubon), Clare Lee and Robyn Cobb (Fish & Wildlife Services), Kim Withers (TAMUCC), Diane Nunley (TOS) and Marcy Spears (Houston).
View larger images of photos: Click on any photo, or use the slideshow feature (top right). You may also view the original photo. They are large a take longer to download.
View previous years' census photos.
View larger images of photos: Click on any photo, or use the slideshow feature (top right). You may also view the original photo. They are large a take longer to download.
View previous years' census photos.
The location of this nest is on the south side of the island, in a brushy tree. I was surprised to see a nest in this location. Most of the nesting pelicans are located inside the island or on the grassy fringes of the east and northwest sides of the island.
Photo credit: Marcy Spears
Photo credit: Marcy Spears
This is a stitched photo of the West side of the island, looking North. If you click on the photo, then click on "original" you will notice a variety of adults and juvenile pelicans, egrets, herons, roseates, etc. hanging out.
Photo credit: Marcy Spears
Photo credit: Marcy Spears
This nesting location is on dredge fill that has acquired volunteer trees, brush, grass, weeds, etc. Notice the nesting pelicans on the far right. If you look at the original version of this image you will see all lots of pelicans in the brush.
Photo credit: Marcy Spears
Photo credit: Marcy Spears
This Geotube on the north side of the island has sanded in and provided nesting area for pelicans, gulls and herons.
Photo credit: Marcy Spears
Photo credit: Marcy Spears
Breeding-adult Tricolored Heron.
Photo credit: Marcy Spears
Photo credit: Marcy Spears
Breeding-adult Little Blue Heron.
Photo credit: Marcy Spears
Photo credit: Marcy Spears
Breeding-adult Cattle Egret. Enlarge the photo and see how many juvenile Great Blue Herons you see on the right. There are two sets of eye-balls staring out of the greenery.
Two breeding-adult Little Blue Herons (bottom) and two juvenile Tricolored Herons (brownish, top).
Photo credit: Marcy Spears
Photo credit: Marcy Spears
(Left to right) Kim Withers (TAMUCC), Clare Lee and Robyn Cobb (Fish & Wildlife Services), waiting on the windmill repair and the ride back to Port O'Connor.
Photo credit: Marcy Spears
Photo credit: Marcy Spears
David Newstead trys his hand at windmill repair.
Photo credit: Marcy Spears
Photo credit: Marcy Spears
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