2008 Spring Workday Birds<table width="100%" border="1" cellpadding="2" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
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<td><div>Volunteers landed at the Southeast end of the Island to the site of hundreds of American White Pelicans, camped in with the Brown Pelicans. The White Pelicans were staging for their return home to their nesting grounds while the Brown Pelicans had already set up nesting sites and many were sitting on eggs. Warden Chester Smith said that breeding season seems to have started about two weeks early this year.</b></div>
<div>Breeding activity seemed to be two weeks ahead of schedule. Be sure to <STRONG><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/gallery/4543167_YoRPC#267619088">view the VOLUNTEER PHOTOS too!</a></br>
</STRONG></div>
<div><strong>Click on any of the photos for a larger view. For the largest view, use the "slideshow" option.</strong></div></td>
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</table>http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0493/267639968_2gRPm-Ti.jpghttp://sundownisland.smugmug.com/gallery/4543389_TSEf8/2008-03-23T12:08:27ZCopyright 2009, the copyright holder of each photograph. Some portions copyright SmugMug. All rights reserved.SmugMugAmerican White Pelicans, staging for their return home, and Brown Pelicans in the pond at the Southeast side of the island greeted us when we arrived. American Avocets were grouped in the ri ...<p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com">SundownIsland</a><br />American White Pelicans, staging for their return home, and Brown Pelicans in the pond at the Southeast side of the island greeted us when we arrived. American Avocets were grouped in the ri ...</p><p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/4543389_TSEf8#267618229_xhYVm" title="American White Pelicans, staging for their return home, and Brown Pelicans in the pond at the Southeast side of the island greeted us when we arrived. American Avocets were grouped in the ri ..."><img src="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/IMG5389/267618229_xhYVm-Th.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="American White Pelicans, staging for their return home, and Brown Pelicans in the pond at the Southeast side of the island greeted us when we arrived. American Avocets were grouped in the ri ..." title="American White Pelicans, staging for their return home, and Brown Pelicans in the pond at the Southeast side of the island greeted us when we arrived. American Avocets were grouped in the ri ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-01-10T22:50:34ZSundownIslandhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.comhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/IMG5389/267618229_xhYVm-Th.jpg2008-02-23 08:58:05The American White Pelicans in this and the previous photo are beginning to show their short yellowish crest on the back of the head and horny plate on the upper mandible, part of their bree ...<p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com">SundownIsland</a><br />The American White Pelicans in this and the previous photo are beginning to show their short yellowish crest on the back of the head and horny plate on the upper mandible, part of their bree ...</p><p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/4543389_TSEf8#267617746_J66J2" title="The American White Pelicans in this and the previous photo are beginning to show their short yellowish crest on the back of the head and horny plate on the upper mandible, part of their bree ..."><img src="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/IMG5402/267617746_J66J2-Th.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="The American White Pelicans in this and the previous photo are beginning to show their short yellowish crest on the back of the head and horny plate on the upper mandible, part of their bree ..." title="The American White Pelicans in this and the previous photo are beginning to show their short yellowish crest on the back of the head and horny plate on the upper mandible, part of their bree ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-01-10T22:52:47ZSundownIslandhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.comhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/IMG5402/267617746_J66J2-Th.jpg2008-02-23 09:05:44Outlined on this aerial view of Sundown Island taken in October 2007 by Andrew N. Smith are the approximate areas of the popular breeding grounds. In the following photos, the approximate lo ...<p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com">SundownIsland</a><br />Outlined on this aerial view of Sundown Island taken in October 2007 by Andrew N. Smith are the approximate areas of the popular breeding grounds. In the following photos, the approximate lo ...</p><p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/4543389_TSEf8#269574210_NEmjC" title="Outlined on this aerial view of Sundown Island taken in October 2007 by Andrew N. Smith are the approximate areas of the popular breeding grounds. In the following photos, the approximate lo ..."><img src="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/SI-layout-lrg/269574210_NEmjC-Th.jpg" width="150" height="120" alt="Outlined on this aerial view of Sundown Island taken in October 2007 by Andrew N. Smith are the approximate areas of the popular breeding grounds. In the following photos, the approximate lo ..." title="Outlined on this aerial view of Sundown Island taken in October 2007 by Andrew N. Smith are the approximate areas of the popular breeding grounds. In the following photos, the approximate lo ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-01-10T06:49:57ZSundownIslandhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.comhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/SI-layout-lrg/269574210_NEmjC-Th.jpg2007-10-26 12:00:05This Brown Pelican is flying in over the American White Pelicans to add material to the nest (Pelican Estates, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley<p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com">SundownIsland</a><br />This Brown Pelican is flying in over the American White Pelicans to add material to the nest (Pelican Estates, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley</p><p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/4543389_TSEf8#267637351_XkZbC" title="This Brown Pelican is flying in over the American White Pelicans to add material to the nest (Pelican Estates, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley"><img src="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0382/267637351_XkZbC-Th.jpg" width="150" height="120" alt="This Brown Pelican is flying in over the American White Pelicans to add material to the nest (Pelican Estates, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley" title="This Brown Pelican is flying in over the American White Pelicans to add material to the nest (Pelican Estates, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-01-10T22:41:31ZSundownIslandhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.comhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0382/267637351_XkZbC-Th.jpg2008-02-23 08:54:21Another Brown Pelican is flying in over the American White Pelicans, probably with food in its pouch (Pelican Estates, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley<p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com">SundownIsland</a><br />Another Brown Pelican is flying in over the American White Pelicans, probably with food in its pouch (Pelican Estates, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley</p><p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/4543389_TSEf8#267637669_QYtQf" title="Another Brown Pelican is flying in over the American White Pelicans, probably with food in its pouch (Pelican Estates, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley"><img src="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0396/267637669_QYtQf-Th.jpg" width="150" height="120" alt="Another Brown Pelican is flying in over the American White Pelicans, probably with food in its pouch (Pelican Estates, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley" title="Another Brown Pelican is flying in over the American White Pelicans, probably with food in its pouch (Pelican Estates, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-01-10T22:42:21ZSundownIslandhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.comhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0396/267637669_QYtQf-Th.jpg2008-02-23 08:56:48This is a White Morph Reddish Egret. Notice the bright blue lores and bright pink bill with the dark tip. These are pronounced during breeding season (Pelican Estates, see map).
Photo cr ...<p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com">SundownIsland</a><br />This is a White Morph Reddish Egret. Notice the bright blue lores and bright pink bill with the dark tip. These are pronounced during breeding season (Pelican Estates, see map).
Photo cr ...</p><p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/4543389_TSEf8#267637822_QNMAp" title="This is a White Morph Reddish Egret. Notice the bright blue lores and bright pink bill with the dark tip. These are pronounced during breeding season (Pelican Estates, see map).
Photo cr ..."><img src="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0404/267637822_QNMAp-Th.jpg" width="120" height="150" alt="This is a White Morph Reddish Egret. Notice the bright blue lores and bright pink bill with the dark tip. These are pronounced during breeding season (Pelican Estates, see map).
Photo cr ..." title="This is a White Morph Reddish Egret. Notice the bright blue lores and bright pink bill with the dark tip. These are pronounced during breeding season (Pelican Estates, see map).
Photo cr ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-01-10T22:44:21ZSundownIslandhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.comhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0404/267637822_QNMAp-Th.jpg2008-02-23 08:57:14There are about six Great Blue herons in these trees and one Great Egret. Notice the fluffy, lacy plumes present during breeding season (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Diane N ...<p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com">SundownIsland</a><br />There are about six Great Blue herons in these trees and one Great Egret. Notice the fluffy, lacy plumes present during breeding season (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Diane N ...</p><p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/4543389_TSEf8#267637995_uETZA" title="There are about six Great Blue herons in these trees and one Great Egret. Notice the fluffy, lacy plumes present during breeding season (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Diane N ..."><img src="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0409/267637995_uETZA-Th.jpg" width="150" height="120" alt="There are about six Great Blue herons in these trees and one Great Egret. Notice the fluffy, lacy plumes present during breeding season (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Diane N ..." title="There are about six Great Blue herons in these trees and one Great Egret. Notice the fluffy, lacy plumes present during breeding season (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Diane N ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-01-10T22:43:49ZSundownIslandhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.comhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0409/267637995_uETZA-Th.jpg2008-02-23 09:57:51This Great Egret has the lime green lores and bright orange bill evident during breeding season (Pelican Estates 2, see map). These birds were nearly decimated by plume hunters at the end of ...<p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com">SundownIsland</a><br />This Great Egret has the lime green lores and bright orange bill evident during breeding season (Pelican Estates 2, see map). These birds were nearly decimated by plume hunters at the end of ...</p><p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/4543389_TSEf8#267638851_YLZ3g" title="This Great Egret has the lime green lores and bright orange bill evident during breeding season (Pelican Estates 2, see map). These birds were nearly decimated by plume hunters at the end of ..."><img src="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0435/267638851_YLZ3g-Th.jpg" width="150" height="120" alt="This Great Egret has the lime green lores and bright orange bill evident during breeding season (Pelican Estates 2, see map). These birds were nearly decimated by plume hunters at the end of ..." title="This Great Egret has the lime green lores and bright orange bill evident during breeding season (Pelican Estates 2, see map). These birds were nearly decimated by plume hunters at the end of ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-01-10T22:40:42ZSundownIslandhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.comhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0435/267638851_YLZ3g-Th.jpg2008-02-23 10:10:19This is a juvenile Black-crowned Night-Heron, probably still hanging out with its parents (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley<p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com">SundownIsland</a><br />This is a juvenile Black-crowned Night-Heron, probably still hanging out with its parents (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley</p><p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/4543389_TSEf8#267638955_AaGNw" title="This is a juvenile Black-crowned Night-Heron, probably still hanging out with its parents (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley"><img src="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0438/267638955_AaGNw-Th.jpg" width="150" height="120" alt="This is a juvenile Black-crowned Night-Heron, probably still hanging out with its parents (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley" title="This is a juvenile Black-crowned Night-Heron, probably still hanging out with its parents (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-01-10T22:43:26ZSundownIslandhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.comhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0438/267638955_AaGNw-Th.jpg2008-02-23 10:10:23The Great Blue Herons were very active during workday, either displaying to potential mates or claiming territory (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley<p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com">SundownIsland</a><br />The Great Blue Herons were very active during workday, either displaying to potential mates or claiming territory (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley</p><p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/4543389_TSEf8#267639253_MjXRY" title="The Great Blue Herons were very active during workday, either displaying to potential mates or claiming territory (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley"><img src="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0446/267639253_MjXRY-Th.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="The Great Blue Herons were very active during workday, either displaying to potential mates or claiming territory (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley" title="The Great Blue Herons were very active during workday, either displaying to potential mates or claiming territory (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-01-10T22:44:29ZSundownIslandhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.comhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0446/267639253_MjXRY-Th.jpg2008-02-23 10:12:26Great Blue Herons are the largest, best-known and most widespread in North America (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley<p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com">SundownIsland</a><br />Great Blue Herons are the largest, best-known and most widespread in North America (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley</p><p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/4543389_TSEf8#267639425_tnHrN" title="Great Blue Herons are the largest, best-known and most widespread in North America (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley"><img src="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0469/267639425_tnHrN-Th.jpg" width="120" height="150" alt="Great Blue Herons are the largest, best-known and most widespread in North America (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley" title="Great Blue Herons are the largest, best-known and most widespread in North America (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-01-10T22:42:01ZSundownIslandhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.comhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0469/267639425_tnHrN-Th.jpg2008-02-23 10:15:17All three of these Great Egrets are displaying the lime green lores. These egrets are famous for their lacy plumes during breeding season (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Diane N ...<p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com">SundownIsland</a><br />All three of these Great Egrets are displaying the lime green lores. These egrets are famous for their lacy plumes during breeding season (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Diane N ...</p><p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/4543389_TSEf8#267639588_TqaLR" title="All three of these Great Egrets are displaying the lime green lores. These egrets are famous for their lacy plumes during breeding season (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Diane N ..."><img src="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0472/267639588_TqaLR-Th.jpg" width="120" height="150" alt="All three of these Great Egrets are displaying the lime green lores. These egrets are famous for their lacy plumes during breeding season (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Diane N ..." title="All three of these Great Egrets are displaying the lime green lores. These egrets are famous for their lacy plumes during breeding season (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Diane N ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-01-10T22:45:04ZSundownIslandhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.comhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0472/267639588_TqaLR-Th.jpg2008-02-23 10:16:31We don't know if this was a mating dance or a territory dispute between these two dark phase Reddish Egrets (Pelican Estates, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley<p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com">SundownIsland</a><br />We don't know if this was a mating dance or a territory dispute between these two dark phase Reddish Egrets (Pelican Estates, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley</p><p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/4543389_TSEf8#267639768_ibAp7" title="We don't know if this was a mating dance or a territory dispute between these two dark phase Reddish Egrets (Pelican Estates, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley"><img src="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0474/267639768_ibAp7-Th.jpg" width="120" height="150" alt="We don't know if this was a mating dance or a territory dispute between these two dark phase Reddish Egrets (Pelican Estates, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley" title="We don't know if this was a mating dance or a territory dispute between these two dark phase Reddish Egrets (Pelican Estates, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-01-10T22:43:17ZSundownIslandhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.comhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0474/267639768_ibAp7-Th.jpg2008-02-23 10:16:46The Great Blue Herons have several long black occipital plumes on the back of their head during breeding season (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley<p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com">SundownIsland</a><br />The Great Blue Herons have several long black occipital plumes on the back of their head during breeding season (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley</p><p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/4543389_TSEf8#267639968_2gRPm" title="The Great Blue Herons have several long black occipital plumes on the back of their head during breeding season (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley"><img src="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0493/267639968_2gRPm-Th.jpg" width="150" height="120" alt="The Great Blue Herons have several long black occipital plumes on the back of their head during breeding season (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley" title="The Great Blue Herons have several long black occipital plumes on the back of their head during breeding season (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-01-10T22:39:53ZSundownIslandhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.comhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0493/267639968_2gRPm-Th.jpg2008-02-23 10:20:15Great Blue Herons typically have one chick per year, 2 per year in the south (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley<p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com">SundownIsland</a><br />Great Blue Herons typically have one chick per year, 2 per year in the south (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley</p><p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/4543389_TSEf8#267640183_uKf8v" title="Great Blue Herons typically have one chick per year, 2 per year in the south (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley"><img src="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0498/267640183_uKf8v-Th.jpg" width="150" height="120" alt="Great Blue Herons typically have one chick per year, 2 per year in the south (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley" title="Great Blue Herons typically have one chick per year, 2 per year in the south (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-01-10T22:42:41ZSundownIslandhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.comhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0498/267640183_uKf8v-Th.jpg2008-02-23 10:20:54Great Egrets are monogamous and colonial. Colonial water birds typically breed with other species of herons, egrets and ibis (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley<p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com">SundownIsland</a><br />Great Egrets are monogamous and colonial. Colonial water birds typically breed with other species of herons, egrets and ibis (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley</p><p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/4543389_TSEf8#267640521_vgh8Q" title="Great Egrets are monogamous and colonial. Colonial water birds typically breed with other species of herons, egrets and ibis (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley"><img src="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0505/267640521_vgh8Q-Th.jpg" width="150" height="120" alt="Great Egrets are monogamous and colonial. Colonial water birds typically breed with other species of herons, egrets and ibis (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley" title="Great Egrets are monogamous and colonial. Colonial water birds typically breed with other species of herons, egrets and ibis (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-01-10T22:42:06ZSundownIslandhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.comhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0505/267640521_vgh8Q-Th.jpg2008-02-23 10:23:36Diane Nunley has been taken photos of the large birds in the Pelican Estates 2. She is walking towards the platform that has an observation deck on the top. Notice how long and lush the gra ...<p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com">SundownIsland</a><br />Diane Nunley has been taken photos of the large birds in the Pelican Estates 2. She is walking towards the platform that has an observation deck on the top. Notice how long and lush the gra ...</p><p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/4543389_TSEf8#267626662_byV3j" title="Diane Nunley has been taken photos of the large birds in the Pelican Estates 2. She is walking towards the platform that has an observation deck on the top. Notice how long and lush the gra ..."><img src="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/IMG5551/267626662_byV3j-Th.jpg" width="150" height="120" alt="Diane Nunley has been taken photos of the large birds in the Pelican Estates 2. She is walking towards the platform that has an observation deck on the top. Notice how long and lush the gra ..." title="Diane Nunley has been taken photos of the large birds in the Pelican Estates 2. She is walking towards the platform that has an observation deck on the top. Notice how long and lush the gra ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-01-10T22:48:48ZSundownIslandhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.comhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/IMG5551/267626662_byV3j-Th.jpg2008-02-23 10:42:07As Diane walks towards the observation platform, a large number of Great Egrets and Reddish Egrets take to the air (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Marcy Spears<p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com">SundownIsland</a><br />As Diane walks towards the observation platform, a large number of Great Egrets and Reddish Egrets take to the air (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Marcy Spears</p><p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/4543389_TSEf8#267627723_hQunw" title="As Diane walks towards the observation platform, a large number of Great Egrets and Reddish Egrets take to the air (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Marcy Spears"><img src="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/IMG5501/267627723_hQunw-Th.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="As Diane walks towards the observation platform, a large number of Great Egrets and Reddish Egrets take to the air (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Marcy Spears" title="As Diane walks towards the observation platform, a large number of Great Egrets and Reddish Egrets take to the air (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Marcy Spears" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-01-10T22:48:43ZSundownIslandhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.comhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/IMG5501/267627723_hQunw-Th.jpg2008-02-23 10:40:30This photo of Great Egrets, Reddish Egrets and Black-Crowned Night-Herons was taken from the observation platform (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Marcy Spears<p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com">SundownIsland</a><br />This photo of Great Egrets, Reddish Egrets and Black-Crowned Night-Herons was taken from the observation platform (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Marcy Spears</p><p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/4543389_TSEf8#267627359_Zcabz" title="This photo of Great Egrets, Reddish Egrets and Black-Crowned Night-Herons was taken from the observation platform (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Marcy Spears"><img src="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/IMG5545/267627359_Zcabz-Th.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="This photo of Great Egrets, Reddish Egrets and Black-Crowned Night-Herons was taken from the observation platform (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Marcy Spears" title="This photo of Great Egrets, Reddish Egrets and Black-Crowned Night-Herons was taken from the observation platform (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Marcy Spears" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-01-10T22:49:42ZSundownIslandhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.comhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/IMG5545/267627359_Zcabz-Th.jpg2008-02-23 10:41:19This large nest on top of some small trees was probably made by a Great Blue Heron or a Great Egret (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Marcy Spears<p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com">SundownIsland</a><br />This large nest on top of some small trees was probably made by a Great Blue Heron or a Great Egret (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Marcy Spears</p><p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/4543389_TSEf8#267626348_JrfeE" title="This large nest on top of some small trees was probably made by a Great Blue Heron or a Great Egret (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Marcy Spears"><img src="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/IMG5553/267626348_JrfeE-Th.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="This large nest on top of some small trees was probably made by a Great Blue Heron or a Great Egret (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Marcy Spears" title="This large nest on top of some small trees was probably made by a Great Blue Heron or a Great Egret (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Marcy Spears" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-01-10T22:48:22ZSundownIslandhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.comhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/IMG5553/267626348_JrfeE-Th.jpg2008-02-23 10:52:27Some of these Brown Pelicans were collecting nesting material in this clump of brush near the shoreline.
(South end of the island, near the big ponds, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley<p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com">SundownIsland</a><br />Some of these Brown Pelicans were collecting nesting material in this clump of brush near the shoreline.
(South end of the island, near the big ponds, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley</p><p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/4543389_TSEf8#267636571_Vyqvr" title="Some of these Brown Pelicans were collecting nesting material in this clump of brush near the shoreline.
(South end of the island, near the big ponds, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley"><img src="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/IMG5641/267636571_Vyqvr-Th.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="Some of these Brown Pelicans were collecting nesting material in this clump of brush near the shoreline.
(South end of the island, near the big ponds, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley" title="Some of these Brown Pelicans were collecting nesting material in this clump of brush near the shoreline.
(South end of the island, near the big ponds, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-01-10T22:44:47ZSundownIslandhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.comhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/IMG5641/267636571_Vyqvr-Th.jpg2008-02-23 13:16:53Notice the pair of Crested Caracaras in the top of the tree looking South towards Port O'Connor? They seem to have become permanent residents of the island. Note the Great Egrets in the fore ...<p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com">SundownIsland</a><br />Notice the pair of Crested Caracaras in the top of the tree looking South towards Port O'Connor? They seem to have become permanent residents of the island. Note the Great Egrets in the fore ...</p><p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/4543389_TSEf8#267625838_pQ35W" title="Notice the pair of Crested Caracaras in the top of the tree looking South towards Port O'Connor? They seem to have become permanent residents of the island. Note the Great Egrets in the fore ..."><img src="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/IMG5556/267625838_pQ35W-Th.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="Notice the pair of Crested Caracaras in the top of the tree looking South towards Port O'Connor? They seem to have become permanent residents of the island. Note the Great Egrets in the fore ..." title="Notice the pair of Crested Caracaras in the top of the tree looking South towards Port O'Connor? They seem to have become permanent residents of the island. Note the Great Egrets in the fore ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-01-10T22:48:08ZSundownIslandhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.comhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/IMG5556/267625838_pQ35W-Th.jpg2008-02-23 10:54:12Taken from the observation platform, the small stretch of beach on the West side contains mostly Laughing Gulls, one Great Blue heron and a group of Brown Pelicans cruising by (West edge of ...<p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com">SundownIsland</a><br />Taken from the observation platform, the small stretch of beach on the West side contains mostly Laughing Gulls, one Great Blue heron and a group of Brown Pelicans cruising by (West edge of ...</p><p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/4543389_TSEf8#267626947_dTJya" title="Taken from the observation platform, the small stretch of beach on the West side contains mostly Laughing Gulls, one Great Blue heron and a group of Brown Pelicans cruising by (West edge of ..."><img src="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/IMG5549/267626947_dTJya-Th.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="Taken from the observation platform, the small stretch of beach on the West side contains mostly Laughing Gulls, one Great Blue heron and a group of Brown Pelicans cruising by (West edge of ..." title="Taken from the observation platform, the small stretch of beach on the West side contains mostly Laughing Gulls, one Great Blue heron and a group of Brown Pelicans cruising by (West edge of ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-01-10T22:48:29ZSundownIslandhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.comhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/IMG5549/267626947_dTJya-Th.jpg2008-02-23 10:41:51Notice the Silver-leaf Sunflowers in the foreground of this White-morph Reddish Egret. The island seemed to be turning green before our eyes (South edge of Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Ph ...<p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com">SundownIsland</a><br />Notice the Silver-leaf Sunflowers in the foreground of this White-morph Reddish Egret. The island seemed to be turning green before our eyes (South edge of Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Ph ...</p><p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/4543389_TSEf8#267641550_k3KBW" title="Notice the Silver-leaf Sunflowers in the foreground of this White-morph Reddish Egret. The island seemed to be turning green before our eyes (South edge of Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Ph ..."><img src="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0539/267641550_k3KBW-Th.jpg" width="150" height="120" alt="Notice the Silver-leaf Sunflowers in the foreground of this White-morph Reddish Egret. The island seemed to be turning green before our eyes (South edge of Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Ph ..." title="Notice the Silver-leaf Sunflowers in the foreground of this White-morph Reddish Egret. The island seemed to be turning green before our eyes (South edge of Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Ph ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-01-10T22:41:01ZSundownIslandhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.comhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0539/267641550_k3KBW-Th.jpg2008-02-23 13:13:53Notice the bright blue lores and shocking pink bill on this Reddish Egret (South edge of Pelican Estates, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley<p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com">SundownIsland</a><br />Notice the bright blue lores and shocking pink bill on this Reddish Egret (South edge of Pelican Estates, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley</p><p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/4543389_TSEf8#267641762_EV3na" title="Notice the bright blue lores and shocking pink bill on this Reddish Egret (South edge of Pelican Estates, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley"><img src="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0540/267641762_EV3na-Th.jpg" width="150" height="120" alt="Notice the bright blue lores and shocking pink bill on this Reddish Egret (South edge of Pelican Estates, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley" title="Notice the bright blue lores and shocking pink bill on this Reddish Egret (South edge of Pelican Estates, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-01-10T22:40:45ZSundownIslandhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.comhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0540/267641762_EV3na-Th.jpg2008-02-23 13:14:32Reddish Egrets are quite a lot of fun to watch when foraging for food as they lurch, jump, and run through shallow water. They also spread their wings above the water to attract small fish ...<p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com">SundownIsland</a><br />Reddish Egrets are quite a lot of fun to watch when foraging for food as they lurch, jump, and run through shallow water. They also spread their wings above the water to attract small fish ...</p><p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/4543389_TSEf8#267641993_ktEsS" title="Reddish Egrets are quite a lot of fun to watch when foraging for food as they lurch, jump, and run through shallow water. They also spread their wings above the water to attract small fish ..."><img src="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0549/267641993_ktEsS-Th.jpg" width="120" height="150" alt="Reddish Egrets are quite a lot of fun to watch when foraging for food as they lurch, jump, and run through shallow water. They also spread their wings above the water to attract small fish ..." title="Reddish Egrets are quite a lot of fun to watch when foraging for food as they lurch, jump, and run through shallow water. They also spread their wings above the water to attract small fish ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-01-10T22:40:22ZSundownIslandhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.comhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0549/267641993_ktEsS-Th.jpg2008-02-23 13:14:39White Morph and Dark Morph Reddish Egrets will mate with each other. A mixed pair almost always has dark morph chicks (South edge of Pelican Estates, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley<p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com">SundownIsland</a><br />White Morph and Dark Morph Reddish Egrets will mate with each other. A mixed pair almost always has dark morph chicks (South edge of Pelican Estates, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley</p><p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/4543389_TSEf8#267642197_STmUj" title="White Morph and Dark Morph Reddish Egrets will mate with each other. A mixed pair almost always has dark morph chicks (South edge of Pelican Estates, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley"><img src="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0550/267642197_STmUj-Th.jpg" width="150" height="120" alt="White Morph and Dark Morph Reddish Egrets will mate with each other. A mixed pair almost always has dark morph chicks (South edge of Pelican Estates, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley" title="White Morph and Dark Morph Reddish Egrets will mate with each other. A mixed pair almost always has dark morph chicks (South edge of Pelican Estates, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-01-10T22:37:12ZSundownIslandhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.comhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0550/267642197_STmUj-Th.jpg2008-02-23 13:14:40Ahhh... I found a really good stick! (South edge of Pelican Estates, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley<p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com">SundownIsland</a><br />Ahhh... I found a really good stick! (South edge of Pelican Estates, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley</p><p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/4543389_TSEf8#267642405_MR72B" title="Ahhh... I found a really good stick! (South edge of Pelican Estates, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley"><img src="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0579/267642405_MR72B-Th.jpg" width="120" height="150" alt="Ahhh... I found a really good stick! (South edge of Pelican Estates, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley" title="Ahhh... I found a really good stick! (South edge of Pelican Estates, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-01-10T22:39:06ZSundownIslandhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.comhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0579/267642405_MR72B-Th.jpg2008-02-23 13:16:31This White Morph Reddish Egret is in the smaller pond on the edge of Pelican Estates (see map). While plume hunters nearly wiped out this species during the late 1800s. Today it is threaten ...<p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com">SundownIsland</a><br />This White Morph Reddish Egret is in the smaller pond on the edge of Pelican Estates (see map). While plume hunters nearly wiped out this species during the late 1800s. Today it is threaten ...</p><p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/4543389_TSEf8#267641287_HYPGm" title="This White Morph Reddish Egret is in the smaller pond on the edge of Pelican Estates (see map). While plume hunters nearly wiped out this species during the late 1800s. Today it is threaten ..."><img src="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0530/267641287_HYPGm-Th.jpg" width="150" height="120" alt="This White Morph Reddish Egret is in the smaller pond on the edge of Pelican Estates (see map). While plume hunters nearly wiped out this species during the late 1800s. Today it is threaten ..." title="This White Morph Reddish Egret is in the smaller pond on the edge of Pelican Estates (see map). While plume hunters nearly wiped out this species during the late 1800s. Today it is threaten ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-01-10T22:40:28ZSundownIslandhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.comhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0530/267641287_HYPGm-Th.jpg2008-02-23 13:12:35American White Pelicans weigh about 15.4 pounds while Brown Pelicans weight in at 6.5 pounds—pretty obvious here, right? Notice the horny plate on the upper mandible of the white pelican w ...<p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com">SundownIsland</a><br />American White Pelicans weigh about 15.4 pounds while Brown Pelicans weight in at 6.5 pounds—pretty obvious here, right? Notice the horny plate on the upper mandible of the white pelican w ...</p><p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/4543389_TSEf8#267635416_a7fQp" title="American White Pelicans weigh about 15.4 pounds while Brown Pelicans weight in at 6.5 pounds—pretty obvious here, right? Notice the horny plate on the upper mandible of the white pelican w ..."><img src="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/IMG5715/267635416_a7fQp-Th.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="American White Pelicans weigh about 15.4 pounds while Brown Pelicans weight in at 6.5 pounds—pretty obvious here, right? Notice the horny plate on the upper mandible of the white pelican w ..." title="American White Pelicans weigh about 15.4 pounds while Brown Pelicans weight in at 6.5 pounds—pretty obvious here, right? Notice the horny plate on the upper mandible of the white pelican w ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-01-10T22:42:59ZSundownIslandhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.comhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/IMG5715/267635416_a7fQp-Th.jpg2008-02-23 13:42:21Brown Pelicans settling down in the favored spot on the island, Pelican Estates. Pelicans with the red throat pouch are more common on the West coast (Pelican Estates, see map).
Photo cr ...<p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com">SundownIsland</a><br />Brown Pelicans settling down in the favored spot on the island, Pelican Estates. Pelicans with the red throat pouch are more common on the West coast (Pelican Estates, see map).
Photo cr ...</p><p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/4543389_TSEf8#267640880_V55V2" title="Brown Pelicans settling down in the favored spot on the island, Pelican Estates. Pelicans with the red throat pouch are more common on the West coast (Pelican Estates, see map).
Photo cr ..."><img src="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0519/267640880_V55V2-Th.jpg" width="150" height="120" alt="Brown Pelicans settling down in the favored spot on the island, Pelican Estates. Pelicans with the red throat pouch are more common on the West coast (Pelican Estates, see map).
Photo cr ..." title="Brown Pelicans settling down in the favored spot on the island, Pelican Estates. Pelicans with the red throat pouch are more common on the West coast (Pelican Estates, see map).
Photo cr ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-01-10T22:41:41ZSundownIslandhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.comhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0519/267640880_V55V2-Th.jpg2008-02-23 12:42:23These pelicans are already sitting on eggs (Pelican Estates, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley<p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com">SundownIsland</a><br />These pelicans are already sitting on eggs (Pelican Estates, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley</p><p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/4543389_TSEf8#267641115_dmiqJ" title="These pelicans are already sitting on eggs (Pelican Estates, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley"><img src="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0520/267641115_dmiqJ-Th.jpg" width="150" height="120" alt="These pelicans are already sitting on eggs (Pelican Estates, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley" title="These pelicans are already sitting on eggs (Pelican Estates, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-01-10T22:41:40ZSundownIslandhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.comhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0520/267641115_dmiqJ-Th.jpg2008-02-23 12:42:28As we walked along the edge of Pelican Estates, some of the sitting Pelicans flew off momentarily leaving their eggs exposed (Pelican Estates, see map). There were so many, it was difficult ...<p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com">SundownIsland</a><br />As we walked along the edge of Pelican Estates, some of the sitting Pelicans flew off momentarily leaving their eggs exposed (Pelican Estates, see map). There were so many, it was difficult ...</p><p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/4543389_TSEf8#267634818_BvGVf" title="As we walked along the edge of Pelican Estates, some of the sitting Pelicans flew off momentarily leaving their eggs exposed (Pelican Estates, see map). There were so many, it was difficult ..."><img src="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/IMG5723/267634818_BvGVf-Th.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="As we walked along the edge of Pelican Estates, some of the sitting Pelicans flew off momentarily leaving their eggs exposed (Pelican Estates, see map). There were so many, it was difficult ..." title="As we walked along the edge of Pelican Estates, some of the sitting Pelicans flew off momentarily leaving their eggs exposed (Pelican Estates, see map). There were so many, it was difficult ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-01-10T22:40:22ZSundownIslandhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.comhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/IMG5723/267634818_BvGVf-Th.jpg2008-02-23 13:46:42Diane found a lush patch of Indian Blanket wildflowers on the island on the edge of Pelican Estates.
Photo credit: Diane Nunley<p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com">SundownIsland</a><br />Diane found a lush patch of Indian Blanket wildflowers on the island on the edge of Pelican Estates.
Photo credit: Diane Nunley</p><p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/4543389_TSEf8#267642595_brDcs" title="Diane found a lush patch of Indian Blanket wildflowers on the island on the edge of Pelican Estates.
Photo credit: Diane Nunley"><img src="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0592/267642595_brDcs-Th.jpg" width="150" height="120" alt="Diane found a lush patch of Indian Blanket wildflowers on the island on the edge of Pelican Estates.
Photo credit: Diane Nunley" title="Diane found a lush patch of Indian Blanket wildflowers on the island on the edge of Pelican Estates.
Photo credit: Diane Nunley" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-01-10T22:39:03ZSundownIslandhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.comhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0592/267642595_brDcs-Th.jpg2008-02-23 13:19:56Between Pelican Estates and Pelican Estates 2 the Silver-leaf Sunflower is really starting to take off. Besides providing food for smaller birds, it provides shelter for ground-nesting bird ...<p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com">SundownIsland</a><br />Between Pelican Estates and Pelican Estates 2 the Silver-leaf Sunflower is really starting to take off. Besides providing food for smaller birds, it provides shelter for ground-nesting bird ...</p><p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/4543389_TSEf8#267636267_oBoiJ" title="Between Pelican Estates and Pelican Estates 2 the Silver-leaf Sunflower is really starting to take off. Besides providing food for smaller birds, it provides shelter for ground-nesting bird ..."><img src="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/IMG5691/267636267_oBoiJ-Th.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="Between Pelican Estates and Pelican Estates 2 the Silver-leaf Sunflower is really starting to take off. Besides providing food for smaller birds, it provides shelter for ground-nesting bird ..." title="Between Pelican Estates and Pelican Estates 2 the Silver-leaf Sunflower is really starting to take off. Besides providing food for smaller birds, it provides shelter for ground-nesting bird ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-01-10T22:42:38ZSundownIslandhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.comhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/IMG5691/267636267_oBoiJ-Th.jpg2008-02-23 13:32:56Lantana, native to Texas, is one of the favorite nesting spots for pelicans. They like to nest on it or around it. This Lantana was near the tractor shed.
Photo credit: Marcy Spears<p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com">SundownIsland</a><br />Lantana, native to Texas, is one of the favorite nesting spots for pelicans. They like to nest on it or around it. This Lantana was near the tractor shed.
Photo credit: Marcy Spears</p><p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/4543389_TSEf8#269574660_DZkeJ" title="Lantana, native to Texas, is one of the favorite nesting spots for pelicans. They like to nest on it or around it. This Lantana was near the tractor shed.
Photo credit: Marcy Spears"><img src="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/IMG5415-Edit/269574660_DZkeJ-Th.jpg" width="150" height="120" alt="Lantana, native to Texas, is one of the favorite nesting spots for pelicans. They like to nest on it or around it. This Lantana was near the tractor shed.
Photo credit: Marcy Spears" title="Lantana, native to Texas, is one of the favorite nesting spots for pelicans. They like to nest on it or around it. This Lantana was near the tractor shed.
Photo credit: Marcy Spears" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-01-10T06:48:50ZSundownIslandhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.comhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/IMG5415-Edit/269574660_DZkeJ-Th.jpgWhile walking around the island, Diane also took photos of other birds that were visiting during workday. This is a Northern Mockingbird also known as the Texas State Bird.
Photo credit: ...<p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com">SundownIsland</a><br />While walking around the island, Diane also took photos of other birds that were visiting during workday. This is a Northern Mockingbird also known as the Texas State Bird.
Photo credit: ...</p><p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/4543389_TSEf8#267638456_gRdw4" title="While walking around the island, Diane also took photos of other birds that were visiting during workday. This is a Northern Mockingbird also known as the Texas State Bird.
Photo credit: ..."><img src="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0421/267638456_gRdw4-Th.jpg" width="150" height="120" alt="While walking around the island, Diane also took photos of other birds that were visiting during workday. This is a Northern Mockingbird also known as the Texas State Bird.
Photo credit: ..." title="While walking around the island, Diane also took photos of other birds that were visiting during workday. This is a Northern Mockingbird also known as the Texas State Bird.
Photo credit: ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-01-10T22:43:01ZSundownIslandhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.comhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0421/267638456_gRdw4-Th.jpg2008-02-23 10:03:54Lincoln Sparrows are regular winter residents in Texas, commonly found in wet meadows, thickets and weedy fields in winter.
Photo credit: Diane Nunley<p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com">SundownIsland</a><br />Lincoln Sparrows are regular winter residents in Texas, commonly found in wet meadows, thickets and weedy fields in winter.
Photo credit: Diane Nunley</p><p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/4543389_TSEf8#267638286_RsQgc" title="Lincoln Sparrows are regular winter residents in Texas, commonly found in wet meadows, thickets and weedy fields in winter.
Photo credit: Diane Nunley"><img src="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0420/267638286_RsQgc-Th.jpg" width="150" height="120" alt="Lincoln Sparrows are regular winter residents in Texas, commonly found in wet meadows, thickets and weedy fields in winter.
Photo credit: Diane Nunley" title="Lincoln Sparrows are regular winter residents in Texas, commonly found in wet meadows, thickets and weedy fields in winter.
Photo credit: Diane Nunley" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-01-10T22:43:12ZSundownIslandhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.comhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0420/267638286_RsQgc-Th.jpg2008-02-23 10:03:06This is an Eastern Phoebe. Phoebes are fly-catchers that winter in Texas (all along the Gulf Coast, actually) and have one of the sweetest calls. You will often see them bobbing their tails ...<p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com">SundownIsland</a><br />This is an Eastern Phoebe. Phoebes are fly-catchers that winter in Texas (all along the Gulf Coast, actually) and have one of the sweetest calls. You will often see them bobbing their tails ...</p><p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/4543389_TSEf8#267640651_7vgwK" title="This is an Eastern Phoebe. Phoebes are fly-catchers that winter in Texas (all along the Gulf Coast, actually) and have one of the sweetest calls. You will often see them bobbing their tails ..."><img src="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0515/267640651_7vgwK-Th.jpg" width="150" height="120" alt="This is an Eastern Phoebe. Phoebes are fly-catchers that winter in Texas (all along the Gulf Coast, actually) and have one of the sweetest calls. You will often see them bobbing their tails ..." title="This is an Eastern Phoebe. Phoebes are fly-catchers that winter in Texas (all along the Gulf Coast, actually) and have one of the sweetest calls. You will often see them bobbing their tails ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-01-10T22:40:14ZSundownIslandhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.comhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0515/267640651_7vgwK-Th.jpg2008-02-23 12:03:06Female Great-tailed Grackle.
Photo credit: Diane Nunley<p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com">SundownIsland</a><br />Female Great-tailed Grackle.
Photo credit: Diane Nunley</p><p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/4543389_TSEf8#267638725_ZvzbV" title="Female Great-tailed Grackle.
Photo credit: Diane Nunley"><img src="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0425/267638725_ZvzbV-Th.jpg" width="150" height="120" alt="Female Great-tailed Grackle.
Photo credit: Diane Nunley" title="Female Great-tailed Grackle.
Photo credit: Diane Nunley" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-01-10T22:43:06ZSundownIslandhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.comhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0425/267638725_ZvzbV-Th.jpg2008-02-23 10:07:52While I was on top of the observation platform, I thought I heard a Gray Catbird (sounds like a soft mew). Sure enough, Diane spotted him and we got one good shot. Gray Catbirds are mostly ...<p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com">SundownIsland</a><br />While I was on top of the observation platform, I thought I heard a Gray Catbird (sounds like a soft mew). Sure enough, Diane spotted him and we got one good shot. Gray Catbirds are mostly ...</p><p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/4543389_TSEf8#267625513_BwnHY" title="While I was on top of the observation platform, I thought I heard a Gray Catbird (sounds like a soft mew). Sure enough, Diane spotted him and we got one good shot. Gray Catbirds are mostly ..."><img src="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/IMG5559/267625513_BwnHY-Th.jpg" width="150" height="120" alt="While I was on top of the observation platform, I thought I heard a Gray Catbird (sounds like a soft mew). Sure enough, Diane spotted him and we got one good shot. Gray Catbirds are mostly ..." title="While I was on top of the observation platform, I thought I heard a Gray Catbird (sounds like a soft mew). Sure enough, Diane spotted him and we got one good shot. Gray Catbirds are mostly ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-01-10T22:47:52ZSundownIslandhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.comhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/IMG5559/267625513_BwnHY-Th.jpg2008-02-23 10:54:22This is a female Red-winged Blackbird. Blackbirds love dried cattail leaves and sedges for nesting material.
Photo credit: Diane Nunley<p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com">SundownIsland</a><br />This is a female Red-winged Blackbird. Blackbirds love dried cattail leaves and sedges for nesting material.
Photo credit: Diane Nunley</p><p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/4543389_TSEf8#267638136_JKrW9" title="This is a female Red-winged Blackbird. Blackbirds love dried cattail leaves and sedges for nesting material.
Photo credit: Diane Nunley"><img src="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0415/267638136_JKrW9-Th.jpg" width="150" height="120" alt="This is a female Red-winged Blackbird. Blackbirds love dried cattail leaves and sedges for nesting material.
Photo credit: Diane Nunley" title="This is a female Red-winged Blackbird. Blackbirds love dried cattail leaves and sedges for nesting material.
Photo credit: Diane Nunley" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-01-10T22:43:58ZSundownIslandhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.comhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0415/267638136_JKrW9-Th.jpg2008-02-23 10:02:00Two male Red-winged Blackbirds. Winter flocks are usually segregated by gender. Blackbirds are permanent residents of Texas.
Photo credit: Diane Nunley<p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com">SundownIsland</a><br />Two male Red-winged Blackbirds. Winter flocks are usually segregated by gender. Blackbirds are permanent residents of Texas.
Photo credit: Diane Nunley</p><p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/4543389_TSEf8#267640348_ob5Qj" title="Two male Red-winged Blackbirds. Winter flocks are usually segregated by gender. Blackbirds are permanent residents of Texas.
Photo credit: Diane Nunley"><img src="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0502/267640348_ob5Qj-Th.jpg" width="150" height="120" alt="Two male Red-winged Blackbirds. Winter flocks are usually segregated by gender. Blackbirds are permanent residents of Texas.
Photo credit: Diane Nunley" title="Two male Red-winged Blackbirds. Winter flocks are usually segregated by gender. Blackbirds are permanent residents of Texas.
Photo credit: Diane Nunley" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-01-10T22:39:52ZSundownIslandhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.comhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0502/267640348_ob5Qj-Th.jpg2008-02-23 10:22:03This is a Northern Pintail found in the smaller pond next to Pelican Estates. These ducks are abundant in the West and common in the East.
Photo credit: Diane Nunley<p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com">SundownIsland</a><br />This is a Northern Pintail found in the smaller pond next to Pelican Estates. These ducks are abundant in the West and common in the East.
Photo credit: Diane Nunley</p><p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/4543389_TSEf8#267642749_EzD6c" title="This is a Northern Pintail found in the smaller pond next to Pelican Estates. These ducks are abundant in the West and common in the East.
Photo credit: Diane Nunley"><img src="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0611/267642749_EzD6c-Th.jpg" width="150" height="120" alt="This is a Northern Pintail found in the smaller pond next to Pelican Estates. These ducks are abundant in the West and common in the East.
Photo credit: Diane Nunley" title="This is a Northern Pintail found in the smaller pond next to Pelican Estates. These ducks are abundant in the West and common in the East.
Photo credit: Diane Nunley" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-01-10T22:36:53ZSundownIslandhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.comhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0611/267642749_EzD6c-Th.jpg2008-02-23 13:29:11A side view of the Northern Pintail.
Photo credit: Diane Nunley<p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com">SundownIsland</a><br />A side view of the Northern Pintail.
Photo credit: Diane Nunley</p><p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/4543389_TSEf8#267642896_yWoHU" title="A side view of the Northern Pintail.
Photo credit: Diane Nunley"><img src="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0619-Edit/267642896_yWoHU-Th.jpg" width="150" height="120" alt="A side view of the Northern Pintail.
Photo credit: Diane Nunley" title="A side view of the Northern Pintail.
Photo credit: Diane Nunley" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-01-10T22:37:39ZSundownIslandhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.comhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/MG0619-Edit/267642896_yWoHU-Th.jpg2008-02-23 13:29:25Parting shot: This is the tower not far from the tractor shed. We are not sure why the Turkey Vultures were visiting. One of the Crested Caracaras just took off from the tower as this photo ...<p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com">SundownIsland</a><br />Parting shot: This is the tower not far from the tractor shed. We are not sure why the Turkey Vultures were visiting. One of the Crested Caracaras just took off from the tower as this photo ...</p><p><a href="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/4543389_TSEf8#267633739_pguzy" title="Parting shot: This is the tower not far from the tractor shed. We are not sure why the Turkey Vultures were visiting. One of the Crested Caracaras just took off from the tower as this photo ..."><img src="http://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/IMG5579/267633739_pguzy-Th.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="Parting shot: This is the tower not far from the tractor shed. We are not sure why the Turkey Vultures were visiting. One of the Crested Caracaras just took off from the tower as this photo ..." title="Parting shot: This is the tower not far from the tractor shed. We are not sure why the Turkey Vultures were visiting. One of the Crested Caracaras just took off from the tower as this photo ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-01-10T22:44:54ZSundownIslandhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.comhttp://sundownisland.smugmug.com/Workdays/2008-Spring-Workday-Birds/IMG5579/267633739_pguzy-Th.jpg2008-02-23 11:29:59