Visit to Aquarena Springs

This afternoon, we took a quick birding trip to visit the Aquarena Springs in San Marcos, TX, near where Danielle has been teaching a class this semester. This area is a spring-fed lake which that reminds me of Balmorhea SP.

On arrival we were greeted by a large kettle of vultures circling over the fall foliage and a trio of Double-crested Cormorants in the water. The first interesting bird was this male Golden-fronted Woodpecker hammering high up in the tree. I love the shot of the bird's nape which looks like a colorful punk hairdo.

Canon 7DII, EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM - ISO-800, 380mm, f/8, 1/1600 sec, Flash

Canon 7DII, EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM - ISO-800, 400mm, f/8, 1/800 sec, Flash

We also saw a female Belted Kingfisher diving into the lake from its perch on a weather station antenna after which I lost track of it.  When we got to the boardwalk, we saw another kingfisher but, upon closer examination, we were thrilled to see, not the same species, but rather a male Ringed Kingfisher which is rare this far north. This bird is much more bulky and has a very heavy bill.

Canon 60Da, EF 400mm f/5.6L - ISO 400, 400mm, f/5.6, 1/250 sec, Flash (Danielle)

Canon 60Da, EF 400mm f/5.6L - ISO 400, 400mm, f/5.6, 1/250 sec, Flash (Danielle)

Another new bird for us was this pair of Wood Ducks resting on the other side of the lake from the boardwalk.

Canon 60Da, EF 400mm f/5.6L - ISO 1600, 400mm, f/5.6, 1/250 sec, Flash (Danielle)

A lone Killdeer landed on the pond weeds next to the boardwalk as the light faded.

Canon 60Da, EF 400mm f/5.6L - ISO 400, 400mm, f/5.6, 1/250 sec, Flash (Danielle)

It was shortly accompanied by this sandpiper. I am not confident of the identification. The Solitary Sandpiper has been reported at this location more frequently though it is only migratory in this area. The leg color seems closer to that of a Lesser Yellowlegs and the regular spotting matches that of a juvenile LEYE. The more pronounced eye ring and shorter legs would be more indicative of a SOSA.

Canon 7DII, EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM - ISO 3200, 400mm, f/8, 1/400 sec, Flash

Full list of birds on eBird.