Linear view vs. Masonry View

Prickly, Bristly

I’m pretty sure these are Bull Thistles (Cirsium horridulum) but I did not take all the photos necessary for proper identification (sorry, Julie, I know you trained me better). I was too infatuated with the showy blossoms to worry about the rest of the plants. Horridulum, appropriately, is Latin for prickly or bristly. Bees and small flies seemed to share my enthusiasm for these pretty poofs. Besides, I like saying Bull Thistle (it might just be my new swear, in my long-overdue attempt to clean up my flowery language).

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Commensalism

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Cattle Egret and Cow, Lamar, Texas April 2019

For the past few weeks I’ve been trying to get a decent photo of a flock of Cattle Egrets (Bubulcus ibis) that frequent a nearby cow pasture. Luck was with me the other day, when this sweet mama grazed close to the fence bringing her companion with her. Appropriately, bubulcus is Latin for herdsman. As both names imply, Cattle Egrets follow herds of grazing animals.

In a mutually beneficial arrangement, the birds snap up delicious insects that the ungulates attract (and that their large hooves flush). As you can see from the rufous highlights, it is breeding season (otherwise, it would sport only white feathers).
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My Favorite Road Sign, Ever

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Texas has a vast network of Historical Signs posted along every roadway. As you probably know, I typically whip off the road to read these. However, I’ll be honest, most of the ones here in Texas have been so filled with hyperlocal minutia that I’ve been weaned off my habit. I give major props to the highway workers responsible for this sign! And no, though I (safely) flipped a U-turn on the highway in order to snap a photo of this sign, I did not stop to read the actual marker.
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Primping

 

Bathtime!

I watched this Black-bellied Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis) pair take turns bathing. One stayed on alert while the other splashed and then they switched roles. Reassuring to know that your lifelong partner has your back. Plus, you want to be sure to look your best for your close-up.

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And yes, they do whistle, primarily while flying (though personally, I think they sound more like a dog’s squeaky toy).

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Birds Do It…

Primping for the Big Moment
Heading Out
Hey, Baby!
Wanna Get Busy with Me?
Getting Busy
After Snack

The Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata), as the name implies is a common, though often secretive, bird in the rail family. A couple weeks ago, I was privileged to watch the entire mating ritual. After a bath, the male approached the female. She must’ve found him agreeable as she presented her backside to him. Foreplay consisted of a couple gentle strokes with his toes (possibly to help expose her cloaca). Then he mounted her, holding her neck firmly before dismounting less than 30 seconds later. Mission accomplished, she swam away while he started feeding.

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Mermaid’s Purse

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While waiting for the sun to rise on South Padre Island I discovered this skate egg case (aka mermaid’s purse) in the wrack line. Often mistaken for seaweed, the small pouch made of collagen protects the skate embryo as it develops.

While skates are related to both sharks and rays, they most closely resemble rays. There are roughly a dozen skate species found in the Gulf of Mexico and sadly, I was not able to pinpoint the exact species this egg case belongs to. Still fun to find, though.
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