Finding Refuge on Easter -- San Bernard NWR

The Spring TMN class half done now, it was time Scott and I reconnected with some nature spaces for a bit before the rigors of school and administration start back up again. It's going to fast-paced here all the way through April.

The TMN's Cradle of Texas did a fabulous job building boardwalks and seating areas at Bobcat Woods. I cannot say enough about their wonderful work during the pandemic! Pete and Peggy Rompf's photos are on every interpretive sign ... it's as if they're still here and never moved away to California. (We miss you, here in Texas!)

Having woken with a body time clock at 5:00 AM, we hit the road at 6:00 AM and headed to Quintana Bird Sanctuary. We'd heard some great things about migrants having arrived there in the past week. Hooded Warbler and Northern Parula were expected, but the Worm-eating Warbler kept pretty much to himself, seen but not 'shot.' No one else was there, so we enjoyed the small sanctuary all to ourselves. Sadly, the birds weren't really there either.

So ... off to San Bernard NWR! That space is always reliable for some quiet and wildlife. Hiking along the levee of the waterway was great for insects and wildflowers, but while crouched shooting the blue-eyed grass, I broke the silence (said something to Scott) and apparently startled a large alligator who promptly slapped his tail as he 'escaped' me into the water, just a few yards away. (I won't tell him who was the most startled.)

It was refreshing to see that Least Grebe was still there, and a surprise sighting of Virginia Rail made our whole day (LIFER for me, 2nd sighting for Scott). But the yet unknown caterpillar, water snake, and chatty White-eyed Vireos were the highlight of our unplugged lunch break.

Posted on April 05, 2021 10:38 PM by dirtnkids dirtnkids

Observations

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Vervains (Genus Verbena)

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dirtnkids

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April 4, 2021 09:51 AM CDT

Description

V. officinalis?

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Common Beardless Irises (Subgenus Limniris)

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April 4, 2021 09:58 AM CDT

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Texas Thistle (Cirsium texanum)

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April 4, 2021 10:20 AM CDT

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Roadside Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium pruinosum)

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April 4, 2021 11:02 AM CDT

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Foemina Blue Pimpernel (Lysimachia foemina)

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April 4, 2021 11:04 AM CDT

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Smallflower Groundcherry (Physalis cinerascens)

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April 4, 2021 11:35 AM CDT

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Argus Tortoise Beetle (Chelymorpha cassidea)

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April 4, 2021 11:50 AM CDT

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Silverleaf Nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium)

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April 4, 2021 01:05 PM CDT

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Hooded Warbler (Setophaga citrina)

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April 4, 2021 07:49 AM CDT

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Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)

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April 4, 2021 07:42 AM CDT

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Northern Parula (Setophaga americana)

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April 4, 2021 08:13 AM CDT

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Banded Watersnake (Nerodia fasciata)

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April 4, 2021 12:44 PM CDT

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Nessus Sphinx (Amphion floridensis)

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April 4, 2021 12:41 PM CDT

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Brazilian Skipper (Calpodes ethlius)

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April 4, 2021 12:30 PM CDT

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Smeared Dagger (Acronicta oblinita)

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April 4, 2021 12:24 PM CDT

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Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis)

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April 4, 2021 12:03 PM CDT

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Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea)

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April 4, 2021 12:01 PM CDT

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American Bumble Bee (Bombus pensylvanicus)

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April 4, 2021 11:52 AM CDT

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Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis)

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April 4, 2021 11:15 AM CDT

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Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus)

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April 4, 2021 11:06 AM CDT

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Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus)

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April 4, 2021 11:05 AM CDT

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Least Grebe (Tachybaptus dominicus)

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April 4, 2021 11:03 AM CDT

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Damselflies (Suborder Zygoptera)

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April 4, 2021 11:01 AM CDT

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Boat-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus major)

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April 4, 2021 10:55 AM CDT

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Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis)

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April 4, 2021 10:54 AM CDT

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Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola)

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April 4, 2021 10:38 AM CDT

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Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor)

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April 4, 2021 10:34 AM CDT

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Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)

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April 4, 2021 10:18 AM CDT

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Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus)

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April 4, 2021 10:17 AM CDT

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Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)

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April 4, 2021 09:16 AM CDT

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Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)

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April 4, 2021 09:16 AM CDT

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White-eyed Vireo (Vireo griseus)

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April 4, 2021 12:51 PM CDT

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Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos)

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April 4, 2021 10:00 AM CDT

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Sora (Porzana carolina)

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April 4, 2021 10:19 AM CDT

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American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)

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April 4, 2021 11:37 AM CDT

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Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis)

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April 4, 2021 11:26 AM CDT

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Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata)

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April 4, 2021 01:04 PM CDT

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Forster's Tern (Sterna forsteri)

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April 4, 2021 01:12 PM CDT

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Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors)

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April 4, 2021 01:21 PM CDT

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Fuscatus-group Paper Wasps (Subgenus Fuscopolistes)

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April 4, 2021 01:22 PM CDT

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Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor)

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April 4, 2021 01:23 PM CDT

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Skippers (Family Hesperiidae)

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April 4, 2021 01:26 PM CDT

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American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)

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April 4, 2021 01:39 PM CDT

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Long-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus scolopaceus)

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April 4, 2021 01:35 PM CDT

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Common Teal (Anas crecca)

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April 4, 2021 01:20 PM CDT

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Marsh Wren (Cistothorus palustris)

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Date

April 4, 2021 08:33 PM CDT

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