Most all of our group left the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas to return to their respective homes. Sunday morning I drove to San Benito to the home of Terry and Marci Fuller for breakfast. Jeff Gordon, President of the ABA (American Birding Association) was there as well. After a sumptuous breakfast we headed south to the Rio Grande River. On this day I spent more time with butterflies and dragonflies than I did with birds. (Shhhhh. Don’t tell anyone. Haha. I didn’t ignore the birds. It just wasn’t my primary focus.) Ok. I did photograph a few birds. I also photographed a ton of butterflies and dragonflies. Most are not included here (1,000 pics for the day!) The identification of the butterflies and dragonflies may be suspect as I am a totally rank beginner. So if you see an error, please let me know! The following are some of my favorite photos of the day.
Black-shouldered Kite pair in flight – near Rio Grande River south of Harlingen TX – 2012-12-09 photo by Greg Miller
Black-shouldered Kites pair perched – near Rio Grande River south of Harlingen TX – 2012-12-09 photo by Greg Miller
bee swarm – San Benito TX – 2012-12-09 photo by Greg Miller
American Pipit – San Benito TX – 2012-12-09 photo by Greg Miller
Blue-ringed Dancer – San Benito TX – 2012-12-09 photo by Greg Miller
Blue-ringed Dancer – San Benito TX – 2012-12-09 photo by Greg Miller
Blue-ringed Dancer pair – San Benito TX – 2012-12-09 photo by Greg Miller
Green Kingfisher flying across the Rio Grande River – south of Harlingen TX – 2012-12-09 photo by Greg Miller
Loggerhead Shrike on close snag – San Benito TX – 2012-12-09 photo by Greg Miller
Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak (uncertain) – near Rio Grande River south of Harlingen TX – 2012-12-09 photo by Greg Miller
Marsh Firetail (Telebasis digiticollis) – near Rio Grande south of Harlingen – 2012-12-09. This Latin American species was discovered by Terry Fuller in 2010 in South Texas. photo by Greg Miller
Narrow-striped Forceptail (not certain) – near Rio Grande River south of Harlingen TX – 2012-12-09 photo by Greg Miller
old building near Rio Grande River south of Harlingen TX – 2012-12-09 photo by Greg Miller
Orange Bluet (uncertain) – San Benito TX – 2012-12-09 photo by Greg Miller
Queen Butterfly – Harlingen TX – 2012-12-09 photo by Greg Miller
Rambur’s Forktail – San Benito TX – 2012-12-09 photo by Greg Miller
Red Saddlebags – near Rio Grande River south of Harlingen TX – 2012-12-09 photo by Greg Miller
Roseate Skimmer – near Rio Grande River south of Harlingen TX – 2012-12-09 photo by Greg Miller
American Snout – Harlingen TX – 2012-12-09 photo by Greg Miller
unknown butterfly showing coiled proboscis – San Benito TX – 2012-12-09 photo by Greg Miller
Mexican Hat – near Rio Grande River south of Harlingen TX – 2012-12-09 photo by Greg Miller
Vermiliion Flycatcher – near Rio Grande River south of Harlingen TX – 2012-12-09 photo by Greg Miller
White-striped Longtail – San Benito TX – 2012-12-09 photo by Greg Miller
awesome pics Greg! love the dragon/damsel flies. Brings back a lot of great insect collectine memories!