Good news: the birds that so intrigued me two years ago are still here. We’re talking big birds, big enough to see easily with the naked eye, and they're right here in town. I'm a terrible birder, and the only specific guidebook I’ve seen costs $40, so my identifications are iffy. Some of you may know these birds better than I do.
On my walks along the Seawall, I see black skimmers and laughing gulls. Yes, they do laugh, mostly at the sucker tourists who keep throwing them bread.
I'm used to plain old herring gulls. Who knew there were so many flavors? The Franklin's gull (I think) below was hanging out behind the small fish market, where I bought some lovely grouper. Add fresh tortillas and locally-made salsa from the supermarket, and voila: fish tacos for supper!
There are a dozen kinds of sandpipers, including big ones like this (willett?).
And lots of great egrets. They must be happy to be in Galveston, because there are so many marshy areas. They don't seem to mind being near people; this one was right near a big condo complex.
The first time I got out of the car, I heard wonderful birdsong. It was like stepping into an aviary. Turns out these grackles are responsible. Anywhere there's grass, there are grackles, so there's always music.
Just kidding. The scarlet ibis was in a rainforest exhibit, not on the beach.
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