It is finally winter in Mineral Wells. Yesterday, I found a Mockingbird who showed little to no unease at my presence. Too cold for a reaction. Even if I did not disturb him, the wind seriously ruffled his feathers. Keeping in the body heat and keeping out the cold. Today, by the lake, I find a very fluffy Bluebird. Beautiful.

Northern Mockingbird – State bird of our grand state. The Texas state bird is one of the coolest birds on the planet. Sitting in my backyard listening to about 5 to 8 different bird songs coming from one little throat. Expert mimic. Just amazing. Courtship antics, dog chasing, squirrel irritant, hawker, gleaner… you name it. He may be a common kind of bird here in the south but he does it all.

Easily identified in flight. Flashing those white wing patches. Dove, Mockingbirds, Titmice, Chickadees, Finch and Nuthatch are all common around my house but none terrify the squirrels as much a hacked off Mockingbird.

Northern Mockingbird Winter 2012

Northern Mockingbird Winter 2012

The Eastern Bluebird – the only bluebird east of the Great Plains and cousin to the Robin. Fairly common in our neck of the woods. They can be found roadside all along the the back streets of Fort Wolters and at the lake. Especially close to the bird habitat and by the bathrooms in the Live Oak Camping area. I never fail to see a couple. They like the roadsides due to open habitat. During the summer, Eastern Bluebirds and Mockingbirds help us with the grasshopper problem. Bluebirds eat primarily insects but will add berries to supplement their diets during winter. The trail at the lake is a study all its own. On the left side of the trail -Bluebirds, Chickadees and Kinglets. On the right side of the trail -Cardinals, Towhees and Juncos. Strange.

Eastern Bluebird Winter 2012

• Aperture: ƒ/8
• Camera: Canon EOS REBEL T3i
• Taken: 28 December, 2012
• Focal length: 300mm
• ISO: 400
• Shutter speed: 1/500s

Eastern Bluebird Winter 2012

• Aperture: ƒ/13
• Camera: Canon EOS REBEL T3i
• Taken: 28 December, 2012
• Focal length: 300mm
• ISO: 400
• Shutter speed: 1/250s

You can tell by the level of fluffiness, my hands and toes were probably feeling a bit frost bitten. Brutal northern and here I am by water and in a windbreaker. =/