field notes from 02/08/23

Winter in the Chisos

· Big Bend National Park (Chisos Basin), Texas · Cold clear mornings, 28°F at dawn; 60s by afternoon · Fujifilm X-T5, 150-600mm

Flew into Midland, drove six hours, and was camped at Chisos Basin by dark. Morning walks into the basin in February are quiet and the birds are different from what you’d get in summer — no Colima Warblers, but Mexican Jays right on the picnic tables and a Zone-tailed Hawk soaring with turkey vultures long enough for me to sort the differences. Javelinas through camp at dusk.

Drove down to the Rio Grande village one afternoon. Vermilion Flycatcher on a cottonwood above the river is still one of my favorite ways to end a day.

Mexican jay at picnic table
Fearless. Landed on the bench next to my thermos. Mexican Jay 200mm, 1/800s, f/6.3, ISO 200
Zone-tailed hawk soaring with vultures
With the TVs. Had to squint. Zone-tailed Hawk 500mm, 1/3200s, f/8, ISO 2500
Vermilion flycatcher on cottonwood
Near Rio Grande Village. The red is ridiculous. Vermilion Flycatcher 300mm, 1/1250s, f/7.1, ISO 800
Sparrow on rock
Around camp at breakfast. Black-throated Sparrow 200mm, 1/1250s, f/6.3, ISO 400
Rock wren on boulder
On the window trail. Rock Wren 300mm, 1/1250s, f/7.1, ISO 400
Javelina in sparse grass
Family group through camp at dusk. Javelina 600mm, 1/1000s, f/6.3, ISO 400
Mule deer doe
Unfazed, as always. Mule Deer 400mm, 1/800s, f/6.3, ISO 1250
Wide view of Chisos basin in morning
Looking across the basin from the trail. Chisos Basin 23mm, 1/1000s, f/11, ISO 200
Common black hawk on snag
Less common. Very dark. Common Black Hawk 300mm, 1/1600s, f/7.1, ISO 400
Acorn woodpecker at granary
Working the granary tree. Acorn Woodpecker 250mm, 1/800s, f/7.1, ISO 800
Greater roadrunner on path
Through camp before coffee. Roadrunner 450mm, 1/2000s, f/6.3, ISO 1000