Different Audubon Sightings Today - Tues., Oct. 8

My plan for this morning was to take my car in to a Ford dealership for an oil change and state inspection so we can get our car registration changed to Texas. Yesterday, I was told by the Ford service department if I came in at 8:00 when they open, I would be first in line. Got there at 8:00 a.m., was told I was 5th in line and it would be at least three hours before they would get to me. No worries, mate. I told him I was off to do a six-mile hike and I'd be back at 11:30 a.m. Nope that wouldn't work, I was informed. Their techs go to lunch from noon to 1:00 p.m., so I should come back at 1:00. Okey dokey.

Mitchell Lake Audubon Wetlands walk was close by, so I headed there. As usually my walk there took longer than usual due to looking for birds and taking photos. Word from the Visitor Center was that roseate spoonbills are around. I've never seen one, so I was on the lookout.

After the Audubon walk, I had lunch at home, then headed over to Grande Ford. They did an oil change and the safety inspection. Found out my battery could die any day and I need two new tires. The battery is going back to Costco as we bought it late in 2011 and it's a 100-month battery.

I did see some great birds today, but no roseate spoonbills. Click on the photos below to enlarge them. I checked the identity of the birds with the staff in the Visitor Center.

First part of the walk with morning dew.

Juvenile red-tailed hawk

House finches

Orb weaver spider

Another view of the orb weaver.

Dragonfly.

Blue-winged teal.

American avocets

Killdeer

The mysterious pod plant - staff had no idea what this is.

Blue-winged teal.

Green-winged teal and lesser yellowlegs.

Feather with dew along the top edge.

Great egrets roosting.

Pretty butterfly.

The butterflies were nuts for this plant!

Vermilion flycatcher - center (click to enlarge)

American pelicans.

Interesting markings.

This cow was adorable.

Tropical or Couch's kingbird.

Juvenile red-tailed hawk - look at that wingspan! The end.