Photos / Sounds
What
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)Observer
skimmyDescription
Spotted at Lady Bird Lake while kayaking. Temperatures were in the high 70s-low 80s and it was overcast out. The bird was hunting for fish in a marshy pond.
Photos / Sounds
What
Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina)Observer
skimmyDescription
This snapping turtle was unwillingly pulled out of the UT turtle pond as it was resting and was understandably grumpy. It tried biting at people (as you can see in the photo), but luckily didn't. It was very sunny outside and in the mid to high 80s.
Photos / Sounds
What
Rio Grande Leopard Frog (Lithobates berlandieri)Observer
skimmyDescription
Caught in Devil's River at Devil's River State Natural Area. The sun had set and it was cool and dark outside. Temperatures were around the high 70s.
Photos / Sounds
What
Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus)Observer
skimmyDescription
The specimen I saw was probably a juvenile since it was paler with a grey/blue striped pattern along its head and neck. It also had a black mask across its eyes and mostly black/brown wings. It was hunting/eating when I saw it, but it was hard to tell what the bird caught. This specimen was probably hunting for itself; I doubt it was hunting for its young, since it itself was a juvenile.
Photos / Sounds
What
Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis)Observer
skimmyDescription
Spotted at the Center for Environmental Research, Austin, TX on February 20, 2015. It was cloudy and very windy that day. Temperatures in the low 70s. Male duck had a blue beak, white mask around his eyes, and a black/brown head. He was bobbing along the waters surface with a female.
Photos / Sounds
What
Flat-headed Snake (Tantilla gracilis)Observer
skimmyDescription
Very small, earthworm-ish looking snake (maybe 6-8 inches long) Its body was tan while its head was a darker brown. It was found under a rock at Barton Creek Habitat Preserve. The snake got defensive after being handled by multiple people, musked, then bit the handler.
Photos / Sounds
What
Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus)Observer
skimmyDescription
I observed these two birds next to the UT microfarm. They were originally within the farm, foraging for insects on plants. They flew away from me and landed in the parking lot next to the farm. Temperatures were in the low 70s and it was cloudy outside.
Photos / Sounds
What
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)Observer
skimmyDescription
Northern mockingbird spotted foraging for food on San Gabriel and 25th. I saw it catch a grasshopper. Temperatures were in the low 80s and it was a little cloudy out.
Photos / Sounds
What
Common Spotted Whiptail (Aspidoscelis gularis)Observer
skimmyDescription
Caught under a rock at Barton Creek Habitat Preserve. He was very fast and hard to catch. We caught it while it was tired - it was hyperventilating while we were observing it.
Photos / Sounds
What
Texas Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus olivaceus)Observer
skimmyDescription
Caught climbing a tree at Barton Creek Habitat Preserve. Temperatures were in the high 80s and it was sunny outside.
Photos / Sounds
What
Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus)Observer
skimmyDescription
Found next to the group barracks at Devil's River State Natural Area. It was grooming itself when I found it, though it stopped when it noticed my presence.
Photos / Sounds
What
Central American Gulf Coast Toad (Incilius valliceps)Observer
skimmyDescription
Found under a rock at Devil's River State Natural Area, Texas. Temperatures were in the low 90s and it was very sunny out.
Photos / Sounds
What
Crevice Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus poinsettii)Observer
skimmyDescription
Found at Devil's River State Natural Area, Texas around noon. It was a very sunny day and temperatures were around the high 80s to low 90s. The lizard was presumably escaping the heat by seeking shade beneath some rocks.
Photos / Sounds
What
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)Observer
skimmyDescription
Found on UT Campus near W.C. Hogg Building.
Photos / Sounds
What
Ornate Tree Lizard (Urosaurus ornatus)Observer
skimmyDescription
Found at Devil's River State Natural Area. It was found climbing the side of some rocky terrain. Temperatures were in the low 70s and it was starting to cool down.
Photos / Sounds
What
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)Observer
skimmyDescription
Observed hunting at the UT Turtle Pond (it successfully caught two fish). It was a cloudy day, temperatures in the mid 60s. Not many people were on campus as it was Easter Sunday. The heron seemed fully aware that I was there and was cautious, but never skittish.
Photos / Sounds
What
Central Stoneroller (Campostoma anomalum)Observer
skimmyDescription
Found in Barton Creek at Barton Creek Habitat Preserve in Austin, TX. Temperatures were in the high 50s-low 60s. Cloudy, overcast weather. The fish were collected in a seine.
Photos / Sounds
What
Orangethroat Darter (Etheostoma spectabile)Observer
skimmyDescription
Found in Walnut Creek near Crystalbrook Dr., Austin, TX. Temperatures were in the low 60s and weather was sunny. This fish was caught in my surber sampler as I was trying to capture macroinvertebrates.
