Bob Jones Nature Center, January 2023

I've been cooped up inside since Monday waiting out a good old North Texas winter ice storm. Today the sun came out, temperatures were projected to skyrocket into the fifties, and I needed to get out and shoot.

It had been slightly more than eight years since I last (and first) visited the Bob Jones Nature Center & Preserve in Southlake.  Short drive, short trails, and I was hoping to catch as many different birds on their feeders as I had back at Denver Audubon in December.  So when I arrived I headed straight for the feeders, took a seat on the ground, and waited.

It didn't take long for the birds to consider me part of the landscape and get back to eating.  A male Downy Woodpecker ...

... and Orange-crowned Warbler were two species I don't see frequently.

A Bewick's Wren was kind enough to give me a view in more natural surroundings.

The Carolina Chickadees tend to be the quickest to overcome their fear of my presence whenever I shoot around feeders.  Today was no exception.

Somewhat surprisingly, two more woodpeckers also showed up.  First a female Downy ...

... then a Northern Flicker.

Some Northern Cardinals were characteristically skittish.  Eventually a female decided to brave the feeder, and had a grand time of it.

Tufted Titmice were nearly as abundant and brazen as the chickadees, much more concerned with eating than the possibility that I might want to eat them.

When the Benwick's Wren did join in the feeding frenzy, it had the good sense to eat off the ground and avoid the competition at the feeders.

The feeders had all been dutifully squirrel-proofed, which is why this chap seems to look a little sad.

I'd noticed some different birds visiting another nearby feeder.  So I changed spots, waited patiently, and was rewarded with a stop from a male Northern Cardinal.

The chickadees, of course, were plentiful here as well.

Taking a note from the Bewick's Wren, the cardinal boy also struck a pose in a setting free from the hand of man.

As warm as the day was growing, shaded areas still had plenty of ice.  But it was clearly not going to stick around much longer.

I did get in a walk around the Bluebird Trail before I left, which ended with me seeing a small herd of White-tailed Deer.  I'd seen the same herd when I first arrived, but they weren't interested in letting me get a clear view of them at first, but a few hours of fresh air and sunshine can lighten anyone's mood.  So it was that they graced me with a fine farewell shot, and my visit came to a rewarding end!