Challenge: Find the living, breathing creature in the photo?

I am reviewing and deleting photos from a recent trip to Costa Rica.  I have, so far, whittled them down from about 700 to just over 300. There are probably more that will not make the cut.  I always say that I will be rigorous with my deletes, but then I end up being wishy-washy.

My photos were overall a little disappointing, but I am also terribly out of practice.  I'll blame that on the pandemic.  My birding skills may have slipped even more then my photography skills.  I'll blame this on my eyesight.

A fun game that gives me an excuse to keep some of the photos that would otherwise be automatic deletes is to find the living, breathing creature - i.e. not flowers, foliage or debris - in the photo.  Below are some photos with such a challenge.  Some are easy, some a little harder and there is one photo that I think will challenge everyone.  Those acquainted with the habitats and birding in Costa Rica will have an easier time.  If you find the challenge too easy, then take the next step to identify which creature is in the photo.

I hope you will enjoy.  As always, click on the image to enlarge.  I'll publish the answers in my next post. 

 

If I find other photos that meet the difficult to find and identify criteria, perhaps I do a part two blog post.

Not a birding trip, but I did find some birds

Some final photos to close out my Celina, Texas weekend of visiting friends and a little bit of birding.

Of course, Black Vulture

Soaring Red-tailed Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk - one of my favorite photos from the trip

Dusty American Crow

Another favorite - Red-winged Blackbird and his harem

I loved this traditional Texas ranch house.  I had to jump a muddy spit of water to get to it for a closer look and a couple of photos.  It was mostly boarded up but the parked car in front gave me some hope that it was inhabited and would be restored.  However, I wondered if a restoration would even be possible in the middle of a gigantic Texas housing development.  I was glad to see it and photograph it when I did.  When I visit my friends again in a year or two, I won't be surprised if it no longer stands.  I also won't be surprised if there are no Loggerhead Shrikes, Lark Sparrows or Scissor-tailed Flycatchers.   

 

Buffeted by the wind

The housing development in Celina was very high end with houses between 4,000 and 6,000 square feet.  As with many developments of this kind, large man-made ponds were numerous.  However, waterfowl species were not and included only mallards, Double-crested Cormorants, one Great Egret and one Great Blue Heron.  Here he is - one leg, two legs - being buffeted by the wind.  I was in Celina four days and each day was quite windy.

 

Texas sparrows

The only sparrows I found are, unfortunately, represented by poor photos, but the best I could get.  I was hoping to see sparrows, but really had no idea which I would see.  As it happens, Lark Sparrow and White-crowned Sparrow were the only sparrows I saw despite finding some habitat that suggested I might see a couple of other species.  But I don't get to see either of these two species often, so pleased to do so on this trip. 

Second surprise

My title photo gives away this bird.  Even in a housing development, an open space may reveal a surprise.  When I saw the long tail hanging over the utility wire I was jolted into remembering where I was.  I saw Scissor-tailed Flycatchers twice in different locations, each time in a pair.  I took many photos and watched them fly catching.  They preferred their elevated perches making it a challenge for good photos.

The title photo and the two below are the only ones I kept.  Their behavior suggested they would be cooperative.  But, when I looked away from them, to check my camera setting or tie my shoelace, I looked up again to see they had flown and were not to be found again. It was as if they vanished into thin air.  This occurred with both pairs.