Crips's Camp - Uncertain, TX (April 11, 2009)

About Crips's Camp

http://www.cripscamp.com/

April 11th Excursion

My father and I decided to take a break from the bird banding, partly because the birds are less active during midday and also to see some of the sights around Caddo Lake. We stopped at a small commercial campsite called Crips's Camp, along the west side of Caddo Lake.

Large cypress trees draped in Spanish Moss line the lake, with stands of Loblolly and Short-leaf Pines found in great number nearby. We counted around a dozen American Coots foraging among the thick vegetation growing in the lake. A pair of Pied-Bill Grebes could be observed among the vegetation as well, though they submerged themselves when a boat passed within close range.

Along the opposite bank I counted 4 Great Egrets and 2 Little Blue Herons, one of the LBHs was flying across the area in search of a new hunting ground.

We heard an American Crow making a ruckus across the lake and noticed him perched above a Red-shouldered Hawk. Closer inspection revealed the RSH was eating a recent catch, possibly prompting the crow to harangue him in envy of his savory meal (though it is more likely the Crow was uneasy with the RSH so close to his nest or territory.

Bird Count:

Location: Crip's Camp - Uncertain, TX

Observation date: 4/11/09 Number of species: 7

Pied-billed Grebe - Podilymbus podiceps 2

Great Egret - Ardea alba 4

Little Blue Heron - Egretta caerulea 2

Red-shouldered Hawk - Buteo lineatus 1

American Coot - Fulica americana 13

Eastern Phoebe - Sayornis phoebe 1

American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos 2

Photos (Numbered from top to bottom):

1-4) Several views of Caddo Lake from the boat ramp at Crip's Camp, notice the cypress trees and Spanish Moss

5-6) Two photos of Indian Paintbrushes found alongside the nearby highway

7) A photo of Crimson Clover

-SPQ 4/13/2009