Alyssia

I am an avid birder, amateur competitive ballroom dancer, birding guide and GIS guru. I also enjoy rock climbing and traveling.

[Alyssia @squirrelstale]

@DawnDish @jbinia I am so disappointed that you changed the scent of the Original Dawn. You should call it Disgusting Dawn now because it is no longer "original". I can no longer use this product because it absolutely reeks and gives me an instant headache and makes the back of my throat hurt.

[Alyssia @squirrelstale]

@BiggestWeek Least Bittern at Sheldon Marsh

[Alyssia @squirrelstale]

@BiggestWeek huge Blue Jay movement happening along the lakeshore this morning!

[Alyssia @squirrelstale]

@BiggestWeek both male and female Yellow-headed Blackbirds showing well at Howard Marsh Metropark right off the parking area.

[Alyssia @squirrelstale]

This young Red-shouldered Hawk has been hanging out in our south-central Texas backyard and hunting large insects such as #cicadas
#hawks #birds #nature #adolecense #learning

[Alyssia @squirrelstale]

A Zone-tailed Hawk flew right over the birding group I was guiding this morning SW of San Antonio, TX! #birding, #nature, #texasnature, #texasbirds, #hawks, #nikon, #birdsofprey, #birds

[Alyssia @squirrelstale]

A stunning male Vermillion Flycatcher in south central Texas a few weeks ago. Digibinned with a Galaxy S7 through Zeiss 8x42 Victory SF bins #birding #zeiss #digibinned #texasnature

[Alyssia @squirrelstale]

@BetoORourke Birders enjoying the great wildlife diversity at Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park which will be ruined and closed if the wall is built. Birders travel and spend many $$$$ in the communities that they visit. Denying them access to these amazing places will hurt the economy.

[Beto O'Rourke @BetoORourke]

Where would they build the wall? Whose home or ranch or farm are they going to take to build it? Which communities and habitats are they going to destroy? Reply with your best pictures of the border - let the rest of the country see what’s at stake.

[Alyssia @squirrelstale]

Today's lunchtime find in Schertz, TX: Yellow-striped Armyworm (moth)

[Alyssia @squirrelstale]

Seen today in Schertz, TX: White-lined Sphinx Moth caterpillar beginning to dig into the soil to pupate!

[Alyssia @squirrelstale]

Nature note: today I watched a Fox Squirrel in the Hill Country of Texas collect material for her drey. She was tearing the bark off Ashe Juniper trees!

[Alyssia @squirrelstale]

Sound on! I found the roosting spot for every single House Sparrow in Schertz, TX. There were also quite a few cowbirds in there. I saw at least 2 Brown-headed males but there may be Bronzed too. Mostly females.

[Alyssia @squirrelstale]

Fun bird fact: Blue Jays communicate with each other both through their large assortment of vocalizations and "body language". The higher the feathers on their head stand up (the crest), the more aggressive they are feeling. #birds #ornithology #birdfact #birding #bluejay

[Alyssia @squirrelstale]

Fun fact: the long feather plumes that grow from the back of Great Egrets during breeding season are called aigrettes.

[Alyssia @squirrelstale]

This Caterpillar will turn into a moth called a Wilson's Wood-nymph (Xerociris wilsonii). It was found in Waco, TX on a nature trail with several others nearby. More info here:
https://t.co/YNSguQpEG0

[The Wilderness Society 🌳 @Wilderness]

This week, a federal judge ruled that #BearsEars and #GrandStaircase lawsuits will stay in D.C. courts and @Interior must keep the public updated on any mining activities within the original national monument landscapes.
Statement: https://t.co/33Be9iJxxD

[Alyssia @squirrelstale]

Amazing male Columbian Mammoth on display right where it was originally discovered. Visit the Mammoth National Monument if you are ever in Waco, TX. This place was declared a National Monument by Obama in 2015. Truly amazing!!!!

[Alyssia @squirrelstale]

Happy Friday!