Water is critical to the survival of birds, and in places where ground water is scarce, water features that provide this essential element provide a welcome respite. Santa Clara Ranch in South Texas was designed for wildlife photographers and includes numerous water features to help native birds in this dry, arid place. When the temperatures hover in the high 90’s and low 100’s all kinds of birds flock to the ponds. This is a Long-billed Thrasher enthusiastically drinking water. Several water droplets fly off its bill and drip back into the pond.
