Camera Critter Meme #26

As I have mentioned in several past Camera Critter Meme posts, I enjoyed the time I spent in Texas in April 2007. From the butterflies, to the dragonflies, to the birds, it was a blast. However, one of the best places I visited is the subject of this week's post.

The morning was spent at Lost Maples State Natural Area (where a number of my past CCM photos were taken) and the afternoon at Garner State Park, along the Frio River. After having a late lunch, we headed off towards the Frio River Bat Cave to witness the emergence of bats from a cave on private property.

For a per person fee, visitors can watch as millions of Brazilian Free-tail bats take flight on summer nights to head for their hunting grounds. It's estimated that the cave is host to more than 12 million bats.

The bat cave

As the sun begins to settle, a few bats will venture outside and go on the hunt. But those few are nothing compared to what comes out moments later. I had been told what to expect, but nothing can prepare a person for the number of bats which suddenly appear and spiral into the air.

And out they come

And as the bats showed, so did the predators. Hawks of various types, including Crested Caracara, Broad-winged Hawks, Swainson's Hawks and various species of falcons, descended on the flocks of bats. The birds would grab a bat in mid-air with its talons, take a few bites out of it on the wing, drop the remains and go for another. This lasted for as long as the bats emerged from the cave. It was an amazing sight to witness. However, you did need to watch out for falling bat debris.

A Broad-wing Hawk joins the feast

As the colony exit the cave, they would gather in separate groups and head off in different directions. The individual colonies are so large, they can be seen as a smudge on the horizon long after they have left the area of the cave.

The bats depart for nightly hunting grounds

The bats migrate to several caves in the Texas area every spring. The Frio River Bat Cave is the second larget colonies in the World. These flying mammals move to the caves from Mexico to birth and raise their pups. Then head south again in late summer.

If you ever in the area of Concan, Texas on a warm, summer evening, take the time to head to the cave. It will be well worth it.

If you enjoy photos of critters, please stop by Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme check out the posts. Better yet...join in the fun.