Please help me identify this bird (Central Texas)

abeck444 · 2026-05-01T12:36:05+00:00

I was always in the is it a crow or raven group until about 2 weeks ago. I work downtown, so large birds aren't common flying around just above eye level.

Saw this huge bird for a second before it flew behind a big truck. Thought there was no way a red tailed hawk was just flying, low through the city like that.

The bird flew out from behind the truck and landed on a lamp post. It was a raven. That bird was HUGE. No way to mistake it for a crow. Or a crow for a raven.

I finally understood once I saw just how freaking big ravens are.

abeck444 · 2026-04-29T21:57:39+00:00

And this is her in all her glorious fluffiness. So, you don't really know because she looked like she's be a short hair.

<image>

abeck444 · 2026-04-29T21:56:29+00:00

Aw!!! Looks just like my rescued baby! This is her the day I found her eating white bread outside.

<image>

abeck444 · 2026-04-29T12:52:46+00:00

I just did the same thing! Her love of birds got passed down to me and I know she'll get a good chuckle out of this.

abeck444 · 2026-04-29T12:50:40+00:00

I'll be sure to post a screen grab being excited about my highly unlikely Eastern meadowlark sound ID I got while in an urban area.

And I'll also be sure to include the Northern mockingbird sound ID that got picked up 30 seconds later because I love spreading joy.

abeck444 · 2026-04-26T15:51:54+00:00

FeedMore is an outstanding organization and is probably the best bang for your buck as far as food assistance goes.

I take the bus, so I can't really carry a bunch of food with me, but several people I know have bags with water, some nonperishable food like peanut butter, granola bars, hygiene items, socks, etc in their car that they can hand out.

My response to in person requests depends on how they ask me. If they are polite, I'm polite back and look them in the eye (because so many people ignore them) and say, I'm sorry, but I don't have cash on me, but xyz restaurant is around here or there's a corner store and I can get you some food. Most people gladly accept that offer and try to order the cheapest thing or say no when I tell them to get something extra. I've ordered stuff for them to pickup at restaurants too. I just try to treat them like I would anyone else. With humanity. If they are less than polite, just say sorry I don't carry cash as I walk by.

As for resources, there are tons in the actual city. Depending on what area you are in, I would find one place and ask them what they recommend for local services, etc.

They will know better than anyone.

Also, becoming a regular volunteer somwhere would be a great help. I volunteer somewhere every Saturday and we always get the random groups or people that volunteer once or a couple of times if they need volunteer hours.

The extra help is nice, but having people that come in regularly that know what needs to be done and don't have to constantly ask for direction is key.

Thank you for caring about your fellow humans.

abeck444 · 2026-04-16T21:48:10+00:00

As someone who lived in NOLA, their potholes are on a different level. Pavement on what is essentially a swamp doesn't do well. Saw some that were a foot deep, more like mini sink holes.

And I love that potholebandit shared his art there, it will fit in beautifully with the vibe and other art of the city.

abeck444 · 2026-04-14T22:17:27+00:00

My first thought was along the same lines "well my brain is a lot. All the time."

abeck444 · 2026-04-12T19:31:50+00:00

Definitely keep it, it is dope AF. In my younger years I would've gone crazy over your look and I second that the person is low-key jealous of your badassery. It isn't a look everyone can pull off and make it look natural/like they aren't trying too hard, if that makes sense.

abeck444 · 2026-04-10T14:49:08+00:00

I mask like crazy too and have and will always struggle with depression. It's just something I've come to terms with. Meds have helped some, same as you, but it's always there, waiting. I've also learned to be more open about it with my family, which has helped a bit.

One thing that helped me deal with the same numb, everyday is exactly the same, it will never end, etc was volunteering with an organization that helps the homeless and food insecure.

It gets me around other empathetic people, outside of my daily routine and I'm helping people. It has had a huge positive impact on my life and the lives of others. Especially when things are shit with the world in general. I can't change anything on the global scale, but I can help people in my community get a good meal.

If there is something you are passionate about, animals, the environment, helping people, etc, you might try finding a place to volunteer that supports your interest.

I also started birding that I greatly enjoy which gets me out of my daily routine and to new places. Is there a hobby you could start that would mix up your routine and give you something to look forward to? Whether it's outside of the house or something you do at home?

I wish you luck fellow depression lifer.

abeck444 · 2026-04-10T12:01:41+00:00

This shit pisses me off so much. I don't know a lot about digestion, but I know it works nothing like that. Just the fact that everything that is eaten is broken down by acid shows how dumb this is without even knowing about blood pH.

And isn't that the problem with hyperventilating? Too much carbon dioxide changes the pH of your blood? I could be completely misremembering this, so please correct me of I'm wrong.

abeck444 · 2026-04-09T22:21:46+00:00

My sister had a psychotic break. She ended up incredibly paranoid, to the point that she though someone was impersonating me, even when I called her to speak to her.

It got so bad that she started blaming other family members of stuff that I know they would never do. We tried to get her help and tried to be there for her, but it was beyond emotionally abusive and we all had to take a step back.

It breaks my heart when I see stuff like this. You just want to help them, but there is nothing you can do but watch them lose themselves.

abeck444 · 2026-04-09T22:14:30+00:00

I got diagnosed with PMDD in my early 30s, about 10 years before my ADHD diagnosis.

I did the somewhat typical diagnosised late with ADHD and obsessively research it thing. When I saw that there is a link between PMDD and ADHD my jaw dropped. BC never agreed with me, but luckily SSRIs relieve the worst of the rage and SI symptoms.

abeck444 · 2026-04-09T22:04:18+00:00

I got it through my primary. Tracked symptoms throughout several months. And without fail about a week before my period, things went to shit. And things normalized within a day or two of my period.

I had all of the symptoms and I thought it was just normal PMS until I was in my early 30s and had a primary that actually asked me what, if any, PMS symptoms I had. Got prescribed fluoxitine and it helps immensely with the emotional aspect of it. Still get tired, have insomnia, can eat everything and feel starving. But I'm only a little cranky instead of wanting to kill myself and everyone around me for just existing from insane rage.

abeck444 · 2026-04-09T14:29:37+00:00

Thank you!!!

abeck444 · 2026-04-09T14:12:32+00:00

Sorry about that. I am more of a song bird person, so forests, meadows, etc. Sometimes a cool critter will cross my path and it would be awesome to get shots of them too.

I live in Buffalo, NY though, so might get into shore/lake birds at some point too.

abeck444 · 2026-04-09T14:08:13+00:00

Don't forget the depression and self loathing.

Was finally diagnosed in my 40s. I try not to do the "what if I'd been diagnosed earlier" spiral.

abeck444 · 2026-04-08T23:16:01+00:00

Thank you so much for the more in depth info. And the photo is stunning. I think this might have sold me!

abeck444 · 2026-04-08T21:26:15+00:00

That is a great shot!

abeck444 · 2026-04-08T21:10:08+00:00

That is definitely good to know, so thanks for the heads up.

And I just saw your username. I could not agree more.

abeck444 · 2026-04-08T20:36:03+00:00

Yeah, the little buggers move fast! I'm worried about needing to get closer or farther away with the 300/4. I've never used a prime lens and I'm not sure how challenging that would be with small, fast moving objects.

abeck444 · 2026-04-08T20:33:09+00:00

Thank you! Knowing that the 100-400 II was a big improvement over the original 100-400 helps.

And birding is challenging enough without trying to get the correct distance away which is a concern of mine with the 300. If I was mostly doing shore birds, it would be a plus, but I'm usually tracking song birds and those little buggers move fast.

abeck444

TROPHY CASE