Category Archives: Southwest trip 5

Yesterday’s Critters

I decided to document some of the wildlife I saw yesterday here at Falcon State Park as we prepare to move on. Here’s a Greater Roadrunner skulking through our back yard. I took a brief drive down the nearby “dump … Continue reading

Posted in Desert birds, nature, Penny, Southwest trip 5, Wildlife Watching | 1 Comment

A Morning Dog Walk

We awoke this morning to the call of a Common Paraque, a furtive desert bird that I’ve rarely seen but often heard. This one was in a tree just outside the Airstream but when I went out, barefooted with a … Continue reading

Posted in eBird, Penny, Southwest trip 5, Texas birding | Comments Off on A Morning Dog Walk

Sunday Afternoon Digiscoping

I took advantage of a damp Sunday afternoon to practice some digiscoping with my iPhone. The lighting was poor but the dog and I had several outings and got a lot of fresh air. I can see why people opt … Continue reading

Posted in Digiscoping, iPhone, Southwest trip 5, Texas birds, Winter2015 Trip | Comments Off on Sunday Afternoon Digiscoping

Birds Can Brighten a Damp Misty Day

While my Vermont friends are waiting for the “konk-a-ree” of the Red-winged Blackbird as a sign of spring, we are overwhelmed by them. We’ve been feeding birds on our site and if you put out a suet feeder, there’s a … Continue reading

Posted in life bird, Life list, Southwest trip 5, Texas birding, Texas birds | Comments Off on Birds Can Brighten a Damp Misty Day

Keep Your Paws Off My Cell Signal

We can see the lights of Mexico across the lake from our Airstream windows – and it’s quite lovely at times. Not so lovely is that their telecom companies can overwhelm our AT&T 4G signal and make communicating a challenge. … Continue reading

Posted in Backyard birds, communications, iPhone, personal opinion, Southwest trip 5 | 1 Comment

Collector’s Items

Just before I left the lower Valley, I found this license plate at the [Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park](http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/bentsen-rio-grande-valley). I did not find the owner but thought it was a good birder plate. The other day, here at [Falcon State … Continue reading

Posted in License Plates, personal opinion, Southwest trip 5, Twitching | Comments Off on Collector’s Items

A Birding Surprise

The other evening it was still 80 degrees after supper (Yeah, I know I’m pushing some friendships here) so we decided to take a five mile drive up to a small pond where waterfowl gather. It is on a private … Continue reading

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Aluminum Envy – A Vintage Airstream Moterhome

Mary noticed that the shiny Airstream as we drove down our loop at the state park, and I nearly hit a post gawking at it. Not only was it an antique, it was self-propelled and towing a Jeep. Here’s what … Continue reading

Posted in Airstream, License Plates, polishing, restoration, Southwest trip 5, Vintage Airstream | Comments Off on Aluminum Envy – A Vintage Airstream Moterhome

Raptors Rule The Rio Grande Valley

Wherever you go in the Rio Grande Valley, you find hawks – yesterday morning we found a Zone-tailed Hawk in among some Turkey Vultures (it was too far away for photos) and also saw this Osprey waiting for breakfast. Pretty … Continue reading

Posted in raptors, Rio Grande Valley, Southwest trip 5, Texas birding, Texas birds | 1 Comment

Signs and Sounds of Spring

As I sat outside last evening, dozens of Red-wing Blackbirds were in the tree above me, chattering and calling away, and I thought, "I’m certainly not in Vermont anymore." Here in deep South Texas where spring comes early (winter never … Continue reading

Posted in Falcon State Park, nature, Plants & Flowers, Southwest trip 5 | Comments Off on Signs and Sounds of Spring