Sally spotted a Green Heron while we were birding at South Padre Island Birding Center and we watched him get lunch.
When he leaned way over, he nearly toppled and I missed the shot because I laughed, but he recovered with a tasty treat that he promptly swallowed.
So often when birding, you get a quick look at a bird and suddenly it has moved or just gone, so you grab what shots you can get. Here are a few recent ones.
Common Pauraques, a nightjar that we heard in early evening last year at Goose Island State Park, is tough to find during the day. Earlier this week at Estero Llano Grande State Park, a birder from South Dakota put us on to this one resting right near the path.
Just across the Rio Grande from Big Bend NP is the tiny community of Boquillas de Carmen, which for decades, had a close relationship with park visitors – until 9-11.
Then, in early 2002, the crossing was closed and remained closed for eleven years. The residents moved away and worked and lived elsewhere, most 250 kilometers distant. Only since early 2013, have visitors been once again allowed to cross. The community, while still very poor, is rejuvenated. We had a wonderful visit – the highlight of our Big Bend trip.
You start with a rowboat across the Rio Grande. ($5 round trip)
Then take a burro, horse, or pickup to town. ($5 round trip)
Plodding along on a burro on a dusty trail in 80 degree temperatures, it was not hard to think about how long it would take to reach the distant mountains in the 1800’s.
We hired Estoban, a guide, to support the local economy and because he was helpful – Sally got in some good Espanol practice.
Some village scenes
We had a nice lunch in the shade – I had the goat tacos which were good, and about as adventurous as I get culinary speaking.
Many of the residents sell crafts – Sally bought from this woman’s family.
It was a great experience and a reminder of how good our relations have been, and are, with our Mexican neighbors.
We just are finishing a road trip up to Big Bend National Park to get some sun and warmth and so we did – 37 degrees at night and mid-80’s during the day. We stopped at Casa Blanca SP and Seminole Canyon SP coming and going. Lots of straight driving at 75 but a good venture.
This is a view of the "Window" at the Chisos Basin
The Rio Grande
I’ll cover our international expedition next post.
When in South Texas, we try to have breakfast or lunch once a week at small restaurants where the locals eat. We got some suggestions and then, like on our recent road trip, look for places with dusty pickups and no RV’s. It’s fun to listen to conversations, enjoy the colorful decorations, and eat some tasty modest-priced food. Good birding fuel.
I’ve been showing off flashy birds that are eye candy but we have been seeing lots of less showboat but just as interesting subjects. Here are some:
The Orange-crowned warbler is everywhere.
White Ibis (we see white-faced as well)
A gaggle of Snowy Egrets
Long-billed Curlew working the outfield of a ball park
Black Phoebe in poor light
American Wigeon and below, his main squeeze
Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk
Olive Sparrow
Sick of grey weather, we are moseying westward for some adventures and hopefully some sun.
There are a couple of rare buntings in the area and in the last couple of days, we saw them both. The first was at Quinta Matzalan, a sprawling Spanish-revival estate surrounded by sprawling tropical gardens and lots of birds. The juvenile male Blue Bunting has been drawing birders from all over and after a chilly wait, I saw it at a feeder along with a dozen others.
I thought I’d seen a Blue Bunting in Maryland a few years ago and was surprised to find that this was a life bird – #466 – the Maryland bird was a Blue Grosbeak.
The second bunting was a Painted Bunting which has been hanging out at the National Butterfly Center. Sally and I got great looks at it as it foraged along the pathways, oblivious to the clicking telephoto lenses.
One of the nice problems we have in the Rio Grande Valley is managing bird photos – if you don’t stay with it, you end up with electronic shoe boxes of digital photos. Here are some samples from our first trip to the National Butterfly Center, starting with a couple of Altimira Orioles.
The Audobon’s Oriole is a rarity here but this guy is becoming well-known.
Northern Cardinal, Black-crested Titmouse, White-tipped Doves.
This guy was the only one watching wihout binoculars and a camera.
We visited the National Butterfly Center where a lot of interesting birds are being seen. Butterflies have been sparse due to the recent chilly weather. One of the highlghts was the dozen or sp Green Jays who were hanging out at the feeding station. Here are a few of them.
Come back for some oriole and hawk shots on the next post.
