LouTex Day 16

March 10, 2014

Birds, birds, birds, today.

Slow start to the day; we were waiting out the morning rain and got away at 10:00. We took Highway 281 North.

Should we worry that there are scores of tire repair and tire sales spots along the route? No problems after all.

Brownsville is a “No Plastic Bag” city (cost us $1.00 for a Bag Fee at WalMart and didn’t even get offered a bag at Academy). A big change here further south from what we remembered last year in the Rio Grande Valley. We started to call plastic bags the State Bird of Texas (they’re on every tree and bush along the roads).

The drive included more fences where the Rio Grande curled inland. The highway was lined with old houses, junkyards, Taquerias, old cemeteries, huge fields (cabbages and onions), loose dogs and election signs (Jorge Kowalski was our favourite name).

We got to Estero Llano Grande state Park at around 11:00. It was drizzly, but we were looking forward to a repeat from last year’s trip here. We immediately heard then saw a Chachalaca (then many more):

We had a great talk with a Volunteer, Dave from Thunder Bay, Ontario. He took us for a “private viewing” of our second owl in two days, an Eastern Screech Owl:

We headed out on a hike (about 3 miles today) on the park’s muddy trails. We saw lots of birds and one lowly ‘gator. Here’s a tour (I’m giving myself permission not to name everything!):

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There were a few of special birds, though, including an Anhinga:

…the well-camouflaged Common (not to us!) Pauraque:

…Cinnamon Teal (a Life Bird):

…an Altamira Oriole:

…and a Golden-fronted Woodpecker:

That’s me and a Grapefruit Tree:

We drove north to Edinburg anticipating new World Birding Centers tomorrow on a sunny day (finger’s crossed). We’re at the Wrigley RV @ Monte Cristo Links Trailer Park (PA $19). It’s a community of double and triple wides, fifth wheels and “permanent” homes, very clean and quiet (though there were at least 40 women playing Bingo!). Here’s the view of David and our spot: