RV Trips: W15 Days 13-16

Day 9 February 26

This was our sunset last night, complete with an Osprey on the Hydro wire:

As we crossed the bridge to leave SPI, we saw this sign: “Watch for Pelicans on Bridge When Flashing”!

We went to Laguna Atascosa National wildlife Refuge which we visited in 2013. We were welcomed by our first Chachalaca and Green Jays of the year:

We decided to ride our bikes on the 15 mile loop (it was sunny and quite warm):

…and we saw some great birds:

…a Buck:

…and a Life Bird (American Kestrel):

Though we didn’t see the “promised” Ocelot:

…I and two other bikers DID see what we think was a Puma run across the road (they are known to be here, but this one was way too fast for a photo)!

We were tired, a little sun and wind burned and happy to stop at the Magic Valley RV Park (Site 232, $22 PA) in Weslaco for a two-night stay. We met a guy from Peterborough (and he said there were six other couples from home here). It’s a nice park full of Ontarians and Manitobans.

Here’s a view of my chair (and my cutie):

Day 14 February 27

We headed out to probably our favourite park in the area, Estero Llano Grande State Park. It was a “three-layer” day and pretty cold biking. But right off the bat, the birds were great (including the Buff-bellied Hummingbird, another Life Bird):

At the Alligator Pond, we didn’t see a single one (too cold!), but did see the camouflaged Common Pauraque:

..and a few other birds including a Green Kingfisher:

We rode some more and met Huck, a 25-year birding expert who “pished” out a rare (and Life Bird) Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet for us:

…then pointed out the Eastern Screech-Owl nesting in this box:

I love birders who are kind and knowledgeable like this guy.

Here are my favourite bird pictures from today

…and the view from my chair:

Day 15 February 28

We headed further west today and followed this truck for a while (what IS in those bags?):

Our first stop was the Santa Ana National wildlife Refuge and it was COLD and drizzly. You have to take the tram (and we did in 2013) but decided to go again. No one else was going, so we got a personal tour by Eileen and John in a heated van (vs the open tram!). Things have recovered after the flood of 2010, remnants of which we saw two years ago.

Here’s some flora to balance all the bird pictures:

I am intrigued by old cemeteries like the family cemetery here:

After the tour, I revisited my walk across the swing bridge (I can still do it!):

Then we headed to the Chimney RV Park in Mission. So funny, no one was in the office. I called the number and “Lloyd” said to just pick a site (#35, $22 PA) and he’d see us Monday morning. We loved this place last year and love it even more now!

Here’s the view from my chair:

Day 16 March 1

We keep waiting for warmer weather, but it was still 45F when we got up and headed to Bentsen State Park. We were greeted by some nice birds:

We rode up to the Hawk Tower, and on our way saw a Gray Hawk (Life Bird):

At the tower, we met John, whom we spent a while with last year, He started the yearly Hawk Count today. There were several more Gray Hawks, thousands of Turkey Vultures, a White-tailed Kite:

…and another Life Bird, a rare Hook-billed Kite so very high up and impossible to distinguish, but verified and lauded by John and his friends!

The song of this fellow:

…drew us to a Bird Blind where this Cooper’s Hawk had been hanging out for at least 45 minutes:

He ignored many birds and even a juicy squirrel until a Red-winged Blackbird showed up. The Hawk pursued (and lost) in seconds. Amazing to see!

We headed back, and the weather finally improved enough to drink a beer outside. We spoke with people we met last year who told us about a Mariachi Band concert in the Common Room, so we went and enjoyed these guys: