LouTex Day 17

March 11, 2014

It was a sunny start to the day (it POURED all night) and we headed out of Edinburg to two new birding spots. First was the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands, another World Birding Center.

We got to a nice Visitors Center and joined in on a guided Bird Walk. There was an Ontario couple from Hamilton, their friends from Buckhorn (very near our home) and then another couple from Campbellford (REALLY near to our home).

Here are some of the pretty things we saw here (in the order: Green Kingfisher-Life Bird, Least Grebe-Life Bird, Mexican/Northern Ruddy Duck hybrid, Bunny Rabbit):

Nice visit. Then to McAllen and Quinta Mazatlan, another World Birding Center. This is “one of the largest remaining adobe homes built in the state of Texas”. Here are some pictures of the interiors and exteriors of the house:

The gardens and surrounding area have feeding stations and lots of nice birds like this Inca Dove, Kiskadee and very special shot of a Chachalaca:

THEN there was the Wildcat Trail:

There were bronzes and other media statues throughout the grounds, but no Wildcat was cuter than ours (and today’s Cat’s Eye View):

Lovely day. We got stocked up at WalMart and got to the Chimney RV Park (PA $20.50) in Mission.

What a find. It’s located below a levee right on the Rio Grande. We strolled and felt very safe with the presence of the Border Patrol (trucks, helicopters, watchtower) which launches its boats from here:

This was another great day. here’s the view of my (still pedicured) toes from chair (did I mention it was 80F?):

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!):

:

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:

LouTex Day 15

March 9, 2014

It rained all night and rained all morning, so we spent it warm inside with very fast Internet. Finally, after lunch, we set out for two treats (one for me).

The first, for me, was a trip to the Academy Sports Store (two pairs of capris ON SALE!).

The second was a trip to the Sabal Palm Sanctuary. The drive towards the Rio Grande location was interesting through a purely Mexican strip of shops, restaurants, churches and houses. Then there was a short drive among cabbage fields and acres of fencing north of the border:

We were also passed by a Border Patrol truck. Through a gate and then we were confronted by this lovely site:

This is one of the last River Plantations and was supported by the Audubon Society for 30 years. Now, it is in the hands of the Gorgas Science Foundation which is in the throes of reviving the house as a Visitors Centre and maintaining a Butterfly Garden and those beautiful Sabal Palms:

…and four miles of hiking trails. We didn’t hike since, surprise surprise, the time had changed and the centre was going to close soon.

BUT we got a real treat: a view of a Great Horned Owl nesting in one of the Sabals:

So, a lazy, quiet and pretty cold (50F) day ended with that surprise! And the Parrots flew over as well.

Here’s another view from my chair (I cropped out the dumpsters right beside this little vignette):

LouTex Day 14

March 8, 2014

Hated to leave the beach, but it was overcast and time to move on. We headed to Brownsville, a new stop for us.

We’re wondering if Spring Break is really next week. We saw the preparations (a Police Substation, blocked-off roads, temporary traffic lights, signs warning of traffic delays) but no people. Okay by us. We breezed through and headed further south.

Here are some sights:

• the Pi Square shopping mall
• corn (we think) for miles and miles
• Big Ranch, big pond, filled with Snow Geese
• Mesquite trees in bud
• Wind turbines in Raymondville

We got groceries and found the Honeydale RV Park (Passport America $16.50), had lunch and headed to Resaca de la Palma State Park and World Birding Center.

It was drizzling, but we decided to ride the bikes (10 kilometers) and saw a few things:

A Mexican Ground Squirrel (the Ranger said it had been 6-7 years since they’d seen one in the park, so this was a rare sighting:

A Muscovy Duck (strange bird):

Me and a Yucca Palm:

An Armadillo (they’re fast, so no photo)

A Flycatcher:

Some Green Jays (also too fast for a photo)

And some Cardinals (the female was so much brighter than at home):

The RV Park is mostly full-timers or Winter Texans, so we’re a bit of a novelty parked just inside the gate. Every car slows down for a speed bump and to look at us.

At about 5:00, flocks of Green Parrots (noisy but too high and fast for pictures) flew overhead. Apparently, we’ll hear/see them in the morning as well.

It was a good day. Here’s the view from my chair.

LouTex Day 13

March 7, 2014

GORGEOUS Day!

We started with a 12 km bike ride on the beach. I, of course, was in PinkintheRink for Power Pink Friday. In fact, I noticed a lot of women wearing pink today, and I chose to believe they were wearing it for the cause!:

We got pretty close to Corpus Christie and saw all the preparations for Spring Break on the beach. The beaches have been groomed into two lanes of traffic, clean places to party and lots of garbage cans. People were already in premium spots on the jetty. I can’t imagine how the week will be. We’ll head out for Brownsville tomorrow.

That was the highest dose of sun for us, so we lazed about after lunch. I went beachcombing for an hour or so. I saw this sweet Tri-coloured Heron:

…these anglers on the jetty:

…and received my first “Howdy” from a Texan!

I continued my search for a perfect Sand Dollar and only found Sand Nickels, Dimes and Quarters (this spot looked like a Piggy Bank exploded):

Then I found this perfect specimen (complete with some other long-dead critter):

The beach is being patrolled by military, probably local news and Coast Guard helicopters:

It was a great day, even for Mandy. This Cat’s Eye View is of her yawning in the sun:

Here’s the view from my chair over the dunes that lead to the beach I loved for the last three days:

LouTex Day 12

March 6, 2014

Hiking and biking IN THE SUN!

Guess what we woke up to? Yep, sunshine and blue sky over the MoHo:

First was a 90 minute walk on the beach. What a difference a day makes:

And we even saw a Long-billed Curlew:

We chatted with Albertan neighbours who are on a eight-month RV trip “around the circle” of Canada and the US. They are complete with MoHo, Tracker, kayaks, bicycles and Kawasaki dirt bikes. Love sharing stories.

Tried Mandy on the leash (for two minutes):

After lunch, I headed out for another 90 minute beach walk, Saw this lonely guy:

These mismatched partners:

And this formation:

I made a little Shell Art (I call this one “Beach Butterflies”):

…then ran in to this Shining Knight on his trusty steed:

I walked on and David continued his many-mile beach ride.

We got back, booked another night here (it’s meant to be nice tomorrow and Spring Break begins!), had dinner and will watch American Idol. A great day.

Here’s a Cat’s Eye View of dashboard contentment:

…and the view from my chair (with Crocs and Mickey Mouse cactus):