South Texas

This blog is for the last four days. I have been so busy birding I have not found time to post.
I am now as far south as I can go and still be in United States. I am in Brownsville on the Rio Grande River. It is hot and muggy as always but are there great birds. We visited the historic King Ranch and went out with a bird guide today. The ranch is as large as Rhode Island and still in the family of the founder. We saw three new sparrows. Botteri's, Olive and Cassin's. I got pictures of two. I need a good one of the Cassin's Sparrow still. All three were singing which helps us find them. We just drove the ranch road with our heads out the open window listening until we heard the birds singing. We are going with a different guide tomorrow to see some other Texas specialities. I think I can survive not looking at sparrows for one day.
We saw Ferruginous Pygmy Owls tonight. They had just fledged and were in a back yard. Our guide for tomorrow showed them to us as we sat in lawn chairs. They flew around and bathed in a bird bath in the yard. What fun!!
I have posted some other pictures of wildlife we are seeing. The spider was about 3x4 inches. I have seen them in different places along the Texas coast. . Now, the frog was about two inches long. I would like to know what kind so I will look for books on Texas spiders and frogs. There are deer everywhere. This one stood still for me to shoot. Most run away before I get the car stopped.
I have not been labeling the sparrow pictures. It will give readers that are birders something to do. (Smile)
At Benston State Park we found the Greater Kiskadee flying around near its nest with a rodent. It flew up with it to it's nest then next to another adult. They made a lot of noise calling and fluttering. I do not know if it was for its young or for its mate. We did not hear young and it is a big mouthfull for babies. It may have been an offering for its mate. It flew around with it for a good 3 to 4 minutes. Great fun watching the behavior.
We went out on a pontoon boat and saw the Mangrove Warbler which is a subspecies of the Yellow Warbler. It has a bright "rusty-reddish" head. Wow, what a bird.
We then went to an Old Port Isabela Road near Brownsville Texas and I got some great pictures of the Cassin' Sparrow. Yeah, just what I wanted. The Cassin's was sitting on a cactus just like it was talked about in the books. It was also sky-larking and singing all over the place. Nice.
We then hooked up and headed for San Ygnacio for the White-collared Seedeater. I was awake most of the night worrying about getting it. The Seedeater is a hard bird to get because the range is right on the Mexican border and there are very few of them. I think there was only one breeding pair reported this year. Again, our luck held and we got both male and female. I snapped pictures of the male as he was singing. :)
I am enjoying Texas so much. I have read about these places in the bird literature and Sylvia's diaries for years and now I know what they look and feel like. When I read something now I will be able to picture it. Everywhere has been so green and birdy with lots of breeding evidence. It is a great time to be here. If you can stand the heat. :)
Today we birded Big Bend National park. It is the second largest park in the system. We were going for the Colima Warbler which usually includes a 10 plus mile hike. We packed our stuff last night. I had to leave the 500 lense behind. It was a hard decision but I knew I could not carry it up 1,500 feet gain of the trail. I did take the 100-400 lense and got pictures and good views of the Colima Warbler, Black-capped Vireo, Rufous-crowned Sp, Scott's Oriole, Black-chinned Sp, juvenile Spotted Towhee, Blue Grosbeak and Mexican Jay. There were more birds but that is the highlights. All were singing which sure helps with finding and ID'ing them.
We have two more days here and lots to do and see. The area is very beautiful. It has had a lot of rain and is VERY green withgreat purple flowers everywhere. We are told this is the exception. Usually it is much browner and drier. I am happy to experience the Chihuahuan Desert at this time.
There is an afternoon storm brewing so I want to go and watch the show and more birds to see.
Take care. Donelda

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