January 30 What a week!

Another great weekend of birding tours at LANWR. Saturday we tallied 43 species, the highest total so far this season. Highlights were Cassin's Sparrow, Sprague's Pipit, and Peregrine Falcon and a flock of 50+ Horned Lark. I'm amazed at the number of Common Yellowthroat out in the thornscrub and Prickly Pear, I associate them with cattails and ponds.


Saturday afternoon, we drove the West Lake Road for the first time this season to determine the readiness for bird tours. Caliche has been hauled in and 1 of the dump trucks had gotten stuck and created a large crater that had to be filled in. Our inspection showed the road easily passable and tour ready, as we reported to Ranger Marion.

A face only a mother could love

This Turkey Vulture perched on the fence near Buena Vista Ranch and refused to fly away.

This 22 degree halo around the sun indicates ice crystals in the high cirrus clouds, a possible harbinger of a winter storm.








 Sunday's tour netted only 34 species but we nailed the Aplomado Falcon on the nesting platform near Tower Gate. On this trip the Eastern Meadowlark actually outnumbered the Northern Mockingbird with Savannah Sparrow not far behind.

This large gathering of White Pelicans was amazing. 

Sunday afternoon we opted out of the 2 PM birdwalk to leave for New Caney, just north of Houston, where we left our generator for repair on December 16. Not what we had planned, but that's life. We drove as far as Robstown and found Reed's RV just off Hwy 77 just before sunset. We just don't drive the coach after dark and setting up in the dark is no fun either. The owner of the RV park is a DPS state trooper who was very nice and managed to fit us into a space. Most of the park was occupied by oilfield workers, so South Texas is just as booming as West Texas.

We were on the road by 8 AM Monday morning, late because of dense fog. The first rest stop was near Victoria 3 hours later. We also made a brief detour due a grass fire in the median between El Campo and Wharton. The wind was strong, 20 MPH and gusting to near 30, making driving very nerve-wracking. The weather forecast was not looking good either, a winter storm advisory for Houston and Southeast Texas, again. We located an RV park about 3 miles from Community Motors, the facility repairing the generator.

Because of the weather forecast, we were told the workers might not work on Tuesday. Not welcome news. Plus, the office worker asked if we could leave the coach for 2 or 3 days. They never understand this is our HOME.

I heard Titmouse, Chickadee, Yellow-rump, Downy and Red-bellied Woodpeckers as we filled the propane tank and settled in our space.

The temperature dipped below freezing Monday night, so Alvin disconnected the fresh water supply and we depended on the onboard water tank. Good water from Rainbows End in Livingston. We don't travel with a full tank of 100 gallons due to the added weight, but we do try to keep an adequate supply. Tuesday morning was icy,  but CM called about 8:30 saying the techs did come in to work and we could bring the coach in. We drove the jeep over to check the condition of the roads which were surprising clear. Metal surfaces were iced over, such as the folding stops on the coach, but cement and asphalt were not. We made arrangements to deliver Clyde at 1 PM for a 2 hour installation process. Putting in the slides was quite an adventure, slide toppers were coated with ice, and the hydraulic leveling jacks were super slow in retracting, but the drive was safe and uneventful. We had no freeway ramps or high bridges to cross.   We returned to Forest Retreat RV Resort by 3 PM and prepared for another cold and icy night.

Not a winter view 

Of course, we didn't use the pool this trip...

Wednesday morning dawned cold but not icy. Seems like we lucked out this time. The heavy ice stopped about 10 miles north of our location and the heavy snow was near Livingston and Huntsville. We waited until noon to start south to make sure the highway was totally clear and Houston traffic was tolerable. If we have to travel through Houston, Highway 59, soon to be I-69 is the easiest and most simple. It's a straight shot and mostly on the lower level. The only section raised is right near downtown near the George R Brown Convention Center. We drove as far as Refugio and located Jeter RV near the city park. Small and old, with only 30 Amp hookups, but large pull-through site where we didn't have to unhitch the jeep. I heard Titmouse, Chickadee, and Yellow-rump as we leveled and hooked up. Took a short walk just before sunset, but everything had roosted except an Eastern Phoebe. Pretty quiet except for the occasional train. The sky was clear and the winter stars of Orion, Taurus, and the two canids were exceptionally bright. Jupiter blazed in Gemini. Early Thursday morning, the city attendant stopped by to collect the overnight camping fee. A flock of American Goldfinch decorated the anorexic trees over the picnic area and both Ladder-back and Golden-fronted Woodpeckers fussed noisily as we prepared for an early departure.

Hgy 77 is a straight shot south with just a slight zigzag on  I-37 near Corpus. Being here a second year has taught us several shortcuts the GPS doesn't recognize. Taking Hwy 508 from Combes through Rio Hondo and Hwy 106 to the refuge takes several miles and the necessity of going through Harlingen of the route. We arrived back at LANWR by 1 PM. We put the outside lights under the coach before putting out slides, much easier that way. The lights are a necessary deterrent for the woodrats lurking in the dark just waiting for the opportunity to gnaw on wires or fan belts. But that's why we have coyotes and Great Horned Owls.

Next on the agenda was hot showers to prevent any unwanted company in the form of chiggers. Personal experience has shown me the South Texas chiggers are especially virulent. I brushed against some tall grass filling feeders more than 2 weeks ago and I still suffer the effects.

We are so glad to be back in the thorn scrub and coastal prairies amid the solitude and seclusion. And the generator purrs like a kitten.

January 22

Three days of birding tours to Bahia Grande this last weekend. We had a full van on Saturday and Monday, with only three visitors on Sunday morning. Managed 32 to 35 species each day, snagging the Aplomado Falcon 2 days out of 3, too.

Saturday morning was picture perfect, no wind and mild temperature...

The bay was a mirror, my picture doesn't do it justice at all. This was the best shot of 6 that I tried. 

Both Sunday and Monday started with dense fog on the drive over. Sunday was strange, the fog would lift for a few miles and then we would be totally socked in again for a bit. Monday, the fog had burned off completely by the time we arrived at the red gate to enter the refuge. 

We flushed this hungry Merlin, but she never relinquished the mouse she had snagged and she stayed put long enough for a few quick pics through the windshield. 

Amazing coincidence... 4 college students in 2 days, 2 December graduates of UT. Three of them were ecology majors. I felt some added pressure to make sure I had all my facts straight during the interpretation. 

We birded the area today, opting to visit the World Birding Centers in Harlingen. 

Starting at Harlingen Thicket, we were terribly disappointed in the failure to match the World Birding Center expectation. I wouldn't list this place on the website if I were in charge. 

The only structure other than the restrooms was nothing more than a skeleton. The trails were rundown and the signs were faded, bent, and broken. The Arroyo Colorado was barely a clogged ditch. Not at all as advertised. 

The only positive aspect was the diversity of plants... 

 I was able to get up close and personal with this fascinating succulent/cactus/agave/milkweed. I photographed this plant from Highway 100 last year, but was never able to get a close-up or to ID it. 

This tangle covered the complete hillside. 

Our next stop was Hugh Ramsey Nature Park, also a part of the World Birding Center. Much more to our liking. Rio Grande Valley Master Naturalists seem to have adopted this park and it was well maintained. A few Eagle Scout projects had also been completed on this property. Many of the "garden" areas were memorial areas as well. Numerous water features were spaced along the Ebony Loop with benches and blinds well placed for leisurely strolling through the vegetation. A well maintained feeding station had Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Curve-billed Thrasher, Orange-crowned Warbler, Black-crested Titmouse, and Ruby-crowned Kinglet. We snagged Verdin, Altamira Oriole, and Kiskadee farther along the trail.  

One spot that touched me was the Circle of Peace

The pedestal in the center said "Let Peace Prevail on Earth" in 8 different langauges 

 

I give this one a "10"!

Wednesday, January 15

Early morning appointment at Rio Valley Dermatology where last week's biopsy was negative, so I managed to catch this one before it became malignant. Only treatment required was a heavy zap of liquid nitrogen. I also had 13 other Actinic Keratosis places that needed treatment. Much better than last year when I had 1 Basal Cell and about 30 AK treated. I have a follow-up appointment in March to make sure Dr. Hohnadel didn't miss anything. He was quite amused by my description of the treatment like taking a nap in an ant bed.

Only took an hour so we had plenty of time to visit Sabal Palms.

Quite a few changes have happened since our last visit about a year ago. First of all, the visitor center is now located in the restored Rabb Mansion. Second, the sanctuary is now operated by Gorgas Science Foundation. The old feeding station is still being maintained and the LIVE bird feeder cam is still operational. A new butterfly garden is under construction at the beginning of the new entrance trail. All of the other trails remain the same.

Dense palms surround the resaca...

 harboring Common Yellowthroat, Wilson's, Orange-crowned, and Yellow-rumped Warblers, House Wren, and Blue-grey Gnatcatcher. Carolina Wren called loudly but never came into view.

The trails seem better maintained than on our last visit. 

There is more water than last year, but Dave's Overlook was pretty barren and quiet...

as were the forest trails

The feeding station produced Buff-bellied Hummingbird, great Kiskadee, Green Jays by the dozen, strangely silent Chachalacas, Cardinals, Carolina Wren, Golden-fronted Woodpecker, and Black-crested Titmouse. 

The LIVE bird feeder cam provided by Rio Grande Valley Master Naturalists offers a 24 hour view:

 http://sabalpalmsanctuary.org/feedercam/

Check it out! 

 My camera was at home so all  I managed were a few cell phone photos. 

What's unusual about Sabal Palms, the entire property of behind the border fence.

By that time, I was suddenly very tired so we headed home rather than heading for Boca Chica Beach.

Oh well, tomorrow is another day. 

January 14 Anzulduas and Hildago

After a busy weekend leading bird tours we had Tuesday off from the refuge and decided to go birding...

One of our favorite places in the Valley is Anzalduas, a county park located on the Rio Grande in Hidalgo County and one spot in Texas where you can actually look north into Mexico.

We were barely out of the car before finding the mixed flock. Luckily some of the very tall trees are sparsely vegetated this time of year, so the birds were pretty visible. The first bird spotted was Yellow-throated Warbler (YTWA) followed quickly by Black-throated Grey Warbler (BTGW). American Goldfinch  (AMGO) in various stages of gold punctuated the tops of the trees while Blue-grey Gnatcatcher (BGGN) buzzed the lower branches. Also present were Yellow-rumped (YRWA) and Orange-crowned Warbler (OCWA), along with a very drab Pine Warbler (PIWA) that had me scratching my head for several minutes. A later PIWA had more typical coloration. We could hear Northern-beardless Tyranulet (NBTY) calling loudly from 2 directions at once and finally one decided to join the flock. Beautiful Blue-headed Vireo (BHVI), an unexpected Yellow-throated Vireo (YTVI), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (RCKI) and Black-crested Titmouse (BCTI) rounded out the small passerines. Both Golden-Fronted (GFWO) and Ladder-backed Woodpecker (LBWO) along with 3 or more Mockingbirds (NOMO) added additional flavor to the morning. I had my camera on my shoulder, but the birding was too fast and too furious to even consider removing the lens cover. Soaring birds were Turkey and Black Vulture and Red-tailed Hawk. A lone Brown Pelican dozed on the remains of the Mexican boat ramp in the center of the river. The Mexican park received major damage in the flood of July 2010 when the river channel moved several hundred feet. 

I found this great photo essay about Anzalduas and learned so much about the park. We had wondered for years about the strange little corner fenced off with its strange "Do Not Molest" signs posted. 

Seems that water moving very fast over metal, the dam is metal, generates a large amount of electricity which is then taken from the dam to this area. Pretty ingenious. 

If you're interested in a complete tour of the park, check out this link. 

http://www.thedauphins.net/id103.html

The granola bars and snack crackers were wearing pretty thin by that time, so we located Delia's, the ultimate tamale source. Being used to only finding tamales around Christmas and New Year's way out in West Texas, imagine the joy of unlimited tamales 365 days a year. 

We ordered 1/2 dozen spicy pork to eat there, along with salad (lettuce, tomato, lime, and salsa) and 1/2 dozen chicken and cheese cooked in green sauce to take home. The tamales are steamed fresh all day long and the take home tamales were too hot to touch when delivered to the table. Delia started making tamales in her home 29 years ago and delivered them door-to-door. In 1998 she opened the first location in McAllen and now has 6 locations across the region. They are soooo good, and they even ship nation wide. 

After that satisfying lunch, we found the Old Hidalgo Pump House and World Birding Center. The birding center is no charge but the museum has a small entrance fee. Totally worth the price for a short video for background and a self-guided tour of the facility. 

Before water was made available for irrigation, most of the valley was only fit for cattle ranching. With the advent of the pumphouse and the irrigation system, the "Magic Valley" was created. A 365 day growing season and abundant water changed the economics of the entire region. 

These enormous pipes extended 40' underwater to feed the enormous steam driven pumps. 

The hurricane of 1933 and resulting flood rerouted the river half a mile away, necessitating a canal to supply the pumphouse with water. 

On the lower level of the museum is a wonderful model train exhibit to make any model train enthusiast green with envy. 

The central patio of the birding center is a map of downtown Hidalgo with the railroad down the center. 

The water feature along the edge is a model of the river. 

This Teleus Longtail was very active on the blooms in the sunlight. I also found a small yellow b'fly I think was a Statira Sulphur. Sadly, all my photos were blurry, a combination of wind and very bright sunlight and a very plain yellow lep. 

The border fence has closed access to some of the walking trails near the river. A Border Patrol car was parked behind the center bush near the gate. 

On the drive back home, we discovered the Valley Gun Club with its very unmistakable sign. No language barrier here.  

January 11 Bahia Grande

Great tour on Saturday morning with 4 visitors and 1 refuge volunteer. Our tours are the only means of seeing Bahia Grande and West Lake Road so we do have several volunteers when space allows.

Many things catch our attention other than birds...

Cat Track

Habitat suggests bobcat...

We tallied bird 33 species with a couple of UFO's... lots of desert birds which is usual for Bahia Grande. Habitat is so different from the Laguna Atascosa Unit. Coastal Prairie punctuated with prickly pear cactus and yucca, with a few "lomas" covered with thornscrub. The monster machine from Georgia has cleared 1500 acres of mesquite and huisache to restore the prairie while managing habitat for Aplomado Falcon. 

I missed photos of Curve-billed Thrasher and Pyrrhuloxia, but managed to snag the Cassin's Sparrow...

Snapped a photo of the Verdin, but through the cracked and dinged up windshield of the van it was too fuzzy to use. Would have been a great action shot, too, with lots of wing action. 

This big bull was herding his harem across the prairie

 A big thrill of every tour is a stampede of the Nilgai herd... we counted 40+ this trip

This young male seemed to say, "How about a little privacy"

The Nilgai was imported into South Texas by King Ranch in the 1920's for exotic hunting. Native to India and Pakistan, the first animals were obtained from the San Diego Zoo. The unique mammals adapted well to the climate while their immense size made fences totally useless.Without tigers, no natural predators exist for these massive animals. Hunting and an occasional automobile collision are their only worries. The big males reach a weight of 600-700 pounds.