Catch up time

We arrived Laguna Atascosa NWR December 29 and suddenly it's March 26 and we have 3 bird tours left before we leave. Where has the time gone?

This has been the rainiest, coldest season in our 3 years of volunteering here.

Winter Sparrows have been abundant -  Cassin's 

Wi

Cassin's 

Grasshopper

Grasshopper

Grasshopper

Two Grasshopper

Loggerhead Shrike left calling card on the yucca

Groove-billed Ani stayed for the winter in stead of heading to Mexico

We've had flocks of 7 on the entrance road numerous times. 

Laguna Atascosa is full to the max due to more than 30 inches of rain since September 2014

Needle Island from Osprey Overlook

A real joy was finding this Blue Bunting behind the Visitor Center on January 24. 

Hilary, ocelot biologist and non-birder, was the first to document this rarity with photos.

He was seen several more times in various locations between the photo blind and Kiskadee Trail. 

The most sought after species on our tours in the Aplomado Falcon. We have a reliable pair near the Tower Gate on the north end of Bahia Grande. 

Little Blue Heron 

A passel of  pelicans 

Collared Peccary took advantage of our bird feeding program 

We finally located a Common Pauraque from the overlook on Kiskadee Trail 

One week later after another 5 inches of rain mother alligator and her nine babies occupied the same space. 

Cute little guys

seven little gators basking on this log 

Alligator Pond is filled this year and occupied by the namesake.. 

estimate the distance from the snout to the eyes, one inch equals one foot

March 10, we received almost 5 inches of rain, bringing the total since September to over 40"

Bear thought we had returned to Niagara Falls. 

We spotted this prepared motorist as we returned from a very soggy tour of Bahia Grande. 

March 13, a day of sunshine at Boca Chica Beach. 

The tide was high so we couldn't drive to the lighthouse and the border. 

Another tour at Bahia Grande provided our first ever Great Horned Owls for that unit

A great sight, but not good news for 

our endangered Aplomado Falcon. 

The Peregrine Fund provides these special nesting platforms to prevent owl predation. 

March 24 brought another sunny day, perfect for watching a sunset over Laguna Atascosa

the fresh water lake the refuge is named for. 

I've tried to cram 3 months of wonderful into this pitiful blog and this is much too long, so, I say farewell to Laguna Atascosa NWR for another year,