Time's fun when your havin' flies, or where did the last 6 months go?

Holy Cow! I looked at this blob and suddenly realized I have not posted anything since January right after we arrived and Laguna Atascosa. Now it is almost June and we have returned to Midland, successfully had cataract surgery for Alvin, spent 10 days in the Big Bend/Trans-pecos area, and returned to Midland for the second cataract on June 1.

I will not attempt to fill in all the blanks of the 2016 season at Laguna, but I will post some highlights. I promise to be more punctual with my posts.

Great Blue Heron at Convention Center

A cold snap put the brakes on sitting outdoors for a few days. 

Roadrunner sunning along Lakeside Drive

The second largest body of fresh water in South Texas, the namesake of the refuge.

Baby bobcat entertained as he sort of stalked a bunny at Volunteer Village

A family of Least Grebe delighted visitors to Alligator Pond; baby was very vocal. the only thing that would quieten him down was a morsel of food stuffed into his mouth by the parents. 

Tri-colored Heron and Snowy Egret at Crossing #1

Norway Rat in feeder box at the gazebo

Altamira Oriole

Kingfisher; many tours produced all 3 species. 

Merlin

The end of the month brought several days of rain

Northern Jacana at Santa Anna, a lifer for both of us!

Sunset at Laguna Atascosa

A side trip to the west end of the Valley required an overnight in Rio Grande City and a visit to Fort Ringgold, now Rio Grande City ISD property. Many of the old fort structures are used as classrooms. 

Robert E Lee lived at Fort Ringgold before the Civil War

The reason for the trip, Salenino  before the end of season for Audubon's Oriole. 

Sometimes I get lucky with my camera

Back at Rio Grande City, we discovered the Green Parakeet flock

one toothy gator near crossing #1

Bear and I were rootin' for Denver in the Super Bowl

Bear celebrated Mardi Gras, too. 

We discovered this banded  Peregrine Falcon at Bahia Grande. Jo reported the bands and we were delighted to find she was banded as a nestling in Great Falls SD. Her name is Malala. 

Look at those talons

Valentine's Day 

Frontera Audubon had the Blue Bunting this year. Sometimes I don't get lucky with my camera. 

A better photo of Nashville Warbler

I think that is enough for one day. I knew this wouldn't be easy; probably explains the months of procrastination.