Hologrambirds

Another Run to the Coast

blogger@hologrambirds.com — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 21:44:00 -0600

Today was pretty chilly. Last night there was some sleet and freezing rain so schools were postponed until late morning. It was a good day to do some laundry and have a good BBQ lunch at the original Willie's in Alamo. Yummy food!

After lunch I figured a drive was the best bet so headed east and south to Brownsville. There had been enough moisture that staying on paved roads was prudent so I headed towards Port Isabel. At a boat ramp I found a number of species I'd missed so far plus a few others like Reddish Egret that are always fun to see.

Black Skimmers (one of my favorite birds) with Willets

Marbled Godwits (with Willets)

Spotted Sandpiper

I was hoping to maybe find an Aplomado Falcon along this road but no joy. The wind was picking up as was the drizzle. It was just one of those days if you were home you would stay inside but I'm in South Texas for crying out loud. So it was on to South Padre Island in hopes of finding something offshore like a Northern Gannet. Nope, but it was fun.

Surf's Up

I did find a few birds to photograph in the parking lots and along the beach. Sanderlings really don't care how ferocious the breakers are.

Sanderling

Semipalmated Plover

Laughing Gull

Ring-billed Gull

Royal Tern

El Rocio

blogger@hologrambirds.com — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 21:19:00 -0600

Thanks to Loren & Babs Padelford, I learned about this great place to stay while birding the Rio Grande Valley. It is an island of native vegetation in a sea of development - homes, RV parks, and the like. Unfortunately I could only get the place for a week. When I checked in an walked around a bit I knew it was a winner.

The place is a bit on the eclectic side but in a good way. The main house is built around a tree which still serves as support for the roof. It has three bedrooms and two baths and is really very nice for a larger group. I enjoyed my neighbors. Gene said he taught at Iowa State Teachers College many years ago. I told him that dated him!

I should have taken more photos from here but oh well. These are all from the patio where I had coffee each morning.

Clay-colored Thrush (there was a pair)

Javelinas

Gray Fox

Across the road from El Rocio is the Veteran's Cemetery. A flock of about 40 Long-billed Curlews have found the lawns to their liking for a winter home.

A Day at Llano Grande

blogger@hologrambirds.com — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 16:29:00 -0600

Today I wanted to get back and bird the tropical forest area at Estero Llano Grande. The last time I did this was after my broken leg and it was brutal. Today there were no rare birds but it was fun. Tropical forest birds fed at the many oranges and peanut butter feeding stations.
Plain Chachalaca

Great Kiskadee

Golden-fronted Woodpecker

Long-billed Thrasher

I managed to find a sleeping Paraque in the woods.

Waterbirds were also in evidence and I did manage to find a very few dragonflies. The butterflies are incredible and I need to learn them. This Mexican Bluewing is a stunner even though my photography skills were lacking.

Sora

Common Gallinule

To end a great day I managed to find the staging area for Green Parakeets heading into their nighttime roost - the local K-Mart parking lot. What noise!