Last day in the Valley

Yesterday was the last day in the valley so we spent the morning in Bentsen trying to get photos of the black-vented oriole and we were sucessful! Then we picked up Gray Flycatcher but struck out on Hook-billed Kite.

From there we traveled down to Brownsville and searched Sabal Palm but really didn't have much. A stop at the brownsville landfill provided our long searched for Raven and Aplomado Falcon.

We ended the bird-day by getting good looks at Cassin's Sparrow, Ferruginous Hawk, and Aplomado Falcon.

Then we drove up to Houston, which is where we are this fine morning. 60 degrees today... And it'll only be downhill from here :-( goodbye shorts weather... Hello long pants and soon hello sweatshirts and mittens.

Now its off to search for Brown-headed nuthatch and certain woodpecker that seems to have alluded me to this point...

500! And more

Got my 500th this morning. We are back in the Mission-McAllen area and ready to tear it up!

Now off to explore quinta mazatlan...

Countable muscovey!!!

Successful day and dinner

Today I made it to 498 adding Audubon's + Hooded orioles, zone-tailed Hawk, and Scaled Quail.

We also had an excellent showing of 4 genuine Muscovey along the rio grande flying over at sunrise.

Dinner last night was potatoes and pulled pork sandwiches. Tonight is "mac n cheese" and hot dogs.

Yet nothing has compared to the pinguinos...

And for breakfast tomorrow horchata and oatmeal... Yaaay!!!

LK

Mexico border

The left is mexico, right is the US. This morning we are watching birds fly back and forth across the river.

Estero llano and more

This morning we woke up and hit Laguna one more time (above) and got some pictures of Green Jay, Great Kiskadee, and White-tipped Dove before heading around the bay loop to see our first few life birds of the day including Tropical Kingbird (and California Gull + Greater Roadrunner for Jason).

Then we headed down to Estero llano to see a bunch of birds including: whistling ducks (both species), buff-bellied hummingbird, cinnamon teal, and my 500th life bird: White-throated Thrush.

We ended the night in McAllen looking at a gigantic roost of Green Parakeet and Bronzed Cowbird; jason's 400th life bird!

Tonight we have a comfy BED!!! Thanks to Ben's mom!!!

Tomorrow its off to Bentson for some more good birds!

LK

Now a bit further south

Safe and sound outside of Laguna Atascosa. Eating our delicious dinner. 20 lifers away from 500.

Today highlights included Olive Sparrow, Rufous-backed Robin, Great Kiskadee, black-necked stilt, green jay, and lots of other sweet birds.

We finally got our act together and got some good photos which is a relief, including Long-billed Thrasher, Long-billed Curlew, and Eastern Meadowlark (subspecies under debate).

We started our year off with 102 year birds. Not too shabby at all! We still need to figure out how many birds we ended up with in 2010 overall (nh lists are all accounted for).

Tomorrow we are headed back to Laguna Atascosa before heading a bit further west along the rio grande.

LK