Las Palmas trail, Zapata creek, Laredo TX

Howdee all,

We are now in search of southern Texas birds. Our first time birding here.

4-01-2010

We left Big Bend..and drove many miles across Texas..

and the Pecos River below.. Then Settled into Casa Blaca State park with our Homey.

Our first bird outing was in Laredo and on the Great Texas Birding Trail

Las Palmas trail and Zapata creek

We saw many life birds here..but not great photos..

Great Kiskadee

   Kiskadee at its nest

Another poor photo..but a Life bird for us..

Audobons Oriole

Its was extremely hot in Texas..hitting 100 degrees…

We are birding and sweating…

Wildflowers are blooming all over now..

The path follows the Rio Grande River..not closely, but there are paths that lead down to the river for looks now and again..

It was very sad to see the amount of trash in and around the river and the path..

I didn't take photos of if…but its there.. I saw this glowing chandelier looking flower growing on the bank above..

  An area opens up to the Rio Grande River..

Bird Islands. I like the size comparison here..

A Black vulture hangs out with the Egrets.. and a Turkey Vulture fly's above us..

  Below is Zapata Creek ..

It was here we saw our first Ringed Kingfisher

A beautiful bird..but no photo.. We also went to the local college and checked out the trail there..

Paseo Del Indio trail

We searched both areas for the White collared seedeaters..no luck… More wildflowers A turtle crosses our path.. Texans are proud of their wildflowers     Its a great time of year for them..Avocets and Blue wing teal       Some poor bird met its maker…As we bird this area , especially when we are near the water, we see border patrol allot.

They have some sort of sensor system near the water..and we set it off now and then..they come running…and then realize its just a couple of birders..

We chat..and most seem sympathetic to the Mexicans trying to enter the US..nice to know. Their main concern is drug trafficking.

Below is some lighting that the border patrol uses for this area in the evening..Both nice areas to bird…despite all the trash..

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Birds of the Day

The birds in Red were life birds for us..

Snowy egret Great egret,Double crested and Neotropic cormorants,
Mockingbird,Great-tailed Grackle, Great kiskadee,Common yellowthroat

Audubon oriole,Cardinal.House sparrow,Brown headed cowbird
Red wing blackbird,White eyed vireo.White wing dove, Couch's kingbird

Blue gray gnatcatcher.Common yellow throat.Golden fronted woodpecker
Morning dove,Green jay,Clay colored thrush,Orange crown warbler
Ruby crowned kinglet,Osprey,Turkey and Black Vultures,Green heron ,Black phoebe
Northern rough winged swallow,Spotted sandpiper,Greater yellowlegs ,Ringed kingfisher,Black chinned hummingbird,Coot,Cedar waxwing,Coopers hawk,Glossy ibis,Black necked stilt,Little blue heron,Blue wing teal,Gadwall,Ash throated flycatcher