So much to say about this great day but let's rewind for a moment. Bryan Calk has been a "facebook friend" for over 4 years. Bryan and his girlfriend Rachel are both young gun biologists working/studying in South Texas and they're practically the heart of young birders in Texas. We have a facebook group for young birders and Bryan will always be the one to start our weekly chat on "Bird of the Week". They radiate good vibes on the internet so I was hopeful that same rang true in real life. So here we are, the day I get to meet them. I saw them driving up, I offered a nice hand-in-the-air wave and I received a windshield full of excited hands. That was it. Case closed. These are my people.
Bryan and Rachel picked me up in Los Fresnos and while I was pulling gear out of my car a huge huntsman spider popped out of nowhere. I guess he snuck into the crack of my hatch hinge overnight. I like spiders but that guy was freaky. Huge and fast.. I wasn't really in the mood for that so I slowly shut the hatch and hoped he stayed outside of my car. I never saw him again but I hope he fared well. I really just hope he isn't still in my car!
On to Port Isabel where we're heading to catch a boat ride with Scarlet Colley, Dolphinwhisperer. Scarlet is a long time resident of Port Isabel and has an intimate connection with the local tribe of dolphins in Laguna Madre. Bryan set up a tour with her and she knew we wanted to see Mangrove Warblers. As we exit the harbor the birding begins with a bang. Rachel spots a Frigatebird! Then we have lot's of shorebirds and I quickly realize how rusty I am. I was totally dependent on the expertise of my friends but we very quickly started to see some wonderful wildlife.
On to Port Isabel where we're heading to catch a boat ride with Scarlet Colley, Dolphinwhisperer. Scarlet is a long time resident of Port Isabel and has an intimate connection with the local tribe of dolphins in Laguna Madre. Bryan set up a tour with her and she knew we wanted to see Mangrove Warblers. As we exit the harbor the birding begins with a bang. Rachel spots a Frigatebird! Then we have lot's of shorebirds and I quickly realize how rusty I am. I was totally dependent on the expertise of my friends but we very quickly started to see some wonderful wildlife.
It was a beautiful morning on the water with nice looks at many usual suspects. We were treated with some pretty decent views of Mangrove Warblers and topped things off with sea turtles and dolphins.
We made one more stop in Port Isabel and I caught some of my favorite photos of the trip. More Nighthawks! And my first taste of the butterflies to come.
South Texas has a lot of wildlife specialties that you can't find anywhere else in the country. We pulled off the road to check on some Aplomado Falcon fledglings that were reported. We found them and couldn't help but laugh as they straddled the fence. Bryan later commented "those birds aren't going anywhere" and I thought it was hilarious. Yes, the bird straddling the fence probably wasn't going to make it very far today! Above our heads was a Chihuahuan Raven and we even got to see the distinctive white neck.
After lunch in Los Fresnos (the mexican food in the Valley is SO good) our next stop was the Palo Alto Battlefield to find some easy Botteri's Sparrows. Yep, we got 'em.
It was getting really hot by this time and we all agreed that we were in order for some AC birding (birding from the car). We slowly crept along the old Port Isabel road and I saw my first Horned Larks plus a couple more Aplomado Falcons.
It was getting really hot by this time and we all agreed that we were in order for some AC birding (birding from the car). We slowly crept along the old Port Isabel road and I saw my first Horned Larks plus a couple more Aplomado Falcons.
We exhausted our birding for the day and decided to make one last stop at Resaca de la Palmas for some butterfly...ing! Bryan and Rachel are really into butterflies and it was so fun to experience it with them. Plus it was incredibly easy to just say "hey what's that!?" and get an instant answer. I can see the joy in it, especially in the Valley with so many beautiful species. I think my favorite was a tie between the White Peacock and Mexican Bluewing.
Resaca de la Palma was mosquito heaven and I think we were all crazy for waltzing through there. So worth it. But crazy.
We wrapped up at the park and I did one last video of some Plain Chachalacas sounding off in a tree. Afterwards I made it to a deluxe airbnb in Harlingen which I'd say was worth more than I paid for! I picked up a deep dish pizza at Pizza Hut (couldn't resist) and crashed out. The entire day was nonstop enjoyment with countless observations and good company. Success.
We wrapped up at the park and I did one last video of some Plain Chachalacas sounding off in a tree. Afterwards I made it to a deluxe airbnb in Harlingen which I'd say was worth more than I paid for! I picked up a deep dish pizza at Pizza Hut (couldn't resist) and crashed out. The entire day was nonstop enjoyment with countless observations and good company. Success.