Texas - Big Bend National Park - Thursday 2 June 2011
Thursday promised to be one of the highlight birding days of the holiday. Having made it all the way to Big Bend we were determined to pick the best birding location and start at dawn, so we set out early.
On the road to Rio Grande village we saw both Common Nighthawk and Common Poorwill. Most of them survived the 4x4s that sped past us...
We parked-up full of anticipation. Just getting out of the car it was obvious we were in for a good morning. There were literally loads of birds and most of them new species, including Lark Sparrow:
Next an outstanding bird, the Vermilion Flycatcher:
We saw loads of these birds, which I had considered an unlikely target, male and indeed the drabber but still colourful female:
We also saw lots of Painted Buntings:
This was a major relief as we'd tried a few times on the holiday to see them and missed out, so this was great. Next up, Varied Bunting, only a few of these but also much hoped for:
Summer Tanager:
Helen's current favourite species, Greater Roadrunner:
Another Pyrrhuloxia:
Olive-sided Flycatcher:
I believe a Savannah Sparrow:
Another new species, Hepatic Tanager:
Others looking for a meal included the Turkey Vulture:
A soaring Black Vulture:
In the trees on the fringe of the camping/RV parking area, a Yellow-breasted Chat:
We got back in the car and headed further along the river to another parking area, watching Wile E Coyote mooching around warily:
In some grasslands, an area blocked off to protect nesting Common Black Hawk (which we dipped out on) we saw a female Orchard Oriole:
A little further along we were able to walk right down to the edge of the river, spotting an unlikely Townsend's Warbler in the reeds:
The views up and down the Rio Grande were impressive, and yes the other side is Mexico:
Helen snapped me photograhping the Townsend's Warbler:
It took some remains of its prey to the nest:
Before heading out hunting again:
At the end of the road we climbed an overlook, I managed to get my revenge and photograph Helen, camera in hand, preparing to take some pictures of the local flora:
And here said images:
On the climb we added another species, Cassin's Kingbird:
Having completed the ascent and descent we drove to the store and bought some drinks to cool us down and some snack food for lunch and then headed out on the scenic drive toward Santa Elena canyon:
The canyon itself is searingly hot. The river has carved a deep channel in the rock, the tall side is mostly Mexico, the low side the USA. You can see the effect the river has on the vegetation:
The canyon walls tower above:
And you can see the dramatic impact the water has, when it's flowing after rainfall:
We managed good views of a skulking Blue Grosbeak at the base of the canyon:
On the road to Rio Grande village we saw both Common Nighthawk and Common Poorwill. Most of them survived the 4x4s that sped past us...
The sunrise was beautiful:
We parked-up full of anticipation. Just getting out of the car it was obvious we were in for a good morning. There were literally loads of birds and most of them new species, including Lark Sparrow:
Next an outstanding bird, the Vermilion Flycatcher:
We saw loads of these birds, which I had considered an unlikely target, male and indeed the drabber but still colourful female:
We also saw lots of Painted Buntings:
This was a major relief as we'd tried a few times on the holiday to see them and missed out, so this was great. Next up, Varied Bunting, only a few of these but also much hoped for:
Summer Tanager:
Helen's current favourite species, Greater Roadrunner:
Another Pyrrhuloxia:
Olive-sided Flycatcher:
I believe a Savannah Sparrow:
Another new species, Hepatic Tanager:
Others looking for a meal included the Turkey Vulture:
A soaring Black Vulture:
In the trees on the fringe of the camping/RV parking area, a Yellow-breasted Chat:
We got back in the car and headed further along the river to another parking area, watching Wile E Coyote mooching around warily:
In some grasslands, an area blocked off to protect nesting Common Black Hawk (which we dipped out on) we saw a female Orchard Oriole:
A little further along we were able to walk right down to the edge of the river, spotting an unlikely Townsend's Warbler in the reeds:
The views up and down the Rio Grande were impressive, and yes the other side is Mexico:
Helen snapped me photograhping the Townsend's Warbler:
It took some remains of its prey to the nest:
Before heading out hunting again:
At the end of the road we climbed an overlook, I managed to get my revenge and photograph Helen, camera in hand, preparing to take some pictures of the local flora:
And here said images:
On the climb we added another species, Cassin's Kingbird:
Having completed the ascent and descent we drove to the store and bought some drinks to cool us down and some snack food for lunch and then headed out on the scenic drive toward Santa Elena canyon:
The canyon itself is searingly hot. The river has carved a deep channel in the rock, the tall side is mostly Mexico, the low side the USA. You can see the effect the river has on the vegetation:
The canyon walls tower above:
And you can see the dramatic impact the water has, when it's flowing after rainfall:
We managed good views of a skulking Blue Grosbeak at the base of the canyon:
Like him the heat was overwhelming us and I was knackered so we decided to head back for a siesta followed by another early dinner.
Labels: birding, birding in texas
posted by Michael at 11:56 am
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