A bit of the Frontera Audubon grounds as lovely a goof-off spot as one can imagine
not my photo
I passed the first half of today birding again, at the Frontera Audubon Center. I was looking for Groove-billed Ani which would have been a lifer for me, but instead as I strolled along the soft trails, I heard loud wheezy whistl-ee calls overhead. I looked up to see a large flock composed of birds of the one shown here... a Fulvous Whistling Duck.
I knew they weren't Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, because there were no big black and white wing patches or black bellies. YAY! Yes, they are a Lifer for me, so that's one so far for today.
There were other fun birds too.
Nice Black-throated GreenWarboer, not showing the black throat as it's a female or a juvenile male
Blue-headed Vireo - the head is slate blue and it has those nice 'spectacles'
And I walked across this long wooden bridge/walkway several times. Such a pretty bridge.
A quarter of the way across the bridge, I was rewarded with an I-don't-see-this-species-every-year sight: a Solitary Sandpiper.
Solitary, & noisy little creature
The same huge pond also had some Black-bellied Whistling Ducks
A lovely pair of Black-bellied Whistling Ducks
Oh, and let us not forget this uncomfortably weird little Mexican Hairstreak, a type of tiny butterfly.
Eewwww. By the way, that little flutterby is barely an inch in size.
Before leaving Frontera Audubon, I added three birds I saw: the Black-throated Green Warbler, Blue-headed Vireo and the Solitary Sandpiper (whoo hoooo!). I forgot to add the Fulvous-whistling duckies.
Who doesn't love marking a B3 - Big Birdie Board!
I gave up trying to find the Groove-billed Ani around noon. I headed up-valley to see a spot I have never visited before but heard about this week: the Roma Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge. Took a couple of hours to get over there. When I arrived at the town of Roma, I wasn't at all sure where the heck the Birding Center might be located.
Nice, but not a birding center that I can tell...
The buildings in the town of Roma are registered National Historical Landmarks
Aha, now we're talking!
The Visitor Center was quite small and had a cheery & welcoming lady working there. She answered questions and was helpful getting me relatively oriented with what-the-heck this particular 'world birding center' was exactly. She escorted me out back to see the gardens of the v. interesting historic building.
Grand old grounds with delightful cobbled paving
I think the garden dates back to the late 19th century
Not sure the purpose of this artful stonework is, but it's pretty
The back area had several bird feeders, and even a couple of water features and tons, I mean tons of House Sparrows. Ooooo if I had a net... I wasn't feeling like I was going to see much and then I spotted a species I have seen before but never before so close or approachable.
Audubon's Oriole
Wow... I was flabberghasted. Normally when I see Audubons they are flying away or quite distant yet here was one at a feeder, as if it didn't realize what a teaser of a heart-breaker it is.
These are the first ever photos of the species for me. Am v. happy!
There were other birds, American Goldfinches, Chipping Sparrows and such, not rare but enjoyable.
Colorful Cardinal
Orange-crowned Warbler
Northern Mockingbird scolding me
Inside the Barquito Oyster Bar - see the 10 gal hat? That's so you know this is TEXAS!
When the mockingbird tells you off, it's time to move along. Got back to my rental car and began an iPhone hunt for a lunch spot. A tap at the car window, and I looked up to see the lady from the Visitor Center. She asked if I'd care to accompany her to lunch. Yay, a nice person to have lunch with! We caravaned our cars, and we ended up at a Roma restaurant named, Barquito Oyster Bar.
My first choice for chow on the interesting menu was Oysters - because, you know, when in Roma... My second menu pick was local Texas quail, alas, both had run out. So my new friend Lisa and I had salads along with a marvelous chat.
Lisa is living la vida dolce, traveling around the U. S. of A., working here and there and enjoying life. She is currently working a short time at the Roma Bluffs Visitor Center, and she has a stint coming up at the National Park that holds my heart, Yellowstone National Park - the oldest and the BEST, baby! Told Lisa about my dreams of traveling around the country and as a person doing so first hand, she offered encouragement. Really, hearing about her adventures made me want even more of my own.
Totally enjoyed lunching with Lisa. We exchanged email addresses so maybe someday I can meet up with her on the road.
I've decided one of these days I will be brave and invite a likely friendly stranger to lunch in an impromptu manner. How courageous was Lisa to ask a stranger ('moi') to lunch? I mean, not like I bite or anything, but it does take gumption to put one's self on the line and utter those simple words, "Would you like to go grab a bite?"
After the meal, Lisa again caravaned with me, to show me the local of the actual 'bluffs' and then drove off. Thanks again Lisa, it was a pleasure to meet you!
Entrance to the Bluffs
Just a little further past the stone doorway
TADA - the spacious and pretty overlook
The Roma Bluffs are cliffs overhanging the Rio Grande River, and across on the other shore you can see El Mexico, as far as the eye can see.
View of El Rio Bravo (The Mexican side of the river) and the Rio Grande (the US side)
One of the international bridges that links Texas with Mexico
The river was sadly, totally free of Red-billed Pigeons and/or Masked Ducks...
The river held no birds other than a few coots, but that's OK, I got my lifer Fulvous Whistling Duck this morning and better than that, a new friend, so I'm happy. I think I'll call it a day.
Little pond with reeds where THE thrush has shown itself
I was up early today, seated on the back patio at Casa Santa Ana Bed & Breakfast in Hidalgo, Texas. I wasn't as much concentrating on the vast numbers of birds at the feeders, as I was feeling grateful for the extraordinary kindness of B&B owners who let oddballs such as myself onto their property, allowing them to bird. I mean, such unabashed kindness made me a bit teary with gratitude. But enough sentimentality on the wonder that is birding. I was at the Casa on the off chance the White-throated Thrush seen over the past few days would once again appear. While awaiting the 'guest star bird' there were other species to watch getting in their morning meal at the feeders.
Beautiful male Altamira Oriole is more colorful than the orange it enjoys for breakfast.
This girlie Golden-fronted Woodpecker enjoys a little OJ too
Noisy Kiskadees also wanted a free breakfast
While waiting and watching there were several inn guests and outside visitors such as myself. One of the B&B owners told me how the Thrush skulked in from shrubbery to the north, then taking a quick drink at patio's reedy little pond.
There was a fair amount of action overhead as well as near the ground. A couple of juvenile Gray Hawks soared overhead.
Juvie Gray Hawk has to work for its morning meal
It was fun relaxing while watching the birds, wondering how the very beat-up looking squirrel at the feeders had managed to escape whatever had taken two big chunks from its hide. A good deal of my gray matter was focused on the delightful fact that the weather was nice... not hot at all, after all, this is Texas! Then, I noticed something - a bird, running along behind the wire fencing. Holy mother-of-feathered critters... that can't be the...
It could... it WOULD!
Considering I'd been seated in my spot, for over an hour, waiting for precisely what was just outside the fence-line, I was speechless for at least half a minute while I stared at the Thrush, looking into the yard as though hoping to be invited in. L-I-F-E-R! I finally snapped into reality and fired off ten Canon shots, only a few of which would ultimately prove to be focused or contamination-free enough to be of any value.
The best shot of White-throated Thrush showing the white eye ring and best of all, the clean, white throat
I was snapping shots like crazy and the rub was, the only ones left on the patio was myself and the B&B's owner. I called out to him as to where the bird was... the bird wasn't where it had ever been spotted before so he was a little dubious. Also, sadly, he'd suffered a recent bout of shingles in his eyes and his vision's fine tuning was temporarily on the wack. Oy, was I glad to have taken photos for my proof of the bird in its new locale.
The final salvageable shot
The White-throated Thrush had soon moved to the far left, disappearing. I was over-excited - no surprises there - and thrilled for my luck. I decided I will have to stay at this wonderful little B&B later this week and maybe see the bird again and get better shots. After the bird disappeared an ensemble of birders showed up, and with little modesty I showed off my photos. Yeah, sometimes I'm one of those "Too bad you missed it!" birders you want to strangle with their binocular straps. After a half hour or so, I was feeling too antsy to sit still, so I decided to try for another lifer. I was off southeast, to Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge. I visited the refuge on my two previous visits to south Texas and back then, I'd been greeted at the entrance by tame-ish coyotes. This time there was no coyote to greet me but as at least a half dozen roadrunners were there to say howdy, I was happy.
These days I keep a pedometer on one ankle, continuously, even *sigh* when showering. So I parked, paid my fees and walked.
A Plain Chachalaca that trotted along the Gazebo railing
Being a Saturday, the refuge trails were jam-packed with families, chock full of rambunctious, noisy kiddies, who race about being adorable, scaring the crap out of the less socialized wildlife. I imagine most the visitors were not aware there was a rara ava nearby.
Discovered a duckweed filled tank, chock full of cryptic froggies.
Cute little Gray Catbird wearing a teeny beret
How did I visit Texas so many times, yet never saw these brilliant Mexican Ground Squirrels before?
Wha... no. I'm not a Grosbeak.
There were lots of birders about and I spoke with many of them. The general consensus was the female grosbeak was purposefully disguised itself in the manner of an alien predator and was suspected of being capable of cloaking itself in the manner of a Romulan warbird.
Huh? Just eating some seed here.
Yes, there were sullen and disappointed birders roaming the refuge. Nevertheless, the advantage of so many birders around means if target fowl is seen, the others can be called over for a peak for themselves.
The Visitor Center also had advice on the location of the Grosbeak, which seemed to be flying around in the 'potato trees' between the Center and the nearby Refuge Headquarters.
Earlier in the week I'd been shown what a Potato Trees looks like. Do you know potatoes don't grow on trees? Uh... of course you do.
Potato Tree not harboring any rare Grosbeak
OK, I had my eye on the numerous potato trees on the property. I chatted with a fellow lady birder and we had both concluded, it would be advantageous to stay put until all the families with their noisy offspring went home, which was happily about the time of day the WILDLY noisy Great-tailed Grackles - a loud and boisterous species which hogs up the bird feeders - had gone to roost for the night. So, post-kiddies, we individually roamed the grounds.
Lots of the peculiar Pyrruloxias hunted bugs and such on some lawns behind the refuge headquarters. The funny little birds looked like what would happen if Parrakeets (double-R, get the gag???) were to breed with Northern Cardinals.
Now really, Pyrruloxias (pie-rue-LOCKS-ee-ya) are a lovely dove gray with some reddish bits to their feathering and bills. Like their cousins, Northern Cardinals, Pyrruloxias are brilliant and beautiful songsters.
Being Saturday, I could perve-ishly entertain meself watching birds have their Saturday night bath.
OY! Perve Lady, I'm BATHING Here!
There were some, content just to drink the bathwater.
Truthfully, I had an awful feeling - as per usual - my chances of seeing the Grosbeak ranged from zilch to zip. So I continued roaming around the many trails near the headquarters, and every time I passed through the parking lot, it was emptier and emptier, until I was one of only a very few left. Still, no bird. Then, while headed back to the refuge HQ, something shot across the trail and into a Potato tree. I lumbered over for a peek. OM...!
There sat a little bird with a distinct black head and greenish body, gulping down a mouthful of flowers
Why am I always so stunned when I find the very thing I'm looking for? Dropping my binoculars I took dozens of shots of my newest Lifer, all the while feeling guilty about my good fortune. Yes, I have very annoying anxiety issues and quirks. When I was certain I had some reasonable shots, I trotted off to find the other birding lady. I spotted her at the parking lot and after she answered my shreiks of 'OY!' I lead her back to where the little Crimson-collared Grosbeak continued to stuff its face.
The little female showed her colors much better at this angle
I thought the bird adorable with all the chow stuck to her substantial bill
We watched the little female bird for quite a bit, and tried viewing her from different angles, but the first remained the best. Eventually I went off, locating a couple of other birders I'd spoken to earlier in the afternoon.
Wow - another two 'lifer' day. I counted my blessings and headed off to drive the Lakeside Auto Trail. Saw kingbirds, an Osprey and quite a few waterfowl, too far off to identify. At the end of the drive - only a couple of miles - there was a lakeside gazebo. There I spotted a busy little fellow, digging diligently. LOVE seeing armadillos. They are so cool and prehistoric looking.
At day's end I now have five lifers racked up for this Texas trip, and that's not too shabby.
Street view of the 15 acre Frontera Audubon in Weslaco, Texas
Can barely bring myself to believe it is only day two of my impromptu Texas trip, yet I've already managed to see two lifer species. With those thoughts I set my iPhone GPS this morning and drove to Frontera Audubon. This one itty bitty 15 acre site full of brambles and thickets, holds three rare species I am anxious to see: Blue Bunting, Tropical Parula, Crimson-collared Grosbeak and Groove-billed Ani.
Frontera's Visitor Center Patio
Once on the site, I hit the Visitor Center, and paid my $5 entry fee. The Visitor Center is a pretty little patio'd former house (or so I believe). The greeter, a nice lady took the time to give me a map and point out where I needed to go to find the Blue Bunting. I sallied forth and was lost within 5 minutes. Yes. I am pathetic. I returned to the lady and she set me straight, so I was off once again - this time on the correct route.
I was immediately in love with the place. The trails were naturally soft, foot friendly, the stretches to navigational signs were short, and best of all, a lovely canopy formed from the thickets made the trails shadowy - cool - in short, totally 'Claire friendly'. Before long I arrived at the spot where the Blue Bunting had most recently been seen.
The thicket was pretty ordinary and notable only by the nearly invisible shallow, human-made pond in its center. In front of the area sat four grim looking birders. I dared not speak, but sat on a bench next to them, and like them, stared grimly at the thicket - to no notable avail.
Eventually I spoke, asking about the target Bunting, and was told it had shown earlier in the day, and hadn't been seen since. Uh.. huh. Rats. I rose, and decided to further investigate. Off down the trail I went.
There was no lack of bird-life in the woods. A noisy flock of the parrots which only the evening before had been lifers for me, flew by overhead. There were also several rest areas with jumbles of feeders filled with titmouses, numerous Northern Cardinals, little Buff-breasted Hummingbirds and noisy Chachalacas.
Crested Titmouse
Buff-breasted Hummingbird
There were even a few surprises, like this Ovenbird I enjoyed watching skulking through the underbrush.
Ovenbird - difficult to photograph through thick foliage, that hopped around, and drew quite a viewing audience
I never stopped searching for the Bunting, and kept returning to the first spot, where disappointment reigned. Birders are normally a friendly bunch, and this time there was no exception. Cooperatively we all kept each other posted on what birds we saw and what tales of the wayward Bunting other birders had passed onto us. I swapped cell phone numbers with an older guy from Atlanta Georgia, and we pledged to give each other a ring if the Bunting showed up.
A chuffy little Olive Sparrow, moving about like a mouse in the underbrush
Then it happened. First I got a call from the Georgia birder, that he'd spotted the Bunting on the trail and asking me to therefore make my approach slowly. I did so, but the bunting had already vamoosed. I sat down at the bench and again, held vigil at the thicket by the pond - but not for long. The Blue Bunting flew into the understory of the thicket and landing on a shrub, and proceeded to pose. LIFER!
The little Bunting was a lovely deep cobalt blue with black feathers around his eyes and bill
He had quite an excited audience watching his every move
One last view of that cheeky right profile and little blue boy was off again!
HURRAH, another lifer, and this time I had the satisfaction of photos of my treasure! When the bunting took off, we congratulated ourselves and I chalked up, without the benefit of owning chalk, mind you, lifer birdy number 3 for this trip. Maybe it wasn't a frivolous idea to come down to Texas on such short notice after all.
I walked around a bit more in hopes of perhaps spotting the three other birds I wanted to see at this site, but when they were a no show, I headed for the exit. On the way I met a birder who asked about the Bunting and I filled him in on its probable locations. He filled me in on where he'd just viewed another rarity, a White-throated Thrush. The bird was quite near the same refuge where I saw the Northern Jacana yesterday. Hum... suspect I know where I will head off to in the morning!
The miracle of the Christmas Blue Bunting
[Update: I collect Hallmark's 'Beauty of Birds' mini-ornaments. Last year's 2015 mini-Christmas ornament was a Blue Bunting. I thought that was a weird choice. I thought Hallmark must think no one will know 'Indigo' means blue, and that only birders would know how rare Blue Buntings are in the U.S. Flash forward to today, and suddenly my cute & tiny Blue Bunting ornament holds meaning as a treasured bird on my life list. Hummm.... how did Hallmark know?]
