Thursday, April 20, 2017--To Laguna Atascosa NWR and Sabal Palms Sanctuary--97 miles

     It was 83 degrees in the van and 75 outside when we left at 7:45 am. We headed across the bridge to the mainland and north to Laguna Atascosa NWR hoping for photos of the Green Jay and more. There were no clouds in the sky so it promises to be hot. We passed Port Isabel.

     The road became increasingly narrow and extremely rough, patched, with large ruts and VERY BUMPY! 

     Driving slowly gave us a chance to find a Mourning Dove, as well as Horned Larks

 a beautiful singing Eastern Meadowlark and Greater Roadrunners

     a Harris Hawk

a Bronze-headed Cowbird (are they as villainous as the Brown-headed type?) and what we thought might be our long pined-for Upland Sandpiper. Upon closer inspection, it is a Willet. Upland Sandpiper’s tail is longer than wings, has shorter bill and yellow legs. We are learning a lot every day.

     So it was a long trip for about 24 miles and it was already HOT when we got there. In fact, the roads were so bad the refuge director has decided not to charge an entry fee until the roads are better! We walked many of the short paved trails to feeder stations. 

     Boy, did we see Green Jays! 

     And more Green Jays!

      The Great-tailed Grackle and the Green Jay--both spectacular!

     And the Northern Cardinal. 

     It was odd to see javelinas feeding with the birds

     Long-billed Thrasher and Golden-fronted Woodpecker

     Louisiana Waterthrush (they always lurk in a dark shady place)

A Cattle Egret skulking through the dry underbrush.

Altamira Orioles just built this spectacular nest.

     The NWR has a large lake, being noon, only a Great Blue Heron was visible near the water. 

     It was very hot, so after a quick lunch we drove to Sabal Palms Sanctuary some 40 miles away. It is supposed to have good birding, too. It features an old growth forest of these Palms that were widely used years ago but almost extinct now. This is the last remaining stand of Sabal Palms. 

     We were surprised to see a large iron fence with a gate and a Border Patrol guard. A sign said “No Passport is Needed” That got our attention! 

     The visitor’s center is in the old home, given first to Audubon and then sold to Sabal Palms Sanctuary. We paid the entry fee and were given instructions about what birds might be on the many paths. We were warned about mosquitos, and they offered repellant. We had no map, but there is a map posted at each crossroad. 

     There were lots of rules posted, but I don't know who was supposed to follow this one. 

     We visited the feeder station at Sabal Palms.

     We were welcomed by a White-tipped Dove and a Hooded Oriole

and found the long-sought Olive Sparrow, a very camera-shy critter, but it was enough to identify it. 

     Even in the shade the temperature was stifling. The sign marking the next trail said to be prepared for mosquitos and chiggers. 

     Our Elf Owl mosquito bites are just beginning to fade. I told Paul that having worried plenty but so far having avoided chiggers, I was not tempting fate by venturing into chigger country so we went back to the car. We will never know what wondrous birds we missed—but we know we missed the chiggers there!!!!!

     As we drove out of the palm sanctuary we noticed this very huge, tall iron fence stretching as far as we could see in both directions. How did we not notice it coming in?  THE WALL was built before the most recently retired President.

     As we turned back toward S. Padre Island, our GPS showed we were traveling on this interesting named road—Southmost Road!  We certainly felt like it! 

      We passed by the huge Brownsville Port and again Port Isabel right before crossing the bridge.

     Once in our RV site, we had Tomato Bisque soup for supper. Don’t ask why but hot soup sounded just right for such a hot day—it had a cooling effect.

     At about 6:30 we went for our nightly walk across the road to the Convention Center boardwalks where we enjoyed Spoonbills and White Ibis

     We never tire of watching the Black Skimmers fly in over the water, dipping into it at the last moment. 

     Under the boardwalk we watched a Least Bittern and a Sora and a Marsh Wren all within 6 feet of each other. Also, a Pied-Billed Grebe.

     We also enjoyed a Black-necked Stilt sitting on her nest with her mate keeping watch and pacing nearby.

     One thing we have learned from other birders is that the wind is supposed to change Saturday from the south to the north. Not much warbler activity has happened this Spring, and word on the street is that this is a good chance for a fallout on Sunday and Monday. 

     We have decided to change our plans and not leave Saturday but stay until Tuesday to see if anything interesting materializes.

Today Our Eyes Were On

Being able to stay in a new place long enough to really enjoy it several days in a row and study it all in more depth than the usual quick and greedy pass-through. We see more new things and are still seeing new birds every day.