Thursday, April 27, 2017--Lost Maples State Park to Ft. Stockton, TX--270 miles

     We made an early start today with many miles ahead of us. First we took time to drive to the end of the road for one last search for the Golden-cheeked Warbler. 

     We noticed the bird volunteers had decamped--on their way back to Michigan for the summer now that the prime birding season is over here.

     There was no sign of the warbler near the feeders, or the trees near the parking lot. A prickly-pear cactus and a Black-crested Titmouse greeted us instead.

     I walked down to the Sabinal River and suddenly I heard the warbler, very high pitched and quietly singing. After listening for several minutes I got a brief look a couple times in the top of a maple tree. I would have liked more and a longer look, but it was enough to id the bird. No photo. 

     After leaving the state park we drove about 70 miles through rolling hills 

and large ranches, some cattle ranches and many "shooting" ranches where we had glimpses of exotic animals. 

     Every ranch has a gate--this is a very modest one. 

     This is a bit showier.

     There were roadside flowers, but have not seen the famous bluebonnets of Texas. Or have we? Are these the bluebonnets?

     Then we drove west on the freeway to Ft. Stockton. It was very windy all the way, and eventually we made it to Ft. Stockton RV campground where we had been on the trip down. It was 97 degrees. I washed clothes, we had showers, the internet worked and the air-conditioner did not. 

     Luckily the wind blew enough to keep the temp in the van below 100. There were many, many huge RV's which would hold 2 or 3 of ours. I think they sucked up all the power from the electrical system. After it got dark, the AC worked fine. The big RV's didn't need the power any more.

Today Our Ears Were On

Twenty minutes of listening to the Golden-cheeked Warbler

Today Our Eyes Were On

A few lovely birds

A fleeting glimpse of the warbler and

Hot and Windy Texas!!!!

Wednesday, April 26, 2017--Choke Canyon State Park to Lost Maples State Park, Vanderpool, Texas--170 miles

     The temperature was 77 degrees at 8 and 81 at 9 am, hot and humid with overcast skies.   

     On the way out of the park we stopped to find the Least Grebe (a life bird) with her babies in the alligator-infested waters of Choke Canyon lake. We did not see the alligator, but we did find the grebe with one kid on her back, then two. 

     We also saw a Sora.

      A Carolina Wren and female Cardinal

     Scissortail Flycatchers

     Vermillion Flycatcher and Texas Wild Turkey

     Harris's Hawk and Crested Caracara

     As we drove through Three Rivers, Texas, we stopped at Sowell's BBQ to pick up some BBQ beef for our lunch later, the first authentically Texas food we have had.  

     We had eaten our usual breakfast of instant oatmeal before. By the time we saw what all they were cooking, we ordered a plate of BBQ brisket, chicken and sausage to go and then we ordered breakfast for each of us and sat down and ate it! Ham, eggs, hash browns, biscuits! 

     You can check out Sowell's BBQ on Facebook--they posted a photo of us! 

     Fortified with two breakfasts and 2 plates of Texas BBQ, we drove on through oil country, cattle ranches with Brahmas, Charolais, Longhorns, Buffalo and others. 

     We passed small wheat fields which were already gold, and corn growing at several different stages of development. 

     We made it to Lost Maples State Park at about 4 pm. We ate BBQ and then went looking for the Golden-Cheeked Warbler we had missed the time before. 

     Birds were much scarcer, the bird volunteers had removed their welcome signs. Although these are not bluebonnets, there are a few blue flowers.

     We found a Lark Sparrow and a White-eyed Vireo

     We hiked up the trail, looking for the Golden-cheeked Warbler but did not see as many birds as 2 weeks ago, nor the Golden-cheeked Warbler.

     We did run into this "life" tarantula

Today Our Eyes Were On

REAL TEXAS BBQ--Yum!!!

Signs that the seasons are shifting more to summer than spring.

Tuesday, April 25, 2017--S. Padre Island to Choke Canyon State Park at Callahan, Texas--161 Miles

     After saying goodby to our new birding friend/neighbor, we left at 7:40 am; weather was 79 degrees and overcast. 
     He provided us with a hand-drawn very detailed map of where we could find an Aplomado Falcon, which we have so far not seen. 

     On the way we stopped at the Convention Center for a last look at whatever birds remained. 

     Baths were the order of the day--an Indigo Bunting and an after-the-bath Painted Bunting. 

     Also enjoying the water feature were 2 Indigo Buntings and a young male Blue Grosbeak blending in with rocks on the right.

     Bay-breasted Warbler and a Nashville Warbler

     Tennessee Warbler

     As we left the Convention Center at 8:30 a dozen pink-colored white-morph Reddish Egrets and one spoonbill flew away. What a sight! 

     Then off we went. We followed the hand-drawn map directions.

     Our route passed the Port of Brownsville--definitely BIG OIL country!

     Carefully following our hand-drawn map, we arrived at the row of 12 tall yucca plants. However the bird was not sitting on the tallest one as predicted. We waited awhile and then walked around one of the dirt berms. 

     The Aplomado Falcon was sitting on a small stick on the right side of the row of yucca plants. We took photos.

     Then he flew up to his appointed position atop the tallest yucca! That bird was a gift from a very kind and generous birder!  More chocolate was consumed!

     Driving north on the freeway, Hurricane Evacuation Route signs frequently appear. 

     We see a constant row of thousands of wind turbines along the coastline to our right. 

     This is mesquite tree and BIG CATTLE RANCHING country. One of the watering holes has curiously pink water.

     We settled for the night at Choke Canyon State Park on a lovely lake, Choke Canyon reservoir. It is HOT but green and breezy. The campground on the lake has shade shelters and trees. 

     A perky Kingbird poses prettily.

Today Our Eyes Were On

Our last looks at S. Padre Island and all the happy memories of colorful birds

A thrilling discovery of an Aplomado Falcon with help from our new friend

Homeward bound