Visited  South Padre Island Birding & Nature Center that is around 20 miles from my current home base. There are boardwalks through marsh areas that allow you to observe birds close up. The seem to know they are safe and usually don’t fly away. I did not visit Galveston or Rockport, Texas this year, so it is nice to see the coastal birds here.

Above two pictures, tricolored herons

Above, reddish egret (top) and little blue heron (bottom).

White rumped sandpiper (top) and lesser yellowlegs (bottom).

Caspian tern

Have spent most of  my time at Estero Llano Grande State Park as they have the most birds. Above: A lone roseate spoonbill has been roosting with some black-bellied whistling ducks the few days I’ve checked. Nearby are some white pelicans.

A tricolored heron eyeing a small fish.

Grebe

When I started hearing great kiskadees in Arroyo City, it took me a while to recall the kiskadee’s distinct calls. You often hear them but not see them and they are often heard in stereo, with one on each side of you.

great_kiskadeecalls

A sora, the first one I’ve seen. A volunteer heading a bird walk mentioned you could often see one at this spot, and he was right. The park has some very knowledgeable birders.

There are a lot of moss covered trees at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, especially along the land near the Rio Grande River. I rode my bike on on their 7 mile paved road (cars are not allowed in the winter, just a tram) and walked most of their trails. Did not see a lot of birds. Saw scat left by small to medium sized animals, so there is a lot of wildlife there, just hidden in the woods.

A squirrel getting around a squirrel-proof bird feeder at Frontera Audubon Thicket.

Below, a malachite butterfly, also at Frontera.

Queen butterfly, Mexican blue-wing butterfly and a green kingfisher seen at Estero Llano Grande State Park. Finally got a half decent picture of a kingfisher, and a green one at that. Lots of beautiful butterflys here as well as butterfly enthusiasts.

Great kiskadee, altamira oriole, and two chachalacas seen at Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park. Really enjoyed riding my bike through the park. It is a easy ride with no hills.