Terry & Diana's Photography and More

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Winter Trip to Coast and South Texas 2020

February 1

This year Diana and I decided to combine our spring trip with a wedding and then search the coast and south Texas for birds and anything else that we might see to photograph. We picked Goose Island State Park to stay for the first three days. The wedding was on the 2nd in Corpus Christi at the Radison Hotel on the beach on Corpus Christi Bay. We arrived at Goose Island at approximately 5 PM. We hiked around and bird watched some.

February 2

Diana and traveled to Rockport to go to church and eat lunch before going to the wedding. We stopped at one place on the beach (Fulton Beach) to check out what birds we could see. We got to the Radison Hotel for the wedding which was from 2 to 5 PM. After the wedding, we headed back to Goose Island for the night.

USS Lexington across the Corpus Christi Bay

We were there for a wedding across from the USS Lexington in Corpus Christi Bay

Laughing Gull. Fulton Beach, Aransas County

Ring-billed Gull. Fulton Beach, Aransas County

Sanderling. Fulton Beach, Aransas County

FEBUARY 3

The day was spent at Goose Island State Park checking out what we could see and photograph. We observed only 54 species of birds, a couple of herps, and four odes. A few of the photographs are shown below.

Goose Island State Park, Aransas County, our campground.

Red-winged Blackbird. Goose Island State Park, Aransas County

Field Sparrow. Goose Island State Park, Aransas County

Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Goose Island State Park, Aransas County

Redhead. Goose Island State Park, Aransas County

Spotted Sandpiper. Goose Island State Park, Aransas County

Tricolored Heron. Goose Island State Park, Aransas County

White Pelicans. Goose Island State Park, Aransas County

Eastern Phoebe. Goose Island State Park, Aransas County

Blue Gray Gnatcatcher. Goose Island State Park, Aransas County

Green Anole. Goose Island State Park, Aransas County

Squirrel Treefrog. Goose Island State Park, Aransas County

Familiar Bluet. Goose Island State Park, Aransas County

Rambur's Forktail. Goose Island State Park, Aransas County

Citrine Forktail. Goose Island State Park, Aransas County

Variegated Meadowhawk. Goose Island State Park, Aransas County

FEBRUARY 4

Today we packed up and headed to Goose Island State Park Big Oak Tree area to look for the Whooping Cranes that had been observed in the pasture south of the the Big Oak parking lot. We got a few birds on the bay and fields on either side of the road that goes around the fields. 9:30 to 10:30 AM

Goose Island, fields south of Big Live Oak tree and area. Spoonbills in the distances.

Goose Island, fields south of Big Live Oak tree and area. Whooping Cranes

Whooping Cranes. Goose Island, fields south of Big Live Oak tree and area.

Sandhill Cranes. Goose Island, fields south of Big Live Oak tree and area.

Snowy Egret. Goose Island, fields south of Big Live Oak tree and bay.

Lesser Yellowlegs. Goose Island, fields south of Big Live Oak tree and area.

Blue-winged Teal. Goose Island, fields south of Big Live Oak tree and area.

Osprey. Goose Island, fields south of Big Live Oak tree and bay.

Diana and I then headed over to Aransas National Wildlife Refuge to do some bird watching. We were there between 11:40 AM and 3:00 PM. Below are some of the photographs I took while there.

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Aransas County

Young Alligator. Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Aransas County

Raccoon. Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Aransas County

Bald Eagle on nest. Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Aransas County

Great Blue Heron. Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Aransas County

Spoonbill. Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Aransas County

Whooping Cranes. Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Aransas County

Whooping Crane. Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Aransas County

We decided to spend the night at Mustang Island State Park. The RV campground was full when we got there. It was after dark, so we pulled in to the beach parking lot which was the overflow area for RV type campers.

FEBRUARY 5

This morning was cold, cloudy, and windy. We decided to check out Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center anyway. A lot of birds but difficult to photograph due to the wind. A few can be seen below. About 10:30 AM

Diana behind the sign at Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center, San Patricio County

Alligator on this cold day. Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center, San Patricio County

American Avocet looking into the wind. Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center, San Patricio County

American Avocet. Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center, San Patricio County

Black-necked Stilt facing the wind. Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center, San Patricio County

Blacl-necked Stilt. Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center, San Patricio County

Common Gallinule. Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center, San Patricio County

Green-winged Teal. Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center, San Patricio County

Northern Shoveler. Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center, San Patricio County

Pied-billed Grebe. Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center, San Patricio County

Snowy Egret. Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center, San Patricio County

Sora. Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center, San Patricio County

Sora. Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center, San Patricio County

Tricolored Heron. Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center, San Patricio County

Next stop was at Port Aransas public beach and area.

Mustang Island Beaches near Port Aransas, San Patricio County

Great-tailed Grackle. Mustang Island Beaches near Port Aransas, San Patricio County

Herring Gull. Mustang Island Beaches near Port Aransas, San Patricio County

Laughing Gull. Mustang Island Beaches near Port Aransas, San Patricio County

Royal Tern. Mustang Island Beaches near Port Aransas, San Patricio County

After eating in Corpus Christi, we drove south along the coast until we stopped for the night at Kaufer-Hubert County Park and Sea Wind RV Park. This area is east of Riveria on Baffin Bay. A very crowded RV park. We got there around 3 PM.

Brown Pelican flying past Sea Wind RV park and Kaufer Hubert Memorial Park, Kleberg County

American Pipet. Sea Wind RV park and Kaufer Hubert Memorial Park, Kleberg County

Loggerhead Shrike. Sea Wind RV park and Kaufer Hubert Memorial Park, Kleberg County

Ring-billed Gull. Sea Wind RV park and Kaufer Hubert Memorial Park, Kleberg County

Ring-billed Gull. Sea Wind RV park and Kaufer Hubert Memorial Park, Kleberg County

Ruddy Duck. Sea Wind RV park and Kaufer Hubert Memorial Park, Kleberg County

Scaup. Sea Wind RV park and Kaufer Hubert Memorial Park, Kleberg County

Vermilion Flycatcher. Sea Wind RV park and Kaufer Hubert Memorial Park, Kleberg County

FEBRUARY 6

We had a very cold night for this area, low 40's. I couldn't get the gas to flow, so no heater. We didn't want to get up this morning. Finally got up. I looked around while Diana was getting up. I saw a couple more birds before leaving.

Long-billed Curlew. Sea Wind RV park and Kaufer Hubert Memorial Park, Kleberg County

After eating breakfast at a Stripes gas station in Riveria, we headed for Hugh Ramsey Park in Harlingen.

Javalina. Hugh Ramsey Park, Cameron County

Heliopetes laviana. Hugh Ramsy Park, Cameron County

Urbanus procne. Hugh Ramsy Park, Cameron County

Erynnis funeralis. Hugh Ramsy Park, Cameron County

Kowia Dancer. Hugh Ramsy Park, Cameron County

Familiar Bluet. Hugh Ramsy Park, Cameron County

Rainpool Spreadwing. Hugh Ramsy Park, Cameron County

Red-eared Slider. Hugh Ramsy Park, Cameron County

Clay-colored Thrush. Hugh Ramsy Park, Cameron County

White Ibis. Hugh Ramsy Park, Cameron County

Cruve-billed Thrasher. Hugh Ramsy Park, Cameron County

Altamira Oriole. Hugh Ramsy Park, Cameron County

The next camp ground was at Rudolf Thomae Jr. Park on the Arroyo Colorado near Arroyo City, Cameron County. We got there around 4:45 PM.

Rudolf Thomae Jr. County Park, Cameron County

Camp Ground. Rudolf Thomae Jr. County Park, Cameron County

Curve-billed Thrasher. Rudolf Thomae Jr. County Park, Cameron County

Spotted Sandpiper. Rudolf Thomae Jr. County Park, Cameron County

Brown Pelican. Rudolf Thomae Jr. County Park, Cameron County

Brown Pelican group. Rudolf Thomae Jr. County Park, Cameron County

FEBRUARY 7

Early this morning looking around the park before leaving to go visit Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge.

Camp Ground area. Rudolf Thomae Jr. County Park, Cameron County

Kiskadee and Bobwhite Quail at water drip. Rudolf Thomae Jr. County Park, Cameron County

Rudolf Thomae Jr. County Park, Cameron County

Green Jay. Rudolf Thomae Jr. County Park, Cameron County

Bobwhite Quail. Rudolf Thomae Jr. County Park, Cameron County

Long-billed Thrasher. Rudolf Thomae Jr. County Park, Cameron County

Olive Sparrow. Rudolf Thomae Jr. County Park, Cameron County

We visted Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge from 11 AM to mid afternoon. Several spots were checked in the refuge for birds. Not many birds today.

Cotton Rat. Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, Cameron County

Familiar Bluet. Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, Cameron County

Green Jay. Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, Cameron County

Olive Sparrow. Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, Cameron County

Tricolored Heron. Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, Cameron County

The night was spent again at Rudolf Thomae Jr. County Park. The highlight tonight was many Pauraque calling after dark.

FEBRUARY 8

We left the park early and headed for Estero Llano Grande State Park. 11:25 AM. Several trails and feeding stations were checked out.

Mottled Ducks. Estero Llano Grande State Park, Hidalgo County

Anartia jatrophae. Estero Llano Grande State Park, Hidalgo County

Leptotes cassius. Estero Llano Grande State Park, Hidalgo County

Chiomara asychis. Estero Llano Grande State Park, Hidalgo County

Pyrgus oileus. Estero Llano Grande State Park, Hidalgo County

Green-winged Teal. Estero Llano Grande State Park, Hidalgo County

Anhinga. Estero Llano Grande State Park, Hidalgo County

Yellow-crowned Night Heron. Estero Llano Grande State Park, Hidalgo County

Pauraque. Estero Llano Grande State Park, Hidalgo County

Curve-billed Thrasher. Estero Llano Grande State Park, Hidalgo County

White-tipped Dove. Estero Llano Grande State Park, Hidalgo County

Buff-breasted Hummingbird. Estero Llano Grande State Park, Hidalgo County

Red-eared Slider. Estero Llano Grande State Park, Hidalgo County

Late afternoon was spent at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge from 3:44 to dusk. It was getting too late for photographs. Only one butterfly photo. We then headed for a motel for the next 3 nights.

Zebra Helicon Heliconius charithonia. Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, Hidalgo County

FEBRUARY 9

We went to church service at Harvey Road Church of Christ in McAllen. Not many people there?? After lunch at Luby's, we went out to where a Fork-tailed Flycatcher had been seen. No luck. The rest of the afternoon was spent at the motel relaxing.

FEBRUARY 10

After breakfast at McDonald's, we went to Bentson-Rio Grande State Park. 8:46 AM. Not as many birds as I had hoped for. A few odes were also observed.

Blue-fronted Dancer. Bentson-Rio Grande State Park, Hidalgo County

Blue-ringed Dancer. Bentson-Rio Grande State Park, Hidalgo County

Rambur's Forktail (female on left and male on right). Bentson-Rio Grande State Park, Hidalgo County

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Yellow-faced Damsel. Bentson-Rio Grande State Park, Hidalgo County

Eastern Amberwing. Bentson-Rio Grande State Park, Hidalgo County

Strymon istapa. Bentson-Rio Grande State Park, Hidalgo County

Spiny Softshell Turtle. Bentson-Rio Grande State Park, Hidalgo County

Blue Spiny Lizards. Bentson-Rio Grande State Park, Hidalgo County

Blue Spiny Lizards. Bentson-Rio Grande State Park, Hidalgo County

Altamira Oriole. Bentson-Rio Grande State Park, Hidalgo County

Black-throated Green Warbler. Bentson-Rio Grande State Park, Hidalgo County

Chachalaca. Bentson-Rio Grande State Park, Hidalgo County

Curve-billed Thrasher. Bentson-Rio Grande State Park, Hidalgo County

Green Jay. Bentson-Rio Grande State Park, Hidalgo County

Long-billed Thrasher. Bentson-Rio Grande State Park, Hidalgo County

Orange-crowned Warbler. Bentson-Rio Grande State Park, Hidalgo County

Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Bentson-Rio Grande State Park, Hidalgo County

The afternoon was spent over at the National Butterfly Center down the road to the east. We checked several spots while there. Several butterflies, odes, and birds were observed.

Adelpha fessonia. National Butterfly Center, Hidalgo County

Roseatte Skimmer. Bentson-Rio Grande State Park, Hidalgo County

Rainpool Spreadwing. Bentson-Rio Grande State Park, Hidalgo County

Variegated Meadowhawk. Bentson-Rio Grande State Park, Hidalgo County

Familiar Bluet. Bentson-Rio Grande State Park, Hidalgo County

Plateau Spreadwing. Bentson-Rio Grande State Park, Hidalgo County

Common Green Darner. Bentson-Rio Grande State Park, Hidalgo County

Banded Dragonlet. Bentson-Rio Grande State Park, Hidalgo County

Green Jay. Bentson-Rio Grande State Park, Hidalgo County

Chachalaca. Bentson-Rio Grande State Park, Hidalgo County

Altamira. Bentson-Rio Grande State Park, Hidalgo County

Golden-fronted Woodpecker. Bentson-Rio Grande State Park, Hidalgo County

White-tipped Dove. Bentson-Rio Grande State Park, Hidalgo County

Kiskadee. Bentson-Rio Grande State Park, Hidalgo County

Eastern Screech Owl. Bentson-Rio Grande State Park, Hidalgo County

FEBRUARY 11

The forecast was for rain and colder weather, so we decided to head for home. We stopped off briefly at Salineno bird feeding stations south of Salineno overlooking the Rio Grande.

Salineno Bird Feeders, Starr County

Long-billed Thrasher. Salineno Bird Feeders, Starr County

Green Jay. Salinano Bird Feeders, Starr County

Golden-fronted Woodpecker. Salineno Bird Feeders, Starr County

Kiskadee. Salineno Bird Feeders, Starr County

Altamira Oriole. Salineno Bird Feeders, Starr County

Olive Sparrow. Salineno Bird Feeders, Starr County

We made it home before dark.