Anzalduas Park

  

Anzalduas Park

… is open again!

 

It closed in March of last year due to Covid.

 

But when other places, other parks, started opening again, Anzalduas remained closed.  Without explanation.  There was plenty of activity there, but it was all Border Patrol and military.  Didn't know if we'd ever get that park back.  For a year we've been checking on it every month or two and getting turned around.  Delighted to get to walk there again.

 

It's located on a bend in the river; just south of the border and north of the border at the same time.

 

https://www.google.com/maps/@26.1409637,-98.3321546,1875m/data=!3m1!1e3

 

 

 

Majestic oaks.

 

And this tree, this honey mesquite, the epitome of determination.  Blown over, completely on its side, the branches forming new crowns.

 

 

 

Green Heron

  

 

Stealthy.

 

An ambush hunter.

 

Then, liftoff.

 

 

 

Old wood

  

 

 

With character.

 

 

Texas Honey Mesquite.

 

 

 

We drop the pups off at the groomer

  

A few hours later we get these pictures by text.

 

 

Seems she enjoys her work.

 

 

 

Least Bittern

  

Can you see him there behind the reeds?

 

It's pretty subtle.

 

One glimpse, then he's gone.

 

 

 

Full throttle!

  

 

 

 

 

Some people

  

Some people have skeletons in their closet.

 

But not us!

 

 

 

Covid hair

  

My commitment to pandemic social distancing.  Didn't come face to face with a barber for a year!

 

Now Judy and I have our shots, and our friend Joe has his shots, with masks and social distancing in his shop.  No reason not to get my hair cut again now.  Except I couldn't pull the trigger.  I don't mind the long hair.  I kind of like it.  We opted for a clean-up.

 

I didn't want to cut it off.

 

 

 

Sometimes

  

Birds just have to preen.

 

 

 

Or sleep.

 

 

 

 

Before and After

  

Primarily, we're logging birds this year.  In addition, though, we're paying attention to which counties we've already reported birds in.  The goal, of course, being to report at least one bird in every county in the state; Texas being the most difficult state, because it has 254 counties.

 

Before our West Texas/Panhandle trip.

 

After.

 

This is starting to look doable.

 

We popped in and out of New Mexico on this trip as well.

 

Before.

 

After.

 

Only 7 counties remaining!

 

 

 

Along the way

  

 

 

 

 

 

Now we're home.  We splattered dots all over West Texas and the Panhandle.

 

West Texas Birding Map

 

 

Started the trip at 239 species for the year.  Ended with 277.  38 birds; and a lot of those we wouldn't have gotten in the Valley all year.  We're happy with the result.  Next up, migration along the coast in April.

 

 

 

Friday

  

Now we're at Quiet Texas RV Park in Hondo.

 

West Texas Birding Map

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On our way home.

 

 

 

 

Freeway day

  

Interstate 10 from Fort Stockton to Junction.  A chance for the golden-cheeked warbler at South Llano River State Park.  (Missed it.)  But Junction, Texas; know what that means?  Lum's barbecue!  Yum!

 

West Texas Birding Map

 

Texas wild.

 

Given how much fun he's having in the dirt, he might be related to Jesse!

 

A Texas nine-banded armadillo!

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday

  

Back to civilization.

 

A tank of fuel, a drive north, and we're at Fort Stockton for the night.  Again.  And you know what that means; chicken fried steak from the Roadrunner Café!  Again.  :)

 

Different version of the West Texas Birding Map

 

In the absence of internet for the last few days except for heroics, I managed to keep my Duolingo Spanish streak alive.  Currently at 391 days.

 

The birding streak is at 276 species.  Only 124 birds to go and migration is coming!  It's time to get back to the Valley and start picking off migrants.

 

 

 

 

Tuesday

  

Santa Elena Canyon.

That canyon is 1,500 feet deep, and at the bottom as narrow as 60 feet wide!

 

And old rusty stuff!

 

An old adobe.

 

A view of the "Mule Ears".

 

Tuff Canyon.

(All that white stuff is leftover ash from volcanic eruptions.)

 

Chisos Basin.

 

 

 

And a roadrunner.

 

So tame; I think he wanted a bite of my sandwich.