Tuesday 9 of us caravaned over to Bentsen State Park, the center showpiece of the Birding Centers in South Texas, to ride our bikes and maybe see some wildlife.
The office is surrounded by butterfly gardens, each plant labeled. As we are going to be making a butterfly/hummingbird garden here at Sandpiper's I was interested in how the area was arranged.
The office is surrounded by butterfly gardens, each plant labeled. As we are going to be making a butterfly/hummingbird garden here at Sandpiper's I was interested in how the area was arranged.
After admiring the plants we hopped aboard and off we pedaled.
Some of us forgot our binoculars....
...then we ran into some birding enthusiasts with a scope that got us up
Some of us forgot our binoculars.......then we ran into some birding enthusiasts with a scope that got us upclose and personal with the birds.
I was able to get a picture through the scope of a Ringed Kingfisher. 
I was able to get a picture through the scope of a Ringed Kingfisher. 
The small picture is from the ID sign. I think the real thing is more handsome.
Lanny did a lot of study on the signs. He was afraid of getting lost again.
We overheard one birding group tell another about the possible sighting of a Blue or Indigo Bunting up ahead.
That got us talking about Painted Buntings, which have occasionally been sighted in this area.
Jim got all excited thinking we had found Painted Bunnies...
He was on the wrong tour. They can be found only on the Hugh Hefner Tour.
We did find a javalina eating birdseed.
After a seed snack he wandered over to the blind for a drink where we got to see him up close.
This is Donna & Tom quietly taking pictures of the javeina and the red-winged blackbirds.
We met up with Dave who volunteers at the Hawk Tower four mornings a week, to explain and interpret bird behaviors. 
It was a great day. Cool breezes and an easy 4 mile ride. We had a great lunch afterward at Danny's Mexican Restaurant. Next week promises to be just as enjoyable. Join us!
4 comments:
A few years ago there was a pair of Indigo Buntings frequenting the feeder outside our daughter's kitchen window, in NW Pennsylvania. Having never seen one before, I was enamored by their remarkable color, and enjoyed watching for them to appear each day.
Wouldn't it be nice if life was this simple? Getting excited over a beautiful bird? Even though I haven't been able to go on the bike rides this year, it will be nice to have a butterfly/hummingbird garden right here in the park. I always enjoyed the after bike ride lunches, too. But, Sue, what plants attract Playboy Bunnies?!?
Patsy 108
What kind of plants attract Playboy Bunnies? 24 karat plants.
As well as Diamond Willow, and perhaps Goldenrod.
I'll bet there are many others.
Post a Comment