
Fog was so thick, at 50 feet things faded from my view, and at 100 feet I could barely make out the shapes ahead of me while I drove. That is how my morning started as I set out to explore the southernmost tip of Texas on Tuesday morning. I’d read in past years the Brownsville landfill was a place to meet strange gulls and though less likely, Tamaulipas Crows. I’ve never felt compelled to bird hunt in landfills, but I thought I would try to visit this site, only a mile and a half from my camp. Driving almost by Braille, I reached the site, but with the impossible visibility, I did an about-face and headed toward my next destination; the Palmito Hill Battlefield.
Last spring, when the pandemic shut down most of the top birding venues in south Texas, I drove to these fields and enjoyed meeting Eastern Meadowlarks, Scissor-Tailed Flycatchers and others. I had my doubts about seeing any flycatchers this day, but I thought there was a chance I’d see the meadowlarks (it was not to be).
For those who’ve never visited this location, it is the site of the last battle of the Civil War, where the wide, flat delta of the Rio Grande sweeps out to the Gulf of Mexico at Boca Chica Beach. The habitat is a mixture of grassland, cactus fields and mesquite woods, all at about 20 feet above sea level.
Nowadays, Space-X, with its launch complex less than ten miles from Palmito Hill, many of the visitors here are hoping to watch big, fiery spectacles of rockets flying into the skies. One enthusiastic man, airline pilot David Santilena, has committed his efforts to create a place where folks can come and camp by the river and watch the show. He calls his camp Rocket Ranch. At his invitation, I took a quick tour of the site and found it impressive. The location borders the river and has a splendid view to the east, where Space-X has their facility.
While I missed meeting the meadowlarks this day, I was pleased to find a raptor new to me; The White-Tailed Hawk. There were other birds I enjoyed as well. Those included Cactus Wren, Common Yellowthroat, Cooper’s Hawk, Curve-Billed Thrasher, Harris’s Hawk, House Wren, Northern Mockingbird, Orange-Crowned Warbler, Red-Tailed Hawk, Turkey Vulture, White-Eyed Vireo, and Yellow-Rumped Warbler.

Cactus Wren(Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) |
Description: Ever curious, Cactus Wrens always need to know what’s going on in the neighborhood. My early morning visit to Palmito Hill, southeast of Brownsville, began in a heavy fog. By mid-day the weather improved only slightly to overcast skies. |
Date Taken: 2021:01:26 12:01 |
Location:
Palmito Hill |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: CactusWren_D5X4963-PalmitoHill-TX |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Cactus Wren(Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) |
Description: Ever curious, Cactus Wrens always need to know what’s going on in the neighborhood. My early morning visit to Palmito Hill, southeast of Brownsville, began in a heavy fog. By mid-day the weather improved only slightly to overcast skies. |
Date Taken: 2021:01:26 12:03 |
Location:
Palmito Hill |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/800 |
File Name: CactusWren_D5X4985-PalmitoHill-TX |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Common Yellowthroat(Geothlypis trichas insperata) |
Description: Along the Lower Rio Grande, the yellowthroats you meet are most likely the subspecies called the Brownsville Common Yellowthroat. My early morning visit to Palmito Hill, southeast of Brownsville, began in a heavy fog. By mid-day the weather improved only slightly to overcast skies. |
Date Taken: 2021:01:26 9:29 |
Location:
Palmito Hill |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/250 |
File Name: CommonYellowthroat_D5X4654-PalmitoHill-TX |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Common Yellowthroat(Geothlypis trichas) |
Description: Along the Lower Rio Grande, the yellowthroats you meet are most likely the subspecies called the Brownsville Common Yellowthroat. My early morning visit to Palmito Hill, southeast of Brownsville, began in a heavy fog. By mid-day the weather improved only slightly to overcast skies. |
Date Taken: 2021:01:26 9:29 |
Location:
Palmito Hill |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/250 |
File Name: CommonYellowthroat_D5X4658-PalmitoHill-TX |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Common Yellowthroat(Geothlypis trichas) |
Description: Along the Lower Rio Grande, the yellowthroats you meet are most likely the subspecies called the Brownsville Common Yellowthroat. My early morning visit to Palmito Hill, southeast of Brownsville, began in a heavy fog. By mid-day the weather improved only slightly to overcast skies. |
Date Taken: 2021:01:26 9:29 |
Location:
Palmito Hill |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/250 |
File Name: CommonYellowthroat_D5X4666-PalmitoHill-TX |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Common Yellowthroat(Geothlypis trichas) |
Description: Along the Lower Rio Grande, the yellowthroats you meet are most likely the subspecies called the Brownsville Common Yellowthroat. My early morning visit to Palmito Hill, southeast of Brownsville, began in a heavy fog. By mid-day the weather improved only slightly to overcast skies. |
Date Taken: 2021:01:26 9:33 |
Location:
Palmito Hill |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/250 |
File Name: CommonYellowthroat_D5X4683-PalmitoHill-TX |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Cooper's Hawk(Accipiter cooperii) |
Description: This young hawk just made an unsuccessful attack on a passerine. My early morning visit to Palmito Hill, southeast of Brownsville, began in a heavy fog. By mid-day the weather improved only slightly to overcast skies. |
Date Taken: 2021:01:26 12:11 |
Location:
Palmito Hill |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: CoopersHawk_D5X5019-PalmitoHill-TX |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Curve-Billed Thrasher(Toxostoma curvirostre) |
Description: The thick and thorny brush lining the road was a perfect habitat for thrashers. My early morning visit to Palmito Hill, southeast of Brownsville, began in a heavy fog. By mid-day the weather improved only slightly to overcast skies. |
Date Taken: 2021:01:26 9:48 |
Location:
Palmito Hill |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/800 |
File Name: CurveBilledThrasher_D5X4707-PalmitoHill-TX |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Harris's Hawk(Parabuteo unicinctus) |
Description: There were six to eight members of this clan of banded hawks. My early morning visit to Palmito Hill, southeast of Brownsville, began in a heavy fog. By mid-day the weather improved only slightly to overcast skies. |
Date Taken: 2021:01:26 10:44 |
Location:
Palmito Hill |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: HarrisHawk_D5X4795-PalmitoHill-TX |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Harris's Hawk(Parabuteo unicinctus) |
Description: There were six to eight members of this clan of banded hawks. My early morning visit to Palmito Hill, southeast of Brownsville, began in a heavy fog. By mid-day the weather improved only slightly to overcast skies. |
Date Taken: 2021:01:26 10:44 |
Location:
Palmito Hill |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/800 |
File Name: HarrisHawk_D5X4803-PalmitoHill-TX |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Harris's Hawk(Parabuteo unicinctus) |
Description: There were six to eight members of this clan of banded hawks. My early morning visit to Palmito Hill, southeast of Brownsville, began in a heavy fog. By mid-day the weather improved only slightly to overcast skies. |
Date Taken: 2021:01:26 10:44 |
Location:
Palmito Hill |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/800 |
File Name: HarrisHawk_D5X4809-PalmitoHill-TX |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Harris's Hawk(Parabuteo unicinctus) |
Description: There were six to eight members of this clan of banded hawks. My early morning visit to Palmito Hill, southeast of Brownsville, began in a heavy fog. By mid-day the weather improved only slightly to overcast skies. |
Date Taken: 2021:01:26 10:45 |
Location:
Palmito Hill |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/800 |
File Name: HarrisHawk_D5X4818-PalmitoHill-TX |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Harris's Hawk(Parabuteo unicinctus) |
Description: There were six to eight members of this clan of banded hawks. My early morning visit to Palmito Hill, southeast of Brownsville, began in a heavy fog. By mid-day the weather improved only slightly to overcast skies. |
Date Taken: 2021:01:26 10:45 |
Location:
Palmito Hill |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: HarrisHawk_D5X4829-PalmitoHill-TX |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


House Wren(Troglodytes aedon) |
Description: I think I saw Bewick’s and Carolina Wrens here (not sure), but the Cactus Wren and this House Wren were easier to photograph. My early morning visit to Palmito Hill, southeast of Brownsville, began in a heavy fog. By mid-day the weather improved only slightly to overcast skies. |
Date Taken: 2021:01:26 12:29 |
Location:
Palmito Hill |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: HouseWren_D5X5114-PalmitoHill-TX |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Northern Mockingbird(Mimus polyglottos) |
Description: It’s Texas, so there MUST be mockingbirds nearby. My early morning visit to Palmito Hill, southeast of Brownsville, began in a heavy fog. By mid-day the weather improved only slightly to overcast skies. |
Date Taken: 2021:01:26 12:28 |
Location:
Palmito Hill |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: NorthernMockingbird_D5X5100-PalmitoHill-TX |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Northern Mockingbird(Mimus polyglottos) |
Description: It’s Texas, so there MUST be mockingbirds nearby. My early morning visit to Palmito Hill, southeast of Brownsville, began in a heavy fog. By mid-day the weather improved only slightly to overcast skies. |
Date Taken: 2021:01:26 12:28 |
Location:
Palmito Hill |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: NorthernMockingbird_D5X5103-PalmitoHill-TX |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Orange-Crowned Warbler(Leiothlypis celata) |
Description: I noticed a high winter population of Orange-Crowned and Myrtle Warblers most places I visit in southern Texas. My early morning visit to Palmito Hill, southeast of Brownsville, began in a heavy fog. By mid-day the weather improved only slightly to overcast skies. |
Date Taken: 2021:01:26 11:54 |
Location:
Palmito Hill |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/800 |
File Name: OrangeCrownedWarbler_D5X4951-PalmitoHill-TX |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Red-Tailed Hawk(Buteo jamaicensis) |
Description: It was a banner day for raptors at Palmito Hill this morning. My early morning visit to Palmito Hill, southeast of Brownsville, began in a heavy fog. By mid-day the weather improved only slightly to overcast skies. |
Date Taken: 2021:01:26 12:55 |
Location:
Palmito Hill |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: RedTailedHawk_D5X5119-PalmitoHill-TX |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Turkey Vulture(Cathartes aura) |
Description: This bird is NOT a raptor, despite how they are placed in most bird guides. My early morning visit to Palmito Hill, southeast of Brownsville, began in a heavy fog. By mid-day the weather improved only slightly to overcast skies. |
Date Taken: 2021:01:26 11:24 |
Location:
Palmito Hill |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: TurkeyVulture_D5X4918-PalmitoHill-TX |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Eyed Vireo(Vireo griseus) |
Description: I understand these vireos haunt south Texas all year, but they are more outgoing in spring than in winter. My early morning visit to Palmito Hill, southeast of Brownsville, began in a heavy fog. By mid-day the weather improved only slightly to overcast skies. |
Date Taken: 2021:01:26 9:18 |
Location:
Palmito Hill |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/500 |
File Name: WhiteEyedVireo_D5X4641-PalmitoHill-TX |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Tailed Hawk(Geranoaetus albicaudatus) |
Description: I learned these beautiful raptors are year-round residents wherever you find them. These birds were the first I ever met. My early morning visit to Palmito Hill, southeast of Brownsville, began in a heavy fog. By mid-day the weather improved only slightly to overcast skies. |
Date Taken: 2021:01:26 10:39 |
Location:
Palmito Hill |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: WhiteTailedHawk_D5X4769-PalmitoHill-TX |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Tailed Hawk(Geranoaetus albicaudatus) |
Description: I learned these beautiful raptors are year-round residents wherever you find them. These birds were the first I ever met. My early morning visit to Palmito Hill, southeast of Brownsville, began in a heavy fog. By mid-day the weather improved only slightly to overcast skies. |
Date Taken: 2021:01:26 11:23 |
Location:
Palmito Hill |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: WhiteTailedHawk_D5X4852-PalmitoHill-TX |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Tailed Hawk(Geranoaetus albicaudatus) |
Description: I learned these beautiful raptors are year-round residents wherever you find them. These birds were the first I ever met. My early morning visit to Palmito Hill, southeast of Brownsville, began in a heavy fog. By mid-day the weather improved only slightly to overcast skies. |
Date Taken: 2021:01:26 11:23 |
Location:
Palmito Hill |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: WhiteTailedHawk_D5X4855-PalmitoHill-TX |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Tailed Hawk(Geranoaetus albicaudatus) |
Description: I learned these beautiful raptors are year-round residents wherever you find them. These birds were the first I ever met. My early morning visit to Palmito Hill, southeast of Brownsville, began in a heavy fog. By mid-day the weather improved only slightly to overcast skies. |
Date Taken: 2021:01:26 11:23 |
Location:
Palmito Hill |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: WhiteTailedHawk_D5X4862-PalmitoHill-TX |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Yellow-Rumped Warbler(Setophaga coronata coronata) |
Description: I noticed a high winter population of Orange-Crowned and Myrtle Warblers most places I visit in southern Texas. My early morning visit to Palmito Hill, southeast of Brownsville, began in a heavy fog. By mid-day the weather improved only slightly to overcast skies. |
Date Taken: 2021:01:26 11:30 |
Location:
Palmito Hill |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: YellowRumpedWarbler_D5X4939-PalmitoHill-TX |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |

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