

My friend Luciano told me how much fun it was to explore the Rio Grande aboard our friends Matt and Marianna’s boat. So when I ran into them at the SPI Birding and Nature Center a few days into my two-and-a-half week tenure on the island, and they extended an invitation, I knew I would regret it if I missed out on the opportunity.
Almost a month later, I found my way to Mission Texas, ninety miles up the Rio Grande Valley from South Padre Island. Matt and Marianna made good on their offer to ferry me on their pontoon boat. Joining us on this late afternoon adventure was fellow birder Stephanie Lopez, one of our favorite people. When we launched, I suspected we might see some fun birds. but I was certain I would be in fine company.
We began our adventure at the boat launch at Chimney Park, where the Border Patrol and local Game Wardens put their boats into and out of the river. and we worked our way up-river past Bentzen-Rio State Park. The straight-line distance was only 4.8 miles, but given the meandering nature of the river, our traveling distance was almost nine miles.
I knew going into this ride, that tack-sharp images would be a challenge. The point of the trip, first of all, was to have fun; and FUN we had! Bird meetings were inevitable, but finding nearby birds in plain view, and in good light was not a sure thing. Given all the dynamics of a moving boat, a shaking camera, and busy subjects, it challenged us all. There wasn’t a lot of boat traffic on the river, but it seemed like those we shared the river with were adrenaline junkies, seeking to break all water speed records. They showed little concern with how their wake-making affected those of us looking for a peaceful interaction with nature. Sometimes we bobbed in the river so violently, we had to abandon our efforts to take pictures of the birds in front of us.
When we finished our tour, I managed to capture images of Baltimore Orioles, Belted Kingfishers, Black-Crowned Night-Herons, Blue Grosbeaks, Crested Caracaras, Gray Hawks, Green Herons, Green Kingfishers, Nashville Warblers, Ospreys, Painted Buntings, Ringed Kingfishers, Scissor-Tailed Flycatchers, Spotted Sandpipers, Wilson’s Warblers, and Yellow Warblers. Many of these images are not my best, but the attempt was a heap of fun.

Baltimore Oriole(Icterus galbula) |
Description: We found Baltimore Orioles working over the Giant Reeds lining the shore of the Rio Grande during our afternoon cruise on the waterway. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:25 18:00 |
Location:
Rio Grande River Ride |
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 460 mm, f/8.0, 1/250 |
File Name: BaltimoreOriole_8506979-RioGrandeBoatRide |
© 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Belted Kingfisher(Megaceryle alcyon) |
Description: Belted Kingfishers range throughout most of the North American continent, but only in south Texas, can we find three kingfisher species north of the border with Mexico. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:25 18:21 |
Location:
Rio Grande River Ride |
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 460 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: BeltedKingfisher_8507114-RioGrandeBoatRide |
© 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Black-Crowned Night-Heron(Nycticorax nycticorax) |
Description: Mature male Blue Grosbeaks are stunning to behold, but this bird was a tough subject to photograph. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:25 17:55 |
Location:
Rio Grande River Ride |
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 490 mm, f/8.0, 1/400 |
File Name: BlackCrownedNightHeron_8506932-RioGrandeBoatRide |
© 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Blue Grosbeak(Passerina caerulea) |
Description: Mature male Blue Grosbeaks are stunning to behold, but this bird was a tough subject to photograph. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:25 18:04 |
Location:
Rio Grande River Ride |
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 460 mm, f/8.0, 1/250 |
File Name: BlueGrosbeak_8507019-RioGrandeBoatRide |
© 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Blue Grosbeak(Passerina caerulea) |
Description: Mature male Blue Grosbeaks are stunning to behold, but this bird was a tough subject to photograph. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:25 18:09 |
Location:
Rio Grande River Ride |
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 460 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: BlueGrosbeak_8507086-RioGrandeBoatRide |
© 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Crested Caracara(Caracara cheriway) |
Description: Crested Caracaras are charismatic subjects. Here in south Texas, they have many fans. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:25 18:37 |
Location:
Rio Grande River Ride |
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: CrestedCaracara_8507191-RioGrandeBoatRide |
© 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Crested Caracara(Caracara cheriway) |
Description: Crested Caracaras are charismatic subjects. Here in south Texas, they have many fans. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:25 18:37 |
Location:
Rio Grande River Ride |
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: CrestedCaracara_8507196-RioGrandeBoatRide |
© 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Crested Caracara(Caracara cheriway) |
Description: Crested Caracaras are charismatic subjects. Here in south Texas, they have many fans. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:25 18:38 |
Location:
Rio Grande River Ride |
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: CrestedCaracara_8507197-RioGrandeBoatRide |
© 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Gray Hawk(Buteo plagiatus) |
Description: Contemporary literature suggests the Gray Hawk’s diet is mainly reptilian, with no mention of fish that I found. Yet I photographed an immature bird in Mission Texas that was eating a small fish. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:25 17:57 |
Location:
Rio Grande River Ride |
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 490 mm, f/8.0, 1/6400 |
File Name: GrayHawk_8506933-RioGrandeBoatRide |
© 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Gray Hawk(Buteo plagiatus) |
Description: Contemporary literature suggests the Gray Hawk’s diet is mainly reptilian, with no mention of fish that I found. Yet I photographed an immature bird in Mission Texas that was eating a small fish. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:25 17:57 |
Location:
Rio Grande River Ride |
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 490 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: GrayHawk_8506960-RioGrandeBoatRide |
© 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Green Heron(Butorides virescens) |
Description: Green Herons were one of several wading birds we met during our afternoon boating adventure on the Rio Grande. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:25 17:11 |
Location:
Rio Grande River Ride |
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: GreenHeron_8506626-RioGrandeBoatRide |
© 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Green Kingfisher(Chloroceryle americana) |
Description: Green Kingfishers are the smallest of the trio of kingfisher species found in south Texas. During our late afternoon boating expedition on the Rio Grande, we met all three members of the kingfisher clan. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:25 17:30 |
Location:
Rio Grande River Ride |
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: GreenKingfisher_8506800-RioGrandeBoatRide |
© 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Green Kingfisher(Chloroceryle americana) |
Description: Green Kingfishers are the smallest of the trio of kingfisher species found in south Texas. During our late afternoon boating expedition on the Rio Grande, we met all three members of the kingfisher clan. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:25 18:32 |
Location:
Rio Grande River Ride |
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 460 mm, f/8.0, 1/125 |
File Name: GreenKingfisher_8507122-RioGrandeBoatRide |
© 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Nashville Warbler(Leiothlypis ruficapilla) |
Description: We saw this Nashville Warbler in the company of Wilson’s and Yellow Warblers during our late afternoon boating adventure on the Rio Grande. It made for a fun trio of ’yellow-ish’ warblers on our cruise. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:25 18:06 |
Location:
Rio Grande River Ride |
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 460 mm, f/8.0, 1/125 |
File Name: NashvilleWarbler_8507046-RioGrandeBoatRide |
© 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Osprey(Pandion haliaetus) |
Description: We met several Osprey during our late afternoon boating adventure on the Rio Grande. Some even had their carry-out meals with them. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:25 16:42 |
Location:
Rio Grande River Ride |
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: Osprey_8506487-RioGrandeBoatRide |
© 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Osprey(Pandion haliaetus) |
Description: We met several Osprey during our late afternoon boating adventure on the Rio Grande. Some even had their carry-out meals with them. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:25 17:33 |
Location:
Rio Grande River Ride |
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: Osprey_8506826-RioGrandeBoatRide |
© 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Osprey(Pandion haliaetus) |
Description: We met several Osprey during our late afternoon boating adventure on the Rio Grande. Some even had their carry-out meals with them. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:25 17:37 |
Location:
Rio Grande River Ride |
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 500 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: Osprey_8506837-RioGrandeBoatRide |
© 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Painted Bunting(Passerina ciris) |
Description: This Painted Bunting female (or immature male) enjoyed bathing in the Rio Grande in the company of a Yellow Warbler. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:25 17:19 |
Location:
Rio Grande River Ride |
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/1600 |
File Name: PaintedBunting_8506705-RioGrandeBoatRide |
© 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Painted Bunting(Passerina ciris) |
Description: This Painted Bunting female (or immature male) enjoyed bathing in the Rio Grande in the company of a Yellow Warbler. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:25 17:19 |
Location:
Rio Grande River Ride |
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/1600 |
File Name: PaintedBunting_8506706-RioGrandeBoatRide |
© 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Painted Bunting(Passerina ciris) |
Description: This Painted Bunting female (or immature male) enjoyed bathing in the Rio Grande in the company of a Yellow Warbler. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:25 17:22 |
Location:
Rio Grande River Ride |
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: PaintedBunting_8506782-RioGrandeBoatRide |
© 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Ringed Kingfisher(Megaceryle torquata) |
Description: The Ringed Kingfisher is the largest member of the trio of kingfisher species found in south Texas. During our late afternoon boating expedition on the Rio Grande, we met all three members of the kingfisher clan. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:25 16:52 |
Location:
Rio Grande River Ride |
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: RingedKingfisher_8506538-RioGrandeBoatRide |
© 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Calm River and Stormy Skies(Scenery) |
Description: Our river tour lasted just long enough for us to enjoy the evening sky. The storms waited until later in the night to unload their burden of rain on a valley that needed it badly. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:25 18:30 |
Location:
Rio Grande River Ride |
Camera Information: SM-S906U, 5.4 mm, f/1.8, 1/350 |
File Name: RiverSky20220925_183031-RioGrandeBoatRide |
© 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher(Tyrannus forficatus) |
Description: Scissor-Tailed Flycatchers nest in south Texas, but others breed as far north as southeastern Nebraska, then return to southern Mexico and Central America for the winter season. The birds we saw during our late afternoon boating expedition on the Rio Grande, might have come from further north. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:25 17:00 |
Location:
Rio Grande River Ride |
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: ScissorTailedFlycatcher_8506600-RioGrandeBoatRide |
© 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher(Tyrannus forficatus) |
Description: Scissor-Tailed Flycatchers nest in south Texas, but others breed as far north as southeastern Nebraska, then return to southern Mexico and Central America for the winter season. The birds we saw during our late afternoon boating expedition on the Rio Grande, might have come from further north. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:25 17:08 |
Location:
Rio Grande River Ride |
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: ScissorTailedFlycatcher_8506605-RioGrandeBoatRide |
© 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Spotted Sandpiper(Actitis macularius) |
Description: This juvenile Spotted Sandpiper might have begun its life in a nest as far north as Alaska. It may move further south for winter, or perhaps remain in south Texas until next spring. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:25 17:15 |
Location:
Rio Grande River Ride |
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/640 |
File Name: SpottedSandpiper_8506636-RioGrandeBoatRide |
© 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Yellow Warbler(Setophaga petechia) |
Description: We saw Yellow Warblers in the company of Wilson’s and Nashville Warblers and a Painted Bunting during our late afternoon boating adventure on the Rio Grande. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:25 17:21 |
Location:
Rio Grande River Ride |
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: YellowWarblerPaintedBunting_8506741-RioGrandeBoatRide |
© 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Yellow Warbler(Setophaga petechia) |
Description: We saw Yellow Warblers in the company of Wilson’s and Nashville Warblers and a Painted Bunting during our late afternoon boating adventure on the Rio Grande. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:25 17:22 |
Location:
Rio Grande River Ride |
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/3200 |
File Name: YellowWarbler_8506765-RioGrandeBoatRide |
© 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Yellow Warbler(Setophaga petechia) |
Description: We saw Yellow Warblers in the company of Wilson’s and Nashville Warblers and a Painted Bunting during our late afternoon boating adventure on the Rio Grande. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:25 17:22 |
Location:
Rio Grande River Ride |
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/3200 |
File Name: YellowWarbler_8506789-RioGrandeBoatRide |
© 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |

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