2021-02-16 Bentsen RGV State Park

Read the blog

23 Photos

Altamira Oriole - Icterus gularis — **Altamira Oriole**
*(Icterus gularis)*

**Description:**
Frigid weather seemed to bring unexpected birds, such as these orioles, to the seed feeders at Bentsen RGV SP. The mercury rose to 30°F this morning from 22°F yesterday in south Texas. I had camped only a mile-and-a-half from Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park, so despite the cold, I ventured out for a couple of hours, until my hands began complaining of the low temperature.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:02:16 10:45

**Location:**

Bentsen RGV State Park
Mission, Texas
United States
131.24 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/250

**File Name:** AltamiraOriole_D5X1945-Bentsen-RGV-SP

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

Pin It — **Altamira Oriole**
*(Icterus gularis)*

**Description:**
Frigid weather seemed to bring unexpected birds, such as these orioles, to the seed feeders at Bentsen RGV SP. The mercury rose to 30°F this morning from 22°F yesterday in south Texas. I had camped only a mile-and-a-half from Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park, so despite the cold, I ventured out for a couple of hours, until my hands began complaining of the low temperature.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:02:16 10:45

**Location:**

Bentsen RGV State Park
Mission, Texas
United States
131.24 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/250

**File Name:** AltamiraOriole_D5X1945-Bentsen-RGV-SP

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

American Goldfinch - Spinus tristis — **American Goldfinch**
*(Spinus tristis)*

**Description:**
I’d missed meeting American Goldfinches in Texas until I visited the seed feeders at Bentsen RGV SP. The mercury rose to 30°F this morning from 22°F yesterday in south Texas. I had camped only a mile-and-a-half from Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park, so despite the cold, I ventured out for a couple of hours, until my hands began complaining of the low temperature.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:02:16 11:18

**Location:**

Bentsen RGV State Park
Mission, Texas
United States
131.24 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/500

**File Name:** AmericanGoldfinch_D5X2083-Bentsen-RGV-SP

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

Black-Chinned Hummingbird - Archilochus alexandri — **Black-Chinned Hummingbird**
*(Archilochus alexandri)*

**Description:**
Hummingbirds were scarce in south Texas this winter, but I enjoyed meeting this bird at the feeders in Bentsen RGV SP. The mercury rose to 30°F this morning from 22°F yesterday in south Texas. I had camped only a mile-and-a-half from Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park, so despite the cold, I ventured out for a couple of hours, until my hands began complaining of the low temperature.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:02:16 12:37

**Location:**

Bentsen RGV State Park
Mission, Texas
United States
131.24 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/500

**File Name:** BlackChinnedHummingbird_D5X2360-Bentsen-RGV-SP

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

Collared Peccary - Pecari tajacu — **Collared Peccary**
*(Pecari tajacu)*

**Description:**
The Collared Peccaries I’d met in Texas and Arizona evaded my camera, but these at Bentsen RGV SP were slightly more cooperative. The mercury rose to 30°F this morning from 22°F yesterday in south Texas. I had camped only a mile-and-a-half from Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park, so despite the cold, I ventured out for a couple of hours, until my hands began complaining of the low temperature.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:02:16 12:35

**Location:**

Bentsen RGV State Park
Mission, Texas
United States
131.24 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/500

**File Name:** CollaredPeccary_D5X2354-Bentsen-RGV-SP

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

Great Kiskadee - Pitangus sulphuratus — **Great Kiskadee**
*(Pitangus sulphuratus)*

**Description:**
Frigid weather seemed to bring unexpected birds, such as these kiskadees, to the seed feeders at Bentsen RGV SP. The mercury rose to 30°F this morning from 22°F yesterday in south Texas. I had camped only a mile-and-a-half from Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park, so despite the cold, I ventured out for a couple of hours, until my hands began complaining of the low temperature.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:02:16 10:40

**Location:**

Bentsen RGV State Park
Mission, Texas
United States
131.24 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000

**File Name:** GreatKiskadee_D5X1904-Bentsen-RGV-SP

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

Lincoln's Sparrow - Melospiza lincolnii — **Lincoln's Sparrow**
*(Melospiza lincolnii)*

**Description:**
Lincoln’s were the only sparrows I encountered on my first visit to Bentsen RGV SP. The mercury rose to 30°F this morning from 22°F yesterday in south Texas. I had camped only a mile-and-a-half from Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park, so despite the cold, I ventured out for a couple of hours, until my hands began complaining of the low temperature.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:02:16 11:07

**Location:**

Bentsen RGV State Park
Mission, Texas
United States
131.24 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800

**File Name:** LincolnsSparrow_D5X2044-Bentsen-RGV-SP

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

Long-Billed Thrasher - Toxostoma longirostre — **Long-Billed Thrasher**
*(Toxostoma longirostre)*

**Description:**
Thrashers were among the birds enjoying the seed feeders at Bentsen RGV SP this cold morning. The mercury rose to 30°F this morning from 22°F yesterday in south Texas. I had camped only a mile-and-a-half from Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park, so despite the cold, I ventured out for a couple of hours, until my hands began complaining of the low temperature.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:02:16 11:30

**Location:**

Bentsen RGV State Park
Mission, Texas
United States
131.24 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800

**File Name:** LongBilledThrasher_D5X2148-Bentsen-RGV-SP

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

Northern Cardinal - Cardinalis cardinalis — **Northern Cardinal**
*(Cardinalis cardinalis)*

**Description:**
Cardinals were among the birds enjoying the seed feeders at Bentsen RGV SP this cold morning. The mercury rose to 30°F this morning from 22°F yesterday in south Texas. I had camped only a mile-and-a-half from Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park, so despite the cold, I ventured out for a couple of hours, until my hands began complaining of the low temperature.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:02:16 11:04

**Location:**

Bentsen RGV State Park
Mission, Texas
United States
131.24 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800

**File Name:** NorthernCardinal_D5X2029-Bentsen-RGV-SP

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

Northern Mockingbird - Mimus polyglottos — **Northern Mockingbird**
*(Mimus polyglottos)*

**Description:**
Mockingbirds were at the top of the pecking-order at Bentsen RGV SP. The mercury rose to 30°F this morning from 22°F yesterday in south Texas. I had camped only a mile-and-a-half from Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park, so despite the cold, I ventured out for a couple of hours, until my hands began complaining of the low temperature.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:02:16 11:34

**Location:**

Bentsen RGV State Park
Mission, Texas
United States
131.24 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800

**File Name:** NorthernMockingbird_D5X2197-Bentsen-RGV-SP

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

Plain Chachalaca - Ortalis vetula — **Plain Chachalaca**
*(Ortalis vetula)*

**Description:**
Chachalacas made several appearances to the feeders at Bentsen RGV SP. The mercury rose to 30°F this morning from 22°F yesterday in south Texas. I had camped only a mile-and-a-half from Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park, so despite the cold, I ventured out for a couple of hours, until my hands began complaining of the low temperature.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:02:16 11:04

**Location:**

Bentsen RGV State Park
Mission, Texas
United States
131.24 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800

**File Name:** PlainChachalaca_D5X2033-Bentsen-RGV-SP

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

Red-Winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus — **Red-Winged Blackbird**
*(Agelaius phoeniceus)*

**Description:**
Blackbirds were abundant at the feeders at Bentsen RGV SP. The mercury rose to 30°F this morning from 22°F yesterday in south Texas. I had camped only a mile-and-a-half from Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park, so despite the cold, I ventured out for a couple of hours, until my hands began complaining of the low temperature.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:02:16 11:07

**Location:**

Bentsen RGV State Park
Mission, Texas
United States
131.24 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/500

**File Name:** RedWingedBlackbird_D5X2047-Bentsen-RGV-SP

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

Wild Turkey - Meleagris gallopavo — **Wild Turkey**
*(Meleagris gallopavo)*

**Description:**
I met these Rio Grande Wild Turkeys at Bentsen RGV SP. They are one of six subspecies (M. g. intermedia) recognised by science. The mercury rose to 30°F this morning from 22°F yesterday in south Texas. I had camped only a mile-and-a-half from Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park, so despite the cold, I ventured out for a couple of hours, until my hands began complaining of the low temperature.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:02:16 11:54

**Location:**

Bentsen RGV State Park
Mission, Texas
United States
131.24 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800

**File Name:** WildTurkey_D5X2219-Bentsen-RGV-SP

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

Click map markers to reveal further information

Altamira Oriole

Icterus gularis

Frigid weather seemed to bring unexpected birds, such as these orioles, to the seed feeders at Bentsen RGV SP. The mercury rose to 30°F this morning from 22°F yesterday in south Texas. I had camped only a mile-and-a-half from Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park, so despite the cold, I ventured out for a couple of hours, until my hands began complaining of the low temperature.

Altamira Oriole

Icterus gularis

American Goldfinch

Spinus tristis

I’d missed meeting American Goldfinches in Texas until I visited the seed feeders at Bentsen RGV SP. The mercury rose to 30°F this morning from 22°F yesterday in south Texas. I had camped only a mile-and-a-half from Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park, so despite the cold, I ventured out for a couple of hours, until my hands began complaining of the low temperature.

American Goldfinch

Spinus tristis

Black-Chinned Hummingbird

Archilochus alexandri

Hummingbirds were scarce in south Texas this winter, but I enjoyed meeting this bird at the feeders in Bentsen RGV SP. The mercury rose to 30°F this morning from 22°F yesterday in south Texas. I had camped only a mile-and-a-half from Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park, so despite the cold, I ventured out for a couple of hours, until my hands began complaining of the low temperature.

Collared Peccary

Pecari tajacu

The Collared Peccaries I’d met in Texas and Arizona evaded my camera, but these at Bentsen RGV SP were slightly more cooperative. The mercury rose to 30°F this morning from 22°F yesterday in south Texas. I had camped only a mile-and-a-half from Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park, so despite the cold, I ventured out for a couple of hours, until my hands began complaining of the low temperature.

Collared Peccary

Pecari tajacu

Great Kiskadee

Pitangus sulphuratus

Frigid weather seemed to bring unexpected birds, such as these kiskadees, to the seed feeders at Bentsen RGV SP. The mercury rose to 30°F this morning from 22°F yesterday in south Texas. I had camped only a mile-and-a-half from Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park, so despite the cold, I ventured out for a couple of hours, until my hands began complaining of the low temperature.

Great Kiskadee

Pitangus sulphuratus

Great Kiskadee

Pitangus sulphuratus

Great Kiskadee

Pitangus sulphuratus

Great Kiskadee

Pitangus sulphuratus

Lincoln's Sparrow

Melospiza lincolnii

Lincoln’s were the only sparrows I encountered on my first visit to Bentsen RGV SP. The mercury rose to 30°F this morning from 22°F yesterday in south Texas. I had camped only a mile-and-a-half from Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park, so despite the cold, I ventured out for a couple of hours, until my hands began complaining of the low temperature.

Long-Billed Thrasher

Toxostoma longirostre

Thrashers were among the birds enjoying the seed feeders at Bentsen RGV SP this cold morning. The mercury rose to 30°F this morning from 22°F yesterday in south Texas. I had camped only a mile-and-a-half from Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park, so despite the cold, I ventured out for a couple of hours, until my hands began complaining of the low temperature.

Northern Cardinal

Cardinalis cardinalis

Cardinals were among the birds enjoying the seed feeders at Bentsen RGV SP this cold morning. The mercury rose to 30°F this morning from 22°F yesterday in south Texas. I had camped only a mile-and-a-half from Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park, so despite the cold, I ventured out for a couple of hours, until my hands began complaining of the low temperature.

Northern Mockingbird

Mimus polyglottos

Mockingbirds were at the top of the pecking-order at Bentsen RGV SP. The mercury rose to 30°F this morning from 22°F yesterday in south Texas. I had camped only a mile-and-a-half from Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park, so despite the cold, I ventured out for a couple of hours, until my hands began complaining of the low temperature.

Plain Chachalaca

Ortalis vetula

Chachalacas made several appearances to the feeders at Bentsen RGV SP. The mercury rose to 30°F this morning from 22°F yesterday in south Texas. I had camped only a mile-and-a-half from Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park, so despite the cold, I ventured out for a couple of hours, until my hands began complaining of the low temperature.

Red-Winged Blackbird

Agelaius phoeniceus

Blackbirds were abundant at the feeders at Bentsen RGV SP. The mercury rose to 30°F this morning from 22°F yesterday in south Texas. I had camped only a mile-and-a-half from Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park, so despite the cold, I ventured out for a couple of hours, until my hands began complaining of the low temperature.

Red-Winged Blackbird

Agelaius phoeniceus

Wild Turkey

Meleagris gallopavo

I met these Rio Grande Wild Turkeys at Bentsen RGV SP. They are one of six subspecies (M. g. intermedia) recognised by science. The mercury rose to 30°F this morning from 22°F yesterday in south Texas. I had camped only a mile-and-a-half from Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park, so despite the cold, I ventured out for a couple of hours, until my hands began complaining of the low temperature.