A week before the end of April 2020 I made plans to exit Texas at the end of the month. Then I learned of several locations I’d hoped to explore, but were closed because of the Covid-19 pandemic, were opening. It made sense I should check these places out before I left the region, so I extended my stay for an additional week. Resaca de la Palma State Park was one such location.
Prior to coming to Texas I was researching places I could visit for bird encounters. I kept reading about The World Birding Center. At first I thought is must be a colossal location, but later I learned it is a network of nine reserves spanning 120 miles of the Lower Rio Grande Valley from Roma to South Padre Island, and includes:
- Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park
- Edinburg Scenic Wetlands
- Estero Llano Grande State Park
- Harlingen Arroyo Colorado
- Old Hidalgo Pumphouse Museum
- Quinta Mazatlan Historical Mansion
- Resaca de la Palma State Park
- Roma Bluffs
- South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center
Resaca de la Palma State Park is spread out in the valley on a 2½ mile by 1 mile property, 7½ miles northwest of downtown Brownsville, Texas. I’d hoped to meet Least Grebes here, but I discovered the shortage of water in South Texas meant no water was in the resaca. Scattered throughout the Lower Rio Grande Valley are remnant horseshoe shaped oxbow lakes called resacas, leaving winding depressions as evidence that the former great meandering river once ran wild and free, and passed over these grounds. Nowadays, the Rio Grande’s 1248 mile path from the San Juan Mountains in Colorado, has been tamed by fifteen dams constructed during the 20th Century (1914-1971). Agricultural demands trump park demands, so many of the resacas here starve for water. Today, the river barely trickles into the Gulf of Mexico.
I was informed there may be some water at the far end of the park at a location called Hunter’s Lane, so I loaded my gear onto my bike and rode out to investigate. The water I found was a mere shallow pond with no grebe in sight <sigh>. However, there were cuckoos, anis, kingbirds, buntings, various warblers, flycatchers, cowbirds, doves, thrushes and others to entertain me. When I visited the park again ten days later, I found the puddle was bigger because of agricultural water leaking into the park, yet still the resaca was dry except for the lowest end of the park at Hunter’s Lane.
I managed two visits to this location before my Texas departure, and on both occasions a storm blew in suddenly and chased me away, riding through a tropical wind and rain event. Still, the meetings with birds and other critters such as the Texas Tortoise were ample reward for the time I spent there.
A week before the end of April 2020 I made plans to exit Texas at the end of the month. Then I learned of the opening of several locations I’d hoped to explore, but were previously closed because of the Covid-19 pandemic. It made sense I should check these places out before I left the region, so I extended my stay for an additional week. Resaca de la Palma State Park was one such location.
Prior to coming to Texas I was researching places I could visit for bird encounters. I kept reading about The World Birding Center. At first I thought is must be a colossal location, but later I learned it is a network of nine reserves spanning 120 miles of the Lower Rio Grande Valley from Roma to South Padre Island, and includes:
- Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park
- Edinburg Scenic Wetlands
- Estero Llano Grande State Park
- Harlingen Arroyo Colorado
- Old Hidalgo Pumphouse Museum
- Quinta Mazatlan Historical Mansion
- Resaca de la Palma State Park
- Roma Bluffs
- South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center

Wilson's Phalarope(Phalaropus tricolor) |
Description: While I was looking for anis, cuckoos, thrushes, buntings and warblers, a single Wilson’s Phalarope landed in the tiny nearby mud puddle. It was the only remaining water in the resaca. Resaca de las Palmas in Brownsville, Texas opened to the public a few days before I left Texas on my 2020 expedition. |
Date Taken: 2020:04:29 11:01 |
Location:
Resaca de las Palmas |
Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/3200 |
File Name: WilsonsPhalarope_D509225-Resaca-de-las-Palmas |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Wilson's Phalarope(Phalaropus tricolor) |
Description: While I was looking for anis, cuckoos, thrushes, buntings and warblers, a single Wilson’s Phalarope landed in the tiny nearby mud puddle. It was the only remaining water in the resaca. Resaca de las Palmas in Brownsville, Texas opened to the public a few days before I left Texas on my 2020 expedition. |
Date Taken: 2020:04:29 11:03 |
Location:
Resaca de las Palmas |
Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/3200 |
File Name: WilsonsPhalarope_D509241-Resaca-de-las-Palmas |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Wilson's Phalarope(Phalaropus tricolor) |
Description: While I was looking for anis, cuckoos, thrushes, buntings and warblers, a single Wilson’s Phalarope landed in the tiny nearby mud puddle. It was the only remaining water in the resaca. Resaca de las Palmas in Brownsville, Texas opened to the public a few days before I left Texas on my 2020 expedition. |
Date Taken: 2020:04:29 11:05 |
Location:
Resaca de las Palmas |
Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/3200 |
File Name: WilsonsPhalarope_D509274-Resaca-de-las-Palmas |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Yellow-Billed Cuckoo(Coccyzus americanus) |
Description: Cuckoos are shy birds, and this one was no exception. It monitored me while maintaining an obscure position in the canopy. It was the only remaining water in the resaca. Resaca de las Palmas in Brownsville, Texas opened to the public a few days before I left Texas on my 2020 expedition. |
Date Taken: 2020:04:29 10:50 |
Location:
Resaca de las Palmas |
Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: YellowBilledCuckoo_D509198-Resaca-de-las-Palmas |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Inca Dove(Columbina inca) |
Description: Resaca de las Palmas in Brownsville, Texas opened to the public a few days before I left Texas on my 2020 expedition. Spring is a time for courting and these Inca Doves were acting accordingly. |
Date Taken: 2020:04:29 9:22 |
Location:
Resaca de las Palmas |
Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: IncaDove_D509111-Resaca-de-las-Palmas |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Groove-Billed Ani(Crotophaga sulcirostris) |
Description: Resaca de las Palmas in Brownsville, Texas opened to the public a few days before I left Texas on my 2020 expedition. In 2017 I met a single bird on Isla Socorro, 600 miles off the Pacific coast of Mexico. These were the first Groove-Billed Anis I met in a more expected habitat. |
Date Taken: 2020:04:29 11:23 |
Location:
Resaca de las Palmas |
Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/640 |
File Name: GrooveBilledAni_D509344-Resaca-de-las-Palmas |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Groove-Billed Ani(Crotophaga sulcirostris) |
Description: Groove-Billed Anis are strange birds, with their heavy bills they appear more parrot-like than their cuckoo relatives. I rode my bike across the reserve at Resaca de las Palmas on my last full day in Brownsville Texas. |
Date Taken: 2020:05:07 9:53 |
Location:
Resaca de las Palmas |
Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: GrooveBilledAni_D503716-Resaca-de-las-Palmas |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Groove-Billed Ani(Crotophaga sulcirostris) |
Description: Resaca de las Palmas in Brownsville, Texas opened to the public a few days before I left Texas on my 2020 expedition. In 2017 I met a single bird on Isla Socorro, 600 miles off the Pacific coast of Mexico. These were the first Groove-Billed Anis I met in a more expected habitat. |
Date Taken: 2020:04:29 11:08 |
Location:
Resaca de las Palmas |
Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: GrooveBilledAni_D509290-Resaca-de-las-Palmas |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Groove-Billed Ani(Crotophaga sulcirostris) |
Description: Resaca de las Palmas in Brownsville, Texas opened to the public a few days before I left Texas on my 2020 expedition. In 2017 I met a single bird on Isla Socorro, 600 miles off the Pacific coast of Mexico. These were the first Groove-Billed Anis I met in a more expected habitat. |
Date Taken: 2020:04:29 11:22 |
Location:
Resaca de las Palmas |
Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: GrooveBilledAni_D509326-Resaca-de-las-Palmas |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Groove-Billed Ani(Crotophaga sulcirostris) |
Description: Resaca de las Palmas in Brownsville, Texas opened to the public a few days before I left Texas on my 2020 expedition. In 2017 I met a single bird on Isla Socorro, 600 miles off the Pacific coast of Mexico. These were the first Groove-Billed Anis I met in a more expected habitat. |
Date Taken: 2020:04:29 11:23 |
Location:
Resaca de las Palmas |
Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/640 |
File Name: GrooveBilledAni_D509338-Resaca-de-las-Palmas |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Groove-Billed Ani(Crotophaga sulcirostris) |
Description: Groove-Billed Anis are strange birds, with their heavy bills they appear more parrot-like than their cuckoo relatives. I rode my bike across the reserve at Resaca de las Palmas on my last full day in Brownsville Texas. |
Date Taken: 2020:05:07 9:49 |
Location:
Resaca de las Palmas |
Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1600 |
File Name: GrooveBilledAni_D503678-Resaca-de-las-Palmas |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Couch's Kingbird(Tyrannus couchii) |
Description: Resaca de las Palmas in Brownsville, Texas opened to the public a few days before I left Texas on my 2020 expedition. Looking nearly identical to Tropical Kingbirds, these Couch’s Kingbirds have a different song. |
Date Taken: 2020:04:29 8:50 |
Location:
Resaca de las Palmas |
Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/400 |
File Name: CouchsKingbird_D509100-Resaca-de-las-Palmas |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Couch's Kingbird(Tyrannus couchii) |
Description: Resaca de las Palmas in Brownsville, Texas opened to the public a few days before I left Texas on my 2020 expedition. Looking nearly identical to Tropical Kingbirds, these Couch’s Kingbirds have a different song. |
Date Taken: 2020:04:29 8:50 |
Location:
Resaca de las Palmas |
Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/500 |
File Name: CouchsKingbird_D509096-Resaca-de-las-Palmas |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Couch's Kingbird(Tyrannus couchii) |
Description: Unless they show their red crown patch, like the bird perched on the left, Couch’s Kingbirds are difficult to differentiate from Tropical Kingbirds, except by voice. I rode my bike across the reserve at Resaca de las Palmas on my last full day in Brownsville Texas. |
Date Taken: 2020:05:07 10:23 |
Location:
Resaca de las Palmas |
Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/3200 |
File Name: CouchsKingbird_D503762-Resaca-de-las-Palmas |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Clay-Colored Thrush(Turdus grayi) |
Description: Resaca de las Palmas in Brownsville, Texas opened to the public a few days before I left Texas on my 2020 expedition. Clay-Colored Thrushes proved rather camera-shy during this visit. |
Date Taken: 2020:04:29 11:32 |
Location:
Resaca de las Palmas |
Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: ClayColoredThrush_D509379-Resaca-de-las-Palmas |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Clay-Colored Thrush(Turdus grayi) |
Description: Resaca de las Palmas in Brownsville, Texas opened to the public a few days before I left Texas on my 2020 expedition. Clay-Colored Thrushes proved rather camera-shy during this visit. |
Date Taken: 2020:04:29 11:29 |
Location:
Resaca de las Palmas |
Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/200 |
File Name: ClayColoredThrush_D509365-Resaca-de-las-Palmas |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Bronzed Cowbird(Molothrus aeneus) |
Description: Resaca de las Palmas in Brownsville, Texas opened to the public a few days before I left Texas on my 2020 expedition. This male Bronzed Cowbird was courting a nearby female. |
Date Taken: 2020:04:29 9:34 |
Location:
Resaca de las Palmas |
Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/640 |
File Name: BronzedCowbird_D509127-Resaca-de-las-Palmas |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Blue-Winged Warbler(Vermivora cyanoptera) |
Description: Resaca de las Palmas in Brownsville, Texas opened to the public a few days before I left Texas on my 2020 expedition. I met this Blue-Winged Warbler during my first visit here at the end of April. |
Date Taken: 2020:04:29 10:28 |
Location:
Resaca de las Palmas |
Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: BlueWingedWarbler_D509142-Resaca-de-las-Palmas |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Groove-Billed Ani(Crotophaga sulcirostris) |
Description: Groove-Billed Anis are strange birds, with their heavy bills they appear more parrot-like than their cuckoo relatives. I rode my bike across the reserve at Resaca de las Palmas on my last full day in Brownsville Texas. |
Date Taken: 2020:05:07 8:56 |
Location:
Resaca de las Palmas |
Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: GrooveBilledAni_D503660-Resaca-de-las-Palmas |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Stilt Sandpiper(Calidris himantopus) |
Description: Stilt Sandpipers found the shallow remnant pond in the otherwise dry resaca a viable place to forage. I rode my bike across the reserve at Resaca de las Palmas on my last full day in Brownsville Texas. |
Date Taken: 2020:05:07 10:36 |
Location:
Resaca de las Palmas |
Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: StiltSandpiper_D503769-Resaca-de-las-Palmas |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Wilson's Phalarope(Phalaropus tricolor) |
Description: While I was looking for anis, cuckoos, thrushes, buntings and warblers, a single Wilson’s Phalarope landed in the tiny nearby mud puddle. It was the only remaining water in the resaca. Resaca de las Palmas in Brownsville, Texas opened to the public a few days before I left Texas on my 2020 expedition. |
Date Taken: 2020:04:29 11:05 |
Location:
Resaca de las Palmas |
Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/3200 |
File Name: WilsonsPhalarope_D509274-Resaca-de-las-Palmas |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


American White Ibis(Eudocimus albus) |
Description: White Ibis here were plentiful, and occasionally bold. Hunter Lane is at the far side of the park, two miles from the Resaca de la Palma Visitor Center. It is the most reliable place in the reserve to find standing water, and my favorite place to enjoy birds. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:21 11:08 |
Location:
Resaca de la Palma |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: WhiteIbis_D5X4514-ResacaDeLaPalma |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


American White Ibis(Eudocimus albus) |
Description: White Ibis here were plentiful, and occasionally bold. Hunter Lane is at the far side of the park, two miles from the Resaca de la Palma Visitor Center. It is the most reliable place in the reserve to find standing water, and my favorite place to enjoy birds. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:21 11:00 |
Location:
Resaca de la Palma |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: WhiteIbis_D5X4410-ResacaDeLaPalma |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


American White Ibis(Eudocimus albus) |
Description: White Ibis here were plentiful, and occasionally bold. Occasionally a hard working ibis found a reward of a crayfish meal. Hunter Lane is at the far side of the park, two miles from the Resaca de la Palma Visitor Center. It is the most reliable place in the reserve to find standing water, and my favorite place to enjoy birds. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:21 10:59 |
Location:
Resaca de la Palma |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: WhiteIbis_D5X4402-ResacaDeLaPalma |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Louisiana Waterthrush(Parkesia motacilla) |
Description: I spotted this waterthrush earlier, but pictures were not possible because of distance and brushy obstructions. This was my first meeting with the species. Hunter Lane is at the far side of the park, two miles from the Resaca de la Palma Visitor Center. It is the most reliable place in the reserve to find standing water, and my favorite place to enjoy birds. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:21 12:09 |
Location:
Resaca de la Palma |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: LouisianaWaterThrush_D5X4649-ResacaDeLaPalma |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Least Grebe(Tachybaptus dominicus) |
Description: I saw but one pair of Least Grebes on the resaca during my visit, and the crayfish hunting was good. Hunter Lane is at the far side of the park, two miles from the Resaca de la Palma Visitor Center. It is the most reliable place in the reserve to find standing water, and my favorite place to enjoy birds. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:21 13:47 |
Location:
Resaca de la Palma |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: LeastGrebe_D5X4958-ResacaDeLaPalma |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Least Grebe(Tachybaptus dominicus) |
Description: I saw but one pair of Least Grebes on the resaca during my visit. Hunter Lane is at the far side of the park, two miles from the Resaca de la Palma Visitor Center. It is the most reliable place in the reserve to find standing water, and my favorite place to enjoy birds. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:21 13:35 |
Location:
Resaca de la Palma |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: LeastGrebe_D5X4895-ResacaDeLaPalma |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Little Blue Heron(Egretta caerulea) |
Description: For most of the time I spent at Hunter Lane, this heron was content to stay into the sun and out of camera range. Luckily, it broke the pattern briefly before I finished my day. Hunter Lane is at the far side of the park, two miles from the Resaca de la Palma Visitor Center. It is the most reliable place in the reserve to find standing water, and my favorite place to enjoy birds. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:21 13:00 |
Location:
Resaca de la Palma |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: LittleBlueHeron_D5X4790-ResacaDeLaPalma |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Solitary Sandpiper(Tringa solitaria) |
Description: For a long time, the Solitary Sandpiper was a nemesis for me. This bird was only the second individual I managed to photograph. Hunter Lane is at the far side of the park, two miles from the Resaca de la Palma Visitor Center. It is the most reliable place in the reserve to find standing water, and my favorite place to enjoy birds. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:21 12:52 |
Location:
Resaca de la Palma |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: SolitarySandpiper_D5X4768-ResacaDeLaPalma |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Great Egret(Ardea alba) |
Description: Many wading birds, including this Great Egret, plied the shallow ponds for crayfish and other morsels. Hunter Lane is at the far side of the park, two miles from the Resaca de la Palma Visitor Center. It is the most reliable place in the reserve to find standing water, and my favorite place to enjoy birds. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:21 11:05 |
Location:
Resaca de la Palma |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: GreatEgret_D5X4479-ResacaDeLaPalma |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Great Kiskadee(Pitangus sulphuratus) |
Description: Great Kiskadees were actively working the edges of the resaca during my visit. Hunter Lane is at the far side of the park, two miles from the Resaca de la Palma Visitor Center. It is the most reliable place in the reserve to find standing water, and my favorite place to enjoy birds. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:21 12:42 |
Location:
Resaca de la Palma |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: GreatKiskadee_D5X4688-ResacaDeLaPalma |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Least Grebe(Tachybaptus dominicus) |
Description: I saw but one pair of Least Grebes on the resaca during my visit. Hunter Lane is at the far side of the park, two miles from the Resaca de la Palma Visitor Center. It is the most reliable place in the reserve to find standing water, and my favorite place to enjoy birds. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:21 9:58 |
Location:
Resaca de la Palma |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: LeastGrebe_D5X4060-ResacaDeLaPalma |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Common Yellowthroat(Geothlypis trichas) |
Description: I met this bird at Resaca de las Palmas in Brownsville, Texas after it was opened to the public a few days before I left Texas on my 2020 expedition. While Gray-Crowned Yellowthroats are present in south Texas, this Common Yellowthroat was what I found here. |
Date Taken: 2020:04:29 10:23 |
Location:
Resaca de las Palmas |
Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/400 |
File Name: CommonYellowThroat_D509136-Resaca-de-las-Palmas |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |

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