As my time on South Padre draws near its end, I wish I could stay for months, instead of the weeks available in my time-budget. It is especially hard to think about leaving when a fresh supply of warbler species starts showing up. Like most days here on the island, I began my morning at … Read more
September days on South Padre Island can be hot as hell, with enough humidity to keep me dripping in sweat from dawn to dusk, and through the night. It can wear me down, and if not for the amazing birds I get to meet, I’d sooner stay under cover and in an air-conditioned space. But … Read more
Thursday and Friday I split my time between the SPI Birding and Nature Center, and the SPI Convention Centre. But it was my long day at the Convention Centre Thursday that proved to be the most eventful. The mornings each began at the Sheepshead Sanctuary, where I met my friend Mary. We left there after … Read more
I met my friend Mary after breakfast at the SPI Convention Centre, after I first stopped by the Sheepshead Bird Sanctuary owned by the Valley Land Trust. As I was pulling into the Convention Centre parking lot, Mary was headed away, having already scouted the grounds. She pronounced the place as “dead”, but joined me … Read more
I slept at the Walmart Astoria (i.e. parking lot) Wednesday night, but before I retired, calculated my route for Thursday. I set one of my destinations up for the Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge. I drove, following Google’s directions, which was a big mistake. Google sent me to the headquarters where I was met with a … Read more
One benefit of taking a lengthy journey, such as my 2020 Texas Expedition, is collecting images of new bird species for my species galleries. If I’ve met the bird before, I can add the new images and show a new region to display on the integrated gallery maps showing where I’ve met all the subjects … Read more
