Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, morning of 5/20/15

All photos are © Marshall Faintich

Walt and I took the 3-mile tram ride around the park loop, and then took it again to the marsh overlook and hiked back to the Visitor Center. The tram guide pointed out a pole where Elf Owls were nesting, but said that they were only visible at dusk, so we didn't see this species. We stopped at one point on the tram ride when we saw three coyotes. There was a Greater Roadrunner catching a large grasshopper a short distance beyond the coyotes, and neither the coyotes nor the Roadrunner seemed concerned about the situation.


Coyotes and Greater Roadrunner


Coyote


Coyote

The tram continued once the coyotes entered the woods, and the Roadrunner walked toward us and then hopped up into a tree next to the side of the road.


Greater Roadrunner


Greater Roadrunner


Greater Roadrunner

We saw some good bird species there, including another life bird for me: Olive Sparrow. I also got some close-up photos of an Altamira Oriole through the window of the Visitor Center.


Olive Sparrow


Olive Sparrow


Altamira Oriole


Altamira Oriole


Golden-fronted Woodpecker


Green Jay


Inca Dove


Long-billed Thrasher


Long-billed Thrasher


Plain Chachalaca


Plain Chachalaca


Texas Blue Collared Lizard

On our way to the car, we saw an Osprey.


Osprey

Click here to continue on the trip to the Santa Ana NWR


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