Texas RV Travel blog

Rio Grande Valley

The Rio Grande Valley (RGV) of Texas is a world-class birding spot. Follow the path of the Rio Grande River, from resacas to riverine woodlands, from arid chaparral to coastal prairie to coastal wetlands (west to east), and from temperate farmlands to subtropical climes (north to south).

The Mississippi and the Central flyways, join in the spring and diverge in the fall just north of the RGV. These flyways serve as a funnel for all types of feathered visitors into the avian wonderland that is the Rio Grande Valley.

Click to read article about birding in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) by seasons.

The World Birding Center

Over 10,000 acres are planned to become part of the WBC, helping to protect native habitat while increasing the understanding and appreciation of the birds and wildlife.

Currently, The World Birding Center is a network of nine sites strung along 120 miles of road from South Padre Island to Roma, Texas. The habitats are as diverse as the sites, which makes this the richest birding area north of the border.

• Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park-762 acres of wilderness and headquarters of WBC
• Edinburg Scenic Wetlands-oasis for water-loving birds and butterflies
• Estero Llano Grande State Park-almost 200 acres of wetlands
• Harlingen Arroyo Colorado-55 acres of Texas Ebony woodlands meet 40 acres of mixed upland thorn forest
• Old Hidalgo Pumphouse-historic museum planted with hummingbird gardens
• Quinta Mazatlan-historic Spanish Revival adobe hacienda surrounded by lush tropical landscaping and native woodlands
• Resaca de la Palma State Park-1700 semi- tropical acres
• Roma Bluffs-riverside nature area of three acres is part of a national historic district
• South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center-50 acres of dune meadows, salt marsh and intertidal flats, thickets of native shrubs and trees

For birding checklists for each of the sites above, please visit the WBC.

Tags: world birding center, rio grande valley, birding, central flyway

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If you are liberal in your outlook, you will probably hate formykountry. If you have a conservative bent, you might love formykountry. This blog is written by a very prolific political writer from the far right of the spectrum of political thought.

Jim Pontillo does put forth some ideas that will resonate with all. I am a peacenik, but one post, Smashing Little White Dots, had me saying, “Yes!” He talks of how we used to fight wars, full tilt boogie. In World War II, we kicked butt and took names. We dropped the bomb on Japan and came out of that war as a respected world power.

Contrast this with Viet Nam, where we sacrificed a generation to guerrilla warfare and then turned tail and ran, leaving our allies in the lurch. Now, we are involved in a similar war in Iraq. We cannot win, but we are sacrificing our economy and another generation of young people . . . Why?

Mr. Pontillo makes an excellent point about appeasement:

Appeasement never accomplishes lasting peace, it exacerbates and emboldens opposition. We must impose peace. . . North Korea flips us the bird, Iran moons us, and Syria openly sponsors our terrorist enemies. . . What’s so tough? One B2 bomber mission or one missile launch from an American sub, and vuala [sic], Syria, Iran, and North Korea…nice as pie.

I agree with Jim. How can you fight an enemy that is willing to die to destroy our way of life? You must be willing to take the fight to him and to destroy his home, his family, his village, his livestock . . . his country.

For a child of the 60s, I am a bit extreme. I was talking with a friend the other day and we started talking about how to deal with Iraq and Iran. We looked at each other and said, “theme park!” Level it and put in a parking lot. LOL

You may love his blog, or hate it, but you will definitely think about what he says. Stop by and take umbrage at something Mr. Pontillo has written. He LOVES it. Tell him CyberCelt sent you.

Tags: formykountry, jim pontillo, conservative blog

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These birds have been a mystery to me and everyone I asked about them.

This year, we had a visitor who was able to identify them as Egyptian Geese.

Thanks, Mike!

I believe that you have photographed a couple of Egyptian Geese. While they are not native to North America, there are numerous accounts of captive birds escaping and surviving in the wild for some time. I suspect that occasionally they successfully rear offspring in the North American “wilds” as well.

Mike Boyce
Baker Sanctuary Resident Manager
www.BakerSanctuary.org
Michigan Audubon Society

Tags: egyptian geese, medina lake, audubon society

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Sunset at Medina Lake

We are staying on a point at Medina Lake. From one side we view the sunset (above) over the lake and from the other side of the trailer, we view sunrise. We are by ourselves with lots of privacy and are really enjoying the time with nature.

Tags: medina lake, sunset

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Jesus is the Reason for the Season

I just wanted to stop what I was doing and wish all my readers Greetings of the Season and Happy Holidays. I just realized we are ten days from Christmas! The year of 2007 is almost over. It is true what they say about the years speeding by as you get older. I just go used to writing 2007 on my checks! LOL

Whatever your faith, may the peace of the season be with you and your family. Happy Holidays!

Tags: happy holidays, seasons greetings, jesus

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