As we close in on the end of our three month stay here in South Padre Island we are really enjoying the fact that we can walk the beach everyday without having to drive anywhere. We can also see birds not seen anywhere else in the USA except right here where we are.
With Covid-19 still rearing its ugly head we have found beach combing and bird watching to be excellent diversions while the world is combating this nasty disease. Each morning we walk from our RV site to the beach to look at all the beautiful shells that wash up. While South Padre Island is known for its winds, the windier it is the better the shelling is.
In these tumultuous times walking along the beach is one of the most relaxing things we do. We so look forward to these walks that when it is a bit too chilly in the morning we take our walk in the afternoon. We have seen yellow sea whips, various jellyfish including Portuguese Man of Wars, starfish, dead puffers, various dead fish and even (sadly) a dead Green Sea Turtle. We have also been blessed to find several beautiful sundial shells which we have never seen anywhere but here on this beach.
Often after our beach walks we have a leisurely lunch then often we decide to venture out to birding areas nearby. Our favorite spot is the Laguna Nature Trail behind the town’s Convention Center. This short walk covers a lot of different vegetative types yielding a bounty of different bird species.
Our favorites we usually see are the Roseate Spoonbills, the Black Bellied Whistling Ducks, the Sora Rail and the Least Bittern. What we love most is that we never know what we will see and we do often see something new each time we go.
Birding in the Rio Grande Valley yields rarities and birds only seen in this part of the USA. Birds like the Kiskadee Flycatcher, Grey Hawk, Harris Hawk, Green Jay and the Olive Sparrow aren’t seen anywhere else in the USA except is deep south Texas making each outing a new adventure.
We can’t believe it is already February as we will be leaving on March first. We are certainly enjoying our winter stay here in the Rio Grande Valley a lot more than we expected… who knows…. we may return sooner than later!
NOTE: We are currently in South Padre Island in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas until March 1st…
Bird watching a great to get out and gain some exercise. I doubt that I've ever seen a Spoonbill. Again thank for labeling your photos.
ReplyDeleteIf you ever make it to south Texas they are plentiful here. Beautiful birds!
DeleteWill you be doing a review of the campground that you are at? We might plan a visit there.
ReplyDeleteI don't often do campground reviews but feel free to send me an email and I will be glad to answer any of your questions.
DeleteI've been enjoying your posts on this part of TX and seeing all the bird photos. I've missed our regular jaunts to Rockport. I'll need to convince hubby for a return which may include this southern portion of TX. BTW - congrats on getting your vaccinations.
ReplyDeleteI must admit we didn't have high hopes about staying in South Padre but have been pleasantly surprised by how much we have enjoyed our stay here.
DeleteNice to be in the warm part of the country, especially for the next two weeks with the freeze up north. I'm going back to re-read a few of your posts for route ideas. As I recall you worked your way east through Kentucky, then south to Florida earlier in the season. We have not decided if we will go north from St. Augustine or west towards Mississippi for the return to Missouri for end of April appointments.
ReplyDeleteSent you an email...
DeleteHeyduke50, will you be getting any of the Arctic blast? So many bloggers down past Austin are anticipating it.
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