AMAZON KINGFISHER (2)

I'd had it last night but I feel a bit fresher today after a "local" day in "the Valley".

 

So I feel I need to do full justice to my ABA Mega.

 

After conclusive but generally distant views by the waterfall...

 

 

...Roger suggested we try Los Dos Laredos Park which was about a mile west of Zacate Creek. Matt and Roger had seen the bird there the previous afternoon. So, we made a mini birders convoy and arrived at the spot 10 minutes later. We parked up and started to walk the footpath along the Rio Grande. Roger showed me the snags were they'd seen the AK. The general viewing didn't look great with reeds obscuring much of the near bank.

 

However, after about 15 minutes scanning we found it!!!

 

The next hour or so was spent enjoying almost constant views of this amazing bird as it fished along both sides of the river. A truly magnificent experience and a milestone for Roger as it was his 700th ABA.

 

A few further images to give a flavour of the occasion...

 

 

 

 

When you connect with something special after "dipping" it makes the connection all the sweeter...

 

 

Some bill that!

 

We latterly tried to find White-collared Seedeater with the help of 2 local birders but no luck...

 

 

After saying my goodbyes I started t head back to McAllen as the rain started again. I was obviously feeling pretty good about my decision to travel despite the horrendous weather. The final bonus of the day came when I passed at least 8 Crested Caracaras between Laredo and Hebronnville. These birds are wonderful, full of character. I managed a few pics through the pouring rain...and fence!

 

 

They moved in unison, it was hilarious...

 

 

 

Yet another superb Texas speciality...

 

 

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Slower today, I kept my word to the Boss!

 

We had a drive over to a farmland area east of Harlingden late morning. The target was Mountain Plover which is a scarce annual winterer in Texas. My previous views of this bird had been distant so I was hoping for a closer look.

 

As we started to slowly drive the farm road located by...you guessed it...eBird I could see many Killdeer in the field to my left. The MP is a pale bird and difficult to pick out ...

 

 

...I think you'd agree!

 

Eventually I managed it and found a few at reasonably close distance...

 

 

After lunch we returned to Bentson and spent the whole afternoon just enjoying the sunshine and birds that came our way...

 

 

Plain Chachalaca...

 

 

Golden-fronted Woodpecker...

 

 

Green Jay...

 

 

and the common but superb Great Kiskadee...

 

 

Stay tuned...