A Visit to the "Valley"

In April we had the opportunity to go to the Rio Grande Valley. We visited the World Birding Center - actually, we visited several of the sites that compromise the center. We started in Harlingen and ended at the HQ's for the center in the Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park. This was on my bucket list and I got to check it off, but I am wanting to go back next year. Here are some of the pictures from the trip.

Chacalaca

Green Jay

In the center is a Hawk Watch. We were there for about 1 1/2 hours and saw about 200 hawks migrating. I do not have a long lens for the new camera yet, so I could not get a good picture as they were all in flight. The volunteer docents working the watch could tell what kind of hawk we were seeing.

On the wall were numerous Blue Spine Lizards. As I got closer they were into hiding, again no long lens.

The Center and Park ware right on the border. The Border Patrol was evident all along the park.  

Also included a stop at the World Butterfly Center. This is a private organization dedicated to butterfly. We didn't see many butterflies, there had been a cold snap the week before and most the butterflies had disappeared. But I did get some pictures.

Texas Olive Trees

Orioles Nest being build

Screech Owl nesting

Afternoon at Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens

Technically I finished the day at a photo shoot in the Bayou Bend Gardens only.  This complex is part of the Museum of Fine Arts Houston.  It is the grounds of the mansion of Ima Hogg the daughter of a former Texas Governor.  Here is some of my stuff from this shoot.

Morning in Tomball

Went on a photo shoot in Tomball.  Went to shoot a music festival.  It started later than we planned and I had other things planned for the day (see another posting)  but I did get some pictures at the Train Depot.  And this was my first outing with my new Sony A7 III, mirrorless camera.

A Day Looking at Wildflowers

Went out looking at wildflowers.  All early reports were this was going to be a great season.  Well, our area did not know that and our season was subpar.  We thought we had gone too early, but there were never any great reports.  Here is some of what we saw.