Laguna Atascosa NWR, Texas

Howdee all.

While here on the coast Jeff and I went several times to

Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife refuge

We drove the 16 mile loop road..in hopes of seeing the Aplomado Falcon.

We had fun birding here.. and did a short side trail..seeing a few birds and picking up some ticks as well.

We saw bunnies, deer and a bobcat Crested Cara Cara

There were plenty of shorebirds in the bay…we had mostly distant views.. So ..not any photos…too far for my lens..

   Instead I took photos of the clouds

and landscape..

and Jeff watching the birdsThe Prickly pear cactus are blooming..  A viewing stand… very distant views of Red-head Ducks..

Just a few Yuccas still blooming..most have finished and have gone to seed heads..

Either before of after the drive..

We would stop at the visitor centre for some birding

There are a few trails.. Beautiful wildflowers..  feeders set out to attract the birds..

Green Jay   Altamira oriole

oriole building its nest..

Bronzed cowbirdPlain chachalaca

Female Great-tailed grackle

And unidentified butterfly  We didn't see the Aplomado falcon

But we did have some

Birds of the Day

Great-tailed grackle,Altamira oriole,Mockingbird,Common yellowthroat
Long-billed Thrasher,Turkey vulture,Cardinal,Roadrunner,Bob white,White-tailed kite
Black vulture.White-tailed hawk,White-eyed vireo,Morning dove,Meadowlark
Red-winged blackbird,Little blue heron,American Coot,Eared grebe,Pied-billed grebe
Northern shoveler,Greater yellowlegs, Least sandpiper,Ruddy duck,Loggerhead shrike
Long-billed curlew,Great blue heron,Willet ,Black-bellied plover,Long-billed thrasher
Great egret,Red-breasted merganser,Caspian tern,White ibis,Fosters tern,Piping plover
Mottled duck,Crested caracara,Double crested Cormorant.Redhead,Blue-winged teal
Common moorhen,Northern harrier,Golden-fronted woodpecker,Least sandpiper
Curved-bill thrasher,Cattle egret,Harris hawk,Anhinga, Lesser yellowlegs
Short-billed dowitcher,Long-billed dowitcher,Least sandpiper,Stilt sandpiper
Western sandpiper, Kestrel, Whimbrel