Estero Llano Grande State Park

We had quite a bit of rain and cloudy weather Tuesday and Wednesday. Kevin and I ventured out for a walk Wednesday afternoon around Green Gate Grove retirement community across the road from us. Everyone owns their own lot in this development. There is a combination of small homes, park models and RVs on pads. It looked okay, but we’re in no way ready to settle down anywhere.

We did see a few interesting things while walking their streets. It seems the cheese heads are well represented in the Rio Grande Valley.

I had no idea poinsettias could get this big!

I spotted this Golden Fronted Woodpecker in one of the palm trees.

One of the activities offered at our park is a Bird Walk every Thursday morning. Kevin had no interest in going, so I signed up and tagged along with the group today. They went to Estero Llano Grande State Park near Weslaco, Texas, about a forty minute drive.

Let me tell you, these birders take their hobby seriously. I had no idea that I’d be gone six hours. I did have a good time and saw lots of birds I’ve never seen before, and it was a gorgeous day to be outside. I do not plan to become a birder or have a bird life list. I do enjoy seeing some of the larger and unique looking birds. Here is just a sample of what I saw today.

Altamira Oriole – the largest oriole in North America, so beautiful!

Anhinga – they don’t have the oils on their wings that other birds have so they have to spread their wings to dry them.

Little Blue Heron – I didn’t know there was a Great Blue Heron and a Little Blue Heron.

Buff-bellied Hummingbird.

Northern Mockingbird.

Northern Shoveler. I like this picture with the reflection in the water.

Neotropic Cormorant and Alligator. I didn’t know they have alligators in Texas! Doesn’t he look like we just want to jump and gulp that bird right down.

Yellow-crowned Night Heron.

We saw lots of turtles sunning themselves. Do you see the turtle on the back of his buddy?

There were many others, but I don’t have the type of camera many of these birders have. Mine is just a point and shoot. By the end of the walk, I had definitely had my fill of birds for the day. Or, so I thought.

Shortly after we got back, the green parakeets were back. I’ve been told that I was given incorrect information earlier in the week. Apparently, these are not green parrots, but green parakeets. I looked it up online, and it seems a parakeet is just a small parrot. So, I’m not sure which is right, but I’ll call them parakeets from now on.

The sky today was a pretty blue and the green parakeets looked so awesome against that blue sky. I had a great time watching them fly around. Here are a few more pictures with the blue sky this time.

I love these guys!!

Don’t wish upon a star – Reach for one!