Monday, January 15 - With a cold front predicted to blow into the Rio Grande Valley of Texas in the next several days, we took advantage of today's beautiful weather to ride our bikes and do a little bird watching in Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park and World Birding Center. With our Texas State Senior Passes we received 50% of admission to all Texas State Parks. It only amounted to $2 but every little bit helps.
Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park is a perfect park for biking. This is our forth time visiting the park. In the past, we hiked the roads throughout the park. This year, we decided to take our bikes and join the numerous bikers in the park. They do have a tram that travels through the park on an hourly route, but it seems most visitors ride bikes between the various birding areas.
As we entered the park, the gate house is located at perhaps the busiest or most bird visited feeding location in the park. We always linger here to see the many birds that visit the feeders. This year was a special treat because not only were many birds in the area but a bobcat stopped to snatch breakfast of an unsuspecting dove. He was too fast to get a picture, but Paul did see him as he headed back into the nearby brush to consume his meal. Of course the other birds in the area high-tailed it out of there for awhile. They soon returned but so did the bobcat. The birds were a little more careful this time, and the cat returned to the brush for a little nap.
We talked for sometime with the ranger working the gate house. He said the bobcat is a frequent visitor to the feeding area and at times even climbs the tree to nap. He showed us a picture that a visitor gave the ranger of the bobcat heading to the brush with breakfast in his mouth. What an amazing animal.
We watch many Orioles, Jays, Chachalaca, Cardinals, Sparrows, and other birds feeding in the area. Many of these birds travel out of Mexico no further North than the Birding Center. There are four other birding centers in the area that visitors can take advantage of to view birds in this region.
Great Kiskadee.
The famous Green Jay.
The entertaining Plain Chachalaca.
Northern Cardinal.
Golden-fronted Woodpecker.
Altamira Oriole.
We also visited several bird blinds setup in different areas of the park but didn't find any as busy as this first station. We also visited the two-story high hawk tower near the back of the park. On one of our previous visits, hawks were migrating through the area and a count was taking place at the tower. We didn't see any hawks on today's visit.
We rode and checked-out areas throughout the park and completed our circular tour of the park in about two hours. It sure is significantly easier riding our bikes than walking as he did in the past. We enjoyed our visit and will definitely visit again if in the area.
Lots of beauty along the bike path.
Right across the river is a Mexican park.
Marsha loves how the wind turns the trees into works of art.
By the way, if you stay in the RV section of Bentsen-Rio State Park located next door, admission to all five Birding Centers in the Rio Grande Valley is free. We've driven through the campground and often thought it would be a nice place to stay.
Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y’all back real soon. Have a great day!
When we were staying at Bensten Palm Village RV park, riding our bikes through the state park was one of our favorite things to do. We saw a bobcat walking down the road but not hunting. You lucked out being there at the right time!
ReplyDeleteLove those colorful kiskadees and green jays.
We rode the tram when we were there. I think that's where we first saw Javelina. I was glad to be safely on the tram when we saw them.
ReplyDeleteLove the birds especially the green jay didn't know there was such a thing. Haven't done south Tx winter maybe next.
ReplyDeleteGreat picture of Marsha in the trees.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures. Looks like a nice place to visit.
ReplyDeleteIsn't biking the best way to tour! We love our bikes when seeing areas like this and touring cities. It is amazing how many nice bike paths there are around the country now. I love all the brightly colored birds. How cool to see a bobcat with his own little "restaurant!" Hope the cold weather misses you!!
ReplyDeleteReading your post this morning about the bob cat catching the bird - and I knew this story! We were actually at the park later that day. The park ranger was telling us about it. I see you are not too far from us. We are in a park just down the road from the State Park, Val's Kountry Corral. I've followed your blog for quite a while and always look forward to your posts, but was surprised to see we were in the same place on the same day...albeit a few hours in between. Will you be in the area for awhile?
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the warm weather while you have it. We’re in the deep freeze for a few days and then hope to warm up a bit. Nice that you saw the birds ... and the bobcat was a lovely bonus. I think it’s going to be too hot in that area by the time we are allowed to leave, so I guess the birds will have to wait for another year.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos of the birds. How 'bout this weather we are having in Texas?
ReplyDeleteWe love birding and biking at Bentsen Rio Grande SP—your photos bring back wonderful memories! We're overdue for a return trip (last time we were there was about 10 years ago). How cool that you saw a bobcat! Aren't these temps crazy? We've been having really cold temps all the way across Texas, from Big Bend National Park to Galveston. 20 degrees right now in High Island. Brrrr......
ReplyDeleteWow, such awesome pics of some beautiful birds. I bet you guys greatly enjoyed your time there as the area itself is very pretty.
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful birding areas Texas has! This looks like a great SP. What are your temps now? It sounds like Texas is experiencing a cold snap. Stay warm! LuAnn
ReplyDeleteoh goodness. . .the bird pics certainly took me to my happy place. If only you could have gotten a shot of the bobcat.
ReplyDeleteWow, great place. Have not been there, we need to correct that :)
ReplyDeleteTexas has some great state parks and birds.
ReplyDelete