South and West Texas Trip ~ May 2, 1991

We popped over to Vega Verde first thing in the morning and, this time, found four immature Olivaceous Cormorants. We then headed west on Route 90, past the huge Amistad Reservoir, and stopped at Seminole Canyon State Park. It was overcast and blustery, but we saw our first White-throated Swifts and Brewer's Sparrow for the trip at the top of the deep canyon. Close by, we stopped at the Pecos River Bridge, the highest bridge in Texas, which traverses the Pecos River gorge. While at the overlook, we saw more White-throated Swifts and a Canyon Wren visiting its nest.

The Pecos River Bridge near Comstock, Texas.

Our next stop was the Judge Roy Bean Museum in Langtry, which had a garden behind the headquarters representing the area's plant life. Many birds were attracted to this little oasis. We got good looks at Say's Phoebe, Cactus Wren, and Hooded and Scott's Oriole.

Scott's Oriole in Langtry, Texas.

The flat, scrubby desert land was becoming more and more hilly as we went farther westward.

Highway 90 near Sanderson, Texas.

While stopping at one spot for pictures, I spotted a Scaled Quail calling from the top of a brushpile. Birds seen in the stretch between Langtry and Big Bend National Park included Northern Shoveler and Wilson's Phalarope in a waterhole, Greater Roadrunner, Ash-throated and Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Horned Lark, Summer Tanager, Pyrrhuloxia, Green-tailed Towhee, Clay-colored Sparrow, Lark Bunting, and Northern "Bullock's" Oriole.

Lark Bunting near Sanderson, Texas.

We passed the entrance sign for Big Bend National Park but still had over 30 miles to go to get to the Chisos Mountains section of the park. A Curve-billed Thrasher was outside the Panther Junction headquarters building. Nearby, at the beginning of Grapevine Hills Road, we birded Government Spring and found Say's Phoebe, Bell's Vireo, and White-crowned Sparrow. We then checked into the Chisos Mountains Lodge and birded the immediate area, turning up Cactus Wren, American Pipit, and Green-tailed Towhee. At the dining hall, we once again ran into Steve Santner and Morris Cox where we exchanged sightings. We headed for our room soon after so we could get an early morning start on the trail to Boot Springs.

The Chisos Mountains Lodge in Big Bend National Park, Texas.

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