Mar. 4: Bird Watching

Well, I think we have finally made in into senior citizenship. Last night we played Bingo (won $8). Expenses: two bingo pads ($3); two dobbing markers ($1.50); popcorn ($.25) and two ice cream bars ($1). Total net profit $2.25. Really big night. Then this morning we were up by 9:00 to go play shuffleboard. Who knew you could really have fun playing shuffleboard. Really starting to feel like a senior.

After shuffelboard, we came home and ate lunch around 11:00 - we had worked up quite an appetite. Headed out to the Bentsen State Park where the World Birding Center has it's headquarters. Can't drive in, you have to pay $5 to ride a tram into the park. From there you can either stay on the tram all the way around the park or get off at various trails and walk. I think we walked about 2.5 miles today. Most of the trails had mileage signs and we walked from one trail to another one time rather than sit and wait on the tram. Didn't make that mistake again. Saw the the same birds we had seen at the other park with an added hummingbird today. Also managed to actually get a photo of the Altamira Oriole. I'd tried before but either the focus didn't work, I chopped off his head or he flew too soon. The first photo is of one of the trails we went down. This one was wheel chair accessible. The last one I took is of the mesquite tree because when they get big - bigger than this one - I think they show character. Learned later that the little shelter that Larry is sitting on was designed and built by a boy scout who earned his Eagle Scout award by doing this. This trail led to a 2 mile hike (round trip) to the Rio Grande River and to a hawk overlook (.2 mi.) We did the hawk overlook and saw ducks at a small lagoon that was either overflow from the river or from irrigation. No hawks. However, in September when they migrate, they have counted as many as 10,000 in one day. That's a lot of hash marks on the note pad. I hope we're still in the area when the hummingbirds return. I've been told they hang around the feeders like bees in a hive. We'll see. There are several more birding areas around here so maybe I'll see something new. I'd really like to see a painted bunting but they seem to be very elusive.

And since Texas is really big with the deciding primary tonight, I've included this picture of one of the candidates running for judge here in south Texas. Larry picked up this card and decided this would be reason enough for him to register to vote. He thought all his cruiser pals would enjoy this one - Man Law.