Moving On

January 18, 2017

Texas 684 is a small gray line in the road atlas...and not much more than that in real life.

Driving west on Texas road 684 can really shake a person up.

This is clearly the land of the Crested Caracara, a great bird with a wingspan similar to the turkey vulture’s. I have seen them on the ground in the median, and soaring above in the thermals. Two of them landed on the road ahead of us, giving us a good glimpse of their wing markings, and the black crest on top of their heads.

 

Crested Carara. Photo courtesy of http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=11987&picture=crested-caracara

Heading north on 281, we passed a farm field filled with sandhill cranes – probably at least 50 of them. There were various perching birds on the wires: kestrels, hawks, blackbirds, shrikes – possibly others which we are at a loss to identify as we flew past them. Trying to slow down enough to get a good look only resulted in their flying off in the other direction. Binoculars and camera failed to capture identifying markings.

 

It's doubtful we'll see any more green parakeets on our remaining journey. We will miss their raucous noise which had become a daily occurrence the last week or so. 

The gray, overcast sky and cool temperatures this morning, created the kind of day you really just want to curl up with a good book for. But, we had to say our sad goodbyes, and see-you-next times, to our new friends at The Americana Birding Center RV Park.

We are looking forward with anticipation to a place we’ve only heard good things about: Big Bend National Park. It will take us the better part of two days to reach Big Bend N.P., so we are stopping over night at Seminole Canyon State Park. Both of these places are located along the Rio Grande.

We had a wonderful past few days, having friends over for Happy Hour; visiting Nuevo Progreso one more time; having our next-door-neighbors over for white pizza – they brought the Grapefruit pie (pink) topped with whipping cream – amazing and delicious(!); and dancing one more time at the Border Theater Big Band Jam.

 

Lunch at Angel's in Nuevo Progreso. We had the Molcajete - a chicken, beef, and shrimp combination.

We have met a continuous string of friendly people from Texas, the Midwest, and Canada. Even last night, our second time at the Jam/Dance, someone said it was good to see us there, and we must be new. She was immediately inviting us and telling us about other dances in the area. Her husband played clarinet in last night’s jam. We were also invited by a singer (Joy) to another dance. We felt like we were living in a senior living paradise!

Long-billed thrasher seen on a car mirror across from our site at the Americana Birding Center RV Park - an RV Park that lived up to its name. 

It has been an amazing month, full of new experiences and pleasant surprises. Now, as we move on, we’re curious to see what’s around the next bend….

Mari