Though not up to the standards of the last two years, the weather forecast in the Valley has improved for this week.
The Bentsen Palm RV Resort Sixth Annual Derby Days took place Sunday afternoon with 6 “races”. Kay did not “run” this year, a first for her; I assisted Dale Short in preparing Mint Juleps, though I have never drunk one! If only our kids and grandkids could see us now!
Kay played golf Monday morning with several ladies from the resort, and had some good shots and some not so good.
I played golf Tuesday at Palm View, and like Kay yesterday, had some good shots and some not so good.
Along with Charlie McCutcheons, a great birder and fellow Arkansan, I traveled to Salineno and Falcon Lake Wednesday for some spectacular birding, always marveling at the many Altamira Orioles that feed there. And, we saw several Audubon’s Orioles, as well as Clay Colored Thrush, Cardinals, Long-billed Thrasher (brown legs and feet compared to black legs and feet for the Curved-billed Thrasher), Black-crested Titmouse, and lots of Doves and Red-winged Blackbirds. We then traveled to Falcon Lake and saw several other species including American Pipit, Great Egret, and Crested Caracara. All totaled, we observed 50 species. In the early evening, we celebrated Sharon Crawford’s birthday at the palapa.
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| White-winged Dove |
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| Long-billed Thrasher (note brown legs and feet) |
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| Female Ladder-backed Woodpecker |
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| Savannah Sparrow ? |
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| Audubon’s Oriole |
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| Clay-colored Thrush |
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| Altamira Oriole |
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| Black-crested Titmouse |
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| Crested Caracara |
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| Great Egret |
Golf at Shary Golf Club was on the schedule for Thursday while Kay modeled for the sold-out Ladies’ Luncheon and Fashion Show. One of the resort guests from Canada sponsored a keg party at the palapa with both dark and light beer he himself brewed. It was well attended (free beer), and the beer was very good.
We were off to Mexico on Friday for dental work; I had two cavities filled and a tooth prepared for a crown. Though significantly less expensive than in the US, the verdict is still out as far as I’m concerned, as I experienced a lot of soreness, etc.
Kay was scheduled to go to the South Padre Island Kite Festival, but the ladies who were to join her backed out, and though I offered to go, she opted not to. We spent a relatively quite day at the resort, though I did go to the National Butterfly Center to photograph a few birds.
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| Yellow-rumped Warbler |
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| Long-billed Thrasher |
One other item of note is that I’ve had a headache since returning to the Valley after Christmas; it’s probably caused by stress, but it is a nuisance, and can’t go away soon enough.
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Dunngone's Blog 
The one labeled Savannah Sparrow ? is actually a female red winged blackbird. Hope you and Kay are doing well…