| Texas Rio Grande Valley March 20th - 26th 2011 |
| Sunday, March 20: Arrive in McAllen by plane with later afternoon birding and photography at Quinta Mazatlan and local parrot roosts. Monday, March 21: Birding and photography all day upriver to Falcon Dam, also Falcon Park, Salineño, Chapeño, San Ygnacio and more. Tuesday, March 22: Early start for Alan William’s Yard and enjoying a number of Valley specialties at feeders and water for some very photo-friendly opportunities. In the afternoon, Bensten State Park. Wednesday, March 23: Birding and photography at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge and Estero Llano Grande State Park. Late PM transfer to Harligen area. Thursday, March 24: More bird photography at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge and afternoon at Audubon’s Sabal Palm Grove Sanctuary. Friday, March 25: Early start to South Padre Island Birding & Nature Center enjoying shore birds and other local birds (such as Purple Gallinule) and wildlife (American Alligator). Afternoon at Boca Chica Beach (mostly a wildlife area), before late day transfer back to McAllen. Saturday, March 26: AM flights from McAllen. * Extension Plans: Once six persons on trip we will likely plan and offer an extension trip. |
| If you are a wildlife photographer, or just starting to photograph birds, Bill will make you feel comfortable no matter what your photography level. Not only will you increase the number of bird photographs in your collection, but you'll also gain incredible knowledge of the birds you are photographing! This bird photography trip will explore many of the world's finest birds in South Texas, including a number from McAllen and then Harlingen and including a coastal stop. This spring photo expedition to south Texas will occur as many species are singing and breeding. We will see birds of the Rio Grande Valley and enjoy native thorn forest, marsh and ocean coast line. We will get pictures of raptors, a variety of egrets and herons, possibly two jays not seen in any other state (Green and Brown) and three kingfishers (including diminutive Green and large xxBanded). Other birds include the bold Great Kiskadee, a flycatcher like no other, the intriguing Crested Caracara, reintroduced Aplomado Falcons, Plain Chachalaca creeping through the brush, Even if you have birded this part of Texas before, this trip will focus on getting the birds into focus for excellent bird photography. Spending the time for the right light and image. This is not about tickking off the next new species and then moving on. |
| For more information or to sign up, call Charles or Alison at 888-203-7464 or Charles directly at 720-320-1974 or by email at info@PIBird.com. |
| Brief Itinerary |
| Though we expect to see well over 200 species, we will most importantly take time to photograph well over 100 species, including a number of specialities in the area. Specialities in the area include Painted Redstart, Elegant Trogan, Vermillion Flycatcher, Gray Hawk, Harris’s Hawk, Common Ground-Dove, Inca Dove, Phainopepla, Pyrrhuloxia, Gambel’s Quail and hopefully Montezuma Quail, Elf Owl, Western Screech-Owl, Violet-crowned Hummingbird, Dusky-capped Flycatcher, Spotted Owl, Verdin, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Gilded Woodpecker, Arizona Woodpecker and many more. Besides these specialities, the area often presents opportunities to photograph such rarities as Lucifer Hummingbird, White- eared Hummingbird, Flame-coloured Tanger and likely several surprises. |
| Expected Species |
| Green Jay by Bill Schmoker |
| Reddish Egret & Laughing Gulls by Bill Schmoker |
| Buff-bellied Hummingbird by Bill Schmoker |
| Eastern Screech-Owl by Bill Schmoker |
| Hooded Oriole by Bill Schmoker |
| Plain Chachalaca by Bill Schmoker |
| Tricolored Heron by Bill Schmoker |
| Bird Photography Trips with Bill Schmoker |
