Rio Grande Village today

RGV has always been one of my favorite places to bird, and I had never "butterflied" there. So when I read today about a myiarchus flycatcher with a very yellow belly seen there yesterday, it was a perfect excuse. Only problem was, by the time I got there it was noon and birds were slowing down for their nap. For a short while I saw a few birds, but then nothing. No good butterflies either. It was lovely seeing springs coming out of the foothills as I passed the Chisos Mountains headed for RGV, though.

I always check the boardwalk first when I get to RGV. There I was surprised to come upon a Red-breasted Merganser. Not too surprised to remember to snap his picture as he hurried away.

I did see a flycatcher with a very yellow belly, but such a brief glimpse that I couldn't even guess at what it was. And a myiarchus flycatcher (Ash-throated) that I saw really well, seemed to be totally devoid of any yellow on the belly or rufous on the tail. I should have photographed it, I guess. Just doesn't occur to me to photograph such a common bird. I suppose they're more pale this time of year. I normally only see them in breeding season.

There were quite a few warblers. For a short while they were so active in the underbrush that I was lucky to even get this photo of one of them (a Black-throated Gray Warbler) before they disappeared. I'm sure there were two of them there, plus many Yellow-rumpeds.

I hope I get to go back again soon. I'll be sure to get there early in the morning. My schedule is usually really busy. It was just lucky that I got my work caught up this morning and we're not banding hummers again until tomorrow morning.