Birds

Viewing  birds in parks, wildlife refuges and other areas, especially in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas.

Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve sign

Excellent Hiking at Nags Head Woods Preserve

2 Comments / Birds, Blog, Cycling, Hiking, Walking, Wildlife /

Nags Head Woods Preserve is the largest remaining maritime forest on the east coast, according to The Nature Conservancy, the agency that protects and manages the land. Nags Head Woods Preserve covers 1,400-plus acres just west of Kill Devil Hills on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I rode my Surly bicycle through there on its gravel access roads one day and returned the next to walk the trails.

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American Black Bear

Excellent Trails for Bikes at Dismal Swamp State Park

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During the ruthless times of slavery, thousands escaped captivity in Dismal Swamp. Escaped slaves formed communities, called maroons, on dry ground within the swamp. The Underground Railroad used the swamp to move escaped slaves. The harsh geography of the area, with its insects, snakes, and bears, deterred slavers from finding their runaways. Apart from the maroons, slaves worked within the swamp for heartless men.

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West Lake Trail at Cayo Atascoso

Three benefits of off-road cycling

Leave a Comment / Birds, Blog, Cycling, Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, Wildlife /

The benefits of off-road cycling are great, especially in wildlife refuges, state parks, or other natural settings. Simply to be away from traffic, electronics and propaganda frees us to experience life out of doors. The benefits of off-road cycling are physical, emotional, and spiritual. On a bicycle, one covers more ground than walking, which allows for added opportunities to notice what we often do not see. I am not a birder, per se, but I always carry binoculars and a camera on my rides. I take my bike out as often as possible.

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Red-Shouldered Hawk perched near Arroyo Trail at Hugh Ramsey Nature Park

A Walk in the Splendid Hugh Ramsey Nature Park

2 Comments / Birds, Blog, Walking, Wildlife /

I walked the nearly two miles of trails at the 54-acre Hugh Ramsey Nature Park, a World Birding Center site, in Harlingen, Texas on a clear, cool Sunday morning in January 2024. The nature park is maintained by volunteers from Arroyo Colorado Audubon Society and the Rio Grande Valley Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists. The City of Harlingen removes trash, keeps trails clear, and provides effluent to the four ponds in the park.

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At Cattail Lakes Trail and Willow Lakes Trail

A Pleasant Walking Tour of Santa Ana NWR’s Well-Maintained Trails

Leave a Comment / Birds, Blog, Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, Walking /

The well-maintained Santa Ana NWR walking trails cover about 12 miles throughout the Refuge. All trails are short, none over 1 ½ miles. There is also the paved, one-way, Wildlife Drive, a loop that twists almost 7 miles through the Refuge. The last mile runs along the top of a levee and is not paved. I walked 7.5 miles on this day.

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Roseate Spoonbills at Laguna Atascosa NWR

A Short Ride at Laguna Atascosa National wildlife Refuge

13 Comments / Birds, Blog, Cycling, Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge /

I am riding my Surly bicycle counterclockwise on Steve Thompson Wildlife Drive, a 14.5-mile loop, a mostly paved road open to foot and bicycle traffic at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge (LANWR), which covers an area of more than 110,000 acres in Cameron County, Texas.

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White-tailed Hawk

A Cycling Excursion at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge

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On this chilly, overcast morning with little wind, I rode out of the Santa Ana NWR parking lot and pedaled south over the levee and into the heart of the refuge. At about a half mile an observation tower rises above the canopy of trees. Beside it is suspended a rope suspension foot bridge between two towers accessible by spiral staircases.

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Northern Cardinal

Great Cycling and Wildlife Viewing at Bentsen State Park, Mission

1 Comment / Birds, Blog, Cycling, Wildlife /

Bentsen State Park, part of the World Birding Center, spreads over almost 800 acres in Mission, Texas. About seven miles of trails wind through the park, three and a half of which are paved. One trail leads to a Hawk Observation Tower. The paved area is open for cycling. A tram runs along the paved road every hour during the day, November through April.

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