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There is a nice birding trail, with two observation decks, around one of the ponds at the National Fish Hatchery in Uvalde.
Unfortunately, we arrived just 20 minutes before the Hatchery closes to the public at 3:30 and so we just had time for a quick look at the main birding pond. Several Gadwall were present but immediately flew off, as did four Cinnamon Teals.
An adult Black-crowned Night Heron got away before I could get a photo but a juvenile was a little slower off the mark.
While a male Vermilion Flycatcher, a Pyyrhuloxia and two Wilson's Snipes stayed well out of photo range, a couple of Harris's Sparrows came a little closer.
When the site closed, we headed over to Cook's Slough.
Once again there were scores of Black Vultures.
Some at least of the vultures were apparently attracted by a dead Great Blue Heron.
One of the few ponds we could reach easily had a Solitary Sandpiper, a species I'd seen only a couple of times before.
We weren't surprised to see a Great Egret.
An Anhinga flying overhead was more unexpected.
As we were both getting tired, we decided to head back to the motel. My plan was to be up early the next day to drive up to Neal's Lodges, this time with a bag of seed with which to lure in more birds.
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What a trip! Great weather, easy driving and lots of good birds. We even ate well, too. Who can ask for more?
The birding started when we arrived at Cook's Slough late Saturday morning. It was much quieter than on our previous visits and we didn't see a single Vermilion Flycatcher this time. In fact, the only flycatcher we saw was an Eastern Phoebe.
The ponds had only a few Northern Shovelers, American Coots and Gadwall. The boardwalk had Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Verdin and several Lincoln's Sparrows.
The Heron Flyway was busier, with White-eyed Vireo, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Northern Parula and lots of Yellow-rumped Warblers. with one of the latter showing clearly how the species got its name.
Our walk was interrupted by a dozen Wild Turkeys that ran frantically across the path ahead of us.
Green Jays were easy to hear but difficult to see and photograph.
The best sighting of all was in the parking lot, where we got to watch a pair of Bewick's Wrens carrying nest material to a cavity behind the site's dedication plaque.
On our way to the motel, we stopped off for a few minutes at the Uvalde Fish Hatchery, hoping for lots of shorebirds. As it turned out, there were very few: only Killdeer, a Long-billed Dowitcher and several Least Sandpipers.
However, the visit was worthwhile because we saw our first Black Phoebe and Cinnamon Teal of the year.
Before dinner I drove over to Fort Inge.
The ruins weren't much to see but there were good stands of prickly pear and some beautiful mountain laurel.
I scrambled to the top of the volcanic hill that overlooks the fort, passing blooming yucas on the way.
There were good views from the top of the hill.
However, the only bird I saw was a Turkey Vulture that floated down to check me out. They may be ugly birds but, boy, can they fly!
Back in the parking lot I noticed a small bird hopping along the fort wall. It took a while before it let me catch up and see it was a Rock Wren.
So our trip had started fairly well with some good birds and 12 additions to my year list.
We were planning to visit Neal's Lodges in Concan the following day and hoping that this would produce an even better selection of birds. As you'll see later, we certainly weren't disappointed.
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Saturday morning I was up bright and early to explore the 10 acres of woodland around the B&B. I was too early for the birds, in fact, and didn't see anything except deer for the first hour. So I went in for breakfast - and, of course, that was when the birds started appearing.
First up were Black-crested Titmice, birds we had seen only once before and that very briefly. Unfortunately, the light was still poor for photos.
As the light improved, I walked back down through the huge Bald Cypress trees behind the house.
An Ash-throated Flycatcher was too quick to photograph but Eastern Phoebes were more obliging.
Several Golden-fronted Woodpeckers are very vocal but very hard to see.
After breakfast we drove back over to Cook's Slough, to be greeted by more Vermilion Flycatchers and a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher.
An hour's walk around the main pond turned up more Vermilion Flycatchers and Eastern Phoebes. Then we came upon a mixed flock of House Finches and White-crowned Sparrows. The sparrows perched for photos.
The pond itself was quiet except for a few very skittish Blue-winged Teal and Gadwall. However, we were both thrilled to get a distant view of a Black Phoebe, a favorite bird from our days in California.
We spent another hour walking the paths of the refuge, seeing little except Northern Cardinals.
In spite of the lack of birds, we enjoyed the walk.
At one point we came across a large rat-like animal swimming along a water channel. I assume it was a nutria.
It was now time to start heading to San Antonio,where we were going to spend the night. As we walked to the car, we had good views of a Great Kiskadee having a late breakfast. A nice sight with which to end a pleasant but rather unbirdy morning.
As always, San Antonio was busy with visitors, especially around the Alamo.
We had lunch in a restaurant on the Riverwalk.
We shared our food with several Rock Pigeons and House Sparrows which seemed adept at sneaking in around the tables in their hunt for scraps. It's amazing just how bold and adaptable these birds are!
Then it was off to the motel for night's sleep before heading back to Houston on Sunday. On the way, we were planning to visit the Audubon center at Mitchell Lake. I'll report tomorrow on our time there.
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Our Friday visit to Cooks Slough was brief but we were really impressed by the site. We would have been impressed even if we had gotten no further than having lunch in the parking area. Why? Because our lunch companion was a Vermilion Flycatcher, surely one of the most beautiful birds anywhere.
After the excitement of watching the Vermilion, we took a short walk out to one of the ponds. Blue-winged Teal and Gadwall took flight as we approached.
So, too, did Double-crested Cormorants and a Great Egret.
A pair of Golden-fronted Woodpeckers were even quicker to disappear out of camera range, but a group of House Finches stayed around longer.
After lunch, I had to lead my workshop for teachers in Uvalde. Work can certainly get in the way of birding!
Then it was off to the B&B where we were spending the night, Utopia on the River. On the way we passed Red-tailed Hawks and Crested Caracaras, before getting a drive-by view of a family of four Harris's Hawks.
The B& B was excellent, if a little pricey. As we drove onto the property, we disturbed a group of deer eating from a feeder right in front of the house and the deer were regular visitors throughout our stay.
By now the light had faded too much for photos but a walk around the grounds turned up Golden-fronted and Ladder-backed Woodpeckers, a Verdin and several Eastern Phoebes. So not a bad place to spend the night.
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