Estero Llasno Grande State Park and Santa Anna Natl. Wildlife Refuge

Jan. 16, 2020

We were taking a southerly track in Texas to visit friends volunteering at Estero Llasno Grande State Park (link), Steve and Laura.  Making it a sextet, we were also joined by two more friends we met volunteering in Oregon, Wil and Kevin.

Estero doesn't have a campground so we stayed at Snow to Sun RV resort, just 4 miles north of the park.

Estero is known for it's birding.

Can you find the Common  Pauraque? (link)

In the US, the Common Pauraque is only found in extreme southern Texas.

Santa Ana Natl. Wildlife Refuge. (link)

 

About 15 miles away, we took a day trip to visit Santa Ana NWR.

Altamira Oriole.

Looking across the Rio Grande at Mexico.

The 3 Amegos... Joan, Wil and Laura.

Suspension bridge and an even taller observation tower gives you a "bird's eye view" of the refuge and it's feathered friends.

The Rio Grande valley was once a vast flood plane with lush forests.

We enjoyed our time visiting friends and seeing a very different part of the country.   But now it was time to continue the journey. 

Coming next, The Way West.