Day 7, oxbow lake at Bentsen - Rio Grande Valley State Park / World Birding Centre, Texas

The very distant Gray Hawk in the next photo was perched on top of one of the two poles on the left hand side of this photo, the far side of this oxbow lake of the Rio Grande River. It was the only photo of a Gray Hawk that I got on this birding holiday, so I wanted the photo for the record.

The very distant Gray Hawk in the next but one photo was perched on top of one of the two poles on the left hand side of this photo, the far side of this oxbow lake of the Rio Grande River. It was the only photo of a Gray Hawk that I got on this birding holiday, so I wanted the photo for the record.

We had an early start as usual on Day 7 of our 13-day birding trip to South Texas, 19-31 March 2019. Leaving our hotel, La Quinta Inn & Suites in Mission, we drove to the Bentsen - Rio Grande Valley State Park and World Birding Centre.

"As part of the World Birding Center, Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park is a world-class destination for bird-watching. The Rio Grande Valley hosts one of the most spectacular convergences of birds on earth with more than 525 species documented in this unique place. Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park alone has an impressive list of 358 species recorded within the park’s boundaries. Birders have a chance to see migratory birds during their yearly migrations over the valley including flocks of thousands of hawks from the park’s Hawk Tower in the spring and fall.... Over seven miles of trails offer a variety of opportunities to encounter wildlife inside the park."

tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/bentsen-rio-grande-valley