RVer gets red crowned parrot surprise

Scouting around Brownsville, Texas in our RV towed we were in search of red-crowned parrots. I had read there was a colony roosting at the University of Texas at Brownsville campus. We were hanging out at the Old Fort student housing watching Whistling Ducks perform their antics while Muscovy Ducks occasionally waddled by. As the sun began to set a flash of green caught our attention as a flight of and green parakeets circled and landed in a nearby tree. Next we saw a red-crowned parrot land on a stump in front of the car. As we were admiring this view a head poked up out of the palm tree stump and this is what we saw. I just love this picture of a nesting parrot and I was lucky to get it because it only emerged for a few seconds and we didn't see it again. We were delighted to see both the red-crowned parrots and the green parakeets in the same area. RVing is a great way to see the country and do some serious birding at the same time. The same is true for those of you who enjoy butterfly and moth watching. In fact, many hobbies are enhanced through the use of RVs because they provide a cost effective way to combine travel, lodging and meals. RVers can cover vast areas or focus on one specific area all the wile living comfortably in the shelter of their RV. Always looking up - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

RVer Bitten By Aggressive Pelican

RVing in the Corpus Christi, Texas area brought me and my fishing pole out to Mustang Island. Mrs. Professor was there to do some serious birding and I was there to do some serious fishing. Some folks next to me were feeding the pelicans small perch they were catching and apparantly the birds came to believe us fishermen were their personal food service providers. My fishing neighbors left and these two freeloaders came calling. I pulled up a little perch and one of the pelicans scarfed him into his bill hook and all. I yanked the fish out of his mouth knowing that a fish hook is not the way he should get his daily iron requirement. As I was pulling the fish off the hook Peter the Pelican holding up a sign "Won't Work For Food" grabbed the fish out of my hand and in the process punctured my hand with the tip of his bill. He actually drew blood requiring immediate medical attention and a tetanus shot for the bird. I scolded him asking him where he had left his Texas manners. The fish was completely traumatized caught in a dark peristaltic tunnel wishing he had not dropped out of school. And me, well, I was thinking that I'm sure glad Pterodactyls don't exist anymore. In fact, I'm burning those old Pterodactyls in my RV fuel tank at over $4.00 bucks a gallon. Now I'm thinking about how I can do that with pelicans. Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

High Island RV Birding Adventure

High Island, Texas is one of the top birding spots in the United States. Boy Scout Woods is a great place to view warblers during migration and the occasional "fall-out" where birds just land exhausted after crossing the Gulf of Mexico frequently pushed off course by a storm. The Houston Audobon Society manages the bird sanctuaries on High Island. An admission fee, based on the honor system, is $5.00 per person and includes admission to all the birding areas on the island. There is a white board at Boy Scout Woods where birders leave messages about bird sightings. This birder with an obvious sense of humor tells everyone there were "Emperor Penguins sited matting at Broadway and 45th." Boy Scout Woods has wood plank walkways and a nice photo blind which will accommodate about seven photographers at one time. There wasn't much happening at Boy Scout Woods since we were there late in the season. The real action was at Smith Woods where No Dogs are allowed. Apparently a dog with a Smith and Wesson expressed his dismay with some target practice. Smith Woods has a rookery that is simply amazing. There are numerous birds nesting here including egret, roseate spoonbill, tricolored heron, cormorant and others. There are also alligators, turtles and frogs to greet the observers who can view them from several platforms scattered around the refuge. The bird noise is tremendous and you get to pretend you're a National Geographic photographer. Here is a spoonbill doing a tight rope routine. Here he is waiting for applause. These nests are literally full of hatchings. These two egrets are almost old enough to leave as one of the parents disgorges (don't you just love that word) the catch of the day. There is no doubt about it, South Texas is a birding paradise and if you are a serious RVer and birder, you need to explore these places. Oh, don't forget to bring bug repellent. There is a nice RV park at High Island and several on the Bolivar Peninsula. If you are arriving from the South you can take your RV on the free ferry from Galveston to Bolivar Peninsula. RVing the Texas Coastal Birding Trail - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVng