birding and backpacking in big bend national park

A year ago, my brother and I decided to plan a weekend trip to Big Bend National Park. We selected the last weekend in April because it would be our best chance to find the Colima Warbler. As a primarily Mexican species, Big Bend National Park is the only part of the US where it can be found. More specifically, they’re most often found about 3-3.5 miles up the Pinnacles Trail.
I had a personal interest in hiking the Pinnacles Trail: to make it to the top of Emory Peak, which is the highest peak in the Chisos Mountains and Big Bend National Park. We also spent a night camping on the mountain - Austin’s first backpacking experience!
We had an amazing time in Big Bend National Park. Enjoy the video!
All bird photos by @austinsbirding (instagram) 🐦

[@philllis1]

Hopefully will be there this spring! Great Vid!

[@mikhailalynn]

Awesome! Have a wonderful trip! ⛰️

[@lukefromtexas]

I love Big Bend. I’ve been there three times and plan on many more!

[@mikhailalynn]

It was an amazing park!

[@darrellsheffield8283]

Thanks again for the bird identification and still shots. Enjoyed it as always! How was the Patagonia soup?

[@mikhailalynn]

We have Austin to thank for that! I thought it was good, but then I also eat lentils quite often at home. I know they aren’t everyone’s cup of tea 🍵

[@musicdiedJan1980]

The southwest has breathtaking scenery, but too hot and arid for me to want to live there. Hopefully you'll be doing more northern great lakes(i.e. Voyageurs National Park!) trips this summer.

[@mikhailalynn]

I agree! Fun to visit, but I prefer the seasons and green. I actually visited voyagers a few years ago, but it was in the middle of winter! So cold! It would be neat to go back during the summer or fall

[@dwayne5698]

Enjoyed as usual. Was waiting for you to fall on that rock scramble and bust your knee like last time though. Ugh! But would have been too funny if the warbler would have perched near you while you were up there. Ha!

[@mikhailalynn]

My knees are still healing from the last fall, so luckily no!

[@m.hernandez1404]

If you're going hiking with a birder, be prepared for a very slow hike.

[@mikhailalynn]

You are so right 😂

[@87jsergey]

Is Big Bend normally not that busy or did you guys get super lucky in the off season?

[@mikhailalynn]

We were on the tail end of the busy season (Oct - Apr). There were quite a few people at the visitor center and on some of the shorter hikes, but once we started climbing the mountain it was much less busy!