Estero Llano Grande & Bentsen S.P. Texas Birding & Bird Photography: Part 1 Rio Grande Valley

Part 1-Sparky's Texas Bird Adventure
Leaving snowy Minnesota behind Sparky returns to the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas for some birding and bird photography.
I explore Estero Llano Grande & Bentsen state parks and find some great stuff including roosting Pauraques, Fulvous Whistling-Duck, Tropical Kingbird (what a great name!), Red-crowned Parrots, Gray Hawk, White-tipped Doves, Hook-billed Kite, Least Grebe, White-faced Ibis, Cinnamon Teal
It has been 35 YEARS since my first trip here and 15 years since my last visit, and I share some memories from 2008 when Ryan Marshik and I participated in the Valley Land Fund photo contest.
One of my goals is to add species to my "Photographed List," which stands at 525 species for the ABA area (north of Mexico in North America). In this episode I add 4 new species and improve on my photos for 8 more species. I don't find the Social Flycatcher so I do not add any Lifers to my ABA birding list.
Stay tuned for Part 2 when I rent out an entire Texas ranch for bird photography!
www.sparkyphotos.com (gallery site...all bird photos here)
www.thephotonaturalist.com (blog site and my online store)

[@adameccleston554]

I absolutly loved this video. It inspired my birding desires. THANK YOU.

[@SparkyStensaas]

Great Adam! Happy birding!

[@ex-engineer6657]

I'm spoiled. I live 5 minutes away from Estero LLano Grande SP, less than 2 miles. We have an original tract of valley "forest" over our back fence and get to see so many of these beauties. I walk in the mornings as the sun rises, and see flocks of various species moving to their daytine haunts. You have great photos, thanks. I worked for 3M in the 70s and don't miss Minnesota at all.

[@SparkyStensaas]

That’s great! Very cool place to live! …and so close to Estero Llano!

[@servanfotografie15]

Full enjoy to watch again..Sparky

[@SparkyStensaas]

Thank you Servan!

[@donalexander6674]

You inspired me to take a 3 day diversion to these parks on my eclipse trip….and if life permits, the Wife and I will be visiting Sax-Zim bog in May.

[@SparkyStensaas]

That’s fantastic Don! Hope you have a clear skies for the eclipse and see many birds!

[@steve.hamlin.artist]

I loved this. It brought back memories of the trip I took with my wife to the lower Rio Grand valley in April/May 2017. I can't wait for part 2!

[@SparkyStensaas]

Very cool Stephen! Always a fun place to bird.

[@gijsvermeulen5248]

Hello,thanks for this nice vlog and great ot see!!! Greetings from the Netherlands and just subscribed.Lots of film pleasure!!

[@SparkyStensaas]

Welcome Gijs from the Netherlands! Glad to have you as a subscriber!

[@dnasbirdingadventures]

Thanks for the great video! We’re heading there in shortly.

[@SparkyStensaas]

Have a great trip! Always fun birds to see.

[@ronboe6325]

That reminds me, we are over due for a visit to Gilbert Water Park. Never considered using a flash on our Hummers. Thanks for the tip!

[@SparkyStensaas]

Hi Ron… what’s the connection to the Gilbert Water Park??

[@ronboe6325]

@@SparkyStensaas Migrating birds. Amazing diversitiy in the fall and spring. It's actually Gilberts's water treatment lagoons. Official name is "Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch" which will help with googles searches.

[@ivarhusa454]

I am going that way next week (20MAR24) and watching this really pumps me up. Minor correction on a butterfly ID. Make that a Texas Crescent (not Texan). :) I am a fan.

[@SparkyStensaas]

Thanks Ivar! Have a great trip!

[@SparkyStensaas]

Hi again, Ivar. I looked up the butterfly and it is indeed a Texan Crescent.

[@BradAkersphotography]

Valley fund is a great organization on and your support is applied x very strategically. Benson state park has its limitations! Bring or rent a bike! But hourly shuttle is operational with much opportunity for improvement. protect your optics, Expect dust during drought in transit x sticky reinforcement x composite plan 1 hour per stop or walk. So if I go back I'll bring a bike and during drought the hook billed kites aren’t they’re without snails. But still is a joy if transport lamentations are understood!

[@SparkyStensaas]

Thank you Brad! Great insights.

[@joekwasniewski9407]

Great video, Sparky! It's on my bucket list of places to visit. Thanks for bringing us along on your trip.

[@SparkyStensaas]

Glad you enjoyed it! Three more videos from that trip coming. You’ll definitely have to get down there someday. Easy to get between birding spots… And each is unique.

[@birdsofray]

👏👏👏👏👏

[@SparkyStensaas]

Thanks Ray!

[@patkeen8668]

Great show and thanks for taking us along!

[@SparkyStensaas]

Happy to do it Pat!

[@ryanmarshik8971]

So fun to see the old VLF book. Might have to get back there soon. Good times!

[@SparkyStensaas]

Let’s do it!

[@kerryjane910]

Thank you! You always put out great videos.

[@SparkyStensaas]

Thank you Kerry!

[@stevensiegel9706]

Hi Sparky, I was in South Texas on a bird photography tour at the same time you were there and saw you at the Birding and Nature Center on South Padre Island. I would have said hello but you were on the phone and I did not want to disturb you. We went to all of the same location you did in this video including the parrot and grackle roosts. It looks like you will be covering the hides at Laguna Seca Ranch in your next video. That was certainly a highlight for me. Thanks for allowing me to relive some memories. Happy Birding- Steve Siegel

[@SparkyStensaas]

Crazy, Steven! It would have been fun to chat. South padre was quite a place… That will be an upcoming video for sure. Were you there mainly for photography or birding? What were the highlights of your trip?

[@stevensiegel9706]

@@SparkyStensaas

[@stevensiegel9706]

@@SparkyStensaas I was there for the photography. South Texas did not disappoint. 2 areas were highlights- The Laguna Seca Ranch and the mudflats for shorebirds on South Padre Island just north of the Convention Center.

[@novicenaturalist]

Wonder If Steve is still a volunteer at Estero Llano SP. He showed the Colorado State University Field Orno Club so many gems at that park including the Paraque, Eastern Screech Owl, GH Owl, and he even guided us directly to the Elf Owl at Bentson on the Rio SP. A truly awesome human being.

[@SparkyStensaas]

Hi Justin, I didn’t meet him. Sounds like I should’ve :-). I checked the Screech Owl nest box, but nobody home. I haven’t seen an Elf Owl in many many years. What is Steve’s last name?

[@almeadows8277]

Another great video, Sparky. I, too, have noticed that hawks seem much more approachable in the SW than in MN. Do you have any theories as to why?

[@SparkyStensaas]

Hi Al! I have no idea. It drives me crazy though :-) As you know, usually it’s the opposite in the boreal forest… Most of the birds are very tame and trusting… including the owls…So Rough-legged Hawks should be too… But they are about the spookiest of raptors. You bring up a very good question, and when I hope to get an answer to someday.

[@almeadows8277]

I walked right underneath a perched kestrel in AZ once. Up here, I can’t get within a quarter mile.

[@kevinreichenbach5326]

My guess is you're already home from Texas. If you are still down south and have the chance, I'm guessing you're going to hit South Padre island birding center. There a spot in Laguna Vista. The Laguna Vista Trail has 3 blinds and they've been having luck. Also, in Harligen, Hugh Ramses trails has some good birding. And if you have the time, the San Benito Wetlands. Good Luck while your down in the RVG.

[@SparkyStensaas]

Hi Kevin, I wish I was :-) we’ve gotten feet more of snow since I’ve been home. Actually, I love it and I woke up this morning to five more inches of snow. The cross country skiing is excellent right now. I have three more Texas videos coming up and I did go to South Padre Island Birding Center andThe Laguna Vista trails. Also, Sabal, Palm sanctuary, Boca Chica, old Port, Isabel… And had some really good luck. Those videos should drop in the next few weeks. I will definitely put San Benito wetlands on my list. It was such a short trip, but will definitely be back again. Do you live down there?

[@kevinreichenbach5326]

@@SparkyStensaas no, Madison WI. Inlaws are winter Texans in San Benito. Trying to talk my wife into a trip to Sax Zim or Loess Wild life area in Missouri. Really been enjoying your videos. Keep up the good work.

[@rerolley]

I have a thing for bobcats. Did my PhD on them.

[@SparkyStensaas]

Really?! Very cool animal. I heard that they may be increasing their intake of wild turkeys up here in northern Minnesota. I really hope that’s true because we have a super abundance. :-)

[@martinestrada7636]

Have you photographed a Groved bill ani?

[@SparkyStensaas]

Hi Martin, I have not! I saw one in S Texas back in 1988 but that was in the film days and I didn’t get a photo. :( Have you?

[@bolleolympus]

Du har sikkert Norske aner.

[@SparkyStensaas]

Hej Bolle! Hvordan har du det? (that’s about all I know :-) …Yes, my family came from Norway in the early 1900s. My mother’s family was from the Bergen area, and my dad‘s family from Melhus near Trondheim (on the Stensaas Farm). I grew up in Minnesota with many Scandinavian traditions, including Lutefisk, Lefse, krumkaka, … we were very proud of our heritage. I’ve been to Norway five times and absolutely love it there. Where are you located?

[@bolleolympus]

@@SparkyStensaas I am located 30 km north of Haugesund. Now I am retiered Been a farmer, but also 10 years in industri. And now I am doing nothing but taking pictures all time (taken pictures since 69) and driving around in our mobilehome. Trying to make youtube films, buth almoust nobody want to sub me. However it's fun anyway. Been almoust everywhere in Europe, but I am afraid to go to US. It has been a dream since i was yong. Buth there are so many dangerous bandits and police over there! I am watching ID on the television.

[@TheRioGrandePodcast]

This is awesome! We actually got to record a Birding podcast session with Estero Llano’s park superintendent! One of the best places in the RGV for birdwatchers 👏 Our KZbin audio is here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmfbgYRppdqJmpIsi=VzFl9ADR3uVxA9lT

[@SparkyStensaas]

Great! I will definitely listen to this. Love The Valley!

[@falcoperegrinus82]

God, that wall is gonna fvck that area up so bad. Depressing.

[@SparkyStensaas]

True :(

[@markriggall383]

LMAO