Centered in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg is McAllen’s nearest neighbor to the east. It is where the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands are located. In March 2003, they opened this first of nine World Birding Centers to the public. Built on reclaimed farm-fields and next to the city’s effluent and floodwater ponds, this site is a sanctuary for wildlife and native habitats protected within an urban setting. The trail system is short, just 2.5 miles, but it encompasses 40 acres. A 3/4 acre patch near the Visitor Center hosts most of the trails available for exploring. Contained in this small section is almost a mile of trails winding through native vegetation and water features, with interesting birds around every corner.
There are large water bodies on the reserve, but I found many of the interesting birds near the ponds and canals were either too far away to photograph well, or obscured by dense foliage. However, the feeding stations were well stocked and provided me with some of my most satisfying photo-ops. Inca Doves and Chachalacas were readily available to my camera here. I may have gone overboard taking pictures of them.
I first visited here on 2021-02-06, and my stay lasted just three hours. By day’s end, I’d met and photographed the following species: Anhinga, Black-Crowned Night-Heron, Cattle Egret, Curve-Billed Thrasher, Great Egret, Inca Dove, Long-Billed Thrasher, Northern Cardinal, Northern Mockingbird, Orange-Crowned Warbler, Plain Chachalaca, Purple Martin, Ruby-Crowned Kinglet, and Snowy Egret.
I returned to South Texas for a second visit in September-2022 and spent another afternoon at this lovely location. I look forward to another visit here one day, and renewing my acquaintance with this jewel and its occupants.
Yellow-Crowned Night-Heron(Nyctanassa violacea) |
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Description: Black-Crowned Night-Herons, both adults and juveniles, liked to hunker down in shady places at the edges of the water at the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:19 13:46 |
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Location:
Edinburg Scenic Wetlands |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: YellowCrownedNightHeron_8504611-EdinburgScenicWetlands |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Yellow-Crowned Night-Heron(Nyctanassa violacea) |
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Description: Yellow-Crowned Night-Herons, both adults and juveniles, liked to hunker down in shady places at the edges of the water at the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:19 13:26 |
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Location:
Edinburg Scenic Wetlands |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/5000 |
File Name: YellowCrownedNightHeron_8504594-EdinburgScenicWetlands |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Yellow-Crowned Night-Heron(Nyctanassa violacea) |
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Description: Yellow-Crowned Night-Herons, both adults and juveniles, liked to hunker down in shady places at the edges of the water at the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:19 13:24 |
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Location:
Edinburg Scenic Wetlands |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: YellowCrownedNightHeron_8504566-EdinburgScenicWetlands |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Yellow-Crowned Night-Heron(Nyctanassa violacea) |
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Description: Black-Crowned Night-Herons, both adults and juveniles, liked to hunker down in shady places at the edges of the water at the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:19 13:49 |
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Location:
Edinburg Scenic Wetlands |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: YellowCrownedNightHeron_8504631-EdinburgScenicWetlands |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ruddy Duck(Oxyura jamaicensis) |
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Description: I found one lonely Ruddy Duck hanging out with Least Grebes at the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:19 14:14 |
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Location:
Edinburg Scenic Wetlands |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: RuddyDuck_8504713-EdinburgScenicWetlands |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ruby-Throated Hummingbird(Archilochus colubris) |
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Description: The Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds I met at the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands seemed to be far outnumbered by the Buff-Bellied Hummingbirds in the flower gardens. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:19 14:21 |
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Location:
Edinburg Scenic Wetlands |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: RubyThroatedHummingbird_8504731-EdinburgScenicWetlands |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Long-Billed Thrasher(Toxostoma longirostre) |
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Description: Long-Billed Thrashers seemed easier to meet during my spring visits to south Texas in 2020 and 2021. I was only granted the briefest encounter at the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands this September. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:19 14:31 |
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Location:
Edinburg Scenic Wetlands |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/320 |
File Name: LongBilledThrasher_8504758-EdinburgScenicWetlands |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Least Grebe(Tachybaptus dominicus) |
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Description: Southmost Texas is one of the few places north of the Mexican border where we can find Least Grebes. They were well represented here at the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:19 14:14 |
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Location:
Edinburg Scenic Wetlands |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: LeastGrebe_8504693-EdinburgScenicWetlands |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Least Grebe(Tachybaptus dominicus) |
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Description: Southmost Texas is one of the few places north of the Mexican border where we can find Least Grebes. They were well represented here at the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:19 14:14 |
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Location:
Edinburg Scenic Wetlands |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: LeastGrebe_8504678-EdinburgScenicWetlands |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Hooded Oriole(Icterus cucullatus) |
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Description: Hooded Orioles at the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands showed good sense by hanging out in shadiest areas they could find at the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:19 14:31 |
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Location:
Edinburg Scenic Wetlands |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/320 |
File Name: HoodedOriole_8504765-EdinburgScenicWetlands |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black-Bellied Whistling-Duck(Dendrocygna autumnalis) |
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Description: There were tons of Black-Bellied Whistling-Ducks at the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands during my visit. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:19 14:01 |
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Location:
Edinburg Scenic Wetlands |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: BlackBelliedWhistlingDuck_8504644-EdinburgScenicWetlands |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Plain Chachalaca(Ortalis vetula) |
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Description: I’d been catching glimpses of Chachalacas on visits to other birding venues this winter, but at Edinburg they were more cooperative. I had an errand to run in McAllen Texas on Saturday and took the opportunity to meet a new birding location in the area, called the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands. What a lovely place! |
Date Taken: 2021:02:06 14:06 |
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Location:
Edinburg Scenic Wetlands |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/250 |
File Name: PlainChachalaca_D5X9536-Edinburg |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Snowy Egret(Egretta thula) |
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Description: Snowy and Great Egrets were the only waders working the near shore of the large pond on the reserve. I had an errand to run in McAllen Texas on Saturday and took the opportunity to meet a new birding location in the area, called the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands. What a lovely place! |
Date Taken: 2021:02:06 12:43 |
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Location:
Edinburg Scenic Wetlands |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/800 |
File Name: SnowyEgret_D5X9207-Edinburg |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Purple Martin(Progne subis) |
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Description: I’d not seen Purple Martins this winter in south Texas until I came to Edinburg. These were the early-birds of the species. I had an errand to run in McAllen Texas on Saturday and took the opportunity to meet a new birding location in the area, called the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands. What a lovely place! |
Date Taken: 2021:02:06 13:36 |
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Location:
Edinburg Scenic Wetlands |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/800 |
File Name: PurpleMartin_D5X9368-Edinburg |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ruby-Crowned Kinglet(Regulus calendula) |
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Description: The kinglets I met in Edinburg were difficult to capture, but I got lucky with this one. These were the early-birds of the species. I had an errand to run in McAllen Texas on Saturday and took the opportunity to meet a new birding location in the area, called the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands. What a lovely place! |
Date Taken: 2021:02:06 14:45 |
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Location:
Edinburg Scenic Wetlands |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/500 |
File Name: RubyCrownedKinglet_D5X9828-Edinburg |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Northern Cardinal(Cardinalis cardinalis) |
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Description: Cardinals sang and played throughout the reserve during my visit. I had an errand to run in McAllen Texas on Saturday and took the opportunity to meet a new birding location in the area, called the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands. What a lovely place! |
Date Taken: 2021:02:06 12:40 |
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Location:
Edinburg Scenic Wetlands |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/500 |
File Name: NorthernCardinal_D5X9165-Edinburg |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Orange-Crowned Warbler(Leiothlypis celata) |
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Description: Winter in south Texas is a great time to meet Orange-Crowned Warblers. I had an errand to run in McAllen Texas on Saturday and took the opportunity to meet a new birding location in the area, called the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands. What a lovely place! |
Date Taken: 2021:02:06 12:34 |
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Location:
Edinburg Scenic Wetlands |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/500 |
File Name: OrangeCrownedWarbler_D5X9127-Edinburg |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Northern Mockingbird(Mimus polyglottos) |
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Description: Wherever you visit in Texas, you can count on Mockingbirds being nearby. I had an errand to run in McAllen Texas on Saturday and took the opportunity to meet a new birding location in the area, called the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands. What a lovely place! |
Date Taken: 2021:02:06 12:45 |
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Location:
Edinburg Scenic Wetlands |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: NorthernMockingbird_D5X9213-Edinburg |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black-Crowned Night-Heron(Nycticorax nycticorax) |
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Description: Night Herons were shy, and remained obscured, piercing in the thick foliage on the canal banks. I had an errand to run in McAllen Texas on Saturday and took the opportunity to meet a new birding location in the area, called the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands. What a lovely place! |
Date Taken: 2021:02:06 12:18 |
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Location:
Edinburg Scenic Wetlands |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/250 |
File Name: BlackCrownedNightHeron_D5X9096-Edinburg |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Anhinga(Anhinga anhinga) |
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Description: There were interesting birds, like this sunning Anhinga, at the far side of the large pond, and too distant for good photographs. I had an errand to run in McAllen Texas on Saturday and took the opportunity to meet a new birding location in the area, called the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands. What a lovely place! |
Date Taken: 2021:02:06 13:12 |
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Location:
Edinburg Scenic Wetlands |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/500 |
File Name: Anhinga_D5X9215-Edinburg |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Cattle Egret(Bubulcus ibis) |
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Description: There were interesting birds, like this Cattle Egret, at the far side of the large pond, and too distant for good photographs. I had an errand to run in McAllen Texas on Saturday and took the opportunity to meet a new birding location in the area, called the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands. What a lovely place! |
Date Taken: 2021:02:06 12:42 |
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Location:
Edinburg Scenic Wetlands |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/800 |
File Name: CattleEgret_D5X9198-Edinburg |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Curve-Billed Thrasher(Toxostoma curvirostre) |
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Description: It was a two-thrasher day in Edinburg. I met both the Curve-Billed and Long-Billed Thrashers. I had an errand to run in McAllen Texas on Saturday and took the opportunity to meet a new birding location in the area, called the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands. What a lovely place! |
Date Taken: 2021:02:06 14:42 |
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Location:
Edinburg Scenic Wetlands |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: CurveBilledThrasher_D5X9815-Edinburg |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Great Egret(Ardea alba) |
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Description: Snowy and Great Egrets were the only waders working the near shore of the large pond on the reserve. I had an errand to run in McAllen Texas on Saturday and took the opportunity to meet a new birding location in the area, called the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands. What a lovely place! |
Date Taken: 2021:02:06 12:41 |
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Location:
Edinburg Scenic Wetlands |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: GreatEgret_D5X9176-Edinburg |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Inca Dove(Columbina inca) |
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Description: Inca Doves had eluded me this winter in south Texas, but I enjoyed their company in Edinburg. I had an errand to run in McAllen Texas on Saturday and took the opportunity to visit a new birding location in the area, called the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands. What a lovely place! |
Date Taken: 2021:02:06 14:11 |
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Location:
Edinburg Scenic Wetlands |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/250 |
File Name: IncaDove_D5X9624-Edinburg |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Inca Dove(Columbina inca) |
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Description: Inca Doves had eluded me this winter in south Texas, but I enjoyed their company in Edinburg. I had an errand to run in McAllen Texas on Saturday and took the opportunity to visit a new birding location in the area, called the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands. What a lovely place! |
Date Taken: 2021:02:06 14:07 |
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Location:
Edinburg Scenic Wetlands |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/250 |
File Name: IncaDove_D5X9573-Edinburg |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Long-Billed Thrasher(Toxostoma longirostre) |
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Description: It was a two-thrasher day in Edinburg. I met both the Curve-Billed and Long-Billed Thrashers. I had an errand to run in McAllen Texas on Saturday and took the opportunity to meet a new birding location in the area, called the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands. What a lovely place! |
Date Taken: 2021:02:06 12:31 |
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Location:
Edinburg Scenic Wetlands |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/250 |
File Name: LongBilledThrasher_D5X9118-Edinburg |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Buff-Bellied Hummingbird(Amazilia yucatanensis) |
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Description: The Buff-Bellied Hummingbirds I met at the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands hovered over the flowers in their territory, and defended their little patches of paradise. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:19 14:26 |
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Location:
Edinburg Scenic Wetlands |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: BuffBelliedHummingbird_8504742-EdinburgScenicWetlands |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Plain Chachalaca(Ortalis vetula) |
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Description: I’d been catching glimpses of Chachalacas on visits to other birding venues this winter, but at Edinburg they were more cooperative. I had an errand to run in McAllen Texas on Saturday and took the opportunity to meet a new birding location in the area, called the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands. What a lovely place! |
Date Taken: 2021:02:06 14:19 |
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Location:
Edinburg Scenic Wetlands |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/250 |
File Name: PlainChachalaca_D5X9728-Edinburg |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Northern Cardinal(Cardinalis cardinalis) |
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Description: Cardinals sang and played throughout the reserve during my visit. I had an errand to run in McAllen Texas on Saturday and took the opportunity to meet a new birding location in the area, called the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands. What a lovely place! |
Date Taken: 2021:02:06 12:39 |
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Location:
Edinburg Scenic Wetlands |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/500 |
File Name: NorthernCardinal_D5X9142-Edinburg |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
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