The wind blows frequently and strongly in south Texas and it is both damp and arid here on the coast. Chuck had to hold on firmly to the steering wheel to take us from north Padre Island (near Corpus Christi) to this town across the Laguna Madre from South Padre Island.

With gusts forcast to hit 50 mph the next day, we took care of chores and relaxed for a day, only visiting the famous marsh "boardwalk" at the South Padre Island Convention Center in search of rails and bitterns. We have now had great looks at three there, the clapper, sora, and Virginia. We even saw a clapper clapping.

Over the past few days we have visited the Sable Palm Audubon Refuge, the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, and various backroads, beaches, and bays in search of south Texas specialty birds. We have found many of them including the gaudy green jay, the raucus chachalaca, and the black and rusty Harris's hawk. Chuck has also been experimenting with the i-pod recordings both to identify heard songs and raise birds into view. A clapper rail charged him this morning.

Unlike North Padre Island, South Padre Island is a resort area. The spring break crowd arrived this weekend. We are entertained by the phenomenon and are largely avoiding it by staying off the beach except at dawn. The weather continues good, except for the wind which is a nuisance at times, and it has been warm this week, to 90 in the afternoon. A cold front is supposed to arrive Monday night. It has not rained on us since we reached Texas.

The area has a definite Texas border atmosphere. One morning we were in the field before dawn and watched as the border patrol car drove along the levy and the agents turned off generator powered spotlights that illuminated the roadway. The towns are rustic and dusty. The towns generate revenue from speed law enforcement.

We have encountered a number of recreational and professional birders (guides, photographers, and painters) and other pleasant people along the way. This is an area that promotes birding tourism, and we are taking advantage of that.

On Tuesday we will move about fifty miles west to the town of Mission where the Benson State Park and Santa Anna National Wildlife Refuge are the primary birding sites. We will be looking for such rarities as the hook-billed kite and the tropical parula. More adventures on the border. If it is practical we may even canoe on the Rio Grande. We have never taken our passports canoing before.

Still finding seafood along the coast and local specialty cuisine. Lot's of fun in Texas.