Laura and Jay in Mexico 2005 - Day 1 - Trip to Ciudad Mante

Random Recollections

• Kathy and I left the motel at 6:30 am to park our car at the Harlingen Chamber of Commerce since the Country Inn and Suites had reneged on a previous commitment to allow us to park our cars on their lot. Personal cars took us to the bus rendezvous site and for the first time I saw what 60 birders looked like. A lot! But Kathy perused the crowd and stated she believed she could stay up with this crowd. The powers that be placed us on the bus with Jay Packer, Richard Gibbons, and Mike Overton. Here we met and made new friends, some of which I have pictures of.
• First hurdle was going through the checkpoint at the border. No problem when traveling with Turismante. Our visas were already filled out with the pertinent information, all we had to do was fill in our birth dates, and passport number. However, a random check was performed on our group's luggage. All participants de-bused, stood in a single file line, and pushed a button located on what looked like a stop light, green light on top, red light on bottom. One would walk up to the light, push the button, and watch which light came on. Both Jay and I pushed the button and saw red; therefore we were asked to open our suitcases and the Mexican authorities searched our luggage. Seeing nothing suspicious, we hopped back on the bus. Coincidence that both of our bags were searched? Who knows.
• The first order of business was the introduction of our trip leaders. Mike Overton, a birder from Iowa, made introductions. Richard Gibbons, attending LSU was introduced as The Brain. Jay Packer was introduced as The Sensitive One. Mike introduced himself as The Old Guy. As the week progressed, these labels proved to be accurate. Richard knew all about birds and spoke the best Spanish. Before debriefing all participants on the bus he would state: "Attencion, attencion, por favor!" His accent was distinguished yet humorous in its delivery. It always made us laugh. When Jay made announcements he would talk about subjects that showed his sensitivity to the birds, environment, or birders. We always enjoyed hearing his views. When Mike made announcements, the microphone would screech loudly because of the interference with his pacemaker that doctors installed last year. (Yes, he is the Old Guy even though he's got the baby face). Seems a little irregular heart beat brought him to death's door before being revived.
• While traveling down the highway, we ID'd the first Mexican bird: a White-winged Dove. It was in Mexico; therefore we put it on our Mexico birds list. Soon others followed. Caracara at 3 o'clock; Loggerhead Shrike at 10 o'clock. Of course everyone looked; we were in a contest to see which bus would have the most number of birds by the end of the day and by the end of the trip. Our bus and our group was nicknamed The Sungrebes. Better yet, we were the Resplendent Sungrebes. The other bus was known as the Saltators; we added an adjective, the Dastardly Saltators. The bus traveled south and stopped at El Tinieblo, a game hunting ranch/lodge (see pic). Here it was arid scrub/grassland, yet beautiful large bougainvillea bloomed profusely. A few pictures of the inside of the restaurant follow. The most noteworthy photo shows the bathroom doors with overhead signage as to which door was "gentlemen" and which was "ladies." All sorts of trophies were displayed on the walls, why not over the bathroom doors as well? I'll leave it up to you to interpret.
• Before reaching Mante, we stopped at Jaumave to look for Military Macaws reported in the large pecan trees in the downtown square. They were there, but the inundation of 60 people flushed the birds and they flew off allowing only a few in the group a quick look. However, we walked the residential areas and spotted our first migrants and Mexican specialties in the tops of the numerous trees in the area. Scrub Euphonia's yellow breast flashed brightly in the evening sun and so did the colorful Altamira Oriole. A Rufous-capped Warbler was seen by several.
• By the time we arrived at Hotel Mante, it was dark. However, a reception was prepared for us in the lobby. As soon as we settled into our rooms, margaritas were arranged on a long table. Many people seemed to appreciate the happy hour. A large sign was hung outside the hotel that welcomed us from Harlingen. A street band and a street performer (flame swallower) greeted us outside.
• Boarding the buses once again, we went to Saul's restaurant (Restaurant Campestre) where a delicious meal was prepared for us. Mine was sans beef and dairy, but wasn't too good on the fat content, something that would bother me a few days later. But Malu tried her best to accommodate several of us with special dietary needs and for the most part, did a very good job.
• By day's end we had 72 different species of birds seen by the participants that day.
• Best quote of the day: 'I'm cuddling with your Mom.'