Stromboli's Rolling Log: A little History, some little birds. Day 19

It was a step back in time for awhile today. We did head for a very fine birding spot, that also had two sidelights that turned onto a very fine lesson in the history of the Rio Grande Valley near Mission TX.

Somewhere around 1749 the Spanish were here and had a number of towns near Hidalgo. It was in 1846 that Hidalgo was incorporated. A need for irrigation and pumping water from the mighty Rio Grande was seen. The pumping station was started in 1907, and took a crew of 26 men and their teams of mules to load the 2-3 cords constantly to keep the boilers running, There were three boilers, each about 25 feet high, (see pic) that produced 550 HP and 150 pounds of pressure each. It must have been enough pressure to do the job. This operation (with some modernization) continued until 1983. Today it is a recreational park and Museum worth visiting.

We did see some bird there and along the roadways as usual. Today the Black Phoebe was a first on the trip as were the Lark Sparrow, Broad Billed Hummingbird, and the Red Crowned Parrot. Our species count at present is just shy of 150 species.The latter (Parrott) being an escaped bird that has multiplied. We saw them in a group formation making ther very loud "hawk, hawk, hawk", sound. Here we also were able to talk to a number of people, some natives and some who came here to live. One teacher from Chicago, told of her struggle with the culture and living is a sort of "Not american, and "Not Mexican" world. A rather Limbo in between. She has been here 20 years and has raised her family here.

The pumping plant at Hidalgo, TX (not used at present)

The story

What kept the operation going, for sure.
Oh, sorry, It's a telephone.

There were a few other historical places in Hidalgo as well. The cemetery we passed by, but Ruth said we have to get some pictures of that cemetery. On the way out we did. (See the pictures below.)

After this stop we headed for a park at theAnzalduas Dam near Mission. This has been the site for some great birding as the Dam creates upflow that brings the food to the surface for any birds. The Park at the Dam is excellent and has a great green, tree cover to shield the birds in the heat of the day. We arrived just before noon and noticed at the "switch back" to get nto the park was where many cars were turning back. Hmmm? When it was our turn to get to the entry gate we, too found that the gate was locked on "HOLIDAYS" . This beig Good FRiday of Easter week, teheyhad closed it. Bummer! Two other cars parked in front of us as we pulled over to the side to have our lunch and observe whatever birds we could. The two other cars had rendezvoed there to have a pcnic , but after some fish netting, and discussion, they decided on another spot for their Friday picnic. We lingered, stopped at a DQ on the way home (2 for one price today) and headed back to the trailer. That meant Ruth had to have a size larger than a "mini" and she did!

It was a good day but disapointing as we did not get to see the park by the dam

N.B. If you want to see what the law enforcement has had a problem with illegals at that dam, then google the site "Birding Anzalduas Dam" and a video by a policeman will come up . Quiet interesting how many can come across there so quickly, mostly children. Tomorrow we will be on the road to San Antonio (a shoe buying day at SAS), and then two overnights in Boerne, TX. where we will celebrate Easter at the First UMC in Boerne. I may or may not be able to post a blog, Thanks for the time with us. It has been fun for me.