Lower Rio Grande Valley

$150 deposit required.

Locations: Brownsville/McAllen/South Padre Island, Tx

Each session will involve 1 morning and 1 evening outing. Our focus will be Songbirds in the mornings, and Shorebirds in the evenings. Plans may change depending on weather, but this will be the goal for each session.

Join me for an unforgettable bird photography experience in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, one of North America's most biologically rich and diverse regions. Nestled along the southern tip of Texas, this area is a paradise for bird enthusiasts and photographers alike, boasting lush tropical habitats, expansive wetlands, and riparian corridors that are teeming with wildlife.

The area is renowned for its biodiversity, and during your time here, you'll have the opportunity to capture photographs of a wide variety of both migratory and resident birds, many of which are unique to this borderland region.

Beyond the birds, the Lower Rio Grande Valley offers a rich cultural backdrop that adds depth to your experience. You’ll have the chance to observe the fascinating blend of Tex-Mex culture and its connection to the natural environment, where historic ranches and citrus groves dot the landscape.

Species likely to see:

Songbirds:

• Plain Chachalaca

• White-Tipped Dove

• Ladder-Backed Woodpecker

• Golden-Fronted Woodpecker

• Buff-Bellied Hummingbird

• Great Kiskadee

• Green Jay

• Black-Crested Titmouse

• Long-Billed Thrasher

• Clay-Colored Thrush

• Olive Sparrow

• Hooded Oriole

• Altamira Oriole

• Northern Cardinal

Shorebirds:

• Black-Necked Stilt

• Black-Bellied Plover

• Semipalmated Plover

• Piping Plover

• Snowy Plover

• Marbled Godwit

• Short/Long-Billed Dowitcher

• Greater Yellowlegs

• Ruddy Turnstone

• Black Skimmer

• Roseate Spoonbill

• Tricolored Heron

• Reddish Egret

• Snowy Egret

  • Sessions must be scheduled at least 1 week in advance.

This photo tour is designed for those photographers that have always wanted those “lifer” South Texas birds, while also having the chance at experiencing nothing quite like it in the birding world, a migration fallout. During this period of spring migration, the chances are very high. If a fallout is expected, we will head to a very specific location where we will have ample opportunity to photograph multiple different migrating songbird species. I will take you to the best native plants that provide ample food for these birds and you will be able to get stunning images in native habitats.

I encourage you to bring the following items for our outing:

• Water

• Hiking Boots

• Long Pants

• Bug Spray

• Hat/Hoodie/Jacket

• Layered Clothing

• Monopod

• Extra SD/CF Express Cards

• A lens with at lease 300-600mm range

Please Read: Due to the sensitivity of some of the species listed, we will spend minimal, but efficient time with these birds. My goal is to get you the best photos possible while still protecting the species and its native habitat. If I notice any “out of ordinary” behavior being displayed by the bird, we will be ending the time spent with that bird immediately and moving to the next location.