Re: RFI: Big Bend birding??
Jack C. Leighty/Susan J. Noble (jleighty@chesapeake.net)
Mon, 16 Mar 1998 14:30:37 -0500 (EST)
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Julie:
Another thought. It is often a good idea to call the park office.
The rangers may have answers to your questions, as well as
information on local phenoms such as expected cactus blooming time.
Jack Leighty
Huntingtown
jleighty@chesapeake.net
>From: "Gregory B Miller" <gregorym@erols.com>
>Date: 3/16/98 1:32:36AM
>To: mdosprey@ARI.Net
>Subject: Re: RFI: Big Bend birding??
>
>Julie Kelly wrote:
>>
>> Dear Folks,
>>
>> Can anyone on MD Osprey or Tex Birds help me with some advice on
>getting to
>> Big Bend? I am going down to Austin TX in a couple of weeks to
>visit my
>> parents. My mom, who has just turned 70, would very much like to
>see Big
>> Bend. (I would too, of course!) We could do this now or on
>another of my
>> trips later in the year.
>>
>> Any ideas on how long the drive would be from the Austin/San
>Antonio area?
>> ...that is, for a pretty "legal" driver as far as speed goes.
>>
>> Would it be better to split the drive into 2 days? It would be
>just the 2
>> of us, and I would be the only driver.
>>
>> Is spring likely out of the question by now (too late for
>reservations;
>> "spring break" crowds?)? If so, is fall as good a time? (I
>think I could
>> handle summer heat, but doubt if my mom could.)
>>
>> What do you consider the "best" season for visiting?
>>
>> Has anyone ever had a medical emergency while there? How did it
>work out??
>>
>> Any and all advice is welcome. Keep in mind our trail walking
>would be
>> limited to the "easy" ones. But we want to visit several
>different
>> habitats while there. It looks like driving around is possible
>and
>> productive, from the 2 enticing guide books I now have.
>>
>> I will also check the Bird Trip location on the Web, but I know
>that often
>> these reports omit logistics of travel in favor of bird lists.
>Am not so
>> worried about the birds I see; will surely be pleased with all of
>them!
>>
>> Please reply to my email address below. Thanks to all who have
>time to
>> reply! (I too will reply!)
>>
>> Julie Kelly
>>
>> mailto:jfkelly@ibm.net
>> Kensington, Maryland
>
>hi julie,
>
>according to my rand mcnally trip software, austin to big bend
>national
>park is a 446-mile drive which will take the law-abiding citizen
>approximately 7 hours and 26 minutes (that is, of course, continuous
>driving <grin>). your actual driving time will fluctuate depending
>on
>how often you stop.
>
>i visited big bend the 2nd wk in june in 1974. the temps were
>already
>hot in the desert floor and stifling in the river valley. the
>mountain
>temps were 75-80 and very bearable.
>
>weather can vary greatly from desert to mtns to river valley. take
>layers of clothing for the appropriate season. i would also
>recommend a
>spring visit (april/early may) as best for all-around birding and
>decent
>weather.
>
>you will be in the "boonies". you will want to carry extra drinking
>water in the car and fill up with gas before leaving i-10 for big
>bend.
>there is next to nothing but desert between i-10 and big bend.
>
>i don't think big bend is too big a spring break place...at least
>not
>anything like south padre <grin>. you can always call the park and
>ask...
>
>i hope you have the aba/lane guide for the rio grande valley of
>texas.
>it's an indispensible aide.
>
>birding should be terrific. you'll be able to cover a number of
>areas
>by car. and the scenery is simply magnificent. i think it must
>have
>been here that the words "purple mountain majesties" were added to
>the
>song "god bless america". spring rains will cause the desert to
>blossom
>and the mountains will have wildflowers. pack a picnic lunch enjoy
>good
>birding at a picnic table along the rio grande...
>
>hope el nino's nice to big bend and your trip(s...you'll want to
>come
>back) this year and good birding!
>
>greg miller
>lusby, maryland
>home: gregorym@erols.com
>work: gregory.b.miller@bge.com
>
>