Colorful birds in the Valley

After the feeders are filled at Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, the birds come.

It's a treat to see these bright beauties: the Great Kiskadee and the Green Jay.

Great Kiskadee

Green Jay

The Plain Chachalaca isn't as colorful, but it is another bird you need to travel south to see. It's about the size of a chicken and loud.

Plain Chachalaca

Four-legged fan of Rio Grande Valley birding center

What is that?

We had been greeted by rabbits, a cacophony of birds and maybe a roadrunner at the entrance to Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park.

We were ready to be amazed by more wildlife when we approached the first bridge. Looking down a side road we spotted the creature.

A chupacabra?

Actually it looked like a cat.

We saw a ranger down the trail and asked him about the cat. He said he didn't know of any domestic cats in the park and maybe it was a jaguarundi. How exciting!

But would an elusive jaguarundi sit in the open to watch us?

When I enlarged the photo later, it became clear.

This wasn't a jaguarundi. Just a fat house cat that had found a paradise at the birding center.