Yesterday was my third visit to Kickapoo Caverns State Park in the last 2
weeks. But yesterday was special. I was with TOS members on the scheduled field
trip to this awesome place----and, at KIckapoo, Â it is about PLACE and the
wonderful people you are with, most of whom I had never met. Birders bond
quickly, friends are made for life. Those are all added benefits. Kickapoo is a
place to get de-stressed from the commotion of life today. There are no horns
blaring, no squealing of tires, no loud talking, nobody in a big hurry trying
to run over you to get to where they are going. There is just this little
microcosm of peace and the splendid noise of the Creation. The unique habitat
for all things living in this part of Texas overwhelms you. I mean pine trees
(Texas Pinyon) in this part of dry Texas landscape is astounding, the diversity
of life whether birds, plants or butterflies is very noticeable. I have never
seen so many Red Satyrs before.Â
If multiple sightings of Black-capped Vireo (skittish), Scott's Oriole, Hooded
Oriole, Gray Vireo, Varied Bunting and Zone-tailed Hawk is not for you then
don't visit. But if you want to experience the serenity of this Place, and all
it has to offer then go. At the end of our day here, the whole group of us were
sitting/standing watching a water trough beside the park office. There is no
surface water in the park, no permanent running stream, no lake. Rain will
collect in rock pools when it falls. The park personnel (and many thanks to
them) put water in troughs around the area. To see that male Varied Bunting
come in and take a bath not 20 feet away, with all the group mesmerized, just
topped a day that will be a highlight of my birding experiences.Â
Check ebird for full list of sightings as several of the group documented well
our observations. Â Â
Rhandy J. Helton
Junction, Texas
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