Instead of heading up the coast from Brownsville to South Padre Island, we drove south from Harlingen, and then due east on Hwy 100. The first raptor we encountered was a beautiful Harris's Hawk that was perched with a Northern Mockingbird.
Harris's Hawk and Northern Mockingbird
Harris's Hawk and Northern Mockingbird
Harris's Hawk and Northern Mockingbird
Harris's Hawk
Harris's Hawk
A bit farther down the road, we stopped when we saw an Aplomado Falcon perched on a power line that was catching the rays of the early morning sun. And on the next power line was a second Aplomado Falcon.
Aplomado Falcon
Aplomado Falcon
Less than a mile farther down the road, we stopped again, when we saw a White-tailed Hawk catching the sun's rays, and again, another White-tailed Hawk was on the next power line.
White-tailed Hawk
White-tailed Hawk
As we got closer to South Padre Island, we saw a Chihuahuan Raven and then another Harris's Hawk. Three life birds in one short stretch of highway!
Chihuahuan Raven
Harris's Hawk