Falcon Dam State Park

One of our days off we drove northwest the fifty or so miles to Falcon  State Park.  The park itself is at the southern end of the 60 mile long lake created by Falcon dam.  This dam, one of the large dams on the Rio Grande River, was built in 1953 for conservation, irrigation, power, flood control and recreational purpose.  The 144 acre area of the park was leased from the International Boundry and Water Commission and opened to the public in 1965.  Falcon Lake is a fishing paradise, especially for those seeking black and white bass, catfish and stripers.  Great birding also.

 There were two of these Roadrunners in the grass at the side of the road.  They paid no attention to us, even when we followed him around taking pictures.

 the Yucca plants are starting to bloom.

Our second roadrunner of the day.

 Although Falcon State Park is not one of the World Birding Centers, they still are big promoters of bird and butterfly habitat.  Signs encourage visitors to create bird and butterfly habitat in their own back yards.  This park had a nicely organized butterfly garden complete with great signage indicating which butterfly or larvae preferred each plant.

 The plants were just beginning to bloom but there were lots of butterflies here on this warm day.

This bird blind looked wierd on the outside but it was great inside with an expanded view of the feeding area.



While we were in that area we drove a bit further north west and visited a town called Zapata where Marlin's Uncle Bob lived about six years ago.  We had visited with him there and Marlin wanted to send him some pictures of where he used to live.  We met three people there who remembered him fondly and were glad to know he was doing well.

 Bob used to paint these compass rose symbols for people in the park.  This one is still in good shape.

Two of Bob's old neighbors.