I took a vacation day in conjunction with a work trip to El Paso, TX in June 2009. I went to Hueco Tanks State Park east of town, Rio Bosque Wetlands Park, Franklin Mountains State Park, and some smaller hotspots in town. I saw a lot of new birds and got plenty of good photos.

I saw a couple of Cactus Wrens in the brush:

More Cactus Wren photos here.

A pair of Chuhuahuan Ravens perched on an electrical tower north of the city:

More Chuhuahuan Raven photos here.

I saw two Curve Billed Thrashers in Arroyo Park:

A Pyrrhuloxia flew into the brush near the road in Franklin Mtn park:

More Pyrrhuloxia photos here.

I saw several Roadrunners:

A Scott's Oriole perched right outside the visitor center at Hueco Tanks:

More Scott's Orioles photos here.

I saw several White Tailed Kites hovering over Rio Bosque park on June 9th:

This Yellow-breasted Chat was also at Rio Bosque park:

I sar Black-chinned Hummingbirds at almost every stop:

Black-throated Sparrows were common too:

Several Burrowing Owls stood around at the Rio Bosque visitor center:

More Burrowing Owl photos here.

I saw several Gambel's Quail in and around El Paso:

More Gambel's Quail photos here.

This beautiful Painted Bunting was singing in Rio Bosque park:

More Painted Bunting photos here.

A group of Black-necked Stilts waded in the Fred Hervey water plant ponds:

Swainson's Hawks posed for pictures all over the area:

More Swainson's Hawk photos here.

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