Boquillas Canyon

I love birds. 
All of them.  Even the vultures. Our adventure in Big Bend National Park is giving me a chance to see many birds that I've never seen before, new additions to my life list.  After laundry on Tuesday we wandered around the Rio Grande Village area for a while and got to see and photograph golden-fronted woodpeckers.  We also saw white winged dove and roadrunners while we were there.  Next we took a leisurely stroll up Boquillas Canyon.  No bird sightings, but bats, bats, bats!  Across the river is Boquillas village, in Mexico.  Before 2002 visitors to the park could take a mule ride across the river, spend some time in the village, toss back a little tequila, and re-enter the US with no problems.  Now-a-days this is no longer possible.  It has really created financial hardship for the people of Boquillas.  Now they wade across the river, leave their handi-crafts and a container for money in strategic areas, with a request for "help for the Boquillas school children".  You can buy a wire sculpture or walking stick for $6.  Of course, this is all highly illegal.  Get caught with the "contraband" and it will be confiscated. Up Boquillas canyon we saw a money container with a sign written with a marker on a rock asking for tips for "the singin' mexican.... Victor".  Unfortunately Victor was nowhere in sight, and there was no music.  I wish Victor well, and hope that when they finish and open the new crossing at Boquillas in the spring that he and his community prosper.