Quinta Mazatlan: A Visual Journey, is a celebration of the architectural and cultural wonders of McAllen's most distinctive mansion and landscape. Photographer Deval Pino Shah and writer Eileen Mattei collaborated on the 30-page book in advanced photo album format (instead of offset printing). Filled with stunning images by Shah, the book presents new artistic and historical perspectives of one of Texas' largest adobe homes and its surrounding environment.

Quinta Mazatlan is also one of nine World Birding Centers in the Rio Grande Valley. More than 250 species of birds are attracted to the native habitat, and that brings in birders to see exotic residents such as Kiskadees, Groove-billed Ani, and Red-crowned Parrots.

Pino Shah is a photographer based in McAllen, Texas, and Ahmedabad, India who specializes in world heritage architecture and the performing arts (ArtByPino.com).

A freelance writer based in the Rio Grande Valley, Eileen Mattei writes travel, nature and history articles for Texas Coop Power, Texas Highways, and other magazines. She is the author of At the Crossroads: Harlingen's First 100 Years; Leading the Way: McAllen's First 100 Years, and For the Good of My Patients: The History of Medicine in the Rio Grande Valley.