Thoreau, I'm not...neither is this WALDEN Pond

Northwest of Corpus Christi via Interstate 37 [heading toward San Antonio], there is a birding trail that is quite, more or less, unknown to many. But the area does have a section in the book, Birding Corpus Christi. It is very often overgrown, weedy, and traversing the trail can be a challenge at times during the year. Overgrown grasses, divots in the path and fallen tree limbs sometimes block the way, and or creates a goodly chance of sprained ankles or deep scratches on the legs. If you go there, it's best to go on the west trail. There are two trails that follow a drainage ditch that is nestled between the trails. The Eastern trail is rarely cleaned out of bush, brush, trees and grasses. For the most part, the western trail is best. But again, it depends on how the upkeep is. Now and then, it's considered [at least by me] a hazard. This Spring it's been cleaned out fairly well by a group of volunteers....the path is quite passable all the way to the Nueces [pronounced new AY seas - meaning nuts] River which drains into North Corpus Christi Bay [and the Port Ship Channel]. The ponds:  there are three good sized pools which are actually  sediment from the City's raw drinking water. In other words, what is left from filtering the water at the treatment center, O. N. Steven Center, the sludge is deposited into a drying bed and further down the line they've been created from runoff. Just off Interstate 37 North, at the Sharbsburg Road exit [or any that follow the Up River Road exits if you're familiar to the area], there are parking facilities on both trailheads. They're gated, so parking and then walking is necessary. As you walk the trail/trails, you're surrounded by thick woods...lined with Willow and Mulberry trees for the most part. Vines clinging to the tree bark and overhanging in some parts on the drainage ditch makes for pretty country-quiet scenery. Birds can be soaring high above through the tree canopy, and heard singing nearby, and at a distance. At one point about half way to the riverbank, there is a wooden bridge that crosses the  canal from both trails. There are benches scattered here and there for the avid birders who like to make record of the bird varieties...also, a bird blind is constructed near the bridge that overlooks a swampy area. In my opinion it is in dire need or some repair work and the inside looks like a snake haven. Not for me, thank you very much. With common sense and keeping an eye on where you step, it's worth while to visit. But reminding you there are hazards such as poisonous snakes, loads of fire ants [don't stop too long in one spot!!], mosquitoes in the summer, and the trail is uneven and treacherous to the ankles in certain areas. The last time we were there recently, I was reminded of Louisiana Swamps...and I was thinking to myself, if only we here in Corpus Christi were lucky enough to have CYPRESS trees to go along with the ponds!! In my opinion, it would be an extra added piece of beauty!! The day we were there,  the birds were very few. Most of the common birds showed up in our viewfinder. Egrets, Northern Shovelers, one Great Kiskadee, a few Northern Cardinals, a couple of Lesser Scaups. Thank my lucky stars I saw no snakes in along the path. If I did, I probably would still be running for my life and not posting this post, I hate snakes that much!!  [I keep warning Bud if there is a snake present in our yard, the house goes on the market.  *snort]  Once we made our way further back beyond the ponds, we came upon the river; along the bank near our side of the shore, a couple of Brown Pelicans were lounging and resting on some low lying tree limbs. As we headed  in reverse direction,  back to the parking area, I stopped to photograph this particular tree of which we saw several along the path, all were in full bloom. I do not have any inkling as to the type of tree this is, but it perfumed the air slightly and made for a pretty photo op. If anyone knows what kind of tree this is, I'd be more than pleased for your expertise!

The area? By now if you've read the photo entitlements, it's called Pollywog Ponds.  After leaving this area, we drove to another hiking trail...Hilltop Community.  Heard a lot of birds, saw a few Mockingbirds, and one lone blue gray gnatcatcher.  By this time it was getting nigh-on to hot...so we buckled up and drove home for a cool one and stretching out; relaxing for the rest of the day.