'Round the 'hood

Today, just an eclectic mixture of images I'm sharin'.

From here in town to the outskirts of this area:

If you follow me on my birding photo blog a bit, you may have well noticed I mentioned a favorite area where Bud and I go birding a lot! This particular area is Leonabelle Turnbull Wildlife Refuge. These images were taken from atop the observation tower showing you the several ponds and tall reeds. A huge amount of water fowl can be spotted here year 'round. And alligators. Spring migration [the grassy, park area before you get to the boardwalk is highly populated with warblers, finches, rails, orioles, owls, etc.

The city's freshwater lakes, small and large, are well populated with a few turtle species.

This image was taken just a couple weeks ago over on the Gulf Bay near Port Aransas and the beginning of the Corpus Christi Ship Channel which flows from the Gulf, through Aransas Pass/Port Aransas, Ingleside and on into the Port of Corpus Christi and the North Bay in town.

When I see this, I am always reminded of the song...The White Cliffs of Dover. Of course this is NOTHING like the one in Europe...to be sure, but I AM reminded and usually hum the song in my head as I walk along the ship's channel.

This heavily wooded/shaded area of a birding path in town was all abloom with this plant variety. The name eludes me right now, but in amongst the dappled shadows of the high trees as I crossed the little foot bridge...I thought it was pretty!

A river runs through it....this is part of Hazel Bazemore Park in Calallen, Texas. Another birding area we frequent.

Part of an outdoor exhibition at a store front on the island. Dolphins, turtles, seashells, and a mermaid all in gigantic proportions decorates the exterior.

A flowering Mexican Olive Tree located in another birding area we go to during the Spring and Autumn months....Blucher Park.

Another area where you can see all kinds of water fowl during most of the year. It's a pretty walk. Paved trail along the tidal pools and fresh water ponds. This is between Corpus Christi and Portland Texas. Not far from our town and always such a pretty view. Even in the dead of winter or when the sea [beyond the pools but in view of the trail] is turbulent.

...one who greeted us as we entered the park to walk around and view birds, wildlife, and check out the plants/flowers.