Sunrise, Sunset....moonrise

I spent most of the day at the islands on November 14th. The morning was when I was walking and doing a bit of birding. I left before sunrise and pulled off the road and stopped on the island highway shoulder to take this photo with my cellphone...

I counted 12 ospreys perched on the power lines and 10 white tailed hawks. I have dozens and dozens of photos of each, so I didn't pull over. Once I arrived at Port A, I took a detour, taking a beach access road instead of heading toward the nature preserves first. I wanted to watch the sunrise on the beach...

After hopping back in the car, covering the floor mats with gobs of soft sand [which Bud hates when I do that...he has to clean it up - lol], I drove to Leonabelle's Birding Center. There wasn't much activity that early in the morning. Spotting about a dozen white pelicans, a couple of Tri-colored Herons, a few Egrets, Grebes, and Cormorants, I left for another area. While walking out of the birding center, I spotted this on the fencing...

White Ibis

Stopping at a couple more areas, Paradise Pond and Charlie's Pasture, it was all too quiet for seeing many birds. So, I decided to go to the Beach again and walked the jetty behind the Marine Science Lab [campus associated]. A hoard of Brown Pelicans kept me occupied. And near a dozen dolphins were feeding, playing near the jetty. I also spotted a beautiful specimen of a Crested Caracara and two Turkey Vultures. By that hour, it was getting close to lunch time. I texted Bud I'd be home for lunch. That afternoon, it was a quiet time, I read my book while Bud napped. Then, we decided to go back to the islands [Padre Island this time], and dine at Mikey Mays Grill on the shore. I had a Philly Steak Sub while Bud ordered a BLT. We downed it all with some beers. By the time we finished and left, the sun was setting west of the dunes...

...the pier lights flickered on:

We kept ourselves occupied, people watching and walking along the shore, trying to pick out a good spot. We weren't the only ones there for the 'special treat'. You see, the night of the supermoon, it was too cloudy. We figured we'd get some decent views this night since it had cleared out somewhat, tho there was a thick haze on the horizon. The beach became crowded with amateur photographers and spectators. Once the sky darkened, the moon made its appearance on the horizon...a bit hidden at times through the cloudy haze, but still visible. Then, it peeked away from the obstructions and the sight was phenomenal...

Once home, the blood red hue of the moonrise had left and we had a full moon illuminating our driveway. It was a long day for me, from sunrise, to sunset, to moonrise!!