A Morning Walk at Low Tide....

It was yet again a chilly, blustery, day. The gentle rain didn't begin tho, until after my walking was done for the morning...then, the rain became heavier, and a bit of measurable amount fell.

Beforehand,  I decided to go to Indian Point and Sunset Lakes near Portland, Texas. i stopped at the fishing pier first. The chill factor kept the bird life 'at bay' [no pun intended] ....seen only were two seagulls and a few well-hidden [in the mangrove] black crowned night herons protected from the cold...

A couple of mottled ducks rested on the leeward side...

An inlet by the pier pilings showed dowitchers, red breasted mergansers, a snowy egret, some grackles on shore, sandpipers, and pintail ducks.

Getting back into the car, I then drove a few miles northeast along the shoreline to Sunset Lakes. I only walked a short distance and found dozens of both immature and adult spoonbills with white ibis mixed in the gathering by the first observation deck from the parking lot. I was a bit shocked to see the high numbers of them. I took several photos for my other blog, and then mounted the deck via the ramp; startling them off but for a short distance where they landed just a few feet from me.  Flyovers consisted of terns, herons, egrets, godwits, curlews, avocets and  more ibis and spoonbills...

Since, at the time, the tide was very low, it gave me an opportunity to walk along the bay's sandy shoreline; which most times I'm there, the surf is right at the mangrove and juniper banks keeping me or anyone without wader boots or any aquatic gear from traversing the area.

It was overcast and gray, but still quite quiet and a very enjoyable, peaceful walk. Sea grass swayed in the gentle breeze. The oyster beds were exposed and several turnstones [birds] were busy inspecting underneath, turning the shells over for crustaceans and sea life that was exposed to the elements; sparrows and tiny phoebes [flycatchers] were flitting through the bush growth along the banks, while willets, herons and other waders ignored me as they searched for their morning meal. At this hour, even the gulf waters were empty of any ships coming into port.  One tri-colored heron greeted me; stopping short of where I was; statuesque, then flew further out and landed on a shoal that was partially above the water line.  An osprey flew over and disappeared all too soon...

With the weather as it was, and plans of a lunch with Bud, I left for home to change clothes and we had brunch at Cracker Barrel, then went to the store for some fresh veggies for dinner ... tossed salad fixin's to go with my Italian Goulash that I prepared before leaving for my walk. I bought a loaf of crusty Italian bread for garlic toast and for dessert we planned on frozen yogurt topped with pecans and caramel sauce.

When we got back home my Amazon packages had been delivered. I can't wait for a good, sunny day to experiment with my new purchase [relating to photography]. Also delivered to me was a new book...a true story published in Sept 2018 ---about the Tower of London. I started reading that and will get back to posting about my camera fun experiment [I hope it'll be fun eventually], and about the books I just finished; a critique.