On the 'back side' of Packery Channel Park and boardwalk, there is an outlet for kayakers and fishermen to have access to the channel waters. After walking the boardwalk, and then taking a short hike across the park road to a residential area, I then followed the park road to the kayaker's access area and walked the banks of the channel since the tide was out and there was 'beach' to walk on. This is a very heavy with photos blog so the images will be resized to small viewing to load faster. But, you can enlarge them thru the lightbox slideshow if you wish. Just click on the first image [Padre Isles] and you'll hopefully be able to see them bigger...
It's not a day that goes by that I don't see a mockingbird [even if it's in our yard]. But when I do it's usually a rogue, a loner. When I saw these two cavorting around a drip system, I took a photo! They were careful with their antics and watched me for a while and flew off into the bushes beyond. And for those that live up north, we here in the south have flowers blooming year 'round. During the winter months, when there is a lot of cold-weather kill and fields turn brown, the color of wildflowers here and there are a refreshing spot!
After leaving the Audubon sanctuary across from the channel park, I thought I'd venture on the natural path that goes behind the pond [seen in photo series above]. I took about a dozen steps off the observation platform at the water's edge, and froze!! Even if it is a harmless snake in the path, I don't like it one bit. I picked up a handful of sand and tossed it on its backside to get it to move. It didn't! I can tell you right now, if it would have moved I would have continued on my merry way once it was out of the path's path. But, dead or alive, it didn't budge. I turned around and thought..."I'll come back another day". I quickly left the area and walked the Sand Dollar Road of residential homes looking for birds at the owners' feeders. I saw a goat instead...
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I backtracked to the main park road and headed to the channel waters. The sky was moody, the tide was low. You can walk the entire perimeter along the channel and come out to the Park Road 22 [the highway that takes you OVER the bridge causeway to the island/Corpus Christi]. A new starbucks coffee shop is at the end nearby a grove of cypress trees where I spotted an Osprey with it's morning meal on a power line near the pole -look thru the tree line. Then, its a turn-around for me and back the way I came. About 5-6 miles walk totalled that morning...
Hello Anni,
ReplyDeleteSounds like a nice walk. I love the flowers, sky and egret images. Do you know what kind of snake that was? Take care enjoy your day! Have a great new week!
When it comes to snakes, I don't take time to ID them. Just like Indiana Jones says "I hate snakes!"
DeleteLovely photos! I don't blame you for not stepping over the snake!💖
ReplyDeleteHello Susan! Thanks for the compliment, and your visit.
DeleteThat was sure a nice long walk! I love the capture of the two little mocking birds and the sweet little goat. Your description of the sky is perfect, definitely moody looking. All great shots Anni!
ReplyDeleteI really like goats!
Deletelove the yellow flowers through the fence, the birds sitting back to front, the broken bottle and last but not least the gorgeous look up through the trees. great place to walk. maybe the snake was to cold to move.
ReplyDeleteI had that thought too...it was chilly!
DeleteMockingbirds are some of my favorites. Once I had one settle in the tree near my hammock and he sang every song he knew. I felt quite lucky.
ReplyDeleteMight have passed on the lazy snake also since I didn't recognize him. Unknown puts him in the stear clear category.
Loved the cloud images also.
...akl I can think of is ribbon snake. Maybe, maybe not. Makes no difference to me...it's a snake!!
DeleteHow awesome to have a mockingbird sing to you (AND to have a hammock!).
Love the mockingbirds. Why? Why couldn't they have chosen a proper perch for your wonderful photo! I think I would have HAD to pick up that broken bottle and dispose of it in a trash receptacle. I would have also picked up the dime.
ReplyDeleteThe birds love that drip system. I see nothing wrong with their oerch...it's part of their lifeline! As far as the glass goes...cuts, GERMS!
DeleteThat snake would have made me end my walk completely, and end my walks at that location, period. I have a terrible phobia.
ReplyDeleteI love watching ospreys dive into the water for their prey. It's always so thrilling.
I too have a phobia, but I like to walk in the areas they call home more.
DeleteI am not a fan of snakes at all!
ReplyDeleteI understand that nature uses them for checks and balances in nature but the snakes don't understand that and may become aggressive
Once, I had a water moccasin come after me!
DeleteI always love your walks. I am not a big fan of snakes either.
ReplyDeleteI know the science experts disagree, but to me they're slimy!!
DeleteYou have a great place to walk! Lots of nature! Great pictures!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jeanette!
DeleteSpeaking of blooming flowers..... When does nature get a rest, where you live?
ReplyDeleteThey do rest! Just different...short, mild winter!
DeleteNo snakes for me either but the flowers are so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteSnakes and a lack of them, like Ireland...would be a perfect life!
DeleteI dislike snakes with a passion...they give me the willies...non poisonous or not.
ReplyDeleteYou have so many delightful places to walk and wow, good for you on your 5-6 miles.
Love the photo of the dime and even though its broken glass in the beach it's a terrific photo.
Love the mockingbirds too. What a perfect pose of the 2 of them. We have some around here too, but I haven't seen them for a while.
Well, back to my Ebay posting to sell..it's a pain but a bit of cash is always welcome.
Sue
In regards to snakes...you and me both! Thanks for the compliments on the photos.
DeleteSell, sell, sell!
Seeing flowers outside in winter is so unusual for me, but they do brighten the landscape. Thanks for you comments left on my blog. I really do appreciate them.
ReplyDelete...and I do mean my words with sincerity!
DeleteI have never seen more than one Mockingbird at a time. I am guessing they are loners and don't fly with a flock. Close call with the snake, what an awful surprise!! Do you think this is a wild or pet goat?
ReplyDeleteI think they have goats for milk.
DeleteThat was a GOOD walk. Sure is nice to see a few blooms this time of year. Great shot of the mockingbirds - I've never seen more than one either and don't remember the last time I saw even one. Fantastic photos from your walk.
ReplyDeleteEven during breeding season I see only one.
DeleteWhat a pretty walk - except for that snake! I like the mockingbirds. Pretty sky shots too!
ReplyDeleteYep, snakes spoil the plans.
DeleteWonderful photos except for the snake, they make me a bit squeemish.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, squeamish for me too.
DeleteI like the goat a lot better than the snake!
ReplyDeleteOhhhh, me too.
DeleteI am a fan of goats and when I go to fair I do spend some time in barn looking at them.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on and stay safe
Me too.
DeleteVery nice your walk ... but if I knew there were snakes in the area ... I wouldn't leave the house! LOL
ReplyDeleteI'm really afraid of them!
I feel the same way most often.
DeleteAnni did you ever learn what that snake was? I still get creepy chills when I think of how close you came to stepping on it?
ReplyDeleteI always look for snakes. And I'm 99% sure it's a ribbon snake.
DeleteFun to see all these photos. I don’t ever see a mockingbird in my back yard, I have to go further afield.
ReplyDeleteThey are very common here!
DeleteI'm not usually so late getting to your posts, and all the comments on this one made me finally give up and come to have my own say. First, I love all the pictures, but especially the winter wildflowers and that beautiful sky! :-)
ReplyDeleteIt sometimes gets heavy woth comments & my replies
DeleteI so wish I got to see Ospreys more often...I think I have saw two, maybe three in my lifetime. They are right up there with eagles in giving me such a thrill. I would love to see some flowers, too.
ReplyDeleteAs to how I found the barn again that is shown on my Time Stand Still blog, a lady commented on a post with the first photos I took. Saying she seen it on her way to work. So, I contacted her and ask what route she took to work. She told me the road. It is a main road. So I got on google maps, went to satellite view, and clicked for street view of any place that looked like it had a barn, and in the right setting. I could remember that it was on the north side of the road we were on...and there was not anything close to it, etc.