§ Spring Break....

For the next two weeks, it's Spring Break here in the Coastal Bend. Of course, for me, that means no day trippin' to the beach until all the college students [and high school] go back home, and it's safe to be out walking on the shore and driving the island highways. So, Thursday, I took my last drive to go birding and get some steps in while I could. It was a beautiful morning!  Just after daybreak, warming sun, mild sea breeze, quietude of the hour, and birdsong and bird calls serenading me while I watched all the activity.

As I drove along I just couldn't help but notice all the brown. Normally this time of year, it's green along the dunes. Even most of the palm trees are lifeless and the fronds are weeping a nice shade of rot. But the one I photographed [above] at the Willows was still in good shape while others were long damaged by the freeze. Sad. I don't think I've EVER witnessed such winter kill before in the South, ever. By the time I arrived at Port Aransas, the wetlands across the highway from the Post Office was full [literally full] of waterfowl! I slowed down, debating to stop there at that time, or go to my favorite refuge first then come back as I leave for home....I stopped then!

There were Roseate Spoonbills, White Ibis, Egrets [both Snowy, and Common Great], herons, White Faced Ibis [dark maroon color with off white speckled heads [non-breeding] and white eye rings in breeding season. They are similar to the Glossy Ibis seen East of the Mississippi River.], gulls, avocets, cormorants, and much more. All were quite active, mostly bathing [and the cormorants were playing...they do LIKE to play in the water!!]. I heard a kingfisher calling but was unable to locate it. The birds preened, flew from one bank to another, fed, and entertained me for a long time. Why, I even spotted a Nutria [aka: coypu; a water rodent] swimming across the pond!!

After taking several photos and enjoying the warming sun, I left for the popular Refuge. I was hoping to see the Whooping Crane Family of Three that has been reported there for several months. Still, for me, no sighting there again. White Pelicans, gulls, and stilts dominated this area. I left and went walking on the beach after a short stop at Paradise Pond. At the beach, still work goes on repairing the jetty. A few ships were waiting near the channel for the 'okay' to enter, while one was leaving the port area. I saw dolphins, but none were guiding the ship out, they were just surfacing for a second and back underwater in the blink of an eye. Gulls and Terns covered the sand as I walked the shore to the pier. I left shortly after and stopped at a residential area just before leaving town. This subdivision juts up on the waterfront. I didn't have to drive INTO the subdivision before I saw the Whooping Crane Family near the access road!!! Needless to say, I pulled off the road, got out and snapped the shutter button. Good!! I saw them before they leave for their breeding grounds way up north, and didn't have to drive the 60 mile one way trip to Goose Island for another popular wintering ground for them. Yay!! My winter birding for South Texas is complete. Now, it'll be Spring Migration. Once the migrating students go back to class. lol

By the way, my first stop? When I headed back to Corpus, the wetlands had emptied out!! I'm glad I stopped there first!

§ I'm Back in the Saddle Again....

1

THE SADDLE

Years ago, while at Wyoming's Red Desert, where even today wild horses roam, a 'skeleton of a saddle' was found.. The desert itself is barren, and nearly waterless. It covers a vast area in Southern Wyoming and into North-central Colorado.  Bud has had it for decades. We moved it from Colorado, to our 1st retirement home in Tucson. Then, again, it came with us in the moving van to Texas. Now, over 10 years here in residence, it's been stored [hung] on the garage wall. During our time downsizing all the 'junk' out the area recently, Bud cleaned it up to move it inside our home where it was placed on our fireplace hearth.

It's a McClellan Saddle [circa 1874] - The McClellan saddle was a riding saddle designed by George B. McClellan, a career Army officer in the U.S. Army. The saddle was almost certainly a modification of the Spanish tree saddle in common use in Mexico during this period, and which had become common in some parts of the U. S. The McClellan saddle was adopted by the US War Department in 1859 and remained standard issue, in various models, for the remaining history of the horse cavalry. Think "Civil War" era. The McClellan saddle continues to be made in the US, and was used by endurance riders at one time. It is made for use as a pleasure saddle for those few who like it for that purpose, and as a saddle for historical reenactors. I found a photo of a refurbished 1874 McClellan HERE

Red Desert image courtesy of Google Search


- - -

2

BOOK REVIEW

My most recent book I'm reading is by a local artist [Corpus Christi], Charles Clark, a physician who turned author upon retirement.  The book, the first of two in this genre, "Trails to Dos Encinos" is about a rancher and a young girl who washed ashore, barely alive, from a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico.  Charro [the rancher] has a cattle ranch called Dos Encinos [a loose definition would be two live oaks...a tree that is prevalent in this area of South Texas].  It's a good story...a story of survival and love.  Along the way, - - Mexican banditos, padres, church, religion and faith, devoted friendships, family.  It's filled with a richness of when Texas was at its beginnings and a young girl from Germany [Sarah, the one who survived the storm] experiencing the ways of the old west and her quest to become American.

- - -

3

COMEDY RELIEF

Juvenile Yellow Crowned Night Heron and Loggerhead Shrike


Nutria's Orange Teeth and Brown Pelican [well fed?]


- - -

4

NO, No...I INSIST!! - AFTER YOU

At one of the wildlife refuges on Mustang Island, there is a billboard near the boardwalk entrance. It's alligator territory. If you want, step up behind the board, and stick you head through its mouth. I'd be more than happy to oblige and get your photo!! Don't be afraid...this one won't harm you. Trust me!! No? Of course, what kind of hostess would I be if I didn't allow YOU to go FIRST!?!!....

- - -

5

CAN YOU SEE ME NOW?

§ Adventures on a Ferry Ride...

Heading over Harbor Bridge to our first stop on the itinerary...which is Indian Point. Altho, for the 2nd time this winter, a brown booby [it's a bird - I know, I  know...odd name for a bird, but what the hey?] was reported at this area, we saw none. I really wasn't expecting to find it...they are more or less 'stay on the water' birds...rarely coming ashore. But, we got some walking in, along all the fresh water ponds and the bay's shoreline. Our next stop would be Ingleside and the Aransas Pass area. Both, small towns along the coast. Not much there but it was a nice drive. Eventually, heading toward PORT Aransas [not the same as Aransas Pass, Texas]. And in order to get from Aransas Pass to Port Aransas, you must board the Ferry Boats and cross the massive ship channel. I happened to be driving on this day instead of Bud. And I will say right now...I don't like the idea of crossing water. Deep water...I have a strong phobia. The digital display signage about a mile outside the area informed us drivers that there is a 15 minute wait to board. So, we arrived in line...something like the fourth vehicle from the front we were. I watched in fear the semi-truck loading on a special ferry boat. Thinking of the weight of the truck, and nothing but a 'sinking' feeling crossed my mind. No it didn't sink. But I just couldn't help myself. Finally, we were directed to drive aboard and park, and wait in the car for other vehicles to load...wait, wait, wait. Thing is, by the time I drove aboard...our car ended up being in the FRONT on the 2nd row of cars/trucks. In the front mind you...a scary thought. I really hadn't planned on taking photos, but since we were in the lead and the view on the other side was without any other interference of vehicles ahead of me on the ferry, I asked Bud to hand me the camera from the back seat. Now, we've utilized this ferry service many-a-times, but the frequency never makes it easier on my nerves..

Quiet inside our car as we waited some more while the guides directed others to drive aboard. They primed our car to steady it once the ferry began to cross....then, after what seemed an eternity, the ferry started to move. Another dreaded feeling came over me...but I persevered....hung tough. And snapped a few photos:

[take note of the heart shaped cutout on the metal barricade]

...we moved slowly over the channel, coming in closer and closer to the other side. Finally, all secured and the gate came down. Thank goodness, the patrolling guide pointed at ME and I WAS THE FIRST VEHICLE OFF that nasty contraption!!! Phew...what a ride. Literally.

We stopped to have lunch at a Mexican Restaurant and walked afterward to the first spot to check out the bird activities. Not much, several yellow rumped warblers and one bird that I've only seen ONCE before in our area of Texas. And that was the American Robin. I first heard it before I finally found it. Robins, according to the habitat maps of such birds are only a non-breeding resident...scarce they are. But, its song was a welcome sound! Spring is coming...or probably to some, has arrived!! The very first one I saw, about a decade ago, I didn't have a camera. This time I did!! After walking through this part of Port A, we drove to another of our favorite areas...Leonabelle Turnbull's Refuge. Soras, pelicans, shovelers, and ducks. Now, I've seen Green Teals many times here and other places around Corpus Christi, but one was marked very differently. The colors were rare. You see, Green Teals most often look like this seen here at this link. What I saw on the pond there was this. The Teal had PURPLE instead of the green. I was wondering if it was the light, or perhaps something to do with mating. I did some searching; lo and behold, in the description on ducks dot org, I read that sometimes they do have purple marking/colors!! This I did not know.

Spending maybe about 1 hour there, we turned to leave the observation area, and in amongst the dying reed I spotted this family:

The Coypu, aka River Rat or Nutria.

Their fur continues to be highly sought. But, in most cases, they are destructive and most often, if found, relocated.

One more...

I spotted in the dying reed also...far off the path, in the distance, I noticed this.

Anni: "What do you suppose that is Bud? An alligator nest?"

Bud: "It's probably a coon nest."

Anni: "I bet it's alligator."

There ARE alligators here. Warning signs at the entrance proves it. Bud and I have seen a few now and then. Oh, and searching to compare...yes, I utilized Google again. The nests of alligators I viewed online are similar to what I found!! By the way...did you know that alligators do not hibernate. Some bloggers mentioned a photo I had a few weeks ago with an alligator on the grass....mentioned that it's too cold/too early for them to be out...not so!! They actually brummate. They have been known to be out in winter, and can withstand water temperatures of 40 degrees. If there is warm sun and protection of cold winds, they do come out and soak up the warmth on some of the colder days. Read more...

Linking to Saturday Critters & Camera Critters

§ Eeee-eye, Eeee-eye, Eeee-eye Oh....

NATURE NOTES and WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY

links to these are found on my sidebar

We found quite a few diversified critters this week besides birds. Most of the birds we spotted are more commonly found here year 'round. Too few migrants so far. We went to Bazemore Park in Calallen, Texas this week. Along with stopping other days at our local city parks, and one between Calallen and Corpus, Hilltop Community Trail. I'll just share some of the photos taken along the way, in no random order:

What you're viewing is as follows, from the top left: Golden Fronted Woodpecker [I heard this one long before I finally found it!!] - a Scissortailed Flycatcher - Northern Cardinal  - two Leopard Frogs - Llamas [two photos...the difference between llamas and alpacas is mainly size and ear shape...llamas have banana shape ears while alpacas have pointed ears] - the Coypu [aka Nutria ---once hunted for their pelts] - and the White Peacock Butterfly.

HODGEPODGE

If you'd like to answer Joyce's questions...then, the link to this week's Spook Spectacular is found on my sidebar listed under memes.  Copy her questions, answer them on your blog, and then link up on  Wednesday!!


1. What's something you're dealing with that might be described as tricky? A tough question right off the bat Joyce. My goodness. Eating too much...that's tricky...health-wise, as in weight gain. Right?

2. What's your treat of choice? So many...but this time of year it would be caramel apples or rice krispie treats.

3. Did you/will you carve a jack-o-lantern this month? Which real (living or dead) or fictional 'Jack' would you most like to meet in person? Why? We have the artificial jack-o-lanterns [two of them, one very large one, and a smaller one]...Jack Sparrow would be nice to at least be on the same block he is, but I wouldn't have to MEET him.   But I sure would make use of my zoom lens; just like the paparazzi, I'd be.   By the way, HE WAS very close to us this summer, and I didn't know about it 'til I read in the news that he was deep sea fishing in Rockport, Texas. That's about as close as I'll ever be...Rockport is about 30 miles from us. If'n I'd only known. Bummer. And you ask why? Eye candy.
photo courtesy of Houston Chronicle

4. In your opinion, what's the grossest sounding word in the English language? Puss comes to mind right now. But the combination of spoon/fork...a spork...sounds grossly evil!!

5. When did your heart last skip a beat? Daily...literally.

6. Monster Mash by Bobby 'Boris' Picket, Michael Jackson's Thriller, Werewolves of London by Warren Zevon, or Ray Parker Jr.'s Ghostbusters...your favorite 'scary' tune? I like the soundtrack from "V for Vendetta" Especially the creepy "Evey's Story"---the quiet drum beats in the background, if the timing is right and the night is dark and spooky with the wind howling....it could be chilling!!

7. It was a dark and stormy night when [fill in the blank] a faint, distant knock at the door was heard---or was I imagining all this? The door hinges creaked as it slowly swung open with a dead, hollow, thud, against the wall, sending chills along my spine...the form of a cloaked, black figure,  was seen as the lightning flashed.......

8. Insert your own random thought here. I'm expecting a package to be delivered today!! According to the tracking device online, it's here in town, being processed and delivery is "appoximately the 29th". Excited to get it and open it. If it DOES come to our doorstep today sometime, I will post about it on my Friday blog. :o)