§ Wetlands Preserve

Just to get this off my chest:
What is the difference between Capitalism and Socialism?
Capitalism is the exploitation of man by man
Socialism is the exact opposite.

Ahhhhhh, now I feel much better. Humor aside, I will begin my post...Anyway, I'm a bit behind in scheduling posts that have been sitting in draft since the upgrade of the new computer from my son.  A couple of Sundays ago Bud and I did our usual long walk. The morning was sunny, the temperature was cool, the wind was brisk yet not too energetic where we'd have to force our every step. We decided to go to a newer, still incomplete, trail system. The trails are all over the chaparral area of south Corpus Christi...filled with mesquite trees, cactus, small pools of water and part of Oso Bay at the end of the trails. The city has had problems with the ATV owners tearing up the landscape, so now and in the future it looks to be just a pedestrian trail. It's posted these days with motorized vehicle banning, in hopes of curtailing the damage done from those that don't respect a good thing when it hits 'em in the eye.

Eventually, this area will have a learning center. The construction of the building has begun and partially complete. It will, by the looks of it, be a great facility for students and nature lovers alike! Bud and I decided to take a different trail this time after we walked about 2 miles to the large overhanging observation deck at the bay waters. The 'new' trail meanders through the shrubs and trees, winding here and there and around. The birds were a bit quiet, tho we did see many cardinals and mockingbirds and only ONE hawk, a red tailed hawk. Oh and of course, grackles. Those grackles are everywhere!! As we were investigating and enjoying the quiet of the morning hours, we heard a few calls from the Sandhill Cranes..........they're returning for the winter. I spied them flying above us eventually. And as we walked out of the area, Bud and I spotted two in the grasslands about a quarter of a mile from the pathway.

But, before I share those photos of the cranes, I wanted to delve into the new building. By the looks of this, there will be a huge parking lot surrounded by pools, natural landscaping and several outlooks facing into the vegetation for viewing wildlife. The pathway that we have frequented a few times, was opened for public use a couple of years ago. And the learning center is estimated to be completed by late Spring early Summer of 2015. I'm excited to have such a facility so near by. And I'm hoping it will rival with Aransas Wildlife Nature Reserve that is about 100 miles from here, or the Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge outside of Brownsville.

...showing the construction and area of the new learning center:

Now, the birds. Of course, y'all didn't think I'd not share some of my birding passion, did you?  These photos are of the Sandhill Cranes and one Northern Mockingbird that is framed in the branches...

...then arriving at the elevated observation deck:

The marshland and water with the sunlight and water tower in the distance is Oso Bay and looking farther south toward the suburb of Flour Bluff, Texas.  The bird in flight and perched is one of my favorites...the bird of prey, a raptor, the osprey.   The photo of the bird walking 'on water' is the reddish egret I believe...being that it's only silhouetted with the sunlight, it could be a tri-colored heron.  Of which, I can't be sure without more observation.

...read more HERE

a 19 page pdf file on the upcoming projects of the city's nature preserve