§ Rockport Street Fair

After driving around to watch the hummingbirds at their shared feeders around Rockport-Fulton Texas last Saturday, I then went to the street fair that was being held over the weekend. I checked out ALL the booths and really found nothing of interest or anything I could live without....

Except one booth. A lady had all kinds of handmade soft sculptured teddy bears. They were cute! Then, I spotted the wagon sitting just below the display and saw what I "had to have"!  I'm sure you guessed from my last post sans hints. Yes, it's seasonal. In the wagon were four dolls. One with a wicked green face that caught my eye. I asked her the price she had for them, and quickly put it back on the wagon. Way too much! Ridiculously priced if you would've asked me....but, I continued drooling at the bit. I said, "I'll give you $25 for the green faced one". She said that's too low...So, I started walking away. As slow as I could so she could maybe change her mind. "I'll sell it to you, but don't let anyone else know I am practically giving it away!" Huh...So, I handed her the $25. And walked along. Bud would just laugh at me, like I need another witch!! She was just too adorable. And I know I got a 'steal'....'cause the labor involved and the price of materials to make them wouldn't give her that much profit....but, I don't feel guilty [well, maybe a little]. She didn't have to sell it to me! Right? Okay, now I DO feel MORE guilty!!!

The green faced one, she came home with me. The saleslady named her 'Tilda.

Once back to the car at the parking lot, and 'Tilda snuggled on the passenger seat, we drove around the harbor/yacht club area of the Rockport Park just to check out some sights before heading home.

§ Hummer Fest in Rockport Texas...

This past weekend, at Rockport-Fulton, Texas the annual hummingbird - fest was held. It's a self-guided route [driving] to many, many areas throughout the two town radius. With people's homes and parks open for viewing the migration of the ruby-throated hummingbird. And may I add the hummer-bird festival, as what it's called in Autumn is also dedicated to all migratory birds that fly south for the winter where food is more readily available for them. But, the hummingbirds can be seen by the thousands!!!

With my camera and binoculars at the ready in the passenger seat of the car, I left home at daybreak to beat the predicted heat of the day that was sure to be upon us birders in no time. About midway to Rockport it rained enough to wet the pavement on the highway; making it more sultry. Once beyond the straight-away section of the road, the sun would be off to my right, making visibility a bit more safe. Some drivers just don't slow down....even with the bright sun in our eyes. Not me...I creep along like an old lady who is afraid to be behind the steering wheel. At least until I'm heading in a different direction. Then, of course, I make up for lost time. lol

Upon arriving, I hit the well-known parks and birding areas first. I was elated to see the hundreds of nectar feeders throughout. My first thought was "Whoever has the responsibility of keeping these feeders filled should be commended". They were everywhere I looked! Along the roads, in parks, yards...the signage was directing us in every direction of town and along the coast. And the birds, once they were awake, were hungry!!! I started taking photos and soon gave up and just watched their frenzied feeding....filling up for their long journey to Mexico and South America. Here are some photos I took at first, before I stopped altogether.  I just couldn't keep up with them all at once...

...and of course, a few hummers!!!

From Linda Castro Refuge [which had 8 feeders that I saw], to Tule Marsh [a dozen feeders], around town;  groups of five or more in one spot, to along the coast, lined on poles, etc. and people's yards with varied numbers of feeders...anywhere from a couple to hundreds of ruby throats at one time, the feeders were busy!!  And, after walking some along Tule Creek, I gathered up my camera and binoculars, headed to the street fair to see what crafty wares were for sale at the tented booths, and a short drive around the harbor/yacht club before heading home. I did buy one seasonal [no need for a hint, I'm sure you can guess] thing at the street fair. I'll show you on another post.

§ My World....in Rockport Texas

I left before sunrise. By the time I drove through Portland, Texas, as I turned on the curve along the highway, at the horizon, I saw what I thought was a giraffe!!! Can you see it? A cloud?

All the while I was walking in the park, the clouds were amazingly pretty. So between the camera taking photos of the birds, the cellphone was used to get some pretty cloud images....

I'm always hoping I'd see George Strait out and about on his yacht....he lives here [and other cities/ranches in Texas]. His Rockport house is somewhere among all the houses you see in the distance. I'm guessing it's probably on the other side, more on the open sea. But I can still 'wish!!!

Take me to Texas, on the open range
The Rio Grande is in my veins
It’s heaven there and so my prayer
Is that you’ll take me anywhere in Texas

~George Strait
Song from mini series "Texas Rising"

§ I See Thousands....

I'm finished with testing at the cardiologist's for the two month check-ups. In May he decided it was best I had a heart echo done. I had that done after my heart attack, and it's no big deal...in other words, no pain involved. Then, after that testing was over, the next hour I was scheduled for the treadmill. I HATE THEM!! I can never stay on it long. Of course, in real life, I don't put my heart thru that torture either. So, the technician tells me "I will send this to your cardiologist, and he will probably recommend the nuclear stress test". I say, nope, nope, nope. Even with a weak heart...I refuse. Anyway, that's over. What will they come up with for my next appointment? Maybe just pee in a bottle.

Okay, so it's like a steam bath when I got out of there. The day before, tho, I drove to Rockport. I enjoy going there very much. A good area to get walking in at MY PACE. It's now 'hatching' season for the sea gulls and other water fowl. And as I mentioned before, the parks and recreation has a huge area of the park cordoned off for the breeders. Arriving, I just hop out of the car and follow the noise! About a mile away from the parking area, the ruckus is loud and clear this time of year. A few times, walking along the park road, I was attacked [well, not attacked, but threatened...by the papas while the mamas squawked loudly as they sat on the nest, or watched over their little ones.

Literally, 1000s of them.  And across the inlet, the larger rookery for wading birds is busy.  Nesters, Incubators, and Feedings going on like a popular diner.

I say, adorable!! - - -