Bud and I took a drive early one morning this past week to Copano Bay, Rockport-Fulton, and Goose Island. After crossing the causeway bridge over the bay waters, we turned off the state highway and entered Goose Island State Park area. We had an ulterior motive for this trip. Soon, the wintering whooping cranes and sandhill cranes will be leaving for the northern parts of the country [and into Canada] for breeding. We wanted to see 'em one more time for this season of those that spend their winter days here in this area. Altho we saw only three whooping cranes [two adults and one juvenile/1st year], there were several sandhill cranes, vultures, roseate spoonbills, ducks, ibis, herons, grackles and a few sparrows about. The whooping cranes were at such a distance away from the park road that photos were nearly impossible to get any clarity.
Several head of cattle roamed the fields, with young calves close by their mamas. The turkey vultures always seem to follow the herd. But the cows didn't even take notice. 
The sandhill cranes, on the other hand, were a bit closer to the road at the curve that heads toward the "big tree". Parking at the tree, I walked back to the fence line along the road and took a photo of a couple of sandhill cranes and headed back to the tree to take a break from the warm sun, sitting in the shade of the mighty oaks! 
The area within the park and outside the boundaries are, in parts, the bay waters, the state park, a cemetery, an historic chapel, fishing piers and boat ramps, along with some residential sections, and beautiful twisting park roads all dappled in sunlight and shadow from the canopy of the many, many oak trees. While driving, slow down!!! For many-a-times I've had white tailed deer jump out of the tree cover in an unsuspecting instant!! Open your windows as you drive thru ... bird song and flashes of red from the abundance of cardinals flitting from tree to tree are very numerous. Now, the "Big Tree" area --- this Live Oak Tree is a 'hotspot' for tourists and residents alike...it's a small fenced off, shady area and a relief on a hot, hot, sultry day.
90 foot canopy
35+ foot circumference
height 45 feet
Approximated at up to 2000 years old
One of the most famous trees in the world!
After some picture taking we walked the park road with camera at the ready...A nice sized flock of white faced ibis came into view over the bay waters [enlarge the photo by clicking on it, and you can see the ibis in the sky above the water!]. As they neared where we were, I took a photo of them directly above us. They landed in the field, near the pond and cattail reeds where the cranes and cattle were feeding.Luckily, as the morning wore on to where it was time to leave the park to head to a couple more birding areas in the Rockport-Fulton area, a lone whooping crane bid us adieu 'til November when they return to Lamar Texas for the winter months. Perhaps they'll bring some offspring!!
