§ 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!

§ On the Road Again!

Yep, early Sunday morning I had my chores done for the day before sun-up. On purpose. I wanted to get out of the house and on the road to the islands once again. The city/county had all the residents that live on the island stranded. All roads leading into the city of Corpus [the causeway, the harbor bridge, and interstate 37] closed down. But, mild temps Saturday and then Sunday morning upon awakening, the highways were once again open. I couldn't wait. Not necessarily to go birding, just more or less to get out of the house!!

My first stop along the island highway was to check the nest platform of the rare aplomado falcons. I pulled off the road onto the shoulder; saw one of the falcons preening on the perch. As I zoomed for a closer look, it seemed to have brand new, fresh, nesting material in the covered "cage". Once I got home, I expanded the images taken, and the female was INSIDE, laying on the new nest. Obviously the male was preening. If I remember correctly, 6-8 weeks incubation and there may be hatchlings! Success again this year?! I hope so.

There was about a 10 degree temperature difference on Mustang Island than where our house is, inland. But, still quite comfortable even with a mild sea breeze. I hopped back in the car and headed toward the fishing village of Port Aransas. My second stop of course was my favorite refuge. I walked across the street from the park, to a small open area of fresh water pools. The birdsong was nearly deafening...red winged black birds! As I sat and scoped out the surroundings, I noticed a very light colored black bird...not at all a red winged! I turned on my camera and looked through the viewfinder to notice it was a yellow headed blackbird! Awesome. I got busy with the shutter button! Eventually something musta spooked them, and off they flew.

Back to the refuge parking lot, and walking into the area where there is a huge observation deck. Ducks, Teals, Pelicans, Stilts, Cormorants, and Warblers. Not much activity tho, too early for them? Who knows. I walked the newly open trail that meanders behind the refuge into another low-lying wilderness; sat along the side of the path on a park bench and searched for more birds. Nothing happening. I walked back and saw one Ibis, coots, and moorhens and a couple of killdeer. The red winged blackbirds were singing again, near the parking lot. I also saw one Robin and a Wilson's Snipe! Since Snipes don't like to fly much, I had a good opportunity of capturing its feeding ritual on ground! I only spent about another half hour there as I wanted to get to the grocery store. I continue to re-supply things. I even found a deli-fresh pizza at this store. Guess what we had for dinner? Speaking of groceries, the area was being resupplied with bottled water and fresh foods via C-130 military aircraft. I feel like what the cattle musta felt like in the blizzard on the plains from many decades ago when they dropped hay to them so they wouldn't starve! LOL Now that the highways are clearing of ice and snow, I expect things to be back to normal this week.

§ A Dose of Vitamin SEA

Several days ago I read on my ebird connection that a couple of frigatebirds were sighted along the ship channel at Port Aransas. Of course, I had to drive over to SEA if I could spot them since they are water birds that rarely come ashore, preferring to stay out on the gulf. I didn't find any, but I enjoyed the time outdoors, walking. I stopped at the bird reserves first. Not much going on there bird-wise, and I enjoyed the quietness...no one else around birding. I had the area all to myself.  For about half an hour, I watched the sky for those frigatebirds soaring [they're nicknamed the Pirates of the Caribbean since they're robbers of fish caught by the sport's enthusiasts...sometimes  stealing the catch right out of the tern's mouth].  Afterwards, I got back in the car and drove to the area that has a small city park near the ferry docks. I then walked to bring my step count up to my goal before the summer heat made it unbearable to be out exercising, as I watched those that were fishing along the channel banks, and the ferries taking cars, trucks, semi trucks, and RV campers across the water to the town, Aransas Pass,  side or visa-versa...bringing them back to Port Aransas. First, I'll take you along the highway at sunrise...as I drive across Mustang Island to Port A. Some areas along the 15 mile trip you find motels, condominiums, RV parks, residential areas, park access roads to the beaches, churches, and golf courses. It was a beautiful morning...

I've mentioned on another blog post the fact that small boats, called the Farley Boat, were first made in Port Aransas, Texas. Historical data prides in stating that FDR [US president] made a special trip to fish for tarpon here, sailing in a Farley Boat.  And when you drive around the fishing village, you can see replicas [most all painted with seaworthy scenes -some are patriotic, and quite individualistic] on just about every property; on private residences to hotels, restaurants, and businesses. Along the park entrance, several Farley Boats are lined up along the car lanes at the yacht club. Here are two:

Also, found docked nearby is a Pirate Ship replica [also photographed and shared before]...you can go on a harbor cruise and dine aboard. I believe there is also entertainment while dining, making an evening of thrills, chills, and good food...



My next post will be ferries and scenes around the yacht club...

§ Park-ing

Nueces County [and the state of Texas] started to ease the restrictions of Covid 19 this weekend. I noticed a bit more cars in parking lots but, it seemed to me that the traffic is still quite limited. I'm not complaining about that one iota!! I took off to North Padre Island [not to be confused with SOUTH Padre Island near Brownsville, Texas] and Mustang Island, hoping that the early morning hour and being Saturday, the road workers would be absent or not on the job at all. To my surprise, the entire roadway was resurfaced and complete except for the lane divider lines. No delays at all. And a smooth drive!! The overpass bridges that span the hurricane passes [small waterways under the highway] were at one point...very rough and filled with potholes and played havoc with the vehicle alignment. Not anymore. For now.

When I arrived at Port Aransas, it was quiet in the sanctuaries and wildlife refuges. No people...and even very FEW birds. I didn't stay long. When I was in one area, I can see the ship channel traffic. It was nice to get out and about, and see a huge cargo ship slowly making headway to the Gulf of Mexico. Some normalcy prevailed on my day tripping. I enjoyed the quiet and tranquility. Very much.

I stopped at several areas on my return drive to Corpus. The Willows, the Falcon Nesting area [I thought maybe she abandoned her nest as I couldn't see her at all...but when I got home, I lightened the photo I took and could spot her hunkered down in the gusty sea breeze. That was a relief. Her species is endangered, so every brood no matter how small, it a godsend.], and then Packery Channel once again, before stopping at the grocery store before getting into the downtown area along the freeway.

Here is some of what I saw on my morning outing...

This lines the privacy fencing along the boardwalk that enters Paradise Pond


In the cattail reeds a bird collecting nesting materials


...wildflowers...


At Leonabelle Refuge, wild poinsettias grow along the park's borders


Leonabelle Refuge entrance - and the large Oak Motte at Packery Channel



The ship [tanker] really IS on water even tho it looks landlocked...optical illusion.

§ Toffee Pecan Cookie'll Ease My Mind...

Bud and I have kept busy in the early morning hours for the last few days. Among several other odd jobs on our work list, last weekend,  since we can't find anyone that could do the work for us because of Covid-19 and contractors' back-log of jobs  themselves, we tore off the patio door hurricane shutter ourselves  we swept and scrubbed the concrete to free it of dirt, dust, blown-in grass and leaves from seasons before, and have since had it laying on the patio with all our wooden benches strewn haphazardly all over the place to make room for the gigantic shutter [8 feet by 12 feet]. It's not really heavy to work with; just awkward. Anyway, the reason we tore it off was to get some sealant to 'paint' along the bottom and along the foundation [it's a low patio door/shutter and if it rains heavily, it can flood in the house and on the carpet easily]. It's been 5 years since it's been sealed, and we figured it was time to do it again. So, once the shutter was off, we both took our brushes and laid the sealant down; waited 48 hours to dry and rehung the shutter just yesterday. That job of work is done now for another 5 years. We were lucky to not have it leak badly when Hurricane Harvey hit a few years back. Better safe than sorry I figure.

In the meantime, we mowed lawn before it got hot. I went to the islands again on Monday morning and saw quite a few migrant birds; exciting to see them again. I had to go to find a store with puzzle glue since we finished the last of our puzzles at home [by the way, if I order more puzzles online...the promised delivery date was May 15th thru June 30th]. My sister got wind of the two of us being out of puzzles so she Fed-Exed two of hers that she was done with. I've had the last of ours stored in the puzzle cabinet table to glue and frame it for Halloween. I need glue! In order to begin one of the two she sent.

Let me tell you about my drive to the islands the other day, and stopping at the 'swamp' called the Willows, where feathered buddies tend to prefer this as one of the popular 'stops' during their trek up north....I get about half way to Port Aransas, and the digital road signs flashed "Road Work Ahead" "Be Prepared to Stop"...."Expect Delays". I drive on thinking how bad can it be? Wrong!!! Incoming traffic was stopped, for 30 minutes! The line of vehicles behind me was growing leaps and bounds. Thing was, no traffic was coming from the other direction. What gives? Finally, a showing of outbound traffic! Then, slowly, creeping inches along at a snail's pace, the inbound got through. One lane...one direction. The county decided they should resurface the road. During the day instead of night repair?!!! I was debating if I should use the ferry to return back to Corpus. It would be a long round-about, out of the way home. Probably and hour difference. Logic told me to just go home the way I came and expect another 30 minute delay. Going home wasn't bad, but it sure put a dent in my day, birding.

Wednesday, I had to find glue as I said. I found some at Walmart, and then from Flour Bluff [a suburb of Corpus] I went to Packery Channel to walk a bit. The birders there saw [including me] a bird that is not even supposed to be in Texas [I saw one from my record keeping once before here...in April of 2015]. Got pictures of it...a beautiful male, with all the bright colors!! Whoa. Once I got home, I made us tuna salad sandwiches for lunch and mixed up some sloppy joe recipe for dinner. Cooking is out of the way.

Oh, and one more thing....Texas is going to reopen for business with 25% capacity for places such as restaurants, offices, department stores, etc. Come May 1st. I am leery of this move, but intend to stay away until another 4 weeks or so to see the outcome if the virus returns or not. In the meantime, I will continue to keep cautious with 6 feet distance and masks. Time will tell. I can't help but think it's a bit premature. The right wing in me says we need to get a boost in the failing economy and gain back our social life, while the left says are we doing it all wrong and our ideologies are blinding us?  We have had no new cases of the virus for several days and over 40 of the 99 [in the county!] have recovered. A good sign, but still there is the catastrophizing of my instincts once again, shifting into high gear.

I'm gonna go eat a toffee/pecan cookie I found at Walmart's bakery; bought on a whim.  That's gonna get my mind at ease.  At least for now.

§ Great Balls [ball] of Fire!

Wednesday morning, shortly before sunrise, I was back on the road again. On Mustang Island, the ground fog; patchy and drifting through the crags of the dunes, made for a beautiful scenic drive as the sun broke the horizon. I pulled off onto one of the beach access roads and stopped the car, got out, and took photos from just the one spot, scanning to the left, and then to the right...

=/\.,./\=

I then focused on the sunrise and at one point went to the 800 mm zoom and caught some sun flares!  Truly...great BALLs of fire seen only through the lens!!

Getting back in the car, off to Port A and my birding treks ... then walking my steps. I didn't even come close to my goal 'cause I ended up going off the 'beaten path' this time around and headed out into the mudflats in hopes of finding some sought after horned larks. I'll explain why I didn't walk my usual distance in the next post!!! Stay tuned.

§ ....And Then, Oh the Noise!!!

I normally hold off on posting about my birding excursions for my bird photo blog, but today it's gonna be different.  Bear with me....On the way to Port Aransas the other morning, my first stop was The Willows. It's just a small pond, surrounded by willow trees that is off the main highway a few yards between the condominiums and sand dunes near the Gulf shore. Here at the pond during migration season, if the timing is right, there are birds seen. On this day I sighted a red Summer Tanager, a Pyrrhuloxia [a silver gray cardinal-like bird with a very long red crest on its head], a cat bird, a loggerhead shrike, and mockingbird singing somewhere hidden in the branches. I photographed the ones in the open air, and then got back in the car to resume my road trip. Arriving in Port A, I was awestruck at the amount of white pelicans, ibises, herons, and egrets on the fresh water ponds across from the Post Office! And I hadn't even reached my birding destination yet. But, I stopped at the ponds and took more photos. I was pleased with the high number of birds seen!!

...as I was leaving this stop-over, before I hit the parking area, a cute little wren sang to me a good day greeting!!

Then, the world of birds opened up!!!!  As Dr. Suess's How the Grinch Stole Christmas line goes, from The Grinch, "And then! Oh, the noise! Oh, the noise! Noise! Noise! Noise!"  When I walked around the entrance of the bird refuge at Leonabelle's, I was literally speechless. I couldn't believe what I saw before me. Hundreds....no THOUSANDS OF BIRDS on the lake. Everywhere I looked, spoonbills, egrets, herons, grackles, ducks, pelicans, avocets, shovelers, cormorants, stilts, seagulls, bittern [only ONE of these in the reed], swamphens, sandpipers. More species I can't recall at the moment. The ruckus was at a high decibel range too....they were all calling and chattering at a pitch that deafened any other sounds around.  I assume they were happy to finally arrive at their winter destination after a long migratory flight from up north. You just had to be there to believe it all. I spent a good long hour or more just bedazzled by the numbers.  Here, I'll show you just some of the many pictures taken by me, even tho they really don't depict the masses of feathers as well as seeing it live and in person.  I also singled out some individuals that I'll share at another time on my other blog...I'd Rather B Birdin'.

I finally talked myself into leaving this birding hotspot, to go to another. There, it was quiet. On the pond, one lone mallard [female].  In the trees, doves, shrikes, grackles and bronze headed blackbirds. And on the mudflats, a snipe. Before I left this area to go back home another second snipe flew in. On the way home, on the power lines along the island highway, four osprey and a trio of caracaras bid me adieu.