Time's fun when your havin' flies, or where did the last 6 months go?

Holy Cow! I looked at this blob and suddenly realized I have not posted anything since January right after we arrived and Laguna Atascosa. Now it is almost June and we have returned to Midland, successfully had cataract surgery for Alvin, spent 10 days in the Big Bend/Trans-pecos area, and returned to Midland for the second cataract on June 1.

I will not attempt to fill in all the blanks of the 2016 season at Laguna, but I will post some highlights. I promise to be more punctual with my posts.

Great Blue Heron at Convention Center

A cold snap put the brakes on sitting outdoors for a few days. 

Roadrunner sunning along Lakeside Drive

The second largest body of fresh water in South Texas, the namesake of the refuge.

Baby bobcat entertained as he sort of stalked a bunny at Volunteer Village

A family of Least Grebe delighted visitors to Alligator Pond; baby was very vocal. the only thing that would quieten him down was a morsel of food stuffed into his mouth by the parents. 

Tri-colored Heron and Snowy Egret at Crossing #1

Norway Rat in feeder box at the gazebo

Altamira Oriole

Kingfisher; many tours produced all 3 species. 

Merlin

The end of the month brought several days of rain

Northern Jacana at Santa Anna, a lifer for both of us!

Sunset at Laguna Atascosa

A side trip to the west end of the Valley required an overnight in Rio Grande City and a visit to Fort Ringgold, now Rio Grande City ISD property. Many of the old fort structures are used as classrooms. 

Robert E Lee lived at Fort Ringgold before the Civil War

The reason for the trip, Salenino  before the end of season for Audubon's Oriole. 

Sometimes I get lucky with my camera

Back at Rio Grande City, we discovered the Green Parakeet flock

one toothy gator near crossing #1

Bear and I were rootin' for Denver in the Super Bowl

Bear celebrated Mardi Gras, too. 

We discovered this banded  Peregrine Falcon at Bahia Grande. Jo reported the bands and we were delighted to find she was banded as a nestling in Great Falls SD. Her name is Malala. 

Look at those talons

Valentine's Day 

Frontera Audubon had the Blue Bunting this year. Sometimes I don't get lucky with my camera. 

A better photo of Nashville Warbler

I think that is enough for one day. I knew this wouldn't be easy; probably explains the months of procrastination. 

Laguna Atascosa NWR - season 4

We arrived LANWR on December 30, in the rain, but managed to get the anti rat lights out before dark. We're parked on the same site as last year with only 2 empty spots left. We have a full crew again this year with only Cliff and Nancy and Claude and Nicole returning. Everyone else is new.

Marion fell out of the horse trailer yesterday and broke her right arm. Don't know how long she will be off.

We did a trial run of Bahia on Friday  and picked up a pair of Aplomado Falcon near the Tower Gate

We celebrated the New Year with fried oysters and Texas Caviar Black-eyed Peas

Our first tour went out on Saturday Morning in the rain.

 Sunday morning we took new volunteers Lee and Jan to Bahia

The pair of Aplomado Falcons were sharing a rodent

A new feature this year is having a birder accompany each afternoon habitat tour. 

My first view of Laguna Madre this year. 

The healthy coyote was totally unperturbed by the tour bus. 

Never tire of Crested Caracara

Osprey had to defend his catch again vulture, grackle, and gull

Cliff did a great job placing the national natural landmark plaque that has been languishing in a box since 1986 

Monday afternoon habitat tour was sunny but cold and windy on the tram. 

Merlin was cooperative

Juvenile Caspian Tern was begging but the adult paid him no mind. 

Bear finally was able to celebrate the New Year

and the next day, Epiphany.

I helped him color the 3 Wise Men. 

That's the first week, 1 down and approximately 11 more to go.

 When I say it that way doesn't seem very long at all. 

Goose Island State Park and Rockport

Started toward South Texas on December 28 in light rain. We finally drove out the weather near Victoria. Had planned on an overnight stop there, but we were about 2 hours too early to stop so we opted for Goose Island State Park instead. Always one of our favorite locations.

We parked on the bay and were treated to a magnificent sunset over Aransas Bay. 

I was looking forward to a day of  sunshine and birding...

started out with my very favorite bird of all, the Common Loon

Eighth Street never disappoints us, this time paying off with 5 Whooping Cranes and 15 Sandhills.  

The weather quickly deteriorated so we opted for a museum day

The Fulton Mansion recently reopened after a 3 year renovation. 

Constructed in 1877 the house was very modern with running water, indoor plumbing, central heat, and gas lights. 

I had to find the Connie Hagar Cottage Sanctuary site. 

I read her biography while we were in Anahuac

She was an amazing woman who turned birding on the Texas coast on its ear. 

The buildings where she hosted noted ornithologists for many years have long been demolished

but the site is forever protected. I was surprised that the staff at the tourist information center was so poorly informed about her.

We found a delightful place for lunch, Old Fulton Seafood Cafe and Deli, 

We knew we made a good choice when every table was filled with locals. 

The wind swept oaks along the bay 

I hope they stay forever and are not replaced with high rise condos. 

We stopped at a seafood market for a pint of fresh shucked oysters and a bakery for a flounder -  a dinner plate sized cinnamon crisp before heading back to the park in the drizzle.