December 30 Laguna Atascosa

Finished our winter migration, now at roost at Laguna Atascosa NWR... we arrived Saturday afternoon and settled in on slab #5, one space over from where we parked last year.
First order of business was putting out the lights for rat deterrent. Other volunteers also had Christmas lights out giving the Volunteer Village a festive air.

Sunday was a beautiful day. We met with Ranger Marion, signed our volunteer agreements and picked up keys, gate clicker, and park pass. Put up the cell phone booster. Mounted on a ten foot piece of conduit, which was then zip-tied onto the top of the ladder on the back of the coach. Without the booster, cell phone usage is nearly impossible inside and only sketchy outside. 

Rain started about 1:45 AM this morning, we accumulated 1.53 inches since then with no let up in sight. Temp at very un-SUB-TROPICAL 43 degrees. 

Attended staff meeting this morning, met the Refuge manager Boyd along with other staff and volunteers and reconnected with volunteers from last year. Orientation coming up on Saturday and we start birding tours on Sunday. 

Seawind RV December 27

Left Goose Island SP yesterday morning about 10 AM in a drizzly rain with 13 MPH winds. Drove about 100 miles to Seawind RV located near Riviera, TX in Kleberg County on the shores of Baffin Bay.  The park, county owned and managed, has 184 sites and attracts many snowbirds. We chose to spend 2 nights hoping the weather would improve by Saturday.

Thousands of Sandhill Crane flew over the park headed toward the bay just before sunset. Not sure where they spend the night here, I guess they like to stand in the water overnight like they do up on the plains.

Rained slowly all night long, and the thirsty ground soaks it up pretty quickly. With an  average rainfall of 25 inches, every drop of rain is precious but sure makes for lousy birding.

I put a pot of butter-beans on in the crockpot yesterday with a hunk of ham left from Thanksgiving. so that was breakfast this morning.

Not much on the bay, a cormorant and Great Blue, a few Laughing Gulls, no shorebirds nor ducks. Didn’t seem to deter the fishermen, though.

We decided to try the legendary King’s Inn, serving seafood family style since 1935. They don’t have a menu so the staff explains the choices. We opted for Avocado Salad, a house specialty. Our server shared the house dressing with me, lemon and oil. Onion Rings and house-made tarter sauce are other specialties King’s Inn is famous for. A huge serving of fries and ½ order of Onion Rings topped off our pound of catfish. Beautiful wood interior and elegant table setting of white table cloth and blue cloth napkins make for unique atmosphere. Dinner reservations a must, and the phone never stopped ringing.

Rain still falling so we decided on the 7 mile drive to Sarita to check out the Kenedy Ranch Museum.  Best 4 dollars ever spent! Located in the former home of Kenedy Pasture Company, it’s a true gem. The walls are covered with murals created by Daniel Lechon, a Mexican artist influenced by Diego Rivira. Each section of the mural has tags to cue the handheld audio player for a personal guided tour. The complete history of 3 generations of ranching, plus the vaqueros and the Catholic Church makes for a full afternoon of information. The brain can’t absorb everything, some of us reaching a saturation point much earlier than other. This could be a month long learning experience - or more.

The small town of Sarita is quite a wonder, too. Named for Mifflin Kenedy's granddaughter, Sarah, the town consists of the museum, a court house, sheriff's office, elementary school, Catholic church, plus a few dozen houses for ranch employees. There is no convenience store, gas station, or cafe. The only venue that sells soft drinks is a vending machine in the court house. 

Driving back to Seawind took us by Dairy Queen, so an ice cream cone was necessary for the rest of the drive. By the time we arrived back home, the rain had ceased and the birds were becoming active. A walk around the loop produced Golden-fronted and Ladder-backed Woodpecker, American Pipit 30+, Lark Sparrow 20+, Green Jay, Great Kiskadee, Yellow-rump, and Ruby-crowned Kinglet. The fishing pond  sported Ruddy Duck 25+, Black-necked Stilt, and Killdeer.

Pipit

Lark Sparrow

Aransas NWR Christmas Day

Christmas day, missing my family back in Midland and Odessa…

Decided to bird Aransas to try for the Painted Redstart and Long-tailed duck again.

As we searched around the VC, discovered a flock of 30+ Robin and Blue-headed vireo. No photos of either one. Hear Turkey calling and discovered about 10 grazing around the gazebo. They were so tame I walked right up and snapped photos for several minutes. They gobbled and I gobbled back, so they gobbled some more.

I could hear a familiar sound from across the road, had been listening to the redstart call on the 30 mile drive over from Goose Island. Had a helpful hint from a refuge volunteer as I searched the dense tree tops. Finally honed in on the sound, and once we had nailed the bird, he became very visible and posed for several minutes.

He became a real show-off dancing on the wind with fancy feathers on full display. We were able to point other visitors directly to the bird.

Dipped again on the Long-tailed Duck, never looked at so many Pin-tails, and they all have long tails, too.

At the observation tower, met a nice couple from Austin (and New Zealand) and provided an impromptu ID lesson based on body shape to help them snag a pair of Whoopers way out on the marsh.

We drove the auto loop, about 11 miles of grassy nothing in the way of birds other than Turkey Vultures. Most of the fresh water lakes and marshes have dried up due to the extended drought.

One more look at all the pintails near the fishing pier, but still no LTDU. Glad we were able to see one several years ago off Goose Island.

Goose Island SP

Serendipity is OK, but not nearly as good as Bayside was. Even though we were on the water, couldn’t see the bay, just overlooked the boat slips. The only bird we saw on the water was one Pied-billed Grebe and saw only one dolphin from the seawall.

Sunday was cold, windy, and dreary… Tried to find the Long-tailed Duck again without success. Looked at hundreds of Buffleheads though.

Monday morning, we packed up, bought propane and fuel and headed for Goose Island SP. Only 70 miles, good thing as very windy. This wide open flat coastal prairie has nothing to stop the wind. Arrived at SP about 1 PM, picked site #15 right on the bay. Beautiful sunsets and a clear view of the bay. Surprised at how easy leveling was, considering the layout of the site.

Tuesday sunrise was bright and cloudless. We explored the park, looking for Whooping Crane on 4th street where Sandhills feed thanks to the spin cast feeder provided by the property owners. One Whooper present, but he flew just as I came into photo range.

That tiny white dot has a 7 ft wingspan

Visited THE BIG TREE, 11 feet across the trunk, 35 feet around, 44 feet tall, 89 feet across the crown, 1100 years old. Would love for him to be able to talk to me, what wonderful stories they would be.

Eastern Phoebe calling in all directions, American Goldfinch also plentiful, Field Sparrow, Lincoln Sparrow, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and Carolina Wren. All the birds were in the shade, so I had to find a sunny spot to warm up every now and then.

Spotted 3 Whoopers flying toward 4th street, watched them turn and land near a small pond just off 8th street. Seems they had joined a juvenile there.

A flock of Turkey Vulture called my attention to a skeletal remains of a dolphin at the water’s edge. At least that's what I think it is.

Can’t resist old cemeteries, good places for birds plus love the history written in the headstones. Lamar Cemetery was founded in 1854 for a city named for president of Texas Republic Mirabeau B. Lamar. When the Big Tree was 850 years old, Union troops were burning the town of Lamar during a Civil War battle.

Lamar Cemetery

Texas hero John Fagan died 1860

Next to the cemetery is a quaint little Catholic chapel, Stella Maris -Star of the Sea - has provided services for 150 years.

The court yard was graced by a lovely Nativity scene complete with singing cardinals.  

A bank of sunflowers hosted a gathering of Queens, this guy stopped long enough for a photo shoot. 

Yesterday, I also saw a Monarch nectaring, but when I returned for photos I found him laying on the sidewalk. 

A tour through the woods provided an array of Christmas colors with Virginia creeper adorning a large live oak. 

Last stop was the bay to view a flock of dowitchers, based on the sound I called them Long-billed even though they were in salt water. 

Sanderling

Least Sandpiper

Surprised to see this jellyfish consider the water and air temp. 

Lousy photo, doesn't show the double sundog (parhelia)  as I had hoped.  Created by the refraction of light from plate shaped hexagonal ice crystals in high and cold cirrus clouds always 22 degrees on either side of the sun and at exactly the same distance above the horizon as the sun. 

Finished the day with another gorgeous sunset over Aransas Bay.

La Petite Belle

This is new, a part of the LaSalle Odyssey, a half scale seaworthy reproduction of the LaBelle, recovered in Matagorda Bay around 1995. Future plans include a 17th century sailing school. We visited the museum last year, should check it for new additions. Would love to go on board. 

Fast Forward thru December

Haven’t been taking many photos, weather very dreary, rainy and cold, very unlike southeast Texas. Lows in the 30’s and highs in the 50’s. Prepared to leave Anahuac NWR by December 16. Last week we worked VIS 3 days straight ending on Saturday December 14. Sunday we cleared up laundry and some housekeeping chores before saying goodbye to the marsh.

Monday, we departed the Refuge by 9:30 AM, going to Community Motors in New Caney, just south of Cleveland as recommended by West RV for service on our generator. Not good news there. They pulled

the unit out, dismantled it to diagnose. Supposed to have an electrical hookup, but that didn't pan out. We left there about 5 PM for the 40 (ish) mile drive to Rainbow’s End. Thank goodness for brother BJ, he had a spot reserved for us for Tuesday, but we were able to come in Monday night. Hate arriving after dark, just too difficult to back up and park correctly. Managed to set up, connected electricity and water only for the night.

Tuesday morning, we paid for 3 nights and took BJ to Lunch at Popeye’s. Braved the crowds at Wal-Mart to pick up necessary hardware needed for minor repairs.

Wednesday morning, took Clyde to West RV at 8 AM. 5th time water heater has needed repairs. 3 weeks ago, electric wouldn’t supply enough hot water for 1 shower, suddenly it was scalding hot and dangerous. My glasses fogged while brushing my teeth. Still hadn’t heard from the generator repair people.

Had lunch at Texas Grill in Sheppard with BJ and 3 other Escapees. Alvin and I split a jalapeno cheeseburger… all their burgers are ½ pound except for the big ones.

Picked up Clyde about 2 PM. Warranty covered the water heater repairs, but not the leak in the roof nor the oil change. Generator people called, looking at $900 worth of parts, long list I didn’t write it all down. AND, the parts are 2 to 3 weeks coming. Probably 3 to 4 or longer. She didn’t even know about our extended warranty, different person in the office on Monday. Now she has to work all that out.

Desperately needed a walk in the woods and some birds… walked to the hill and through the trees: Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet,  American Goldfinch, Piliated Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Carolina Chickadee, Carolina Wren, American Crow, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped  Warbler I didn’t even mind the Eurasian Collared Dove and Starling.

BJ leaving for Raccoon Valley tomorrow and we’re heading for Palacios. He and Victoria come over to visit after he returned from staff Christmas dinner. She has mellowed, made herself right at home.

Victoria chillin' out

December 19... Left Rainbow’s End for Palacios. Stopped for gas in Sheppard, 14 miles away. Discovered 4 inch split in left front tire. Charlie’s Tire Shop just up the road. They put on our 12 year old spare, never been on the ground but in very good shape. Luckily it has been stored inside the propane compartment and protected from the weather. Upon inspection, the right front tire was also beginning to crack, so they removed 1 tire from the left rear and moved the right front there. In case of a blowout, we would still have one good tire on the ground. Ordered 2 new tires and returned to Rainbow’s End.

December 20... Happy Anniversary 52 years… arrived Charlie’s Tire Shop shortly after 8 AM.

 New tires mounted and hefty bill paid and we were finally on the way - AGAIN! Houston traffic atrocious, but luckily we stayed on Hwy 59 all the way. 2 small bottle necks right downtown where traffic slowed to a crawl.

Arrived in Palacios about 3 PM to find Bayside RV locked up and deserted. We enjoyed our stay there so much last year, a real disappointment. Serendipity is across the harbor and we are on the water, but the view is the boat slips. Not nearly as enjoyable. More expensive, too.

Drizzly and foggy all day, with scattered showers. We drove the seawall looking for ducks on the way to Mi Casa for an anniversary dinner. No luck. Food still just as good as last year, I especially like the 2 kinds of salsa they serve. The green is avocado based, creamy and cool, the red is chile based, spicy and warm. Hard to choose between enchiladas and shrimp. Chipotle sauce really packs a wallop.

Saturday morning, we set out early to search for the Long-tailed Duck being reported, light drizzle and limited visibility and not a duck to be found. Spotted sandpipers abundant, Curlew and Willet, both pelicans, Laughing, Ring-billed, and Herring Gull, Cormorant. Finally located a group of Bufflehead way out past Bayview RV but no Long-tailed Duck. Left the bay area and drove the cemetery, mockingbird and shrike seemed to be everywhere. The CR south of the cemetery is heavily wooded and tangled and was a goldmine this morning. After hearing a tiny chip, I pished and was rewarded by Orange-crowned Warbler and House Wren. At least 4 White-throated Sparrow (Tan Striped) crossed the road in front of us and stayed in view for several seconds. Not long enough for a photo, plus the angle was all wrong. At the creek a Common Yellowthroat appeared, but all my photos were crappy. I can ID the bird in 1, and all the others are blurred. Just after him, a REAL ORANGE-CROWNED Warbler materialized. I had never seen the brilliant orange crown before, of course, no photo, again. I saw a reddish blur buzz through the brush, but he escaped, another UFO. Did pish up a Lincoln Sparrow, too. Cardinal, Bluejay, and Eastern Meadowlark rounded out the flock.

Spotted Sandpiper

Breakfast time for this Spotty, don't recognize the entree, lots of legs though. Can almost see the tail bobbing. 

Brown Pelican juveniles

Rudy Turnstone

Herring Gull

Pink legs are a classic field mark for this immature Herring Gull. 

Common Loon

Handsome guy, much different winter plumage than the ones we say in Vermont this summer.  

The sun broke through the clouds so we headed back to the bay to try for the duck one more time. Dipped again, plus the sunshine only a tease so we headed home. We’ll make the loop again later this afternoon.

December 5

Savannah Sparrow

 Finally managed to get a decent photo...
usually they disappear into the grass before I can even turn the camera on...










One lone Primrose blossom amid the December grass..

Primrose

December 4 A Day at the Beach

 Decided to explore Galveston State Park today...
Still very decimated from Hurricane Ike 5 years ago. Office is temp trailer, the beach RV sites have only 2 restrooms for 3 trailer loops.

The day use area is not much more than a parking lot.

No birds on the beach, but the patterns on the sand are works of art.











The observation platform on the bay side was infested with wasps, so no photo ops there. We met a park ranger going to spray. Glad to know the refuge is not the only place the wasps are so bad.

December 1

Today was Black-crowned Night-Heron day, 

my windshield was still dirty, and the light was wrong, but I couldn't resist. Nothing to brag about, but good ID photos.

November 30

 Another beautiful day of sunshine at the Refuge... I started with a drive around Shoveler Pond

Cooper's Hawk

I called this one immature Cooper's Hawk, he likes to patrol the Willows Pond. 

King Rail

 Sometimes we just get lucky... I snagged several shots this time.

Great Egret

 I think his eyes were bigger than his stomach on this one, didn't wait around to see how long before he managed to swallow it.

 I counted 45 Great Egret alone in this short stretch... the line of white birds continued along the canal  as I drove around the pond,

 The berm was filled to capacity, no room for gators today.

 Geese, geese, and more geese