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.