Wednesday, January 15

Early morning appointment at Rio Valley Dermatology where last week's biopsy was negative, so I managed to catch this one before it became malignant. Only treatment required was a heavy zap of liquid nitrogen. I also had 13 other Actinic Keratosis places that needed treatment. Much better than last year when I had 1 Basal Cell and about 30 AK treated. I have a follow-up appointment in March to make sure Dr. Hohnadel didn't miss anything. He was quite amused by my description of the treatment like taking a nap in an ant bed.

Only took an hour so we had plenty of time to visit Sabal Palms.

Quite a few changes have happened since our last visit about a year ago. First of all, the visitor center is now located in the restored Rabb Mansion. Second, the sanctuary is now operated by Gorgas Science Foundation. The old feeding station is still being maintained and the LIVE bird feeder cam is still operational. A new butterfly garden is under construction at the beginning of the new entrance trail. All of the other trails remain the same.

Dense palms surround the resaca...

 harboring Common Yellowthroat, Wilson's, Orange-crowned, and Yellow-rumped Warblers, House Wren, and Blue-grey Gnatcatcher. Carolina Wren called loudly but never came into view.

The trails seem better maintained than on our last visit. 

There is more water than last year, but Dave's Overlook was pretty barren and quiet...

as were the forest trails

The feeding station produced Buff-bellied Hummingbird, great Kiskadee, Green Jays by the dozen, strangely silent Chachalacas, Cardinals, Carolina Wren, Golden-fronted Woodpecker, and Black-crested Titmouse. 

The LIVE bird feeder cam provided by Rio Grande Valley Master Naturalists offers a 24 hour view:

 http://sabalpalmsanctuary.org/feedercam/

Check it out! 

 My camera was at home so all  I managed were a few cell phone photos. 

What's unusual about Sabal Palms, the entire property of behind the border fence.

By that time, I was suddenly very tired so we headed home rather than heading for Boca Chica Beach.

Oh well, tomorrow is another day.