Anahuac NWR September 13

Arrived RV pads at Anahuac NWR on Wednesday, September 10. Hot, hot, hot, and muggy, muggy, muggy. We got hooked up and insulated the windows and hit the showers as quickly as possible. Thursday we met with Stephanie for our paper work and then I started to catch up on laundry. Sure is nice to back where I don't have to pay for laundry


Friday morning awakened beautifully...

complete with rainbow.














Later we trained with Colin at the sparkling brand new VIS. Wonderful facility finally open to replace the structure destroyed by Hurricane Ike six long years ago.

Not a good first day back. We started off with no AC. Seems like the timer is still programmed for weekends only. Finally managed to override and get some cooling going on, and the register and WIFI connection was being stubborn and sluggish. Finally managed to get that going but the morning was very slow. The only visitors were inquiring about the early Teal season.

We were treated to Vermillion Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, and 2 Painted Bunting. 3 Black-necked Stilt and a Little Blue Heron graced the small pond along with a small alligator.

Feral Hogs have decimated the Butterfly Garden...

but the Butters don't seem to mind too much. 

Gulf Fritillary 

Gulf Frit

Gray Hairstreak

After lunch, Alvin and I drove down to the East Bay boat ramp where a small herd of Laughing Gull occupied the road.

This one seemed perturbed by our presence. 

Winter plumage is subdued and elegant. 

Are the webs ventilated to make walking in the muck easier? 

The marshes are filled with Snow on the Prairie, a member of the Spurge family. 

This Willet thought he could sneak away to cover. 

Rain storms stretched from horizon to horizon. 

Along the road to the Woodlot we encountered a flock of 20+ Dickcissel and Painted Bunting. 

 Sorry,  my photos are all out of  phocus. 

Upon returning to the VIS, we discovered Colin had experienced a major power outage and we could not get the register going again. so frustrated, we closed up shop and headed for home just before the next onslaught of torrential rain.

Welcome back to the refuge.  

August 26 West of the Pecos Museum

From Balmorhea to Pecos, a distance of 40 miles for a temporary stay while awaiting a family weekend in Midland...

To fill the time, we chose West of the Pecos Museum as an air conditioned afternoon diversion from the
 100 + temperatures,

The Orient Hotel was built in 1896

The outside wall hosts the historical markers 

Emigrants Crossing

Spanish Explorers

Reeves County

Pecos Cantaloupes

First room in the Museum features animated bartender 

telling story of gunfight 

markers on the floor delineate where the bodies fell. 

Several old pianos and pump organs are housed in the Museum..  three floors of displays tell the history of Pecos Station, Pecos City, and finally simply Pecos. 

Because the Pecos River is a gorge with only three open spans permitting wagons and stock to ford the river within 30 miles, Pecos was a strategic location for commerce and transportation. 

In 1881, the Texas and Pacific Railroad connected the route between Fort Worth and El Paso. 

The boots, hats, and saddle room  was fascinating and outlines the history of rodeo said to have begun as a contest between area cowboys in 1883. 

Outside exhibits include a replica of Judge Roy Bean's Jersey Lilly Saloon from Langtry

and Clay Alison's grave, the gentleman gunfighter who "never killed anyone who didn't need killing"

and was originally buried in the Pioneer Cemetery on the northeast edge of town. 

Supposedly, he was killed when he fell off a hay wagon and was run over by the wheel. Supposition of his sobriety at the time is questionable. 

Headstones have been "effaced" by floods and sandstorms

Wooden crosses with no names mark unknown graves. 

The Clayton-Cooksey Monument testifies to the hard life faced by the early cowboys. Shootings and stampedes ended the lives of many a cowhand. 

Pecos, the Land West of the Pecos, just look beyond the surface and discover a world of history and wonderment. 

September 7 Midland Streaky Skipper

We're spending a few days in Midland for a family get together with Grandson Zachary and his family from Phoenix.

In between family activities, we took time to visit with the Merritts, cannot come to Midland without seeing them. Joann asked me to photo document her find of Streaky Skipper Caterpillar.


She was collecting seed pods for the butterfly garden at I-20 Preserve when she discovered the tiny caterpillar.

 The Indian Mallow plant rested comfortably in a film canister with plastic wrap to secure and keep the caterpillar from dropping into the water.

The tiny caterpillar had rolled a leaf into a shelter... 

 which we were able to unroll carefully to expose the larva for a photo op...












We were able to compare his size to a dime ...

This photo from a Google search shows the first instar,










I'm anticipating the chrysalis and emerging b'fly pictures.

Brings back memories of Joann successfully protecting Monarchs and other b'flies with net covered crates to document the life cycles of Midland County breeding butters on their 3 acres of paradise through the years.