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.