October in a nutshell

We always visit San Jacinto Monument while we're in SE Texas

The Battleship looks good

I had never noticed the blue flag flying on the bow

Brother BJ explained while in port, US ships always fly this flag representing the 50 states.

After a terrific lunch at Monument Inn

We rose Lynchburg Ferry

which only holds 10 vehicles max

We took a day to qualify for conceal handgun permits 

before turning attentions back to critters...

Savannah Sparrows are arriving daily on the refuge

Dragonflies perch in obelisk to orient their bodies to minimize sun exposure on sunny days 

Farmer discing field on FM 1985 attracted hoards of egrets

and several Caracara to feast on insects and rodents exposed by the blades. 

I captured the tiny eyelash moon shortly after sunset 

and 3 days later snagged Venus, Jupiter, and Mars in the early morning. Mercury was nearer the horizon, too. 

October 17 was Bike around the Bay and the RV pads were the location of a rest stop for more than 1300 riders. 

The most unique bike suit of the day

I was fascinated by the bike shoes that made a rhythmic staccato tap dance on the drive  

The highest number I saw

And must have a Texas hat

The butterfly garden at the refuge is one of my favorite spots

Turks cap is a butterfly trap

Crawfish are also called Mud bugs, I know why

I don't bird and butter all the time, like to keep my hands busy, too. Crocheted basket from clothesline rope in just a day.  

Bear dressed up as a pirate for Halloween.

One of the things we love about Anahuac is the flat horizon both east 

and west

 I use the sunset to judge the progress of the season. 

November 1! Holy Cow Where has the time gone?

End of September brought some good photo opportunities...

Peregrine Falcon allowed me to get close enough for a change on the entrance road to the refuge

Loggerhead Shrike entertained us as we worked the VIS

Neotropic Cormorant and Snowy Egret perch above the canal near the VIS 

This photo really shows the classic field mark for NECO

I love bugs, don't have an ID on this pretty jewel yet. 

Entrance road was abloom with Salt Marsh Mallow

and Shoveler Pond was covered with lotus

and more lotus

Volunteers do many jobs on the refuge, mowing along Shoveler Pond so we can view the water more easily. 

Purple Gallinule adult plumage

and immature, love those long toes. 

Pied-billed Grebe

First Lark Sparrow of the season

Black-bellied Whistling Duck family

Always something for see at Anahuac NWR. 

Next, catch up  time for October

September and back to Anahuac NWR

After a short visit to Midland and Livingston, we landed at Anahuac NWR on September 11. We arrived in a terrific rainstorm, luckily the rain eased up so we good get hooked up to water and electric.

Wonderful to be back to the marsh with flat land and unlimited horizons.

Skillern Tract is a shore bird paradise with the rice field flooded right next to the road.

Pectoral Sandpiper was just one of the joys. 

Jackson Woodlot held Baltimore Oriole

and Eastern Kingbird. 

I took a break from birding to "bake" a pecan pie in my crockpot. 

Diet starts as soon as the pie is gone. 

First lap around Shoveler Pond  led to a family of Fulvous Whistling Duck

quivering wings said "it's too hot"

Another technicolor sunset, 

with myriads of herons and egrets heading for the rookery at Skillern

Another night and another impressionistic sunset.

First trip to Bolivar and a must stop it High Island rest stop. No birds...

but I can't resist Day Flower

aka Widow's Tears. 

Sensitive Briar is so delicate. 

Immature Snowy Egret with just a hint of yellow feet. 

Great Blue Heron

Black bellied Plover still in breeding plumage, a rare treat

Least Tern

Highway 87 used to run from the ferry landing to Port Arthur, but a flurry of hurricanes have rendered a pile of asphalt rubble

There is discussion of rebuilding to protect the McFadden Marsh that protects Port Arthur and Beaumont from storm surge.