When it isn't too windy, the Border Patrol Blimp rises over South Padre Island, watching all the way to the Mexican border about 5 miles to the south.
To the north of us is over 100 miles of the National Seashore, the paved road only goes a few miles through the sand dunes.
The width of the island is only about a quarter to a half mile, birds fly from the Gulf to the Laguna Madre. This Great Blue Heron can see both waterways from his high perch on the Dune.
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| Green Heron - "like my new hairdo"? |
We are volunteering at the Birding and Nature Center, giving birding tours along the Boardwalk one or two times a week. Following are some of the common sights for visitors.
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| Great Blue Heron catches a large eel. |
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| Blue-winged Teal preening |
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| A Clapper Rail sneaks through the marsh grass |
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| Tropical Kingbird |
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| Spotted Sandpiper, getting his spots back |
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| Cooper's Hawk |
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| Queen and Monarch Butterflies gather in the wind |
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| Immature White Ibis |
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| Northern Pintails |
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| Redheads finally arrive for the winter |
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| Black-bellied Whistling Duck |
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| Reddish Egret dances while fishing |
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| A rare find for the Island - Black-headed Grosbeak |
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| Back at the RV Park, a Great-tailed Grackle looks for a drop of water |
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| "Our" little Burrowing Owl |
We were concerned that the Burrowing Owl would be chased from his broken telephone box by more people and pets arrriving at the park. Ty received a permit to construct a Habitat for the owl by the BioLab. So far, the owl is only watching the project.
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| Near where we shop for groceries in Port Isabel, this Nilgai popped her head out of the brush. |
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| The Nilgai is an imported large Asian Antelope that escaped ranches and zoos and is thriving. |
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| Female Red-winged Blackbird covered in cattail fuzz |
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| Lincoln's Sparrow |
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| Royal Tern fishing along the Gulf |
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| Great-tailed Grackle grabs fisherman's cut bait |
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| True Tulip Shell occupied by Hermit Crab |
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| Moon Jellyfish stranded on the beach by huge waves |
Hundreds of people gathered on the beach at Isla Blanca Park for the release of a 97 pound Loggerhead Sea Turtle that was rehabbed at the Rescue Center.
This three foot long female was lifted from the truck and and set on the beach and wasted no time heading for the surf.
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| I'm free at last, Good Bye and Thanks!! |
Another full moon and the months hurry by. Not easy getting this American Kestral to perch in front of the setting moon.
Happy New Year!!
Love & Prayers,
Ty & Ida Baumann
