Saturday, December 29, 2018

South Padre Island Part 2




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.
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.
Great Blue Heron catches a large eel.

Blue-winged Teal preening

A Clapper Rail sneaks through the marsh grass

Tropical Kingbird

Spotted Sandpiper, getting his spots back

Cooper's Hawk

Queen and Monarch Butterflies gather in the wind

Immature White Ibis

Northern Pintails

Redheads finally arrive for the winter

Black-bellied Whistling Duck

Reddish Egret dances while fishing

A rare find for the Island - Black-headed Grosbeak

Back at the RV Park, a Great-tailed Grackle looks for a drop of water

"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.






Near where we shop for groceries in Port Isabel, this Nilgai popped her head out of the brush.

The Nilgai is an imported large Asian Antelope that escaped ranches and zoos and is thriving.

Female Red-winged Blackbird covered in cattail fuzz

Lincoln's Sparrow

Royal Tern fishing along the Gulf

Great-tailed Grackle grabs fisherman's cut bait

True Tulip Shell occupied by Hermit Crab

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.



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

Monday, December 17, 2018

South Padre Island



We are at Isla Blanca County park on the south end of South Padre Island for December and January.  Almost every morning brings a different colorful sunrise over the Gulf of Mexico.
Looking north from the park to the towering hotels and condos..

Looking south to the pier along the mouth of the Brownsville Canal

Snowy Egret comes in for breakfast along the pier

Pretty cool and windy today!!

Sanderling

Ruddy Turnstone


Brown Pelican 

White-tailed Hawk

The tiny Burrowing Owl in our  RV Park.

He found a broken telephone box to hide in

American Avocets

Loggerhead Shrike

Large waves splash agaist the pier, no fishing here today

American Kestral on a light post in the park

Herring Gull's eyes are bigger than his throat, maybe!

Birding Center is on the left and the  Sea Turtle Rescue Center on the Right

Spotted Sandpiper minus the spots

We are now volunteering at the Birding Center, leading public bird walks along the 1 mile boardwalk.  We usually see at least 40 species of birds on each walk.  We will also be helping with the Christmas Bird Count here on the Island.  The temps will be in the 60's and 70's, so much different than the frozen tundra of Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Black Skimmer living up to his name on the Laguna Madre

Tricolored Heron

Northern Pintail is also a winter Texan

Black-crowned Night-heron

Brown Pelican takes the plunge

Yes, there are alligators here too,  mirror image

Roseate Spoonbill at the Birding Center

Roseate Spoonbill - appropriate name

White-eyed Vireo

4 inch Ghost Crab on the beach

Border Patrol Blimp in dry dock

The "Black Dragon" with full complement of Pirates

Loggerhead Sea Turtle - all 300 pounds of him

Green Sea Turtle

We enjoyed our visit to the Sea Turtle Rescue Center.  Turtles of all sizes and 5 endangered species were here for rehab and future release.


Sea Bean

Part of the Island's sand sculpture competition.
Merry Christmas!



At the south end of Isla Blanca Park is this 30' statue of Jesus in memorial to Shrimp fishermen lost at sea.


Love & Prayers,
Ty & Ida Baumann