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