Birding at South Padre Island

It was a crappy day today but since we've had nothing but crappy cold days for awhile now, we decided to just go over to South Padre Island and see what we could see. We stopped at the South Padre Birding and Nature Center and walked their Boardwalk.

As we were coming off the parking lot, we met these guys just finding what they could find to eat. 

Immature White Ibis

Still close to the parking lot, we found this guy. He has always been elusive to us so we were very happy to see him.

PYRRHULOXIA

Pyrrhuloxia

Mottled Ducks

Great Blue Heron

Blue Herons were everywhere today

We couldn't believe we got these pictures of a Great Blue Heron who had just caught this fish. We wanted to see him eat it but he just played with it forever.

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Little Blue Heron

Black Crowned Night Heron

There weren't a lot of birds out today but it wasn't fun for us humans either. Still waiting for the sun to shine!

When we finished at the Birding Center, we decided to stop and get some Cocoanut Shrimp at Pier 19. We just pulled into their parking lot when we saw the most amazing site. There was a helicopter flying around and a guy was attached by a rope of some sort to the bottom of the helicopter. We parked the car and walked over toward the helicopter to see what was going on. Apparently, it was a electric lineman hanging from the helicopter by a rope. I'm not sure what he was doing but he was attaching something to various electric poles in this area. We watched mesmerized as the copter flew him from one pole to another. Then they flew off with the guy still hanging from the rope. I wonder what the linemen in Iowa would think of this procedure!

When the helicopter flew off, we finally came inside to get something to eat.

There were quite a few people in the restaurant so because of Covid 19 we kept our masks on until the food arrived.

Yummy - Coconut Shrimp

Outside we took some pictures of the local wildlife. While we were eating we saw some dolphins playing but, of course, by the time we got outside they had disappeared. They were great entertainment though waiting for our food! There was a large flock of pelicans right outside the door 

                                                                          Pelicans

With such a good picture of this gull, you would think I could identify it in my bird books, but guess I'll have to go check with the experts online to help me.

Heading to a nice Sunset!

Spending the Day at South Padre Island

On November 21st, we spent the whole day at South Padre Island. It was a nice break! The sun was shining. The weather was just about perfect but I probably should have remembered some sun screen!

Our first stop was the Laguna Madre Nature Trail

They were flying kites

Greater Yellow Legs

In one area on the boardwalk we looked down and there lots of this little crabs all over the place but the minute they knew we were taking pictures, they were off like a shot. Boy, can they move fast especially when the walk sideways. They were fun to watch and we managed at least this picture of one that was a bit lazy!

Cormorant

Great Egret

Great Egret

He was out getting some shrimp

Pelicans

Black Skimmer

He won't miss his target!

Cormorant

Belted Kingfisher

Roseate Spoonbills

Great Blue Heron

Great  Egret

Tri-colored Heron

Great Blue Heron

ROSEATE SPOONBILLS

Then we went over to the other side of the island to check out the beach.

A flock of pelicans overhead

Sand Dunes

Then it was time for dinner and we headed over to Pelican Station at Port Isabel

We both decided to have fish and shrimp and it was really good. We hadn't had seafood in quite awhile!

View From Our Table

Lee took my picture next to the resident Gator!

Then we decided that we should return to the island to see if the sand artists had been up to anything lately and, guess what, they had!

Some of these sculptures are really something!

Then it was sunset time so we watched the sun go down

AND IT IS GONE!

This ferris wheel is near where we parked