Catamaran Cruise on the Laguna Madre

We have been waiting for some good weather to go with our friends, Al & Miriam, on the catamaran cruise out of South Padre with SailSPI. We've done this cruise before in both blue sky and miserable weather. We would prefer the blue skies but when checking the weather we decided our best day to go out before Al & Miriam leave for Iowa was today. 

We were first in line since we knew that the first in line get their pick of seats, however, we had to spend a lot of time in line so I took some picture while we were waiting. 

 

Mary enjoying the day - the weather was a bit nippy - thus the jacket. Always be prepared when you cruise. The weather can change quickly.

Beautiful full moon today.

Fruit as part of our dinner on the cruise!

The Chef threw out some leftovers to the birds. They love them for some reason!

The staff on the cruise included the Captain, our server a musician and a cook.

          There was plenty of food for everyone and it was delicious!

The seagulls followed us until we were all finished eating!

Al, Miriam and Lee

Our Chef

Osprey

Our Chef 

Our Entertainmnet

Birding at the South Padre Island Birding Center

It was a bit gloomy today and a bit windy, however, compared to many days here in the Valley recently, it was better than most. It seems this winter we have had more bad days than good. In a normal winter, we may have a cold day and then back to spring the next day. This season we've had five days of miserable weather and one of good. We certainly hope this isn't the way it is going to stay.  

Today seemed like a good day to go birding. It is always better if it is less windy but we figure the birds have to come out some time too. 

we took off for South Padre Island with our friends, Al & Miriam. We started at the Birding Center which is a great place to shore birds. The Convention Center next door is good too. 

If you would like to check out the birding center, try this link:  https://www.spibirding.com/

A White Ibis and a couple of Roseate Spoonbills - the more shrimp they eat, the pinker they get. We've seen them be almost red!

Purple Gallinule

Great Blue Heron

Snowy Egret

Tri-Colored Heron

Al & Miriam

Lee and Mary

He's a pretty good sized alligator. glad we were on the boardwalk.

Then we decided to have something to eat at Tom & Jerry's Bar & Grill.