Late day at Laguna Atascosa Refuge

Padre across Bay with Yucca on the right, Bay is nice and blue this day wind is not too strong, if it is churning up the water it is brown with sand.

Had to get a couple of Mallards flying across the marsh.

Here it is 6:25 they are too close the Refuge Gate at 7 pm and a couple of miles to go at 25 mph or less and one way out do not know if gate will open to let you out or if one has to stay all night? Time of night you might get to see a Bob Cat, Ocelot or larger Cat if you are lucky. By the way we did make it out and saw something about 100 yards from the gate moving in the shadows could not tell what it was (probably a coyote)

would love to think it was a cat!

By the way this loop is 15 Miles and there are other areas.

We have Geico - and not Insured!

They were flying this around Padre Island today thought it was very fitting but wish it had not been this late 3/6. I don't know how they keep the cable behind with the wind we had!

Yes we have Insurance but not Geico! This was on our patio this morning. Sorry Mike that I could not catch it for you.

Caught doing some work? On Jan 11, 2009

This was the last of Sonny's Banana Trees. Ruth Ann had taken these pictures.
They were not as big as the first ones I cut down but had left these up so he could see them when he arrived here. Bad news is - new trees are already coming up from the roots!

Day in Progresso, Mexico

This is the Border Fence going up across from Progresso, Mexico, built up on the river levee.
It has not gone very far in either direction here so far and not even under the bridge.
The Mexican Soldiers are armed heavy and set up on the Mexican side as you inter the city to protect us from the Drug Dealers?
Best part of the day a man said you want hair cut $3. Well ya I will go for that but then I begin to worry when we went into the building and then I followed him up stairs past one door that said "Dentist" next 2 had nothing on but by the 3 one a young Mexican was kissing an older woman up against the wall. I begin to worry more when he opened the 2nd door and I saw two young ladies (all Mexican) setting right inside the door. But then I saw the Beautician and her chair working on another Mexican girl's hair and I did not run back out! Now if my head quits crawling it will be OK.


This is Donna Flea Market one place Viola has to go, "plus she ate a whole bag of kelttle carmel corn by herself" . It runs on both sides of the big Barns with shelters and RVs and Trailers with wares to sell, it is also on this side of road also with a long barn with wares and farmers market.
Old Old Church they may restore on Military Road 281, Pictures not highest detail due to old HP 945 camera set on lowest setting.

Whale of a Day

Whale Painting is on Padre's Convention Center

This is why I do not fish here? I can not tell what type of fish I would say a savager of some sort but they say they all have teeth or might be poisonous? He came right up under the walk way.

Yes Viola is the one with her eyes closed again! The sun is so bright and the glare is too that it is hard to get the lighting right.

This is a common Mocking Bird had to take picture he did a bunch of poses (showing all sides and letting me get real close)


I'm calling him a red leg, or whistling duck - I need a book!

Oh no it is a Common Moorhen found it on my Pocket Guide now you know I cheat but it helps me learn?



I will name as soon as I find some one who knows? unless it is American Coot but is to light colored? NO it is a Pied-Billed Grebe




This is as close as I can get to the Osprey - the walk way is in an Alligator Habitat

Out for Valentine Dinner

Wouldn't you know we go out and she finds some one else!

Sabal Palms Audubon below Brownsville

This is a map of the area 577 acres, does not show the frontage road at top (north) which is a border patrol path that they run looking for Illegals and Drug Smugglers. In another year we may not be able to get in to Sabal Palms for the Border Fence may be on that road closing it to us. I might be wrong on the direction for the fence will run along the Rio Grandee but it will be on the levee with the Audubon and a lot of Farm Land behind it. Do not know the name of this buttery fly but a large bright yellow one with black out line like the one above would not set or get close enough!

Chachalacas Bird, they are fairly large like a Guineas.


The lane going in to the Sanctuary, black top wide enough for one vehicle have to pull off on grass is dry would not set with motor running.

We cross this Border road to get to highway. This was coming out going north. I did not take picture to east for Border Agent was parked over the bank in the trees watching an open field. The pole in distance is portable tower with a generator and flood lights. Onewas right in front of us also.

Now they say the border fence place on this road? Hope not!

Tufted Titmouse is the name of these birds had to cheat and take at the center they will not set still and small enough I would not see in the forest there.
It is pretty thick and should stay on trails and with out Boots and chaps I would not venture off. Had to tell Viola to stay out of high weed and not close to the brush. Asked her once if she set her purse down on fire ant hill? You will know if they get on you!

7 Red Ear Sliders in a row sunbathing on a log.

Great Kiskadee

Love the hanging Moss do not know if it is really a moss just on certain trees?