West Bay

Galveston RV Resort
Galveston, TX
January 22, 2018

Monday was marsh day at West Bay.  I love the wading birds and at the top of the list to see were a Roseate Spoonbill and a Reddish Egret.  Here is a sampling of our sightings.  



I couldn't believe it when I spotted a   Reddish Egret and a Great Egret in a small pond when we first arrived.

Reddish Egrets are permanent residents on the island.  These long-legged, long-necked waders are either dark or white for life beginning with the downy stage in the nest. 

Another full-time resident is the Tricolored Heron.  These slender birds prefer to feed alone in shallow waters.  Standing like a statue they patiently wait for small fish, insects and crustaceans to come their way.  







 

The Great Blue Heron is the largest of the North American herons.  It's always a treat to see these large, grumpy looking birds.  They can be found in saltwater and freshwater habitats and foraging in grasslands.

 The elegant Great Egret is slightly smaller and more svelte (more slender...I had to look that word up.) than the Great Blue Heron.  These birds sparked conservation movements and some of the first laws to protect birds.  It seems they were nearly hunted to extinction for their plumes in the late 1800s.  


   
It was so much fun riding along with high hopes at what we might find around every turn.  We did walk a lot too...through the muddy reeds and grasses.  

It's very special to visit these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. 






West Bay is wonderful...a delightful way to spend a few hours.  As you probably  guessed, we didn't see a Roseate Spoonbill on Monday, but we are not done yet !

Looking across the bay to the mainland.

 

Until next time...

HAPPY TRAILS ! 

Garner State Park

Medina Highpoint Resort
Medina, TX
November 13, 2017


Garner State Park had its beginnings back in the 1930s when President Roosevelt created the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) to help the unemployment crisis. The CCC Company 879 developed Garner between 1935 and 1941 using native limestone and bald cypress to construct buildings.  The park opened in 1941 and was named for John Nance Garner, a lawyer from Concan, TX ( where the park is located ).  He  later became the 39th Speaker of the House and served as  vice-president of the United States with President Franklin D. Roosevelt from 1933 to 1941.


Today this gem of a park hidden away in scenic Texas Hill Country covers 1,774 acres with 2.9 miles of the Frio River winding its way through.

 Activities include RV camping and primitive camping, hiking birding, biking, fishing, canoeing, swimming and dancing.  Yes, dancing...since the 1940s folks have been gathering there on summer evenings for a jukebox dance. 

Our visit was under cloudy skies with no rain in the forecast. We were hopeful the sun would show itself at any minute...that didn't happen.  Pictures were a challenge !
We set out on the Frio Canyon Hike...traversing the prairie 

the woodlands...

...and finally high above the Frio River.

We enjoyed lunch in the primitive camping area.  These very nice screened in porches with tables inside sure are nice at the tent sites. 



Lunch entertainment...

After lunch, we hiked the Blinn River Trail.  We aren't sure how it got this name as it follows the Frio River...up close and personal ! 

 Another beautiful park and great day is in the memory bank.  

 The roads we have traveled on (usually a Farm Road or a Ranch Road) have been scenic, curvy, and hilly...well, it is Hill Country...and a delightful adventure in itself.  

Until next time...

 HAPPY TRAILS !