A Last Trip to see the Whoppers with Pam and Roy

Pam and Roy had not yet been to the Aransas Wildlife Refuge, this year, and so we decided to make a day trip. The temperatures have been above average and so we talked about the possibility of seeing a snake. Sure enough, a six-foot long snake was stretched out across the road.

We wondered if it was a boa so I later sent a picture to my brother and he identified it as a snake we had never seen. Called a corn snake. I had thought it was a glossy snake, but I am about as good at the identification of snakes as I am flowers.

Our first stop was at Jones Lake where we were entertained by redheads, alligators, an immature Hudsonian Godwit, and a chorus of huge bullfrogs.

We enjoyed it so much that we stayed for a while before we next drove to the Observation Towers.

After climbing to the top of the tallest tower we failed to see any Whooping Cranes.

The pair had left, and we later saw four cranes forming into formation. Later Renita found a website that showed that the cranes had left and that they some had flew as far north as South Dakota.

Pam and Roy had not been out on the new walkway and while it’s a nice boardwalk there wasn’t a lot to see. So, we returned to the car and drove up the eleven-mile road. We wanted to see if the eagle nest was still occupied and we easily spotted the nest with one of the parents standing on top with outstretched wings.

After lunch, we made a last stop at the Heron Trail. The pair of whoopers that had taken over the area were still there and put on quite a nice display.

I took some images as they took off and they are the best images of flying whoopers we have ever shot.

Returning to the park we were tired but happy with the day. It’s always nice to be with family regardless of what you have planned but it was especially a good day of birds, wildlife moments, and a beautiful snake, Now we sit here with a stay in place order, waiting for our Wyoming place to open up. Clear skies