We have been busy packing and so we took a day off to go to lunch at Port A. Our favorite place there is called Virginias and our favorite dish, the garlic crusted fish. It was excellent as usual, and the restaurant practiced all the necessary safety precautions. It was so nice to have the shots and to be able to safely go out to eat again!
While on the Island we did go to three of the birding areas at
the Packery Channel, The Leorna Turnbill Center, and Paradise Pond. While hoping
for a fallout but it was not meant to be and so we had to settle for the usual.
Last year, at Packery Channel Park the hummingbirds were everywhere. The trees and feeders were filled with orioles but this year the pickings were sparse. We only saw one hummingbird and the oranges, used to draw in orioles, were untouched.
Driving to Leorna Turnbill, the usual large alligator lay there as a welcome and even entertained us as he took in a deep breath and shook the water bellowing with his mating call.
A blue winged teal scratched his head with his foot,
a lesser yellowtail hunted for a meal,
and a tricolor heron caught a nice fish.
Gulls were bathing and a lone herring gull stood gazing across the pond.
No whooping cranes were in evidence. A flock of cattle egrets stood in a field near the entrance, and a common gallinule waded along the shore.
Hoping for something different we next drove to Paradise Pond and discounting the usual blue winged teals and red ear turtles. The best picture we took was of a boat tailed grackle.
A large noisy flock dominated the pond, and a male showed off his dark colors.
It was a nice break from packing and so we returned to our
winter home anxious to get on the road again! Clear skies
Neat pics. Travel safe when you head out.
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