Views of the Neighborhood – Charlie’s Pasture

~ John W. Howell

Today we are visiting The Port Aransas Nature Preserve which encompasses 1,217 acres in an area formerly known as Charlie’s Pasture. The area was named after early resident Charlie Bujan who allowed the locals to graze their cattle on his property. The Port Aransas Nature Preserve includes nearly 3 miles of crushed granite hike and bike trails and boardwalks over the algal flats. Amenities include the pavilion, sheltered overlooks, picnic tables and restrooms.

Birders look for waterfowl (Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Cinnamon Teal), grebes (Least included), heron and egrets, cormorants, shorebirds (such as Black-necked Stilt), and flaming pink Roseate Spoonbills.

So here is a view of Charlie’s Pasture. Hope you like it.

Charlie Pasture

The entrance.

Charlie's Pasture

A long view of the pavilion.

Information about the preserve is on the post.

A view looking back from the information post. Notice the Farley boat and retired oil derricks.

Closer view of the pavilion with water behind.

Swallow nest in the rafter of the pavilion

A view of one of the hiking trails from the pavilion

Closer shot of the warning sign. Yes, snakes are here. Best to wear boots.

Shot of the water located on the hiking trail

Going to the Charlie Fishing pier. Notice the receptacle for old fishing line.

A little closer view of the four oil derricks on Harbor Island. For those who have seen my Views posts before, the ferries (Which I have pictured often) Run to Harbor Island from Port Aransas and land to the right of the derricks. A sign regarding wakes reminds us that large freighters move through the Corpus Christi Channel.

A look back toward the shore from the fishing pier. Notice the houses in the background. They are permanent residences.

A shot of a fisherman and the Corpus Christi Channel channel.

A photo from the pier by the fisherman. This is looking North West. Charlie’s pasture is on the left.

Unknown's avatar

Published by John W. Howell

I have been working in business for over forty years and now have the time to work in special areas of interest. My passion has always been to create compelling stories of fiction. I have authored six novels and am working on my Seventh. The first novel is still in manuscript form and being utilized as a door stop in the laundry room. The second is a contemporary fiction novel of 89,000 words and is complete and I am currently seeking a publisher. I also write poetry but have not had the guts to share any with anyone. The one time I read a piece to a person their only comment was, “it doesn’t rhyme.” I will continue to write and hopefully my blog, Fiction Favorites at www.johnwhowell.com will provide some entertainment and an interesting thought or two. I live in the Austin area with my wife Molly and an assortment of loving pets.

60 thoughts on “Views of the Neighborhood – Charlie’s Pasture”

  1. Another beautiful day in Port Aransas… I loved the walk through the nature preserve. Thank you for helping me see what I might otherwise miss – anywhere. Have a great day! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  5. What a lovely stroll in the neighborhood, John. It’s so very inviting, the sky, the water. Crisp and clear. Sigh…
    Thanks for pointing out the Farley boat. It reminded me of that fun post. Have a sublime Sunday. Hugs.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Great pictures, John. The mention of cows in the old days, then snakes makes we wonder how the cows got along with the snakes. Perhaps the cows ignored the snakes or the snakes ignored the cows or both. 🙂 — Suzanne

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Absolutely gorgeous shots, John. I can’t believe the blue sky! (Yeah, I know the pics weren’t about the sky…) In that last shot looking northwest, I could just make out the smoke clouds over British Columbia! Thanks, John!

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Good morning, John,
    This nature reserve is well worth visiting. We enjoyed it a lot on our last visit in Port A. and we’ll certainly be back.
    Have a wonderful Sunday,
    Pit

    Like

  14. Good timing. I started My GRL yesterday :). Sometimes it takes me a while to read a book because of my on again off again thing with reading (today we are steam cleaning the new once stray cat’s room and it’s turning into a day long project, ugh), but I had a blast reading so far. I got to chapter 5, I think.
    My husband periodically says he wants to move to east Texas, near the water. What are all the best places? Gotta be near enough to a decent airport and good medical care.

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Charlie’s Pasture seems like a peaceful place (except for the snake warning). It has got to be peaceful to hike on the trails by the water. Lovely place. Now I feel like I’m in your book with the mention of Port Aransas. 😉

    Liked by 1 person

  16. Such a lovely day for our trek. Looking at your pictures and reading about Charlie’s Pasture is almost as good as actually being there, smelling the salt air, feeling a gentle sea breeze. Minus the snakes, of course!

    Liked by 1 person

  17. Lovely views of Charlie’s Pasture. There is nothing more satisfying than spending the day at a nature preserve and soaking in the surroundings and watching for a look at the wildlife. We have a good share of snakes here, including rattlers, racers, garden varieties, and water mocs. What kind do you have there?

    Liked by 1 person

      1. When I was a kid my mom was playing with one in her garden that had lost it rattlers. It had all the markings. The snake kept striking her shovel as she moved it. She called to my brothers and sisters and me to come see this silly snake that thought it was a rattle snake. Having spent a lot of time playing in the woods, moving old dead trees and such, we were all well versed in snake id. It was time to educate Mom.

        Liked by 1 person

  21. I’m adding your preserve to my Bucket list! The Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, and flaming pink Roseate Spoonbills I’ve only seen in zoos, or special animal parks. I’ve longing to go to FL to see the Spoonbills. 3 friends and I have been talking about a Jan or Feb 2018 birding trip to FL. At your preserve we could see both birds!

    Thanks for sharing John!

    Like

Comments are closed.