I decided to go by the Leonabell Turnbull Birding Center to see how much progress has been made on the Hurricane Harvey reconstruction. Join me as we walk about
The Farley boat has been replanted
The plant labels are back. This is a Firecracker plant.
A new information sign with leaflet containers.
This is a sign detailing the recovery plan. It also asks for patience.
I retook this photo since it amazes me how much vegetation was taken by the storm. Those three mothballed oil rigs were not visible before the Hurricane.
The Port Aransas Garden Club has adopted a site at the center.
There is always some idiot who sticks their head in the Alligator sign.
I had hoped to see a lot of birds listed. But we do know Big Bird Little Bird, a coot, a pelican, Kristi, James, and Jane were spotted. I can’t read the frown face
Unfortunately, the access to the birding center is still not repaired.
The alligator’s swamp is still filled with debris (He is fine and living in another part of the reserve)
The Cattails are beautiful.
Reminders not to feed the wildlife anything including yourself. Sorry that the center is still under construction but it looks a lot better than it did. I’ll come back when the walkways are finished.
It looks like patience is the key word, John. There’s a lot to do after such a destructive event.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true, Keith. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good pictures, John. It certainly does look a “lot” better than it did. They’ve done a lot of work. I love the alligator sign with a hole for someone’s head. 🙂 — Suzanne
LikeLiked by 1 person
It always makes me laugh when I see that sign. Thak you, Suzanne 😀
LikeLike
I hope the walkway are restored soon…I suppose it takes time and money. Great shot of you,John! Happy Sunday!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you on the photo, Jill. I think it is going to be a while on the walkway.
LikeLike
Anyway, things are getting back to normal! And I hope that you won’t have similar problems any more, dear John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would vote for that as well, Maria. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, dear John!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Slow but sure, John. Love the painting on the Farley Boat!! Every time we go through a storm, our zoo has similar destruction, but gradually and by the grace of volunteers – it gets repaired.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is what is happening here, GP. Too bad disaster funding wasn’t available.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the lovely update John. It’s good to see the recovery continues. Nature will adapt, but it’s good people can be patient. And yes, please don’t feed the alligators.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Dan. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a great Sunday walk! Thank you, John. I’m not a fan of alligators but seeing the photo of you making light of their danger brought a few chuckles. As always, thank you for the morning smiles. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Gwen. It was fun geting out to see how things were going.
LikeLike
Good to see the place is slowly coming back. Zooming in, I think the frowny face says Bridge Walkway.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah. Thank you, Charles. That makes sense since the walkway is not passable.
LikeLike
Mystery solved. Now off to figure out the Loch Ness Monster. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
YAY. I think you can do it.
LikeLike
Rogue Thanksgiving Day Parade float. I’m going with that theory.
LikeLike
The sight of the destroyed walkway is heartbreaking. My wife and I spent many a winter afternoon there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We have as well. Thanks, Greg
LikeLike
Good morning, John,
And thanks for showing us the progress that has been made, but also how much still needs to be done. This article here shows again, how much destruction Harvey left in his wake.
The last picture made me smile: you could take the two signs into one saying “Don’t become alligator feed!” 😀
Have a wonderful Sunday,
Pit
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Pit. Long way to go.
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Recovery from such tremendous destruction takes time. Thanks for sharing, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jan. 😀
LikeLike
It never ceases to amaze me how long it takes to rebuild/recover from a major hurricane. That said, what a beautiful Firecracker plant — I don’t think I’ve ever seen one before!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You can grow them in Illinois.
LikeLike
Really?? I must check into that — thanks!
LikeLike
Sad to see it like this, but it sounds like progress is happening.
LikeLike
I’m sure it will be amazing when done. The progress has to be very encouraging. I got a big chuckle out of the alligator sign.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The ramp to the birding center really shows the devastation. Still, there has been much progress. Thanks for the visual update, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jennie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
Have you ever come up close with a real alligator?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yup. I was playing golf in Tampa Florida and went to play a ball near a water hazard. An alligator came out of the water not more than two feet away and I decided to let the ball stay where it was. I was lucky not to drop my club as I beat a hasty retreat. 😀
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hmmm – that idiot in the alligator sign looks kind of familiar.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha haha. Still an idiot. Maybe a familat idiot.
LikeLike
They’ve really accomplished a lot, especially considering the amount of devastation. I enjoyed seeing it again, John. But watch it playing with that gater! 😱 😉
I still think the Farley boats are way cool. Hugs
LikeLiked by 1 person
I always give gaters a wide berth, Teagan. The Farley Boats are terrific. Especially when they are painted in a unique way.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the alligator sign! LOL!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It make me laugh too, Rhonda. Thanks.
LikeLike
Slowly but surely it’s getting there. Thanks for the update!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes it is. Thanks, Deborah. Hard to believe it has almost been a year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is regaining its beauty both with nature’s help and with human help. Thanks for the tour. It’s amazing how mother nature can tear things apart and then let it rebuild.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is amazing, Michelle. Thank you. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Recovery always is slow after an event like this, but the good news is that nature’s working even when humans have to put other things first. By the time the boardwalks and paths and structures are rebuilt, nature already will have helped out a good bit.
By the way, did you hear that the African flamingo that escaped from a Kansas zoo in 2005 has been spotted again, down around Lavaca Bay? Texas Parks & Wildlife people saw it, and got a photo. You can see the critter here. So funny!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amazing, Linda. Thank you for the photo. I like the Game Warden twitter site too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I subscribe to their weekly newsletter, too. The “Field Notes” are hilarious — stories of our game wardens confronting a whole variety of ne’er do wells. They make great reading.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We love them in Port A during spring break. The have flat black trucks and scare the poop out of everyone.
LikeLiked by 1 person