Views of the Neighborhood. The Birding Center is Being Rebuilt

January 13, 2019 · by John W. Howell · in Views of the Neighborhood · 56 Comments

I was pleasantly surprised to read that the repairs to Birding Center had begun.

As a reminder, this is what the center looked like after Hurricane Harvey.

Another shot.

A whole new boardwalk is being installed. My understanding the cost will be North of $600,000.00

The old boardwalk went straight out into the lagoon. The new is making an extreme left-hand turn

It continues along the shore for quite a ways. I hear it will then turn right and go into the lagoon.

I took a shot of some pink spoonbills to the right. Too bad I’m so far away.

I have passed this sign before and wanted to let you know the different kinds of birds that make this area their home. Thanks for coming along. I’ll do a return visit when it is finished. I think it is going to be something.

Tags: author, books, Circumstances of Childhood, fiction favorites, His Revenge, John W. Howell Author, My GRL, Our Justice, The Contract with Gwen Plano, Views of the Neighborhood

56 comments

Gwen Plano · January 13, 2019 - 4:33 am ·

It’s going to be beautiful. Thank you for the excursion, John. Morning walks are the best. 🙂

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · January 13, 2019 - 3:07 pm ·
  
  They are. I think it will be beautiful. Thank you, Gwen.
  
  LikeLike
GP Cox · January 13, 2019 - 5:55 am ·

I enlarged the sign to it’s fullest and you can really enjoy the variety of colors and types of birds represented.

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · January 13, 2019 - 3:06 pm ·
  
  So true, GP.
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
patriciaruthsusan · January 13, 2019 - 6:07 am ·

The workers are doing a great job at the birding center, John. These are good pictures and I look forward to seeing the area when the work is finished. 🙂 — Suzanne

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · January 13, 2019 - 3:03 pm ·
  
  Thamnk you, Suzanne. I look forward to seeing it finished as well.
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
Jill Weatherholt · January 13, 2019 - 6:08 am ·

I can’t wait to see the finished job, John It will be beautiful! Is that a little hummingbird I see? Happy Sunday!

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · January 13, 2019 - 3:02 pm ·
  
  Yes it is. A ruby throated.
  
  LikeLike
Dan Antion · January 13, 2019 - 6:44 am ·

It’s good to see them rebuilding the boardwalk, John. It may not surprise you, but I zoomed in and scooped out the construction. It looks like they’re building this to last a good long time. It looks like it will be a very nice way to walk around a beautiful area.

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · January 13, 2019 - 2:42 pm ·
  
  You notice the stainless steel nuts and bolts? The wood is all treated as well.
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  1. Dan Antion · January 13, 2019 - 3:03 pm ·
    
    I did. I’m wondering if they doubled the center joist in order to allow for a diagonal pattern to the decking.
    
    LikeLiked by 1 person
    1. John W. Howell · January 13, 2019 - 3:15 pm ·
      
      I don’t know. You could be right. My guess is it is for stability and strength. We will have to wait and see.
      
      LikeLiked by 1 person
    2. Dan Antion · January 13, 2019 - 4:34 pm ·
      
      I think it would be stronger to go straight across.
      
      LikeLiked by 1 person
    3. John W. Howell · January 13, 2019 - 5:24 pm ·
      
      Most of them are.
      
      LikeLiked by 1 person
Charles Yallowitz · January 13, 2019 - 7:19 am ·

Great that they’re rebuilding since you always have great shots at this place. Will the boardwalk be longer than the previous one? Just wondering why the change in direction for it.

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · January 13, 2019 - 2:41 pm ·
  
  It will be longer. The direction change is to bring the boardwalk closer to the shore. The lagoon will be at the center so the birds will be more observable.
  
  LikeLike
  1. Charles Yallowitz · January 13, 2019 - 2:55 pm ·
    
    Sounds like it’ll be even better then.
    
    LikeLiked by 1 person
    1. John W. Howell · January 13, 2019 - 3:16 pm ·
      
      Yes it will.
      
      LikeLike
coldhandboyack · January 13, 2019 - 7:27 am ·

I’m glad they’re rebuilding. The birds probably don’t care, but it makes a nice community attraction.

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · January 13, 2019 - 2:39 pm ·
  
  I think so too. I can imagine the birds would like to keep it buried in sea grass.
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
The Hook · January 13, 2019 - 8:25 am ·

This is one of the best features on the web, John.
Thanks again.

LikeLike
1. John W. Howell · January 13, 2019 - 2:38 pm ·
  
  Thank you, Hook. A kind thing to say. Maybe another reason not to commit suiside.
  
  LikeLike
Sorryless · January 13, 2019 - 8:31 am ·

John,

The cost is well worth it, as opposed to . . oh never mind.

Love the walk, and I can’t wait to see the new boardwalk!

LikeLiked by 2 people
1. John W. Howell · January 13, 2019 - 2:34 pm ·
  
  It is going to be something I’m sure. Thanmks, Marc
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
Dale · January 13, 2019 - 10:25 am ·

That is a beautiful thing, right there. Putting money on this is way better than on well, I have the same reaction as Marc there!

Looking forward to seeing the finished product!

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · January 13, 2019 - 2:33 pm ·
  
  Thank you, Dale. I guess you mean it is better spendfing money on a beautiful bird walk rather than…oh never mind. I don’t even want to think of the alternative. 😀
  
  LikeLike
  1. Dale · January 13, 2019 - 2:45 pm ·
    
    That’s exactly what I mean… 😉
    
    LikeLiked by 1 person
    1. John W. Howell · January 13, 2019 - 3:16 pm ·
      
      LOL.
      
      LikeLike
    2. Dale · January 13, 2019 - 3:19 pm ·
      
      😁😎
      
      LikeLiked by 1 person
D.L Finn, Author · January 13, 2019 - 11:18 am ·

What a beautiful way to get to walk and enjoy the birds. Im glad its being repaired.

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · January 13, 2019 - 2:24 pm ·
  
  Me too. Thanks, Denise.
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
The Coastal Crone · January 13, 2019 - 11:50 am ·

It looks like it will be even better than before. I am so glad to see it coming back as boardwalks like these are great. Thanks for checking them out for us!

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · January 13, 2019 - 2:23 pm ·
  
  I think it is going to be terrific
  
  LikeLike
aFrankAngle · January 13, 2019 - 3:19 pm ·

Progress on the return of a wonderful walk.

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · January 13, 2019 - 3:28 pm ·
  
  It is all privately funded too.
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  1. aFrankAngle · January 13, 2019 - 3:29 pm ·
    
    Which means no shoestrings!!!
    
    LikeLiked by 1 person
    1. John W. Howell · January 13, 2019 - 5:26 pm ·
      
      No government shoestrings for sure. Those are the hardest to unravel
      
      LikeLiked by 1 person
    2. aFrankAngle · January 13, 2019 - 6:07 pm ·
      
      Yep – and the reason why the Crazy Horse monument is privately funded … plus they turned down gov’t assistance.
      
      LikeLiked by 1 person
    3. John W. Howell · January 13, 2019 - 7:28 pm ·
      
      Yup. Speaking of that with the Govt shut down I’ll bet the Native Americans are hurting.
      
      LikeLiked by 1 person
    4. aFrankAngle · January 13, 2019 - 7:29 pm ·
      
      Yep – and more than usual.
      
      LikeLiked by 1 person
    5. John W. Howell · January 13, 2019 - 8:06 pm ·
      
      😦
      
      LikeLike
shoreacres · January 13, 2019 - 6:22 pm ·

There’s a new boardwalk at the San Bernard Refuge that was built by volunteers after Harvey, and it looks like this one is going to be the same fine quality. Treated wood, stainless — all the things that will ensure it lasts a good long time.

Just out of curiosity, is the area itself open to exploration now? That is — could a person (ahem) in good boots and such muck her way out toward spots like the one where the spoonbills are?

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · January 13, 2019 - 7:26 pm ·
  
  There are warning signs not to, but it is possible to go over the marshy grass. I’m not sure what they would do it caught. I suppost tresspassing is possible. (would be like a traffic ticket.)
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  1. shoreacres · January 13, 2019 - 9:06 pm ·
    
    Oh — if there are signs posted, that’s the end of that!
    
    LikeLiked by 1 person
    1. John W. Howell · January 14, 2019 - 9:18 am ·
      
      What is a “keep out” among friends?
      
      LikeLike
2. John W. Howell · January 13, 2019 - 7:27 pm ·
  
  A good pair of binoculars or a 500 meter lense would bring them in. I’m sure the flock would spook if a person came near them.
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  1. shoreacres · January 13, 2019 - 9:06 pm ·
    
    I’ll just wait for the boardwalk, then. One thing I’ve found is that where there are boardwalks, the birds get used to people and aren’t nearly so flightly. It’s great that they’ve come back to the area, though. That’s the really important thing.
    
    LikeLiked by 1 person
    1. John W. Howell · January 14, 2019 - 9:19 am ·
      
      I thibnk so too. Thank you, Linda.
      
      LikeLike
Teri Polen · January 14, 2019 - 8:15 am ·

So glad they’re rebuilding – bet the birds are, too!

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · January 14, 2019 - 9:02 am ·
  
  I know I’m glad. Thanks, Teri
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
Almost Iowa · January 14, 2019 - 10:48 am ·

Fabulous news. It was a great place to spend the afternoon.

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · January 14, 2019 - 10:57 am ·
  
  Yes it is. Allegator and all.
  
  LikeLike
macjam47 · January 14, 2019 - 10:30 pm ·

I’m glad to hear they are redoing the birding center, it is going to be beautiful!

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · January 15, 2019 - 9:10 am ·
  
  I think so, Michelle. Thanks.
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
noelleg44 · January 18, 2019 - 8:51 am ·

Can’t wait, John. Just day to day bird watching of the feeders in our yard brightens our day. The best is when it is warm enough for the birds to take a bath in our bird feeder – so much fun to see the geysers of water they make!

LikeLike
Jennie · January 20, 2019 - 2:25 pm ·

This is very good news, John. Thanks for sharing!

LikeLiked by 1 person

← Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Art”

Voyage of the Lanternfish – A Visit by Craig Boyack →