While walking the two dogs yesterday, I was struck by the amount of traffic on the beach. There was nothing special going on, so it was a bit of a shock to see the number of folks out for a day by the Gulf. I took a photo or two which I will share. My wife let me know that I’ve done enough beach pictures, but I think you won’t mind.

Notice all the seagulls. They whipped past me at about ear high, and I couldn’t catch them with my camera.

This next photo shows my two babies on the walkway. You can see the cars behind them.

Bailey is the dark brindle and Lucy in white. Bailey loves to jump up on the seat to look out over the beach. Lucy is just as happy staying on the deck. In the afternoon they don’t go on the beach but are content just to look at it. The weather is just too hot for them down on the sand. In the morning they have a mile walk on the sand which they love. Lucy is continually chasing sand crabs, and Bailey is constantly chasing Lucy.

 

 

Today’s views of the neighborhood will begin at The Wetlands Educational Center (rainy day photo)

This first photo (taken in the rain) is one 0f a sign explaining that the six posts on the next photo are on the compass points to six other Estuary Research Science Areas in the US.

Here are the posts and monument.

This next photo is one of the Animal Rehabilitation Keep (ARK) where the rescued marine animals recover. Those Pelicans could be old patients who refuse to leave (I’m not sure, but that’s what they look like to me)

Here is a closer shot.

This sign leads me to believe that smoking of other substances is not forbidden.

There is a beautiful granite jetty all along the science center. The center is to our back. The canopies in the background are for people fishing off the jetty. That red thing is a parasailer.

A shot taken from the jetty. There are turtles and dolphins in the water, and this is a turtle.(Couldn’t get a dolphin to pose)

Another shot from the jetty. The area is a boat operators dream. The seas are usually calm due to the jetty.

It is even nice for jet skis.

A parting shot looking back from the jetty to the Science Center.

 

I thought I would give you some idea of what kind of influx we see here at the coast on the holidays. As a comparison let me give you the first photo of a typical weekday.

 

 

As you can see, there are many campers down by the water’s edge. The wind was blowing pretty well, and if you look at the white pickup, there are two pop-ups just beyond it.

I just managed to snap a photo as the popups went over.

 

Hopefully, this will give you an idea of how the population increases during the holidays

The idea for this post started with a search for the town alligator. Normally the Alligator does not come out while there are people around unless they have little toddlers or small dogs with them. Since it was midweek and I was alone, I did not expect to see anything on my visit to our birding center. So come along with me and we’ll try to find the alligator. I can’t guarantee anything and hope you enjoy the tour.

There’s the sign post up ahead.

 

Yes, there are warning signs which hold promise.

 

The city wants you to know this is a serious place and there is no room for horseplay.

 

Whoops. I think we better let this one go by.

 

Here are the birds we can expect to see. (you can click for a larger size)

 

 

Here are the animals which call the bird center home.

 

Now on to Alligator country. Watch your step.

 

Looks kind of swampy around here.

 

Look, some birds.

 

They are tough to see from a distance. I wish I had brought a telephoto lens. Wait look!

 

It’s a telescope like you would find in New York. I don’t have a quarter. Looking closer it is free! Here is a shot through it.

 

Looks like a few Loons. We need to quit fooling around and find that Alligator.

Here is a bridge to somewhere.

 

Watch your step. I would hide that pet chicken if I were you. (No pets remember?)

 

I’ll be darned there she is. (yes this is a female) Papa is obviously out doing something.

Well, we found the Alligator so I think our trip was a success. Hope you enjoyed it.

 

This week was very unusual on the Gulf Coast. We were caught in a weather pattern called an Omega High (so named because of the jet stream shape resembling the Greek letter Omega). This Omega High caused the winds to die down to zero and as a result, the Gulf took on a calm as if it were a lake. Here is a photo of the calm.

 

To give you some comparison here is the photo taken last week.

 

 

 

On Friday of this week, a group of individuals organized and staged a one hundred person Flash mob formation of the peace symbol. The idea was to foster peace and understanding. The event included dancing and a skydive by a parachutist dressed as a mermaid.

The event was near the municipal pier on the beach. As you can see from the photo, the weather was perfect for such an event. The organizers felt responsible for bringing a message to all politicians that the government should be of the people, by the people, and for the people. The founders of the constitution tended to agree with this sentiment.

If you wonder about the kind of individuals who live in Port Aransas, this event was almost iconic in representing the majority view that government has lost its way. Most full-time residents have a high degree of skepticism when they hear the words, “I’m from the government, and I’m here to help you.”

Here is another view