Port Aransas, Texas Birding Center

Jan and I got up early today and went to the Port Aransas
Birding Center. Wow!! did we ever see lots of birds. I have
posted a couple of pictures, but we saw Blue-winged teal,
Green-winged teal, American Avocet, Roseate spoonbill,
herons, and lots more. We also saw a few muskrats.



Black-bellied whistling duck


snowy egret


Baby muskrats

Fish cleaning visitors

Its Mine!!!!!

Everyone is looking for a free meal.


Hmmm. Will fish be coming this way?



Who's going to catch this tid-bit. Watch out for the dive-
bomber.

Fishing in Aransas Pass, Texas 2997

Gary and Wes have been hard at work trying to catch some
fish. This day, they caught 4 sheephead. Jan and I went to
watch them clean the fish and to watch the birds.


Gary and one of the sheephead.


Wes and Gary with their catch of the day.


Getting ready for dinner.


Down the hatch

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, 2007

Jan and I took a trip to the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge.
Cost was $5 per car. Our first short hike was down the
Heron Trail. We saw a couple of herons, a snake, and 6 alligators.
When we came upon the alligators both of us were wondering who
could run the fastest. While driving to the 16 mile loop, we noticed
a car pulled over because the occupants were looking at a snake
in the water. Then we drove the 16 mile loop, but did not see
much in the way of wildlife. Our final stop was at the 40'
observation tower. We saw lots of birds, a deer, and a wild
hog from the tower. If we return, I think we will take the spotting
scope and spend most of our time at the observation tower.

our first alligator


This one was very close to the trail. Boy was he huge.


Cotton Mouth


Pied-Billed Grebe.

More pictures on the web-shots.

Gary and I on the USS Lexington

Thanks to Jan for the pictures.

Texas Maritime Museum

Jan and I visited the Texas Maritime Museum. It is home
to an exhibit of some of the things from the ship la Belle, which
was a ship which belonged to an expedition by La Salle. Museum
is located in Rockport, texas. Cost of tour is $5 per adult.

Parts of Cannon. On right, you can see crest from
King Louis XIV.



Round survival craft


Survival craft

Pelicans sitting on the lamp post

Big Tree, Goose Island, Texas

Oak tree over 1000 years old

Fulton Mansion

The Fulton Mansion is a state historic site that can be
found in Rockport, Texas. Cost to visit is $6 per adult.
Tours start on the hour. George and Harriet Fulton
named their home "Oakhurst" because it was surrounded
by many oak trees. The house was built in 1874. It was
built to withstand hurricane-force winds.



Sitting room


Fire cracker plant growing in the garden.

Brown Pelican out fishing

Jan and I took a trip to the South Jetty at Aransas Port
Texas. We saw many fisherman and this brown pelican who
was also busy catching fish.


Gulp and down it goes.

Replica of Columbus's ship "Nina"

Stopped to take some pictures of the replica of one
of the ships on the voyage that Columbus took.

USS Lexington

We took a tour of the USS Lexington which is docked at Corpus Cristi, Texas. What a great tour. We got to visit the bridge, engine room, galley, and other rooms. The USS Lexington is now a museum. There are 5 tours that you can take throughout different parts of the ship. On deck, you will find different types of jets and even a helicopter. We were able to climb the stairs to the bridge. They also have a Mega Theater on board. We had a choice of two shows, one about a jet pilot, the other about Lewis and Clark. There is also a place to have lunch. We really had a great day. If you go, be sure to take your time as you tour the ship. Cost was $9.75 per adult. Lots of photos in the album in our travel photos link.

USS Lexington

Gary sitting in Bridge chair

Deck

The deck is so hugh that 3 football games can be played
at the same time, or 1000 cars can be parked.

Fort Clark Campground, Brackettville, Tx

We stayed at a Passport campground in Brackettville, Tx.
for 2 nights.
The campground is located on what used to be Fort Clark.
General Patton was stationed here at one time. The campground
has a large spring-fed pool. Gary did a little fishing and
I did some bird watching.

Vermilion Flycatcher

Spring and Spring-fed swimming pool

Alamo Village Movie Location

On Monday, March 5, Gary and I went to see the Alamo Village Movie Location. The cost was $9.75 per adult. It is located 7 miles outside of Brackettville, Texas. The location features the only replica of the 1836 Alamo Mission. It was built by John Wayne for his movie "The Alamo" The cost for building was over $12 million. Included in the cost was a village which would served as a replica of San Antonio during the early 1800s. The Village is also an active movie set. Since the filming of the Alamo, more than a 100 movies were filmed in the village. The village also houses movie props and a John Wayne museum which includes pictures taken during the filming of some of the movies. Besides movies, the village is used for commercials, tv shows, music videos and documentaries. Movies such as "Banderlero", "Gambler V", "Lonesome Dove", "Gunsmoke, the Last Apache", and others were filmed at the village. Brooks and Dunn used the village in their music video "You're gonna miss me when I'm gone". There were not many people there this time of the year. From Memorial day to Labor day, they have shoot-outs in the Village street and it becomes a very busy place. The village has a saloon which is open during the day which serves breakfast and lunches. Prices are very reasonable.

Gary and I really enjoyed walking in the footsteps of major motion picture stars. You can view lots of photos of both the Village and the Alamo by clicking on the travel photo link. For more info on the village you can go to www.alamovillage.com