Some of the interesting signs we've run across in our travels.
Don't Mess with Texas:
Be carefull Driving in Texas
Restaurant Signs
Road Signs
Business Signs
I have a sign so I can do what I want with it sign
Funny Signs.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
WILD HORSE & BURRO ADOPTION
Go the the Mercedes Livestock Arena to see the Wild Horses and Burros up for adoption. We get there and all we hear and see are cows!
Finally locate where the Adoption is
Wild Horse and Burro Population
The Bureau of Land Management estimates that approximately 38,400 wild horses and burros (about 33,700 horses and 4,700 burros) are roaming on BLM-managed rangelands in 10 Western states based on the latest data available, compiled as of February 28, 2010. Wild horses and burros have virtually no natural predators and their herd sizes can double about every four years. As a result, the agency must remove thousands of animals from the range each year to control herd sizes.
The estimated current free-roaming population exceeds by nearly 12,000 the number that the BLM has determined can exist in balance with other public rangeland resources and uses. The appropriate management level is approximately 26,600.
Off the range, there are 40,600 other wild horses and burros that are fed and cared for at short-term corrals and long-term pastures. (As of January 2011, there are approximately 13,600 in corrals and 27,000 in Midwestern pastures.) All wild horses and burros in holding, like those roaming the public rangelands, are protected by the BLM under the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act.
I understand the need to keep the herds at a sustainable to number to maintain their health, however,
It was still very sad to see the fear in the eyes of these beautiful animals. Running the range wild and free one day and then to end up in a pen in South Texas to be loaded onto a trailer and taken to a fenced in farm.
The adoption fee is only $125 - $250
Sunday, January 2, 2011
ANNIVERSARY IN SOUTH PADRE ISLAND
Since we were scheduled to work New Years Day we decided to go to South Padre Island Thursday night to celebrate our Anniversary.
A trip to the Birding Center and Laguna Madre Bird Trail. Laguna Madre separates Texas and Northern Mexico from its barrier islands. It is one of only three hypersaline bays in the world. Ample sunlight reaches the bottom promoting sea grass growth which serves as a nursery for developing marine life .
A walk up to the top deck
View of one of the Boardwalks
Several boardwalks traverse the wetlands to "bird blinds"
The refuge is nestled in the otherwise developed vacation resorts.
Great Blue Heron
I saw my first Roseate Spoonbills!
Roseate Spoonbill, Snowy Egret and Tri-Color Heron
Snowy Egret
Great Egret Catching a Fish
Brown Pelicans and Gulls
The Laguna has the largest concentration of breeding Redish Egrets in the World. This one was performing a "dance" of sorts in the shallow water. It was funny to watch - hard to focus on!
Had to look these up - Common Moor Hens
Tri-Color Heron
The birds have plenty to eat!
Over 1/2 of the fish catch in Texas comes from the Laguna Madre
Just down the road is the Turtle Rescue Center - Sea Turtle, Inc.
It was founded in 1977 by Ila Fox Loetscher,
better known as "The Turtle Lady of South Padre Island.
The building houses several tanks where injured Kemp Ridley, Green Sea Turtles and Loggerheads are being nursed back to health and rehabilitated before being re-released.
Young Atlantic Green Sea Turtle
Rogue - a Kemps Ridley Turtle stranded in 2008
missing all of it's front right flipper and a piece of its shell due to a predator attack. Another Green Turtle named Allison was given the first successful sea turtle prosthetic in the world.
Sea Turtles are often injured by marine debris. Plastic bags and balloons are mistaken as jelly fish - their favorite food. Discarded nets, fishing line and six pack rings cause many strandings and injuries. Turtles are notorius for eating trash. If they eat plastic it does not digest and they can starve to death because their stomaches are full so they are not hungry.
Here's a link to their "Turtle Cam"
We ate Dinner at Louie's Backyard on the deck overlooking the Laguna. An all you can eat Seafood Buffet with Peel & Eat Shrimp, Shrimp Scampi, Cajun Shrimp, Fried Shrimp, Scallops, Crab Legs, Blackened Fish, Prime Rib and BBQ Ribs and more . . .
The next day we head to the Beach - We find the trucks are out plowing the roads.
We walk the Beach to walk off Dinner
In hopes of becoming shadows of our former selves!
The beach was pretty open - there was no one within 50 yards of us in any direction. A family arrived and plopped down 3 feet next to us. The kids were down by the water with the father and the mother would yell to them from her spot. No nap for me! We finally had about enough and headed to Dirty Al's for "Linner" - more scrumptious fresh shrimp!
We leave the Island - unfortunately since we work New Years Day we will not be able to participate in the "Polar Plunge" Yes - they have one - I told them it isn't a Polar Plunge if you don't have to chisel ice out of the way!
Return Home with a stop at Bobz World - a Beach Shop on steroids
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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