Goose Island, Birding and Cranes

On Tuesday, we decided to go for a drive to check out the area. We wanted to find an area for kayaking.  Also, one of our group heard that there was a pair of whooping cranes close to Goose Island State Park. So we thought we would check out the park and see if we could find the cranes. As we got to the entrance, I realized I had left the Texas State park passes at home :( so we went to check out the "big tree." It is the largest live oak in the state of Texas - over 1000 years old. You don't have to go through the park entrance to see it.  It is pretty impressive.

The Big Tree- largest Live Oak in TX

 We looked for the cranes, but did not find them. We grabbed lunch in Rockport, picked up a few groceries and came back to the rig. The inland area around Rockport is thick with these "coastal live oaks."  I love the way they make a canopy over the road.

Drive to Goose Island

 The Leonabelle Turnball Birding Center is located in Port Aransas.  Wednesday mornings, they have some experts on hand to answer questions and help point out all the different bird species. It was extremely foggy so we did not get many good pictures.  However, we did see lots of birds - yellow rumped warbler, eastern phoebe, cinnamon teal ducks, brown and white pelicans, and this guy hiding in the brush.

It was identified as a Cooper's Hawk.  The birding center is located behind the water treatment plant.  The marsh where the water is released makes an excellent protected habitat. While we were there, I asked one of the birders about the cranes.  He gave me better directions on where to find them on Goose Island.

Yesterday with state park passes in hand, we headed back to Goose Island.  We wanted to check out the park and try to find the cranes again. There are two camping areas at Goose Island. One is nestled among the coastal oaks and this one....

right on the water. In the winter, this would be my choice.  The water is really pretty here. We walked along the seawall and fishing pier and watched some human and bird fisherman.

It was a beautiful afternoon!  What about those Cranes?  We found them! (We were about 100 yards from them the first time - just looking in the wrong spot). We could not get very close, but I managed to get a few pictures.

As we were leaving, we spotted this Hawk up in one of the oaks.  I think it is a Harrier.  (you can click on the pictures to get a better look).  She was a little camera shy.

So far, we have been keeping busy.  We are planning to do a little paddling, biking, and lots more birding.  I may even try my hand at some fishing.  We are in for a rainy weekend so some of the indoor attractions are probably on tap for the next few days.