The very windy drive from Columbia to Sherman, TX ,December 28, was crowned
with a striking sunset featuring a flare of glowing marigold clouds.
The next day ‘s drive was topped off at Lamar Beach Road, starting at the
beach at the end of Main St., past the entrance to Goose Island State Park.
It’s our go-to place for Whooping Cranes. We were treated to 38—by far the
greatest number we’ve seen there. The accompanying Sandhills sounded off
enough to satisfy my need to hear them—a renewal of life rite for me.
The morning of the 30th we backtracked across Copano Bay from our motel in
Fulton to bird Goose Island SP by car with temps in the 40s and a lessened,
but still chilly wind. One Roseate Spoonbill brought color onto a cloudy
palette alongside Tricolored and Little Blue Herons, Willets and a Spotted
Sandpiper. Five mockingbirds vying for control of a thicket full of
berries provided some lively entertainment.
We cruised Lamar Beach Road again, seeing 15 Whoopers, 32 Sandhills, and
first for the trip Belted Kingfisher and Loggerhead Shrike. Then it was
back across Copano Bay to bird Fulton Beach Road with spottings of Greater
Yellowlegs, Royal Terns, and the usual suspects (Laughing Gulls,
cormorants, Brown Pelicans, Osprey, etc.).
Continuing onto Little Bay, we found a Caspian Tern among the Royals, 128
Lesser Scaup, and toward the end, 2 American Coots. The latter were
meaningful, as they hold a special role in sanctioning a day’s birding as
successful. Jerry, who had a fondness for coots based on their ability to
survive in a harsh environment, would declare on seeing them (even if it
were in the first 15 minutes of birding), “Well, we can go home now. The
day is a success.”
We rolled on, and signed in at the Alamo Inn at 5 p.m. The resident White
Chinese Goose (age 23, I think) greeted us and alerted us to the incoming
64 Black-bellied Whistling Ducks who circled, bedecked the roof, then
settled into the backyard for the night.
Edge Wade
Alamo, TX
<1edgewade...>
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