Another couple of cold days here , yesterday it made it up to 43 degrees with 25 knot winds off the Gulf that made it very unpleasant to be out doors in the Refuge. We hid out in the VIS and even with the floor heaters running it was quite cool in the building. We did get to see the inside of the new VIS as the Gift Shop Manager came by and we were helping her try to figure the new layout in conjunction with all the displays that the Refuge will have in the same area. The new building will have some really great views of the Refuge as it is raised up 10 feet from the raised up area it was built on so it will be 20 feet above the normal grade in that area of the Refuge. High enough to meet the 100 year storm water level. We all know how that usually work out in the end. At least this building has central heat and AC so it will be a much better surrounding for us and the visitors. Our little Garden Shed VIS is starting to look its age as the roof is going and it really needs some major sprucing up. We have been told that the new one will be ready towards the end of next month.          This morning we woke up to 35 degrees and its very over cast and the wind is still blowing pretty good. We don't have to Volunteer today so we may just do some birding later on if the Sun should decide to make an appearance. From looking at the National weather map I guess we shouldn't grouse to much as what we have been getting because it is nothing compared to what our family and friends have been getting at home and just knowing the rain we get here is going to be all snow there is not a pleasant thought. Coleen and Rick both sent snow pictures to us and it so looks like the winter of 94-95 that gave us over 90 inches of Snow in the Lehigh Valley and it just got to the point of there was no place left to pile it. My bitching about the cold here seems a little much but it should be in the 60 to 70 degree range here right now. We will get a little break over the weekend and then cold again for a few more days. You all stay warm and safe .                G                                           

It's cold down here.

Who says Duck don't dance. This guy does the limbo under the reed hanging in the water.

He wants the girls to do it next.

We just love the Moore Hens, their colors are really bright.

The cold took  its' toll on this turtle. He is freeze dried  and the ants have finished the job of cleaning out the shell, just some skin and bones are left in the shell..

To cold to fish.

Red Tail eating a small black bird.

Here you can see a wing as he pulls the last of the flesh from the little bird.

How many birds can stand on the back of a cow in the sun.

     We are once again experiencing a rainy spell with below average temperatures for the next few days. The area we are in does need the rain but the cold here has not been seen here in almost 20 years. Seems the same pattern for the Lehigh Valley. The winter of 94-95 had snow every Wednesday for 13 weeks running with a few snows or ice storms in between. So it seems after this year we should have a couple years of above average temperatures ? I know it seems weird but look up the past weather in the Old Farmers Almanac , I know it's odd that old weather records can show a pattern but they do and that allows them to print a book months in advance that is about 90 percent right . You wonder why the weather men talk about the weather like it's a mystery. Right now we are having one heck of a rain squall . We talked to family and friends in the Valley this morning and it's just darn depressing there. Laurens sister talked about a propane shortage there and you have to wonder why the country is exporting so much oil and gas while we are have shortages here.  We all know why they do it and no one cares , OH well. Every one stay warm and dry.               G

      We had a great day today . We had volunteered to clean out the Wood Duck boxes behind the Visitor Center in Anahuac and today was the first warm day to get into the water and not have to worry about bees and wasps and other critters that slither in the Cypress Swamp. Well it worked out mostly good as there were no Bees in the Duck boxes but there were some huge ass wasps in one. Have you ever seen a wasp that is 2 inches long , well I can tell you they are some thing to see and I was glad they were still a little slow as this boy could have not run away in those conditions. I know the few pictures I posted surely did not show the real picture. That was a 4 hour tour through the swamp and the water here is still only in the 50's. Just warm enough for the guys that slither to finally make an appearance along with the Turtles. Just to cool in many ways.
       We also had a chance to check out one of the many Owl Boxes on the Refuge and was pleased to see that they have also made a come back and there was more than enough evidence to assure us that the nest was active. So much for today, you never know what tomorrow will bring.         G

What would a normal person do on a warm day in January

He would slog through a Cypress Swamp to clean out some bird and duck boxes

Yes Wood Ducks nest in in boxes

To old and too fat to be doing this

You do have to admit that its way cool

It's still sad that 6 years later I am still picking up Hurricane Ike garbage in the area

Some of todays trash haul from the Cypress Swamp behind the Anahuac VC



I just love the turtles and I love all the pictures that Lauren took today. She was my Safety Person today and I could not have done all I did without her.

Our Vermilion Fly Catcher once again just a great looking Bird

One of the Red Tails Preening

He was awesome to watch

All look the same but they are really different

I wish I could do all the Pic like this.

One of the small Hawks eating a Black bird

Watching over the traffic

A Rosette Spoonbill looking for dinner and a couple of Coots just working the hi grass

They are just so colorful

I love the ducks in flight

One of the big Wood Peckers

We see these two everyday and they are always together, we figure they are a mated pair

Some of the larger wildlife in motion

He didn't mind us at first

Then we got the bird eye

He had enough and flew away

One of the Refuge Otters that I have been trying to get a few Pictures of.

And then there were two with a delicious fish breakfast

I watched them for almost 20 minutes

Trying to eat while I disturbed them

Too cute

Just eating and preening.

Enough, I'll just swim away

Yes that's Ice on the sign. It was 27 degrees

A White Crowned Sparrow, they are starting to arrive in large numbers