A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

 

Today, I wasn't feeling well enough to do a lot of walking, so I just walked around the neighborhood, down a street along the bay. There was a lovely sunrise, which I dressed up a little bit. It made for a lovely silhouette. 

It's a nice neighborhood for a walk. I saw a few mockingbirds singing and flitting from tree to tree. 

Even the common grackle looks like something really special when it's backdropped against a stately palm tree.

A little later in the day, I decided to swing up to Laguna Atascosa for a quick drive-through.

It was a cute little roadrunner - certainly not something I would expect could get the best of a "Wiley Coyote!" But cute!

A friendly biologist connected with the wildlife reserve pointed out this Altamira oriole's nest - a pretty impressive dwelling, but I don't think anyone was home. 

 

Maybe next time.

A Lovely Time at Laguna Atascosa

 

Laguna Atascosa - What a beautiful name! It surprised me to learn that it means "Boggy Lake!" Well, this is one boggy lake that is lovely to look at. And it did take away my depressed mood.

It's a nice place to see the sun go down. Signs warn against going near the water, due to the threat of alligators. There are lovely birds to be seen in flight. 

The nature trails look inviting, yet intimidating at the same time. I'd like to walk through someday, but the idea of coming across rattlesnakes and creepy crawlers while alone is a little more than I can handle. 

Then back home. I don't get to see the sun going down from my place, so I just had to turn around to get a better look at the evening sky. What a lovely evening!

A Rugged Terrain With a Rustic Appeal

 

I was feeling pretty depressed today, missing my kids and grandkids, so I decided it was high time I saw something new. A drive to Laguna Atascosa Wildlife Preserve provided a very nice distraction and changed my mood. But before I got to see that there was a slight change in scenery. A nice little drive past the lovely homes of Laguna Vista turned into the more typical natural countryside of shrubby trees laced with different kinds of cactus. I can't say it's the prettiest countryside but it is sort of quaint and very rustic. As I drove through, every old Texas western I've ever seen came tumbling through my mind like a dried up ball of tumbleweed. Okay, that's corny, I know, but it was a very pleasant and nostalgic ride. 

It may not have been what I expected, but the more I drove through this terrain, which seemed to jump from desolate to overgrown to rather plush, the more it appealed to me. Not gorgeous, like the sunrises behind the palm trees, but it's just so interesting.

And then, finally, there I was at the Visitor Center of the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Preserve.