Pelican and Fisherman

I knew it was going to be one of those sunrises that would not bring a great variance of color - just the sun finally making it past the thick cloud layer, bringing the light with it. But I've learned that that has it's own kind of beauty, and that there is still always something to enjoy. 

Today, the waves on the beach side of the jetty were really pounding. 
Here, a lone pelican is one of the first of the morning,

surveying the rocks for a charitable fisherman, 

willing to share his throw-aways. 

And he found one. 

But there were more pleasant sights to come . . . 

In Grassy Pastures

 

A little reminiscent of the Midwest, these grassy pastures are a stark contrast to the mesquite and cactus plants. 

The colors are soft and earthy,

And they can glimmer in the sunlight.

Makes for a nice drive, heading back to Laguna Vista from Brownsville.

Another Stunning Sunset

 

I have enjoyed seeing the sunset from the Jetties since getting my park pass. I know I could just access the beach from further up, but late in the day, I don't know if I could make it back after walking all that way down. I leave my diligent walking for early in the day. 

I had an inkling that tonight's sunset just might be very pretty, with the wispy clouds and all. When I went over tonight, the loop was open, after a few months of resurfacing, so I walked along that approach to the beach and was able to get a little different perspective than I have had before. Very nice, indeed. 

I'm not sure how many sunsets I will be able to catch during the remainder of "winter." I have health issues that are triggered by cold, and both early mornings and evenings are getting to be a challenge. But if I can't get out a lot, this one could last me a while. 

A Graceful Walking Partner

 

This morning I was surprised to see what looked like a Sandhill crane or egret strolling the beach, looking just as pleased with the surroundings as any of the others out to see the sunrise. Just like the seagulls what like to line up to watch the sun climb over the horizon, this lovely bird seemed unable to take its eyes off the rising sun. And I couldn't take my eyes off of him. After a little research, I am leaning toward it being an egret. It is the first I have seen in the nearly 5 months I've been here. Hel let me get pretty close, and we actually walked together for a bit. 

  

Staying Home with the Waltons

 

Well, I can't be at the beach all the time, can I? Staying home can get to be a challenge that many of us meet by binge-watching something or another. Might as well make it a down-home show like The Waltons. I've never really watched it all the way through, like Little House on the Prairie, which I've seen so many times I can predict the next lines. My favorites shows all seem to have "home" as their theme.