Five feet above grade makes for very good critter viewing well out into the slough. Project number 4, the raised platform at the alligator viewing area is complete. It is satisfying to see the fruits of our labor. We have been working with fun loving, hard working volunteers and Dave, our project lead, has done a great job getting materials we need and maintaining focus on the projects.

This volunteer group doesn’t seem to need much of an excuse to get together and eat. Thursday we dined on some unbelievably delicious BBQ courtesy Dave, the maintenance lead here at Aransas. It was the official “Thank you” feed for the volunteers. There were enough leftovers for another feast the next day.
Saturday it was a Mexican food carry-in. No one left that one hungry either. Sweet, creamy, cinnamony cupcakes were a hit. Thanks Annaka.

An adult pair and four little ones emerged from a culvert near the visitor center and are happily munching on something. I saw them when we first arrived but they have been illusive ever since. It is wonderful to finally see them again.

Well sort of. Our clocks have sprung ahead. Some redbud trees are looking beautiful. Marshlands are greening up. If this chilly rain would just move out of here it could actually feel like Spring.
We are able to get some work in on our most recent project, a 10’X30’ viewing platform and its access ramp. It is along a slough that is a favorite hangout for local alligators. We erected a fence along the waterline during construction and a six footer (nicknamed Elroy) has been watching us through the fence every day. Hopefully he won’t misbehave when we remove the fence once the structure is finished. That would get him in big trouble.

This is one HUGE bullfrog enjoying a little downtime along the Rail Trail. It would have filled my two cupped hands. They make quite a splash when startled.

Weather is warming and the natives are getting restless. The swoosh of tails sliding along the grass is accented by random loud splashes as the alligators vie for territory. Gangly, clumsy-looking legs carry them across roads and high ground right up to the visitor center. We keep our distance but they are entertaining to watch.

Prep for a visit by a Congressional entourage disrupted progress on projects for a while. That is behind us now so we are back to construction. This time it is a quick project to build a deck on one of the refuge houses. We should finish this week. After that? Maybe a bridge or maybe a viewing platform for better gater watching. Time will tell.

13 gears and double clutching every shift.  Well, I actually only used 9 of them since most of my miles were on rough gravel road.  Still, that is a real workout for knees that are used to only driving an automatic!  I spent two days driving dump truck hauling gravel to help repair some huge potholes and truck eating soft spots on backcountry refuge roads.  I tried my hand at dump gate spreading roadbase for the guys on the grader.  12 miles or more, it was a pretty satisfying assignment.

The bright morning sun glints off the sheltered waters as we slide along the Intercoastal waterway. Pelicans, cormorant, and terns dot sandbars and breakwater along the way. Whooping Cranes ply the wet lands in search of tasty morsels. The comfortable, cabined “Little Giant” with twin 150hp outboards carries us 8 ½ miles along the carefully marked channel to Matagorda Island.
Stretching some 38 miles the barrier island protects the rich wetlands of coastal Texas. The North end is managed by Texas parks and Wildlife and the South end by Aransas NWR. We are out here to do some repair work and cleanup on Refuge property; nothing terribly taxing so we can take in the beautiful setting. Herons squawk and pelicans fish nearby as I repair boards on the boardwalk. The sun warms my face. A pair of porpoise moves along the sand bars that parallel the beach. Buck whitetail flash their tails and show off their impressive antlers. We just soak it in over a quiet lunch. Facilities are pretty rustic but I think I could spend some time out here!
Not today, works done and we are heading home.