IN LIFE, IT'S NOT WHERE YOU GO...........

And those you see on the way. 

Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge and Judy, Bird Lady of Blogland is on our target after leaving Palmetto Island State Park in Abbeville, Louisiana.  

                                      We travel an obscure Route 82 through marsh, rice fields, oil fields and swamps that border the Gulf of Mexico.

The day is foggy.   It is hard to have the photos not look like every subject is in a cloud.  But it is .... it is in a cloud of dense fog.  Often we cannot see more than the span of two telephone posts along the highway.  

    We strain to hear the warning bells of the Oregon coastline that peal in the fog.   We hear none.  Of course, there are no rocks to collide with here.  

Suddenly, we come to the end of the road where a ferry is coming from the shore on the other side of this waterway for boats to leave the inland ports and enter the Gulf.  I guess free ferries are less expensive to run than to build a large bridge. 

We are second in line behind a pick up truck that suddenly drives out of line, leaving us at the head of the line.   

 

Being directed into position on the ferry. 

How nice!  An unobstructed view!    

This is our destination.  Even though it is mid-day, lights are on everywhere due to the fog.   

 Approaching the other side of the waterway.



               Our ferry slips under the flange of the road on the west side.





                                                                                                                            Now that the ferry and the road are at the same level, the crew member signals for the gate to lift so we can drive onto the road and eastbound traffic can enter the ferry once it is empty of the westbound traffic.   

Now we head to Port Arthur and on to Winnie, Texas and Anahuac National Wildlife Reserve to meet our friend, the Birdlady of Blogland, Judy.  

We stop at a Wal Mart with the intention of spending the night in the parking lot. I let Judy know where we are and she most graciously invites us to park next to her at the Reserve maintenance area.  We settle in and make plans for our tour that is the next day.  



Saturday, with our lunch packed, our water in hand, we pile into Judy's vehicle and take the grand tour.  What a great tour guide she is.                          

I cannot take many good photos with my Motorola Droid smart phone, but am fortunate to get a few.  It just does not pay to have your camera disappear.  Then of all things, Santa forgot to bring me another.  All I got was lumps of coal. 

I did get a shot of the critter below.  Judy said this alligator is about a year old and that mama was lurking somewhere in the area keeping an eye on this one and another that Judy got a great shot of with her camera that I wanted to swipe.  

We saw Rosegate Spoonbills.....from about fifty yards away, but still, we saw them!  

The Reserve is a wonderful place and I can see why Judy enjoys volunteering here.  We missed many birds as they had passed through in their migration north, but just being there was a treat.  

Judy also was able to take a photo of a Tri-Color Heron....her first !

                                                                We visited both the Vis and the Visitor's Center.  The Vis is in the process of being rebuilt after being demolished by the hurricane.  It is to open this week, I believe.                                                                                                                     We returned to our motorhomes and I am able to take a few photos of Judy and Emma.                                                                                                             We had dinner together and said our thank you and goodnight as we were to be on the road again Sunday. 

A special thanks to Judy for taking her day off to show us the Reserve.  

Thanks so much for stopping by.  I am so encouraged by your comments, suggestions and admonitions.  AND thank you for using the Amazon link at the top right portion of the blog.  

Stay warm to those of us who are seeking warmth and sun. For you in Florida's sunshine, put on your sunscreen and wide brimmed hats.

Please stay safe out there and may God bless you with all his riches!