South Texas

Seawind RV Resort is located in Riviera, TX but is within a park. We weren't really sure it was the right place because we didn't notice the name on the sign right away. Remember, we were dead tired, the weather was still cold and it was drizzling rain. The trip from hell was almost over. What brightened our spirit was seeing numerous birds of different species from the road, at the campground and on the beach. The park sits by Baffin Bay which connects to the Gulph. 

When we arrived at the park, the office was closed. We had called earlier but could only leave a message. There was a number on the door to call. The woman who answered sounded like she was already in bed or highly intoxicated. She mumbles to go to site #326 or 327. It's pitch dark. We can't see the numbers on any of the sites. Glen gets out and starts running around like a chicken with its head cut off. We're in the right area but can't find the site. I finally get out of the truck and yell at him: "For God's sake! The sites are all empty! Let's just choose one that's pretty level and dry and park!" So we finally get ourselves parked and set up. It's raining. Again. It's very, very windy. I'm starting to doubt my decision to come to Texas. 

We were going to move again to an even cheaper campground but we decided to just stay there until our seasonal site at our final destination would be ready (we had reserved from November 13th giving ourselves plenty of time to come down). So we spent 4 days of on and off rain at this interesting place where the wind went right through my head (in one ear, out to the other it seemed) and the cold made me stay in more than I like. The wildlife was evident and the bird sightings abounded. There was a trail on the campground that was called a "bird trail" but we didn't see any there.

We didn't get photos of all the birds we saw but I'll try to show you a few.

The section where we were to park

Where we ended up.

The trail entrance.

Prickly pears. Apparently you can make jelly with them.

Spiny-backed Orb-weaver

Blue-winged Teal ducks

This trail had tracks of a large deer and also a few coyote poops. The trail had many spiders and we often walked right into their webs. Ugggghhh. I HATE spider webs!

Silver Garden Spider

Baffin Bay seemed to be THE place for pelicans. Beautiful American White Pelicans were all huddled on a sandbar. Gulls and Lesser Yellowlegs looked quite comfortable in spite of the cold.

Pelicans trying to stay warm on a sandbar.

Lesser Yellowlegs

Pelicans in flight

Follow the leader

Glen braving the cold to get a picture

Glen walking to the end of the pier. I got out just long enough to take the picture.

First time seeing a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

Brown Pelican

Great Blue Heron. The wind gave him little horns.

Baffin Bay

Our first glimpse of a Green Jay

Great Blue Heron - looks cold.

Crested Caracara - those were everywhere!

If the weather had been a bit better, we would have really liked and enjoyed this area but for now we were anxious to move a bit more south to our permanent site (for 5 months) in Harlingen.

Stay warm and stay healthy!