1. Nature

Texas City Dike: October 7, 2016

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  • We arrive at the Dike and are greeted by a Monk Parakeet instead of a shore bird.

    We arrive at the Dike and are greeted by a Monk Parakeet instead of a shore bird.

  • A stately Oyster Catcher walks away from us ...

    A stately Oyster Catcher walks away from us ...

  • ... turns to assess us ...

    ... turns to assess us ...

  • ... and finally stops to look for food.

    ... and finally stops to look for food.

  • A trio of Royal Terns

    A trio of Royal Terns

  • Carol and Susan are windblown.

    Carol and Susan are windblown.

  • Five Gulls and five Royal Terns

    Five Gulls and five Royal Terns

  • Now we find Black Skimmers mixing in with theGulls.

    Now we find Black Skimmers mixing in with theGulls.

  • A pretty Black-Bellied Plover (without its black breeding plumage) ...

    A pretty Black-Bellied Plover (without its black breeding plumage) ...

  • ... wades in a shallow shore puddle.  (It's called a Grey Plover in Europe.)

    ... wades in a shallow shore puddle. (It's called a Grey Plover in Europe.)

  • A Black Skimmer takes flight ...

    A Black Skimmer takes flight ...

  • ... and wheels out seaward.

    ... and wheels out seaward.

  • A Marbled Godwit stands on one leg.

    A Marbled Godwit stands on one leg.

  • Gulls, Gulls, Gulls ... and a few Black Skimmers

    Gulls, Gulls, Gulls ... and a few Black Skimmers

  • A group of American Avocets forages in a large temporary pond.

    A group of American Avocets forages in a large temporary pond.

  • Five Avocets, bills in the water ...

    Five Avocets, bills in the water ...

  • ... until two come up for air.

    ... until two come up for air.

  • At the edge of camera range, a TowBoat service looks for stalled boats.

    At the edge of camera range, a TowBoat service looks for stalled boats.

  • A lovely Ruddy Turnstone, probably a female

    A lovely Ruddy Turnstone, probably a female

  • The closest we got to a Dolphin today.  They stayed pretty far out.

    The closest we got to a Dolphin today. They stayed pretty far out.

  • The 19,728-dead-weight-ton chemical tanker, Nordic Maya

    The 19,728-dead-weight-ton chemical tanker, Nordic Maya

  • A long double barge, inbound

    A long double barge, inbound

  • What liquid do the tanks on this barge hold?

    What liquid do the tanks on this barge hold?

  • A Marbled Godwit forages in the shallow tidewater.

    A Marbled Godwit forages in the shallow tidewater.

  • Unlike the similar Long-Billed Curlew, the Marbled Godwit's bill curves upward.

    Unlike the similar Long-Billed Curlew, the Marbled Godwit's bill curves upward.

  • More American Avocets foraging

    More American Avocets foraging

  • Texas City panorama.  Blow this up to full size -- about 8 feet long.

    Texas City panorama. Blow this up to full size -- about 8 feet long.

  • The Black Skimmers like to mix in among Gulls.

    The Black Skimmers like to mix in among Gulls.

  • A Snowy Egret on old rip-rap rocks, along the Dike's northern shore.

    A Snowy Egret on old rip-rap rocks, along the Dike's northern shore.

  • In the distance to the south: The Galveston Causeway

    In the distance to the south: The Galveston Causeway

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    ... turns to assess us ...
    ... and finally stops to look for food.
    A trio of Royal Terns