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| Malaquite Beach |
We stayed at the first come first serve Malaquite Campground on the Padre Island National Seashore. Although the weather wasn't lovey we did enjoy being off the grid for a couple of nights.
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| Long-billed Curlew |
The sound of the surf drowned out any generators in use and we had the pleasure of a guided bird hike with two VIP's. Volunteers in Parks and saw 29 different birds from the shores to the prairies and ponds.
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| Aplomado Falcon |
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| Sailors Valentine with Heart Sea Beans in Center and Shells |
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| Sand Dune Flowers |
Another program featured Sea Beans. Which I'm sure you are as curious as I was. They are the seeds and nuts that make their way from lands across the sea onto beaches like Padre Island. Actually Padre Island is the hot spot for Sea Beans, shells and anything that floats along the gulf currents. The other part of anything that floats, is all the garbage, especially plastic, dumped by boats, ships and various uncaring peoples.
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| Barnacles |
So with the good comes lots of bad. The park offers big yellow bags to all beach combers hoping they take out more than just shells. It unfortunately continues to wash ashore everyday.
Many brave souls try to venture to the end of the island, a 60 mile journey on the beach with many rewards at Big Shell Beach. You have to have 4 wheel drive and a lot of luck. People do get stuck out in the sand with the tide coming in. I heard it can cost hundreds or more to hire someone to haul out.
We made it to mile marker 5. Maybe not as brave as some but we were successful in finding a few Sea Beans and my new favorite barnancles.
And here I thought you were the VIP's very important peeps due to your park service
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