The Agnew Family aboard the "Dog House"

“Padre Island National Seashore, encompassing 130,434 acres, is the longest remaining undeveloped stretch of barrier island in the world, and offers a wide variety of flora and fauna as well as recreation”. I’m impressed as the National Seashore is approximately 30 minutes south of the RV park. We decided to go on their bird drive (the bird viewing places are too far apart to walk). that went to several different areas in the park — the meadow, the Madre Lagoon beach, and the north and south beaches on the Gulf of Mexico. Unfortunately, due to the drought some of the fresh water ponds are dry so the number of birds are down. We did see a Crested Caracara (the bird in the national symbol of Mexico), Laughing Gulls, Great Blue Herons, a Common Loon, Eastern Meadow Larks, Sanderlings and many more. When the birding tour was finished, we were asked if we were staying for the beach walk — why not. The beach walk was great, only Ed and I and a park ranger. The park ranger had been stationed at this park since December but she really seemed to know her stuff. One of the interesting things we learned about Padre Island is that Mother Nature uses it as a natural garbage dump. The Gulf of Mexico has 2 main currents that run through it — one follows the Mexican Coastline west eventually heading north and east when it hits Texas; the second one follows the Louisiana coast west to Texas. The two currents meet at Padre Island and dump all of the debris they are carrying on the shore — the rangers and helpers remove an incredible amount of garbage from the beach each year (today was one of the organized beach cleanups). Another interesting thing that happens on Padre Island is that the Sea Turtles come ashore in April to lay their eggs. The “Turtle Patrol” were receiving their training while we were touring around — busy day at the park. This group of people ride up and down the beach in April looking for Sea Turtle nests. When they find one, the eggs are removed and taken to the “turtle hatchery”. Since sea turtles are either on the threatened or endangered list, every effort is made to maximize the population growth. The removal of the eggs from the nest prevents predators from eating them, and by controlling the temperature during incubation, the majority of the hatchlings are female. Once the turtles have hatched they are released into the ocean. The Sea Turtle population has begun to recover since the naturalists started this program. Would you believe Ed didn't take a camera? --- we'll have to go back another day with the camera.


Life is great --- what more can you want then the beach and a ball?