FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Aransas Wildlife Refuge

We always make a couple of trips to the Refuge every winter hoping to see a Whooping Crane.  As usual we spotted a couple, who then made their escape before we could get into position.   We saw a pair and the single below.  What a big ass bird.  A perfect example of what we can do when we decide to conserve wildlife.  As we are big fans of the outdoors we are also big supporters of protecting both the animals and the land.

The amount of folks enjoying the parks and wilderness we are so fortunate to have in this country is placing increased stress on both the land and the animals.  How in the world the last administration could cut back on funding and even propose selling it I will never understand?  They are not making any more land and we need to preserve as much as we can.

When you bore down into most of the opposition to public lands is ranchers who think they have some God given right to use it for profit, same with the mining companies.  Sorry but they cannot be trusted, plus the land belongs to every single one of us.  Of course, we need oil and gas, beef, and a host of other products from the land, but it must be done responsibly.  Strong enforcement and bonds to secure that proper practices are followed and the land is returned to a clean and un-polluted state should help.   (It chaps my rear end when a company goes bankrupt after paying the executives big bucks and bonuses then leave the taxpayer with the bill for the cleanup.  There are 53 EPA Superfund sites in Texas alone.  It is all good until it is your well that is polluted.)  And any claim we the users are not paying our fair share how about some facts.

• More than 140 million Americans made outdoor recreation a priority in their daily lives, proving it with their wallets by putting $646 billion of their hard-earned dollars right back into the economy. Even better, this spending directly results in highly sought-after jobs for 6.1 million Americans.

The wolves, bears and deer were here first and when we diminish their value we lose as a world and as a people.  We are all tied to the animals through some long-lost primal genetic connection.  It seems folks are starting to re-connect with that feeling and we need to prepare for the onslaught of folks that are coming.   Here is today’s enjoyment of being in the outdoors on public land and seeing just what we could find.

He was a long way out there.  At least we saw a couple this morning.

Tough at 500+ yards to get a great pic with a handheld long lens.  Taking the tripod next trip.

Taking a nap with one eye open.

You tell me how wide this dinosaur is, he is a real gator.

Just a medium sized eating machine.   Have always had a soft spot for them, though the feeling is not mutual, I am sure!

Maybe this is why that gator is so fat.  Plenty of deer in the park.

TXDOT assistant road crew in charge of clean up.

Hanging with my bro.

I’ll watch this way, you watch that way.  Maybe we will get lucky and someone will fall over dead.

We hiked, we saw deer, gators, hogs, and plenty of birds.  We were not watching TV or on the couch.  The more time we spend looking the more respect we have for the animals no matter what or where they are.

***************

And here are a few random comments from all 3 of my readers!

Thanks for all you do. As they say “someone has to do it, and it may as well be me!”

Merry Christmas.

Ed

Keep fishing and reporting. I read all your posts and enjoy every one. Merry Christmas!

Winfred

Thanks, I really appreciate your all reading my blog.  As I have said for a while if it was not for you regulars I would have long given up.  So on we go.  And last, and most important from my buddy Clyde.

Merry Christmas buddy

I have fished with him since high school.  We sacked them up in Arkansas for decades, put the hurt on them from Lake of the Woods to Belize, and he actually turned into a pretty good popping cork fisherman down in this part of the world.  He has a tough row to hoe right now and everyone who knows him is wishing him the best.  So Merry Christmas to you buddy, and the offer is open down here any day.

****************

Hope you all had a good Christmas, and no one ended up in jail.  Tomorrow it will be back to the lake after reviewing the forecast for the week.  It is going to be hot, as in the 80’s, and for the first 3 days and the wind is supposed to blow, up to 36mph the next couple of days.  So lake first, then the bay later in the week when it settles down some.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines