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The ponds at the Environmental Center had a couple of alligators as well as a nice group of herons' and egrets' nests.
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Anole at the Environmental Center
Waterlilies were much in evidence.
Baytown Nature Center
At noon we drove over to the Baytown Nature Center and had a picnic lunch in the butterfly garden. It was now warm and sunny, and lunchtime entertainment was provided by a Common Loon and several terns.
Carlos and Macarena
Then we walked the peninsula trail, stopping frequently to admire the flowers, butterflies and birds that lined the pathway. Brown Pelicans patrolled the channel, while Ospreys and Laughing Gulls circled overhead. Ponds by the trail were busy with Great and Tricolored Egrets, Tricolored Herons, Blue-winged Teal, Mottled Duck, Killdeer, Willets, Black-necked Stilts, Lesser Yellowlegs and Roseate Spoonbills.
Black-bellied Whistling Ducks
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White Ibis
Great Egret
Yellow-crowned Night Heron
Tricolored Heron
Killdeer
Lesser Yellowlegs
We were all struck by how beautifully nature has managed to reclaim this housing subdivision, abandoned 20+ years ago because of hurricane damage. Flowers are everywhere and they attract lots of butterflies, bees and other insects.
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Indian Blanket
Birding Total
For a relaxed few hours of birding, we saw a very good range of species: 28 at Sheldon, 30 at Baytown and 45 overall. My year list moved to 160 with the addition of Common Loon, Yellow-crowned Night Heron and Marbled Godwit.