Water Nymphs at The Big Store

Who would have thought that right here, in Crystal Beach, somone leaned toward the artistic when they refurbished the largest grocery/hardware/gift shop/bank and pizza spot on the Peninsula. Keeping the proximity to the water in mind, someone had these wonderful sculptures installed. Of course, this all happened in 2007, completed just before Hurricane Ike changed this town forever. These two figures, the lighthouse and the representation of the fish were the "frosting on the cake" of the renovation.

The storm took one of the statues away, but these two remained and The Big Store is back, better than ever now.

LOVE - ON THE GALVESTON FERRY

These two pigeons looked to us like they were a "couple." They were resting near one another on the ferry ride today and seemed unfazed by passengers walking by. We usually don't see pigeons on our trips, so this little scene was a pleasant surprise.

 

These are the guys we always see - doing this, or

 

doing this.....

 



AS WE CROSS THE SHIP CHANNEL . . .

The Bolivar Lighthouse from the Channel

Never mind the slanted horizon...



Just look at the water droplets - so close.

On beautiful days,everyone wants to see ahead.

This is what they are looking at.

Meanwhile, behind the ferry, the gulls are performing for possible bread crumbs from the passengers.

Their amazing "radar" keeps them from having crashes.

Here the gulls are dancing with their own shadows.

And this guy is just along for the ride!

FULL MOON OVER THE CHANNEL

We seldom travel after dark these days (must be getting a day older...) but on December 2nd on our way home from Galveston, we saw this beautiful sight. The full moon shining on the water with the Galveston ferry landing lights in the background was a sight to capture and remember.

DONKEYS AND GOATS

Lest you think that the only things worth photographing on or around our peninsula are birds and water, this blog will set you straight.  In the past (before the storm), right across the road from us, lived a herd of cattle. And down the road a piece, lived several beautiful horses. Alas, the storm moved them out - one way or the other.

But now, new creatures have arrived. They are not unusual - except to this part of the peninsula. And they are beautiful in their own right. I hope you agree.

She is very photogenic - although a bit "stout" for my taste.

This young one handles the flies in his own way.

These guys came running when they saw me.

Whereas, these guys simply turned their "backs."

He gave me a look that said, "Don't even think about it!"

More interested in finding the best weeds to eat.

Oh yes, he was watching over the goats and didn't like it one bit that I was taking pictures.
He barked right up to the fence, but thankfully, he was unable to get through.

GULLS ON A WINDY DAY

 

 

One windy day recently,

I saw this flock of gulls all bunched up on the beach.

I decided to see how close I could get

with my camera

before they spooked. 



About 40 gulls, beaks to the wind, gathered together.



When I started "shooting" them, I was about 30-40 feet away.



Some left, some stayed. "That camera is getting too close!"

"OK Guys, we're out of here. She just keeps walking toward us.
Maybe she's coming in the water, too!"



These two were stoics*. "Na! She won't come in. Besides, I have to rest my foot!"

By the time they all took off, I was in the surf without realizing I had gone that far.

 

There goes the last of the flock.

 

 They'll be back once I'm gone.

 

*Stoic: a member of an ancient Greek school of philosophy that asserted that happiness can only be achieved

by accepting life's ups and downs as the products of unalterable destiny.

The school was founded around 308 bc by Zeno.

THERE GOES OUR CLEAN AIR...

THIS SHOULD NOT BE LEGAL!!!

Smoke we see to the north - from our deck.

It went across Bolivar Peninsula from Galveston Bay to the Gulf of Mexico