Mother Nature’s Natural Island Wonders
Greetings from the island everyone. Hope all of you are doing well and enjoying your Veterans Day holiday. Our veterans and active personnel deserve so much gratitude for making our country the great place to live that it is today. Thank you!
Well the dog days of summer are definitely in the rear view mirror now. We are at the time of year where a norther will make its way down every week or so, and each one gets a little cooler. It’s just about time to put those warm flannel sheets on the bed.
The island will become less and less populated with the fair-weather weekend islanders not wanting to brave the cold winds and rough waters. Umm, YAY!
The Monarch butterflies are currently making their migratory trek across the island en route to the Mexico City area. I love watching them every Fall as their beautiful color cover the native grasses and beach dune sea oats and morning glory vines. Tens of thousands inundate the island, probably as a rest stop-over before continuing their south bound journey.
The dove have also been flying in great numbers across the island the past few weeks. I don’t hunt them and they must know that, as on a regular basis there will be dozens landing around the yard and in the palm trees, sensing I suppose, that this is a safe haven for them. Several have even taken up residence inside the enclosed chicken pen area.
I’ve taken up the hobby of sea-bean collecting along the beach and dunes out here on the island. I’ve always occasionally picked them up, but fellow islander, Kristy, has re-inspired my interest and has helped make it a beach passion, and I thank her so much for that.
In reality, they are actually seeds that fall from trees and vines along tropical shores and rain forests all over the world. With the aid of wind, currents and tide, the sea-beans make their way into the oceans and eventually wash ashore on beaches perhaps hundreds or thousands of miles away.
I enjoy making different types of displayable pieces from the sea-bean species of hearts, hamburgers, purses and the more rare Mary’s bean. Thanks to Mike and Sam Burnett for providing me with an excellent book on sea-bean collecting.
Flounder gigging is closed for the month of November, but I was able to put a few in the freezer last month. It was entertaining one night watching a buddy, Bob, so very cautiously approach and gig his very first flounder, a nice 20 inch, 3+ pound flatfish.
Well that’s it from the island for now; everyone take care and stay warm.
View the different varieties of sea beans at:
www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/nonpwdpubs/young_naturalist/plants/sea_beans
