I thought to myself, “How am I going to keep this 7-car caravan all together?”, as we left Meyerland Plaza.  Driving in Houston traffic, even early on a Saturday morning, is tough by yourself but even tougher when you have folks following you.  We moved along the South Loop, took State Highway 288 south, and periodically passed slower vehicles as we made our way to Lake Jackson and then toward San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge. 

Through Lake Jackson, over the Brazos River, over the San Bernard River, and onto the gravel road that led to the Refuge.  At the refuge entrance we picked up additional vehicles, drove about four-tenths of a mile, turned through a gate, and after a short drive parked at the “Big Tree Trail” parking area. 

Then we were off down the trail.  It was a warm (about 80 degree) day with alternating clouds and sun and occasional gusts of winds which tool the humidity away.  Mosquitoes were missing in action!

The “Big Tree” is the largest Live Oak in Texas, our champion!  We walked through the Live Oak, Water Oak, Pecan, Cedar Elm, Dwarf Palmetto forest and admired the size of trees and the diversity of vines and epiphytes including Resurrection Fern, Spanish Moss, grape vine, Poison Ivy, Trumpet Vine, Rattan Vine, and a variety of lichens.

We saw vultures, both Black and Turkey, circle overhead and heard a woodpecker in the distance.  Evidence of happy woodpecker action, could be seen in holes in snags (standing dead trees) and downed trees on the ground. Eastern Phoebes, Yellow-rumped Warblers, and Robins flitted through the canopy.  I stopped and showed people the evergreen, Cherry Laurel, so people could smell the almond odor that wafted from the crushed leaves.

Northern Cardinals called as we walked across the pipeline right-of-way which fragments the forest and had removed acres of beautiful forest.  One of the unseen prices we pay for our fossil fuel addiction.  We strolled on boardwalks where, during rainy times, the area would have been flooded.  Finally, we approached the “Big Tree” after walking over a Green Ash depressional wetland.

People were amazed at the size and shape of the tree.  Champion trees are determined by their diameter, height, and length of the crown (top part of the tree).  This tree had two very large trunks that grew away from each other at a 45 degree angle after about a six foot rise from the ground.  We took photos and excitedly talked about, how old this tree must be, and what stories it could tell if we only knew how to communicate with it.

Then it was back down the boardwalks and trail to the parking area.  We drove to the entrance of San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge and to the Bobcat Woods parking lot.  On our way we saw a Northern Harrier, Kestrals, and those darned little brown birds, sparrows.  Unfortunately, the trail was closed and under repair, so after having hit the restroom, we drove down a nearby road and parked our cars at a gate that led to several large lakes.

Off we went and soon we were ooing and aahing from an observation platform at the first lake.  American Coots, Moorhens, Blue-winged Teal, Northern Shovelers, cormorants, a Great Blue Heron, and Great Egrets were seen from our elevated perch. 

Some sharp-eyed person saw a 4-foot American Alligator.  We started walking to the second lake and we saw alligators everywhere!  I tried to estimate their size, which ranged from two to nine feet in length.  Very impressive animals and “top predators” in this aquatic environment.  We walked back and had lunch at the covered pavilion.  Then we drove the loop through the Refuge.

At first we saw little.  There had recently been a burn and the green-up of grass contrasted with the charred, black, skeletons of woody plants.  Then as we drove further down the road we saw a few Snow Geese in the distance.  We got out and looked and someone saw a White-Tailed Hawk, a real treat.

In the center of the loop were many white bodies that were difficult to make out.  We drove to the observation platform and Bob set-up his spotting scope.  Hundreds of White Ibis, Snow Geese, White-Faced Ibis, and Snowy Egrets were feeding in the marsh and grassland.  A lone Tri-colored Heron flew overhead.  On the opposite side of the road, two Forster's Terns dove into a small pond, while an alligator watched this acrobatic pair with seeming indifference.    

For the piece de resistance, about a dozen White Pelicans soared majestically over us and slowly floated toward marshes in the distance.  It was time to go and we all scattered to drive home.  We were tired but happy with the natural bounty that Nature had allowed us to see.  I feel special when Nature shares its mysteries and stories with me.  Thank you Nature!  I will come again.

Brandt Mannchen
February 12, 2017