“The story never ends. There’s always a new corner, a new chapter – and who knows what wonders await there.” – Don George
A lily pad pond at Attwater’s Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge. — Flick’r photo
O Frabjous Day! Callooh! Callay
Lewis Carroll’s inventive words — a victorious chortle uttered after the Jabberwock was slain — popped into my head this morning.
In 1900, a million Atwater prairie chickens roamed the coastal prairies, by 1998 less than 300 remained. Like the passenger pigeon, this species is headed toward extinction. — Wikimedia photo
While my canine companion, Pepper, and my RV, Gypsy Lee, are staying behind at my daughter’s home, I’m going to be on the road for a couple of weeks, beginning with an airplane flight early tomorrow morning.
It will only be to my native Texas, and I will only be traveling between the familiar landscapes of Austin, San Antonio, Houston and Dallas in a rental car to visit family members. But, as is always my plans when traveling, I will make sure I drive down new roads and try and see things I’ve never seen before.
These birds today can only be found in the wild at the Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge near Eagle Lake, Texas, and the Texas City Prairie Preserve near Texas City. — Wikimedia photo
The one thing in concrete on this part of my traveling agenda is a side trip to visit the Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge. The wildlife sanctuary is located off Highway 36 — between a son who lives north of Austin and a son who lives south of Houston.
I’ve passed by the turnoff to this refuge many times, but never allowed time to stop. Hopefully on this trip I’ll be able to add this rare bird to my life list. I’ve been forewarned that this might not happen. But even if I don’t see the prairie chicken, I know I will see many other wonders; national refuge visits have never failed me in this way.
And that’s why I’m chortling with job, “O frabjous day. Callooh! Callay!
The Wondering-Wanderer’s blog pick of the day.
Bean’s Pat: A Time to Write: http://tinyurl.com/k6378j5 It’s not Musical Monday, but I think you’ll find this just as enjoyable on a hump-day Wednesday.
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Lewis Carroll also wrote, “Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.” So believe that you will see those Prairie Chickens on your trip! Good luck!!
I saw impossible things, like scissor-tails still around where I visited, probably not migrating as usual because of the warm weather, but sadly I didn’t get to see the prairie chickens.
Texas is much brighter for your visit, Pat. And if you find yourself with time while in San Antonio, give me a yell. 🙂
Thanks Alex. I did make it to San Antonio, but only late one afternoon to check out my granddaughter’s new home and spend the night with her, then was off the next morning as the son was rising. My family is scattered all over Texas and getting to see them all took up the entire two weeks I was in the Lone Star state. Maybe next visit we can connect. I would like that.
Hi Pat – Thanks for popping around to my blog yesterday! It’s nice to see you’re still enjoying some time on the road. Hubby and I have spent far too much time chasing around obscure parts of the country looking for bird sanctuaries that seem to exist only on maps. Then when we finally find them, we invariably see a couple of mallard ducks and nothing else. Hope you have better luck than we do!
I’m late in responding, and didn’t make it to the Attwater Prairie Chicken refuge, but did have some good birding at Brazoria and San Bernard refuges. Better luck on your next bird outing.