World-class Zoo

The name doesn't exactly conjure up visions of world-class animal exhibits.....but it should. The Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Texas is one of the best zoos in the US. I'don't know about the ranking.....but it's a good one! Admission is a steal and ranges from about $10 to $13 per adult depending on discounts you can apply. Plan on staying a full day. I recommend packing a lunch. Nothing like picnicking beside the gorilla cage while they are feeding. Makes you feel like one of them! Although the big male was eyeing up my peanut butter sandwich.

Flamingos aren't native to the US but rather Central and South America, even though when you think of Florida you think of Flamingos. These are very beautiful examples. Turns out they feed them a diet that gives them this rich deep pink/coral color.

An immature example.

Notice how they feed with their head down. They are straining the food in the water through their mouth so they only swallow the food not the water.

Yes, you are beautiful!

Lots of turtles. These are soft-shell.

Monkeys at play.

Beautiful Sand Hill Crane

These are rare in Canada but plentiful enough they actually have a hunting season on them in parts of the US.

They had lots of Macaw or Parrots here, but taking pictures in the bright sun in big metal cages is really tough.

Ibis. The color of the Flamingos.

Roseate Spoonbill. We've seen this in the wild but never this close.

Another of the caged Macaws.

These tortoises are huge. The old male is at least 90 years old

This Alligator doesn't look too friendly.

Peacock

Pretty sure this is a Black-capped Night Heron

Some sort of an African crane. Ugly!!!

I can't decide if this duck is ugly, or kinda cute!

African Addax

Lemur

Dromedary Camel

Pygmy Hippo

Zebra

This guy was colorful......from both ends!

Giraffe

Stingrays. They were in an interactive pool. You could put your hands in the water and touch the passing rays. Very cool. They felt smooth and a bit like sandpaper.

Is this fish wearing lipstick??

Lionfish. These are invasive in the Gulf of Mexico. They are causing a lot of trouble for native fish by eating the food and have no natural enemies.

White Siberian Tiger

Siberian Tiger

Small African Deer. Can't recall the name, but they were cute.

Bornean Bearded Pig

Appropriately named, don't you think?

This little guy was only about 10 inches tall when he stood on his hind legs. He was watching the zoo guy coming with a tray of food.

Armadillo

The gorillas were our favorite.

We stopped as they were having lunch.

Fresh cabbage

The big silverback male was impressive. The other got out of his way.

This was amazing to watch. This guy had three cups. He placed them into the water, picked one up and drank from it just as you or I would. Then he placed the empty cup back in the water and picked up a full one and drank it! He did this repeatedly until he had enough water. Smart? Yep!!

The big male contemplating life!

What a great zoo! Well kept, seemingly happy animals, reasonable cost and a great venue that wasn't too crazy busy. It's been a long time since we visited a zoo and we thoroughly enjoyed this one. Highly recommended if you're anywhere near the Rio Grande Valley.

.....and that was Our View From Here!

South Padre Island

South Padre Island is a 34 mile long and narrow sandy island sandwiched between the Gulf of Mexico and the Laguna Madre bay. South Padre Island used to be connected to Padre Island to the north until a man-made channel was dug, forever separating the two. The channel provided boat access to the Gulf for the fishing community of Port Mansfield on the Texas coast.

Much of the southern portion of South Padre is developed as a tourist destination. Lots of beaches attract the sun seekers, the fishermen love the onshore and offshore fishing, the birders love the 350 recorded species on the island, and then there's the bars, restaurants, hotels, condos and associated businesses. Oh, and a ton of people!

Port Isabel lighthouse. Just across the channel from South Padre.

The bridge to South Padre Island

We stopped at the Visitor Center. South Padre has lots of sand castles around town. These are a sample.....

Lots of public beaches. Miles of white sand to accommodate the massive crowds that descend on South Padre Island. 

Lots of beautiful accommodations with amazing views.

A great spot to fly kites. These are huge.

This kite was very cool. It rotated in the wind.

This one had to be fifty feet long.

The north end of the beach is much different. Wild sandy beaches accessible by most vehicles. In fact if you're game you can drive thirty miles down the beach all the way to the channel. Just watch the tides and don't get stuck!

Huge sand dunes constantly shifting. There is a story/legend that says there is a fortune in Spanish gold hidden somewhere in the sand dunes further north. Apparently the treasure was buried and left, but when the owner returned hurricanes, waves and wind had shifted the lay of the land. They never did find the treasure. Lots of folks are still looking for it.

The end of the road.

If you are so inclined you can drive the length of the Island on the beach.

So we cheated. Parked on the road and walked over the dunes to the beach.

Or you could rent a horse to do the walking. Bonus, they don't get stuck in the sand!

Tons of shells on the beach.

Surf fishing. Some guys had good luck.

That road needs constant maintenance.

Lots of options to wash the sand out of your mouth!

.......and that was Our View From Here!