American Spire of Honor – McAllen, Texas

Memorial honoring 1.3 million American Military Men and Women killed in all wars and conflicts of the United States of America. The spire was to have been completed by November 2012, but cracks in the granite required replacement of many of the panels thereby delaying construction.

For information and to make donations to the building fund visit: http://www.mcallen.net/veterans.

Fishing on the Rio Grande River

A fisherman casts a net from the dock at Anzalduas Park in Mission, Texas. This is also a popular spot for People Without Passports or Visas to enter the U.S. illegally. Border Patrol Agents are frequently seen here reconnoitering the visible length of the river for evidence of drug or people smuggling.

Laguna Madre in Cloudlight

Great Blue Heron Catches Lunch

We went to South Padre Island this morning where I fished in the Gulf of Mexico's heavy surf until my legs gave out trying to keep me upright.

Having caught nothing, I finally gave up, dropped off Vicki so she could do some trinket shopping and then drove out to the bird sanctuary.

In less than ten minutes, I watched this Great Blue Heron catch a huge sunfish. He had firmly speared it, but didn't seem too sure what to do with it. It looks much larger than the accommodations of his throat. He eventually flew into the marsh with it to eat in privacy. I don't have a clue how he managed to swallow it – or how he got it off his beak.

Late March Afternoon on the World of Pear Street