Huntsville

Our first ‘real’ destination in Texas was Huntsville.

 One of the major boasts of the town is that it is the former home or haunt of American hero, Sam Houston, a six foot seven soldier and politician who is immortalised today by a huge statue south of the town. The 67-ft. tall (plus 10-ft. base) statue is named "A Tribute to Courage." It towers in concrete above Interstate 45, with walking cane and suit of a 19th century statesman.  Artist David Adickes, born and schooled in Huntsville, sculpted this colossal monument to the man who still inspires Texans. Sam Houston (1793-1863) remembered the Alamo with his surprise victory of Santa Anna's more experienced and professional Mexican Army at San Jacinto, then went on to become President of the Republic of Texas, Governor of the State of Texas, and a US Senator.  

 Adickes started in early 1992, not exactly certain how he would accomplish the massive project. The 25-ton steel-and-concrete colossus is comprised of 10-foot sections, each containing five layers of concrete reinforced with steel straps. The outside layer includes a fiberglass mesh.

Now an intriguing part of the statue story concerns the statue’s genital area. Apparently it was ‘touched up’ according to stories I heard. Whether it was made bigger or smaller I’m not sure. Perhaps the original size scared some folks or the lack of size offended Texans who believe every-thing is bigger in Texas. Or perhaps it was merely an effort to represent the truth as legend has it that he was struck by an arrow that went through his thigh into his groin. Before imagination takes you too far let it be remembered that he married three times and had some ten kids.

Huntsville is also known for prisons and it is difficult not to see them as you move around the town. We visited the prison museum and it was filled with good exhibits and better stories such that Tom insisted on returning the following day.

Huntsville is also now known for hospitality and also birds.

Brenda and John Muncrief, their family and friends were our welcoming committee. I had hosted Brenda through birdingpal a few years back and she kindly offered to help us out during our visit.

On our arrival we were met with a Texas Tex Mex feast ; Enchiladas, Tamales, Rice, Beans, Texan and Mexican beer and Margeritas! And Texans, birders and Democrats, discussed birds and birding and [a little] about the scary side of politics in the USA – extreme patriotism and the attitude to their flag and guns.We really enjoyed everyone’s friendliness and hospitality. In our experience in Huntsville the phrase ‘couldn’t do enough for us’ was certainly true.

We stayed at Huntsville State Park, about six miles or so south of town and the large camping ground was east of Raven Lake. The area was pretty despite the cold and rain and pretty birdy. On our first night we saw Armadillo and every day Fox Squirrels.

One of my Canadian nemesis birds - White-breasted Nuthatch

White breasted Nuthatch

Two Sparrows - left - Savanna and right, Vesper

Tufted Titmouse

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Huntsville Birding mates - Carol, Brenda, Karla and Rick

Re-vegetated native prairie patch - site for ill-fated sparrow searching

Infamous Fire Ants

Field Sparrow

Red-cockaded Woodpecker habitat in Sam Houston Forest

Red-cockaded woodpecker nest hole; protected from snake predators by a wall of sap resin from holes drilled by the peckers 

The morning after the feast of Saturday night I was picked up by Karla and Brenda in the park.  First birds seen were a kettle of Vultures – both Turkey and Black. Under the grey skies it was difficult to discern the head colour; one of the features to separate the two birds – red for Turkey and black for – you guessed it – Black. The birds could easily be separated by wing and tail length and jizz – the Black Vultures needing a more energetic and laboured flapping it seems to keep them aloft and the Turkeys a lazier, flapless soaring more often than not.

Before we could leave the park we encountered a few more birds delaying our arrival for Breakfast burritos and coffee that John, Brenda’s husband had thoughtfully prepared. Pine Warblers and Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Chickadee, Red-bellied Woodpecker, lifers, plus Northern Cardinals, White-breasted Nuthatch slowed our departure. At Brenda’s her feeders kept the birds coming – all of the birds mentioned above save Pine Warblers plus Goldfinch, Pine Siskin, Chipping, House and White-throated Sparrows, great views of another lifer; Carolina Wren. Sadly the light and weather weren’t great.

Great Blue Heron

Lifer - Pine Warbler

Into the car with Brenda, Carol, Karla and Rick the day’s birding began proper. It was a great day. A few highlights; lifers of Eastern Bluebirds and Eastern Meadowlarks near the Target shopping center plus a great number of Killdeer, great Sparrow watching; Chipping, White-crowned, Vesper, Savannas and my lifer – Field’s. Good numbers of Northern Cardinals. Song sparrows were surprisingly not seen although Rick heard one. A nice flock of American Pipits and repeat views of most lifers seen. A good view of a lifer, Crested Caracara as it flew past. Good views of Blue Jay. Wading in long grass attempting to flush Le Conte’s Sparrow – sadly a bust.  Finishing the day with a great showing of Eastern Screech Owl which we had, with persistence, called in at the home of Joan’s, an older local member of Audubon. Thanks to all, but particularly Rick and Brenda who stuck it out all day and were there to reap the reward of the Screechy.

Birds and Lifers continued the following day. Again the weather was poor. The targets were Red-cockaded Woodpecker and Brown headed Nuthatch. We arrived at a location within the Sam Houston Forest which was readily identified by a sign as the Red Cockaded Woodpecker Interpretive area. Brenda shared with me the calls of the two targets – the Nuthatch in turns out has a call not unlike the squeaking of a rubber toy.  We heard Blue Jays, Carolina Wren [a very loud and ubiquitous specie], Cardinals, squeaks of Pine Warblers and White throated Sparrows before we saw our first Woodpecker – it was a Red-bellied. Not the target but a good omen. Brenda heard the Red-cockaded and soon I saw the bird. We ultimately got great views. Later we called in the Brown headed and again got views of them going silly high over our heads. Another lifer however it will be nice to see them again one day with more generous lighting.

We continued birding back in Huntsville state Park and Megan joined us. Many of the same spp plus Pied-billed Grebes, DC Cormorants, Scaup – probably greater, Forster’s Tern and Ring-billed Gulls, Great Egret and Blue Heron on Raven Lake.  Red-shouldered Hawk – a different sub spp from the one in California was seen perched by the Lake. Eastern Phoebes and Blue birds were seen also.

Our touristy visits to the statue and the jail museum was followed by a surprising Avian scene – as if it was a Hitchcock film. Grackles – thousands of Grackles, Great-tailed and Commons rswarming over cars in a Walmart shopping centre. Crazy.

A car washing business' delight

Here be Grackles................

A male Large-tailed Grackle

Our final night in Huntsville had us visiting a Mexican Restaurant with John and Brenda. We were indeed sorry to leaving their Huntsville, their hospitality, their friends and their birding areas although it was tempered with the fact that I had seen so much in a very short period of time in weather that was often less than accommodating.

Huntsville Sunset