Thursday, September 25, 2008

Boca Chica Beach

Sky Watch Friday


A day at the beach
Blue sky, sand, and a Spring surf
Onshore wind rising


Lined up for the Parade
(Click on the photo for a better look)

Even 4 Cattle Egrets joined the Gulls and Terns for a day cooling their toes in the wet sand of this fine beach.
Photographed about a half mile from where the Rio Grande river empties into the Gulf of Mexico at the Southern tip of Texas.

Photo by Martha as we drove by
Poor verse by Troy.
What's your favorite beach?
Comments Appreciated


For other SWF posts,
see Tom's new SkyWatch site here
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"Many visitors know about the desolate stretches of beach available along the Padre Island National Seashore near Corpus Christi. And, thousands of tourists flock to the sandy shores of South Padre Island each year. However, few people realize there is a beach which combines the qualities of these two popular Texas beaches.

Boca Chica Beach is located just east of Brownsville, Boca Chica is a sandy peninsula separated from Mexico by the Rio Grande River and detached from South Padre Island by the Brazos Santiago Pass. Aside from a few stilt homes near the pass, which can be viewed from South Padre Island, and a jetty protruding into the Gulf of Mexico, Boca Chica Beach has no development whatsoever. The State of Texas does own land on Boca Chica which, technically speaking, is a state park. However, there are no park facilities on this land.

Although Boca Chica has little in the way of modern amenities, it does offer a variety of outdoor recreational activities, including fishing, swimming, surfing, snorkeling, kiteboarding and birdwatching. It is also the ideal place to get away from everything.

Getting to Boca Chica is a snap. From Brownsville, take Highway 4 east until it runs out. Once you hit the beach, you can either go right to the mouth of the Rio Grande or hang a left and cruise up to the north end, which is directly across from South Padre Island. "

From "About.com"

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61 comments:

Woolysheep said...

Hi. Kristi J here. My favorite beach is Kettle Cove Beach in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. It used to belong to ancestors of mine before the state eminent domained it away for public use. I grew up playing there and it is still my favorite. Regarding Texas beaches, I have only been to the Galveston State Park. I had the pleasure of visiting there in September of 2006. My husband and I had just attended our nephew's wedding in Houston and drove down and camped there in the back of our Ford Explorer. It was great. From the satellite photos it looks like the State Park survived enough to be re-opened. I sure hope my eyes are not decieved.

Tess Kincaid said...

I haven't met a beach I didn't like. Very nice photo, Martha! It almost looks like a painting. And the verse is cute, too, Troy!

Anonymous said...

What is my favorite beach? Boca Chica! No development, no people, and an amazing diversity of tiger beetles in the tidal flats behind the dunes - what more could I ask for?
regards -- ted

Louise said...

Wow! The ocean is blue, so close to where that muddy river dumps itself! Just kidding. It looks lovely, as do the birds.

My favorite beach is any clean one with enough sanch to be able to walk. I'm not too picky about being near oceans and gulfs.

Daryl said...

Growing up I spent every summer day at Orchard Beach in the Bronx .. Beach 10 by the pole ...

Its been a long time since I went to the beach ...

LOVE that photo, Martha!

:-Daryl

Ivar Østtun said...

Nice shot. Looks like the birds are freezing and don't want to swim :-)

Pappy said...

May ride my old motorcycle over there tomorrow. I just boiled some shrimp from that area last night. How you are doing well. You and Martha have a nice weekend. Pappy

Anonymous said...

Stunning photo! I love it:) Mine is posted HERE too. Happy SWF!~

Jo's-D-Eyes said...

heeh Troy & Marta,
This is my favorite a BEACHphoto, I love that sooooo much, yeh a day at the beach would be great:)

This weekend we are going on a BIG SAILINGBOAT, I show this great OLD boat on my blog,Please visit JoAnn:

www.joannwalraven.blogspot.com

naturglede/Randi Lind said...

That was a greate photo. Love it:)I like the beach, and spent time there, as often as I can.

Dewdrop said...

I love the birdies all lined up... taking turns... lol. If only gulls were that nice. None I've ever seen.

My favorite beach... tough question. I'm more of a mountain/waterfall person. I like secluded beaches... loved Amelia Island.

Anonymous said...

nice sky watch. Wonderful beach

Anonymous said...

What a nice photo. I can almost hear the sounds of the ocean.
My favorite beach is Myrtle Beach, SC. or Pawley's Island.. but I love them all.

Rune Eide said...

It must be some beach if all the birds line up like that. Maybe one should rent them a bed for sunbathing?

Not many beaches around here, so I'll have to seek them far away. And I'm going to...

Aisha said...

Hi troy and martha, awesome shot! love those birds. aren't they beautiful?

Maria Verivaki said...

a fantastic shot - a wonderful line-up

EG CameraGirl said...

I've been to Brownsville but somehow missed the Boca Chica. Now how did I do THAT?! It looks like an amazing place to see egrets. Happy Sky Watch!

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Troy: How lucky, a parade just for you. Sometimes you don't see anything and other times it all works out.

Laura ~Peach~ said...

wonderful picture the only beach I have ever been too is Tybee island Georgia and I love it... the birds there look like they are getting ready for a party! :)

HFD60 said...

Looks great, I can't wait, I'm heading to Assateague Island next thursday.

Carver said...

That looks like the perfect day at the beach and I love your caption. That was a parade indeed. I can't pick a favorite beach. I'm from North Carolina and our beaches are part of my history having spend time at many of them from the time I was a child. I really enjoyed Dover when I visited England as a teen. Key West, San Francisco, and Nantucket are places I have family and love to visit. So many different beaches each with their own charm. I guess I didn't do a good job answering your question.

imac said...

Great shot of your birds in a line.

MumbaiiteAnu said...

Great skywatch photo.
I love the birds on the beach.

My favourite beach in Mumbai is Juhu Beach, but after visiting Singapore, it's Tanjong beach at Sentosa.

My Skywatch at Juhu Beach

 gmirage said...

haha, I love seeing albatross and them other birds on a parade like that! Great shot!

Happy skywatching! Visiting from ViennaDaily.

Photo Cache said...

Pretty picture. Happy skywatching.

vincibene said...

Beautiful picture!

Maria said...

I think this one of the best - and funniest - bird photo I've ever seen! Cute!
My favourite beach is...
I can't tell, there are so many beautiful beaches...
Maybe Rio?

Unknown said...

Lovely shot!

Anonymous said...

Those sky travelling people seem to like each others company.

Shelley said...

Perfect caption for your photo today!

Gemma Wiseman said...

It always fascinates me how terns seem to line up on the water's edge! They seem to do this especially on a windy day! Great pic!

Kim said...

My favorite beach? that is a tough one. I would have to say any beach in St. Maarten, only because they have fond memories.

Pat - Arkansas said...

Lovely photo, Martha. The combination of colors is wonderful. I am always amazed at how many shades of blue and blue-green there can be in the sea. Enlarging the photo lets me see the orangy-yellow of the gull beaks, too. They just "pop" against the water.

Nothing wrong with your poem, Troy!!

Anonymous said...

Nice shot. I love whem the seagulls stand in line like these.

nina at Nature Remains. said...

Nice colors in the Gulf.
Great photos! Really enjoy your site.
Nina at Nature Remains

Arija said...

That collection of birda is like Forrest Gump's chocolates - all sorts! Great shot with the obvious wind whipping up the waves and the birds hunching up their shoulders.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful lined birds.

Anonymous said...

I love the humor as well as the photo - it does look like the line up for a parade. I'm more of a mountain and desert person myself, so I don't have a favorite beach, unless it's any beach in the off season, when it's desserted.

Gretchen said...

Great shot! I love the beach and really miss it.

CloudStalker said...

Beautiful Shot!! My favorite beach Is Caladesi Island Florida.
P.S I the the gulls are eyeing out who there gonna poop on next!LOL

Lilli & Nevada said...

Beautiful beach wish i could sit there and enjoy the waves and the sky

Woody said...

Cool Photos. Very interesting info

Kathie Brown said...

Troy, nice haiku. Martha, excellent picture. Are those elegant or royal terns on the beach? My favorite beach so far? Perhaps Captiva near Sanibel Island in FL but I have not been to many beaches. This one looks intriguing!

Anonymous said...

a very beautiful capture of this wonderful (must be) place. well done

Tom said...

Hello again Troy, Martha.

This picture covers it all for sure.. :O) How I'd like to spend the day by a beach right now... a good blast of fresh sea air would do me the world of good.

Thanks for being out there, and posting as you do.

Tom

Anne-Berit said...

Wonderful photo!

Doug Taron said...

Great photo. I really like the bird diversity that it captures, and the fact that it's such an interesting study in horizontal lines. Did you see any tiger beetles on that beach? (OK I typed this out before I noticed Ted's comment just before I hit submit. I'll leave it in. Inquiring minds still want to know- did you guys see any?)


My favorite beach? Singing Beach in Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts. It's my old home town.

Michael Palmer said...

Any beach with bikini's and beer - sun optional = )

I like your horizon line really high, good choice

Anonymous said...

Oh i like that beach...

Carletta said...

A lovely calming photo!
My favorite are the Outer Banks Beaches of North Carolina.

becky aka theRAV said...

Love the photo. My fave beach would have to be in Hawaii. I found the tiniest shells there & drove my best friend nuts because I could squat and pick them up ALL day long until I had a back ache.

Neva said...

Not a beach girl as I live in the Midwest...but I also haven't met a beach I didin't like!

Leslie: said...

Beautiful shot and lucky you to see all those birds lined up! Come see my latest SWF photo - I haven't posted for quite a while.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful shot. :)

I've enjoyed every beach I've ever visited, but having grown up in New Jersey I'm partial to the Jersey shore.

Kelly said...

I love the photo of the beach and the birds lining the water! Great Post for SWF!

Bob Johnson said...

Always love images of beaches, nice job.

Tootie said...

One of my favorite things to see. :-)

Catherine said...

Gorgeous capture!
Just spent seven gorgeous days at my favorite beach last week~my fav is Hatteras Island N.C.
Happy sky~watching!
Cat

kjpweb said...

Cool! Cattle Egret mixing with normal shorebird folks? Never seen that... ;)
Cheers, Klaus

indicaspecies said...

Fabulous shot and a lovely Haiku. Thank you.:)

Michelle said...

What a beautiful photo. It's so peaceful. I love the beaches in the Florida, Keys. They just amazed me. Thanks for sharing.