Loggerheads: Not learning animals!

This is no ordinary loggerhead -- it is a research loggerhead.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration maintains a sea turtle facility in Galveston where they raise turtles for testing in turtle exclusion devices. These devices are escape hatches for fish and turtles caught in shrimp nets. As new designs for TEDs are developed, they are tested by turtles rasied at this facility.

At the lab, the staff emphasizes that turtles are not learning animals. Does this have implications for their ability to do research??

Travel time: Galveston, 12/28

Good birding in Galveston!

Highlights included a Pacific loon, crested caracara, and lots of waterbirds: roseate spoonbills (pink birds in photo), tri-colored herons, stilts, oystercatchers, little blue herons, ibis (second bird from left, above), in addition to various peeps, gulls, and grebes.

And excellent views of dolphins from the ferry between Galveston and Bolivar (longest ferry crossing in Texas!). The Ferry was also where we encountered the security guard who recited his poetry to us. Love local color in all its forms...

Travel time: Galveston, 12/27

We did eventually make it to Galveston and the Mitchell home there (photo was taken on 12/31, right before we left; Jimmy is missing).

Jake and Quincy met second cousins Emily, Alaina, Jimmy, and the ever-delightful Noah. Jay and Donna were charming hosts (and the lack of heat — not that much of a problem…).

More on Galveston tomorrow.

Travel time: Shiner

Shiner must be historic -- the plaque says so!

No real cigar factory here, but a cute little central Texas town.

Travel time: Shiner, Texas, 12/27

Shiner, Texas: Home of the Spoetzl Brewery, maker of Shiner Bock Beer.

We toured this facility and got free samples. Love these brewery tours.

By chance, we were there on the same day the Rabbi certified the brewery as kosher. Stu talked with him and the Brewer as Melody sampled. Jake drove the rest of the way to Houston...

Travel time: San Antonio, 12/26

Is this great art, or what?

We caught this one on the way to browse the River Walk (12/26), on Day One of our Las Cruces to Galveston tour.

I do love the Walk -- all downtowns should have such an area. But I would love to know if it is it actually possible to have a good meal on the River Walk.

I am 0 for 3. Maybe 1 for 3, but the 1 was too long ago to recall.

Maybe there is good catfish someplace?

Travel time: San Antonio

Gotta love this one. Wouldn't you just love the meat from this place?

Sorry about the line across the photo. Stu spotted this one as we were leaving the hotel in San Antonio.