Ayres Island

Took a small boat tour out of Rockport TX to the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. This is the only place the remaining wild whooping cranes fly to in winter from Buffalo Wood Provincial Park in Alberta (which is way the heck up there). Just an amazing place! Saw not only about 50 cranes with their juvenile young, but spoonbills, Kingfishers, and all sorts of sea birds. Wow! The whooping cranes population was down to 14 pairs in the 70's, now there are 400 or so birds, Better ...but they need more space and protection.Read more