(4/1/11) The first five pictures are from a drive that we took to High Island, east of Galveston Island.
Traffic waiting to be piloted to Houston.
Roseate Spoonbills
Great Egret (orange bill), Snowy Egret (black bill)
Cormorants
Gator
(4/2/11) The next 11 photos are from our trip to the western area of Galveston Island.
Tricolored Heron
Snowy Egret
White Ibis
Red-winged Blackbird
Black-necked Stilt
Willet
To protect themselves from hurrican surges, all houses near Gulf or Bay beaches are built on stilts.
Osprey
Sculpture carved from the still-standing stump of an ancient Live Oak that was destroyed by Hurricane Ike. There are several such works of art around Galveston, but this is the most ornate.
Detail of sculpture.
Purple Martin House
(4/3/11) This group shows the Victorian architecture of Galveston's East End Historic District, plus some more stump sculptures.
The Bishop's Palace sign.
The Bishop's Palace
Roof of The Bishop's Palace
Kempner Sign
Kempner House
Trube Sign
Trube House
Row of Victorian Houses, with the controversial One Moody Plaza in the background.
A Mix of Styles
Widow's Walk
Simple Post with Mardi Gras Beads
Scary Mermaid. She looks like my high school Latin teacher.
Wizard of Oz Sign
Tin Man & Toto
(4/3/11) The Carnival Conquest was scheduled to leave Galveston Harbor at 4:00 PM and the Voyager of the Seas an hour later.
The two ships with fuel barges alongside.
The Carnival Conquest pulling away from the pier. With bow and stern thrusters providing complete maneuverability, there is no need for tugboats.
Carnival Conquest Bridge
Carnival Conquest Upper Deck
Carnival Conquest Stern
Carnival Conquest Headed for the Gulf
Voyager of the Seas Preparing for Departure
The Official Tall Ship of Texas, Elissa
(4/5/11) This is the seawall by the Gulf about a half-mile from Dan and Jane's house.
The seawall is flush with the sidewalk with no railing or signs. The drop to the rocks below appears to be approximately 12 feet. Pickup trucks and other vehicles have been known to go over the edge. It seems like a dangerous place for someone who has had too much alcohol or for a seventy-something whose balance isn't what it used to be.
Flight of Brown Pelicans
Laughing Gull. The most common Gull on Galveston Island.
The Gulf beach on western Galveston Island looking east.