It has been a whirlwind of birding since the start of the new year. When it comes to our Average Year efforts (link here), the most exhilarating birding is at the the start – when the counter resets to zero, everything you see with wings means a +1 for the year. Yeah, a Northern Cardinal – check – wow a Carolina Chickadee – check – is that a Grackle, why yes it is – check – IS THAT REALLY A Robin, color me thrilled – check, check, check and on and on. Ron was able to meet us down her for a week to get his year started off on the right foot as well. To be honest, if you miss the border birds, you are probably in a deep hole with tall slick sides. I am still trying to get caught up, but as of January 7th Ron is at 87 and my counter sits at 108. For those keeping track that is over 1/3rd of last year’s total. Ron had to get back home today (of all days, one where the FAA grounded all flights). We have several weeks before we start heading home which will allow me to pad my lead… oops, I mean turn my attention to other creatures…
Hit the jump to see a few more shots from the Gulf waters.
Taking a quick break from the winged ones. These tins come courtesy of fishermen (and a growing number of fisherwomen) that we encountered during last year’s trip to the Gulf, specifically the Robert’s Point Park area and the public beach in Port Aransas. Need to immediately put this out there before we proceed any further in this post – my entire water creature ID knowledge is based on the following taxonomy: for the big stuff – Dolphin, Stingray, Turtle, other and for the fishies, Catfish and then “not a Catfish” bucket. This rudimentary decision tree doesn’t prevent me from getting excited whenever I see someone with a bent fishing pole. Wait.. just remembered, I also know what a Clown Fish looks like entirely thanks to the popular movie. Can’t even imagine what the shock looked like on my face when this creature was yanked out of the Robert’s Point channel.
Immediately caught Ron’s attention and pointed out the green-eyed spiky blob now sitting on the cement walkway. Definitely not a Dolphin, no wings like a Stingray, possibly a Turtle that was yanked out of its shell when the hook was set .. eh, seems to have fins. DEFINITELY not a Clown Fish or a Catfish. Asked the individual on the other end of the line if I could take a picture and then quickly asked “What the hell is THAT!?!”. My water taxonomy just grew by one thanks to the “Puffer” response. Note, there was a tone of disgust with that response. Apparently, these things are still a bit dangerous purely based on the care being taken to keep appendages away while using a pliers to remove the hook. Once freed from the line, the Puffer was released back into the canal.
I thought that was going to be the highlight of the day until we headed over to the Port Aransas beach area and witnessed THIS!
Turned to Ron and Linda to get confirmation I was not seeing things – “That is not a Dolphin, a Stingray or a Turtle right?”. Initially thrown by the weird nose, the fin sticking out of its back reminded me I left off an entry on my highly detailed taxonomy list…the Shark. Outside of a few movies, an alcohol influenced decision to watch Sharknado and a few “never go in the water again” episodes during Shark Week, these sleek death dealers remain a mystery. Without question, this is the first encounter on a public beach.
Missed all the effort it must have taken to land this beast. Catfish will put a mighty bend in a pole – this silver surfer probably put up a hell of a fight. Would have been interesting to see how you de-hook a shark – missed it thanks to being intrigued by something that fell of the shark as they were dragging it across the beach.
Was able to get a good view of the now detached suckie thing with The Beast. “Oh hell no”. Linda hates Snakes, hates Lizards as they are “Snakes with legs” and now we have a Snake with FINS. She is never going to go back in the water if she sees this.. quick, distract her with a pretty brown Pelican. The two who made the catch must have seen it fall off as well – now walking towards it. Yikes, the lady just took off her shoe and handed it to her companion. Thankfully, the first assessment was incorrect.
No clubbing today, the shoe was just the most convenient way to nudge it without physically touching it. Definitely still alive. Trying to push it towards the water was completely ineffective as it was surprisingly “squishy”.
Eventually the lady gave up, reached down, grabbed it by the tail and returned it to the choppy waters. Kudos to Ron who knew what this thing was – a Remora or more commonly referred to as Sharksuckers. Another add to my ever growing ID knowledge.
Somehow in all this excitement, I missed the release of the Shark, only catching a glimpse of the shark as it was being gingerly released into the oncoming waves capping off a fun day with fins.
Hope you enjoyed this quick diversion from the wet realm. Need to put a wrap on this post as tomorrow starts out early with another attempt for a rarity – wish me luck. Apologies again for all the comments and other blogs I’ve fallen way behind on – promise I will catch up as soon as the birding slows down…or it rains ha. Take care everyone.
Wildlife Intrigued 
Fishy post. Cute clown fish. Poor shark tethered on the beach. Nice of the lady to put the little one back in the water.
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I did make me feel better when all the captures were returned safely – even the squishy one ha. Looking forward to getting caught up on your site!
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Wow! Maybe the shark had eaten a bird (trying to bring in the bird angle). How fast was Linda moving the opposite direction as you moved in for a closer shot? I’ve SCUBA’d with well-fed sharks before (details another time).
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The more I see of things that live in the wet realm, the less desire I have to go into the water – well fed or NOT! Linda wasn’t too keen on the squishy thing, but she didn’t seem to mind the Shark or the Puffer..probably helped that they were not going to chase after her ha.
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Just like with bears, you don’t have to outswim the critters, just someone else in the water.
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Not sure about that – I have the impression that Sharks are really just evil, blood thirsty creatures that just enjoy ripping us from limb to limb – quickly dispense with the slowest and then move on to the faster.
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BTW, I’ve swum or SCUBA’d with most of those critters in the past.
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C R A Z Y is all I have to spell about that.
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Black tip reef shark.
Interesting fish with creepy green eyes.
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You are absolutely correct Vic, that is a Black-Tipped. Based on your ID, went and looked it up. That Puffer was pretty cool (especially that eye). Would have been neat to see it all puffed up in the water, but apparently they “deflate” once pulled out – based on what I learned from the guy who caught it, I’m going to keep my distance land or water! Thanks for dropping in and appreciate the help on the ID.
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I had a little help from my SO, Ken, on that. I showed him the pictures and he said “black tip…reef shark.” He had a boat many years ago on our coast…spent much time cruising the intra-coastal water-ways. Saw many kinds of sea critters. Plus, he is a Fleet Navy veteran (and Seabee). Been at sea for many years of his life. And, just for effect, not only is he a Pisces (water sign) but, he was also born in the Chinese year of the “water goat” (1943). Guess what the mascot of the US Navy is?
I’d keep my distance, too. Yeeps!
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All the stars seemed to be aligned for Ken! (does he sleep on a waterbed ha) Extend my appreciation for his help – these thingies with fins are all a mystery to me.
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I will.
Thingies with fins…here is a tip. If the tail is up & down…shark or other fish (except flounder & sun fish). If the tail is flat, dolphin or whale. Flounder & sun fish float/swim sideways.
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Perfect – I’ll augment my decision tree with those new additions and be ready for my next encounter! Note, I just saw a Red Drum fish (ID’d by the guy who caught it) pulled out of jetty down here and yes, I got pics – that thing was HUUUUUGGGEEEE.
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They get big. Sunfish can be enormous, too.
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I like that, it is either a cat fish or not a cat fish. 🙂 that is about my knowledge as well. 🙂 great post and photos 🙂
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Thank you Sandra! I find a two bucket life is a simple life ha. I actually know a couple more fishies thanks to fond memories of fishing with my father, I still remember Perch is bad, but being able to distinguish what those look like so many years later – highly unlikely. Take care Sandra, hope you are having as much fun as we are on your travels.
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We are having a wonderful time as well. 😊
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Nice article, and change of pace from the usual I read with coffee. 👍👍
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Glad you enjoyed Ted. I’ve been able to take shots of other things pulled out of the deep on our latest travels – should be some similar posts coming once we make it back home. ‘Til then, take care.
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Up until the late 1970’s the water off NYC we’re filled with these small Blow Fish.
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Yikes – was there some kind of event that changed this state?
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Actually yes. Long Island NY was famous for reeding ‘Long Island Duckling’. Served internationally (if you ate duck, and didn’t know the farms). Anyway, run off into the waters on the coast. Many fish species disappeared. It had been that many fish known in southern waters spent the summers up north. The water is clean now, but they never came back.
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How intriguing, thanks for the history lesson.
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Sounds like you’re off to a good listing start for the year.
I grew up on Florida’s Gulf coast and have seen some strange creatures come from its waters. Probably tried to eat most of them when I was younger and dumber. Puffer is really delicious, but you MUST know how to clean it properly.
Thank you for sharing your adventures.
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Definitely on a good bird trajectory at the moment. – the downside is every check means the next one is going to be that much harder to find. Didn’t even know you could eat the green-eyed squishy – think I’ll just stick to popcorn shrimp and fish-sticks …wait, also McDonald’s fish sandwiches ha.
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I appreciate you sharing some of your more unusual encounters. My very rudimentary understanding of water creatures also increased significantly thanks to your post!
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We can learn together – Vic has been giving me some great ID insights into the water lurkers.
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Yes, we can learn a lot from one another–one of the reasons why I have enjoyed blogging so much.
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Barefoot on the beach in January, can’t beat that! I’m just catching up with your posts, been under the weather with sinus nastiness.
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No complaints here! Hope you are feeling better, Linda was dealing with a nasty sinus infection (post covid) before we left and thankfully she kicked that before we hit Texas.
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