Day 15: We Live in a Zoo (1/20/22)

 One of the things that delights me about Lake Corpus Christi State Park is its wildlife. Not only is the lake well stocked for fishing (various trout, catfish, pike, gar, and more), but the trees and underbrush surrounding our campsite are home to whitetail deer, coyote, wild pigs, crocodiles, armadillos, snakes, feral cats, squirrels, and a bewildering variety of birds (herons, hawks, turkey vultures, cardinals, finches, jays, and more). Deer are a common sight in the morning.

 


 

I’ve seen the wild pigs (black, hairy things twice the size of Ernie) and tried for photos of them, but they’ve always been too far away. They do come snuffling around our campsite at night. First introduced to the US by the Spanish explorer deSoto in 1539, they now number at least 2.6 million in Texas alone. With large litters and a lack of natural predators, they keep increasing. And they’ll eat anything—insects, weeds, tubers, cacti, and small animals and reptiles. If farms are nearby, they’ll get up to half of their food from crops. Real trouble. 

 

Phil, Jerry, and El have all seen an armadillo, but I have not…yet. I am planning to lurk on the camping loop opposite us shortly after sundown, trying to catch a glimpse.

 

In other news:

 

The weather has shifted again, and today is downright chilly: mid-40s, with a strong wind that makes it feel like 30 degrees. I kept inside much of the day, writing and trying my hand at some new Instant Pot recipes. I made biscuits and invited Jerry and El over for tea. Phil walked all the trails and did 150 pushups and weights. What a guy!

 

It may be a cold day for the Texans, but for us Minnesotans it’s shorts and bbq weather. Well, maybe not. I confess that today I got out the long underwear and wool socks. Maybe I’ll shoot me a wild pig, skin it, and make a robe or something out of all that bristly hair.

 


 

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