Riparian Woodlands

Sabal palms are the only palm tree that is native to the Rio Grande Valley. The palm grove sanctuary is  located in Brownsville Texas and it is the last remaining Grove. Around 1852 Sabal palms were found from the Gulf of Mexico and up to 8 miles inland, but in 1952 land was cleared for farming, which greatly reduced the number of Sabal palms. Today most of them are in the 32 acre Sabal palm sanctuary.  Through out the RGV you will see a Sabal Palm here and there, but seeing a grove is breathtaking.  Having learned the history of the Sabal Palm and of how their numbers have dwindled significantly through the years has made me appreciate that we still have them.  

Laguna Atascosa

Laguna Atascosa is a 98,000 acres of protected natural habitat. This National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1946.  It is mostly located in Cameron County and it is home to endangered and threatened species such as the Ocelot and the Jaguarundi. There are less than 50 ocelots in the US. Now thanks to this protective refuge and all the people that help take care of it, in 2014 two kittens were spotted in the cameras that are placed in and around the park. Hopefully with awareness and education about this park and its wildlife, the Ocelots may get a chance to grow in numbers. It is also home to 415 species of birds, including green jays, hummingbirds, egrets, and crows. Other animals that call Laguna Atascosa home are alligators, turtles, and deer...etc.

Arroyo Colorado and Rio Hondo lift bridge

                      

The Arroyo Colorado is a stream outlet of the Rio Grande River that begins over by Weslaco, Tx. It carries any excess flood water from the Rio Grande all the way to Lagun Madre. The Arroyo Colorado passes through the Estero Lano Grande Park. It is home to numerous types of fish and birds. From the trash found around the banks of the Arroyo Colorado it seems many find it to be a good fishing area. 

The Rio Hondo draw bridge is the last functioning lift bridge in the state it opened in 1953 it was important because it was the only crossing from Harlingen to Brownsville.  In order to have the Draw Bridge lifted and open for any barge or boats, the captains must call ahead 24 hours before they pass through before they get to the bridge. Before the draw bridge there used to be a swing bridge but it was replaced because it took too long to open.  That swing bridge now operates at Long Island in Port Isabel.

Los Ebanos Ferry

Vintage photograph of the Ferry

The Rio Grande

Sunflower seeds

El Chalan

The Lost Ebanos Ferry has been in operation since the 1950s and its hand operated by four to five men that pull it across the Rio Grande by using cables. It may sound like an easy job to just pull a barge with some cables but as you get closer you can see that they have to pull and tug at the cables in a particular way so that the barge goes across the river and not with the current or wind. The barge can carry up to three cars across the river. It is anchored by an Ebony tree on the US side of the border.  The ferry can transport vehicles or people across the border to Mexico to Ciudad Diaz Ordaz.  It is the last hand operated ferry in the Rio Grande Valley.