Sunday at Lake Livingston (December 15)

                                        There's a fine line between fishing and standing on the shore
                                                                                                                      like an idiot.
                                                                                                                  -Steven Wright

The plan was to eat a quick breakfast and get on the lake. We succeeded...except we didn't stay on the lake. The wind started picking up, enough to keep us moving even in the sheltered cove that seemed best for fishing, and the trolling motor wouldn't work. With our old boat we would have tried an anchor, but an anchor won't hold a big behemoth like the bass boat. And we didn't even think to try tying up to a tree. Ed fought the trolling motor tooth and nails for nearly an hour and gave up.

It was nearing time to move our campsite, anyway. I took a jog over to the new site and found that the previous occupants were gone and the camp host had already affixed a label for our reservation. So there was no reason to wait--we moved at about noon.

After that we didn't know much what to do. We'd planned more fishing, but without a functioning trolling motor, what was the point?  I ate some lunch while Ed went to swap the windshield stickers for the two vehicles with the ones for the new campsite, and he also fixed the headlight on the truck. Then it was either sit there and vegetate, or go hike the boardwalk trail to the bird blind. So off we went.

Someone had clearly expended a lot of time and energy in building and maintaining the boardwalk, but the bird blind was abandoned. The windows didn't have glass in them, no one had put out seed or turned on water even though there were hoses and hookups available. What's the deal? Houston Audobon Society, you have let me down.

Zack enjoyed the one mile walk but he lagged a little on the way back and had to be carried. Other than the tiny bit of exercise it gave us, it was a waste of time.

After that Ed wanted to help me find the American Pipit I'd spoken about, so we drove to all the shore stops and walked around a bit, but there wasn't a bird to be seen. Does Kenn Kaufman have days like that? Somehow I doubt it.

There was nothing else to do but go back and vegetate. I guess we could have taken out the boat and just tootled around exploring the lake, but for some reason we didn't think of that. Probably too disappointed about the new toy malfunctioning.

So instead, I took a long walk through the picnic areas and campgrounds around the lake shore. Twice. I heard a kingfisher but never saw it. There were cormorants of course, and Great Egret, and on the lake near our campsite one lone duck. Just sitting in the water alone. I checked the bird book for the "Lone Duck" species but couldn't find it. He was probably out of range.

Note to readers: sounds boring, but remember--a bad day birding is better than a great day at work. Unless your work is birding. Then it's a conundrum.

Most campers had left--oh, how I love Sundays! The campground was quiet and really rather lovely, however birdless. Since our new spot had a lakeside exposure and a great view of the setting sun, I sat outside, munching on peanuts and enjoying the sunset. It was nice.