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Project Noah Nature School
Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii
This is one of the many native plants in the thick woods of S.E. Gast Red Bay Sanctuary on 7th street in High Island. The Houston Audubon Society operates four bird sanctuaries in the area, and the city is a nationally famous destination for birdwatchers particularly from April 1 to May 15.
High Island is an unincorporated area located in the Bolivar Peninsula, Galveston County, Texas. High Island's name comes from the large salt dome under the area. This salt dome raises the elevation of the area to around 38 feet, giving High Island the highest elevation of any point on the Gulf coast from Mobile, Alabama to the Yucatán Peninsula. High Island, is a wooded area in the midst of a vast wet prairie. Migrants crossing the Gulf of Mexico see these oak mottes as an oasis in the middle of this endless flat prairie.
Even though we were dressed in full protection, the mosquitos were so fierce that we gave trying to hike these woods after 30 minutes. The trails were roughly cleared, however they are not cleared, maintained or marked until the spring bird migration. There are many loops and branches to the trails.
Spotted on Sep 25, 2012
Submitted on Sep 29, 2012
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