Comal River News
July 12th, 2008 @ 11:56
Posted by: Jimmie
Every day since May I swim in the Comal River after work. I change at the office and jump in the river just below the San Antonio street bridge and get out at the last public exit. Takes about 45 minutes. Good for body and soul.
I’ve discovered a pair of Red Shouldered Hawks living in the trees outside the Warneke Condos. The first time I noticed was when I saw one being chased across the river by a Mockingbird. What tenacity!
The best sighting was when the smaller of the two was perched about 10 feet off the ground in a leafless tree next to the bank. I was able to stay submerged standing in the shallows and observe him from just a few feet away.
On Saturday and Sunday I tend to wake up before the rest of my family so I like to head to the river for what has become my favorite swim of all. Peaceful early morning dips where I have the whole river to myself. The water is like glass – smooth and clear.
Today I saw the larger of the Red Shouldered Hawks fly into a tall tree and look like she was having trouble getting her balance. She kept jumping from one leg to another and flapping out her wings like she just couldn’t get comfortable.
When she flew across the river to her usual tree I understood why. She had a snake in her talons!
Happy first day of school those going back today! (or starting)
July 15th, 2008 22:09
Yesterday I saw the female chased across the river by a Mockingbird. The noise they made!! And they hassled that hawk for the longest time. The large female red shouldered hawk sat on a branch for quite a while grooming herself after the Mockingbird finally let up. The feathers in the middle of her back sticking straight out where she’d been pecked at.
No hawk today. Just a quick swim before changing in the port-a-potty and meeting a friend.
Saw people jumping off the bridge and wanted to tell them about my brother’s broken leg. Last time someone was jumping I said, “Dude it’s too shallow” and he said ” I know what I’m doing” and I said “That’s what the last paraplegic said”. But of course they jumped anyway. The hardest part of swimming the river is not picking up every stray beer can and cigarette butt. That would not add to the beauty of the experience. I try to tell myself that those things happen every moment that I’m not on the river and just cause I’m there I don’t have to take responsibility for them. But it’s hard to leave trash.