Richard Moore Outdoor Report: Secluded Sanctuary

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas (ValleyCentral) — At first light, a flock of Rio Grande turkeys emerges from roosting to quench their thirst. 

Nearby, two Black-bellied whistling ducks are joined by a pair of ibis. The ibis immediately begin probing the shoreline for sustenance, as a black-necked stilt nosily chirps while strolling the shallows. 

Soon, a big boar wades in, lowering his muzzle to drink, and after tanking up, begins chomping the greenery. 

Spotting whistlers, the omnivorous hog contemplates dashing for duck dinner before grudgingly returning to his grassy repast. 

The quackers appear unperturbed by porcine presence and don’t even bother to glance back at the huge boar. 

A playful trio of deer arrives next, frolicking at their secluded sanctuary, and for several minutes enjoy happy splashing. 

A group of grebes leisurely grooms in a brightening morning, and soon one of them snatches what appears to be a small fish, which is quickly consumed. 

Two young bucks offer mirror reflections in tranquil waters. They are likely yearling twins with almost identical first-year antlers still in velvet. 

The quiet is broken by spirited stilt dispute as both pairs regard this watery realm as their private oasis. 

After successfully routing interlopers, the dominant pair relaxes on one leg, as stilts are apt to do. Soon, a duck glides in, and as stilts serenely tolerate this intrusion, a dark reflection moves past.

A mature bull nilgai continues striding purposefully down the shore and soon disappears. 

The next two bucks at the water's edge are more mature, and the ten-point is on high alert. 

Perhaps, there is a reason for the buck’s wariness as soon as a herd of wild pigs wades in to hog the water. 

A pair of whistling ducks shepherd their brood to safety, and there is danger afloat as this remote pond is home to a stealthy gator.  

There is little chance the gator will take on this enormous boar that promptly plops down…and it appears the wild pigs have temporarily taken over the tanque.