Richard Moore Outdoor Report: Tanque Alegre

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas (ValleyCentral) — There is no finer place to savor the opening of the door of the day than Tanque Alegre. 

Twilight chorus of summer cicadas soars to crescendo just before sunrise crests distant mesquites. 

With darkness vanquished, the frenetic buzzing of pervasive insects cedes to morning birdsong. 

In the ranch country of southernmost Texas, north of Raymondville and miles from any paved road, the enthralling allure of this tranquil oasis is its remoteness. 

First to arrive is a doe and her yearling. Heavy with this year’s offspring, the doe will give birth any day now.

Soon after the deer depart, a massive boar with menacing tusks protruding begins slaking his thirst.

The big boar is not the only wild pig visiting this day, and within minutes, a dark sow appears accompanied by a large reddish male. The swine don’t hesitate to plunge right in and drink their fill.

Lurking just beyond the porcine waders, an alligator stares hungrily at the duo. However, at just some four feet in length, the gator will not attack so much hefty pork and glides off in search of smaller prey.

Later, a velvet-clad buck casts a perfect mirror reflection in glassy water, lifting his head occasionally scanning for danger as droplets trickle from his mouth before lowering his muzzle to satisfy his thirst. 

Finally, thirst satiated and a couple of hardy burps later, the buck slips back into tall grass and cloaking woods.  

Parade of wildlife continues with the arrival of a young bull nilgai. As the impressive animal slowly drinks his fill, scores of dragonflies flit by. 

I have been visiting this sequestered sanctuary for decades, and while wildlife is abundant…enticing quiet of wilderness beckons where the only sounds are those of nature. 

I don’t know for sure who named Tanque Alegre or “Happy Pond”, but it is my happy place and a peaceful oasis for wildlife.