Going batty in Austin

This visit to Austin was the first time I was there at the same time as the bats (I'm not going to get into the history of the bat migration to Austin except to say they migrate in from Mexico when it gets warm enough...and then when it starts cooling off, back they go to Mexico). 

I should have done some pre-visit research.  Instead, Kellie (a co-worker) and I headed to the bridge and just started asking other people questions like:
-what time will they start coming out? Consistent answer - "at dusk".  So we had to wait a little while

-what's the best location to see them? Different answer from everyone we asked.  Someone said "under the bridge" so we headed down the steps.  Kind of interesting down there. Some pretty views, lots of joggers, some bikers, lots of dogs with their humans along with other "tourist" types doing the same thing we were doing...bat hunting.

You could actually smell the bats (or something) down there.  Not horribly unpleasant, but a strong odor.  I am not certain of this, but I'm guessing the grooves under the bridge are where the bats go during the daylight hours.  What exactly is the stain along the edges of these openings?

We were warned that if we stayed under the bridge, it was likely we'd get bat droppings and maybe urine on us.  Should have brought an umbrella. 

We saw this sign down there.  We figured it was telling us something important...but its been a long time since my high school Spanish class.

Then we found the translation


hmmm...is a "grounded" bat one that is laying on the ground?

 From there, we decided to head back up to the top of the bridge.  There we were told to stand on the east side of the bridge (not sure why).   Kellie googled "bats in Austin" and a site suggested going to the end of the bridge to the "Statesmen" property - on the grass near the river's edge.  I figured some smart person had built a restaurant in a scenic location but when we drove by later, it looked like it must be the local newspaper headquarters.  However, as we're considering whether or not to walk there, Kellie spots a fellow-Razorback fan (she had on the shirt, he had on the hat).

 Nice family - there on vacation with their college kids (none of them UT students).

 Enjoyable conversation...and the next thing you know, here come the bats. Unfortunately I didn't have my "good" camera and I wasn't able to get any good shots since it was getting quite dark.

I think this guy had the best seat in the house...and maybe the best camera.



if you look really really carefully at this photo,  you'll see a huge swarm of bats (hmm....maybe just bees swarm)...but it was dark and this is a little blurry (no tripod which doesn't bode well for a night shot)

 And here are some other "bat fans" (they were everywhere)

It was a fun adventure especially with all of the friendly people hanging around.  I'm going to try it again....but before I do, I will do my homework so I know where to stand. May have to think about bringing the big Canon and a tripod as well.