History of Palo Alto Battlefield and Laguna Atascosa

Plaque with a brief description of the battle at Palo Alto.

Lecture by Dr, Ramirez about the history of the battle at Palo Alto.  The professor is sitting on top of  a gribeauval style Mexican cannon.  A major factor  why the Americans won the battle at Palo Alto is because their artillery was light, more readily mobile and efficient compared to the behemoths the Mexican army used.  

Laguna Atascosa used to be a military installation during the early 20th century.  Photo of a coastal prairie at the refuge.  

In 1946 the once military installation was converted into a national wildlife refuge by the migratory Bird Treaty Act.  Photo of the largest laguna at Laguna Atascosa. 

A Green Jay and  common grackle roosting.  

Exploring Laguna Atascosa, in the Rio Grande Delta

Laguna Atascosa consists of a main tract of land.  The image above flags the sites visited.  The habitat ranges from lowland coastal prairies, estuarine wetlands, thornscrub stands, and lomas. 

Coastal prairies have acidic and saline soils that only specific types of flora grow. as shown in the background. Photo was taken at White-tail Deer Trail.

Sea oxeye daisy Borrichia frutescens in the foreground at a coastal prairie. 

Prehistorically jaguars and ocelots once roamed in abundance.  Photo was taken at the visitor center.

Laguna Atascosa the largest lagoon in the refuge.  Photo was taken at Osprey Overlook.

a google earth map of the visitor center, Osprey overlook that views Laguna Atascosa, and Alligator Pond.

Photo of alligator track, as the gator comes and goes from Alligator Pond it leaves behind a trail.  

Photo of an alligator at Alligator Pond.  The reptile is located on the center right of the photo.