On the 10th we drove out to the Kings Ranch Visitor Center (Above) to go on the tour. In front of the visitor center is an old mesquite tree. Nothing was in very good shape. We were amazed at how run down the outside of the visitor center was. The van we went on the tour was nice and the guide was full of information.
The first thing we saw was a Mexican Eagle. Also known as a Caracara.
The first thing we saw was a Mexican Eagle. Also known as a Caracara.
The Mexican Eagle was sitting on one of the fence posts.
I took this picture of the Texas Longhorn, with the Santa Gertrudis beef cow behind. The Longhorn is mainly for show. The Santa Gertrudis is the beef cow that is raised for sale on the ranch.
The ranch also raised thoroughbred race horses for a time, and above is the stable. Hopefully you can view the year it was built. 
This is the running W brand that is used on the King Ranch. There isn't any record of why this brand was chosen. There are stories, but no one knows for sure.
As we left the ranch, the wind was blowing and the flags were all waving good by to us. Even though the sky looks gray and possible rain showers, we didn't manage to get any rain. The area is currently suffering from a drought situation. They have only had 5" of rain in the last 5 months. Usually the average is 25-30" per year, and this is the rainy season!
On the tour our guide told us about the abundance of game on the ranch. At the King Museum in Kingsville the story of the custom built hunting car is displayed along with the car.
The hunting to this day is managed by the descendants of the King family. They no longer use the hunting car! It was equipped with a mini bar in the back, a first aid kit, extra cans of fuel hidden in compartments by the front fenders and jump seats on top of the front fenders for the hunters to sit, with the scabbards for rifles attached right behind the above the fender. Very unique.
I took this picture of the Texas Longhorn, with the Santa Gertrudis beef cow behind. The Longhorn is mainly for show. The Santa Gertrudis is the beef cow that is raised for sale on the ranch.
The ranch also raised thoroughbred race horses for a time, and above is the stable. Hopefully you can view the year it was built. This is the running W brand that is used on the King Ranch. There isn't any record of why this brand was chosen. There are stories, but no one knows for sure.As we left the ranch, the wind was blowing and the flags were all waving good by to us. Even though the sky looks gray and possible rain showers, we didn't manage to get any rain. The area is currently suffering from a drought situation. They have only had 5" of rain in the last 5 months. Usually the average is 25-30" per year, and this is the rainy season! On the tour our guide told us about the abundance of game on the ranch. At the King Museum in Kingsville the story of the custom built hunting car is displayed along with the car.The hunting to this day is managed by the descendants of the King family. They no longer use the hunting car! It was equipped with a mini bar in the back, a first aid kit, extra cans of fuel hidden in compartments by the front fenders and jump seats on top of the front fenders for the hunters to sit, with the scabbards for rifles attached right behind the above the fender. Very unique.
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