Category Archives: On The Road

Traveling in our Coach

~Birding in Texas, Pine Siskin

December 10, 2017 Sheila 10 Comments

~South Llano River State Park, Junction, TX, November, 2017

Although it is patterned like a sparrow, its shape, actions, and song all reveal that this bird is really a goldfinch in disguise.

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It was fun to observe 30+ Pine Siskin up close. In Colorado I would see them while hiking; however they tended to flit high in the trees out of photo range.

To learn more about the Pine Siskin go to: Pine Siskin.

On The Road, Photos-Birds

~Birding in Texas, Hermit Thrush

December 9, 2017 Sheila 3 Comments

~South Llano River State Park, Junction, TX, November, 2017

I believe this is the first photo of a Hermit Thrush I have taken. Generally, I don’t get an opportunity to observe one. This one was hanging around one of the bird blinds at South Llano River State Park when we were there over Thanksgiving, and I am thankful I got its photograph.

A few facts about the Hermit Thrush – taken from WhatBird.Com….

Hermit Thrush: Small thrush, with olive-brown to red- or gray-brown upperparts, black-spotted white underparts and rufous tail. Distinct white eye-ring. Pink legs, feet. Swift direct flight, may hover briefly over prey. Considered to have one of the most beautiful songs of all North American birds. The state bird of Vermont.

In the Appalachian Mountains the Hermit Thrush is displaced at lower elevations by the Veery and at higher elevations by Swainson’s Thrush.
East of the Rocky Mountains it usually nests on the ground. In the West, it is more likely to nest in trees.
Walt Whitman construes this bird as a symbol of the American voice, poetic and otherwise, in his elegy for Abraham Lincoln, ‘When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’.
A group of thrushes are collectively known as a “hermitage” and a “mutation” of thrushes.

Range and Habitat

Hermit Thrush: Breeds from central Alaska east to Newfoundland and south to southern California, northern New Mexico, Wisconsin, and Virginia. Spends winters from Washington and southern New England southward. Preferred habitats include coniferous and mixed forests; deciduous woodlands and thickets are favored during migration and winter.

~Happy Birding~

_MG_2295 — The beautiful South Llano River

On The Road, Photos-Birds, Photos-Landscapes, Photos-Wildlife

~South Llano River State Park

December 8, 2017 Sheila Leave a comment

~South Llano River State Park, Junction, TX, November, 2017

Howard and I spent several days, during the Thanksgiving holiday at South Llano River State Park. Because, it was a holiday weekend the campground was full and crowded. Lots of people enjoying this beautiful park, birding, walking, hiking, biking and fishing.

Of course some of us were enjoying taking photos. More to come from South Llano River State Park.

On The Road, Photos-Landscapes

~Rock Hound State Park

December 5, 2017 Sheila 4 Comments

~Rock Hound State Park, Deming, New Mexico, November, 2017

We left Catalina State Park in Oro Valley, AZ and drove to Rock Hound State Park in New Mexico. We had a reservation for one night, tried to get two nights, but they were booked. This state park is popular and has been filling up every night.

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The rugged slopes of the Little Florida Mountains are the setting for this park, which boasts trails, unique geology, wildflower displays, and a peaceful campground. The stunning scenery of the Spring Canyon unit of the park provides a peaceful area for hiking or picnicking. (Description from the Web)

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Here is our site, which was the only one available at the time we made our reservation.

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I only saw two birds during the short time we were here – a Cactus Wren, which visited us at our site and this Curved-billed Thrasher who stopped to say goodbye. We had just hooked up the tow car and were ready to pull out of the campground when I saw this bird. I ran inside to retrieve my camera and was able to capture him with my “short” lens.

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When we were driving toward the campground on a two-lane country road, having driven over several cattle guards, we came upon these Texas Longhorns. Whoo, Whoo! I enjoy seeing them and love when I get an opportunity to photograph them.

I asked Howard to stop, grabbed my camera off the sofa and quietly opened the door. I readied my camera and peaked around the frontend of the coach.

Well, in doing so, I scared the heck out of this big cow with long horns. She jumped back and twirled around.

Well, she scared me even more; I took a few steps back behind the coach. I through for sure she was going to run away, but instead she stopped and just stared. I guess she realized she was bigger than me.

I got my photo and jumped back in the coach. Notice the black and white one in the background.

~This New Mexico State Park is a beauty… you are surrounded by mountains with views in all directions, the sunsets are stunning, and the dark skies are breathtaking. And, maybe if you are lucky you will see a few longhorns along the way.~

On The Road, Photos-Birds

~Birding in Arizona – a few final photos from Catalina State Park

December 4, 2017 Sheila 2 Comments

~Catalina State Park, Oro Valley, AZ, November, 2107

_MG_1770 — As the sun sets on the Catalina Mountains.

I don’t think this Warbler liked the suet, but it was fun watching it try to land on the feeder.

Recently I began paying more attention to the House Finch, which is usually ignored. They can be very expressive and a challenge to photograph.

I watched this male land on this stump, fly off, and then return. I focused my camera on the stump, and with patience managed to capture these photos. It sure pays to watch a birds behavior when trying to photograph them and is very educational. What a handsome little finch and a cute pose.

This Morning Dove sat on this branch for the longest time. It seemed perfectly fine, resting in the sunshine. There must have been about fifty morning Doves around our RV site, usually in the early morning and late evening; they appeared to be a little thin, perhaps they just migrated south.