Category Archives: On The Road

Traveling in our Coach

~On our way to the Grand Canyon

October 14, 2017 Sheila 2 Comments

~KOA, Site E10, Colorado City, CO, October 14, 2017

_MG_0676 — Howard and Skye, feeling sad we are missing Kloudy

After, what seems like forever, we are rambling again in our home on wheels, the Rambling Rose. We are tired from all the preparations it took to leave home, but excited to begin our winter travels. The traffic through Denver, Colorado Springs and Pueblo was moderate and without any construction. My driver did an excellent job!

We didn’t travel far this first day, which as it turns out was a good choice. The wind has been strong, so we are happy to be settled in for the evening and just resting. A bottle of Gnarly Head, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2015 helped!

We had the windows open in the coach and all of a sudden a gust of wind was so strong it blew over one of my Orchids that was hitting on the kitchen counter breaking two flowers off the stem. Bummer!

As we travel toward our destination to visit the Grand Canyon we are looking forward to new adventures. It is always fun to visit unexplored places. Homolovi State Park in Winslow, AZ will be a new place for us to visit. Made reservations today for a two night stay.

It has been difficult scheduling places to stay through Santa Fe or Albuquerque, NM. The annual Balloon Festival ends on Sunday, October 15, 2017 and the RV parks are still full through Monday. A couple of places in Albuquerque have one or two spots available, but are charging – the Ballon Festival rate – of $70.00 a night. Incredible!

We head out in the morning for Albuquerque, having found a spot at Enchanted Trails for $57.00 just across the highway from American RV, which is charging the $70.00 a night fee. We have stayed at American RV many times, but never Enchanted Trails. We will see how it goes; the man on the phone, taking my reservation, was extremely nice.

Notice our bike rack in the photo above. This summer we had a hitch put on our Ford Edge and we purchased a Thule bike rake. Before we had the bikes on the back of the coach. I like our new car bike rack better. We were a little worried today about the rack/bikes, but everything went well. The bikes didn’t fall off!

I was hoping for a better sunset photo, but it just didn’t happen. However, this one is pretty.

~On the Road Again; Life is Good~

On The Road, Photos-Birds

~Spring birding in Texas-

October 9, 2017 Sheila Leave a comment

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

A few more bird photos from our stay at South Llano River State Park; I think I am getting close to publishing all of them.

I only saw this Yellow Warbler once; flew in to get a drink of water and flew away. Might have been nesting.

This male House Finch is starting to show his breeding colors.

Yellow-rumped Warbler and a very wet Black-crested Titmouse

_MG_9604 — “Has anyone seen my mate? She is a pretty yellow girl.”

Summer Tanager (male)

This Carolina Chickadee just didn’t want his photo taken.

Happy Birding!

On The Road, Photos-Birds

~Birding in Texas, White-winged Dove

September 26, 2017 Sheila 6 Comments

~South Llano River State River, Junction, TX, Spring, 2017

_MG_9461 — White-winged Dove (adult) Note the dark cheek patch and blue around the eye

These beautiful doves are easy to photograph, they are slow moving and like to perch for extended periods of time. They were plentiful in South Llano River State park this past Spring. The males were beginning to show subtle breeding colors, brighter red feet and legs, and yellowish hues around the back of neck. We only get to see them while traveling south. They have a limited range in the US, mostly Texas.

I was sitting in one of the blinds when a Texas farmer came in and sat down. He was very friendly and a good photographer. He commented on the large number of White-winged Doves we were seeing. He stated him and his wife have too many doves around their farm. I could tell by the way he spoke, they didn’t seem to care for these doves. I’am not sure if they caused them problems or they just didn’t like them. Maybe they ate too much bird seed!

This from Wikipedia- “The white-winged dove is a dove whose native range extends from the south-western United States through Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. In recent years with increasing urbanization and backyard feeding, it has expanded throughout Texas, into Oklahoma, Louisiana and coastal Mississippi. It has also been introduced to Florida.”

Happy Birding!

On The Road

~Birding in Texas, Black-crested Titmouse

September 22, 2017 Sheila Leave a comment

First day of Fall! Yay!

~Birding in Texas, South Llano River State Park, Spring, 2017

It was nice this Titmouse had a sunflower seed in its mouth and was intend on eating. They are always flitting around, never still.

It takes a contortionist to eat a little seed.

_MG_9523 — Sweet face. Big, pretty eyes!

Located in western Texas, they prefer oak woods and feed on insects and seeds. My first sighting of this bird was back on 11/20/2008, at South Llano River State Park.

Happy Birding!

_MG_9520

On The Road, Photos-Birds

~Birding in Texas, Goldfinch

September 20, 2017 Sheila 2 Comments

~ South Llano River State Park, Spring, 2017

Back to South Llano River State Park for some additional photos. There were several goldfinches around the park; most of them enjoying the feeders set around the blinds. They were beginning to show their breeding colors.

I can’t say why I like this photo, but I do. This little lessor goldfinch seems to be hiding under a leaf. Look close and you can see his eye. Note the dark color of the legs and the short tail.