Category Archives: On The Road

Traveling in our Coach

On The Road, Photos-Birds

SBS: ~American Coot~

September 4, 2013 Sheila 6 Comments

American Coot (4) — American Coot ~they are Beautiful~

Sheila’s Bird Shots: ~American Coot~

In early spring, of this year, we were returning home from our winter trip and we stopped at Balmorhea State Park for a couple of days. This state park is located in Balmorhea, Texas.

This little pond, in the state park, provided the perfect feeding area for these American Coots. The sun was setting, turning the pond’s surface to a beautiful “fire” color.

American Coot (3) — Swimming among the Reeds

American Coot (6) — Beautiful Sunset Colors on the Pond

Click on the image for a clearer image.

On The Road, Photos-Birds

SBS: ~Cedar Waxwing~

August 23, 2013 Sheila 11 Comments

Sheila’s Bird Shots: ~Cedar Waxwing~

gazing down at me

onyx eyes tell a story

leave me be, resting

By Sheila: August 23, 2013

I photographed these Cedar Waxwings in March, 2013 at South Llano State Park. Waxwings are gregarious and true to this description I saw many of them.

Red, waxy tips on secondary wing feathers are often indistinct and sometimes absent altogether. All waxwings have sleek crests, silky plumage and yellow-tipped tails. Where berries are ripening, waxwings come to feast in amiable, noisy flocks. [description taken from one of my favorite birding books “National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America.]

The “Smithsonian Handbook: Birds of North America, Western Region” states the description of the red, waxy tips differently. It states – the purpose of the “red wax” is long-debated, but younger birds do not have it and the older birds that do often choose each other as mates and produce more young that the younger pairs.

Waxwings eats fruit, flower petals and insects; and drinks sap. One way to distinguish between males and females is the color of the throat. Females have a brownish throat, the males a blackish throat.

March, still looks like winter. — Still Looks Wintery

Cedar Waxwing [Hmm, taking a break] — Lovely Cedar Waxwing

I might have mentioned before, South Llano State Park in Junction, Texas is one of my all time favorites.

Sunset Colors ~On the South Llano River~ [this photo taken in November, 2011 — Sunset Colors ~On the South Llano River~
[this photo taken in November, 2011

An Old Picket Fence (taken at South Llano State Park) — An Old Picket Fence (photo taken at South Llano State Park in November, 2011)

Berries in South Llano State Park.

On The Road, Photos-Birds

SBS:~Mockingbird~

July 9, 2013 Sheila 2 Comments

Sheila’s Bird Shots: ~ Northern Mockingbird ~

~ I'am sure you can't see me ~ — ~ I’am sure you can’t see me ~

Growing up in the South the Northern Mockingbird was a common sight. As a kid I enjoyed its repertoire of notes and mimicking vocals. It is a beautiful songbird with a huge personality.

The Mockingbird will defend a large territory, up to two acres, and often will chase just about anything that happens to cluelessly meander into its home base. An area this large it must keep darn busy.

I have been dive-bombed many times. Birds, dogs and cats watch out it will peck you on the head, on the butt, and everywhere in between if you get anywhere near its nest.

Sitting from a high perch the Mockingbird likes to sing when other birds are peacefully roosting. If you have ever laid awake at night with the window open and are lucky enough to live in the Northern Mockingbird’s range, you probably have been lulled to sleep by its pleasing, repetitive song.

As an adult, I enjoy seeing and hearing this enchanting songbird. Its presence always brings back delightful memories for me of playing in the yard and climbing trees.

Don’t you wish we could climb trees again with nothing more to worry about than getting harassed by a Northern Mockingbird?

Northern Mockingbird sitting pretty in the evening light ( taken in JDSP)

Northern Mockingbird taken at Rainbow Springs State Park

Northern Mockingbird has his eye on a bug (taken in Jonathan Dickinson State Park)

A Northern Mockingbird watching us as we walked along the path (taken in Jonathan Dickinson State Park)

Northern Mockingbird sitting at the top of a tall tree (taken in Mississippi)

Northern Mockingbird had enough of me (taken in Jonathan Dickinson State Park)

On The Road, Photos-Birds

SBS:~ Scissor-tailed Flycatcher~

July 2, 2013 Sheila 6 Comments

These graceful birds are fun to watch!

Some dear friends of ours are currently traveling toward home, in their motorhome. They spent several days at Lake Whitney, TX and while there, they were entertained by six, comical Scissor-tailed Flycatchers. How exciting to see six at once.

Their funny story reminded me of some photos I took of a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, back in April of 2012 at Caprock Canyon State Park. (Hope ya’ll enjoy these.)

Caprock Canyon State Park is located in Briscoe County, Texas, south of Amarillo.

It is known for its deep, colorful ravines and the fact that it is home to the official Bison Herd in the state of Texas.

Beautiful evening light at Caprock Canyon State Park

On The Road

Places we have visited since my last post…..

April 21, 2013 Sheila 2 Comments

It has been awhile since I have written and today I felt like sharing where we have been since my last post.

~Lake Seminole-East Bank Campground – A beautiful U.S Army Corps of Engineers Park located in Bainbridge, GA. (on the GA/FL state line near Chattahoochee, FL). This state park offers lovely views of Lake Seminole and a fantastic place to bird.

~Our favorite RV “park” located on the outskirts of Purvis, MS. This is where we enjoy the company of those we love!!!

“Souring hearts upon arrival, broken upon departure and always filled with love until the next visit.”

~Fairview Riverside State Park in Madisonville, LA – the friendliest people, beautiful old Oak trees and the Tchefuncte River makes this state park one of our favorites. Did I mention the food – New Orleans food longed for all year and eaten here in the area until we bust. Also, some fun time spend with wonderful friends leaving lifetime memories. Back to our roots!

~Stephen F. Austin State Park – located near Katy, TX. This is a lovely, picturesque and peaceful state park where you are surrounded by forest and the songs of birds announcing spring! I have never seen so many Northern Cardinals in one location – ever!

~ Frog City, LA – a one night stop simply to eat some delicious Louisiana seafood!! A last chance opportunity and one taken with mouth-watering anticipation! Being from LA and having grown up enjoying this delicious food we love stopping here in the heart of Cajun country.

~Kerrville, TX – our Hill Country favorite town. A quite place to re-group, to get the Rambling Rose washed and waxed, to experience some authentic “cowboy” hospitality and enjoy west Texas at its finest. We love to stay at the Buckhorn Lake Resort.

~South Llano State Park located in Junction, TX– one of the very best birding places anywhere. Also, Rio Grande wild turkeys roost within the park. The Rio Grande Wild Turkeys depend on this perserve. This state park is perhaps my very favorite!

~Balmorhea State Park located in Balmorhea, TX. I consider this state park a one or two night stop over. It is a favorite destination for locals and divers from all over the country giving them the opportunity to experience the natural, spring pools. I would rather drive the extra miles and go to Davis Mountain State Park. I prefer dark, clear skies over deep pools!

~Three new stops during our 2012/2013 adventure

– First – Brantley Lake State Park located 12 miles from Carlsbad, NM. We enjoyed visiting Carlsbad Caverns and Sitting Bull Falls.

– Second – Bottomless Lakes State Park, Roswell, NM where you can enjoy the peaceful surrounding of the state park with its 90 foot deep sink holes or you can drive into Roswell to hunt for aliens!!

– A Roswell side trip, just seven miles away, brought us to Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge. This area is a biologically significant wetland area and is located where the Chihuahuan Desert meets the Southern Plains. A gorgeous place and a winter refuge for thousands of birds.

– Third – Santa Rosa State Park, Santa Rosa, NM with its 360 views of the New Mexico plains and stunning views of the Pecos River. We did not have the best weather while we were there. Strong winds and freezing temperatures did not invite exploration!

As you can see, from our choices in where to camp, we love the state parks and they never disappoint filling our souls with the beauty of nature and a deep longing to return.

After six months of travel we are now back at home in Loveland, Co. During this first week we have had almost two feet of snow and extremely low temperatures lasting for three days. The lowest temperature, I think, was 9 degrees. Where is spring?

This transition, from traveling in our coach to being stationary at home, generates feelings for me that are truly inexpressible. Maybe one day I will be able to put these feeling into words.

Needless to say I am happily awaiting the arrival of spring to northern Colorado and appreciative for a way of life that allows me to experience it several times a year. How fun!!

Wolf Song Blog

Category Archives: On The Road

SBS: ~American Coot~

Sheila’s Bird Shots: ~American Coot~

In early spring, of this year, we were returning home from our winter trip and we stopped at Balmorhea State Park for a couple of days. This state park is located in Balmorhea, Texas.

This little pond, in the state park, provided the perfect feeding area for these American Coots. The sun was setting, turning the pond’s surface to a beautiful “fire” color.

SBS: ~Cedar Waxwing~

Sheila’s Bird Shots: ~Cedar Waxwing~

gazing down at me

onyx eyes tell a story

leave me be, resting

By Sheila: August 23, 2013

I photographed these Cedar Waxwings in March, 2013 at South Llano State Park. Waxwings are gregarious and true to this description I saw many of them.

Waxwings eats fruit, flower petals and insects; and drinks sap. One way to distinguish between males and females is the color of the throat. Females have a brownish throat, the males a blackish throat.

I might have mentioned before, South Llano State Park in Junction, Texas is one of my all time favorites.

Berries in South Llano State Park.

SBS:~Mockingbird~

Sheila’s Bird Shots: ~ Northern Mockingbird ~

Growing up in the South the Northern Mockingbird was a common sight. As a kid I enjoyed its repertoire of notes and mimicking vocals. It is a beautiful songbird with a huge personality.

The Mockingbird will defend a large territory, up to two acres, and often will chase just about anything that happens to cluelessly meander into its home base. An area this large it must keep darn busy.

I have been dive-bombed many times. Birds, dogs and cats watch out it will peck you on the head, on the butt, and everywhere in between if you get anywhere near its nest.

Sitting from a high perch the Mockingbird likes to sing when other birds are peacefully roosting. If you have ever laid awake at night with the window open and are lucky enough to live in the Northern Mockingbird’s range, you probably have been lulled to sleep by its pleasing, repetitive song.

As an adult, I enjoy seeing and hearing this enchanting songbird. Its presence always brings back delightful memories for me of playing in the yard and climbing trees.

Don’t you wish we could climb trees again with nothing more to worry about than getting harassed by a Northern Mockingbird?

SBS:~ Scissor-tailed Flycatcher~

These graceful birds are fun to watch!

Some dear friends of ours are currently traveling toward home, in their motorhome. They spent several days at Lake Whitney, TX and while there, they were entertained by six, comical Scissor-tailed Flycatchers. How exciting to see six at once.

Their funny story reminded me of some photos I took of a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, back in April of 2012 at Caprock Canyon State Park. (Hope ya’ll enjoy these.)

Caprock Canyon State Park is located in Briscoe County, Texas, south of Amarillo.

It is known for its deep, colorful ravines and the fact that it is home to the official Bison Herd in the state of Texas.

Places we have visited since my last post…..

Enjoying retirement: On The Road & At Home