We Made it Home
We Made it Home, what a journey it has been for us and so many others this past year. I still have plenty of photos to share of all the beautiful states we travelled in.
The thing I remember the most from the past 10 months is all the wonderful people we met along the way. Folks who would just stop by and say hello, who would share their travels and give advice on places to see. For the most part, I remember all the smiles from others, even though so much is going on in the world around us, it never stopped folks from just living.
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps
We Made it Home
Have a Wonderful Weekend
Spring Birds
Spring Birds, I am seeing a lot of Orioles this year, I believe this one below is a female oriole. Not sure which one, there are a few different species of them.
All About Bird Blind video here; Bird Blinds at Campgrounds
Along with, the red winged black birds are back and the robins are enjoying the spring time weather all over the country.
Spring Birds
The Pileated Woodpecker
The Pileated Woodpecker is one of the biggest, most striking forest birds on the continent. It’s nearly the size of a crow, black with bold white stripes down the neck and a flaming-red crest.
Look (and listen) for Pileated Woodpeckers whacking at dead trees and fallen logs in search of their main prey, carpenter ants, leaving unique rectangular holes in the wood. The nest holes these birds make offer crucial shelter to many species including swifts, owls, ducks, bats, and pine martens.
I found this one in Montana 🙂
The Pileated Woodpecker
If I Flew On Morning’s Wings
The Yaak River in Montana
The Yaak River in Montana, we are eastward bound, leaving the great state of Montana. We will be traveling on Interstate 90 and today we are under a winter storm watch here in Montana. They have been getting a lot of rain and snow this year.
The interstate runs all along the Yellowstone river and if you have not heard, the Yellowstone river is flooding. They actually had to close Yellowstone National Park because the river has washed out the roads in the park. So I hope the road we are traveling on won’t be washed out either.
Montana – Big sky country.
The Yaak River in Montana
Spring is in the Air
Spring is in the Air, the sun shine really brings out the colors to some of our song birds. Where in the shade they may look like plain old black birds. But when the Sun shines, the vibrant colors do as well.
I think this one is checking out his toe nails, might be wanting a little pedicure. 🙂
Spring is in the Air
Colorful World With Ducks
Colorful World With Ducks, nothing more colorful then ducks in the spring. I am not sure what is up with these ducks that look like they are wearing top hats. But the vibrant green colors are always so beautiful in the spring.
Here is a fun little video of these ducks swimming at this natural spring pond. Called; Synchronized Diving
Colorful World With Ducks
Pecos River New Mexico & Texas
Pecos River New Mexico & Texas The Pecos River, one of the major tributaries of the Rio Grande, runs through New Mexico and Texas before it empties into the Rio Grande near Del Rio Texas. The river flows out of the Pecos Wilderness, through rugged granite canyons and waterfalls, and passes small, high-mountain meadows along its 926-mile journey
The Pecos has figured in many tall tales over the years. Fans of frontier lore have heard the phrase “West of the Pecos,” is the region where the Wild West is said to have begun.
Bike Ride to the Rio Grande Video Here; Rio Grande River
These two photos below are not mine, I found them on the internet to show how high the water used to be here on the Pecos river. This area was very popular with boating a few years back, big boats used to travel down this river.
But today, you might only be able to get a canoe down parts of the river, I will show you what it looks like and who occupies the canyon floor now in the animal kingdom world tomorrow.
Pecos River New Mexico & Texas
Leaving Seminole Canyon Texas
Leaving Seminole Canyon Texas, this area of Texas is our first look at the vastness of the south west. A terrain that is so different than anything I have ever seen.
Here is a video of the Pecos river and all the goats; Sometimes my videos go on after I make the post but I will add the link the next day. Wild Goats on the Pecos River
It is a place that has changed over the years, where people used to live and provide for themselves and others. When water was flowing high in the Pecos River.
As we were standing at the bottom of the canyon, I looked up and squinted as I tried to see what these 4 rock type things are. So I zoomed in on them with my camera and it appears to be cement braces trying to hold up the two giant rocks on the side of this cliff.
My main thought is, how did they get those up there. Hmmmm, 🙂
Leaving Seminole Canyon Texas
Goats Lots of Goats
Goats Lots of Goats, we discovered this canyon on a drive we took one day. We parked the jeep at the top of the canyon and as we walked closer to the edge to see the view, we could hear faint noises coming up from the canyon floor. At first, I did not recognize what the noise was.
Then we looked over the edge and here we saw dozens of goats all along the canyon. Not just on the bottom, they were all over the sides of the canyon as well. In yesterday’s post, I showed you a photo of this canyon half full of water. Now the goats run all over this area, I am not sure what they are eating, there sure wasn’t much for vegetation.
We drove down to the bottom of the canyon over on the right side of this photo below. The goats were all over on the left side of the river. So, some of my photos were a little blurry. The goats were very far away from my 400 mm lens.
They did look healthy and pregnant for some of them. So, they learned to adapt to this environment and find food. It was fun to hear all the baby goats singing away, as their voices echoed in the canyon.
Goats Lots of Goats
Smiling Ducks
Smiling Ducks, This white duck just has a look of happiness. As if it is smiling, mostly because of its chubby cheeks I think.
Short video of these white ducks doing a little wiggle to some music below or click on this link Here; Duck Tails
Smiling Ducks
End May With a New Bird Count
End May With a New Bird Count, 142 birds photographed. Remember, there are over 900 birds species in North America. So I have a long ways to go.
This first new bird to my eyes is the Western Tanager. What a bright colored bird, orange and yellows. We were camped at a small campground and I went for a walk and saw all these bright colored birds. I went over to the fence where they were all flying about to see what was attracting them all to this area and come to find out the owner had taken the honey comb trays out of his bee hives and these birds were loving that.
Next is the Bullocks Oriole, it was getting in on the action of the honey as well.
End May With a New Bird Count
In Memory Of
New Bird From the Bahamas
New Bird From the Bahamas, this is the Eurasian Collared Dove, with very bright red eyes. This chunky relative of the Mourning Dove gets its name from the black half-collar at the nape of the neck. A few Eurasian Collared-Doves were introduced to the Bahamas in the 1970s. They made their way to Florida by the 1980s and then rapidly colonized most of North America.
One of the things I like to use if available when I am out looking to photograph birds, is to use a bird blind. Some of the campgrounds have them built in the wooded areas, plus you can make one your self at home if you want to. Here is a link to LLano State Park in Texas, that actually had 4 bird blinds to use when you visit this park.
Link Here; Bird Blinds this is one of my videos from this park when we were camping there.
Have a great weekend.
Eurasian Collared Dove White Winged Dove
White Winged Dove Morning Dove
New Bird From the Bahamas
Another New Bird
Another New Bird, the Yellow Warbler. I finally have a warbler photograph. This one did not want to look at me, so I only got a couple of photos as it was very fast and did not stick around long. They really liked this tree with the yellow seed type things growing on it.
These yellow flowers on this tree smell so good. I could smell the floral scent before I got to the grove of trees out walking in the desert. It is like nothing I have ever seen or smelled before. It was beautiful and these warblers loved these trees as well.
Another New Bird
The World of Finches
The World of Finches, Finches are a colorful addition to any back yard and to our bird list if we have one. Which I am up to 137 now. There is one bird on this post that I don’t know what it is, mostly black with a bit of yellow under the bill.
Plus a video link to my You Tube channel showing a Green Heron hunting fish, I think I forgot to add this one a few days ago, Link Here; Green Heron
Lesser Goldfinch
Gold Finch
I don’t know what this one is. If anyone has a guess let me know and I will add it to my list.
House Finch
Purple Finch
Common Redpoll Finch
The World of Finches
Blue Eyed White Pelican
Blue Eyed White Pelican, well I am back in my element of birding today. I have jumped ahead a bit to share these photos. We are in Idaho right now and camping next to a lake. It is so nice to be by water after all the dry months of traveling in the south. But I still have plenty of photos to share from down there as well.
We set up camp at this lake near Boise Idaho and right away I noticed white pelicans off in the distance. So I got the camera out and pulled up a chair and here they came flying right over top of me. What a wonderful sight after all these months on the road.
There is just something magical about watching these large birds glide in the air.
I noticed this ones eye is such a pretty blue. Maybe they are all that color. I will have to find out this week.
Below a group of them were flying by and I have never taken a photo of them flying with their bills open like the second one from the front. You suppose they like to fly like that catching the wind like a dog does when they put their heads out the car window? 😊
Blue Eyed White Pelican
What a Smart Bird
What a Smart Bird the Raven, I was watching these ravens at one of the campgrounds we were at for about a week. They kept an eye on all the campsites. As soon as a camper left there spot, the ravens would come in and inspect the area, looking for scraps.
This one actually checked out the charcoal grill and seemed to be telling the others that there is nothing left here. Then he jumped down to the ground to make sure he did not miss anything.
What a Smart Bird
All Creatures Great and Small
Armadillos (meaning “little armored ones” in Spanish),
Armadillos are prolific diggers. They dig many burrows, as well as dig for food. The animal will not survive in areas where the soil is too hard to dig. Many other wildlife species use and benefit from abandoned armadillo burrows.
Video of Armadillos on our Journey Here; Armadillos
All Creatures Great and Small
Cows in the Desert
Cows in the Desert, the desert is an amazing place I have found out. I see cattle here and there grazing the dried up desert landscapes. Wondering how do they get any nutrition from all this dry grass. We have not seen rain in months down south as we are traveling, yet there are a few flowers here and there and some plants stay green also.
We were driving some back roads and came across this small heard of cattle. This black one here was standing so perfectly still even as I walked up to the fence to take its photo. He posed very well with the mountains in the background. You can see the video of these beautiful cows Here; Long Horn Cattle
Spring is the time for calving no matter where you live.
Cows in the Desert
From the Mountains of No Names
From the Mountains of No Names comes faith as small as a mustard seed, where nothing is impossible.
I have lived in the mid west my entire life and never ventured west until this year. I have always wanted to see the mountains and it is truly a sight to behold. To be able to climb to the highest peak that I can climb to and then look out over this vast landscape for miles and miles.
Not only is it breathtaking but it makes me see how small we really are, like standing next to the ocean. Areas that are bigger than my imagination and more beautiful then I could ever dream of. Creation is truly a gift.
The mountains started in southern Texas, below we climbed to the top of Franklyn Mountains in El Paso Texas.
This photo below is Seminole Canyon in Texas, taken with the drone looking at the Rio Grande river which is very low water levels. We have noticed the lack of water all through out the south.
Below is the wide open spaces of Arizona, BLM land, that is our camper in the photo. BLM land is free to camp on. You just find an empty spot and stay there up to 14 days. The dust was blowing here all the time.
Utah is amazing, the red rocks and canyons are amazing to see. This photo below is Zion National Park, it was taken with the drone outside of the park. Looking west. It is quite something how on top of the mountains it looks flat almost everywhere.
This mountains range below and valley is quite the place. Its location speaks of much history on how folks lived back in the day. It is called Spring Valley in eastern Nevada, it is full of natural springs all along the valley. The water is flowing even now as we visited this place.
The green valley floods with the monsoon rains in the spring and summer and many many years ago, people lived along the valley and all this water would freeze in the winter. Cutting ice out of the frozen water was a way to make a living here. I will have more information on these places as I get to them individually.
Another mountain in Nevada below, we drove to the top of this one which was nearly 10,000 ft elevation. It is quite the road to get to the top. There is snow up there and you definitely want 4 wheel drive going up this back country road. But what a view from the top.
We continue our travels north, thank you so much for following along. I appreciate all your wonderful comments you leave on these post and enjoy being able to talk to each and everyone of you when I can. The internet is not always the best in some of these places we have been to. But thank you very much, I appreciate it. Have a wonderful day.
From the Mountains of No Names
Female Ruby Throated Hummingbird
Female Ruby Throated Hummingbird, I have seen my first hummingbirds today. I always enjoy watching these beautiful little birds. We are in Nevada right now and it is cold here, last night it got down to 28 degrees F. But as soon as the sun comes out these little birds are flying all over the place.
We are heading farther north tomorrow, we have been watching the weather and staying put for a few days here trying to avoid the snow that is falling in Oregon. I still have plenty of photos to go through from Texas, NM and AR. I will be sharing those as we go along.
We are finally seeing some green grass, but the winds are still extreme here in eastern Nevada. Not as much dust blowing and that is a nice change. We are headed towards a rainier climate and that might help wash the outside of the RV and Jeep. They really need it.
Below are some of my favorite Hummingbird shots from last summer. 🙂
Female Ruby Throated Hummingbird
What I Have Learned
What I Have Learned, This trip we are on has shown me a world I knew existed but was afraid to walk into. Traveling away from the physical world that I grew up in, has made me realize that my safety net is not where I am but knowing I am in His world where ever I am.
What I Have Learned
Next Stop Granger Texas
Next Stop Granger Texas, our next stop in eastern Texas is at Willis Creek Campground, a Corp of Engineer Lake. If you love camping in national parks and Corp of Engineer parks, I highly recommend getting the America the Beautiful pass, it cost $80 dollars for the year and gets you 50% off your campground fee.
So this campground cost us 11 dollars a night with water and electricity included. This pass has saved us a lot of money on this trip.
We entered the park and there are deer every where. I am not sure if this one works here and wants us to pay her or she is just adding to the scenic view of the park.
See the Video Here; Granger Texas Campground
Mornings are so colorful here at the lake. Sunrise is my favorite time of day.
Next Stop Granger Texas
Mr and Mrs Stilt
Mr and Mrs Stilt, more new birds to my list. I believe the first photo is a female stilt because the second photo is the male and he was sure guarding this first bird as if it is his mate.
Black-necked Stilts are among the most stately of the shorebirds, with long rose-pink legs, a long thin black bill, and elegant black-and-white plumage that make them unmistakable at a glance. They move deliberately when foraging, walking slowly through wetlands in search of tiny aquatic prey. When disturbed, stilts are vociferous, to put it mildly, and their high, yapping calls carry for some distance.
Of course Texas is a great place to see the the Greater Roadrunner. They actually have some color along the side of their face and wings and tail feather. Which I did not know and yes they do run very fast. Video of the Greater Roadrunner below or click HERE; The Greater Roadrunner
Mr and Mrs Stilt
Davy Crockett National Park
Davy Crockett National Park, this park in Texas has the most beautiful pine trees called Loblolly Trees. They grow up to 100 ft. tall. Amazing to stand there and look up and watch them sway in the wind.
I just posted a video of this beautiful park on my You Tube channel, Click Here to Visit; Davy Crockett National Forest. It is a longer video so I will leave it over on You Tube instead of posting it here.
Davy Crockett National Park
May Brings a Variety of Photos
May Brings a Variety of Photos, starting the month off with a variety of photos from a Cardinal sitting in the spot light.
To a White Winged dove photo in a frame I created in photoshop. I love trying to create new looks to my photos via technology.
This photo below is a shot from the Drone camera, how high did it really go to get this shot? Using the Asteroid effect, the camera goes straight up above the controller 131 feet . The little spot at the end of the road off to the left of center is us standing by some mountains in Texas.
I took this photo last night of the Milky Way at our campground, there was some light pollution in the area but it still turned out ok.
May Brings a Variety of Photos
From the Land of Texas
From the Land of Texas, I am back to posting our journey from the state of Texas during February and March. Lots of new birds yet to come and landscapes of places I have never been to before.
Texas is a very big state and our first stop is Davy Crockett National Forest in Eastern Texas. It is nice to see pine trees again after the long stay along the gulf coast. During our stay here in February the day time temperatures are not to bad, but it did get down below freezing a few times at night.
This map below shows the journey we took across the state of Texas. From Al to Western Texas we traveled 3210 miles. We were in Texas for 2 months during February and March. Our initial plan was to slowly drop down to Big Bend National park, Texas is a long state, so each red dot is a park we stayed at along the way.
I have to say Texas has some beautiful parks and if you get the America the Beautiful National park pass, it gives you 50% off all national parks and Core of Engineer parks. So this park we are at today only cost 10 dollars a night and that includes electricity and water.
From the Land of Texas
The Sky’s the Limit
The Sky’s the Limit, normally it does not work to take photos with a clear blue sky background. Most photographers like to have some clouds or something in the background. But, depending on the subject, I kind of like the blue background. It can really highlight the subject like a bird.
The first two photos are similar in color with two different birds, grayish birds on a gray post. Photographed in two different areas. I thought it was interesting how they look similar. The first bird is a Curved billed thrasher and the second one is a Mocking Bird.
Plus photographing birds in flight against a blue sky can bring out the detail in the feathers in flight at the right angle.
The Sky’s the Limit
