The much cooler August tempts have me wanting to get out in the big outdoors! Since I broke my pinky toe (about 2 weeks ago) I have not been able to wear a hiking boot, or even a regular closed toe shoe.... praying the dang thing quits hurting soon, most of the black n blue has receded to just one stubborn blue spot and still the whole toe is red and swollen. (the coffee table and I are in disagreement over how this happened)
haven't been doing much walking on trails or fields, wearing flip flops or even my sturdy rafting sandals unless I want to catch a cacti, rock, or worse yet another stubbed and broken toe to give me more misery! Oh and by the way I'm not the only person who wears socks with rafting sandals, I've seen a few other geeks with them on! Meanwhile scenic driving is just the ticket to chase away cabin fever (I can get it in a 6 hr span if I'm not careful)
Last Tuesday Mom and I took a long drive down Mamm Creek Rd (CR 315) looking at birds on wires, in trees, and on fences and such...we found some other fun things to take photos of like the praying squirrel up top....still having trouble zooming so I'm cropping these days.
We have seen so many immature mountain and western bluebirds..with their dappled grey breast, this is a mountain I determined by the blue patch at the top of the wing...
Lots of critters make use of fences....
Golden Mantle Ground Squirrel
many fields of Alfalfa are ready for cutting...makes for a beautiful sea of lavender color...with the Hogsback in the distance...
and the large hay rolls are ready to be brought in and stacked...
Western/Cassin's Kingbird white on tip of tail
I have no fellow birders to confer with so I just muddle through...I sometimes use a FB Audubon Group but the last few I put up I got several ID's on the bird soooo it is just everyone's best guess and no grand "Poopah" to confirm.
The fence line up continued to amuse us, and I saw a buffy finely stripped breast on this sparrow, and it looks to be the Lincoln's Sparrow...a new lifer!
I didn't get any sharp crisp shots of him, so far ebird agrees...
Saw this rustic little log cabin in the gulch still looks strong and sturdy, roof has some wind damage but that could easily be repaired I wish it was closer to the road and on this side of the fence....I keep hoping to stumble upon a barn owl.
A few birds of prey were out...the American Kestrel....and the Red tailed hawk, close crops on these as they were distant...
Yesterday (Friday) the three of us headed back to Rifle Gap SP it's very close to us and it's a great spot to enjoy a shady picnic table and be out in the awesome weather we are having now...
Rifle Gap Lake
Say the word "picnic" and suddenly you get lots of friends...
we offered up our scrapes as these birds live in the campground and they expect human handouts
nothing beats a Colorado Rocky Ford watermelon in August
The Black Billed Magpies are not shy and we sure enjoyed sharing with them...
Then we had a visit from the Red-Naped Sapsucker! Lifer for me...
Ca-Ching, #409, yep I'm still counting just for the fun and challenge of it, like when we were kids and you got double dared to eat as many jelly beans as you could before you barfed it all up...I sure was psyched over this sapsucker, and thanks MOM for spotting it for us!
Ca-Ching, #409, yep I'm still counting just for the fun and challenge of it, like when we were kids and you got double dared to eat as many jelly beans as you could before you barfed it all up...I sure was psyched over this sapsucker, and thanks MOM for spotting it for us!
the red shafted flicker came by to check us out but he wasn't interested in the picnic...
it was breezy enough for some people to enjoy their sail boards...
Mom seemed to really enjoy herself...
Jimmy has a boo boo and this is his anti-lick boo boo sock...
he hates it...LoL
PEACE
Every day is a new Adventure.
Another great day for rolling down the roads seeing so many wonderful things and not sweating to death. And you know I just love the cabin. Nice shot of the flying Hawk and its great your still finding life birds for your list. Poor Jimmy did he walk into the coffee table too? Hope you both heal up soon.
ReplyDeleteLoL...Nope Jimmy has this spot he wants to keep licking and it gets really raw looking so sis has been trying to stop his obsession with that spot by keeping it covered...he is always trying to uncover it so it's a on again off again kind of battle.
DeleteCoffee table legs are notorious for attacking bare feet. I bet its painful. Its a successful trip in many ways as your bird count is going up, I bet you'll be sorry to leave. Although coming home after a long spell away can be just as exciting as going away.
ReplyDeleteIts a good job you visited Southern Texas when you did as its horrendous there, lots of people suffering.
I have been so upset about the Texas Gulf coast being hit...I hope Sea Rim State Park, and Goose Island State Park, are still there!! It's horrible news from that area...
DeleteOh ouch, I feel your pain, I did the same thing years ago but on an old concrete fireplace we'd had removed :/ It's great you can drive around though, some fantastic views and I love how you had so many birds around the picnic area!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that the pinky toe moves up and down with each step we take, till now...lol.
DeleteOuch, I hope that squirrel is praying for your toe to get better soon -- I'm not really a praying woman, but I'm sending good thoughts. But anyway, you see more wildlife on scenic drives than I would if I were hiking a quiet nature trail.... wonderful birds.
ReplyDeleteHi Sallie I don't hold much cotton with prayer either...toe is improving thanks!
Delete