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Borrego Springs, CA

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Changed my mind

My plan for this morning was to take a trip up the Steen Mountain Drive, but when I got up, I just didn’t feel like doing that trip today.  So, I didn’t do it!  :)  I decided I’ll do it some other day in the next few weeks when it isn’t a holiday weekend.

Instead, I decided to stay home for most of the day and do the laundry, and start a jigsaw puzzle in the volunteer building.  I love doing the borders, but sometimes lose interest in puzzles with too many pieces.  The smallest one I found was 500 pieces, so I started it out.  I prefer 300 pieces, so maybe some of the other volunteers will help finish it when they do their laundry.  :)  Not very exciting, but some days you just need to chill.
_MG_4760Late afternoon, I decided that Emma and I should drive the auto route with the sun in the western sky for a change.  First thing we saw was this doe mule deer.  Don’t know what happened to her ear.
_MG_4765Not surprisingly, we saw quite a few deer at this time of day.  It won’t be long…
_MG_4778before this fellow will be coming to visit those does.  :)
_MG_4771 At Wright’s Pond, a young pied-billed grebe was pestering it’s mom for supper.
_MG_4786 _MG_4791
I caught a movement out of the corner of my eye as we continued on, and backed up to see what it was.  It was a greater sage grouse hiding in the grasses.  I just couldn’t persuade this bird to show me anything but it’s head.  :)  What interesting patterns on each individual feather. 
_MG_4795 _MG_4796
The trouble with trying to take photos of diving ducks like this grebe is that one second they’re there, and the next second, they’re gone!
_MG_4798I enjoyed a nice view of a great blue heron moving to a better spot, with a great egret in the background.  Behind this pond, if you remember from last week, are…
_MG_4801the silhouettes of the cowboy and the cattle.  Come to find out that the rancher that owns that property erected the silhouettes in spite because he hates the refuge.  Personally, I think it adds a nice touch to the scenery.  :)

I guess fall is here.  The high for today was only 62* with brisk northerly winds.  The forecast for tonight is for a low of 28*!  Yikes!  This evening, I turned off the water at the hookup, and switched over to my on board tank for the night.  I don’t need frozen pipes!  Perhaps this chilly evening will eliminate the mosquitoes and deer flies.  That would be a blessing!  :)  I have so many itchy lumps, that I feel like a dot to dot picture!  :(

Thanks for stopping by….talk to you later,  Judy

15 comments:

  1. Your pics are really beautiful, but the one of the Great Blue Heron was my favorite today. Catching him in early flight was terrific.

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  2. I agree with Margie that it's a beautiful picture.

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  3. Changing your mind about the day's plan is one perk of this lifestyle. We did not go into Yellowstone today due to wind and all the holiday weekend folks here. So we will go in the morning- or maybe not :)

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  4. Looks like you are enjoying yourself, And yes being retired has the benefit of being able to change plans whenever you want. Have fun out there and give Emma a pet for us. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna.

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  5. Loved the spectacles on the sage grouse!
    What luck getting the elegant Great Blue Heron lined up with the Great Egret in one shot!
    Oh my, frost on the pumpkins night! BRRRR

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  6. I carry a mobile scattered puzzle with me at all times & it goes with me everywhere I go. I store it between my ears & every once in awhile I'm able to fit a few pieces together for awhile. wildlife is always a challenge to photograph & that is what makes it so much fun. We have a different kind of wildlife at a beach town nearby. Flocks of wild teen-agers descend on this little resort in the summer but it's a risky place for photos because some of the wildlife don't have all their feathers on:))

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  7. Hi. I just wanted you to know that you have a very good blog. I enjoy reading it on a semi-regular basis. Your pictures and narratives are spot-on. I'm not a bird person but your addiction is contagious and I'm having to stay on-guard to keep the affliction at bay.
    Good job, well done.
    Thanks

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  8. I cannot wrap my head anyone disliking a wildlife refuge. It's laughable. Perhaps the rancher grazed his livestock there in the past? Ah well, the refuge is there, hopefully for good.

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  9. Your deer pics are a lot better than mine! I keep getting their butts as they hop off into the woods... haha

    ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
    Karen and Steveio
    (Our Blog) RVing: Small House... BIG Backyard
    http://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com/

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  10. That first one is a great photo! All of them are good but I liked the deer looking over her shoulder. I sure miss seeing egrets. We don't get many up in this area. Not sure why, there's a lot of water around.

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  11. Love the doe looking back at you ... like it's inviting you to follow along.

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  12. What an awesome picture of the Blue Heron!
    The doe is cute too :) even with the bent ear, gives her character!

    Cheers!

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  13. I like the silhouettes too. I've gotten so spoiled with the lack of mosquitoes here during the dry summers that I will have a hard time adjusting to the rest of the world!

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  14. Isn't it great doing whatever you want when the mood strikes! We had a few cool days, and I thought the mosquitoes were gone. Guess, what? They're back along with millions of nasty flies. We may be wearing out our flyswatter :)

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  15. That is a woman's right...to change her mind!! I'm not looking forward to a freeze, but I AM looking forward to seeing frozen mosquitos!!
    I agree with you about the cowboys and cows....adds to the ambiance...

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