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Borrego Springs, CA

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Feeling a little soggy

Emma and I took off on a day trip yesterday to check out the next COE campground we will be staying at next week.  I normally wouldn’t bother with this since I already have reservations, but the folks at the entry gate here suggested I wouldn’t want to drive the rig there on the route I had planned.  They said that Alabama Hwy 41’s pavement was good, but that it is very slow going with lots of curves and logger trucks barreling down it.  Well, they were surely right about all the slow curves, but I didn’t run into too many logger trucks trying to run me down.  It was a journey of 102 miles, and it took me two and a half hours in a car.  That translates into quite a bit longer for me driving the rig.

On the way back I took their suggested route of US 80 to I-65 south and back to the campground.  That route added a little over fifty miles to the journey, and thirty of that was also along curvy slow two lane roads.  Since I’ll be driving it on a Sunday morning, I’m leaning towards my original route.  50 miles translates into over $25 in gas, and I’m not in a rush since it’s a relatively short distance.

While I was at the Prairie Creek COE Campground on R.E. “Bob” Woodruff Lake, I decided to check out the site I had reserved. (#15)  It’s a very nice site, right on the water in the woods.  As we drove around the rest of the campground, and enjoyed the picnic lunch I had packed, I decided that I was more comfortable with site #23 instead.  It also has a lake view, is paved, longer, and an easier back in for me.  I’ll have no neighbors on my patio side, the site is larger, and I’ll be able to set up my DISH.  Since I’ll be there for a week, I decided to switch my reservation.

On my way back the long way to the rig, the rain began to fall.  It then proceeded to rain for about 24 hours.  

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During a couple of hours respite this afternoon, the orchard orioles were blasting through the trees trying to establish their territories for the mating season.  Their songs were echoing all around, and this brick red male had his hands full chasing off this young yellow male.  I don’t think the females have quite arrived yet, so the testosterone was flowing freely in anticipation of their arrival.

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As Emma and I sat outside, I noticed a pair of mockingbirds building a nest right above the roof of my bedroom.  I snapped a picture of the pair at work.  One has its tail sticking out in the back of the nest working on stick placement while its mate arrives with another curved twig.

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After dropping off the twig, the bird flew off to find more building materials.  This pair took full advantage of the few hours before the rains returned.  Too bad I won’t be here long enough to watch all the goings on at the nest as the eggs are laid, brooded, hatched, and young ones raised.  If I sit on the picnic table, I have a ‘bird’s-eye view’ of the activities.

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                                                                               THE END!!

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

22 comments:

  1. I have been watching the goings on in the Barn Swallows nest just outside the VC. They are almost ready to leave. Unfortunately, they are up high, so it is hard to see too much activity.

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  2. How did you get that header shot? Just lovely! You are very patient to wait for that mockingbird to arrive. Your patience was rewarded.

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  3. Great capture of the bird in flight.

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  4. Those are terrific pictures Judy! Great idea to check out the route and your next campground. I almost never have that opportunity but think it's a great idea. I was actually surprised that you were so easily able to switch sites. I seem to always be in campgrounds where it's take it or leave it since it's the only thing available.

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  5. Absolutely awesome pics. . .the Mockingbird is the Texas State Bird. . .and I haven't gotten a great shot of one yet. . .they are sooooo fast. . .lucky you!

    Janice
    ReadyToGoFullTimeRVing.blogspot.com

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  6. well shoot... that would be fun to hang out in the mockingbird maternity ward with you! we've got quite a bit of that same kind of activity going on around here now too. I saw my first hummingbird today at my feeder too!

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  7. George Stoltz said...

    Spectacular photo of the Mockingbird. And he ha a question. Are you getting about 6 MPG?

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  8. Glad you got to scout out your route and next space. Its always nice to have a feel for the next spot. Hope the rain stops soon.

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  9. Love the mockingbird header.

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  10. Love the picture of the nest building.

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  11. Lovely, lovely photos once again! We are a bit soggy here, getting our April showers this month!

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  12. amazing how many mockingbirds we have here in the city, many have nests in the trees and bushes around our office. Have always marveled at birds engineering ability in building nests, dont think many of us humanoids could built something sturdy to hold our family using just our mouths !

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  13. Great photos as usual.....really enjoy your blog.....Judy, could this Mockingbird be building a nest for a second clutch? I am about 225 miles due north of you and the mocking birds here have already hatched the first brood...

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  14. What a treat.... to be privy to the mockingbird activity. It was be fun if you could stay and watch when the eggs hatch. Great shots!

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  15. Great idea to check out the park. We did that last week before we moved over here but it was only about 70 miles one way. Don't you just love being right on a lake?

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  16. Good idea to check out the next campground ahead of time. Now you have a great site.

    Just be careful of those logging trucks, you don't want to carry extra firewood to the next campground. :c)

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  17. I really miss those Mockingbirds here...They kept us in song constantly...and it was always changing :-)....

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  18. Love to hear the mockingbirds sing. Thanks for sharing the pictures

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  19. Lovely pictures! What a treat to hear a mockingbird.

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  20. Love the pictures!!! I would have liked to have watched them raise their little birdies with you!

    Oh well, next time.

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