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Borrego Springs, CA

Monday, December 1, 2014

I’m going to do it

After reading all the great input on my last post, I’ve decided to give the 30 amp site with the view a try.  I was leaning towards moving anyway, but had to check with the refuge manager today to see if it would be okay.  He did ask that I check with the other volunteers first, and also said if there are problems with tripping the 30 amp circuit I would probably have to move back to a 50 amp site.  I don’t see that being a problem, and I’m really not sure how my having to reset my breakers would have any effect on the nearby bunkhouse. 

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Most of my pics tonight will be of Anna’s hummingbirds.  I’m still on a quest to get the best hummingbird picture I can.  This one was taken shortly after sunrise at the VC on Sunday.

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I had already been checking with the other returning volunteers about how they felt about my possible move.  To be perfectly honest, for various reasons none of them have chosen to move to that site in the last month.  So I figured I had as much right to it as any of the new volunteers who had also not chosen to go there.

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                                              I can’t figure out exactly what kind of lizard this is. 

After the bird tour on Sunday morning, I’ve spent these two days working in the VC.  The lizard was a lunch companion for me yesterday.  I have to work the VC again tomorrow, so I won’t be moving until Wednesday or Thursday.

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One thing that is lacking at the new site is a picnic table, so I asked one of the volunteers that works in maintenance if he could move one over for me.  A couple of the guys are going for forklift training tomorrow so it shouldn’t be a problem by the time I move.  I not only perch my Weber Q on the table, but that’s also where I anchor Emma’s tie out line.  With her exuberance, I need something heavy.  Dogs must always be on leash or restrained on the refuge.

IMG_9107Finally got the sun to shine just right on the head of the male Anna’s today to show how brilliant they are.  They’re already singing their mating songs, and as I refilled the feeders at the VC today, a pair came to drink just inches from my hand.  As the female sipped, the male sang away perched next to her.  Cool beans!  I was just frozen in place enjoying the moment.

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Later this afternoon, I stepped out of the VC for a break and noticed some dust in the air down by the Colorado river.  Using my 300mm lens, I zeroed in on fellow volunteer, Chef Jay, mowing in a big tractor down by the managed field areas.  You can see the Chocolate Mountains on the California side of the refuge in the distance.  I think it’s kind of neat how we volunteers shed our former occupations to do things we enjoy in our retired life.

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       Well, that’s enough for tonight.  I’m out of here for now.  I’ll let you know how the move goes.

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

27 comments:

  1. Great shot of the Anna's red head, they are so very beautiful.

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  2. Good luck with your move, sadly there will be no PDD driving honors for this trip... :cP

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  3. Love the picture of Jay. He also likes it. Yes he likes doing something different.

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  4. I just love that red head!

    You work with some really nice people. How wonderful of them to pitch in and move your picnic table. Hope the move goes smoothly.

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  5. think those hummingbird pics are just about perfect!!!

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  6. yaaa. . .glad to see this before I go to bed. I've been checking for updates all day to see if you made a decision!

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  7. Did any of the other volunteers say why they didn't choose the site with a view?

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  8. What a fantastic experience with the two hummingbirds. Love your pictures of them. Hope your new site works out perfectly. I know some folks with 50 amp rigs who call having 30 amps boondocking. :-)

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  9. "...also said if there are problems with tripping the 30 amp circuit I would probably have to move back to a 50 amp site. I don’t see that being a problem, and I’m really not sure how my having to reset my breakers would have any effect on the nearby bunkhouse. "

    I don't think the manager was speaking of your 30A breakers I think he was talking about the breaker on the pedestal where you plug into the refuge's power. There may be some connection with that pedestal and the bunkhouse or then again the manager may have just been 'managing'.

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  10. Good luck with your move. I can't imagine getting any better hummingbird pictures than your red head. Beautiful.

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  11. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Hope this new site works out for you. Beautiful pics of the Hummingbirds.

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  12. I'm with Sandie ... gorgeous! pictures

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  13. Great shot of that beautiful red head! Good luck with the move:)

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  14. Those are great hummer shots - I can't figure out which is my favorite, but maybe the header. I love it when they sit like that, looking so... predatory? guarding? I don't know - just kind of a fierce look.

    Looking forward to seeing how you like your new site. :)

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  15. I like the photo on the red Anna? Actually I like most all your photos. Good luck on the move.

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  16. I don't remember seeing those Annas in Arizona and they sure are pretty! We occasionally get some Ruby Throats in Illinois and I love them too. Good luck with the move...I love those very short moves, and you will know soon enough if it's gonna work!

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  17. We have been enjoying Anna's Hummingbirds here in Tucson as well. Awesome photos Judy! I don't know the name of the lizard you had lunch with , but I have seen many of them too.
    Hope your new site works out well....

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  18. Judy, beautiful photos! I read all the comments about your move. I agree with you that the site looks to be the better of the two. I don't think you will have trouble with the 30amps. We like to camp at state parks and sometimes a site only has 30. We just use one of two AC units, we turn off the electric water heater and use the diesel burner (probably just like you will use propane), don't run the coffee pot, microwave, etc all at once - no problems. Enjoy your new site and know you can always move back if you have to.

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  19. I sure miss my hummingbirds!!! They become such a huge part of our patio and we so enjoy watching them perched in the cedar tree by the patio. The pic of your male Anna's is just beautiful...did I write that correctly?? Good luck on your move!!!

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  20. Good luck with the move, those hummingbird photos are amazing.

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  21. Now that we are heading south, will be glad to see some hummingbirds. Of course, it is a slow move so won't be in RGV until early Jan. But still the same. You gotta take the very best pics.

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  22. .Love your quest for the best hummer picture, lots of great ones today!!!
    Can you believe it, but our Anna's are year round visitors here in Oregon,
    We get lots of coppery Rufous Hummingbirds in the summer, I hate when they leave!
    Happy hummingbird photographing! Kathy

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  23. A view of a pond filled with waterfowl and other birds nearby would work for me... Go for it!

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  24. Good photos, and good moving! I hope the site works really well for you!

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  25. Great photos as always. Glad the angst of the decision is gone.

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