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Borrego Springs, CA

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

This and that

First, I’d like to thank everyone for their comments on my decision to spend the summer in Indiana, and for suggestions of what to see in the area.  Lora was especially helpful with some websites of wildlife areas in close proximity.  I probably need to let some of you know that I was born and grew up in the city of Chicago, so I’m well aware of what the city has to offer.  I’d sure like to get a pizza from Frank’s Pizza on the northwest side, and am hoping that Ackerman’s Bakery is still in business.  :)

It was cold, overcast, and a little rainy when I got up this morning, so I decided to put off the bird survey until tomorrow.  That will give the back roads a little time to dry out a bit.  Instead, I headed into the VIS to pick up the contraption that puts sales tags on items like tee shirts.  I had three totes full of shirts waiting to be tagged with the new bar code thingy at the community building at the RV sites.  Colin had printed off the new bars codes for me before he left.
_MG_7419Since I had driven ten miles to get to the VIS, I decided to check the refuge roads to see what was happening in the blustery bird world.
_MG_7409 _MG_7436
With the weather, the shovelers and pied-billed grebes had moved into the more protected areas closer to the road.
_MG_7427As I rounded one of the corners, huge flocks of snow geese took flight in the distance.   It’s hard to describe in words the magnitude of the thousands of geese filling the sky.  I guess you just have to be here!  Tomorrow I’ll be counting multitudes like this.  What a sight it was.
_MG_7437I surprised this snowy egret along the way.  I guess it decided on flight rather than fight!  Notice the yellow dancing shoes…a diagnostic feature in identification of this species. 
_MG_7394 Back at the ranch (RV pads), several Wilson’s snipes had landed in a flooded section of the lawn surrounding the RVs.
_MG_7402Usually, we just have about a dozen killdeer patrolling the area, but the 1/2” of rain overnight provided wetter areas that the snipes like.  Because the water table is not far below the surface in this marshy area, it doesn’t take much rain to provide wetland areas.  Emma doesn’t like getting her feet wet, and she is a real hoot to watch on a morning like today as she daintily prances around to find that perfect spot to do her business.  :)

Along about sunset, as I was on the computer editing my photos of the day, I began to hear sounds through the closed windows that made me think I was near an off-road vehicle race track.  As I scratched my head in surprise, Emma began barking with exuberance!  I need to tell you that there are only two things that cause Emma to bark… turkey vultures and cows.  Sure enough, another cattle drive was occurring down FM 1985.  It was too dark for any good pics, but I had to just chuckle at Emma’s antics at protecting us from this onslaught of bellowing bovines!  As she safely sat at the front window, her head arched backwards as the elongated woofs emanated from her core being.  She was successful in keeping us safe from this invasion, and all is well tonight.  :)  Of course, I’m sure in her mind, the cowboys had nothing to do with the cows staying away from us…
_MG_7397                                                                        THE END! 

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

19 comments:

  1. So enjoyed today's entry (but of course I enjoy them all)! The "blustery bird world" - I can just see it! Thanks for that smile and the one at "The End." :)

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  2. Now how many campers can say their quiet evening on the computer was interrupted by the faithful dog protecting the owner from, of all things, a cattle drive. That is a perfect picture.

    Given that story, I can safely close with -Happy Trails.

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  3. PS: Since we do not have a doorbell on the motorhome, our guest dog, Halley, barks whenever she hears a doorbell on a TV show. No experience with cows yet :)

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  4. Great shot of the killdeer...I was so interested to discover that the sounds at night I thought were bats were actually killdeer. They are such a neat little bird.
    Love the 'end' shot..I have lots of those myself..lol

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  5. Emma - I am so proud of you for protecting your family. My girls also hate getting their feet wet. In fact if it's raining they don't think they should have to go out at all.

    Your pictures as always are incredible.

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  6. I think it's so funny to see how various dogs react to other animals, when it hasn't been part of their routine. My black lab used to go crazy over horses but could walk right by cows in the field. Lady would love to chase things like jackrabbits and foxes and even deer if she got off leash, but she doesn't bark at them.

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  7. Our little Motormouse alerted us to a family of Javalina's this afternoon on the other side of the fence. It's always so helpful having those extra eyes, ears & nose's on patrol at all times. Nice bird pics.

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  8. You'll be southeast of LaSalle Fish and Wildlife Area.
    North of Willow Slough State Game Preserve. Both can be gotten to from US Rt 41.
    About 30 miles to the east is Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area.
    I still might be at Michigan City Campground about the middle of May.

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  9. Good to see Emma is protecting the home front from those vicious cows! Great pics again.

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  10. The End is always good for a smile!

    You won't take that the wrong way will you? lol

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  11. Emma the cowdog! How nice that you are safe from both unannounced cows and turkey vultures. Your "The End" shots are so amusing. Even on a blustery day, you posted some great pictures!

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  12. another 'birdiful day'....Emma the barking cow dog..she is just guarding her territory!

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  13. Well at least we won't have to worry about you being attacked by a cow. Good job Emma!

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  14. Good for Emma, Rigg's had sure taken to being Sadie's protector when she is outside including ariel watch for Hawks & Eagles.Be safe out there. Sam & Donna.

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  15. Maybe Emma could be a good "herder" for those cowpolks...Is she part Border Collie?? The End...LOVED IT!!

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  16. What a hoot. She must be a barrel of laughs for you. I sure love reading about some of her antics..

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  17. Are you sure Emma has some lab in her? I can't imagine a lab that doesn't do everything in her power to get to the water.

    Maybe she ws scared by one of those big old alligators!

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  18. No, in my opinion, Emma doesn't have any lab in her! No way, no how!

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