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Borrego Springs, CA

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Special visitors

At the end of two days working in the VC this week, two ladies that I think are pretty special rolled into the refuge yesterday afternoon.  Sue and Mo had decided to spend a few days with me on the refuge.

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Since I was working, they even offered to provide a spaghetti dinner when I got off of work.  Hard to pass up an offer like that.  They brought all the fixings over to my site so we could enjoy my marvelous view as we ate and chatted.  If you don’t know them, that’s Sue perusing the ducks on the pond through my scope with Mo in the background. 

John and Sharon HeydukeThen this morning, John and Sharon (of heyduke50 blogger fame) joined us for a tour of the managed ponds and fields where I normally do the bird tours. 

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                     We saw the usual cast of characters like this snowy egret looking for breakfast.

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American coots were more than abundant, as usual, along with some redheads and canvasbacks.  Buffleheads, ruddy ducks, eared grebes, Canada geese, northern harriers, meadowlarks, and loggerhead shrikes were also spotted. 

Mo, Sharon, Sue, and me

                                                               Mo, Sharon, Sue, and me.

John was kind enough to take a picture of the four ladies on the tour as we stopped at one of the ponds to view the beaver slide.  It was a gorgeous morning to be out and about.  It was kind of like a mini blogger-fest tour.

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The highlight, bird wise, for the tour was spotting this great horned owl who posed for us.  I had heard it hooting in the wee hours of the morning as Emma and I sat outside, but this is the first one I’ve actually seen on this refuge.

Later in the day, Sue and Mo and I did a tour of all of the overlooks along Red Cloud Mine Road.  I brought my scope along so we were able to look down on lots of wintering waterfowl in the lakes beside the Colorado river.  I often sit on my patio and observe visitors driving that road through my scope.  At the last stop, Smoke Tree Overlook, I was able to zero the scope in to find my rig which was three miles distant.  That was kind of cool.

I fixed dinner for us tonight, and had a bit of a problem keeping the Weber Q going in the very windy conditions long enough to cook NY BBQ chicken.  It’s best enjoyed hot off of the grill, so I really only fix it when I have company.  A whole chicken is just too much for one person, and it loses some of its zing if reheated… the crispy skin gets soggy and such.

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                                                Get a load of those talons!  Glad I’m not a rodent.

Tomorrow we’re going to do the Painted Desert Trail, and maybe a little kayaking.  It’s nice to spend a couple of days with special friends laughing, chatting, and enjoying the great outdoors.

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

26 comments:

  1. What a fun time for the three of you! Love the Great Horned Owl!

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  2. the pic of the great horned owl is just spectacular. . .what better way to enjoy a few days than with friends. . .really nice!

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  3. That Owl is spectacular! Sounds like a fun time with friends and the chicken sounds yummy too:)

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  4. I've been wondering when you'd get to some kayaking. :O)

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  5. Aren't you glad you switched campsites? I remember Heyduke from the RV Dreams chat room. If he's still around please give him a shout from me. NY chicken sounds good to me!

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    1. I'm still around Gypsy and thanks for the shout out. Really had a hoot of a time on our tour around the park with Judy, Mo and Sue....

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    2. Hey Heyduke. I remember you from the RV-Dreams chat room, too. I read your blog when I can. Happy Trails, Penny, TX

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  6. Sooooooooo glad you three are having a great visit !!!! Enjoyed the photos !!! THANKS.

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  7. Color me green! Sounds like you 3 are having a great time. So many birds and fabulous pictures of the great horned owl. You have become s certified tourist attraction! How's Emma enjoying the fame? Hugs from me all around!

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  8. I think a lot of us would like to be tagging along with you and your friends for a few days... I know I would!

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  9. looks like a great 'blogger fest'! have a great visit!!!

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  10. I'm envious that you got to meet Sue and Mo!! Love the owl photos--this RV park has resident owls, I love to hear them hoot when out with Emmi at night.

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  11. Those are some ferocious talons! What a nice owl posing for you like that.

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  12. Those are some ferocious talons! What a nice owl posing for you like that.

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  13. What fun. We love spending time with our RV friends also. What a treat to have someone else cook for you.

    Love the great horned owl photo.

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  14. I'm happy the girls got to spend time with you. I sure enjoyed our little visit at CatSpa. Did Emma get a little bite of that wonderful chicken?

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  15. Well, Judy, you are quick! I am still processing photos and not one of my photos of that fabulous owl are as good as yours! It was a great day with great company and great birds! We are soooo lucky to count you as a friend. Looks like the sun is shining this morning and the wind isn't blowing so who knows just what the day will bring but we are ready!

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  16. Yep Sue, I am always a day or two, or three behind on my blog lately... sure enjoyed our visit!

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  17. Sounds so wonderful...blogging friends or otherwise friends, getting together and enjoying a few days together!

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  18. You're becoming more and more popular as a celebrity to visit. Did you give out your autograph too? ;c)

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  19. Lovin' the owls...especially the Great Horned one...who was in need of a manicure...How fun to get together for a couple meals with friends for you and Emma!

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  20. I can tell you honestly, Judy, that Sue was really looking forward to meeting up with you in AZ. She visited us on Sunday morning and she was very excited about it. Now, reading your blog this morning I can understand why! You are a great host!

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  21. Wow what a great looking scope you have. It is amazing all the different types of ducks there are, and the most amazing thing is being able to identifie all the different ones. Sounds like you had a good time.

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  22. I was so happy to meet you, Sue and Mo. What an amazing day! Thanks again and hope we cross paths again soon!

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  23. Special visitors, indeed -- great picture of the four gals at the pond. Glad everybody ate well and had a good time!

    Fine-looking owl....

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  24. Wonderful shot of that Great Horned Owl, Judy! Thanks for sharing!

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