Best weather day yet

Since I've been at Balcones NWR, the weather has often been cold, rainy,cold, and overcast.  Not today!  It was a gorgeous day.  The sun was shining and temps made it up into the low 70's.  I headed out to do some birding.  First, I checked the upper pond near headquarters, but there was nothing on the pond.  Then, I headed out to Doeskin Ranch.  I will be leading a bird tour in about a week, and I wanted to decide on what trails I will take the group on for the best possibilities of bird sightings.  The spring migration really hasn't started yet, so leading a successful tour will be a challenge.

While I didn't see much bird life other than cardinals and sparrows, I did enjoy the scenery and abundance of water.                                  

I hope you enjoy the pictures.

This rock is about two feet wide, and was located along the creek bank.

These look like embedded fossils to me in that rock.

I received an email today with a complaint that I did not post a reader's comment.  I hope this was an isolated occurrence.  The only comments that I don't post are those from obvious spammers.  That's why all comments are put on hold for my approval.  Early on, I received a comment from some spammer selling shoes, so that's why I have to approve the comments first.  I hope that reader will comment again.  If anyone else has had this problem on my blog, I'd sure like to know about it.  You can email me at altsclmarm at gmail dot com.

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

Starting the bird surveys

I decided to start my bird surveys at Doeskin Ranch this morning.  Settlers first came here in the 1850's to establish ranches.  Doeskin Ranch was one of the first acquisitions when Balcones Canyonlands NWR was established in 1992. 

The trails at Doeskin lead down from the parking lot.  There have been quite a few changes since last year.  There is an added paved parking area with  a paved switch back trail that is handicapped accessible down to the new bathrooms.  While not all trails are accessible, folks in wheelchairs can get a good feel for the various habitats of the ranch.

I didn't do all the trails today, but I did check out the Creek Trail, the Prairie and Pond Trail, and a portion of the Ridgeline Trail.  I started with the Ridgeline Trail....

but found I was not prepared to do the whole trail.  When I was here last year, the area was suffering from a very severe drought.  At that time, it was easy to walk across the Doeskin Branch on exposed rocks.  As you can see, the stepping stones are now submerged and I didn't have proper footwear to cross. Bird migration hasn't really begun yet, so I'm sure I didn't miss much by not proceeding.

I backtracked and headed out on the Creek Trail in reverse.  This trail weaves in and out between the grassland and along the branch.

I was amazed at the abundance of water coursing down the branch.  Last year, there was barely a trickle.  It was a great day to enjoy the sounds of the rushing creek.  Bird life was very sparse.  Because it's still February, that's pretty much what I had expected.

I took advantage of the strategically placed benches to enjoy the solitude and appreciate how important this life giving supply of water must have been to early settlers.  Before the advent of the white man, Comanche warriors and families roamed this area.  What a welcome respite this creek must have afforded.  I didn't record many birds today, but my spirit was rejuvenated on today's hike.  This is why I do what I do.

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