A ho hum Sunday

I decided not to take a drive up the Steens Mountain trail today because I really needed to take care of some chores.  So it was a cleaning day with a capitol C.  I cleaned the inside of the rig, and I cleaned my clothes.  Things seemed to be kind of slow in blogland as well.  On a bright note, the awning went out and stayed out on the first try.  That hasn’t happened in months.
As I sat out under the awning waiting for the dryer to finish it’s business, two Lewis’s woodpeckers were flying about the trees down the road a little ways.  If you look closely at the bird on the left, you can make out the typical pointed tail feathers that all woodpeckers have.  They help prop the bird up when it is on the bark of a tree.  Unlike any other woodpecker, the Lewis’s hawks insects on the wing.  They fly out from a perch like this and catch the insects in the middle of the air.  The other woodpeckers just….peck wood!  :)  The two birds really put on an aerial display for me today, and I appreciated it.

That was about the sum of my day for today, but I would like to broach another subject.  I would like to preface it with a statement saying that I hope not to offend anyone, and please know that I appreciate each and every comment that my readers post on this blog.  Some newer readers have asked what camera I have.  I use a Canon Rebel XS.  Others have commented something on the order of “you must have a really good camera to get those pictures.”  Well, yes, I think it is a pretty good camera, but I’m here to tell you that I think the best camera in world doesn’t mean you’re going to have good pictures.  It is a lot of work and learning, and I’m still learning.  I won’t go into all the technicalities, but for every picture that I post, many many shots are discarded.  This blog and it’s pictures are a work in progress, and I hope you’ll all stick with me as I work on improving both.  :)

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

Why blog?

Sometimes, people are shocked to hear that I blog six or seven times a week.  I got to thinking about that today.  Why do I blog?  Well, for me, there are several reasons.  Historically speaking, I've always kept a journal of some sort in my adult life....trips, bird sightings, etc.  Then when I sold my house and went fulltime RVing, I kept a journal of my travels.  It wasn't daily, but almost.  I would email friends and family occasionally about my experiences, but that became somewhat of a chore.  Eventually, I started reading other people's blogs and really enjoyed it.  So, about a year and a half ago, I decided to take the plunge into blogging. 

So, I guess my blog is my journal in progress.  I can add pictures as well as thoughts, and I do go back and read previous entries to verify places I've stayed, activities, and other things.  I fully expected that a few of my friends and relatives might read what I wrote occasionally.  As it turns out, most of the people that read my blog are folks that I've met, or hope to meet, on the road.  There's a community out there of wandering souls that keep in touch through blogs.  It's like a cyber city! 

But the main reason I write this blog is to center myself and review each day in my mind as to the wonders I've seen or experienced.  It has helped me appreciate those little things in life that in a busy world you just pass by without noticing.  What a hoot this life is!  I think I'd write this blog even if nobody read it.  However, I do really appreciate all of you that do honor me with following along on my journey.  You all do travel along with me.  :)

So, enough of that....you know, it's been a few days since I've posted any bird pictures, so hang on to your hats!

I've been noticing a white-crowned sparrow skulking around in the shrubs outside lately, so tonight I threw a handful of seeds onto the ground outside.  It didn't take long for the birds to find it.

This Lincoln's sparrow also stopped by to pose.  Notice the fine streaking on the breast and the greyness of the face and back.  Many people (birders) refer to these guys as LBJ's...little brown jobs, but with some patience, you can figure them out.  ;)

Of course, Northern cardinals are very common in Texas and this female stopped by for a look.

Emma thinks her job in life is to protect us from all manner of intruders, whether they be four footed or winged.  She takes her job seriously, which is a real challenge to me to get pictures.  :(

Sometimes, getting a picture of her is like trying to catch the wind!  She's a true whirling dervish!

She, Emma, most often takes "flight" when a vulture soars over our site.  I guess she wants them to know we're not dead meat!

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

The "Wild Child" returns, catching up, & a wonderful surprise

I guess my trip to Chicago wore me out as I slept in until 7:00 this morning.  That doesn't happen very often.  One of the first things I noticed when I returned yesterday, was that the bird feeder I had put up before I left was almost empty.  That kind of surprised me since this is a new RV site and it usually takes about a week for birds to find a new feeder where one hasn't been before.  Today there were many avian visitors: Carolina chickadees, Mexican tufted titmice, chipping sparrows, vesper sparrows, and cardinals. 

This has been a La Nina winter for Texas in the weather department, so every few days a storm system moves through.  It rained all day today, but temps around 50 were greatly appreciated by me compared to the cold temps in Indiana and Illinois. 

Around 9:30, I headed down to the office to let Rob Iski, the volunteer coordinator, know that I would be ready to work tomorrow.  I also picked up my mail and a Netflix movie that had arrived before I drove to Lago Vista to pick up Emma (aka: wild child) from her stay at the kennel.  She was as exuberant as ever, and was sporting a pretty pink and blue bow on her collar from her time with the groomer yesterday.  I think she was happy to be home too, and immediately sniffed out the new spongy toy that I had purchased for her.  We had a good romp inside, because of the weather, before she curled up on the dashboard for a nap. I guess she was as tired as I from the last week.

Later in the afternoon, Maryanne, one of the other volunteers, stopped by to let me know that we would be having a potluck up at the Flying X this Sunday during the Super Bowl game. I volunteered with Joe and Caroline the last two years at Laguna Atascosa NWR, and knew that Joe made a mean Lasagna. I had told the other volunteers here about it, and Joe told Maryanne that he would make it for the potluck.  Mmmm...I'm looking forward to that!

Last November, while I was at the Low-Hi Ranch in Deming, NM, I posted this picture of a cross-stitch that I saw hanging in the laundry room.  I really liked it and wished I had something like that to hang in my rig.  Around 3:30 this afternoon, Peggy and Paul, who drove me to the airport and picked me up, drove up to my rig, and Peggy hopped out to give me something.

She reads my blog, and thought that picture would be an interesting project.  From that picture, she designed and made this quilted wall hanging.  She put her own twist on the original, and I have to say that I like this version even better.  I was overwhelmed when she presented it to me!  I love the design.  It didn't take me long to hang this beautiful work of art on my wall!  I will have to ask her if the bottom represents the Texas Hill Country or maybe the Blue Ridge Mountains, or maybe the mountains of Vermont, her home. Did you notice that nest of the bluebirds (of happiness) on the tree limb?  I will treasure this gift forever.  I have placed it on the wall of my living area slide-out so I can see it every time I sit on the couch.  I can't imagine how many hours went into crafting this.  Thank you so much, Peggy.  Wow!!!

You meet and get to know such wonderful people in this full-timing life style.  I am soooo lucky!

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