Bosque del Apache Refuge

We took two birdwatching excursions into the refuge today. Here are three pictures to try to give an idea of how beautiful this refuge is. We are not even here at a time of migration, then the refuge is spectacular!

 

Walking on Water

                                                   Comerant Discussion Group

 

                                            Sunset at the Refuge

Pictograh of Deer

On our walk yesterday morning at Hueco Tanks State Park we saw both pictographs (cave paintings) and petroglyphs (cave etchings or engravings).

Some of the drawings are  in low lying caves and some of the drawings require climbing - Joe saw those!
Here's a picture of the Huecos ( a large pile of very, very large stones that eroded leaving pockets to collect and hold rain water.

This is a very restricted park mainly because it attracts rock climbers!!!

Hueco Tanks State Park

Just east of El Paso is a great little state park, Hueco Tanks. It's quite restricted and we couldn't believe our good luck in getting in. It's noted for it's pictographs. The campsite is very impressive.

More Big Bend

We took a walk to see some petroglyphs this am. The desert is so empty, so have to look carefully to see anything.

Big Bend National Park

We've been here 3 days. Each day gets more interesting. It seems to take a bit to get use to the different environment. It is certainly a desert and there has been a drought the last few years, things are really dry. This is picture of a desert oasis. We saw lots of birds here, scrub jay, ravens, quail...
Later we stopped at the Rio Grande Village and saw a vermillion flychacher -he was gorgeous.

Midland to Davis Mtn State Park

Also attended a McDonald Observatory star party - wonderful. And, visited the National Historical Site at Fort Jefferson Davis. Good idea of what life was like in a western fort during the 1860's to 1880's. As you can see from the pictures the drive from Midland to the park, in this part of the world Oil is King.

Mountains of South West Texas

Quit a surprise to find mountains in southwest TX. I was expecting hot weather not snow! But it is beautiful. A well kept secret. This is Texas Mountain Laurel, the aroma is lovely, just like Welch's Grape Juice!

East Texas

Knitting by a Bayou at Back Water Jacks Campground. Peaceful. Moving on to West Texas to avoid by weather coming this way.

Memphis to Tunica

Tonight I sit outside in Tunica and it’s a beautiful evening as warm as we are in northern Wisconsin during June or August.

Spring Camping Trip 2012 Blog 1

We left Saint Germain yesterday. It was still late winter, very early spring. By the time we stopped in St. Louis last night we were in full spring.

 Saint Louis Arch in the morning light.

Snow before the warmth

Last week we had 20" of snow. Today it is a beautiful 50+ degrees