Same old same old

After we got the jack all unbolted, fixed and looking perfect it wouldn't crank up and down so I had to order a new one.  I also discovered a broken spring mount so they're working on that.

The Big Year

Yesterday someone was here that was doing a Big Year, and another today. I wonder if that movie (The Big Year) was the inspiration for what appears to be a big surge in Big Years. I did see the movie. Was somewhat disappointed. It just didn't show the beauty and joy of birding, in my opinion. I get that it was a comedy and not intended to be a work of art, but it could have been about a scavenger hunt or anything. Birding seemed secondary. Anyway, here is the card of one of the Big Year participants that was here today.

It seems that anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. Somehow I guess I didn't crank the trailer jack up enough today when I hauled water and now it won't go up or down, so I'm going to pull it to Alpine tomorrow to hopefully get son and husband to fix it. And hopefully I won't get yelled at too much.

Several warblers showed up today so maybe little black fly relief is at hand. The warblers (Orange-crowned and Yellow-rumped) seemed to be gobbling up something. There's no shortage of insects, that's for sure, if they're not picky about what kind. 

Spring break

More birders than usual are visiting CMO during spring break, even though birding isn't that exciting yet. But the main bird they all want is the Lucifer Hummingbird and so far they all got sufficient looks at both a female and male. The black flies are still overwhelming. Nothing seems to help. Hopefully, migrants will visit soon and put a big dent in their numbers. Here is a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher that has been hanging around for quite awhile. It looks like it may have one of those pesky flies in it's beak. You may have to enlarge the photo to see it.

Texas Antelope Squirrels are so fun to watch and photograph. Looks like this pair had a brief relationship and then decided to go their separate ways. First he whispers sweet nothings.......

Effects of the drought

I figure at least half of the Torrey Yuccas (I think that's the species they are) have survived the drought thus far. Here is a random sampling, although I believe some areas on north slopes look healthier.