A very eventful day

I don't even know where to begin. Yesterday I posted that I had a Hooded Warbler but couldn't relocate it to get a photo. I also told the ebird reviewer who contacted me that I initially was sure it was a [yellow-colored] vireo, but upon using bird guides decided it was a Hooded Warbler. I never felt right about that ID but couldn't find a vireo with the yellow around the eyes and the black cap I saw in my two-second look. That was yesterday.

Today an ace birder, Jon McIntyre, visited and saw and called out a Yellow-throated Vireo. I was walking  beside him and got my binoculars right on it and saw it was the same bird I'd mis-ID'd yesterday. I didn't have a camera on me. Jon did, but either it didn't occur to him to photograph it since they're a common bird in East Texas where he comes from, or it disappeared too quickly. It didn't have black on top of the head so I now have to think the black cap I was sure I saw was actually a stick or shadow. It's a new species for the oasis.

So I decided to spend the rest of the day trying for a photo of it. I even turned on my bird spa recycling pump, for the first time this year, hoping to attract it. Never saw it again, but at least I know what it is, and even have a witness. Not as good as a photo, but good enough for documentation.



The recycling water enticed a Canyon Towhee to bathe over and over. I'm going to have to run that pump more often.

And a Rufous-crowned Sparrow went crazy repeatedly gathering its beak full of insects from the water. It must be feeding a big brood because it kept returning for more.

A female Lazuli Bunting showed up but saw me and left without bathing or drinking. Probably went to the other water feature to bathe in privacy.

I felt guilty sitting there having so much fun when I should be hauling water.  So I got nearly to the lodge and something didn't sound right. I checked under my new trailer and a spring was broken. I turned around without getting water and brought it to Alpine. Maybe I'll have to take it to Ft Stockton tomorrow to get it fixed. So very difficult to keep the oasis alive. I crawl along that road to the lodge but it's so rough, and water so heavy, that it just wears out springs. All together I made 31 trips with the new trailer, which is 424 miles. Half of those miles were with a full load of water. 

I wanted to be at the oasis tonight to photograph that rattlesnake, but my ability to haul water took priority.