Odeing along

Today was the last day to ode with David Oakley and Bob Harden. We reluctantly left south Brewster County and began our day at Sandia Wetlands near Balmorhea. Photographed Stilt Sandpipers there, which are the first of that species I've photographed.

David had 3 target lifers for this trip, the Red Rock Skimmer, Mayan Setwing, and Cardinal Meadowhawk. We dipped on the skimmer in the two places I've reliably seen them in previous years. Couldn't chase the setwing because Big Bend Ranch State Park, which is the most likely place to find them, was closed to all but 4X4 high clearance vehicles due to the recent monsoons.

We did get the Cardinal Meadowhawk today after a moderate hike up to Chico Tank on the Davis Mountain's nature preserve trail. For some reason my photos of it weren't sharp, but I had that species at the oasis once.

There was lots of ragweed at that old man-made pond and I was uncomfortable due to not bringing any meds with me. No inhaler or allergy pills. Nothing. I left pretty quickly when my breathing became concerning, but luckily got fine once I got well away from there. Things were really dry in that area. No water in Madera Canyon at all. Disappointing.

Bob enjoying his new lifer Cardinal Meadowhawk

Here's Bob and David chasing their lifer Mead's Wood-Nymph. Or maybe it was their lifer Canyonland Satyr.

Yesterday Tim McKenna posted this photo taken by his wife, Julie, of a big elk between Alpine and Marathon.

And here's another interesting image I found online of protected habitat.