Back to Balmorhea

Couldn't resist another visit to Lake Balmorhea. Ebird had showed quite a few birders going there on the 16th, so I went on the 17th, hoping birders would be there, but none were.

Then I went again on the 19th, sure that some would be there. How can I not see birders there twice in a row? But none. I like birders to be there because more eyes see more, plus they usually have scopes and big camera lenses that help identify distant species. On my own, I'm able to identify fewer species. However, most were easy to ID, including these Western Grebes and Ring-billed Gull.

Yesterday I didn't go and there were several birders there. Just my luck! But none saw the caracaras either, so I didn't miss that. They didn't see any that would have been lifers for me that I missed either. But they did see a couple of species that would have been new for my Reeves County list. No big deal. I had fun anyway. Going more often helps familiarize me with what's there, thus improves my ebird list, and reduces my frustration. Maybe I'll go again soon. Nothing is going on anywhere else. I don't even have the hybrid hummer in Alpine to entertain me, anymore. Bleak! Here's one of the two Rufous hummers I have in town.

The days will start getting longer tomorrow. That always  cheers me up, which doesn't make sense since January is usually our coldest weather. But Lucifers are only two months away! 

Still going.....

I went to the oasis a couple of days ago to water trees. Had to get into the tank to move the pump deeper into water. It was icy cold so I hurried. Will have to start using the reserve tank after this. 

It'll rain eventually. Watering keeps things alive, but not thriving. I think it's partly because harvested rain water has salts in it. We need good soaking rains, with the microbes they contain, to leach the salts out of the soil. 

I went to Balmorhea Lake today to keep my birding skills, such as they are, alive, but it wasn't a very successful trip. It was about my fourth time to try for the pair of Crested Caracaras there, again without seeing them. I'll keep trying. I need the practice on shorebirds and such, anyway.

Greater Yellowlegs

Thanksgiving

I took the opportunity to ride along with my son to my daughter's place in Rockport for the holiday. Had hoped to see 100 species in the county (Aransas). The weather was so cold and windy that I birded mostly from the car, only making it to 78 species. My daughter accompanied me on a couple of my forays. All in all, I had a great time. She and her husband have an awesome vacation rental there that she generously offered a discount to birders, so if you or anyone you know are interested, here's the link. Be sure to say you're birders.

https://www.vrbo.com/3540451

Here are a few of my favorite photos from Aransas County.

Meanwhile, the oasis is... well, still there. Not much happening these days

As always, so much to be thankful for!