2016 - 2017 Trip to the Southwest

Day 41

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Saturday, December 10, 2016, Cottonwood Campground, Big Bend National Park, TX, Day 3, 0 Miles, 2,823.7 Miles For the Trip

I'm getting tired of saying "another cold night", but it was 27°F at 7:00AM. It warmed up quickly since, for the first time since I've arrived at Cottonwood, the skies are clear. The cold weather cleared out the campground - only the Toyota Class C from Florida & myself are left. I took a new campsite photo to show the clear blue sky. I also made a couple laps of the campground, carrying the D800 with a 80-400mm lens to photograph some of the birds. I also got a photo of some serious birders with much larger glass (lenses) than I carry.

While one of the campers yesterday said this was a Scarlet Tanager, my iBirds Plus app tells me it is a Vermillion Flycatcher. In any case, a pretty bird. Again, using the iBird Plus app, I believe the woodpecker is a Ladder-backed male. I'm not sure of the first one, but if I had to guess, I'd say a Bell's Virgo. I'm sure any of you that know will correct me! While I've looked for it, the Great Horned Owl has not made an appearance.

As I was leaving to hike to the Santa Elena Canyon, the Javelinas were back in force.

Site 14 Bell's Virgo? Serious Birders Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Vermillion Flycatcher Vermillion Flycatcher Javelinas Javelinas

The sign at the start of the trail to Santa Elena Canyon stated the Terlingua River is usually dry, but can have water after a rain. Well, it is after a rain. Not too deep, but if you want to keep your feet dry, you need to hop from rock to rock. I made it.

After the hike I stopped to take a photo of the Desert Mountain from the "official" viewpoint, then headed to the Ranger Station, Store & Visitor center for a few more photos.

High Water Warning The Terlingua "Crossing" Santa Elena Canyon Santa Elena Canyon
Along the Trail The Fossil Seashells The View From the Top Desert Mountain
The Ranger Station At Castelon At Castelon the Store At Castelon
   
At Castelon At Castelon    

I may be able to post the last 3 days of my journal tomorrow - I hope to make it to civilization!

While it is early yet, dinner is going to be a microwaved burrito. With all the sunshine, the batteries are back at full for the first time in 3 days. Now I'm going to sit out in the sun & read for the rest of the afternoon.

 

Until Tomorrow -

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Last Update: December 12, 2016