2011 Trip across the US
2012 Trip across the US
2014 Trip across the US
2015 Trip to Alaska
2015-16 Southwest Trip
2016 New England 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.
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| Site 14 | Bell's Virgo? | Serious Birders | Ladder-backed Woodpecker |
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| 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.
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| High Water Warning | The Terlingua "Crossing" | Santa Elena Canyon | Santa Elena Canyon |
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| Along the Trail | The Fossil Seashells | The View From the Top | Desert Mountain |
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| The Ranger Station | At Castelon | At Castelon | the Store At Castelon |
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| 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 -
This page is maintained by: vermilye@oswego.edu
Last Update:
December 12, 2016