Well, after our aborted trip last month, we finally got it right this time. We arrived at our destination, the Davis Mountains Inn Bed and Breakfast around 1:30 on Monday afternoon. That’s our room behind the french doors on the right.
Davis Mountains Inn
Since we had a couple of hours to kill before checking in, we decided to visit the Davis Mountains State Park, and have a look at the bird viewing center. Within a short time we caught glimpses of the following.
Summer Tanager – female
White-breasted Nuthatch
Western Scrub-Jay
While all of that was going on, this squirrel decided to have a look, too.
Squirrel
After spending about an hour and a half there, it was time to go check in at the inn. We had a nice room, with a king-sized bed. It also had a jacuzzi which we didn’t use, mainly because of a previous experience with one, that we had at another place. But that’s another funny story, for another time. Remind me to tell you all it about sometime.
Because of a family emergency with the owners of the inn, they were unable to cook breakfast for us the following morning. However, they also own the Fort Davis Drug Store in Fort Davis. It doubles as a restaurant, so they paid for our meal there.
Following breakfast we decided to take the scenic loop that goes northwest towards the heart of the Davis Mountains, then circles south of them and eventually returns to the city of Fort Davis. This loop goes to the McDonald Observatory atop Mt. Locke, elevation 6,791 feet, and about a mile above the desert below.
Approaching Mt. Locke and the McDonald Observatory
Atop Mt. Locke
View from Mt. Locke
McDonald Observatory
The last time we had visited the observatory a few years ago, we were accosted by a wintery blast as a blue norther blew in as we were atop the mountain. We hastily made for the visitors center where we were forced to buy some warm jackets. This time it was cool, but comfortable.
As we continued around the drive heading back towards to Fort Davis, we saw several birds, and added to our 2014 Big Year List, a Canyon Wren, Wilson’s Warbler, and the Acorn Woodpecker, bringing our current total to 185. Another 15 to go, and we still have three months left.
We also saw this peculiar collection of boulders. You have to use your imagination to wonder how these ended up in this position. They are about 15 feet tall. I wish I had posed Ann in the photo so you could see the size.
Boulders
After getting back to the inn, we decided to take a well-deserved nap. Following that, we then went into Fort Davis, which was only a half mile away, and ate a patty melt at the drugstore slash restaurant. Another filling meal, then relaxed on the patio before turning in for the evening.
On Wednesday, after a scrumptious breakfast of poached eggs and sausage, we went back to the Davis Mountains SP. Here are a few of the highlights of that visit.
Lesser Goldfinch – juvenile male
Acorn Woodpecker
Say’s Phoebe
We then made a short trip to the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center and it was humming with hummingbirds.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Ruby-throated Hummingbird or possibly a Black-chinned.
female Rufous Hummingbird
On Thursday morning, it was time to say goodbye to the Davis Mountains. I am sure we will return soon. In all we saw a grand total of 45 different species at various times of our journey.
Looks like a fantastic trip! Such wonderful scenery and your bird photos were the bomb as usual! Especially liked the summer tanager and the acorn woodpecker – which is a species I have never seen and looks different from the woodpeckers we normally see here in the north. Glad you had such a great time and that your health didn’t cause you any troubles this time.
Thanks, Amy. It was one our most enjoyable trips that we have had in a long time. Perfect weather, lots of birds and great scenery. Plus my health issues are gone and forgotten. I love those Acorn Woodpeckers, but I have to travel so far to see them. They are only seen in the far southwest, barely into the state of Texas.
A wonderful journey with so many beautiful birds and majestic landscapes! Great photos! Thanks for taking us along Bob.
Thank you very much, Helen. Glad you enjoyed the trip. 🙂
Nice easy trip this time! Thanks for taking me along…hugs
Thanks, Beth. You are welcome to come along anytime. 🙂
So glad you had a nice trip this time, Bob! Love your photos, especially the hummingbirds. Those boulders are intriguing. Dinosaur vertebrae?
Thanks, Jo. Glad you liked the post. Yes, those boulders fascinate me. That area has many rocky hillsides, and some even larger boulders laying around. I have some other photos, too, that may show up on a future blog.
Great birds and great scenery, who could ask for more!
I agree with you completely, Jerry.
Very nice pictures Bob! 🙂
Thanks, H.J. 🙂
Love your Acorn Woodpecker! I remember being entertained by them for hours a few years back while camping in the Basin Campground at Big Bend.
I, too, love those Acorn Woodpeckers. They remind me of little clowns. I have also seen them in the basin at Big Bend NP. 🙂
Great photos..Our hummers have all gone south..miss them..we just got back from South Dakota..birds were not to plentiful..but saw lots of Buffaloes, Big Horn Sheep, Antelope and Mountain Goats. Beautiful State…Mt Rushmore is spectacular and Crazy Horse too. Would love to spend 3 or 4 weeks in the spring up there..Glad you had a good trip..B&B looks so comfortable and inviting…
Thanks, Syl. I envy you seeing all of that wildlife. I would like to someday visit Mt. Rushmore, and Crazy Horse fascinates me.