Disclaimer: This post is best viewed on your computer where you can see all of the photographs, and click on them to see enlargements.
Life doesn’t get any better than this. Ann and I had the most wonderful time in a long time, mostly because we were joined by our dearest friends from Tennessee. We hadn’t seen them since 2008 but that seemed just like it was the day before yesterday. It was wonderful getting caught up and reminiscing. (gosh, I think I finally got that spelled right. ) We gave them a big Texas welcome and dragged them all over the place.
I had been invited to Fort Davis to be honored as a featured artist at the Art Gallery at the Drugstore. Bill and Nancy Davis, who by the way, are also the innkeepers at the Davis Mountains Inn where we all stayed, also own the art gallery and the drugstore restaurant. They, too, are wonderful people and we consider them among our best friends. They had a reception for me on Saturday, where I sold some of my work, and signed my book, “Birds, Beasts, and Buttes”. It was a huge success.
But it was small considering all that we did during the rest of the time, accompanied by our friends. We took the 75-mile scenic wildlife loop tour; Visited the McDonald’s Observatory; drove to Balmorhea State Park and Lake Balmorhea. All in the name of birding, where we wanted to top off our 2014 list of birds. We saw 54 different species during the trip. One of those pushed us pass our goal of 200. The Clark’s Grebe, mentioned later in this post gave us 201. Oh, we also got a bunch of photographs. I will show you them, in no particular order. Remember to click on them to see great enlargements.
Red-tailed Hawks and other raptors seem to be everywhere.
The Northern Harrier was the most difficult hawk to photograph. They are fast, flying close to the ground, and not stopping to perch.
I can’t forget the four-legged wildlife in the area.
Great scenic wonders abound, too, however I was more into the wildlife mode so I didn’t get too many landscapes.
Of course, there are many smaller birds in abundance.
On a quick trip to Balmorhea State Park, we spotted this Red-tailed Hawk on the way.
I told you the raptors were everywhere. After arriving at the state park, we saw numerous American Coots and this one pretty Lesser Scaup.
When I first spotted it I hoped that it would have been a Greater Scaup, but after a closer look at the wings, I could see the white bar on the trailing wing didn’t extend to the wing tip as it would have on the Greater. As you can see on the next photos that it indeed a Lesser Scaup.
Alas, on Sunday morning our dear friends had to return to their home in Tennessee. We will greatly miss them until the next time we meet, hopefully some time in 2015.
On Monday morning, Ann and I decided to visit Lake Balmorhea. We had never been to before, but we had heard about the great birding there. We were not disappointed as there were many wintering birds there. We only wish our friends could have spent another day as they would have loved this.
The Clark’s Grebe was number 201 on our 2014 Big Year Birding list. It was also a ‘lifer’, being number 288 on our Life List. It made for a fun, and very enjoyable five days in the Davis Mountains area. After returning home, I received word from the San Angelo Country Club that two of my golf course photographs had been sold. So now Ann and I can eat for another week. 🙂
I hope you enjoyed the rather lengthy post. Click on all of the photos to see some nice enlargements. That’s all for this time.
Wonderful photos! We are so blessed to live in Texas! I live in Cat Spring and there are many hawks and water birds in the area. Nice blog.
Fabulous photos of what looks to have been a fantastic trip! Congratulations on the book sales, too! I look forward to seeing more of your wonderful photos in the coming year, Bob!! I can’t really choose a favorite from these, but that harrier sure is impressive!
Thanks so much, Amy. It was really a fun trip and I am ready to go back. 🙂
What an amazing array of photographs! Glad I found your post, I haven’t been able to do much the past couple weeks but I’m back and happy to savor these images.
Thank you so much for those kind words, Lisa. Glad you liked the photos. I have been behind, too. A bit under the weather, but feeling better. Typical winter colds, etc., just enough to slow me a bit. 🙂
Shorter days are conducive to slowing down, I’ve decided. 🙂
I agree. It seems that I have a hard time pushing myself to get anything done. 🙂
Hi Bob! I am not sure if you remember me or not, you and I used to chat quite a bit about photos and birds a couple years ago. Life got in my way and I have been gone. But hopefully am back. Missed your posts, will take a while to catch up. Hope you had a splendid vacation! Great photos as usual, Bob! Sheila Skogen, From Moments to Memories
HI, Sheila. Sure, I remember you. Nice to hear from you again. Glad you are back. 🙂
Sounds like a brilliant trip, Bob! You took some stunning photos. Love the rocks – what amazing formations. I think the Eared Grebe is a fantastic pic, and so are the Clark’s Grebes – what beautiful birds! Congrats on your book sales, too.
Thanks, Jo. It was a memorable trip. Actually the scenery was mountainous, much more than you can see in my photos. I was just in the birding/wildlife mode, not paying attention to the great landscapes. I guess I just took it for granted, as we had seen it so much in the past.
Beautiful photos, Bob! Congratulations on that Clark’s Grebe. We’ve never seen one.
You and Ann seemed to have made the most of one of the truly beautiful areas of Texas. Now you’ve got us wanting to visit Lake Balmorhea. We’ve passed it by several times on our way to Balmorhea SP or Davis Mountains SP, but we’ve never stopped for a visit. We will next time.
Thanks, Dwynn. Like you, we had bypassed it several times. After we found out about the birding there, we decided to check it out. You have to drive back in a couple of miles where you come to the lake and a little store. Pay a small fee there, then you can drive all around the lake. It was full of all the wintering water birds, plus others.
What a wonderful trip you’re having. Had never heard of a Clark’s Grebe before. They are awesome !!
You’re inspiring me to do more with my work and get them out there. Thank you so much Bob and wishing you a wonderful Christmas.
Thank you very much, Emily. I appreciate you great comment. The Clark’s Grebes are seen mostly in the western part of the country.
My goodness! You have all these wonderful shots! Good work Bob! 🙂
Thank you very much, H.J. I appreciate your kind words. 🙂
What a great trip. Someday I want to visit there.
Thanks, Dave. You would definitely love it.
Nature is just amazing..and Bob, you manage to capture it all..blessings…
I agree, Syl. Love the outdoors and wildlife. 🙂
Wonderful photos. Enjoyed them all and reading about your visit and trip.
Thank you, Alison, I am glad you enjoyed it. I appreciate it.
Thank you for sharing! Love the photos…. congrats on reaching 201.
Thank you very much, Christie. 🙂
Beautiful shots!
Thanks, Bob.
Beautiful photos of animals.
Thanks, Melburnian. 🙂
I always love the photos you get in that area of Texas, Bob. Simply beautiful.
Many thanks, Toby. I know you love Texas. 🙂