Posts for: backroader
May 30, 2017 23:43:50 #
Anyone looking for a fun place to travel to should consider Sand Dunes National Park north of Alamosa, Colorado. Lot of unique things to see in the area besides the wonderful NP. One lots of people don't know about is the Sand Dunes Hot Springs Swimming Pool out in the country outside of Hooper, Colorado and about 20 miles from the NP. I got these shots when we camped at the pool in our motorhome with our 5 year old granddaughter for 5 days. The Blackbird with the Red-tailed Hawk was funny. When the hawk flew in to the top of the post the Blackbird bowed its head as if to say "Let us pray". But, if you look carefully the hawk already had lunch in his talons so the Blackbird perked up a little! The pool is natural hot water that is drinkable coming from an artisan well. The water coming in drains out the other end so new hot water is continuously replacing old water in the pool. It is probably kept between 85 & 90 degrees F....very comfortable to stay in for a long time. The Sangre de Cristo Mountains also make for wonderful scenery. The last photo is our granddaughter playing in the sand in front of the Sand Dunes with the Sangre de Cristo mountains in the background.
Apr 13, 2017 00:33:21 #
I just posted photos of a Cactus Wren and Warbler I got today at Rock Hound State Park. I also was lucky enough to get shots of these 2 mating butterflies mating. I'm not an expert butterfly guy but I think they are Black Swallowtails. Actually, one looks very different from the other so I'm not sure if I am correct. These two mates actually flew while remaining attached like this several times while I was trying to get photos. Help with IDing which be much appreciated. Nature is pretty awesome!!
Apr 13, 2017 00:16:03 #
I forgot to mention the Warbler is perched on a beautiful Ocotillo that is leaving out and has lots of blossoms. They only leave out when enough water is available in the soil.
Apr 13, 2017 00:13:14 #
I got these shots today at Rock Hound State Park outside Deming, New Mexico. This is a wonderful park to stay in if you are a camper or RVer. The flowers, birds, geology and scenery are just super. I believe the warbler is a Yellow-rumped Warbler but a subspecies also known as an Audubon's Warbler. I also found information about it being a part of an "intergrade zone" which was way above my head when I looked it up. I would appreciate some help in plain english if someone can help me out. The Cactus Wrens are awesome here and very abundant. The nest where I found this guy is only about 30' from our motorhome. It is built in a Prickly Pear Cactus that is about 6' high. They are an entertaining, chattery creature that I enjoy watching.
Apr 9, 2017 23:19:41 #
backroader wrote:
Then I forget to post the photo....duh! The yellow blossom appears first and bees or other insects pollinate it. Then the purple blossom appears. This is according to the Ranger who guided our hike into the Hueco Tanks area of Texas near El Paso.We have seen this bush a lot in our travels through south and west Texas. It is very difficult to photograph but I think I overcame that problem a little with this closeup.
Apr 9, 2017 23:06:00 #
We have seen this bush a lot in our travels through south and west Texas. It is very difficult to photograph but I think I overcame that problem a little with this closeup.
Apr 9, 2017 23:03:02 #
Thanks for all the nice comments. Sorry I am late responding. We left the Rio Grande Valley after posting and we have been without internet most of the time since leaving. We are still in Texas but our travels have taught us there are a lot of very remote areas in Texas!
Mar 17, 2017 21:31:38 #
I hope these photos exemplify the beauty we have seen during our three month stay at Bentsen Palm RV Resort near Mission, Texas. I believe every photo in this series was taken within a 5 mile radius of our motorhome. The Local People and Winter Texans in the valley make it all the better place to spend the winter!
An Altamira Oriole. Only seen in this area of the USA.
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Unknown butterfly
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Giant Swallowtail Butterfly
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Unknown flower
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Unknown butterfly but I love this shot
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Unknown flower next to our motorhome. Background roses.
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I believe a Monarch Butterfly
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Mar 17, 2017 11:01:22 #
Nice shots! Love you caught an adult and a juvie having lunch! The call of the loon and the methods they use to protect their young make them one of my favorites also.
Mar 17, 2017 10:54:53 #
Really nice capture! You must be a meadowlark whisperer to get him to sit still like that! Was this taken on Antelope Island in the Great Salt Lake?
Mar 14, 2017 12:20:22 #
If you like walking or biking and wildlife, take the ferry over to Bull's Island. Short ferry ride to a really nice island with no motorized traffic.
Mar 14, 2017 12:06:44 #
Nice series of photos! We have been Winter Texans near the butterfly center south of Mission since Dec. 15. The butterflies have been pretty good all winter long but really getting good now.
Mar 5, 2017 17:50:40 #
The word Kingfisher usually makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up because they are so camera shy and elusive. Well, I finally landed two pretty good shots of a Green Kingfisher which you will probably only see in South Texas or maybe southern Arizona. This is a female I found at the Santa Ana National Wildlife Preserve in the Rio Grande Valley.
Mar 5, 2017 15:28:06 #
Good idea and nice, nice shots. Love the bokeh you managed to get also.
Mar 5, 2017 15:18:33 #
Don't miss the Desert Museum. In fact, call them to find out if and when they will be doing the wild raptor fly in. If they are doing one while you are in the area, I definitely recommend it.