Author Archives: Richard
Camping Near a Battle Zone
About five AM yesterday, both Mary and I were wakened by a muffled thumping. I thought it might be some wild pigs messing with our propane grill so Mary yelled out the window while I got some shoes on and … Continue reading
Posted in border issues, drugs, homeland security, Rio Grande Valley
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Yesterday’s Critters
I decided to document some of the wildlife I saw yesterday here at Falcon State Park as we prepare to move on. Here’s a Greater Roadrunner skulking through our back yard. I took a brief drive down the nearby “dump … Continue reading
Posted in Desert birds, nature, Penny, Southwest trip 5, Wildlife Watching
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A Morning Dog Walk
We awoke this morning to the call of a Common Paraque, a furtive desert bird that I’ve rarely seen but often heard. This one was in a tree just outside the Airstream but when I went out, barefooted with a … Continue reading
Posted in eBird, Penny, Southwest trip 5, Texas birding
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Sunday Afternoon Digiscoping
I took advantage of a damp Sunday afternoon to practice some digiscoping with my iPhone. The lighting was poor but the dog and I had several outings and got a lot of fresh air. I can see why people opt … Continue reading
Posted in Digiscoping, iPhone, Southwest trip 5, Texas birds, Winter2015 Trip
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Birds Can Brighten a Damp Misty Day
While my Vermont friends are waiting for the “konk-a-ree” of the Red-winged Blackbird as a sign of spring, we are overwhelmed by them. We’ve been feeding birds on our site and if you put out a suet feeder, there’s a … Continue reading
Posted in life bird, Life list, Southwest trip 5, Texas birding, Texas birds
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Keep Your Paws Off My Cell Signal
We can see the lights of Mexico across the lake from our Airstream windows – and it’s quite lovely at times. Not so lovely is that their telecom companies can overwhelm our AT&T 4G signal and make communicating a challenge. … Continue reading
Posted in Backyard birds, communications, iPhone, personal opinion, Southwest trip 5
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Are We Secure Yet?
It is still disconcerting, after many trips to the Southwest, to take the dog for a walk and see, up over the tree line, a tethered surveillance balloon. Often it is miles away but I still always am tempted to … Continue reading
Posted in drugs, homeland security, illegals
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Collector’s Items
Just before I left the lower Valley, I found this license plate at the [Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park](http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/bentsen-rio-grande-valley). I did not find the owner but thought it was a good birder plate. The other day, here at [Falcon State … Continue reading
Posted in License Plates, personal opinion, Southwest trip 5, Twitching
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A Birding Surprise
The other evening it was still 80 degrees after supper (Yeah, I know I’m pushing some friendships here) so we decided to take a five mile drive up to a small pond where waterfowl gather. It is on a private … Continue reading
Posted in nature, Southwest trip 5, Texas birding
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Aluminum Envy – A Vintage Airstream Moterhome
Mary noticed that the shiny Airstream as we drove down our loop at the state park, and I nearly hit a post gawking at it. Not only was it an antique, it was self-propelled and towing a Jeep. Here’s what … Continue reading
Posted in Airstream, License Plates, polishing, restoration, Southwest trip 5, Vintage Airstream
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