Birding Feb-March 2012

One of my favorite hobbies is birding.  I spent lots of time birding in Feb and March with 2 of the best birding friends a person can have.  Most of the birding spots were near Aransas Pass, Texas.  When watching birds I always marvel at one of God’s most wonderful creations.  Watching birds has only reinforced my belief in the fact that God created all and that we, animals, fish, or  birds, did not evolve from one creature which began in the sea, grew legs, and eventually lived on dry land.  Each bird’s bill fits the habit of that bird in what it eats.  Just compare the beak of a pelican to the beak of a hummingbird.  Hope you enjoy the pictures.  I sure had lots of fun taking them.  Click on the blue link for more photos

great blue heron on the beach at Port Aransas

This was the first time I saw a black skimmer

Rosette spoonbill and snowy egret.  Looks like they are having a conversation.

blue winged teal

northern harrier (marsh hawk) in flight

Laughing gull survivor

Texas State Aquarium, Corpus Christi, Texas

Our first visit to the Texas State Aquarium and we were not disappointed.  We enjoyed the fish exhibits and the dolphin and flight show.  Our friend Jan, was chosen to help with the dolphin show, she even got to kiss a dolphin.  Our friend, Sandy, was chosen to help with the flight  show.  Had lunch at the snack bar downstairs.

sea horses

lion fish

International Wildlife Museum, Tucson, Arizona 2012

This was our second visit to the International Wildlife Museum.  We enjoyed it again.  They have lots of wildlife movies and I know I could spend my day just watching the movies.  Love the butterfly collection.

rhino shot by Roosevelt.

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

Beautiful day to tour the desert Museum.  We arrived when it opened at 8:30.  We went to the Birds of Prey show and were able to see 5 different birds fly.  Great show.  Lots of walking.  Many types of animals from deer to wolves.

We got to go through the hummingbird area and were able to see this one sitting on it’s nest. 

snakes are also at the museum

Great-horned owl

Old Tucson Studios 2012

We always love to go to Old Tucson Studios.  This year was no exception.  We were able to see 5 new shows including the can-can girls.  I was chosen to be in one of the shows.  My part was to hit a tambourine and shake my booty.  My reward was a bottle of sarsaparilla.   We enjoyed the comedy stunt show.  The weather is really great here in Tucson.

pretty good singers.

This building was in the Glen Ford version of 3:10 to Yuma

China town

The Reno.  Was used in movie Joe Kidd.  Before it was used in the movies, it provided transportation for Pres. Grant and Roosevelt.

Part of the stunt comedy show.

shoot out from the Quick and the Dead

Tule Elk

Los Banos, Ca has many wildlife preserves.  One of the reserves has tule elk.  We took our friend out to see them one day.

Monterey Bay Aquarium 2011

Monterey Bay Aquarium is my favorite aquarium.  If I still lived in Ca., I would have a membership and go every month.  Our friend from Kansas arrived on Monday so Tuesday we made our yearly trip to the Aquarium and Fisherman’s wharf.  We ate at the Fish Hopper and were very happy with our meal.  Then we took a drive on the coast.  Finished the day with some fried artichokes.  Great stuff.

Custer State Park Buffalo Round-up 2011

We ended our stay in Custer State Park by attending the annual Buffalo Round-Up.  After talking to lots of park rangers, we decided to view the round-up from the south viewing area.  We got up around 4 and got in line for the south viewing area at 5:38.  They began parking at 6:20 and we were finally parked by 7.  They had a pancake and sausage breakfast that we enjoyed.  About 9:30 the cowboys began pushing the buffalo towards the corrals.  Our viewing area allowed us to see the buffalo as they came across the top of the hill.  There were some wild burros in the valley that had to run to get out of the way of the stampeding buffalo.  The elk were watching from the top of a hill.  The cowboys say that they drive the buffalo where the buffalo want to go.  The buffalo did not go the way the cowboys wanted them to go at first, so the cowboys stopped pushing the buffalo for a few minutes, changed their locations, and began pushing the buffalo again.  Once the buffalo were in the corrals, we were able to go down for a buffalo bar-b-que.  Sure was good.  At 1:00, they began to work about 150 buffalo through the shutes.  There they would weigh, vaccinate,  and, if it was a cow, check for pregnancy.  (sure wouldn’t want that job)  They would also separate the young ones born last year and brand them.  They sell about 200 or so of the buffalo to various buyers.  Great day.!!!!

 

wild burros running away

When the buffalo got to this area, they were very unhappy.  They would move their heads up and down and side-ways trying to escape.  The cowboy would reach out and touch the buffalo on the nose or head and they would calm down.  He would then read the number off the tag so they would know what buffalo they were dealing with.  As soon as his hand left the buffalo, the buffalo began moving it’s head wildly.

free at last