Big Bend, Blooms and Birds

 We started out early yesterday for a morning hike in Boquillas Canyon.  It was about 1.25 miles and an easy hike .

Ocotillo

 We drove to the Panther Junction visitor center and looked around.  

The desert is in full bloom and it was a really nice drive.  The Ocotillo blooms do not last  long.  It is great to see them.  The cactus are also in bloom and most are buzzing with bees  getting a little nectar.

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Prickly Pear

We drove from Panther Junction to Chisos Basin. There is a lodge and a campground there.  The campground also has hook ups but they do not recommend the drive in for vehicles over 24ft.  However, we saw a huge tour bus roll right up to the lodge. So it just depends on your driving confidence. It is a beautiful setting and it was much cooler. 

We had lunch at the lodge and then went out for a hike around the basin.

Pitaya Cactus

This morning we did a bird walk with one of the volunteers.  It was really fantastic.  A road runner greeted us to start.   We saw- Flycatchers, Woodpeckers, Hawks, Vultures, Warblers and learned to identify a Vireo by song. It was a very good walk and we saw several new birds and learned a few things.  I managed to get one good picture of the vermillion flycatcher.    We saw one of these in Deming and it was a thrill.  They are all over the place here- still a beautiful little bird.

Catherine and Grace are enjoying some outdoor time before it gets too hot.  We plan on doing an auto tour drive this afternoon.  It will be a scorcher today but tomorrow is supposed to be about ten degrees cooler.  See you down the road...