New Mexico, United States

Birding through New Mexico

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We had chosen our route through the United States to check out some birding sites. Sandhill Cranes Maxwell, Wyoming Oct 2017We had read that the sandhill cranes migrate from their summer home in northern Alberta to the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge to spend the winter. So we decided to find them along their path.

Maxwell, Wyoming Oct 2017We started in the Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge just over the border from Colorado. We actually saw hundreds of sandhill cranes there. We were so excited to see the big birds eating, flying, and enjoying the water.

Rough-legged Hawk, Maxwell Wyoming Oct 2017We also saw several hawks along the way. Hawk Las Vegas Wyoming Oct 2017The beautiful red-tailed hawks were hunting along the roads in Maxwell and we spotted a rough-legged hawk near the sandhill cranes. In Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge we saw another one looking down at us. We did not see many sandhill cranes in Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge but did see this one pair.  Sandhill cranes Bosque de Apache, Wyoming Oct 2017

United States, Wyoming

Windy Wyoming

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We spend a windy day driving through Wyoming. We believe this US state could be fully powered with “green energy” by installing wind mills. We did not want to drive at the posted speeds as we thought we might be blown off the road!

Missouri River, Wyoming Oct 2017We had a few stops planning in the hopes of seeing some migrating birds. The first was Edness Wilkins State Park near Casper. The might Missouri River flows by it and we did see our first wild turkeys. But it was windy and cool and we only saw a few northern flickers and a couple of killdeer.

Glendo State Park, Wyoming Oct 2017We next stopped at Glendo State Park just south of Douglas. We saw a pair of deer, a gaggle of Canada Geese, several ring-billed gulls and an American White Pelican. We felt like we were back on the Bow River!

Sloans Lake, Cheyenne, Wyoming Oct 2017We spent the night in Cheyenne, the state capital. It is a lovely city of just 60,000 people. We had a lovely walk in their Lions Park. It has a large lake, Sloans Lake, with easy paths to walk around it. It also had several other areas including a place with this amazing train. Lions Park, Cheyenne, Wyoming Oct 2017

Next we are off to Colorado…

Montana, United States

Heading South

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We left Calgary on Sunday to drive down to Barra de Navidad. We have rented a house there for 6 months starting November 1. It was a busy few weeks getting ready to leave so we decided to just drive to Great Falls, Montana the first day. We had a windy drive down but enjoyed the countryside.

Rivers Edge Trail, Great Falls Oct 2017Once we got to Great Falls we took a long walk along the River’s Edge Trail from West Bank Park. Bear statue, Great Falls Oct 2017We saw lots of Canada Geese and Ring-billed Gulls as well as a few mallards and common mergansers.

Little Bighorn Battlefield, Montana Oct 2017The next day we stopped at The Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. This is where a significant battle occurred between the Lakota, Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians and the United States Army. On June 25th 1876 the Indians routed the army in the major battle. Custers Last Stand, Oct 2017This site has markers showing where each soldier and Indian fell. It was quite moving to see the markers, especially where Custer’s last stand was.

Rattle snake, Oct 2017We went for several walks through the park and were surprised by this rattler! We then cut our hiking short!

We are driving through Wyoming next.

Melaque, Mexico

Time in Melaque

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Groove-billed Ani, Nov2016We have settled into a routine; taking a walk usually in the mornings and then going out for lunch. We decided we wanted to go to the Grand Bay once a week to do a walk. We have not seen as many birds as in past years, we are not sure if it is because we are here earlier than usual or if the numbers are truly declining. We were happy to see several groove-billed anis and I got a great picture of one.

Boxfish, Nov2016We were happy to see that Candace and Norman had arrived back on their boat Kyalami at the marina. As we visited we were entertained by a pair of boxfish. After Richard and I walked over to the Pacific side we met at Sea Masters in Barra de Navidad for a lovely lunch.

Sea Masters, Nov2016

Melaque Market, Nov2016Today was market day in Melaque. We went to buy a few things including legumes (chick peas, lentils). Parrot, Nov2016We were surprised to see a parrot on the overhead power lines. It has been suggested that the parrot had escaped from a nearby cage. But it was great to see a free one!

Melaque, Mexico

Ramada El Camaronero in Cuastecomate

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Cuastecomate panga, Nov2016We took a taxi to Cuastecomate today for lunch. It was one of our favourite places to anchor just north of the bay at Navidad. We always went to Ramada El Camaronero for lunch or dinner and we usually were served by Miguel. So it was like old home week when we sat down and Miguel brought us beer and shrimp (of course!). We both ordered the Shrimp a la Cubano but we had forgotten how generous the portions were!

At Ramada El Camaronero, Nov2016

Celltower in Cuastecomate, Nov2016The town has had some improvements over the past year. Most of the roads have been paved and the best addition has been a cellphone tower. The one disadvantage of anchoring here had been no internet access. That has now been rectified!

We walked back to our apartment and stopped at a fruit stand to try out their produce. The pineapples were delicious!

Buying fruit, Nov2016

The traveling adventures of Karen and Richard