Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge

The Santa Ana wildlife refuge
is concidered the gem of the region.
It is brimming with birds, butterflies and dragonflies.

Great Blue Herons were wading in road side pools on the drive to Santa Ana.

As were Great Egrets.

We stopped for photographs and a, "Hello."

We drove the "farm to market" and the "ranch to market"
roads when ever we could.

I saw many butterflies I had never seen before.
This looks to be a Ceraunus Blue.


A Queen was resting in the grass.

This beauty is not in my Texas butterfly guide.

Four Great Kiskadees made such a noise when we were birding.

The Mexican Bluewing nectered on grapefruit that the staff had placed for the Green Jays and for the Chachalacas.

The Black Crested Tufted Titmouse was so cute!

Dragonflies and damselflies

patrolled their territories.


Spanish moss dripped from the trees.

and Zebra Longwings nectered on wild ageratum.
Heaven on earth!

The Inn at Chachalaca Bend

A flock of Chachalacas live at
The Inn at Chachalaca Bend.



I enjoyed them in the trees and on the grounds.





The Inn is located on 40 acres.





The mesquite fence inspired me!
I can do something similar in my gardens.

We explored the grounds.

Rain lilies were in bloom.

Huge prickly pears were scattered about.

I saw a few new to me butterflies.

I cannot find this one in my Butterflies of the Lower Rio Grande Valley book.

It was a joy to go to bed each night.

A joy to awake!

I am spoild by the sweet, freshly picked,

ruby red grapefruit we had for breakfast.

The way cook peeled and sectioned each fruit was so amazing.

This was welt in your mouth grapefreuit.

There were two different water sources on the property.

I enjoyed watching the Common Moorhens and all sorts of Herons and Egrets.

The inn keepers live on the property.

The mail boxes are fantastic!

The morning dew was caught in the rain chains.

Many song birds

and White Winged Doves to watch.

Turkey Vultures and Black Vultures

would circle in the afternoon and perch in the trees.

Hawks hunted


and Zebra Longwings roosted in the evenings.



I have many photographs of this remarkable place.

Wonderful memories of the birds and the butterflies and the inn keepers.

I can hardly wait to return!

San Antonio, Texas

We arrived in San Antonio
in the late afternoon.

This bronze statue of San Antonio
was given to the city from the people in Portugal.

Perhaps they have a sister city in Portugal.

We found lodging on the River Walk.
Our balcony over looked the river.

A quick change of shoes and we were walking.
Temperatures were in the mid 60's.

Along the walk were tributes to the San Antonio river.
Names carved into the flesh of the cactus.


We could only stay a short time.

We enjoyed the art
and the music.

We watched a Southern Dogface butterfly find nectar
and a Double Crested Cormorant fish in the river.

White-winged Doves kept watch.

The Northern Mockingbird is the State bird of Texas.

We saw several while we were walking.

A mother Mallard duck took her chicks for a swim.

I have a fondness for baby ducks.

I have a fondness for San Antonio.

On Safari

Christmas in Portland

We stayed home.
We watched the birds.
We read new books and listened to music.

The House Wren found seed under the feeder.

The Northern Flickers found bugs.




The Robins ate berries.

We played cribbage while the fire crackled.
The Mujadarrah, lentils and rice with fried onions,
is simmering while I write. Brussels sprouts and carrots
with sesame seeds, are ready to compliment our Holiday meal.
Staying with gourmet cooks makes for delicious dining!

We leave tomorrow. We will miss these birds and the laughter.

Christmas Eve

My daughter and I walked
in her neighborhood.

We listened to the Robins.
We listened to the Scrub Jays and the Crows.

We laughed with the Gulls.
Merry Christmas Eve.

A different sort of bird

We took a drive in the rain.
We went to see the Spruce Goose.

The Evergreen Aviation Museum
contained many airplanes.



I did see birds.
Birds I do not know.




It rains in Portland, Oregon in December.

We are in the middle of a winter cribbage tourney.

We do not mind the rain.

Solstice

We flew south to go north.

We watched the solstice sun rise.

We flew over the snow and ice.

We arrived in Portland, Oregon.
We arrive to hugs, laughter and flowers.
We began the Winter Cribbage Tournament.
We celebrated the Full Cold Moon with mugs of Kona coffee.

We are having fun.

We are creating memories.

We are sharing love.