It was just me and the girls so.....
I got up really early (0400) to watch a meteor shower. The Lyrid Meteor Shower is active from 16 to 25 April each year. The meteor shower was to peak on the 22nd (this morning) so I got up, made a cup of coffee and went outside and watched a good bunch of meteors zip across the sky. Watching meteor showers can make for a sore neck so I decided to lie on the picnic table. It made for a great view minus the sore neck.
The dogs were a little confused by my seemingly clandestine activities but they settled. When the sun came up, I took Penny for a walk.
We headed towards the mountains and Huachuca Canyon.
The birds were out and they seemed to be celebrating spring.
I HAVE BEEN SURPRISED BY THE BEAUTIFUL COLORS OF SOME OF THE BIRDS HERE
We also saw a large male turkey with is harem.
PENNY HAD NO IDEA WHAT TO DO ABOUT THIS GUY
I had been listening to the incessant gobbling of this turkey for several days but had not gotten to see him. He and his ladies were having a leisurely Saturday walk.
When we got back to the RV, I put Penny inside and decided to sit out for a bit. I had been sitting for just a few minutes when I noticed two roadrunners "courting." They were bobbing their heads, wiggling their long tail feathers and making little cooing noises.
LOOKING
BOBBING AND COOING
LOOKING A LITTLE MORE
AND THE CHASE IS ON
I found their ritual to be fascinating. They made quite a show of it and as long as I sat still, they did not seem bothered by me.
When they made their way to the bushes, I got up and followed another noise. I spied these plump little nesters.
MOMMA BIRD WATCHING OVER HER VERY BIG BABIES
MOMMA BIRD HAS AMAZING EYES DOESN'T SHE?
After a really busy bird morning, I spent a good part of the afternoon cleaning the RV. Not too exciting but I enjoy it. The weather was good and the girls could sit outside while I cleaned.
Now....the highlight of my day.
It was getting near sunset and I decided to take the girls for a walk around the perimeter of the RV park. I got to the end of the park and noticed a lady looking into the tall grass while backing away. I asked her what she was seeing and she said "a really big cat."
I got closer and lo and behold, there was a mountain lion about 30 yards away. She was a beauty and she was big. I immediately picked up Annie the hors devours and got Penny Lane closer to me. The Lion looked our way and started wiggling her ears. We all started walking away and I took the girls straight to the motorhome. I got my camera and got in the car and went back to try to get a picture. No luck. I also went to the camp host and told her. A military patrol car came through and we told the officer.
Anyway, I have never seen a mountain lion and I was both scared and fascinated.
I did go around to the other campers and let them know about the big kitty.
So, that was my day. Not a typical Saturday but:
Another great day in this thing we call life.
I think those are Goulds turkeys-- might have to ask an expert. Goulds were reintroduced to the United States on Fort Huachuca in about 2000/2001. They had been hunted out in the 1930s, but still ranged in the Sierra Madre in Mexico.
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