Sometimes we look at sights in nature but don't really see. While hiking in the woods the other day, it became a realization that we need to open our heart and eyes to see the beauty of the simple things in nature with each season. There is so much order and purpose in His creation. God has given us awesome beauty in this world to see and enjoy... if we would but stop to see and feel it. Join us as this blog is about stopping to see the real beauty around us...to touch and feel it... "Through the Lens".

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Thursday, October 15, 2009

Laid Back Day



Since we are leaving the refuge on Sunday our job here is pretty much complete but we did volunteer to help organize a supply closet in the main office. So this morning Mike and I both went to tackle the job. It was not a huge job just a bit of clutter that needed organizing. We worked on the closet for a couple of hours before completing the job and heading home for lunch.

When we got up this morning the sky was still grey and cloudy and there was a fine mist of rain still falling. It has been almost two weeks with clouds and rain in this area of Texas but this afternoon all that changed!! The sun came out!!!! Wow, it has been a long time since we saw such a beautiful day. The clouds parted and there it was, a beautiful fall sky. The temperature was just perfect…..just a little crispness in the air. You just can’t let an opportunity like this pass you by so Mike and I decided to take a drive through the refuge and just enjoy the day. We had heard from some of the locals that the Peregrine Falcon had been spotted in the refuge and we wanted to try and get a look at it.

We saw the Semipalmated Plover. This is another new bird for us and a great example of why refuges such as Hagerman are so important. These birds, as well as other shorebirds, are being threatened by habitat loss. It has been an education watching the refuge prepare the area for the arrival of the migrating birds. They have taken several areas adjacent to wildlife drive and flooded them to make a marsh environment. They prepared the farm fields by getting rid of unwanted plants and then cultivating the area for tall grasses(wheat and mung beans) for winter food. We saw more American Avocets, or the same ones, who knows?? There are more and more Mallards arriving and it seems the American Coot is growing in population. The American White Pelican is still in the area and of course the graceful Great Blue Heron and the Snowy Egret and the Great Egret We are not sure we ever saw the Peregrine Falcon but there is always tomorrow.

We drove through many of the back roads of the refuge and just enjoyed the beautiful day. The trees are just beginning to turn their fall colors and this only added to the beauty of the day. What a peaceful place! Fall has always been one of our favorite times of the year. You just feel so
alive and energized. Life is good!!

6 comments:

  1. Vicki and I have spent some real study time in the bird books trying to identify marsh birds, usually after I incorrectly identify them... Even on the blog, the Green Heron(adolescent) was originally identified as a Bittern, I mistakenly posted a Great White Egret as a Great White Heron, and most recently, the Pink Flamingo in the photo on the blog is actually a Roseate Spoonbill... Oh well, keep up the good blogging. Porter and Vicki P.S. We did see a Bald Eagle on our way here yesterday!

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  2. I wanted to see a Bald Eagle so bad while we were here but the veterans tell us that there hasn't been one spotted yet.
    I am always afraid that we have the wrong name posted with the bird pic and some expert birder will set us straight. Oh well, like you all, we do the best we can in the identification game. We usually ask the refuge employees to do the identification. Hope they are right.

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  3. When are you going to be in McKinney. We want to go by MCD and check out their operation.

    Maybe we could time it so we could meet you guys?

    Randy and Pam

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  4. We will be arriving Sunday Oct.18 and should be there the entire week - leaving Friday.
    It would be great to meet you guys.
    Let us know and we will be sure to be there.

    Mike and Gerri

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  5. What a beautiful drive... I love watching for birds and try to tell what they are... I am not very successful at all... But I still have fun. Have a great weekend!

    Travel Safe
    Donna

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  6. We are going to try to be there by noon and will look for you guys.

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