Last day at Black Mesa State Park

Ready, set to go. In the morning, I need to unhook electric and water and pull in the slides, put Herbie in tow mode and then I am ready to hit the road. It was a nice day today here at the Park. Early this morning I walked down to the "low water crossing" just to make sure that the storm that dropped a bit on rain on us didn't have us socked in. It was enough rain to take the dust out of the air and drop cottonwood seeds on everything.

This morning I did get things moving to the breakdown, vacuumed (it never ends), shook the rugs, swept the lino, cleaned the bathroom and then did the fun thing. Pulled up and went to dump. When I finished, I decided to park in a pull thru with room for Herbie to sit behind me so I could get him hooked and be ready to flee early. All accomplished with time left over!

We had two campers come in today so far. One is a professional photographer who is in a 13' Casita Patriot. He has a neat setup and it works well for him. Has some great photos. Check out his site www.stevecreek.com. You will be impressed with his photos. He has the wildlife aura that means he will probably see the Mountain Lion. Remember I have been waiting on the cat for a week.

The other campers are from Dodge City, KS. They are just taking some down time 'out in the middle of nowhere'. He said this is about as far to nowhere as you can get from Dodge City in one days driving. They have been here many times. No surprises for them.

Went down to the Cliff Swallow nest site so I could do a third photo of where they are in the construction process. Just caught them as they came in and posted or is that pasted a bunch more mud on the walls or is it the doors? They were just sitting there, well not really some were sitting while others were fussing at them to please get out of the way, it's my turn to try it out!

This is such a neat photo.

While down there visiting with the Cliffies I saw this Yellow Warbler.

I also observed an Orchard Oriole, but the photo was less than satisfying.

However, this Rufous Crowned Sparrow was posed for a pretty shot.

On my early morning walk, I was greeted by this Canyon Towhee.

I am on my way to Limon, Colorado tomorrow. Hope to meet up with one of my AK traveling ladies. Then on North. 

Black Mesa State Park, OK

This area that the park was named for was formed as a result of a volcano back a couple of years ago. The habitat is part desert and part riparian, much like what you find in Arizona and New Mexico.

I found the bird life to be very much a mix of eastern and western birds. Many Western Kingbirds. I heard a Says Phoebe. Saw a Bullock’s oriole at a feeder. Plenty of Common Grackles and Red-Winged Blackbirds. Saw a bluebird nest box…wonder Eastern, Western or Mountain bluebirds nesting at that box. Barn Swallows making moth scoops on the roadway in the park and Northern Rough Wing swallows cris-crossing the very low Carl Etling Lake. American Robins are doing well here and their red breast is a very dark red compared to the lighter red at other places. Lark Sparrows are plentiful. Even have the hated Eurasian Collared Dove. Have observed a pair of  Mourning Doves. The moths are hatching out and a rough estimate of a gazillion is probably short. Heard a bullfrog in the low flowing river last night.

The American Robin

Sign on the window of the park building…What to do if you see a Mountain Lion. I expect there are sightings, but probably far and few. I didn’t read the instructions.

Full humongus moon last night. Photos did not come out very good as there was too much cloud cover.

Moon from Friday night.

There are remains of a petrified forest here in the park. Very interesting.

Some pics of the environment.

Molten lava flow.

A very low Lake Carl Etling.

Top to bottom from the Overlook. Cottonwood campground back in the trees.