It's our last night at Percha Dam

I'd like to stay here for the duration, but I'm running out of milk, bread and propane, so tomorrow morning we'll move on. 

Katie has turned out to be the best bird dog, not because she finds and retrieves the birds, but because she will sit, very quietly without moving, when I signal her to sit/stay.  When I start walking slowly and quietly, whispering to her (trying to sneak up on the birds at the river), she slows down and walks slowly right behind me until I signal her to sit/stay. Then I lay her leash handle on the ground.  With her leash and tags quiet, I can slowly sneak up to the bank and scan right and left to see if anything looks interesting.  If anyone saw me, they would think I was a batty old woman, for sure. 

This is Katie after I carried her back the other day because of the hot sand.  (I still can't figure out why it was so hot. I felt it, though, and it was burning hot. Yesterday and today we walked the same path around the same time, and I kept feeling the sand to be sure it wasn't too hot, and it was fine.  Anyway, she was happy to be carried home and then given a treat.  Big smile and ears both up.  :)

This is the area of the Rio Grande we've been walking above:



We walked down to the river yesterday and walked along as far as we could go, until we couldn't get around the trees without going into the water.  These huge tree roots were exposed and kind of artistic looking, I thought.

Following are more new birds snapped in the last couple of days. I saw the Green Heron again today and watched him for quite a while, but the photos weren't as good as the others I've posted. They were clearer, but the color wasn't as good - probably different light. 

First is the only new bird along the water, a Common Yellowthroat.  I had three photos of him jumping - there were two of them, and they moved around and jumped on and off the rocks constantly.

Common Yellowthroat

The rest were taken in my campsite or from the windows of The Palms.

Black-tailed Gnat-catcher - non-breeding male

Chipping Sparrow - Another Angry Bird

Two Chipping Sparrows - there were lots of these little guys on the ground, they'd sweep in and sweep out in a flock.

Grey-headed Dark-eyed Junco

Grey-headed Dark-eyed Junco

Ladder-backed Woodpecker

Ladder-backed Woodpecker

Ladder-backed Woodpecker - female I think - I don't see red on her head.

American Goldfinch - you can't miss him in the trees.

American Goldfinch

Vermilion Flycatchers - female with juveniles

Vermilion Flycatcher - female

Vermilion Flycatcher - Male

This is one of my Field Guides - anything look familiar?

Here's dainty Katie, in her bed - notice both ears are up again, a rare sight:

We've enjoyed our short stay at Percha Dam State Park.  If you happen to stop here and want to see the water in the river, take the path right past the playground. There's a fence there that you can go through.  Keep walking and the river will be below you on your left.  It's a nice level path all the way to the end where there are fields.  Not a long walk at all.

Our next post will be from Elephant Butte.  From me and Katie, have a nice Sunday night, everyone!  :)