Critter photos

Still hanging out in and around Storrie Lake...

Katie and I are out of the park for the required six days out of every 20; I was planning to go into Santa Fe and do some shopping and overnighting in the many places available to overnight there.  We stopped in Las Vegas, NM to do laundry and other errands and might just stay here for the six days.

The weather has been pretty rainy lately - but we've also had cooler weather which is nice. 
There's not much happening to post, so I'm putting in some photos taken during the last couple of weeks.

Katie snuggled in with her toys:

I bought an "exercise pen" for Katie, so she can be outside and still easily kept in one place and off her leash.  It works perfectly spread out across the shelters in the New Mexico State Parks.  Jeanne sent Annie, Roxi and me a link to let us know they were on sale, and I jumped on it.  Midwest Black E-Coat Exercise Pen w/o door.  The regular price is $80.49 for this exercise pen, and the current sale price is $28.79, free 2-day shipping available if you are an Amazon Prime member:

The size I bought has eight panels -  2 feet x 2 feet square; I think it looks really nice and it's the perfect size for Katie.  The ex-pen, folded up, fits nicely behind my driver seat, so storage is not a problem.  They come in all sizes and with or without a door - this one at this price is without.  If you've been thinking about getting an exercise pen for your dog - now's the time!

Remember Flat Stanley, the large frog we saw on our walks?  Well, I FINALLY saw a real, live frog.  I think it's the first one I've seen in three years of traveling.  Here he is - Not Flat Stanley:

Annie's cats have been going outside here at Storrie Lake.  They are both good at staying in the area and coming home without a problem.  One day Parker was outside, and decided to rest in the shade under The Palms.  He sure is a handsome boy and I was honored!

Unfortunately, Annie was told by the Ranger that her cats could not be outside without a leash - there are signs around saying dogs must be on a leash, but I've never heard that cats had to to, as well.  Hopefully some of the other parks won't have the same rule, because I really enjoyed watching Parker, and sometimes Ellen wandering outside my windows in the field between the row of campsites and the road.  It had to be so much fun for them to wander around, sniffing new smells, and hiding wherever they found a good spot in the shade. 

Here are a few more recent hummingbird photos - I've loved taking their pictures and just can't seem to just sit and enjoy them - I have to grab the camera.  You have no idea how many photos I've taken, and neither do I - LOL.

This is the first time I've seen a Calliope Hummingbird - with his red streaked gorget, he's a beautiful bird.  He's also our smallest hummingbird, from my SILBEY FIELD GUIDE TO BIRDS of Western North America, "tiny and short tailed with relatively short, thin bill.  Male has distinctive streaked rosy gorget and white stripe across cheek."

The little Calliope Hummers are sure recognizable!  Here are some of my other favorites:

These two guys below sure look intense, heading toward the nectar:

I got some good photos of the bird below, on the right.  (S)he's larger than the other hummingbirds and not colorful, but I liked it's grayish colors and patterns, kind of plainly beautiful. 

In the past when I was taking pictures of the hummingbirds that came around, I seldom got a photo of displayed tail feathers, which are so striking.  But because we have SO MANY hummingbirds here at Storrie Lake right now, they seem to spread their wings and tail feathers all the time.  There's always one guarding the feeder, and because there are so many birds trying to get close to it, there's lots of dive bombing, tail feather displays, and loud calls.  Fun to watch, and fantastic for photos.

WELCOME to our newest Follower, Steven!  It doesn't look like Steve has a blog, so I can't point you to it, but Steve, if you do blog, please send me a link and I'll pass it on.  Thank you for following along with me and Katie, we sure appreciate it!  Welcome Aboard! 

From me and Katie, have a great Friday, everyone!  :)

PS - THANK YOU! to all our Followers and readers who are purchasing Amazon.com items through our links.  It's the first site I check in the morning, and it makes my day to see a new item on my "ordered" list.  Remember, although we do get a list of items ordered, we have no idea who orders what - your purchases are totally private - and our small percentage of your sale costs you nothing.  Sure is wonderful for us, though!  :)