Day 364 – The low 50’s was the low temperature last night and the low 80’s was the high temperature today. Mostly sunny. Rob took some pictures of the birds in the trees and bushes near the RV.
Black-capped Chickadee, West Beeds Campground, Merritt Reservoir SRA, Valentine, NEBlack-capped Chickadee, West Beeds Campground, Merritt Reservoir SRA, Valentine, NEYellow-rumped Warbler, West Beeds Campground, Merritt Reservoir SRA, Valentine, NERuby-crowned Kinglet, West Beeds Campground, Merritt Reservoir SRA, Valentine, NE
We left the campground around 10:30 a.m. and headed to Valentine NWR, about 35 minutes southeast of here. The Wildlife Refuge was very large, many acres with several lakes. There were dirt roads running throughout the Refuge, some in disrepair, but we managed to see most of the Refuge. Every lake had at least one boat launch. Brochures had said that up to 150,000 birds passed through during migration in October. Well, not this year – or not today, anyway – but we did see some wildlife. We drove most of the roads and stopped at most of the lakes. One lake had 2 Trumpeter Swans, and there were Red-Winged Blackbirds in bushes along the roads. Another lake had hundreds of White Pelicans, a few Sea Gulls, and Pied-Billed Grebes, landing & taking off, it was quite active. We also saw on our drive, snakes on the roads, a Coyote and lots of Cows, surprise, surprise. There are a lot of Cows in Nebraska!
We got back to the RV around 3:30 p.m. and made a big batch of Pasta with an Artichoke Pesto sauce. It’s a bit windy here, it’s dusty, and there’s some pollen blowing around. Rob’s allergies are acting up – it’s been awhile since that’s happened. The girls complain when he explosively sneezes, which is often. I’m going to run away from home. Grin. Rob got a picture of the sunset at the RV.
Sunset, West Beeds Campground, Merritt Reservoir SRA, Valentine, NE
Love the double pelican “x-wing” shot!