Life off the grid in the SW Texas desert. An experiment in sustainable living. NUMBERS AT THE END OF EACH BLOG POST: temp at 8PM,high temp,low temp,rainfall,wind conditions(CalmBreezyWindyGusty). YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/TheFieldLab
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Friday, February 5, 2016
Geococcyx californianus
Got another critter who has made TFL his home. Now all I need is a pet coyote. 48,61,31,0,B
On all my trips to Texas I never saw a roadrunner. But I saw plenty of armadillos sleeping on the side of the road with their legs straight up in the air.
Dizzy-Dick, civilization sprung up all around my property sure is right. And one of the old-timers here told what she thought about the caliber of these new people around me. They are coming from everywhere for all different reasons-and some not so good.
There are cayote dogs in San Antonio and I visited with an exceptional wolf dog (her dad was grand champion of AK). But wolf would overpower cayote. So when I saw the proud owner of a tough cayote dog, I quietly turned around and went home with my Shepherd dog (wolf).
That is an absolutely beautiful picture of the bird, John. I saw one at Big Bend and was elated to see an Elk at night. Poor old soul must have escaped death by living on a ranch.
Roadrunner sound, hold the end of a flat wooden ruler at the edge of a table then pluck the free end. Hunted south Texas years ago. I enjoy the sound of coyotes. The yell of the cougar will make the hair stand up on your neck. I like to hear the sound of quail calling in the morning. My wife and grand daughter get tickled when my call gets answers from the quail. Ah, the memories when the old hard drive kicks in.
We hear coyotes every night at our Mahan Hunt Cabin - but seldom see them. I believe they stop by for a drink of water from our two guzzlers - attached to our water catchment system. Of course roadrunners, and the more tasty birds - like doves & quail also visit during the day. Just about all the Terlingua Ranch wildlife - including deer & javelinas - will visit your property on regular basis - after you install a water catchment and guzzler. About the only animal we have not seen on our property is the reclusive mountain lion. In fact, we have only seen one large mountain lion - hunting prey during a drought - near the Cedar Springs Creek. -- Moral of this tale. If you like to photograph or hunt wildlife - simply install a water catchment & guzzler on your property. WATER IS THE GOLD STANDARD FOR ATTACTING WILDLIFE! Cheers - Ron Mahan
The engineers I worked for in Laredo years ago were very up set and warned me NO when the coyotes came in looking for water and I was cornering and calling one thinking it was a dog. (It turned and ran). It had the most intelligent intense dark brown eyes and was beautiful yellow.
Ron, I agree with your comments. Like the guy from Canada, I visited the Big Bend area for the first time in 1956. I was 10 years old at the time. Few paved roads at the time.
Yes, cheers for all of us that have heard thunder many times.....
Funny you mention that John, I have lived in Texas almost my whole life and I have seen more roadrunners this year. I bet I seen 20 of them here in central Texas.
On all my trips to Texas I never saw a roadrunner. But I saw plenty of armadillos sleeping on the side of the road with their legs straight up in the air.
ReplyDeletesurprised you don't see coyotes... we have them here in Virginia
ReplyDeleteWe had "Rudy" the road runner and his wife living on the north side of us last spring. They have the strangest mating call.
ReplyDeleteWord is getting out ... TFL is the place to go.
ReplyDeleteWe used to have them around here on my place, but since civilization sprung up all around my property, I don't see any anymore.
ReplyDeleteDizzy-Dick, civilization sprung up all around my property sure is right. And one of the old-timers here told what she thought about the caliber of these new people around me. They are coming from everywhere for all different reasons-and some not so good.
ReplyDeleteThere are cayote dogs in San Antonio and I visited with an exceptional wolf dog (her dad was grand champion of AK). But wolf would overpower cayote. So when I saw the proud owner of a tough cayote dog, I quietly turned around and went home with my Shepherd dog (wolf).
ReplyDeleteI am not allowed to have a wolf here so I do not.
ReplyDeleteMexico was trying to preserve the wolf and I saw 2 gray wolves here at night 20 years ago and fox and cayote too but not anymore.
ReplyDeleteThat is an absolutely beautiful picture of the bird, John. I saw one at Big Bend and was elated to see an Elk at night. Poor old soul must have escaped death by living on a ranch.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteRoadrunner good, will keep rats and snakes down. Coyote not so good, eats chickens. Coyote can't catch roadrunner though...heh.
ReplyDeleteDon
Roadrunner sound, hold the end of a flat wooden ruler at the edge of a table then pluck the free end. Hunted south Texas years ago. I enjoy the sound of coyotes. The yell of the cougar will make the hair stand up on your neck. I like to hear the sound of quail calling in the morning. My wife and grand daughter get tickled when my call gets answers from the quail. Ah, the memories when the old hard drive kicks in.
ReplyDeleteWe hear coyotes every night at our Mahan Hunt Cabin - but seldom see them. I believe they stop by for a drink of water from our two guzzlers - attached to our water catchment system. Of course roadrunners, and the more tasty birds - like doves & quail also visit during the day. Just about all the Terlingua Ranch wildlife - including deer & javelinas - will visit your property on regular basis - after you install a water catchment and guzzler. About the only animal we have not seen on our property is the reclusive mountain lion. In fact, we have only seen one large mountain lion - hunting prey during a drought - near the Cedar Springs Creek. -- Moral of this tale. If you like to photograph or hunt wildlife - simply install a water catchment & guzzler on your property. WATER IS THE GOLD STANDARD FOR ATTACTING WILDLIFE! Cheers - Ron Mahan
ReplyDeletecoyotes probably don't want to cross any of those burros. and we sure don't want coyotes messing with Ben.
ReplyDeleteBeep-Beep
ReplyDeleteThe engineers I worked for in Laredo years ago were very up set and warned me NO when the coyotes came in looking for water and I was cornering and calling one thinking it was a dog. (It turned and ran). It had the most intelligent intense dark brown eyes and was beautiful yellow.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photo John!
ReplyDeleteRon, I agree with your comments. Like the guy from Canada, I visited the Big Bend area for the first time in 1956. I was 10 years old at the time. Few paved roads at the time.
ReplyDeleteYes, cheers for all of us that have heard thunder many times.....
Have paddled the Rio Grande twice - from Lajitas to Dryden Station. Need to come back and finish the land part of the visit.!!
ReplyDeleteFunny you mention that John, I have lived in Texas almost my whole life and I have seen more roadrunners this year. I bet I seen 20 of them here in central Texas.
ReplyDelete