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Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Hiking And Dodging Javelinas

By morning I realized,hey! I like this park…Its not just an overnight stop,so decided to stay another day and hike around.There was plenty of bird activity outside my door first thing so I though that I would have a look see but they seemed to move on before I got out with the camera,just one of my old desert favourites the Cactus Wren going somewhere with nesting material.And this guy below who I couldn't identify..Note white patch on tail…made a peep peep sound,Any help out there?

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After breakfast I wandered around with the camera out behind the trailer.I kept hearing a crunching sound,so I followed it to the hillside a few yards away and discovered several Javelinas feeding on prickly pear cactus.I kept my distance because my knowledge of these creatures is limited as to their aggressiveness.

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Next I walked over to the quail viewing area to see the Montezuma quail.The park has a feeding station set up but I arrived close to the end of the good viewing times and only saw this ruby throated hummer.Again my identification is untrustworthy but it did flash red under the chin.

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Now its time to take a hike up the hill,a steep narrow rocky trail that switch-backed all the way up.Not a good time to be wearing shorts with all the cactus.Below is a view back down into the parks camping area.

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Some of the hillside cactus growth.

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I finally reached the top and had to celebrate.

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Looking across the valley I could see the University of Texas McDonald Observatory on 8378ft. Baldy peak.

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And to the left back down in the valley,The Indian Lodge hotel complex.

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Time to head back down as it was getting hot and I was crapping out…..glad it was all down hill.On the way back I stopped at the quail viewing area again to see what was there and as I quietly walked up to it,I spooked a couple of javelinas who were feeding in the tall grass.

They started toward me…..Not knowing if they were tame or aggressive,I stood my ground and took these shots.

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When the one on the right got within 10 feet of me,I shuffled my feet and he snorted and headed the other way,much to my delight……That was close enough.

There is much to see in this area like the old Fort Davis, where back in 1854 it was built and first manned by the 8th U.S.Infantry who,mounted on mules, first fought the Comanches….So next time I will add it to my bucket list.

Last night my “just before dark, backyard visitors”, were these guys.

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Scratching fleas.They look like white tails but seem so light grey in color.There where 4 of them surrounding my trailer.(Jeeze! I sound like Gaby Hayes….Lets us two surround them Roy!)    One stopped and licked the fire pit grill for several minutes.

So this morning its down to the town of Alpine Texas where I will gas up and grocery up,then head down into the Big Bend National Park along the Rio Grande.

I hope to find it as quiet as all the other stops so far this trip.I’m sure that after the New year all these places would be much more busy.

I hope in my last post that my negative comments about this place were not taken too seriously, about the layout…..It is really a nice park.

7 comments:

  1. Are those Javelinas the same thing as wild pigs or hogs? They look pretty scary.

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  2. Those hogs freak me out. We have a friend who has a hunting camp in South Texas and the place is over run with them. I don't know if they are agressive, they look like they are and I have nightmares about them so I, for one, will never get close enough to find out. LOL

    I hear they eat good in the 50-80 lb. range. ;)

    Connie

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  3. Alpine is a pretty little college town. I hope you enjoy your drive to Big Bend. I am looking forward to your reports from there too!

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  4. I love the celebration photo, Willie!

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  5. Those javelinas would not win any contests for cute or cuddly looking animals, would they? There are wild boar in the Appalachians but I don't know if they are anything like javelinas.

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  6. I am heading to Big Bend in the Spring so look forward to your reports!

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  7. I love that part of the country, especially in a wet spring when the wildflowers are outstanding.

    And Javalina are not closly related to pigs/hogs. In Texas, in most places, including parks in Houston, we also have ferrel hogs.

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