Dawn on the Blanco


I tagged along on a bird survey May 15 near the banks of the Blanco River. I like birds as much as the next guy, but I don’t know a whole lot about them. For me, songbirds always provided the background music for whatever more important thing I was focusing on. Their songs mingle with urban noises like passing cars and barking dogs—stuff to tune out rather than contemplate.

But this was different. The cool morning air was filled with the melodies of chirps, trills, hoots and caws, each corresponding to a different species. My “bird nerd” companions helpfully identified each song, pointing out yellow-billed cuckoos, canyon wrens and several others, including canyon towhees (they sound like gatling guns) and the sweet, high music of the painted bunting.

We stood quietly in mature juniper forests or on limestone ledges and grassy fields, and we relied almost solely on our sense of hearing to identify one species from the other. Sound was far more important than sight. Other senses — smell, taste and touch — fell by the wayside. As I narrowed and clarified my focus, the sounds of the forest began to fill up my consciousness. It felt surprisingly like meditation, and I could see myself becoming a bird nerd.

Here are a few iPhone photos from our morning.

Surveying the ranch

Overlooking the river

Halifax Falls

image

Limestone gravel

Limestone gravel

Horse crippler cactus

Horse Crippler

Halifax Canyon

Canyon


4,049 responses to “Dawn on the Blanco”

  1. First of all I want to say excellent blog! I had a quick question in which I’d like to ask if you do not mind. I was curious to find out how you center yourself and clear your mind prior to writing. I have had a hard time clearing my thoughts in getting my thoughts out there. I truly do enjoy writing however it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are usually lost simply just trying to figure out how to begin. Any recommendations or hints? Cheers!|

  2. Thanks for your write-up. What I want to point out is that when evaluating a good on the internet electronics shop, look for a internet site with full information on critical factors such as the privacy statement, protection details, payment procedures, along with terms plus policies. Always take time to browse the help as well as FAQ segments to get a far better idea of how a shop functions, what they are capable of doing for you, and ways in which you can use the features.

  3. I’ve learned some new things out of your blog post. Yet another thing to I have noticed is that in most cases, FSBO sellers can reject an individual. Remember, they can prefer to not use your companies. But if you actually maintain a comfortable, professional partnership, offering guide and being in contact for four to five weeks, you will usually be able to win interviews. From there, a listing follows. Thanks a lot

  4. My partner and I stumbled over here by a different page and thought I should check things out. I like what I see so now i’m following you. Look forward to looking into your web page for a second time.

  5. This article is a breath of fresh air! The author’s distinctive perspective and thoughtful analysis have made this a truly engrossing read. I’m grateful for the effort he has put into crafting such an informative and thought-provoking piece. Thank you, author, for offering your wisdom and stimulating meaningful discussions through your brilliant writing!

  6. Hello! I’ve been reading your website for a long time now and finally got the courage to go ahead and give you a shout out from Huffman Texas! Just wanted to say keep up the excellent work!

  7. Hey there just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The text in your content seem to be running off the screen in Chrome. I’m not sure if this is a format issue or something to do with browser compatibility but I thought I’d post to let you know. The design look great though! Hope you get the problem solved soon. Cheers

  8. I’m very happy to find this site. I want to to thank you for ones time just for this fantastic read!! I definitely savored every part of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new things on your site.|

  9. I am curious to find out what blog system you have been using? I’m experiencing some minor security problems with my latest website and I would like to find something more safe. Do you have any solutions?|

  10. Hello, you used to write fantastic, but the last several posts have been kinda boring… I miss your super writings. Past few posts are just a little bit out of track! come on!

  11. Hey there! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this site? I’m getting sick and tired of WordPress because I’ve had issues with hackers and I’m looking at options for another platform. I would be great if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.|

  12. Thanks for some other informative web site. The place else may just I am getting that type of information written in such a perfect manner? I’ve a challenge that I’m just now running on, and I’ve been at the look out for such info.

  13. Fishing boats are popular among anglers who want direct access to the best fishing spots. These boats often come equipped with rod holders, fish finders, and live wells to enhance the fishing experience. Some fishing boats are small and designed for solo use, while larger models can accommodate groups. Offshore fishing boats are built for deep waters and rough conditions, making them ideal for catching big game fish. Freshwater fishing boats are usually smaller and suited for lakes and rivers. The choice depends on where and how you plan to fish.

  14. Buying a boat is an exciting experience, whether you’re a first-time owner or upgrading to a bigger model. There are so many options, from small fishing boats to luxurious yachts. It’s important to choose one that fits your lifestyle, whether you plan to fish, cruise, or enjoy watersports. Checking the boat’s condition, engine performance, and maintenance history can help you make the right decision. Owning a boat is not just about transportation—it’s about freedom and adventure on the water.

  15. Discover CowSwap, the trusted decentralized exchange platform for seamless crypto trades in 2025. With low fees, high security, and fast transactions, CowSwap is a go-to solution for DeFi users worldwide

  16. Pontoon boats are another excellent choice for leisure and relaxation. Their wide, stable design makes them perfect for parties, family outings, or just cruising along the water. Many pontoons come with comfortable seating, sunshades, and even built-in grills. They are easy to operate and great for beginners. While they may not be the fastest boats, their spacious decks make them ideal for socializing. Some luxury pontoon models even feature high-end sound systems, refrigerators, and plush seating for a premium boating experience.

  17. Buying a boat is an exciting experience, whether you’re a first-time owner or upgrading to a bigger model. There are so many options, from small fishing boats to luxurious yachts. It’s important to choose one that fits your lifestyle, whether you plan to fish, cruise, or enjoy watersports. Checking the boat’s condition, engine performance, and maintenance history can help you make the right decision. Owning a boat is not just about transportation—it’s about freedom and adventure on the water.

  18. Discover the power of MinSwap, the leading decentralized exchange platform offering seamless trading and low fees. Maximize your assets and join the next generation of decentralized finance

  19. Discover CowSwap, the trusted decentralized exchange platform for seamless crypto trades in 2025. With low fees, high security, and fast transactions, CowSwap is a go-to solution for DeFi users worldwide

  20. Discover the future of decentralized finance with Woofi Finance, a cutting-edge platform for seamless crypto staking and yield farming. Maximize your returns with low fees and high rewards. Join the revolution in DeFi today!

  21. Discover CowSwap, the trusted decentralized exchange platform for seamless crypto trades in 2025. With low fees, high security, and fast transactions, CowSwap is a go-to solution for DeFi users worldwide

  22. Thanks for this article. I would also like to talk about the fact that it can possibly be hard when you are in school and merely starting out to establish a long history of credit. There are many college students who are just trying to pull through and have an extended or positive credit history can often be a difficult thing to have.

  23. It?s really a nice and useful piece of information. I?m glad that you shared this useful info with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.

  24. Everyone loves what you guys are up too. This kind of clever work and reporting! Keep up the amazing works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to blogroll.|

  25. Howdy this is kinda of off topic but I was wanting to know if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with HTML. I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding experience so I wanted to get guidance from someone with experience. Any help would be enormously appreciated!

  26. My coder is trying to persuade me to move to .net from PHP. I have always disliked the idea because of the costs. But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using Movable-type on a number of websites for about a year and am nervous about switching to another platform. I have heard good things about blogengine.net. Is there a way I can import all my wordpress content into it? Any help would be really appreciated!

  27. Thanks a lot for the helpful posting. It is also my belief that mesothelioma has an incredibly long latency period of time, which means that indication of the disease won’t emerge until eventually 30 to 50 years after the original exposure to mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma, and that is the most common style and has an effect on the area within the lungs, could potentially cause shortness of breath, torso pains, and a persistent cough, which may bring on coughing up bloodstream.

  28. Hello would you mind letting me know which hosting company you’re utilizing? I’ve loaded your blog in 3 different browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot faster then most. Can you recommend a good hosting provider at a honest price? Cheers, I appreciate it!

Leave a Reply to Paul Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *