Welcome to the Southwest

We just spent a week in New Mexico visiting the Gila National Forest and Silver City. I read an article about the Gila River in the Defenders of Wildlife and was intrigued by the ecosystem created by the river and the wildlife and birds it attracted.

After a little research on the internet me and Brian booked a week at the Casitas de Gila which was recommended by Sunset magazine as one of the top 10 places to visit. Ok- I just looked it up and it was actually top 10 romantic cottages, but I think everyone who has visited would say top 10 places to visit. We were hooked with the description and sign posting of a "stress-free zone".

Casitas de Gila get big thumbs up! I loved every detail from the freshly baked pumpkin bread upon arrival to the great cooking pans and comfy mattress! Becky and Michael provide an exceptional retreat I truly hope to visit again.

Sunset at Casitas de Gila.

Hooker Loop Road to Casitas de Gila.
Sorry about the smooshed bugs on windscreen.


Here's our lovely Nissan Altima Hybrid rental. What a comfortable ride with zip!
Love that car.


Where I had my morning cup. The first morning we were there I was awoken by the sound of frantic wings beating- the hummers feeding at the window.


What a view!

Brian brought his harmonica and serenaded me (and the neighbors).

Vultures of Gila.

Red-tailed hawk

Definitely a highlight- seeing kestrels for the first time!
They are so cool!

Western Meadowlark seen near Ft. Bayard on the Forest Rd.

Black hooded oriole seen outside the casita.

Seen at the Catwalk entrance.

Vermillion Flycather seen on the way to Gila National Forest campground in between Cliff & Gila.
This little guy was so cute- we went to see him again a second day.
He was in the same area hunting and posed for more photos.

More from Nisqually

I got a chance to return to Nisqually NWR with some friends to walk the Brown Farm Dike Trail- apparently it will be open until May 3rd.

We were so close to this juvenile- it was amazing! An offshoot to the trail led right under the tree he was perched on.

I don't know what kind of hawk this is, but it sure is cute.

Visit Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge

Last winter while I was selling bird prints at an art fair, someone mentioned to me the Nisqually NWR as one of their favorite local places to go birding. I finally made the trip down to Lacey and wish I would have done it sooner, especially since the wonderful 5 1/2 mile, Brown Farm Dike Trail will soon be removed due to the estuary restoration project. Although the refuge is located right beside I-5, I hardly noticed. I was too involved by the sounds of birds and trying to identify others to notice the cars off in the distance.

Greater Yellowlegs

Through the trees we saw a juvenile eagle eating its prey.

Catching up with the eagles at Lincoln Park

I've finally caught up with the eagles at Lincoln Park. A few posts back I complained about losing track of the eagles once I climbed to the top of the bluff, but since then I've had several sightings of the eagles amongst the trees. In this instance, the eagle spied me as well.