I added 42 new birds to my Life List on this trip; here is one of them, a Pyrrhuloxia at Christmas Mountains Oasis.

A Birthday Birding Trip To An Oasis

Prologue

As the Covid Pandemic entered its sixth month, I was beginning to feel the itch to take a little trip and social distance with just me and some birds.  I began planning a trip for the days just before my 68th birthday on September 3, 2020.  I had ran across a birding hotspot on eBird called Christmas Mountains Oasis, and decided to spend a day there as the main goal of the trip.  I contacted the owner, Carolyn Ohl-Johnson and made arrangements to visit her Oasis on Monday, August 31, 2020.  So, a birthday birding trip was born.  I hope you enjoy the details and the new birds I met on this little trip!

Getting There…

I left my home early on the morning of Sunday, August 31, 2020 and headed west toward the Big Bend area of the Trans-Pecos Region.  I had decided to take the southern route, traveling along Highway 90 through Del Rio, Sanderson, and Marathon.  My first stop that morning was Kickapoo Cavern State Park, north of Bracketville, Texas.  I had read that this park had a nice bird blind, and I was anxious to see it for myself.  I arrived at the park around 8:30 a.m. and, after checking in at the park headquarters, headed over to the bird blind, which was nearby.  I spent a couple of hours at the blind and it did not disappoint!  On the eBird Checklist I submitted, I reported that I observed 13 species of birds and 52 individual birds during this visit.  I added six birds to my Life List during my brief visit, including a Black-capped Vireo, a Woodhouse’s Scrub Jay, a Field Sparrow, a Cactus Wren, a  Yellow-breasted Chat, and a Yellow-throated Warbler.  If you are ever in this area, I would highly recommend a visit to this cute little park!

The entrance to Kickapoo Cavern State Park, north of Brackettville, Texas.
The blind at Kickapoo Cavern State Park appears to be fairly new. It offers a water feature and a comfortable area from which to view the birds.
Although the bird was not new to me, I was delighted that the first bird I watched was a colorful male Summer Tanager.
This Black-capped Vireo was a delight to watch at KCSP!
Hard to miss this colorful guy! A Yellow-throated Warbler at KCSP.
Large and in charge -- a Woodhouse's Scrub Jay at KCSP.
Enjoying a bath! A Yellow-breasted Chat at KCSP.

I left Kickapoo Cavern State Park, and, after getting gas in Del Rio and passing through Comstock, I stopped to stretch my legs at the Pecos River Bridge.  I always enjoy the view from the pullout at the bridge and walking/climbing around the rocks on the downstream side of the bridge.  This day was no different, and I was so happy to spot a Great Blue Heron in the river below.  

The Pecos River Bridge on Highway 90, west of Comstock. Thought I might see some birds under the bridge on the structural steel, but nada!
Great Blue Heron fishing on the Pecos River, 322 feet below the bridge.
In this view of the Pecos River downstream from the bridge, you can see where it flows into the Rio Grande and Mexico on the other side.

My next stop was the Judge Roy Bean Visitor Center just off Highway 90 in Langtry.  eBird shows the Visitor Center to be a birding hotspot, so I wanted to check it out.  It was mid-afternoon and very hot as I walked the grounds and garden at the center.  I heard a few birds and caught a quick glimpse of a few in some of the trees, but was unable to get a picture or determine what species I saw.  The water features appeared dry and/or not turned on, so I was not surprised at the lack of bird activity.  My drive to Marathon was uneventful, but I dutifully scanned the roadside looking for birds.  About ten miles east of Marathon, I spotted a large hawk on a roadside utility pole.  I pulled over and walked back to him as close as I could before he flew off.  Merlin identifies it as a Swainson’s Hawk, but I am not sure what type of hawk it was.

Hawk I spotted east of Marathon on Highway 90.
I enjoyed the wide open spaces of the Big Bend Region as I neared Marathon.

I pulled into Marathon mid-afternoon and headed over to the gift shop at the Gage Hotel.  I picked up some modest gifts to give to my host the next day, then set out to explore a couple of eBird hotspots in Marathon.  My first stop was Gage Gardens, just a few blocks across the railroad tracks from the Gage Hotel.  I really enjoyed this 27-acre paradise!  During the course of my meander through the gardens, I saw a lot of birds and picked up four new species for my Life List.  The new species I met there were the Black Phoebe, the Say’s Phoebe, a Vermillion Flycatcher, and a Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon’s).  If you find yourself in Marathon, check out the Gage Hotel and the Gage Gardens.  I think you will find it time well spent!

As you can see from the parking lot, I had Gage Gardens all to myself!
As I entered the Gardens, I saw a flash of color in a tree. Upon closer inspection, I was delighted to see it was a Vermillion Flycatcher.
This Say's Phoebe was in no hurry and was not bothered by my presence. As a result, I got some pretty decent photos.
There were lots of Warblers in the Gardens. This Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's) was a beauty!

I left Gage Gardens and drove 5 miles south to Post Park, which is another eBird Hotspot.  There were quite a few people there (understandable for a late Sunday afternoon), so the bird watching was pretty much non-existent.  There is some interesting habitat around the spring, and I imagine, when the park is not busy, the birding is pretty good.  I left Post Park and took Highway 90 to Alpine, where I turned south on Highway 118 and headed for the Longhorn Ranch Motel, where I would spend the night.  (The owner of Christmas Mountains Oasis said the closest accommodations to the Oasis were at the Terlingua Ranch Lodge, but they were closed on the days I visited.)  The Longhorn was spartan, but comfortable.  I was pretty tired from a long day, but a little stroll around the motel grounds revealed a crew of House Sparrows and a couple of Cactus Wrens.   I had no trouble going to sleep that night, and had pleasant dreams of beautiful birds and the magnificent landscape of Big Bend.  

A crew of House Sparrows at the Longhorn Ranch Motel, about 8 miles north of Terlingua, Texas.
One of a couple of Cactus Wrens hanging around the Longhorn Ranch Motel, Sunday evening, August 30, 2020.

A Day at Christmas Mountains Oasis…

I got up early and left the Longhorn Ranch Motel before sunrise because  I knew that it was going to take a while to get to the Oasis.  Please note that a visit to the Oasis is by invitation only and you must get permission and directions from the owner.  In due course I found myself at the top of the hill overlooking the Christmas Mountains Oasis.  I got out of my truck to take some pictures, and, while enjoying the view, another truck pulled up behind me.  Turns out it was the owner, Carolyn Ohl-Johnson.  I hopped back in my truck and drove on down to the Oasis with Carolyn behind me.  Once there, I properly introduced myself, excited at the prospect of spending the day there.  

I found the "locked gate" to be unlocked and open. I knew I was getting close!
Carolyn told me that she built the road past the locked gate herself...amazing!
View from the hill overlooking the arroyo that is home to the Oasis. The Oasis is the dark green area to the right of the round tank.

I had a wonderful time at the Oasis.  After Carolyn and I chatted for a few minutes, she showed me around, and I began to watch birds in earnest.  Right next to the parking area are the humming bird blinds and feeders, as well as a large seed feeder.  The number of humming birds was breathtaking, and the seed feeder had a constant stream of visitors.  I spent time at each of the ponds and walked the perimeter of the Oasis.  I also spent a lot of time at the water drip, which is tucked in among the trees.  As Carolyn watered individual trees, she told me that the watering usually attracted birds, so I also spent time watching those areas.  In the afternoon, the temperature got up to 109 degrees, but, honestly, it didn’t bother me a bit — I was too preoccupied with watching birds.  My favorite time that day was late afternoon (when it got too hot for Carolyn to work) sitting at the drip with Carolyn, listening to her and trying to soak up as much of her knowledge and passion as possible.  I felt a little guilty, as, while I was enjoying myself watching birds, Carolyn had been working, working, working.  I was able to help her with a few tasks that required lifting some heavier items, but I did very little, compared to her herculean efforts in the desert heat.  Amazing.  

Carolyn was very kind to me that day, and so generous with her knowledge.  Thank you Carolyn, for building this special place, for maintaining it, and for allowing others to enjoy the beauty that can be found there.  I admire your energy, your enthusiasm, and your relentless search for knowledge of the natural world in the Christmas Mountains.  You are a special person, and I am so delighted I got to meet you and spend time with you at your Oasis!  I hope I get to see you many more times in the future. 

The amazing and iconic Carolyn Ohl-Johnson at her Christmas Mountains Oasis.
Carolyn's "guest house" which she built to live in while she built the main residence up the mountain. She blasted out part of the mountain so she could cover this house with dirt.
Carolyn's ponds at the Oasis provide water for lots of wildlife, not just birds!
Some of the hummingbird blinds and viewing areas at the Oasis.
View of the large seed feeder from the first hummingbird blind/viewing area next to the Oasis parking lot.
The water drip at the Oasis. I had such a great time watching the birds enjoy this feature.
The area around the water drip provides wonderful habitat for birds and other assorted creatures.
The trees that Carolyn planted at the Oasis are amazing for this desert environment. She nurtures them steadfastly, and they provide idyllic spots to relax in and enjoy the natural beauty of the Oasis.

My Life List Gets a Boost…

Did you see many birds at the Oasis, Tom?  So glad you asked!  Yes, I saw many old friends, and met twenty four new ones.  Carolyn remarked that her Oasis probably had the only water in South Brewster County, and, as a result, she had never seen so many birds at the Oasis as she did this season.  At times, the number of hummingbirds was almost mind-numbing.  Here are the twenty five species I added to my Life List that day:  Scaled Quail, Lucifer Hummingbird, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Calliope Hummingbird, Sora, Western Wood-Pewee, Willow Flycatcher, Cordilleran Flycatcher, Bell’s Vireo, Plumbeous Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Curve-billed Thrasher, Chipping Sparrow, Black-throated Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Northern Waterthrush, Orange-crowned Warbler,  Virginia’s Warbler, MacGillivray’s Warbler, Grace’s Warbler, Townsend’s Warbler, Pyrrhuloxia, Lazuli Bunting, and Least Grebe.  Click on the species name to see the gallery for that bird.  Here are a few of my favorite bird photos from that day.

The Lucifer Hummingbird was one of my target birds for this trip. In this photo you can clearly see the curved bill, purple throat, and forked tail. Beautiful!
The main feeder at CMO was large enough to accommodate many birds at once. Here we have a Blue Grosbeak with a Pyrrhuloxia looking on.
This female Yellow Warbler was elegant in her simplicity.
The CMO water drip attracted a large number and variety of birds. Here we have a Yellow-rumped Warbler, two Lesser Goldfinches, and an Orange-crowned warbler.
Carolyn was very excited to have this Least Grebe at her large pond. It is very rare to have this bird at CMO.
This Greater Roadrunner did not cooperate, but I was able to get this pic of his face as he hid among the bushes at CMO.
One of several female Western Tanagers I watched at CMO.
Two female Yellow-Rumped Warblers (Audubon's) and a female House Finch at the drip. The Yellow-rumped Warblers were quite beautiful, and calm, for a warbler!
Delighted to watch several Lazuli Buntings at CMO...a stunning bird indeed!
I have so many more photos from CMO I would love to show you, but, I have run out of space, and time. So I will end with a reliable old friend, the male House Finch. This one at the drip looked particularly rugged and full of character!

A Day in the Davis Mountains…

I was up early on the morning of Tuesday, September 1, 2020.  I said goodbye to the Longhorn Ranch Motel and headed north on Hwy 118, with Davis Mountains State Park as my first destination.  I enjoyed the pleasant drive up to the park, passing through Alpine.  I arrived at the park around 8:30 that morning and went to the first of the two bird blinds at the park.  The first blind I visited was just down the main road from park headquarters.  This blind is one of the finest I have visited.  It has an indoor, glassed, and airconditioned area that is quite large and comfortable.  It also has outdoor viewing areas.  There is large water feature, good habitat (trees and bushes strategically placed) and a variety of feeders.  I spent about an hour at this blind, then headed over to the blind located at the Interpretive Center.  This too is a very nice blind, with both inside and outside viewing areas.  The habitat at this blind is not quite as large, and the water feature is not as nice, but it is still a worthwhile place to meet birds.  I spent about an hour at this blind, then very slowly drove up Skyline Drive, stopping often to look for birds.  Overall, a very enjoyable morning of birding!  

The entrance to Davis Mountains State Park.
It was a beautiful day at the park. I stopped by headquarters to get a map and the ranger encouraged me to look for Gambel's Quail along Skyline Drive.
The blind a short distance from park headquarters. The state spent some money on this one!
The blind at the Interpretive Center is located adjacent to the main campground area and near the beginning of Skyline Drive.
The outdoor portion of the Interpretive Center blind has a number of viewing portals at different heights, as is often the custom in blinds.
The view from Skyline Drive. In the center of this picture you can see the Indian Lodge, built by the CCA. In the lower right, you see the wooded campground where the blinds are located.

I enjoyed my morning at Davis Mountains State Park.  The weather was pleasant, the views were grand, and I encountered and watched quite a few birds.  My only disappointment was not seeing any Gambel’s Quail, for which the park is known.  But, honestly, I can’t be too disappointed.  The park volunteers (who were filling the bird feeders at the blinds) told me it is very rare to see the Gambel’s Quail, and that very few visitors to the park actually do.  My eBird Checklist that I submitted for this visit reflected that I identified 19 species and 63 individual birds at the park.  I added five new species to my Life List that morning:  the Acorn Woodpecker, the Olive-sided Flycatcher, the Ash-throated Flycatcher, the Canyon Wren, and the Rufous-crowned Sparrow.  It was a real treat to watch the Acorn Woodpecker as it was one of my target birds for this site.  Here are a few photos of birds at Davis Mountains State Park.  

The Acorn Woodpecker was one of my target birds. So glad I got to see one, even though it was a very brief appearance!
I always enjoy seeing the beautiful Blue Grosbeak. There were a couple at DMSP.
You usually only see the Ladder-backed Woodpecker in a tree or at a feeder, but I caught this one having a drink!
An eye-catching Black-headed Grosbeak at DMSP.

I left Davis Mountains State Park about 1:30 p.m. that afternoon and headed north on the scenic drive that goes past the McDonald Observatory.   I was headed to the Madera Canyon Trail, which is about seven miles past the observatory.  I parked and hiked the loop trail.  I had a nice hike and saw a few birds, including a Summer Tanager, a Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay, a Rufous-crowned Sparrow, and an Ash-Throated flycatcher.  I also saw several Magnolia Warbers at Chico Tank.  I had also hoped to see some of the elusive Gambel’s Quail, but, once again, was unsuccessful in that regard.  The hike was a little hotter and more difficult than I anticipated, so I was pretty tired as I headed back to Alpine for the night. 

The Madera Canyon trailhead is at the Lawrence E. Wood Rest Area on Highway 118.
This is the part of the Madera Canyon Trail that begins to climb up to the plateau area on top.
Summer Tanager on the Madera Canyon Trail. It is challenging to spot an photograph birds in the wild, as opposed to blinds with water and feeders!
Magnolia Warbler at Chico Tank along the Madera Canyon Trail. There were many warblers at Chico Tank, but were very difficult to see and photo among the reeds.

A Nostalgic Stop on the Trip Home…

I spent Tuesday night, September 1, 2020, in Alpine.  I got up early the next morning and headed home by way of IH 10, which I call the northern route.  I had decided to stop on the way home and spend some time at South Llano River State Park.  Dorothy and I had visited this park, and our first bird blind, on our April 2018 trip to Arizona (see my blog of that trip here.)  After I became interested in bird watching, I learned that the blind we visited was the Acorn Blind and that there were two other blinds at the park (Agarita Blind and Lora’s Blind).  

I had a pleasant drive from Alpine to Junction and arrived at the park around 10:00 a.m.  After checking in at park headquarters, I headed to the Agarita Blind.  During the hour I spent at that blind, I saw only the usual suspects (Northern Cardinals, Black-crested Titmouse, and Field Sparrows) but did watch a White-winged Dove enjoying a bath of sorts during a thirty minute rain shower.  During the walk to the Agarita blind, I also saw two Wild Turkeys, but they were too quick for me to get a photo.  The Agarita blind had a nice water feature and several feeders, and I enjoyed it, although it was raining pretty hard most of the time I was there.  

I saw this beautiful sight during my early morning drive along IH 10.
The entrance to South Llano River State Park near Junction, Texas.
There is a short trail from the parking area (which is near the park headquarters) to the Agarita Blind.
This White-winged Dove enjoyed the hard rain at the Agarita blind. He would raise one wing at a time so that the underside of the wing and his back were exposed to the rain. He was the only bird that stayed out in the rain!

After spending about an hour at the Agarita Blind, I headed over to Lora’s Blind.  This is another nice blind with a water feature and several different feeders.   The weather had cleared, and I was able to watch a number of beautiful birds, including a Ladder-backed Woodpecker, a Golden-fronted Woodpecker, a Woodhouse’s Scub-Jay, and several Yellow Warblers.  

Lora's Blind was comfortable, and offered good views of the birds.
Ladder-backed Woodpecker on a suet log, as seen from Lora's Blind.
Golden-fronted Woodpecker as viewed at Lora's Blind.
A stunning Yellow Warbler at Lora's Blind. The faint markings on the chest indicate the bird is a male.
Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay as viewed from Lora's Blind. Such a beautiful bird!

From Lora’s Blind, I headed over to the Acorn Blind, which is on a trail that goes from the campground to the river.  This is the blind Dorothy and I visited in August of 2018, and where I saw my first Painted Bunting.  The Acorn Blind was a busy place that morning, and I watched a number of beautiful birds, including a Summer Tanager and a Ladder-backed Woodpecker.  Just when I was thinking that I was not going to add any birds to my Life List while at South Llano River State Park, I spotted a female Dickcissel!  Life was good, indeed. 

The Acorn Blind at South Llano River S. P. will always hold a special place in my heart, as the place where I started my bird watching career!
A stunning male Summer Tanager as seen at the Acorn Blind.
I never get tired of watching woodpeckers! Female Ladder-backed Woodpecker at Acorn Blind.
A new bird for my Life List was seen at the Acorn Blind: a female Dickcissel.

Time was running short as I left the Acorn Blind and walked to my last blind of the day, the Juniper Blind.  I am glad I took the time to visit this blind.  There was a small group of Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jays that were having a great old time at the blind.  I also saw several other birds, most notably a beautiful Black-throated Sparrow.

After spending about 20 minutes at the Juniper Blind, I headed back to my truck and started to leave the park.  As I was slowly driving through the campground area, I spotted a bird that was new to me, and I was able to add a Canyon Towhee to my Life List.  What a great way to end my trip!

Getting to the Juniper blind requires a little hike. Here is the trailhead, which is at a parking lot near the campground.
Like all of the blinds at South Llano River S. P., the Juniper blind was comfortable and well appointed.
One of several lively, loveable Woodhouse's Scrub-Jays I watched at the Juniper Blind.
A cute Black-throated Sparrow at the Juniper Blind.
This is the Canyon Towhee I spotted near the campground at South Llano River S. P. I was pleased to add this bird to my Life List!

Epilogue

I really enjoyed this little trip!  Lots of beautiful birds, beautiful landscapes, and one very special Texas lady.  I met 42 new birds, which I was able to add to my Life List.  I am grateful that I had the good health and the resources to make this trip.  I came home refreshed and ready to welcome a new grandson to the world.  As a matter of fact, my grandson, John David Gerth (aka “J.D.”) was born a week after I arrived home on the morning of September 9, 2020.  JD was premature by about 5 weeks, and, as I write these words (October 5, 2020), he is still in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at North Central Baptist Hospital in San Antonio.  But J.D. is making steady progress, and Dorothy and I can’t wait to hold him, to help him, and to love him to the best of our ability.  We are so happy and proud for our daughter Liz and her husband David.  They are going to be such great parents!  Here is a picture taken Sunday, October 4, 2020, which was one of his first days without a feeding tube and oxygen…

John David Gerth, October 4, 2020, 26 days old!