Sunday we went across I-25 to Hillsboro.  I love these hills.  While the area around Caballo Lake is dry, full of thorns, hot, inhospitable…need I go on….Hillsboro is the complete opposite.  It’s lush in comparison.  Native grasses, lots of wildflowers, birds aplenty, trees, a nice cool breeze and very few thorns.

We hiked up a canyon that has a well at the end.  The old timers used it to mine gold.  Now the birds know to swoop down into this deep well for a drink.

We had a great day exploring the canyon.  But as the day progressed it became very cloudy and cold.  I was sunburned so felt even colder.  But it was still a fun day.  No new birds but enjoyed seeing some of my favorites.  I saw and/or heard 20 different species this day. I also got several butterflies and a cute little tiny round beetle…I mean tiny! The wildflowers were varied and aplenty.  And we even saw a bull snake!

Was a very fun weekend together!

Rock Wren

Desert Spider Beetle

Doesn’t this bone look like a human skull?? Made me take a second look when I first saw it! 😐

Say’s Phoebe

Brewer’s Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

White-Crowned Sparrow

Black-Throated Sparrow