Tag Archives: Smokey Bear

Saturday’s Critters – Road Trip Edition

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We went on vacation for a week or so at the very end of June. Sorry to say I did not get very many “live critters” but I had my handy Merlin app so I was able to identify the little birds that I could not see but could here.

Spotted Towhee Merlin screenshot Juniper Titmouse and Pygmy Nuthatch Merlin screen

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At a bar in Santa Fe I spotted this Desert Dogs sign painted on the walls. I thought it was cool.

Desert Dogs Sign Merlin App - Northern Yellow Warbler and Song Sparrow

Pagosa Springs, Colorado was dry as a bone. The San Juan river was way down and there was a burn ban in the area. We walked by the US Forest Service Ranger Station and they had Smokey Bear out.

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We did find one live critter. A young mule deer was wandering around the river bottom grazing.

Untitled Mule Deer - San Juan River, Pagosa Springs, CO

There were lots of birds in Pagosa Springs.

Song Sparrow, Gray Catbird, Red winged Blackbird" "Northern Yellow Warbler" and "Violet-green Swallow"

On the way back to Tulsa we stopped in Guymon, Oklahoma in the panhandle. They had this cow sculpture out in honor of the local cattle and meatpacking industry.

Hereford Cow - Guymon, Oklahoma

So that is it for our trip in terms of critters.

I am linking with Saturday’s Critters

Saturday’s Critters – Seen in the Woods

At the end of May we took a little trip down to southeast Oklahoma and stayed in a cabin close to the Beavers Bend State Park. A favorite place to go for us that is not too far. It was a combination getaway and birthday celebration for our son, Logan.

White Tailed Deer

Driving around we came across this deer in the middle of nowhere. Deer are prevalent in the area.

White Tailed Deer

I am not sure if this was the same deer or not.

White Tailed Deer

We went on a hike on the Lakeview Lodge Trail at Beavers Bend State Park. We love the trail. Not many people, it is not too technical nor does it have huge elevation changes. We saw this far away deer and several of its friends. They all stayed away from us and disappeared eventually.

The woods were full of birds. We could hear them and spot small birds here and there. Thank goodness for the Merlin App to listen to the bird chatter and id them for us.

Tree Frog

At the cabin we spotted this tree frog late one evening. Sorry about the grainy fuzziness of it. It didn’t stay long.

Smokey Bear Art - Woodland Heritage Center

The State Park has its Woodland Heritage Center where they cover all sorts of things about life in the woods. The logging, the history of the area, woodland firefighting. They have this large piece with Smokey Bear. My dad was a Forest Ranger for the US Forest Service in the West. We went through the museum with him years ago and he kind of brought the exhibits to life with his knowledge, experience, and insights. He is gone now but I feel close to him every time I go through the museum. Lots of happy memories there.

Logan's Birthday Cake

And we celebrated son, Logan’s birthday while were down there. Lots of family memories down there.

I’m linking with Eileen’s Saturday’s Critters. Check them out. Lots of animal lovers who are also good photographers.