Davis Mountains are actually called a Sky Island here in the SW. These mountains rise out of the Chihuahuan Desert, and they have a variety of distinct species. We are staying at the Davis Mtns. State Park. The night we arrived, we got to listen to an evening talk from a couple of bird experts who set us straight about the Ravens, Kingbirds, and Scrub jays in this area. You got Chihuahuan Ravens, Cassin Kingbirds, and Woodhausen's Scrub jays. If you want to see some of these birds, the State Park has several bird blinds with feeders behind them and watering holes. They come down to these areas daily. These were actually new birds for my life list so that made my day seeing them in their environments.
We had breakfast buffet at the State Park Lodge and it was good, though I really think Texans overcook everything. Then we hiked up the trail behind the lodge. I stopped so suddenly halfway up the trail that my partner thought I saw a snake, but it was a magnificent male tarantula. They are out looking for "dates" right now. There were also some really nice fall flowers/butterflies along this hike.
After this hike, we drove down to the Chihuahuan Desert Center and went through their botanical gardens. It is a pretty good deal if you are staying in the State Park ($3). They had some really cool cactus species, especially their Mammalarias. I highly recommend it.
We were pretty tired, but continued on to Fort Davis National Monument, and spent about an hour looking at the Fort that protected part of the old El Paso Road (400 miles to San Antonio, 200 miles to El Paso). I especially enjoyed looking at the Enlisted Men's sleeping quarters and the Commissary. Each restoration gave unique views of the times in 1800s. Apparently, a lot of rotten canned food was sent that way during those days, and apples came at a premium.
By that time, we hoofed it into town for dinner and had a salad, which turned out so so at the new Harvard Restaurant in said Hotel. I slept well that night though as a prickly pear margarita was in mix with the salad, Two days went by quickly, and I hope to come back to this area to explore a bit more.
The Davis Mountains are some of the best road bike riding I ever had. The road out to the observatory and Madera Canyon is also nice.
ReplyDeleteI think you are right about that, but we were so busy in the 2 days that we were there...we did not get a chance to get on our bikes. Next time.
Delete