Heaven and earth, the Celtic saying goes,
are only three feet apart,
but in thin places that distance is even shorter....
Thin places relax us, yes,
but they also transform us —
or, more
accurately, unmask us.
In thin places,
we become our more essential
selves.
~ Eric Weiner*
We were back on the river for the first time in two years.
The calendar had disclosed four open days** and three nights. The only real preparation involved a trip to the country store for some "vacation bacon."*** Well, we would need swimsuits as well.
There were strong winds and some unexpected rain, but that was a minor inconvenience considering where we were going. Great swaths of wildflowers lined the way. This is a trip we could travel in our sleep - the car knows the way. Every car we have owned has known the way.
The river was up from the drought years, but not too wild. We noted the new, celebrated the old, drove the roads, and found the wildflowers and butterflies and birds. The new people, are working hard to be guardians of the place and the guests who come to visit. Because we were there before the crowds we had a chance to visit with them and they with us.
A good deal of work has been accomplished around the place. New pavement has been added where it was needed. Fallen trees have been removed as has the poison ivy that we have attempted to avoid along the trails in the past. There are bird houses and bird feeders. And every now and again the breeze brings soothing sounds of wind chimes.
This place may not always be where our spirits seek shelter and peace, but it continues to be a place of refuge for us for now.
And it was a Golden-fronted Woodpecker**** that woke me the first two mornings. They sound like the Red-bellied Woodpeckers in the park where Zelda and I walk, but these birds have a bright yellow head with touches of red.
What do we do when we are at the river? Well, when it is just the two of us we hike and read, nap, eat bacon, look for wildlife and wildflowers, swim and tube, head to Leakey to visit some of the shops,***** visit with friends - old and new, and make plans.
We also go on a few adventures - some planned, others unplanned.
We rest.
We are renewed.
One day found us headed to Garner on a scouting trip. DH got the annual pass for state parks (see, we have made some plans) and scoped out what kinds of activities they have going. The folks in the park office were wonderful. We asked for recommendations and wished them luck for the busy weekend ahead.
Our photos, lists, and tales are from that small stretch of land between Ranch Road 1120, at the Rio Frio low water crossing on the north, Garner State Park on the south, US 83 on the west, and Ranch Road 2748 to the east (except for the stop in Leakey to grab some books at the public library and raffle tickets at the thrift store).
 |
| The swimming area. |
 |
| Tiny toad. I think it is a Gulf Coast Toad, but I'm not certain. [Sorry, rough hands of a potter.] |
 |
| This Summer Tanager showed up the first morning (it was a four red bird day - tanager, cardinal, Vermilion Flycatcher, and House Finch - the others will be included further on). We saw another tanager down on the river and I suppose it was this one that came back and woke me up on our last morning. |
 |
| The Indian Blankets were blooming like mad. |
 |
| Peaches growing downtown. No, we did not pick any...people were watching. |
 |
| Mountain Pinks |
 |
| Pipevine Swallowtail, thistle, and crab spider (hiding at the base of the flower) |
 |
| Texas Cooter! This small turtle was at the low water crossing and headed for the undergrowth pretty quickly. I hate to say I might have tripped over it, but I didn't see it when I was stalking the butterflies there. It would be a theme for the trip - missing the things right under my nose. |
 |
| Barn Swallows were nesting near our room. Barn swallows were everywhere. |
 |
| These swallows didn't like us much, but one kept watch and the other kept sitting on the nest. |
 |
| No babies yet, but watchful parents. |
 |
| More Pipevine Swallowtails and thistle (just wait, there's one more). |
 |
| Black-crested Titmice -- too busy to stop for a photo. |
 |
| I've seen Inca Doves, but never got a photo before. |
 |
| The Vermilion Flycatchers (there were at least 5) were visible and unafraid. |
 |
| The first time I saw Rock Squirrels was here (along the river cliffs) a few years ago. This one was in the campground near the small gully. |
 |
| I watched this Lesser Goldfinch patiently remove seed after seed from the dry thistles along the northern edge of the camp. It was mesmerizing. The fluffy filaments shining in the sun. |
 |
| While I was busy taking a photo of a Lark Sparrow further out in the field these Black-tailed Jackrabbits grazed just a few yards away. Fortunately I saw them before we startled them. |
 |
| I've never seen a jackrabbit this close. The ears glowed in the light of the setting sun. |
 |
| They are magnificent. |
 |
| Here is another view of the butterflies and thistle. We saw them at almost every turn. These shots were taking at the 1120 low water crossing |
 |
| Mom always picked a few wildflowers - mostly for identification purposes. The owner saw me on the way into the room with them and called out laughing, "Are you picking my flowers?" I laughed too and replied, "Oh, no! I got 'em from the highway!" We actually gathered a few from large stands of flowers just off the low water crossing. I was careful to leave seeds and did not pick anything that was not "well represented." [The bluebonnets and paintbrushes were bloomed-out. Gaillardia, coneflowers, and coreopsis predominated. We also saw winecups 15 miles or so further north and basketflowers in a couple of spots where we had seen them before.] |
 |
| Another photo of a Rock Squirrel. This one fled the open area and then stopped on top of a pile of rocks at the mouth of the gully. |
 |
| You see why we love this place? |
 |
| This Golden-fronted Woodpecker called and hunted just behind our room. It woke me at least two mornings. This is the best of a bunch of bad photos. |
 |
| Another bad shot, but documentation of the Vermilion Flycatcher and the woodpecker in a little "stand-off" in the field. I've never seen anything like it. |
 |
| No clue what this is, but it is a lovelyl little fly. |
 |
| The Vermilion Flycatcher on the clothesline behind our room. |
 |
| House Finch high up in an oak tree |
 |
| A better shot of the tanager. |
 |
| Northern Cardinal |
 |
| Hummingbird at the pond. I know it's a bad shot, but it is symbolic. Trust me. |
 |
| Carolina Chickadee - look at its little feet! |
 |
| River rocks****** and laurel beans. |
 |
| Honeybee and Gaillardia |
 |
| Black-crested Titmouse |
 |
| This Titmouse seems angry, but it is just making some noise. |
 |
| On the first hike I couldn't find any of the Pearl Milkweed. Then I found it behind cabins and along the roads on the hill. |
 |
| Such a gorgeous flower - Prairie Brazoria |
 |
| There is a camp cat. It came over to visit with me as I tried to photograph the birds...not helpful. [There are dogs too, but they didn't hang out with us.] |
 |
| The two male Mallards usually at the pond were gone and these domestic ducks were in residence. I later saw two Mallards on the river that weren't afraid of people. I wonder.... |
 |
| I noticed many new bird feeders, but this must be a squirrel feeder. [Yes, I see you!] |
 |
| I needed to put these somewhere so here they are - Spiderworts. |
 |
| I remember when these trees were saplings. I think I have photos somewhere. I suppose they are 60+ years old. |
 |
| I took a few photos of Red Harvester Ants for future ceramic projects. |
In addition to the birds and squirrels and rabbits we also heard and saw four Ringed Kingfishers while floating down the river. They have a mechanical/metallic call. And they are huge! It was a pretty stunning experience. It just "goes to show" that the river always has some surprises to disclose if you pay attention. We are already planning our trip back.
 |
| Sky at sunset - north of the Rio Frio low water crossing. |
NOTES:
*https://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/11/travel/thin-places-where-we-are-jolted-out-of-old-ways-of-seeing-the-world.html
**Okay, I had a haircut appointment - not essential - reschedule.
***Bacon is a necessity. This bacon is the best.
****I saw a pair on cemetery road back home earlier this month. That was a first for me.
*****ALWAYS to the thrift store that benefits the Big Spring Ranch for Children. They often have a quilt raffle. Of course we entered!
******Rocks for "swimming necklaces" also called "hag stones." Lots of stories here.
Bird Songs and Calls:
Golden-fronted Woodpecker - https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Golden-fronted_Woodpecker
Hooded Oriole - https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Hooded_Oriole
Black-crested Titmouse - https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-crested_Titmouse/sounds
Ringed Kingfisher - https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/ringed-kingfisher
Summer Tanager - https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Summer_Tanager
Bird Observations:
House sparrow
Eastern Bluebirds
House Finch
Carolina Chickadee
Golden-fronted Woodpecker
Ringed Kingfisher (!)
Northern Cardinals
White-winged Doves
Inca Doves
Mourning Doves
Black-crested titmouse
Summer Tanager
Vermilion Flycatcher
Lark Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
Barn Swallows
Eastern Phoebe
Domestic ducks (cannot leave those out)
Mallards
Black Vultures
Turkey Vultures
Ravens
Hooded Oriole
Lesser Goldfinch
Brown-headed Cowbird
Other Stuff:
Blanchard’s Cricket Frog
Leopard Frog (probably Southern)
Bats at the pond
Texas Cooter (turtle) one on the edge of the road and 2 in the river
Ring-necked Snake
Large-mouthed Bass
Fox Squirrels
Rock Squirrels
Porcupine (deceased on RR 1120 - there were other dead things too, but the porcupine was photographed and noted)
Black-tailed Jackrabbits
We found it strange to see no White-tailed Deer. Usually there is a herd in town and always a few in the area. We didn't see any and we looked for them. There were a few exotics, but not what we usually see.
FINAL NOTE:
Yes, it has been a while since I have written. I just haven't had it in me until the trip. Maybe this will be a start for the 60-some drafts waiting for attention.
