We spent a couple days in Las Vegas. It was mostly pleasant, but cool in the morning, in the 40s. We did not gamble, go to any shows, or even go to the strip. We went on a birding trip. My husband is pretty hardcore birder. I am less so, but up for an adventure. We went to various places in the Las Vegas area. On our long day we spent about ten hours out and about, and my phone logged over13,000 steps. Yes, I slept like a baby that night.
1. What I wore: Columbia every day nylon pants, cotton tee shirt, Marmot hoodie, Salomon hiking shoes, Tilley hat. I wore my Patagonia Nanopuff jacket in the evenings and early mornings. I shed the hoodie a while later. I also had a small knapsack to put things in. In the afternoon it got too warm to use it, though. I need a solution for my pared down things: tiny travel wallet, phone, lip balm. And water would be nice. I kept moving my things from one jacket pocket to another. My husband has a Big Pockets Vest, but even that might be too warm. I’m open to suggestions. I don’t think a bag with a strap would work because I have binoculars and a camera, and I would probably get trapped in so many straps.
2-6. Early morning scenes at Red Rock Canyon National Recreation Area. There is a 13 mile drive through the area. If you go to Las Vegas, this is such a lovely yet easy interaction with nature. You can also hike, bike or rock climb. We talked to a young couple who came to climb.
7-8. Cactus Wren. At first we heard it but couldn’t find it. It turned out to be up on a weather vane on the visitor center. Then we watched it building a nest in a yucca, flying back and forth picking up vegetable matter.
9. Phainopepla. These look like a black cardinal. Usually we’ll see one, but we saw at least a dozen, if not more.
10. Rufous-backed robin. This Mexican bird was a life bird for us. We talked to several birders who also came specifically to see it.
11. Wood ducks. These are gorgeous, and not common in our area.
12. Red shouldered hawk. It was up in a tall tree, calling. I could see it, look away, and then be unable to find it again. Now that’s great camo.
13. Burrowing owl. We saw a couple. They are little, standing maybe eight or nine inches tall.
12. Red shouldered hawk. It was up in a tall tree, calling. I could see it, look away, and then be unable to find it again. Now that’s great camo.
13. Burrowing owl. We saw a couple. They are little, standing maybe eight or nine inches tall.
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