Greetings from Big Bend

Big Bend is a great big beautiful place. Last night we watched a herd of javelina or peccary cross the road. There were all ages and sizes including babies. A book I was reading said they smell like skunk and uses the scent for territorial marking. All the signs say do not leave out food and the park provides "bear" boxes to protect food if you are in a tent. It also says flatten your tent before going off for the day or they will tear it up because they are curious. It was so much fun to see them come out of the bushes and work their way across the road.
We continued on down the road stopping constantly to look at Common Poorwills sitting on the road. Our headlights attracted bugs (I think) they took advantage of. They were always in pairs and just missed the truck as they flew around.
Today we went out and listened for Black-throated Sparrows and found them singing their tinkly song everywhere - after we turned off the air and rolled down the windows. :) It was early so the heat was not so bad.
Just as we got into the campground the truck started to make a sound. It turned out one of my power stearing hoses has a leak. So instead of leaving tomorrow we hooked up and drove to El Paso, Texas with me putting fluid in every 60 miles or so. I will drop Jan off at the airport early and be at the dealer when they open. Hopefully they will fix it quickly and I can head for Green Valley in Arizona. I am looking for a few more sparrows before I head for home.
I will miss Jan. She is great company and does a great job of navigating and finding out what birds are where. She also had us doing crossword puzzles on the road which makes the time go faster on those long days.
Jan and I stopped to take some scenic shots. The Silverleaf bush with its beautiful purple flowers and delicate scent are everywhere. There has been an unusual amount of rain. It started in March and is still coming. All the ocotillo has had leaves since spring. Usually they drop their leaves when the rains stop.
We also found Painted Buntings at a spring today. I got some photos that I hope turn out. It is too late to look at them tonight. (They did not look that great)
Take care. Donelda
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