Today after sleeping in and having a lazy start to the day Kay, Jean and I went to explore the Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. It is a really unusual place where a riparian area passes beside a large ledge dome of rock. We didn’t get there until near noon, about the same time lots of others arrived. Cost $7./ per person to get in. We started our day by climbing to the top of the rock dome, about a 450 foot climb in 0.6 miles. Most common birds were lots of House wrens in the lower areas, and most surprising were 4 shorebirds at a puddle near the top of the dome. Pectoral sandpipers! I have never seen these in migration in any habitat anything like this, but there was no doubt re the ID. I could not get my camera to focus on them, so missed pics. We found a route down the side of the dome to avoid the crowd on the path. Had a Yellow-breasted Chat singing and calling up a storm in some thick bushes but couldn’t get it to show itself. Got nice close looks at a Rufous-crowned sparrow beside the trail. Overall a great hike, a cool area, and a nice day. Wildflowers are in full bloom everywhere. Locals tell us they can never remember the wildflowers being as good as they are right now.

Off to more wedding events this evening, and the wedding tomorrow.