They didn't disappoint us. I got to add yet another new snake to the life list! One that I
had always wanted to see – a Western Hog-nosed snake. I read once that they make good
pets, taming easily. James wouldn't let me catch him. ;) I really like snakes, and don't
fear them at all – so we've developed this relationship where I run towards the snake, and
he stands behind me yelling, "NO NO NO". In my defense, I am capable of identifying
many snake species, and I do know what a rattler looks like. After all, we had rattlers in
Oklahoma, too.

On our way back, we added two horned toads to the list. One was another Texas Horned
Lizard. The second was also a Horned Lizard – but none of the three other species listed
in our guide seems to be quite right – so I'll be checking the web for him today. Got to
buy me a better, more in-depth guide.

Early morning is the time to be at the window by our bird block. Yesterday, James saw a
Cedar Waxwing! I didn't expect them to be here, although our guide says they are
resident in New Mexico. I bet they are just passing through, though. I know I haven't
seen any.

This morning the mystery thrasher stopped by, and even came down to the bird block so
we finally got a good look at him. He is a Curve Billed Thrasher. I tried for some
photos, but while I was looking for the camera, he grabbed a few bites off the bird block
and fled.

Yesterday I just happened to be by the window later in the day and noticed a stranger
among the White Winged Doves – a Mourning Dove. We had at least a few Mourning
Doves among the big dove flock that made our sheds their headquarters this winter, but
since the big flock broke into couples, it seems as if most of the Mourning Doves have
moved elsewhere.

I also saw a Black Throated Sparrow on the tree later – which made me feel a little
better. These pretty little singers of the LBJ world were my companions all winter long.
Spring brought the House Sparrows and White Crowned Sparrows, and I have been a
little concerned that my Black Throated Sparrows got pushed out.

We have new kittens in the house – quite a distraction! The barn cat had a litter of six,
two of which were Siamese colored. This weekend I cleaned out the warehouse and
kicked the mama cat and kittens out, and brought the "Siamese twins" (as we call them)
inside to be house pets. The other four and their mom have a "cat house" up by the
house, and today I'll drag them back down to the sheds behind the house and introduce
them there. Hani (the mother) has proven her worth by catching a number of mice in the
warehouse – where I keep the goat pellets and other feed. I've seen her ignore the quail
when they walk right past her nose – although she will chase the LBJs. I don't kid
myself she wouldn't catch some of them if she could. But she doesn't seem to try very
hard. I suspect she finds the mice easier prey.

Every time the cat gets near the feeder, the sparrows set up a warning – making a rattle
type of noise, flocking and fussing. She climbs into the low branches of the tree and
hides in the leaves. The sparrows perch in the smaller branches above her and all but
point and say "CAT – the CAT is RIGHT THERE". After a few minutes, Hani gives up
and leaves.

I have mixed emotions about having a barn cat. I like our little desert mice, too, for that
matter. But I do have feed and hay that is for my own animals, and mice soil more than
they eat. A big bull snake eats more mice a year than a barn cat – but they sleep all
winter, which the cat does not. So, all in all, I feel like I need the cat(s). But now the
kittens are old enough, I'm moving the family further from the house (and feeder).

Well, it has been an eventful morning, with kittens exploring the house and a Thrasher at
the feeder. Time for me to get off my rear and get more ranch work done while I'm here.

Good birding!