I try and get by all of my blogs on Fridays, share a favorite quote, and in general catch up a bit. I did get a photo of that Cactus Wren! Here it is:

He was around for just about three days, then on his way further north. I feel like I'm missing the spring migration as they just zip through this dry plateau. It really clouded up yesterday and the wind blew like crazy. I had great hopes for rain - but again, was disappointed. I watered our few little green plants today - hoping that would work...

I still need to update the looks of this site, although I did some little coding things that I hope make it look a little better. Just depends on what I get done today as to whether I can get back over here and work on it again.

I definately wanted to share this Happy News story with you today:

7 Species of rare water birds recovering in Cambodia

With all the gloom and doom over endangered and disappearing species, it is great to hear that they are recovering in some places. I especially applaud the method of hiring the former hunters and poachers of these birds to protect them. This is a wonderful way to turn a negative into a positive. Both the people and the birds are encouraged to flourish together.

I've added some blogs to the links this week, and since then I've found yet another I want to add. The Tiny Aviary is an especially beautiful bird blog if you love both birding and art. Beautiful, original watercolor illustrations accompany entries about the birds Diana Sudyka works with for the Chicago Field Museum of Natural History.

I know you don't want to miss the latest Circus of the Spineless. As spring warms up the desert, I am seeing more and more invertebrates return. Watering the (hopefully) flowers a few days ago brought in the butterflies to play in the mud, including a vividly colored Painted Lady. She was the first I have ever seen here - probably yet another spring migrant just passing through.

Hubby and I were talking this morning about a trip up to the Bosque del Apache near Socorro. It isn't far away, but gas like it is - whew.

By the way, the Carnivals are needing hosts. I have done it, and believe me, it was great fun. Do try it! I'd love to volunteer, but at the moment we are still up in the air about whether or not we are going to be able to remain on this ranch and I wouldn't want to have to try and do it in the midst of moving or worse.

Have a great weekend!