I had hoped to get a few hours of good light on my target birds in Wichita Mt, but I woke to drizzle and fog, and decided to leave for New Mexico. The highlight of the morning travel was a bird strike 10 miles east of Mangum, Oklahoma. An Upland Sandpiper flew into the truck, hitting just above the windshield. When I looked back, I couldn't see anything so I stopped. There was a trail of body feather stuck on the wet underside of the camper leading to the back of the truck cab. When I looked between the truck cab and bed I found the bird stuck there with a "what happened?" look on its face. Surprized he was still alive I reached in, grabbed him and put him down on the shoulder of the road. He took two steps and flew off. That was the luckiest bird in Oklahoma that day.
An unplanned "man vs. food" side theme has taken over this trip. Arriving in Amarillo, Texas just as the weather began to clear, I came across the Big Texan Steakhouse, which claims to serve a free 72 oz. steak. Since I was somewhat hungry and it was conveniently placed right next to I 40, I pulled in.
The fine print is that you have to finish it in one hour to get it free. I figured it probably would take me an hour which I didn't have but the challenge is there for next time.
I arrived at the Santa Rosa State Park, in New Mexico mid afternoon. It is hot and sunny. What a difference a half day drive can make. This place is loaded with kingbirds and flycatchers. I got a great series of shots of a Say's Phoebe.
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