South Llano River State Park is for the Birds!

We need to apologize right now for the number of bird pictures that are going to be scattered throughout this blog. 

There are four different bird blinds in this state park, and Denisa enjoyed visiting each one. We have gotten used to state park words like "bird blinds," and two years ago we probably didn't know what that meant. It is NOT a place where vision-impaired birds hang out. 

Instead, it's a place for bird watchers to hide and watch birds that are coaxed in with tasty bird treats. Denisa is a lazy bird-watcher that likes it when she can sit in one place and have the birds come to her.

Then she went on the bird walk with the ranger, where she took even more pictures of birds. The ranger was pretty excited to see this Buick Wren, so of course Denisa was excited too.

Hanging out with the ranger, we also learned how to pronounce the name of this state park. Instead of the spanish pronunciation of "Yawn-oh," the ranger told us that it is the west Texas pronunciation of "Lann-oh."

Besides impressing others with our correct pronunciation of the state park, we could impress you with our amazing knowledge of birds by labeling all these picture with the common and scientific name of each bird. But since we don't have that impressive knowledge, we'll just keep it simple and call them all "pretty birds."

Denisa did learn in her walk with the ranger that this bird is called the black crested titmouse. She prefers the name she bestowed upon it instead--cute little gray bird rocking a black mohawk.

The ranger even pointed out some bird nests that aren't being used at this time of the year. This one is a ball-shaped nest, with an entrance hole on the side. It looks like it is in good shape and ready for new renters this spring.

Mr. Cardinal is always so showy, but Mrs. Cardinal is beautiful in her own more subdued way.

Her husband is more vain, often found checking out his reflection at the water feature.

This guy looked strangely familiar to Denisa. She's pretty sure he was one of the main characters in the "Angry Bird" movie.

We did do other things besides chase after birds while we were at South Llano River State Park. There are miles of trails, and we took our bikes on some of them by the river. 

The trails were wide and mostly flat--two great characteristics in our opinion.

We also did some much-needed hiking at the park. 

It was the first time to break out the hiking boots and backpack in a couple months, and it felt great to be enjoying some good exercise on a beautiful weather day.

Part of the hike was a designated nature trail, filled with sign posts that described the trees and plants in the area. We had to take a picture of this description of the "Engelmann Prickly Pear Cactus." This common cactus is named after a distant relative that was a botanist. Mark's family dropped one of the n's at the end of their surname when having German ancestry was not popular in the United States.

We were glad that we weren't riding bikes now, as the trail headed straight up to the Overlook. From this high point we could see down over the state park and the surrounding Texas hills.

Such a strenuous walk calls for a picnic lunch and a little nap right there at the Overlook point.

This park used to be the ranch, and there are a few reminders of its former agricultural life.

The hand-hewn logs are still visible in the barn built in the 1800's. The former owner, Mr. Buck, sheared his sheep here not many years ago.

Mr. Buck was a bachelor, and he decided to deed his west Texas ranch to the state. His only wishes were that the land be open to the public, and left in its natural state for the area wildlife.

We can confirm that there are many birds that are enjoying Mr. Buck's generous donation of land.

Back to the bird blinds, these pretty little birds are certainly enjoying the thistle seed in this feeder.

This bunny obviously didn't read the sign that clearly states this is a "bird blind"--not a "bunny blind." But he was just too cute not to include in this bird-brained blog.