Memories of Guadalupe Mountains National Park

During the last days of the calendar (2020) I was leaving New Mexico, determined to revisit Texas. After spending Christmas day at Bitter Lake NWR near Roswell (New Mexico), I drove south on US-285. When I reached the city of Carlsbad, I made a right-hand turn on US-62. I’d heard stories about the Guadalupe Mountains and as my 2021 Texas tour plans called for a stop at Big Bend, what better time to fit a visit into my itinerary.

The route carried me past Carlsbad Caverns, a worthy destination on its own merits, but I once visited there in the late 60s, and with the protocols recommended for the Covid-19 pandemic, I talked myself out of revisiting this place. Instead, I pulled into the nearby Whites City RV park for the night before resuming my south-bound trek. A mere 35 mile further the next morning, I found myself on Texas soil and entering the National Park at Pine Springs.

At an elevation of 8751′, the summit of Guadalupe Peak is the highest point in Texas, and towers more than 3000 feet above the former sea floor and present day desert to the south. To the east, no other prominence in North America is as high.

I birded Pine Springs the afternoon I arrived and again the following morning. In that short sampling, I gathered a wealth of images. Many of the species were in the category of what I’d call hard-to-get. I was lucky on my morning shoot. I found a temporary puddle that attracted many species of birds, and even a dozen thirsty Mule Deer. <Read the details of my visit Here!>

It’s hard to say what the seasonal rhythms of bird-life are in this region, but I can testify that late December here is off-the-scale outstanding.

Pine Springs - Scenery — **Pine Springs**
*(Scenery)*

**Description:**
Pine Springs looking up to the canyon walls.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2020:12:27 15:00

**Location:**

Pine Springs
Guadalupe National Park, Texas
United States
5776.86 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
motorola one 5G UW, 4.85 mm, f/1.7, 1/2700

**File Name:** PineSprings_20201227_150025985_HDR-GuadalupeNP

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

Pin It — **Pine Springs**
*(Scenery)*

**Description:**
Pine Springs looking up to the canyon walls.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2020:12:27 15:00

**Location:**

Pine Springs
Guadalupe National Park, Texas
United States
5776.86 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
motorola one 5G UW, 4.85 mm, f/1.7, 1/2700

**File Name:** PineSprings_20201227_150025985_HDR-GuadalupeNP

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

Western Bluebird - Sialia mexicana — **Western Bluebird**
*(Sialia mexicana)*

**Description:**
When the bluebirds came to the water, it was usually in large numbers. The morning after I arrived, the birds found a temporary watering hole at Pine Springs Camp. The event at Guadalupe National Park was a memorable one for me.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2020:12:28 10:54

**Location:**

Pine Springs
Guadalupe National Park, Texas
United States
5776.86 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/2000

**File Name:** WesternBluebird_D5X6029-GuadalupeMountain-TX

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

White-Crowned Sparrow - Zonotrichia leucophrys — **White-Crowned Sparrow**
*(Zonotrichia leucophrys)*

**Description:**
These were the only sparrow species I saw come to the water during my watch. The morning after I arrived, the birds found a temporary watering hole at Pine Springs Camp. The event at Guadalupe National Park was a memorable one for me.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2020:12:28 9:02

**Location:**

Pine Springs
Guadalupe National Park, Texas
United States
5776.86 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/4000

**File Name:** WhiteCrownedSparrow_D5X4060-GuadalupeMountain-TX

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

Townsend's Solitaire - Myadestes townsendi — **Townsend's Solitaire**
*(Myadestes townsendi)*

**Description:**
I was delighted when I saw these solitaires come in to the waterhole. The morning after I arrived, the birds found a temporary watering hole at Pine Springs Camp. The event at Guadalupe National Park was a memorable one for me.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2020:12:28 8:55

**Location:**

Pine Springs
Guadalupe National Park, Texas
United States
5776.86 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/1000

**File Name:** TownsendsSolitaire_D5X3938-GuadalupeMountain-TX

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

Sage Thrasher - Oreoscoptes montanus — **Sage Thrasher**
*(Oreoscoptes montanus)*

**Description:**
Sage Thrashers joined the bluebirds at the waterhole. The morning after I arrived, the birds found a temporary watering hole at Pine Springs Camp. The event at Guadalupe National Park was a memorable one for me.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2020:12:28 11:03

**Location:**

Pine Springs
Guadalupe National Park, Texas
United States
5776.86 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/2000

**File Name:** SageThrasher_D5X6145-GuadalupeMountain-TX

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

Northern Mockingbird - Mimus polyglottos — **Northern Mockingbird**
*(Mimus polyglottos)*

**Description:**
Mockingbirds are virtually EVERYWHERE in Texas. The morning after I arrived, the birds found a temporary watering hole at Pine Springs Camp. The event at Guadalupe National Park was a memorable one for me.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2020:12:28 9:18

**Location:**

Pine Springs
Guadalupe National Park, Texas
United States
5776.86 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/2000

**File Name:** NorthernMockingbird_D5X4277-GuadalupeMountain-TX

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

Northern Flicker - Colaptes auratus — **Northern Flicker**
*(Colaptes auratus)*

**Description:**
Even this flicker came to the water for a drink. The morning after I arrived, the birds found a temporary watering hole at Pine Springs Camp. The event at Guadalupe National Park was a memorable one for me.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2020:12:28 9:24

**Location:**

Pine Springs
Guadalupe National Park, Texas
United States
5776.86 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/800

**File Name:** NorthernFlicker_D5X4296-GuadalupeMountain-TX

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

Mountain Chickadee - Poecile gambeli — **Mountain Chickadee**
*(Poecile gambeli)*

**Description:**
Chickadees were shy here, until the water hole was discovered. The morning after I arrived, the birds found a temporary watering hole at Pine Springs Camp. The event at Guadalupe National Park was a memorable one for me.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2020:12:28 9:01

**Location:**

Pine Springs
Guadalupe National Park, Texas
United States
5776.86 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/800

**File Name:** MountainChickadee_D5X4033-GuadalupeMountain-TX

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

Loggerhead Shrike - Lanius ludovicianus — **Loggerhead Shrike**
*(Lanius ludovicianus)*

**Description:**
This shrike flew in from behind me, barely over my shoulder. The morning after I arrived, the birds found a temporary watering hole at Pine Springs Camp. The event at Guadalupe National Park was a memorable one for me.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2020:12:28 9:16

**Location:**

Pine Springs
Guadalupe National Park, Texas
United States
5776.86 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/2000

**File Name:** LoggerheadShrike_D5X4231-GuadalupeMountain-TX

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

House Finch - Haemorhous mexicanus — **House Finch**
*(Haemorhous mexicanus)*

**Description:**
House Finches were the only member of the finch clan to meet me this day. The morning after I arrived, the birds found a temporary watering hole at Pine Springs Camp. The event at Guadalupe National Park was a memorable one for me.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2020:12:28 9:51

**Location:**

Pine Springs
Guadalupe National Park, Texas
United States
5776.86 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/1000

**File Name:** HouseFinch_D5X4727-GuadalupeMountain-TX

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

Hermit Thrush - Catharus guttatus — **Hermit Thrush**
*(Catharus guttatus)*

**Description:**
These shy and retiring thrushes overcame their bashful ways when the news got out there was water about. The morning after I arrived, the birds found a temporary watering hole at Pine Springs Camp. The event at Guadalupe National Park was a memorable one for me.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2020:12:28 10:49

**Location:**

Pine Springs
Guadalupe National Park, Texas
United States
5776.86 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/1000

**File Name:** HermitThrush_D5X5815-GuadalupeMountain-TX

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

Eastern Bluebird - Sialia sialis — **Eastern Bluebird**
*(Sialia sialis)*

**Description:**
There proved to be a few Eastern Bluebirds among the multitudes of Westerns. The morning after I arrived, the birds found a temporary watering hole at Pine Springs Camp. The event at Guadalupe National Park was a memorable one for me.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2020:12:28 10:20

**Location:**

Pine Springs
Guadalupe National Park, Texas
United States
5776.86 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/2000

**File Name:** EasternBluebird_D5X5515-GuadalupeMountain-TX

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

Dark-Eyed Junco - Junco hyemalis — **Dark-Eyed Junco**
*(Junco hyemalis)*

**Description:**
Most of the juncos I met seemed to be the Gray-Headed variety. The morning after I arrived, the birds found a temporary watering hole at Pine Springs Camp. The event at Guadalupe National Park was a memorable one for me.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2020:12:28 11:08

**Location:**

Pine Springs
Guadalupe National Park, Texas
United States
5752.41 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/2000

**File Name:** DarkEyedJunco_D5X6189-GuadalupeMountain-TX

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

Canyon Towhee - Melozone fusca — **Canyon Towhee**
*(Melozone fusca)*

**Description:**
Canyon Towhees joined the mob of birds to exploit the standing water. The morning after I arrived, the birds found a temporary watering hole at Pine Springs Camp. The event at Guadalupe National Park was a memorable one for me.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2020:12:28 10:04

**Location:**

Pine Springs
Guadalupe National Park, Texas
United States
5752.41 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/2000

**File Name:** CanyonTowhee_D5X5096-GuadalupeMountain-TX

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

American Robin - Turdus migratorius — **American Robin**
*(Turdus migratorius)*

**Description:**
When news of water near camp hit the grapevine, Robins were some of the early attendees at the waterhole. The morning after I arrived, the birds found a temporary watering hole at Pine Springs Camp. The event at Guadalupe National Park was a memorable one for me.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2020:12:28 8:45

**Location:**

Pine Springs
Guadalupe National Park, Texas
United States
5776.86 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/2000

**File Name:** AmericanRobin_D5X3808-GuadalupeMountain-TX

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

Cedar Waxwing - Bombycilla cedrorum — **Cedar Waxwing**
*(Bombycilla cedrorum)*

**Description:**
Cedar Waxwings joined the Western Bluebirds to stand watch over the canyon floor. The morning after I arrived, the birds found a temporary watering hole at Pine Springs Camp. The event at Guadalupe National Park was a memorable one for me.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2020:12:28 10:40

**Location:**

Pine Springs
Guadalupe National Park, Texas
United States
5776.86 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/1000

**File Name:** CederWaxwing_D5X5728-GuadalupeMountain-TX

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

Mule Deer - Odocoileus hemionus — **Mule Deer**
*(Odocoileus hemionus)*

**Description:**
The does were probably pregnant, so it seemed the mature bucks were tending to the education of the yearlings. By my remaining still, the deer approached to withing 20-25 feet of my position. The morning after I arrived, the birds found a temporary watering hole at Pine Springs Camp. The event at Guadalupe National Park was a memorable one for me.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2020:12:28 9:44

**Location:**

Pine Springs
Guadalupe National Park, Texas
United States
5776.86 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/1000

**File Name:** MuleDeer_D5X4643-GuadalupeMountain-TX

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

Click map markers to reveal further information

Pine Springs

Scenery

Pine Springs looking up to the canyon walls.

Western Bluebird

Sialia mexicana

When the bluebirds came to the water, it was usually in large numbers. The morning after I arrived, the birds found a temporary watering hole at Pine Springs Camp. The event at Guadalupe National Park was a memorable one for me.

Western Bluebird

Sialia mexicana

Western Bluebird

Sialia mexicana

Western Bluebirds far outnumbered any other species in the canyon where I camped. The sun sets early in December at Pine Springs. I arrived Sunday at Guadalupe National Park in time to capture a few bird images.

Western Bluebird

Sialia mexicana

Western Bluebird

Sialia mexicana

And the chaos ensued ... When the bluebirds came to the water, it was usually in large numbers. The morning after I arrived, the birds found a temporary watering hole at Pine Springs Camp. The event at Guadalupe National Park was a memorable one for me.

White-Crowned Sparrow

Zonotrichia leucophrys

These were the only sparrow species I saw come to the water during my watch. The morning after I arrived, the birds found a temporary watering hole at Pine Springs Camp. The event at Guadalupe National Park was a memorable one for me.

Townsend's Solitaire

Myadestes townsendi

I was delighted when I saw these solitaires come in to the waterhole. The morning after I arrived, the birds found a temporary watering hole at Pine Springs Camp. The event at Guadalupe National Park was a memorable one for me.

Townsend's Solitaire

Myadestes townsendi

Sage Thrasher

Oreoscoptes montanus

Sage Thrashers joined the bluebirds at the waterhole. The morning after I arrived, the birds found a temporary watering hole at Pine Springs Camp. The event at Guadalupe National Park was a memorable one for me.

Sage Thrasher

Oreoscoptes montanus

Several Sage Thrashers came to the water while I was there. The morning after I arrived, the birds found a temporary watering hole at Pine Springs Camp. The event at Guadalupe National Park was a memorable one for me.

Northern Mockingbird

Mimus polyglottos

Mockingbirds are virtually EVERYWHERE in Texas. The morning after I arrived, the birds found a temporary watering hole at Pine Springs Camp. The event at Guadalupe National Park was a memorable one for me.

Northern Flicker

Colaptes auratus

Even this flicker came to the water for a drink. The morning after I arrived, the birds found a temporary watering hole at Pine Springs Camp. The event at Guadalupe National Park was a memorable one for me.

Mountain Chickadee

Poecile gambeli

Chickadees were shy here, until the water hole was discovered. The morning after I arrived, the birds found a temporary watering hole at Pine Springs Camp. The event at Guadalupe National Park was a memorable one for me.

Loggerhead Shrike

Lanius ludovicianus

This shrike flew in from behind me, barely over my shoulder. The morning after I arrived, the birds found a temporary watering hole at Pine Springs Camp. The event at Guadalupe National Park was a memorable one for me.

House Finch

Haemorhous mexicanus

House Finches were the only member of the finch clan to meet me this day. The morning after I arrived, the birds found a temporary watering hole at Pine Springs Camp. The event at Guadalupe National Park was a memorable one for me.

Hermit Thrush

Catharus guttatus

These shy and retiring thrushes overcame their bashful ways when the news got out there was water about. The morning after I arrived, the birds found a temporary watering hole at Pine Springs Camp. The event at Guadalupe National Park was a memorable one for me.

Eastern Bluebird

Sialia sialis

There proved to be a few Eastern Bluebirds among the multitudes of Westerns. The morning after I arrived, the birds found a temporary watering hole at Pine Springs Camp. The event at Guadalupe National Park was a memorable one for me.

Eastern Bluebird

Sialia sialis

Dark-Eyed Junco

Junco hyemalis

Most of the juncos I met seemed to be the Gray-Headed variety. The morning after I arrived, the birds found a temporary watering hole at Pine Springs Camp. The event at Guadalupe National Park was a memorable one for me.

Canyon Towhee

Melozone fusca

Canyon Towhees joined the mob of birds to exploit the standing water. The morning after I arrived, the birds found a temporary watering hole at Pine Springs Camp. The event at Guadalupe National Park was a memorable one for me.

American Robin

Turdus migratorius

When news of water near camp hit the grapevine, Robins were some of the early attendees at the waterhole. The morning after I arrived, the birds found a temporary watering hole at Pine Springs Camp. The event at Guadalupe National Park was a memorable one for me.

Cedar Waxwing

Bombycilla cedrorum

Cedar Waxwings joined the Western Bluebirds to stand watch over the canyon floor. The morning after I arrived, the birds found a temporary watering hole at Pine Springs Camp. The event at Guadalupe National Park was a memorable one for me.

Mule Deer

Odocoileus hemionus

The does were probably pregnant, so it seemed the mature bucks were tending to the education of the yearlings. By my remaining still, the deer approached to withing 20-25 feet of my position. The morning after I arrived, the birds found a temporary watering hole at Pine Springs Camp. The event at Guadalupe National Park was a memorable one for me.

Mule Deer

Odocoileus hemionus

By my remaining still, the deer approached to withing 20-25 feet of my position. The morning after I arrived, the birds found a temporary watering hole at Pine Springs Camp. The event at Guadalupe National Park was a memorable one for me.

Mule Deer

Odocoileus hemionus

This yearling approached to withing 12 feet of me. By my remaining still, the deer approached to withing 20-25 feet of my position. The morning after I arrived, the birds found a temporary watering hole at Pine Springs Camp. The event at Guadalupe National Park was a memorable one for me.