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) |
Description: Pine Springs looking up to the canyon walls. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:27 15:00 |
Location:
Pine Springs |
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 |


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. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:28 10:54 |
Location:
Pine Springs |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: WesternBluebird_D5X6029-GuadalupeMountain-TX |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


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. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:28 10:53 |
Location:
Pine Springs |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: WesternBluebird_D5X5904-GuadalupeMountain-TX |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Western Bluebird(Sialia mexicana) |
Description: 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. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:27 15:37 |
Location:
Pine Springs |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: WesternBluebird_D5X3682-GuadalupeMountain-TX |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Western Bluebird(Sialia mexicana) |
Description: 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. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:27 15:30 |
Location:
Pine Springs |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: WesternBluebird_D5X3574-GuadalupeMountain-TX |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Western Bluebird(Sialia mexicana) |
Description: 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. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:28 9:53 |
Location:
Pine Springs |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: WesternBluebird_D5X4770-GuadalupeMountain-TX |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


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. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:28 9:02 |
Location:
Pine Springs |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: WhiteCrownedSparrow_D5X4060-GuadalupeMountain-TX |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


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. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:28 8:55 |
Location:
Pine Springs |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: TownsendsSolitaire_D5X3938-GuadalupeMountain-TX |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


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. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:28 10:07 |
Location:
Pine Springs |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: TownsendsSolitaire_D5X5200-GuadalupeMountain-TX |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


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. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:28 11:03 |
Location:
Pine Springs |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: SageThrasher_D5X6145-GuadalupeMountain-TX |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Sage Thrasher(Oreoscoptes montanus) |
Description: 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. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:28 11:02 |
Location:
Pine Springs |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: SageThrasher_D5X6122-GuadalupeMountain-TX |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


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. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:28 9:18 |
Location:
Pine Springs |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: NorthernMockingbird_D5X4277-GuadalupeMountain-TX |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


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. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:28 9:24 |
Location:
Pine Springs |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/800 |
File Name: NorthernFlicker_D5X4296-GuadalupeMountain-TX |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


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. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:28 9:01 |
Location:
Pine Springs |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/800 |
File Name: MountainChickadee_D5X4033-GuadalupeMountain-TX |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


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. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:28 9:16 |
Location:
Pine Springs |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: LoggerheadShrike_D5X4231-GuadalupeMountain-TX |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


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. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:28 9:51 |
Location:
Pine Springs |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: HouseFinch_D5X4727-GuadalupeMountain-TX |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


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. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:28 10:49 |
Location:
Pine Springs |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: HermitThrush_D5X5815-GuadalupeMountain-TX |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


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. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:28 10:20 |
Location:
Pine Springs |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: EasternBluebird_D5X5515-GuadalupeMountain-TX |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


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. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:28 9:06 |
Location:
Pine Springs |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: EasternBluebird_D5X4145-GuadalupeMountain-TX |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


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. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:28 11:08 |
Location:
Pine Springs |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: DarkEyedJunco_D5X6189-GuadalupeMountain-TX |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


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. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:28 10:04 |
Location:
Pine Springs |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: CanyonTowhee_D5X5096-GuadalupeMountain-TX |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


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. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:28 8:45 |
Location:
Pine Springs |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: AmericanRobin_D5X3808-GuadalupeMountain-TX |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


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. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:28 10:40 |
Location:
Pine Springs |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: CederWaxwing_D5X5728-GuadalupeMountain-TX |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


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. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:28 9:44 |
Location:
Pine Springs |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: MuleDeer_D5X4643-GuadalupeMountain-TX |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Mule Deer(Odocoileus hemionus) |
Description: 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. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:28 8:49 |
Location:
Pine Springs |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/800 |
File Name: MuleDeer_D5X3866-GuadalupeMountain-TX |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Mule Deer(Odocoileus hemionus) |
Description: 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. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:28 9:45 |
Location:
Pine Springs |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: MuleDeer_D5X4670-GuadalupeMountain-TX |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


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. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:28 9:07 |
Location:
Pine Springs |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: MuleDeer_D5X4169-GuadalupeMountain-TX |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |

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