Sunrise at the Reserve
The parent in all of us can identify with this bird in the
fact that there is never enough food. Geococcyx californianus,
Greater roadrunner.
While watching for a Red Headed woodpecker at the Hagerman
NWR on one of the many oil pump jack
roads, I noticed this bird running back and forth in several clumps of brush
chasing something . I moved a bit closer. Then roadrunner began
running alongside of the road carrying
it’s bounty, stopping from time to time
to look in clumps of brush. I guess it
had room for more food?? I saw right away the snake, but it was near the end or
the run that I saw the locust in addition.
The Road runner traveled at least a quarter mile after collecting
food for the chicks at the nest or hiding place. I did not see where that was. I followed the bird until it turned and looked
at me and then ran into the underbrush. I guess, that was my queue to move on.
I did so after several minutes of watching the area for more activity from the
roadrunner.
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