You probably couldn't help but notice the whitewater rafting pictures above, and I want to impress upon you that if you haven't done it, you really don't know what you are missing!   My kids and I (when they and I were younger) used to go hiking/camping/backpacking quite a bit.  We've hiked/camped some of the most beautiful areas of this country, and will have those memories forever.  Quite often we camped/hiked near a river where whitewater rafting was popular.  In the back of my mind was the thought that I really wanted to try that one day, but kept putting it off for one reason or another. 

 

About twenty years ago, my family, their spouses, and all the kids and  I started going out to a resort near Almont, Colorado (between Gunnison and Crested Butte).  WOW!  This place was awesome!  You could really go all out in any outdoor sport that you wanted. I've never been much in to fishing, so after those who wanted left to go fishing, several of the rest of us would go hiking, or just sightseeing.  Or, we could just sit out front of our cabin and watch the kayakers and whitewater rafters pass by (and the occasional empty kayak!  LOL).  For one week we were in bliss! 

 

I don't remember ever mentioning that I wanted to try whitewater rafting , but I apparently I did at some point.  So, since my birthday falls in July, and specifically during the time we were there in Colorado, my boys made reservations for me to go rafting!  They knew that I was apprehensive about going - you know - doing something that I had never done before. 

 

So, I went whitewater rafting for the first time.  My sons and DILs came along 'to make sure I went!'  It was awesome!  I had more fun and enjoyment that I wondered why I hadn't done it before.  Since then, we have gone every year.  We even go whenever we go out to West Texas.  (They whitewater raft down through the canyons on the Rio Grande River on the West side of Big Bend National Park. If you go there, they put in at a town called Lajitas, Texas which is right at the mouth of the canyons.) 

 

I have always enjoyed hiking and backpacking, but then I could add whitewater rafting to that.  So, yeah, if you ever get the opportunity, don't pass it up.  It is so much fun.  But, go with a river guide.  He/she will keep you out of trouble.   Up on the Taylor River in Colorado where we used to go I saw a family that had purchased a large raft and attempt to raft down the Taylor on their own.  They only made it about 300 yards before rupturing their raft, and having to swim to shore.  And let me tell you, that water was snow just a couple of days before.

 

They are mostly memories now.  But, oh, what memories!

 

Cheers to all, my good friends

Lee

                (Oh, yeah.  I'm not in this raft pic.  Someone had to take the pics! lol.  But, my grandson is seated  nearest the left leg of the river guide)

 

 

 

 

 

But the all time leader of song has to go to the Mockingbird.  Especially in the spring the male Mockingbird is in fine tune in his attempt to lure a mate.  The Mockingbird has such a large repertoire of songs to sing.  No other bird can come close to equaling the Mockingbird.  The songs of as many as 40 other birds has been recorded from one Mockingbird.  And, if that is not enough, they have been known to 'mock' the sounds of a barking dog, cackling hens, and whistling.  They continue to learn new sounds throughout their lives. 

 

There are few things in life that I enjoy more than having coffee out on my patio in the morning while listening and watching the Mockingbirds perform, or listening to the cardinal sing, and watch the robins searching for food. 

 

It appears that the Mockingbirds get so excited when they perfect a sound, or learn a new one that they dance on the power lines or fence top in glee.  And it seems they know when I'm about because their song is continuous albeit loud.  It's like they are putting on a performance just for me. All their imitations are repeated three or more times.

 

Besides for their song, they are great to have around for their apetite for insects.  Of course, they also like fruit, so owners of fruit trees or a vegetable garden would just as soon they were somewhere else.  However, when a mockingbird and its' mate share a clutch of eggs, the can be fiercely protective from anything they feel a threat.  I have seen them dive or swoop down at a cat or dog, and have heard they (and bluejays) would also do the same to people.  But, I can honestly say that neither species has ever made a pass at me.  I'm not sure if it is because they see me often, and don't feel I'm a threat, or what.  I know my Siamese cat rarely ventures into the back yard when bluejays or mockingbirds are nesting.   

 

Mockingbirds are found throughout North America except the far North of Canada.  But, they have become the State bird in Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee, and, of course, my home state of Texas. In the springtime, only the male mockingbird is vocal wheras later in the year the female is the more vocal.  It is nearly impossible to distinguish between the male and female in song.  It is said that the female has a 'softer' or slightly quieter song.

 

A few years back, my wife and I were camping in Palo Duro Canyon (near Amarillo, TX).  Everything was as good as it gets, we had our

 tents up and were settling in for the night.  I did manage to go right to sleep but only for a short while.  Next thing that I knew there was a mockingbird (it sounded like he was perched right on our tent) serenading us like there was to be no tomorrow!  Now, at one or two o'clock in the morning, it was just a bit much!  I finally had to get up, locate a couple of rocks and threw them at the nearest tree that I suspected it was in, to chase it off so I could get some sleep.  It must have the right tree, thank God! 

 

    Have a great weekend.

    Lee