After Graduation

On Tuesday and Wednesday May 26 and 27 I was up in Duluth, MN taking my certifying examination to acquire my CRT license. In hindsight, I'm unwilling to go through the details of that ordeal. The test went well enough, but due to a glitch on the part of the testing agent, I was not able to find out if I had passed for several days. This was very frustrating. However, by Saturday I had received the results in the mail . . . and I passed by a safe margin. So, now I have accomplished my goal and can begin working as an RT. I still need the license from the State of Wisconsin, but that too is being processed and will probably be in my mailbox when I get home. I also need to find a job. Thank You very much to my very good friend, Rich. He continues to be my advocate and best cheerleader. He's also a great road companion. Here we are overlooking Duluth . . . where it was cool from the moist breezes off Lake Superior.

On the following Monday I caught a plane down to El Paso. I've been here for a few days visiting with my mom in her home, and each day visiting my father in the hospital. He has improved greatly, and now it looks like he can come home. He still has some rehab, but is doing great.

I got myself up early today and went out to the desert museum and greeted the sun and the desert life. This gathering of plants and animals is a bit unusual in that water is made more available here than normally in the desert. Most of the plants have been placed here to demonstrate the flora of the desert. This dry garden is attractive to the native life, so a good place to bird watch. I did this previously a few years ago, and frankly think I took better pictures then, but I did get to witness some interesting behavior today.

There are lots of White-Winged Doves here in the desert. The museum also has several pairs of Northern Mockingbirds chasing each other and pulling moths off the walls. I observed one go into a desert plant, which upon inspection revealed a nest with 4 eggs. The most interesting observation was between a pair of Cactus Wrens. The female was busy gathering grasses and making a nest. The male was hanging out in nearby plants, singing his song. Occasionally he'd fly over and bring a piece of grass, but mostly it was the hen doing all the work.

I did observe, but mostly heard, a newcomer for me to the desert life here in El Paso . . . Gambrel's Quail. I don't know if they have always been here, and I just didn't notice, which is possible. Again, the museum offers a prime resource here . . . . water! I heard them, and did see them some, but they never came into view enough and calmly for me to catch any pictures of them.

There were some blooming cactus, but not nearly as pretty as the picture I took a couple years ago. It was a nice morning, and afterwards I picked up a couple of geocaches.

Even in its barrenness . . . the desert is beautiful! In the spring, if there is enough rain at just the right time, this whole area is ablaze with bright orange poppies. It is an event that only happens every few years. I have pictures in my storage shed of a spectacular year, but they are not digital. Next is a video of a baby rabbit that I saw and was able to film. It's just a tiny thing, out of the nest very recently. It doesn't yet know to be afraid of humans. Without a hawk in hand, I'm no threat to it. I did see many cottontails and jacks here. This would be a challenging place to hunt . . . requiring chaps to prevent injury from the cactus. It appears that I will not be exploring this, as my sisters are working on moving my parents to assisted living in Ft. Worth. This is good, as I really don't want to come to El Paso to live. I've been in a few doctor's offices these last few days for my mom . . . . I'm not much impressed.

So . . . enjoy the clip of the very cute bunny!