It's that time of year, again!

Young Cedar Waxwing on Yew

Every September into early October, we get flocks of Cedar Waxwings come through our yard to feed on the Yew berries.  (Yew berries are toxic to humans, by the way.) The birds put on this display of flying from our large Maple and Oak trees (both Eastern varieties, not native to NW Pacific), and then fly down either singly or in two to four at a time, and just have a frenzy of a feast! eating as many berries as they can!  It's very entertaining to watch.  (This was from this morning.) 

Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument

When I was in Northern New Mexico, last November, I drove to this national monument near the Kasha-Katuwe Indian Reservation and hiked through some amazing sandstone canyons, and up to the top of the bluffs.  It was actually very warm for mid-November, but I was happy for this.  (I know a bit about the possible weather in that part of the country, since I started college in southern Colorado.)  

There are "tents" here; pinnacles of eroded sandstone that stayed as natural pillars with a pointed "cap" on top of them.  

I have noted some of the photos as I walked the trail, throughout the collection of photos. 

The walk into and through the canyon, to the top (plus some artsy shots.) 

A Dark-eyed Junco that is a different "race" from the one here in Oregon. 

Views from the summit. 

As you can see in the photos below, the trail goes through some very tight spaces in the canyon.  This was on my way back through it.  There were places that only one person at a time could go through the very tight squeezes, so patience was needed. 

(The trail is in the lower left corner of the photo below.)

The view looking up to the top of the bluff (and some "tents"), as well as some local flora; common juniper and a cholla (CHoi-ya) cactus.