~~By NM-GRL (aka InsightAnalytical-GRL)
This week I planned to post some pictures of all the cactus blooms, but an unexpected visitor changed my plans! For the first time in the 10 years I’ve lived here, a roadrunner strolled onto my patio and hung out for a long time in my backyard! I’ve seen them on the wall and sometimes they’ve hopped down into the yard, but they’ve always stayed away from the house. This time was totally different…and I got to see this visitor attempting to find a meal, too!
I ran to grab my camera as soon as I saw this fellow on the patio. He (she?) then hopped up on a flower pot:
Perched on the petunias...
Here’s a closeup:
For a moment I thought this wild thing would take a drink from the fountain…but, it didn’t happen.
No drinking today...
Getting bored on the patio, our friend decided to head on over to the side of the yard, toward a couple of the bird feeders I have there (I have others on the wall facing the arroyo toward the back, too):
Heading toward the feeders...
Once at the feeders, the visitor eyed the situation and decided to stay awhile. I watched him/her lie in wait for small birds and try to fly up and catch them. He/she literally hunkered down and then “launched” in pursuit. Didn’t catch anything this time around…
Planning an ambush strategy...
Finally, I decided to try out the video function on the camera. Toro came out of the house to bark and the bird didn’t care at all. A short time later, Toro figured out that there was a big bird and he went over to bark at it directly. Without any panic at all, the roadrunner decided to take leave of the yard. Unforunately, I couldn’t figure out how to get the video over into WordPress…
Open Range Ramblings 
Yesterday (when I walked behind the roadrunner noted above), after lunch, I saw another roadrunner walking across a lawn with a little lizard in its beak. Sometimes it seems like they are everywhere, then you don’t see one for awhile.
This morning, one was walking on the sidewalk in front of me, just tootling along until it decided to go into someone’s front yard.
Your bird seems skinny on top. I wonder if that is a way to differentiate females and males.
Not sure about that….
You may already know about this website, if not I think you will enjoy it.
http://juliesmagiclightshow.com
I go there to remember there are a lot of beauty in the world.
WOMEN WITH INTELLIGENCE AND EXPERIENCE, MEN WHO SUPPORT THEM AND COUNTRY BEFORE PARTY ALWAYS
PUMAS,BUBBAS,EQUALISTS AND THOSE PEOPLE RULE
The site you posted is really wonderful…Bookmark if you like wonderful bird photos, everyone!!
Cool! Never seen a real road runner before. Too bad Toro decided to play Wile E. Coyote…
Thanks for sharing!
Brilliant, thanks.