In early November, I spent a week photographing in the Davis Mountains. The Montezuma and Gambel’s quail were among my priority subjects, but I wanted to get other wildlife, landscapes, and star trails, too.
The lack of moisture had taken its toll on the quail and I was only able to locate a single pair of of Montezumas near Davis Mountains State Park. Then, a one day side trip to Presidio got me into some good Gambel’s quail habitat. Just before sunset that day, I was able to make a few images but the birds were extremely wary.
With some help from the State Park personnel and my campground manager, many of the other species were a little easier to get.
The weather was fantastic, the fall colors were just reaching peak, and the night skies were clear. I would like to get back there next year and spend more time shooting star trails and light painting landscapes. Indeed, the stars were big and bright in the Davis Mountains.
Here are some of the images from that week:
![Autumn Cottonwoods_Larry Ditto_70K8391 The cottonwoods were just hitting their peak of color during the first week of November.](http://www.larryditto.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Autumn-Cottonwoods_Larry-Ditto_70K8391-300x112.jpg)
The highway follows Limpia Creek for several miles along the north edge of Davis Mountains State Park and Fort Davis. Large cottonwoods line most of the stream’s banks and make for some wonderful autumn colors.
![Davis Mountains_Larry Ditto_70K9017 A passing cold front stirred up enough dust to produce a dramatic sunrise on my last day in the mountains.](http://www.larryditto.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Davis-Mountains_Larry-Ditto_70K90173-300x199.jpg)
This sunrise shot was taken with a 100-400 mm lens and Canon 1D Mark III on the Gitzo tripod with monoball head.
![Anna's Hummingbird_Larry Ditto_MG_9272 A few juvenile Anna's hummingbirds were still in the Fort Davis area some well maintained feeders.](http://www.larryditto.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Annas-Hummingbird_Larry-Ditto_MG_9272-300x199.jpg)
This young Anna’s hummingbird had a favorite perch. I was able to get a few captures like this by prefocusing and using a high shutter speed to stop the wings as he landed.
![Black-crested Titmouse_Larry Ditto_MG_0057 The skeletons of dried cholla cactus made great perches for seed eating birds.](http://www.larryditto.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Black-crested-Titmouse_Larry-Ditto_MG_0057-300x199.jpg)
![Curve-billed Thrasher_Larry Ditto_MG_9324 Yucca leaves added a bit of color to this shot of a curve-billed thrasher.](http://www.larryditto.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Curve-billed-Thrasher_Larry-Ditto_MG_9324-300x199.jpg)
![Fort Davis, Texas_Larry Ditto_70K8405 Fort Davis courthouse at sunrise.](http://www.larryditto.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Fort-Davis-Texas_Larry-Ditto_70K84051-300x165.jpg)
![Gambel's Quail_Larry Ditto_MG_0402 Gambel's quail at historic Fort Leaton in Presidio, Texas.](http://www.larryditto.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Gambels-Quail_Larry-Ditto_MG_0402-300x250.jpg)
![Montezuma Quail_Larry Ditto_MG_8719 A Montezuma quail posed for this uncropped shot from the car window.](http://www.larryditto.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Montezuma-Quail_Larry-Ditto_MG_8719-199x300.jpg)
![Desert Mule Deer_Larry Ditto_70K8950 Desert mule deer bucks at sunset.](http://www.larryditto.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Desert-Mule-Deer_Larry-Ditto_70K8950-300x199.jpg)
I made this image with a 16-35 mm lens after crawling in close to these bucks just after sunset.
![Star Trails_Larry Ditto_70K8992 Star trails around a light-painted bluff, one hour before sunrise.](http://www.larryditto.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Star-Trails_Larry-Ditto_70K8992-300x199.jpg)
![Western Scrub Jay_Larry Ditto_MG_9646 Western scrub jay jumping at the sound of a rapid-fire camera.](http://www.larryditto.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Western-Scrub-Jay_Larry-Ditto_MG_9646-300x199.jpg)
![Yucca After Fire_Larry Ditto_70K8282 Many yuccas at Fort Davis State Park were burned over by summer wildfires.](http://www.larryditto.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Yucca-After-Fire_Larry-Ditto_70K8282-300x199.jpg)
I wrote this newsletter from my laptop, and that’s no easy feat for me. My new desktop is operating with Windows 7 and I haven’t figured out how to make the WordPress software work correctly.
Next week, we will be heading out to Socorro, New Mexico to photograph at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. I have room for another shooter if any of you want to sign on at the last minute.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Larry