Morning in rest stops is interesting. The car that was parked next to you all night is replaced by a van, the driver in the SUV peers out through the foggy windshield with one sleepy eye realizing that she has been seen. Fortunately for me, I sleep heavily until awake when I am totally awake… I jump up to do my morning ritual, brush the teeth, drink a large glass of water and ignite the engine towards another day of adventuring. I stopped at the next rest stop just to stretch as the last stop didn’t seem that interesting, but this stop had a little nature trail so I hiked around the mile long loop while sweating more in the slightly hot but definitely muggy morning. Not too many birds about but a nice flock of chickadees and titmice satisfy me for a little bit.
Not sure of what I want to do today except drive through as much of Texas as possible… so I head west on Interstate 10 toward San Antonio where I saw a sign about the Alamo, interesting but I passed the exit… the next exit steers me to the historic missions, so what the heck, haven’t done much historical touring… I find myself in an active Catholic Church and National Historic Park at Mission Concepcion.
Being raised a Catholic but realizing a while back that religion has no function in my life, I normally stay away from such places, not bad memories just find the whole concept of religion silly and pretty damaging to the community of humans… anyway, what do I do upon entry into the sanctuary but bless myself with holy water and genuflect toward the altar; boy the indoctrination was complete.
Interesting buildings made out of limestone which is a major construction material throughout the south. Billions of years of accumulation of carbonate creatures created some amazing bedrock in the old Western Interior Seaway from the Cretaceous period. I enjoyed the limestone construction and the faded painting on the walls of the various rooms in the church.
I left intending to continue my drive but thought what the heck, I most likely would never return to San Antonio, so I programmed the GPS to take me to the Alamo. The shrine to the massacre of the Texas militia is run by a private group and is semipublic… similar to the Battleship Park in Alabama. Another cool building but they wouldn’t allow photos inside the buildings so I restricted my activities to the grounds. I moved quickly wanting to hurry along the road, but thought I was fated to be here since I found parking right next to the building and only had to pay a nickel to park (really didn’t have to pay anything as the meter had an hour on it but I put a nickel in to make sure it wasn’t broken).
I left to continue towards Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico. I needed to fuel up and again programmed the GPS to direct me to a gas station, took the road but found the bridge was out due to construction. I ended up at a park on the Llano River where I birded and looked for dragonflies and butterflies. Enjoyed the park as the birds were pretty active, just as I was climbing back into my car after tromping around for an hour or so, I saw what I knew immediately was a Golden-fronted Woodpecker, don’t ask me how as I had never seen this bird before and don’t really study the field guides… just popped into my head that that is what it was.
I found a gas station and continued my journey crossing into New Mexico as the sun was setting. I drove toward Carlsbad Caverns enjoying the tremendous number of nightjars hunting along the roadside. After finding the price for the RV park just outside Carlsbad (which had no camping facilities) to be exorbitant, I found a dirt road and settled down for the night.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
Nature Ali's Grand Adventure - Day 24, July 13th.
Woke up to watch the sunrise in Atchafalaya, Louisiana as thousands upon thousands of blackbirds streamed from the south towards the north; filling the sky. A Barn Swallow was busy feeding her four young that appear to be about to fledge. A nine-banded armadillo wandered the grounds while five feral cats looked on. Dozens of ibis flew over mostly white but a few dark one’s that I predict were Glossy but hard to ID with little light. Two Loggerhead Shrikes competed for perches and bugs with the same number of Northern Mockingbirds. A busy morning as I sat in my truck blogging along… the wireless at this rest stop was down … but as luck would have it a few miles down the road I found a hotspot in Lafayette, LA. Before driving to Lafayette, I drove along the road by the rest area between the east and westbound lanes of Interstate 10 and found a river right between the lanes where several boats were being launched into the waterway. A strange sight indeed… I found out later the Atchafalaya River was one of the major tributaries of the Mississippi which I had missed crossing over during the dark drive the night before.
I drove down to Sabine National Wildlife Refuge out of Lake Charles. Found it to be most interesting. Saw four life birds while there… Neotropic Cormorant, King Rail, Least Tern, and Seaside Sparrow; I was ever so grateful for the bird list of the refuge otherwise I would have been clueless about the cormorant, rail and sparrow. There was a lot of damage to the refuge buildings and even more as I drove west along the coast through Johnson Bayou. The high school was totally destroyed and an Audubon Sanctuary run by the Baton Rouge chapter lost what I can only imagine was an observation tower. The Gulf looked awful… full of dirty oil soaked sand and the water… ooh gross, such a contrast to the clear water of Florida. I don’t believe for a minute that all of the oil platforms just off the coast weren’t contributing to the problem, but of course some could be a remnant of Hurricane Ike that blew through last September (that factoid courtesy of my ground crew… Margot).
Continuing on I found another bird I had never seen before but have to process the photos to see if I can id it (I did check and it turned out to be another life bird… Dicksissel). I left Louisiana by way of the Port Arthur, Texas bridge which fortunately had a temporary detour built (the real bridge was destroyed during the hurricane and hadn’t been repaired yet)… I get great gas mileage but there was no way I could have backtracked to a gas station… the one station on the gulf still had signs but the building and pumps were washed away during the hurricane. Whew, a real reason not to build right next to the water. Spent the night at the Glidden Rest Area west of Houston… tried to make it to San Antonio, but the eyes wouldn’t stay open.
I drove down to Sabine National Wildlife Refuge out of Lake Charles. Found it to be most interesting. Saw four life birds while there… Neotropic Cormorant, King Rail, Least Tern, and Seaside Sparrow; I was ever so grateful for the bird list of the refuge otherwise I would have been clueless about the cormorant, rail and sparrow. There was a lot of damage to the refuge buildings and even more as I drove west along the coast through Johnson Bayou. The high school was totally destroyed and an Audubon Sanctuary run by the Baton Rouge chapter lost what I can only imagine was an observation tower. The Gulf looked awful… full of dirty oil soaked sand and the water… ooh gross, such a contrast to the clear water of Florida. I don’t believe for a minute that all of the oil platforms just off the coast weren’t contributing to the problem, but of course some could be a remnant of Hurricane Ike that blew through last September (that factoid courtesy of my ground crew… Margot).
Continuing on I found another bird I had never seen before but have to process the photos to see if I can id it (I did check and it turned out to be another life bird… Dicksissel). I left Louisiana by way of the Port Arthur, Texas bridge which fortunately had a temporary detour built (the real bridge was destroyed during the hurricane and hadn’t been repaired yet)… I get great gas mileage but there was no way I could have backtracked to a gas station… the one station on the gulf still had signs but the building and pumps were washed away during the hurricane. Whew, a real reason not to build right next to the water. Spent the night at the Glidden Rest Area west of Houston… tried to make it to San Antonio, but the eyes wouldn’t stay open.
Nature Ali's Grand Adventure - Day 23, July 12th.
I woke up a 5 a.m. to a great cup of coffee that my brother made enjoying some more great conversation before we both had to leave. I went over to Gulf Coast Community College to bird a bit while the weather was still cool (there is no such thing as cool here – just not as hot… muggy applies to all times of day). Not too much activity but a few terns and gulls overhead. I drove over the Hathaway Bridge (where the bridge got struck by lightening 34 years ago while I was watching a waterspout) towards Panama City Beach… I had intended again to drive some distance but saw Allison Ave. and couldn’t resist taking the road to the first apartment I lived in after getting married to Clayton back in 1975. The apartment was gone but it led me to the beach where I continued the drive.
The number of huge hotels on the beach is disgusting. No view of the gulf anywhere. When I first moved to Panama City, we were hit by Hurricane Eloise which destroyed most of these types of buildings; fifteen years later Hurricane Opal did it again. Why do people continue to elect uninformed officials who allow buildings to be put in areas they shouldn’t? Anyway, I digress, I stopped here and there trying to bird wherever there was an opportunity. I did pick up a few Least Terns flying along the coast.
I got back on Hwy 98 but saw a turnoff to Seaside and the Florida Birding Trail (which basically seems to just direct people to every state park… the people at the Florida visitors centers should offer to sell annual park passes to every visitor who asks about birding opportunities so they don’t continuously get hit with the entrance fees).
Seaside is a really bizarre village where the movie “The Truman Show” was filmed. Narrow streets filled with beautiful little cottages… more bike paths than roads. Really Stepford Wive’s feeling place.
Just west of Seaside, I stopped at an amazing beach where the water was an amazing turquoise and so clear. The sand on the beach was so white. Out in the water was a loon just bobbing along with its head down fishing. I thought at first it was a dolphin or something similar. I took photos and finally got my feet wet which I had been reluctant to do because I didn’t want to travel with salty skin (they had a rinse off place). I dropped one of my sandals unknowingly way down the beach and a very helpful woman pointed it out to me. That was a pleasant stop.
Continuing west I stopped at Gulf Islands National Seashore where I got my passport stamped. The fellow at the desk was helpful yet completely clueless about nature watching. I really think the park service needs to make visitor center staff go out and explore their park and go on interpretive walks. I loved being able to share with visitors all of the exciting possibilities for adventures in Sequoia National Forest, being the person at the information center may be the only contact the public has to staff, it is really important that that person is a people person and willing to go the extra mile to help.
Anyway, despite the less than stellar information, I did walk the nature trail and found many wonderful birds for the day. Best of all was a Red-headed Woodpecker feeding a very anxious fledgling.
Leaving Florida behind, I entered Alabama to a most helpful woman at the I-10 Rest Stop. Birding rest stops is not to be missed if one is traveling. I found six species there including surprisingly Cinnamon Teal in the sump. I got an Alabama Coastal Birding Trail map and found the detour to Battleship Memorial Park in Mobile a good quick opportunity. While few birds were found beyond hundreds of Laughing Gulls, three Ring-billed Gulls were the first I had found in the east. They charged to enter the park which I thought was strange until I found out even with all of the military aircraft, the Battleship Alabama and a submarine, this was a privately funded park, I find that intriguing. I also find it strange America’s fascination with violence and glorifying tools of war. I am proud of the sacrifice of our soldiers but our need to fight others whose beliefs are foreign to our own (especially on their land) is so contrary to a truly civilized society. Oh, well, I am not about to change the world with my rants, but I would love it if those visiting such places would stop to enjoy and respect the world about them.
All through my voyage, I have been relying not just on my GPS, but on my ground support team, which consists of my sister Margot! I have to thank her for helping me figure out where to go next, where I am and what the weather is forecast to be.
Thanks MARGOT!
Funny thing, I have been saying all along that I have a special relationship to Mother Earth (Gaia) and that she has been protecting me. Margot scoffed (as would I) at the supernatural helping me on my journey. I had asked about severe thunderstorms and Margot checked, letting me know that a very bad system was heading my way. I was prepared but asked Gaia for assistance since my tires are getting worn and I am worried about the possibility of hydroplaning and having an accident. So while Margot was telling me what time the storm with the heavy downpour and hail should arrive, she was surprised when I told her I received just a few drops and that the road continued to remain dry. As she watched the radar, a bubble of cloudlessness opened up along my path and quickly closed behind me with heavy rain. My path remained dry and here I now sit at a rest stop in Atchafalaya, Louisiana without a cloud in the sky. I will rest for now.
The number of huge hotels on the beach is disgusting. No view of the gulf anywhere. When I first moved to Panama City, we were hit by Hurricane Eloise which destroyed most of these types of buildings; fifteen years later Hurricane Opal did it again. Why do people continue to elect uninformed officials who allow buildings to be put in areas they shouldn’t? Anyway, I digress, I stopped here and there trying to bird wherever there was an opportunity. I did pick up a few Least Terns flying along the coast.
I got back on Hwy 98 but saw a turnoff to Seaside and the Florida Birding Trail (which basically seems to just direct people to every state park… the people at the Florida visitors centers should offer to sell annual park passes to every visitor who asks about birding opportunities so they don’t continuously get hit with the entrance fees).
Seaside is a really bizarre village where the movie “The Truman Show” was filmed. Narrow streets filled with beautiful little cottages… more bike paths than roads. Really Stepford Wive’s feeling place.
Just west of Seaside, I stopped at an amazing beach where the water was an amazing turquoise and so clear. The sand on the beach was so white. Out in the water was a loon just bobbing along with its head down fishing. I thought at first it was a dolphin or something similar. I took photos and finally got my feet wet which I had been reluctant to do because I didn’t want to travel with salty skin (they had a rinse off place). I dropped one of my sandals unknowingly way down the beach and a very helpful woman pointed it out to me. That was a pleasant stop.
Continuing west I stopped at Gulf Islands National Seashore where I got my passport stamped. The fellow at the desk was helpful yet completely clueless about nature watching. I really think the park service needs to make visitor center staff go out and explore their park and go on interpretive walks. I loved being able to share with visitors all of the exciting possibilities for adventures in Sequoia National Forest, being the person at the information center may be the only contact the public has to staff, it is really important that that person is a people person and willing to go the extra mile to help.
Anyway, despite the less than stellar information, I did walk the nature trail and found many wonderful birds for the day. Best of all was a Red-headed Woodpecker feeding a very anxious fledgling.
Leaving Florida behind, I entered Alabama to a most helpful woman at the I-10 Rest Stop. Birding rest stops is not to be missed if one is traveling. I found six species there including surprisingly Cinnamon Teal in the sump. I got an Alabama Coastal Birding Trail map and found the detour to Battleship Memorial Park in Mobile a good quick opportunity. While few birds were found beyond hundreds of Laughing Gulls, three Ring-billed Gulls were the first I had found in the east. They charged to enter the park which I thought was strange until I found out even with all of the military aircraft, the Battleship Alabama and a submarine, this was a privately funded park, I find that intriguing. I also find it strange America’s fascination with violence and glorifying tools of war. I am proud of the sacrifice of our soldiers but our need to fight others whose beliefs are foreign to our own (especially on their land) is so contrary to a truly civilized society. Oh, well, I am not about to change the world with my rants, but I would love it if those visiting such places would stop to enjoy and respect the world about them.
All through my voyage, I have been relying not just on my GPS, but on my ground support team, which consists of my sister Margot! I have to thank her for helping me figure out where to go next, where I am and what the weather is forecast to be.
Thanks MARGOT!
Funny thing, I have been saying all along that I have a special relationship to Mother Earth (Gaia) and that she has been protecting me. Margot scoffed (as would I) at the supernatural helping me on my journey. I had asked about severe thunderstorms and Margot checked, letting me know that a very bad system was heading my way. I was prepared but asked Gaia for assistance since my tires are getting worn and I am worried about the possibility of hydroplaning and having an accident. So while Margot was telling me what time the storm with the heavy downpour and hail should arrive, she was surprised when I told her I received just a few drops and that the road continued to remain dry. As she watched the radar, a bubble of cloudlessness opened up along my path and quickly closed behind me with heavy rain. My path remained dry and here I now sit at a rest stop in Atchafalaya, Louisiana without a cloud in the sky. I will rest for now.
Nature Ali's Grand Adventure - Day 22, July 11th.
I left Gainesville hoping to make some distance but alas, wanting to revisit St. Marks Wildlife Refuge, progress was shorter than hoped. I was amazed at how many Swallow-tailed Kites I saw along the road to St. Marks. What a beautiful bird! I then saw a bird which reminded me of an Acorn Woodpecker… I had been wondering when I would see another Red-headed Woodpecker and there it was on top of a telephone pole. I turned around to get a photo but it flew. Someday, I will find and photograph this cool woodpecker.
I arrived at St. Marks as a thunderstorm was threatening but I asked Mother Nature to help stave it off until I had gotten in a hike. She has been so helpful this trip, parting the clouds and cooling the temperature to reasonable wherever I have traveled. I went immediately to the lighthouse trail to see what birds and other critters were about. I wasn’t disappointed… many herons including a full breeding plumage Reddish Egret (too far away for good photos) and a pure white fledgling Little Blue Heron. I have been searching every shallow area for damselflies and dragonflies hoping to get photos to help Dennis Paulson complete his book, but I don’t seem to be able to find anything out of the ordinary.
I did scare up a Least Bittern while searching. What a cool and secretive bird. I thought it time to leave just as a wicked rainstorm hit. I welcomed the cool rain while I was driving along the speed restricted refuge road.
I then headed to Carabelle, one of my favorite stops on Highway 98, it didn’t disappoint with American Oystercatchers, a Short-billed Dowitcher, Godwits, Willets, Brown Pelicans, and the ever present Laughing Gulls. There were plenty of people fishing and one particularly spoiled Great Blue Heron which was looking for handouts and being photographed by this grateful photographer. Continuing on I called my brother who finally answered his phone and enjoyed a brief visit with him before laying out my sleeping bag on his floor and calling it a night.
I arrived at St. Marks as a thunderstorm was threatening but I asked Mother Nature to help stave it off until I had gotten in a hike. She has been so helpful this trip, parting the clouds and cooling the temperature to reasonable wherever I have traveled. I went immediately to the lighthouse trail to see what birds and other critters were about. I wasn’t disappointed… many herons including a full breeding plumage Reddish Egret (too far away for good photos) and a pure white fledgling Little Blue Heron. I have been searching every shallow area for damselflies and dragonflies hoping to get photos to help Dennis Paulson complete his book, but I don’t seem to be able to find anything out of the ordinary.
I did scare up a Least Bittern while searching. What a cool and secretive bird. I thought it time to leave just as a wicked rainstorm hit. I welcomed the cool rain while I was driving along the speed restricted refuge road.
I then headed to Carabelle, one of my favorite stops on Highway 98, it didn’t disappoint with American Oystercatchers, a Short-billed Dowitcher, Godwits, Willets, Brown Pelicans, and the ever present Laughing Gulls. There were plenty of people fishing and one particularly spoiled Great Blue Heron which was looking for handouts and being photographed by this grateful photographer. Continuing on I called my brother who finally answered his phone and enjoyed a brief visit with him before laying out my sleeping bag on his floor and calling it a night.
Nature Ali's Grand Adventure - Day 21, July 10th.
Went on an adventure with my Mother in search of the Florida Scrub-Jay and the elusive Limpkin; success on the jays but skunked again on the Limpkin. Ocala National Forest is east of Ocala and has many varied habitats. We visited the scrub and then went to Alexander Spring where they charged to enter. There were no Limpkins but the spring was pretty neat looking and full of people enjoying swimming although they seemed a little lax about the lightening that was striking all around.
After we left I enjoyed two Sandhill Cranes that were hanging out on Hwy 442. There were two more on Highway 19. Then we hit a really wicked rainstorm where traffic slowed to 40 mph on Interstate 75. I was really glad the people responded to not being able to see anything, instead of blasting down the highway and causing accidents. Back to Mom’s to pack for the journey to continue.
181 miles
After we left I enjoyed two Sandhill Cranes that were hanging out on Hwy 442. There were two more on Highway 19. Then we hit a really wicked rainstorm where traffic slowed to 40 mph on Interstate 75. I was really glad the people responded to not being able to see anything, instead of blasting down the highway and causing accidents. Back to Mom’s to pack for the journey to continue.
181 miles
Nature Ali's Grand Adventure - Day 20, July 9th.
I stayed at my mother’s house in Gainesville and visited with her and my sister all day. I didn’t even go out, just worked on my very tardy blog entries and photos. I can’t believe my amazing sister; she is going through chemo and was still tending to Mom and trying to serve me which I was thankful for her attention but wanted to be there for her not the other way around.
Nature Ali's Grand Adventure - Day 19, July 8th.
My intent today was to bird Shark Valley as recommended by my friend Ellen. I was looking forward to seeing the so-far elusive Limpkin. I saw a sign for the loop road off of Tamiami Trail through the Big Cypress National Preserve so I figured that would be a good road to go on… not… did see some huge alligators, but the pavement soon gives way to a dirt road that was filled with water in many places. It made for 30 miles of slow cautious driving with no real opportunity to bird unless you count as birds the five-pound mosquitoes that were capable of carrying off small children. Needless to say I was very glad to be driving in an enclosed vehicle.
Speaking of vehicles, my truck “Xena” is a hybrid Ford Escape, and she has taken me so many places that no car would ever have been able to go. I was continuously destroying the suspension on my street cars, so I knew an SUV was something I really needed but could not justify the ecological footprint of something that only would get 15-20 miles per gallon, so I bought this truck in October 2007. While the price tag is still high, I am ever so happy to have this truck and the freedom it affords me. Besides, I am getting an average of over 30 mpg on this trip which is quite a savings.
Back to the adventure; I bought a National Parks Passport which you can get stamped at all federal lands, but since I arrived too late to get it stamped at the lower Everglades and my 30-mile detour had me miss Shark Valley entirely I headed toward the Gulf entrance to Everglades. Stopping at the Big Cypress office first, I met this woman who was such a doll, enthusiastic and helpful and she really seemed interested in my journey. I got my passport stamped and headed off to Everglades.
The fellow at the visitor’s center was such a polar opposite from the woman at Big Cypress, he did not seem one bit interested in helping, just grunted where the passport station was and answered my questions with very quick answers, disappointing. Anyway, I saw some cool fish swimming in the marina where you can get 2 hour tours by boat of the islands nearby. The price was listed as about thirty dollars for either trip, which was intriguing but I had too much ground to cover to stop and even think about taking that much time out of my day.
I left Everglades to find Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp which I had heard so many wonderful things about especially the prospect of seeing Pileated Woodpeckers in numbers. I found the sanctuary to be everything I had expected plus more. I stopped and visited with the Center Director, Ed, his assistant Laurie and other staff. They were most helpful in my quest for answers about running the Center. (I am working on the plans for a Center back at the Kern River Preserve.) I took off down their 2.2 mile long boardwalk and took every detour that was offered. What an amazing walk. While I did find my much sought after Pileated, there were not too many other birds out in mid day but the walk was very pleasant and the weather while muggy wasn’t too unbearably hot. I want to visit this place again and again.
After my visit I programmed in Mom’s address and drove straight to Gainesville arriving after 10 p.m.
Speaking of vehicles, my truck “Xena” is a hybrid Ford Escape, and she has taken me so many places that no car would ever have been able to go. I was continuously destroying the suspension on my street cars, so I knew an SUV was something I really needed but could not justify the ecological footprint of something that only would get 15-20 miles per gallon, so I bought this truck in October 2007. While the price tag is still high, I am ever so happy to have this truck and the freedom it affords me. Besides, I am getting an average of over 30 mpg on this trip which is quite a savings.
Back to the adventure; I bought a National Parks Passport which you can get stamped at all federal lands, but since I arrived too late to get it stamped at the lower Everglades and my 30-mile detour had me miss Shark Valley entirely I headed toward the Gulf entrance to Everglades. Stopping at the Big Cypress office first, I met this woman who was such a doll, enthusiastic and helpful and she really seemed interested in my journey. I got my passport stamped and headed off to Everglades.
The fellow at the visitor’s center was such a polar opposite from the woman at Big Cypress, he did not seem one bit interested in helping, just grunted where the passport station was and answered my questions with very quick answers, disappointing. Anyway, I saw some cool fish swimming in the marina where you can get 2 hour tours by boat of the islands nearby. The price was listed as about thirty dollars for either trip, which was intriguing but I had too much ground to cover to stop and even think about taking that much time out of my day.
I left Everglades to find Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp which I had heard so many wonderful things about especially the prospect of seeing Pileated Woodpeckers in numbers. I found the sanctuary to be everything I had expected plus more. I stopped and visited with the Center Director, Ed, his assistant Laurie and other staff. They were most helpful in my quest for answers about running the Center. (I am working on the plans for a Center back at the Kern River Preserve.) I took off down their 2.2 mile long boardwalk and took every detour that was offered. What an amazing walk. While I did find my much sought after Pileated, there were not too many other birds out in mid day but the walk was very pleasant and the weather while muggy wasn’t too unbearably hot. I want to visit this place again and again.
After my visit I programmed in Mom’s address and drove straight to Gainesville arriving after 10 p.m.
Nature Ali's Grand Adventure - Day 18, July 7th.
Key West is an interesting place. I had seen the White-crowned Pigeon the day before but was really wanting to get a decent photo, so I looked in my Florida Birding Guide (thanks Bill Pranty) and found a few locations listed. I went to the Pigeon Preserve near the airport and success! Not the absolute best photos but good enough to share.
The time of year as I have been told many times is wrong but I have seen a lot of birds in breeding plumage and many more fledglings this trip so it is worth it except for the never abating mosquitoes. I continued to the botanical garden which is really nice, not the best birding spot for the time of day or year though. The people there were really interested in talking but as this was one of the solo parts of my journey I was selfishly just wanting to get hiking and birding.
I left Key West for the return trip along the long chain of islands stopping only for the occasional bird. I did take the toll road back and found that quite charming and relatively good for birding. I continued north to the Everglades and had set a goal to watch the sunset at Flamingo. The visitors center was closed but it provided the first Common Nighthawks since California. I blasted down to Flamingo but didn’t beat the sunset… the mosquitoes were the worst of the trip and I beat a hasty retreat back to my car. I headed back toward the entrance with the intent of finding a place to pull over and sleep.
The time of year as I have been told many times is wrong but I have seen a lot of birds in breeding plumage and many more fledglings this trip so it is worth it except for the never abating mosquitoes. I continued to the botanical garden which is really nice, not the best birding spot for the time of day or year though. The people there were really interested in talking but as this was one of the solo parts of my journey I was selfishly just wanting to get hiking and birding.
I left Key West for the return trip along the long chain of islands stopping only for the occasional bird. I did take the toll road back and found that quite charming and relatively good for birding. I continued north to the Everglades and had set a goal to watch the sunset at Flamingo. The visitors center was closed but it provided the first Common Nighthawks since California. I blasted down to Flamingo but didn’t beat the sunset… the mosquitoes were the worst of the trip and I beat a hasty retreat back to my car. I headed back toward the entrance with the intent of finding a place to pull over and sleep.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Nature Ali's Grand Adventure - Day 17, July 6th.
Waking at dawn I figured I needed to find the nearest place to bird before continuing toward the keys. I hadn’t really been birding at the optimum time so my list was languishing with few new discoveries. I really wanted to find Snail Kite and Limpkin and the name Loxahatchee stuck in my mind as possibilities for where to find those species, so off I went arriving shortly before 8 in the morning.
The butterflies at the Visitor Center were magnificent. I started to walk down the cypress boardwalk trail but found I was donating an excessive amount of blood to the local mosquito population. Back to the car for a deet dip and then to another trail that might be more productive. I asked where to find both of my target birds and was motioned toward the marsh trail. A lovely trail with less mosquitoes but it started to rain so I grabbed my umbrella and off I went. Many dragonflies but not many birds; there was a family of Common Moorhen in the little canal to the south of the trail. I took a few photos and then walked another ½ mile before I heard the cackle of rails I didn’t recognize. Turned out to be a family of Purple Gallinules that were warning the rest of the family of a lurking American Alligator, they surrounded the poor beast clucking the whole time. He just sank further into the water in a hunting posture. I watched the unfolding drama for about 15-minutes before continuing my journey. It remained a stand-off. The clouds broke and the sun began to shine brightly so I opened my umbrella to ward off the hot rays since I had taken off without any water, it made for a relatively comfortable walk. I continued on looking for Limpkin at every corner, but alas not to be found. I watched a Red-shouldered Hawk fly out of the forest followed closely by a bird I hadn’t seen before! Success, two Snail Kites flew out to enjoy the thermal that the hawk and vultures had found. I left satisfied with one more species under my belt and continued my quest to get to Key West.
Made the mistake of thinking Highway 1 wouldn’t be much worse than the turnpike where there were tolls… next time I will just pay the tolls, what a nightmare of stop light after stop light. Got through Miami and started onto the keys. The first key is Key Largo. The keys are a series of small narrow islands that are connected by relatively short bridges except for one 7-mile long bridge. It was not what I had expected, I thought there was a 30-mile long bridge… not on this trip.
Anyway, I stopped at a wildlife care center in Key Largo… that was one of the better choices for a stop. Full of cages of rehab animals, some of which I had never seen before. They also were a location for many other birds that found the place welcoming.
The butterflies at the Visitor Center were magnificent. I started to walk down the cypress boardwalk trail but found I was donating an excessive amount of blood to the local mosquito population. Back to the car for a deet dip and then to another trail that might be more productive. I asked where to find both of my target birds and was motioned toward the marsh trail. A lovely trail with less mosquitoes but it started to rain so I grabbed my umbrella and off I went. Many dragonflies but not many birds; there was a family of Common Moorhen in the little canal to the south of the trail. I took a few photos and then walked another ½ mile before I heard the cackle of rails I didn’t recognize. Turned out to be a family of Purple Gallinules that were warning the rest of the family of a lurking American Alligator, they surrounded the poor beast clucking the whole time. He just sank further into the water in a hunting posture. I watched the unfolding drama for about 15-minutes before continuing my journey. It remained a stand-off. The clouds broke and the sun began to shine brightly so I opened my umbrella to ward off the hot rays since I had taken off without any water, it made for a relatively comfortable walk. I continued on looking for Limpkin at every corner, but alas not to be found. I watched a Red-shouldered Hawk fly out of the forest followed closely by a bird I hadn’t seen before! Success, two Snail Kites flew out to enjoy the thermal that the hawk and vultures had found. I left satisfied with one more species under my belt and continued my quest to get to Key West.
Made the mistake of thinking Highway 1 wouldn’t be much worse than the turnpike where there were tolls… next time I will just pay the tolls, what a nightmare of stop light after stop light. Got through Miami and started onto the keys. The first key is Key Largo. The keys are a series of small narrow islands that are connected by relatively short bridges except for one 7-mile long bridge. It was not what I had expected, I thought there was a 30-mile long bridge… not on this trip.
Anyway, I stopped at a wildlife care center in Key Largo… that was one of the better choices for a stop. Full of cages of rehab animals, some of which I had never seen before. They also were a location for many other birds that found the place welcoming.
Nature Ali's Grand Adventure - Day 16, July 5th.
I left the motel with all intents to drive to Key West, but thought I hadn’t done enough birding so I stopped at a rest stop in Georgia and the helpful man told me of Jekyll Island. I thought it sounded interesting so headed off for a quick tour of the place. I didn’t know Manatees ranged in Georgia. I didn’t see any but there were signs all over the place to watch for manatees. The island itself was nice.
I went to the nature center and birded a bit but since I am here at the wrong season there isn’t as much to see but the butterflies and dragonflies are impressive. I did find a Northern Parula feeding in the shrubs and trees near the nature center. I then drove to the beach by the convention center and found lots of Laughing Gulls and a few terns. Among the gulls a strange gull that turned out to be an out of place Black-headed Gull. A lifer for me and somewhat of a frustration since I can’t get on the Internet and let local birders know of this unusual bird in breeding plumage. Damn AT&T!
Anyway, more nature trails to explore. Found a skink at the campground on the north end of the island. I finished my visit to the island by visiting their Visitor’s Center and taking in the view from their newly constructed viewing platform. An impressive structure indeed! I left Georgia behind and drove straight down I-95 stopping at a reststop to get some sleep.
I went to the nature center and birded a bit but since I am here at the wrong season there isn’t as much to see but the butterflies and dragonflies are impressive. I did find a Northern Parula feeding in the shrubs and trees near the nature center. I then drove to the beach by the convention center and found lots of Laughing Gulls and a few terns. Among the gulls a strange gull that turned out to be an out of place Black-headed Gull. A lifer for me and somewhat of a frustration since I can’t get on the Internet and let local birders know of this unusual bird in breeding plumage. Damn AT&T!
Anyway, more nature trails to explore. Found a skink at the campground on the north end of the island. I finished my visit to the island by visiting their Visitor’s Center and taking in the view from their newly constructed viewing platform. An impressive structure indeed! I left Georgia behind and drove straight down I-95 stopping at a reststop to get some sleep.
Nature Ali's Grand Adventure - Day 15, July 4th.
Reluctantly, I left Manassas after a wonderful visit with my family. I am so proud to be related to all of them. Headed down to rendezvous for a quick two-hour brunch with my adopted sis, Gail and her husband Guy. It is so interesting, they live around the block from my sister Margot and Gail is exactly one year younger than Margot. Although they are very dissimilar, they both have wonderful senses of humor. I love hearing both laugh and they crack me up with their wit.
Anyway, drove along Interstate-98 toward Florida and stopped only at rest stops along the way. Still enough time was spent to pick up another life bird; a Blue-headed Vireo. The Crepe Myrtle at a South Carolina at dusk was amazing as it was covered with many species of dragonflies. Apparently the dragons are desperate to find lodging for the night, while walking one buzzed me then landed on my shoulder. That was so cool!
Spent the night at a motel in Hinesville, Georgia.
604 miles
Anyway, drove along Interstate-98 toward Florida and stopped only at rest stops along the way. Still enough time was spent to pick up another life bird; a Blue-headed Vireo. The Crepe Myrtle at a South Carolina at dusk was amazing as it was covered with many species of dragonflies. Apparently the dragons are desperate to find lodging for the night, while walking one buzzed me then landed on my shoulder. That was so cool!
Spent the night at a motel in Hinesville, Georgia.
604 miles
Nature Ali’s Grand Adventure – Day 14, July 3rd.
I met Liz at 7:30 a.m at Huntley Meadows Park in Alexandria, VA. This was a great park where I saw so many great birds and several lifers. The park has a trail that leads to a boardwalk along a marsh. I was so impressed with Liz’s love for nature and her brilliant observation skills, she saw so many things that I would have missed had she not pointed them out. It was such a thrill to bird with a true naturalist, a first since I left California.
I reluctantly left Liz’s company for lunch with my brother and his family. I rendezvoused with Margot at Rich’s house where I saw my nephews for the first time this trip. Alex and Zach certainly have grown. They are such cute kids and Kate and Rich are wonderfully doting parents. Rich and Kate recently bought this house after selling their condo with the help of the HGTV program “Get it Sold”.
The ever passionate homeowner, Rich after giving us a quick tour of the house showed us his project… the backyard! His goal is to make it really kid friendly so tree removal, shrub relocating and land leveling are parts of the process. Margot and I helped do some weeding and raking before the rain put a stop to the project.
After the rain shower, we all got some great Thai food and went to the local park with the boys. What a great playground. They played and played while we visited a bit. Then Margot and I returned to her home where packing for the continuing journey was on the agenda.
Local driving today.
I reluctantly left Liz’s company for lunch with my brother and his family. I rendezvoused with Margot at Rich’s house where I saw my nephews for the first time this trip. Alex and Zach certainly have grown. They are such cute kids and Kate and Rich are wonderfully doting parents. Rich and Kate recently bought this house after selling their condo with the help of the HGTV program “Get it Sold”.
The ever passionate homeowner, Rich after giving us a quick tour of the house showed us his project… the backyard! His goal is to make it really kid friendly so tree removal, shrub relocating and land leveling are parts of the process. Margot and I helped do some weeding and raking before the rain put a stop to the project.
After the rain shower, we all got some great Thai food and went to the local park with the boys. What a great playground. They played and played while we visited a bit. Then Margot and I returned to her home where packing for the continuing journey was on the agenda.
Local driving today.
Nature Ali’s Grand Adventure – Day 13, July 2nd.
I had always wanted to visit the White House but it was one stop I had never had the opportunity. My sister-in-law works for the Office of Management and Budget at the White House so I finagled a tour from her. She was a great tour guide… while she didn’t know the normal spiel it was good to just be with a normal person who could comment on things we found mutually interesting. Of course, I expect she thinks me even weirder than before as it was the squirrel and birds on the grounds that made me more excited. The grounds have the trees marked which always helps me narrow down what I might be seeing in parks around Kern County.
After our visit, I left Kate as I was anxious to get out of my fancy clothes and into more comfortable shoes. Off to visit the Washington, DC office of Audubon. That is a great office full of interesting and passionate people dedicated to the cause of protecting our planet. Have I mentioned how much I love Audubon and all that our organization does? I met all of the staff but was especially pleased to meet Liz Pomper who is a Facebook friend. Her enthusiasm and smile was a sight for sore eyes. She introduced me to everyone in the office.
We set a date to meet for birding in the morning and then I left to lobby my Senators about strengthening the Global Climate Change legislation while making sure there were habitat protections in the bill. Afterwords I walked around the National Mall photographing the buildings and of course the critters. A family of Great-crested Flycatchers was nesting across from the Hart Office building on the Capitol grounds.
I then drove to Roosevelt Island Park to hike the trail and bird. It was muggy and although the sun was shining it began to pour while I was on the backside of the park. I got soaked but the weather was warm and my only concern was getting the cameras wet. I came across the memorial to Teddy Roosevelt in the middle of the island. A neat place with a statue of the man and some beautiful fountains, it looks as though the park service neglects this place which makes it more rustic. The ambience suits the vision I have of Teddy… after his tour as President he became the first Vice-President of Audubon so I feel a strong connection to his legacy.
Another day with only local driving.
After our visit, I left Kate as I was anxious to get out of my fancy clothes and into more comfortable shoes. Off to visit the Washington, DC office of Audubon. That is a great office full of interesting and passionate people dedicated to the cause of protecting our planet. Have I mentioned how much I love Audubon and all that our organization does? I met all of the staff but was especially pleased to meet Liz Pomper who is a Facebook friend. Her enthusiasm and smile was a sight for sore eyes. She introduced me to everyone in the office.
We set a date to meet for birding in the morning and then I left to lobby my Senators about strengthening the Global Climate Change legislation while making sure there were habitat protections in the bill. Afterwords I walked around the National Mall photographing the buildings and of course the critters. A family of Great-crested Flycatchers was nesting across from the Hart Office building on the Capitol grounds.
I then drove to Roosevelt Island Park to hike the trail and bird. It was muggy and although the sun was shining it began to pour while I was on the backside of the park. I got soaked but the weather was warm and my only concern was getting the cameras wet. I came across the memorial to Teddy Roosevelt in the middle of the island. A neat place with a statue of the man and some beautiful fountains, it looks as though the park service neglects this place which makes it more rustic. The ambience suits the vision I have of Teddy… after his tour as President he became the first Vice-President of Audubon so I feel a strong connection to his legacy.
Another day with only local driving.
Nature Ali’s Grand Adventure – Day 12, July 1st.
This reststop in Manassas, VA was so needed both Margot and I were exhausted from a break neck pace the previous four days. I just worked on my blog and processed photos while sleeping much of the day. My Aunt Mary Lou and Uncle Ken invited us over for a birthday party (almost two months early) but since we never celebrate together it was really fun. I shared photos of the Kern River Preserve and the adventure so far with them. Then Aunt Mary Lou and I got into a great discussion about our family tree. They are such sweet people; it is always a joy to spend time with them.
Nothing but local driving today.
Nothing but local driving today.
Nature Ali's Grand Adventure - Day 11, June 30th.
I grew up in the Village of Pelham Manor, NY and had not been there since I was a child. Took a quick trip around the town realizing that the town apparently shrunk since I was a child, I used to walk ten miles to school and now the walk was only a mile. It is so strange how the house I grew up in was the same size but the yard looked so much smaller. A beautiful village that has changed little except for the residents and the names of the stores, the old pizzeria at Four Corners is still there, but the Grand Union I worked at is now a CVS Pharmacy.
We left the old homestead for a lunch appointment with my fellow staffers at Audubon in Manhattan. We programmed the GPS to take us to 225 Varick Street in New York unfortunately; it took us to Brooklyn instead of into the city. The detour made us really late for our lunch date, but we made it.
It was really nice to meet so many of the people I have only communicated with via email or phone. We went to a nice Italian Restaurant with Anna and Susan. The lunch was really long but I really enjoyed the company. I am glad I don’t work in the New York office though; the traffic alone would stress me beyond reason. It is nice to know how many wonderful capable people run Audubon.
Unfortunately the long lunch left little time for me to visit my childhood girlfriend Liz. (Plus the city traffic really got me frazzled although my sister commented how quickly my polite California driving style reverted to the aggressive New York driving of my youth).
We left the city on a quest to see Cape May, New Jersey and help me get in some birding for the day. Got down to Cape May just before sunset and enjoyed the beautiful resort town with lots of birds, quaint buildings and handsome cabs giving tourists a nice evening look at the town. We drove through Delaware and Maryland and arrived in Manassas around midnight.
430 miles
We left the old homestead for a lunch appointment with my fellow staffers at Audubon in Manhattan. We programmed the GPS to take us to 225 Varick Street in New York unfortunately; it took us to Brooklyn instead of into the city. The detour made us really late for our lunch date, but we made it.
It was really nice to meet so many of the people I have only communicated with via email or phone. We went to a nice Italian Restaurant with Anna and Susan. The lunch was really long but I really enjoyed the company. I am glad I don’t work in the New York office though; the traffic alone would stress me beyond reason. It is nice to know how many wonderful capable people run Audubon.
Unfortunately the long lunch left little time for me to visit my childhood girlfriend Liz. (Plus the city traffic really got me frazzled although my sister commented how quickly my polite California driving style reverted to the aggressive New York driving of my youth).
We left the city on a quest to see Cape May, New Jersey and help me get in some birding for the day. Got down to Cape May just before sunset and enjoyed the beautiful resort town with lots of birds, quaint buildings and handsome cabs giving tourists a nice evening look at the town. We drove through Delaware and Maryland and arrived in Manassas around midnight.
430 miles
Nature Ali's Grand Adventure - Day 10, June 29th.
Went to Acadia National Park, Maine where pretty much every bird Margot saw were life birds but since she isn’t a birder yet she didn’t seem impressed with my two lifers; Common Eider and Black Guillemot. Bar Harbor was a nice little town where we enjoyed breakfast and then went back to exploring the park.
The day stayed relatively dreary with fog and drizzle but the sun did break through on occasion. Margot went to sleep in the back of the truck as I explored Cadillac Mountain and the rest of Acadia. After exploring the lighthouse where Margot awoke (she loves lighthouses!) we left the park to continue the adventure heading south for the first time.
I drove for a bit then Margot took back over. She drove through New Hampshire and Massachusetts, where I apparently dozed through most of Boston. We ended up in Watch Hill Rhode Island where I took back over the driving. Margot spent many summers at a friends house in Watch Hill. I never knew about her adventures there and was thrilled to learn of her life there. We then headed on to Stamford, Connecticut where we took a motel for the night.
489 miles
The day stayed relatively dreary with fog and drizzle but the sun did break through on occasion. Margot went to sleep in the back of the truck as I explored Cadillac Mountain and the rest of Acadia. After exploring the lighthouse where Margot awoke (she loves lighthouses!) we left the park to continue the adventure heading south for the first time.
I drove for a bit then Margot took back over. She drove through New Hampshire and Massachusetts, where I apparently dozed through most of Boston. We ended up in Watch Hill Rhode Island where I took back over the driving. Margot spent many summers at a friends house in Watch Hill. I never knew about her adventures there and was thrilled to learn of her life there. We then headed on to Stamford, Connecticut where we took a motel for the night.
489 miles
Nature Ali's Grand Adventure - Day 9, June 28th.
We toured Niagara Falls which is an amazing place. It was the first location where the weather was not as cooperative with light rain on and off all day. The falls are split basically in two with Horseshoe Falls separating the United States from Canada. The American Falls are solely in the U.S.
We wandered around taking photos and then hiked on the Three Sisters Islands, we called our sister Tara so all three Sheehey sisters were present on the Island, it made the experience more complete. Margot and I wished Tara was with us but cell phones are great for sharing the moment.
We would have driven into Canada which would have been a first for me but alas, you now need a passport to visit our neighbors now. Got to love all the freedoms we lost with the Patriot Act.
Anyway, with a wish to visit all of the New England states we drove off to Bennington, Vermont and then down to Massachusetts and New Hampshire on our way to Maine. Margot drove almost the entire way as exhaustion set in and I was falling asleep at the wheel. She was amazing as she drove all night. We arrived at Bar Harbor, Maine as dawn broke.
739 miles
We wandered around taking photos and then hiked on the Three Sisters Islands, we called our sister Tara so all three Sheehey sisters were present on the Island, it made the experience more complete. Margot and I wished Tara was with us but cell phones are great for sharing the moment.
We would have driven into Canada which would have been a first for me but alas, you now need a passport to visit our neighbors now. Got to love all the freedoms we lost with the Patriot Act.
Anyway, with a wish to visit all of the New England states we drove off to Bennington, Vermont and then down to Massachusetts and New Hampshire on our way to Maine. Margot drove almost the entire way as exhaustion set in and I was falling asleep at the wheel. She was amazing as she drove all night. We arrived at Bar Harbor, Maine as dawn broke.
739 miles
Nature Ali's Grand Adventure - Day 8, June 27th.
I woke at dawn quickly brushing my teeth and getting back on the road. I didn’t bird in Indiana but pushed on to Ohio where I was to meet my sister at 7:30 p.m. The only traffic I encountered during the trip was a little slow down two hours into Ohio, a truck lost control on an overpass and shed its contents of light beer on the highway below where an unsuspecting motorist crashed causing much damage to their vehicle. Continuing on, I did have an opportunity to bird a rest stop five hours later just outside of Cleveland where I saw my first Black-capped Chickadee.
I saw a sparrow that I have yet to identify (I believe Henslow’s Sparrow); that pretty much means it is a life bird. Drove into Cleveland to view Lake Erie, nice big lake but far too busy for me. The stadium for the Cleveland Indians is right off of the Interstate and straight down the road is the stadium for the Cleveland Browns next to the Rock & Roll Museum. The flags were at half-staff in memory of Michael Jackson.
Margot’s bus was over a half-hour late so we took a quick tour around the downtown area and then headed off to New York via Pennsylvania. We arrived well after dark and stopped at a motel just outside of Buffalo.
523 miles
I saw a sparrow that I have yet to identify (I believe Henslow’s Sparrow); that pretty much means it is a life bird. Drove into Cleveland to view Lake Erie, nice big lake but far too busy for me. The stadium for the Cleveland Indians is right off of the Interstate and straight down the road is the stadium for the Cleveland Browns next to the Rock & Roll Museum. The flags were at half-staff in memory of Michael Jackson.
Margot’s bus was over a half-hour late so we took a quick tour around the downtown area and then headed off to New York via Pennsylvania. We arrived well after dark and stopped at a motel just outside of Buffalo.
523 miles
Nature Ali's Grand Adventure - Day 7, June 26th.
I awoke at dawn to continue down the road. My GPS unit is programmed to avoid toll roads which was a good thing because as soon as I left the Interstate I started seeing lots of wildlife including my first and only Scissor-tailed Flycatcher of the trip. On a rural dirt road there were many wonderful butterflies and dragonflies.
Continuing on I tried to find a little food and then looked for a nice place to picnic. I stopped in Lawrence at the Prairie Park Nature Center. A really lovely place run by the city, more butterflies and dragonflies and several reptiles including a black snake. This was the first really hot place that I visited. Muggy is not a word common in the Kern River Valley and now I remember how uncomfortable heat and high humidity can be, although, the diversity of dragonflies certainly benefits from such conditions.
Leaving Kansas behind, I entered Missouri but did not see the Arch in Saint Louis. I only stopped at a rest stop to try to find a few state birds, since this was the first time ever in most of these states. I saw a huge snapping turtle in the rest stop wastewater ponds. Just a few other birds but driving was the only real agenda for the day. I entered Illinois as the sun was setting, so really didn’t bird in the state… just a few blackbirds for that state list.
I continued on and entered Indiana well after dark. I stopped for the night at a rest stop, only problem is trying to be unnoticed so no one especially the police would hassle me became a problem when they arrested a guy for drunk driving right next to where I parked. I woke up needing to use the facilities but it took over two hours to process the guy and have his car towed. Boy that was not helpful in getting rest.
688 miles
Continuing on I tried to find a little food and then looked for a nice place to picnic. I stopped in Lawrence at the Prairie Park Nature Center. A really lovely place run by the city, more butterflies and dragonflies and several reptiles including a black snake. This was the first really hot place that I visited. Muggy is not a word common in the Kern River Valley and now I remember how uncomfortable heat and high humidity can be, although, the diversity of dragonflies certainly benefits from such conditions.
Leaving Kansas behind, I entered Missouri but did not see the Arch in Saint Louis. I only stopped at a rest stop to try to find a few state birds, since this was the first time ever in most of these states. I saw a huge snapping turtle in the rest stop wastewater ponds. Just a few other birds but driving was the only real agenda for the day. I entered Illinois as the sun was setting, so really didn’t bird in the state… just a few blackbirds for that state list.
I continued on and entered Indiana well after dark. I stopped for the night at a rest stop, only problem is trying to be unnoticed so no one especially the police would hassle me became a problem when they arrested a guy for drunk driving right next to where I parked. I woke up needing to use the facilities but it took over two hours to process the guy and have his car towed. Boy that was not helpful in getting rest.
688 miles
Florissant Fossil Beds NM to central Kansas - Nature Ali's Grand Adventure - Day 6, June 25th.
Left Florissant for a quick 1430 mile drive to pick up my sister in Cleveland, OH. I stopped to take photos of amazing clouds accenting fields of yellow flowers in eastern Colorado. Then soon entered Kansas with amazing thunderstorms to the north and south but clear sailing along I-70, Mother-Nature always seems to clear a path for me.
591 miles
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Florissant & Cripple Creek Colorado - Nature Ali's Grand Adventure - Day 5, June 24th.
I awoke to the song of many birds, but I didn't recognize many of the songs. But looking them up would have to wait, exhaustion really took hold after little sleep most of the trip, Brandon and Desiree went to work and I back to sleep for a few hours.
Arches National Park to Florissant Colorado - Nature Ali's Grand Adventure - Day 4, June 23rd.
The point of the visit was to see arches, but there were amazing vistas as well; balanced rocks, petrified sand dunes, and impressive monoliths. I hiked on many of the trails where arches were to be found and wasn't planning to stop at Balanced Rock but there was a Park Service employee with a sign saying ask about birds... how could I resist. She had a scope trained on a now abandoned raven nest. Her day was ending just as I arrived so I hiked around the rock, an impressive piece of natural sculpture.
I took the drive to the Delicate Arch viewing area which really is an impressive arch. Then I decided to head toward Devils Garden and see what other arches were in the park.On my way I stopped to find an arch I saw from the road, but couldn't find it as there were no trails, interesting that this geological area wasn't interpreted until two Peregrine Falcons appeared... no wonder, the Park Service was protecting this area without mentioning why.
The Peregrines were diving on a White-throated Swift and both species were really giving a show, unfortunately I did not have my long-lens with me thinking I was just going to photograph landscapes. I do not know the fate of the swift as they flew over the ridge but that bird looked really tired. I found multiple arches beyond along with some amazing rock formations.After leaving Arches at 6:30 p.m. I drove non-stop and reached Florissant, Colorado at 2:30 am.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Bryce Canyon, Grand Staircase Escalante & Capitol Reef National Parks - Nature Ali's Grand Adventure - Day 3. June 22nd.
I drove into Bryce as dawn broke at 5 a.m. A family of pronghorn lazily grazed beside the road. Dad was to my left and Mom with her twins was to my right. No great photos but a fun way to start the day. Of course, the day had me thinking of my own family and my brother Ned who was hopefully enjoying his birthday.
I left to explore Capitol Reef via Grand Staircase - Escalante. The Grand Staircase is an amazing place, you can see for miles and just my luck the day was pretty clear. The drive is over 110 miles from Bryce to Capitol Reef and their is no cell service or other services. Gas and food are needed before heading out on this adventure.
I continued on to Arches National Park, where the campgrounds were full so I spent the night in an expensive motel in Moab. I did get access to the internet there though so it had a benefit.
Mono Lake through Nevada - Nature Ali's Grand Adventure - Day 2, June 21st.
A leisurely morning led to the Sunday morning Butterfly Ramble where I took a group of 15 enthusiastic nature lovers out butterflying. There were few butterflies, although on the trip down the Lee Vining Creek trail several Behr's Hairstreak were found on their hostplant "Bitterbrush". I then led the group to Mono County Park where just a few more butterflies were found. The weather just wasn't cooperative for butterflying ; it was too cool and breezy.
I saw many year birds and mammals at Mono Lake Visitor Center and Mono County Park, but didn't spend enough time to really bird well.
The end of the festival picnic was fun with a group selling delicious Indian tacos as a fundraiser for their group. There was music in the park which was ok but a bit loud for my taste, then a bird and other things calling contest... that was fun... lots of great imitations and then some not so great... I won second place for my imitation of a Spotted Owl. As a prize I received a book on Peregrine Falcons.
I didn't take too many photos of Mono Lake this time. Just photographed the critters encountered during scouting and a few during the field trip to try to ID after. Seems not enough time to focus on good photography, too much ground to cover.
Leaving California behind for the next month, I entered Nevada and drove for what felt like billions of miles. Some amazing views of geology and desert vegetation. Mostly Great Basin Desert, was surprised to see occasional pockets of Joshua tree. I guess the Mojave reaches far up the state in some places.
A magical moment occurred when I stopped to photograph wild horses. A pronghorn sauntered up to the fence and stared at me, while I was taking his photo, I noticed a badger that must have been foraging along the road just in front of my car. It was startled at the sudden appearance of a large black predator and took off running into the fenced field beyond the road; it did not stop for a long time.
A surprise lake appeared in the middle of nowhere where I saw the only ducks in Nevada. This was a pretty spot to stop but a pair of Prairie Falcons found it to be annoying that I would do such a thing and became pretty agitated, I quickly shot a few photos and left so I wouldn't continue disturbing their very apparent nesting area.
Almost out of Nevada, I stopped for gas and then headed down the road toward Bryce Canyon, thinking little towns are notorious for speed traps, I slowed to the requisite 25 mph albeit slowly in Panaca, NV, when the local sheriff quickly stopped me for going 27 mph. Still smiling over the horse, pronghorn, badger incident, I refused to let it bother me and related the story to the sheriff. He actually let me go with a warning (this was the first ticket I have ever talked a cop out of giving me even though no real cop would have given a ticket for that). The last thing I did before leaving Nevada was to insist that the gopher snake in the middle of the road find safer accommodations.
Finally arrived near Bryce at around 3 a.m. and stopped. I slept in my front seat on the side of the road because I was too tired to do anything else.
531 miles
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