tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43952909438357829222024-03-28T13:42:28.209-07:00Birds and Nature North AmericaA birding and wildlife and nature blog that features beautiful photographs of birds and wildlife and nature in North America (United States and Canada). Along with stories of back-roads travel and camping out solo in the wild and rural back-country. Also includes comments on American Culture and American History. Bruce Beehlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15885008878848042968noreply@blogger.comBlogger91125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4395290943835782922.post-29971765777092822382023-10-26T07:22:00.001-07:002023-10-26T07:22:10.198-07:00<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_nsVcmMX9Ho4f_Ow2TVvuJHfUNleiIIVA56fD1UIZTpaO3UUXRwAoK-efwTJHkWj_2vQpHLFuIackFejhIl2I4r_XDqetNsPXr9Y4lK8W7plgHAgHilgF0EcKaP6El_VZIy6bHnrE83UcNFnQ3oX_7kbkrZuigLLTgs-ARXcIlrK18DSMORUuxra1ejA/s1810/Sunset%20with%20Lighthouse.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1810" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_nsVcmMX9Ho4f_Ow2TVvuJHfUNleiIIVA56fD1UIZTpaO3UUXRwAoK-efwTJHkWj_2vQpHLFuIackFejhIl2I4r_XDqetNsPXr9Y4lK8W7plgHAgHilgF0EcKaP6El_VZIy6bHnrE83UcNFnQ3oX_7kbkrZuigLLTgs-ARXcIlrK18DSMORUuxra1ejA/w640-h318/Sunset%20with%20Lighthouse.JPG" width="640" /></a> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Cape May Lighthouse in the State Park at sunset.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><p style="text-align: center;">Cape May, New Jersey </p></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">18-21 October 2023</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg13iaVd7szy9R56c4rd_4uVJcKGcvbcSvXB7tx-lWQqM085CaWrLBrTW4RO_5qNRPQq58T3v5GCrVKIWRIiv4Ogsh6vpD_X-GhQ4UPNogL-19ZjcvqoLe07uBJiPhBiqiZWfgRLQ06nj9NPh36e7Znt0JL0ZGIKoxdqoy-KO7a1fALDUxtft8iLy7F9CY/s2859/Black%20Scoter%20flock%20closer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="2859" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg13iaVd7szy9R56c4rd_4uVJcKGcvbcSvXB7tx-lWQqM085CaWrLBrTW4RO_5qNRPQq58T3v5GCrVKIWRIiv4Ogsh6vpD_X-GhQ4UPNogL-19ZjcvqoLe07uBJiPhBiqiZWfgRLQ06nj9NPh36e7Znt0JL0ZGIKoxdqoy-KO7a1fALDUxtft8iLy7F9CY/w640-h236/Black%20Scoter%20flock%20closer.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">A flock of mainly adult male Black Scoters in joined by one adult male Surf Scoter near the front of the queue.</span><br /><p>My annual pilgrimage to Cape May took place in mid-October, a famous time for falcon migration at the Cape. I camped at the Depot Travel Park in West Cape May and visited many of the regular birding sites: Coral Avenue, the State Park and hawk watch platform, the TNC West Cape May Meadows, and the North Wildwood Breakwater. I was joined by David Wilcove and two of his Princeton grad students (Dan Liang and Fengyi Guo). In mornings we hung out with Michael O’Brien and Louise Zemaitis at the Coral Avenue platform overlooking the offshore “rips” which are good for waterbirds. And we bumped into friends from years past (naturalist Mark Garland, the ever-ebullient Amy Donovan and hubbie Tom O-Toole with Ruby their Tibetan Mastiff, among others). </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqnSoiDB5AV3FGpH3CAUGo2w0gK4fAhNsQevKkbwzUxJt1KDgjXv64kDwBLDxA36a7bjr5CmAa4_ubxmmO0yN9sbh7GcspxFVw8Tk8Asphpikscxn7DOWHRwRrbc2joQNp4tVwiLHOaKC5pVXRgJJCGv1UXiwC45f9qXu8pM21maV5Bq_RbJg0lq8zgf8/s1528/Downy%20Woodp.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1528" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqnSoiDB5AV3FGpH3CAUGo2w0gK4fAhNsQevKkbwzUxJt1KDgjXv64kDwBLDxA36a7bjr5CmAa4_ubxmmO0yN9sbh7GcspxFVw8Tk8Asphpikscxn7DOWHRwRrbc2joQNp4tVwiLHOaKC5pVXRgJJCGv1UXiwC45f9qXu8pM21maV5Bq_RbJg0lq8zgf8/w640-h502/Downy%20Woodp.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Male Downy Woodpecker drills on a plant stem to draw out tiny insect prey.</span></div><br /><p>Although weather.com had initially promised luscious northwest winds, when the time came, the weather forecasts degraded and our three days were punctuated by rain and poor wind direction. We saw very few falcons (not one American Kestrel!). Still, Cape May in October is fun even when the weather does not cooperate. We lowered our expectations and focused on enjoying what birds we could find in numbers: kinglets of both species, Myrtle Warblers, scoters, and Tree Swallows. I logged 85 species for the visit, which is not bad, considering the poor weather conditions. Highlights were Eared Grebe (at the Bunker Pond), Dickcissel, Bobolink, American Pipit (all three songbirds high overhead and calling), and Parasitic Jaeger (chasing terns in the Rips). A cuisine highlight was an early dinner visit to <i>Cape May Pho and Boba Tea</i>, at Cape May Courthouse where we dined on delicious variations of pho as well as other southeast Asian tasty delights. And we did lots of walking out in Nature, which is never a bad thing.</p><p>What follows are a few images that capture some of the visit’s natural pleasures… each image is captioned. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnNQd9nUUg4IgPkRw4YBoZwIllTNhBq7HegCtmMBvVwZLOf02jm0XjiTTiL-6kYj1XIYRUmMyu2Nlj7GlYOgeuNmXunZGNfOuDvMAnQLvYJWca5zuwvgkoxhOTPzOKvIEfYO8x49mRYqsha936WwVtwRn2U-oGuWXfUwSeQ-vqHGmAArED5bcJtpviC6s/s1461/Ruby-crnd%20Kinglet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1461" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnNQd9nUUg4IgPkRw4YBoZwIllTNhBq7HegCtmMBvVwZLOf02jm0XjiTTiL-6kYj1XIYRUmMyu2Nlj7GlYOgeuNmXunZGNfOuDvMAnQLvYJWca5zuwvgkoxhOTPzOKvIEfYO8x49mRYqsha936WwVtwRn2U-oGuWXfUwSeQ-vqHGmAArED5bcJtpviC6s/w640-h526/Ruby-crnd%20Kinglet.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Look closely and you can see a few flecks of red atop the head, telling us this is a male Ruby-crowned Kinglet.</span><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIxpA-tA9VR_SvEg3_UXfZYj5PBZspm1H0XlZmJd214BBG7M8drThS2eVhgzFQvBPKYDf9hx_cWCtpdKI7v4-_G5Y7njxTtCxKk7pk5aW0VU_AyfRAhg3JXqqySV1W5Goek85i7ZdMsRQt9UZe6Fa8ZMUydEfI5SY8ybg8XnipMi_EcQv2JtSi20qkqDg/s2084/Backlit%20Phragmites%20australis.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="2084" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIxpA-tA9VR_SvEg3_UXfZYj5PBZspm1H0XlZmJd214BBG7M8drThS2eVhgzFQvBPKYDf9hx_cWCtpdKI7v4-_G5Y7njxTtCxKk7pk5aW0VU_AyfRAhg3JXqqySV1W5Goek85i7ZdMsRQt9UZe6Fa8ZMUydEfI5SY8ybg8XnipMi_EcQv2JtSi20qkqDg/w640-h368/Backlit%20Phragmites%20australis.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">The beauty of backlit <i>Phragmites americana </i>(?)<i> </i>in the West Cape May Meadows of the TNC reserve.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLtVoO4XupvEsgVobi-LKU41O1KMLoEE-6jU5VN8gApiSA4XWbU3ajtj9NBQfOjdbS80K1IqH7RTHUqZI3qN9CYt5dO6K4iOa8CcKuBXa7vwgnnnktq51EMV16W51zxb_m6nxnc1CZFfQAGP8rZ9Wpr-jWGAtncznxkpNc-0W9TVI4porpryJ7LvQkRJI/s1687/Golden-cr%20Kinglet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1687" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLtVoO4XupvEsgVobi-LKU41O1KMLoEE-6jU5VN8gApiSA4XWbU3ajtj9NBQfOjdbS80K1IqH7RTHUqZI3qN9CYt5dO6K4iOa8CcKuBXa7vwgnnnktq51EMV16W51zxb_m6nxnc1CZFfQAGP8rZ9Wpr-jWGAtncznxkpNc-0W9TVI4porpryJ7LvQkRJI/w640-h456/Golden-cr%20Kinglet.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Some red in the yellow crown of this Golden-crowned Kinglet tells us this is a male.</span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-KBNbJL_OMVjmVHkzyXZo4eOjZw8bzYbqPtPg2SAECq0xOjitgP5erASvs5eiQUcnHIB6eI86niv8jv_TsUFIkb2weAZDCjLWU1dnlyxTykXgoQLAfJHELS2BUxtuiXG6RJll3U_fRvTdyFlmZnQxBGw_aPZsOYT8ak6wCMqo3Dw1FdSyOpjeFySIxn0/s1694/Lesser%20Black-backed%20G.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1694" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-KBNbJL_OMVjmVHkzyXZo4eOjZw8bzYbqPtPg2SAECq0xOjitgP5erASvs5eiQUcnHIB6eI86niv8jv_TsUFIkb2weAZDCjLWU1dnlyxTykXgoQLAfJHELS2BUxtuiXG6RJll3U_fRvTdyFlmZnQxBGw_aPZsOYT8ak6wCMqo3Dw1FdSyOpjeFySIxn0/w640-h454/Lesser%20Black-backed%20G.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Note the distinctive face pattern of this Lesser Black-backed Gull--a winter adult.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYYVqr8yR6pBGRhWLOvgEwI3X6Ah7gQAUJB4v0WR-L1lf_0IcRmfOCA4WorGAqETJmbmyXNU1p9ibOo-7wtLCezLljNv4y9NM66oLav89UkLclstM07r7lKKxX8ZLWuANJTF6IcJa6TFzq8qCWmJhGMMzBIHJVv1ajIy3e3qcuVh4avM3yFa3jQYVun7w/s3092/Royal%20Tern%20flock%20in%20flight.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="3092" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYYVqr8yR6pBGRhWLOvgEwI3X6Ah7gQAUJB4v0WR-L1lf_0IcRmfOCA4WorGAqETJmbmyXNU1p9ibOo-7wtLCezLljNv4y9NM66oLav89UkLclstM07r7lKKxX8ZLWuANJTF6IcJa6TFzq8qCWmJhGMMzBIHJVv1ajIy3e3qcuVh4avM3yFa3jQYVun7w/w640-h310/Royal%20Tern%20flock%20in%20flight.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Royal Terns flock along the beach.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihwOp97IAkE-UlrbFm7loprpAI7Sy6sXuBSPHKSz70ewjMncYE9zCE53aqkcXZ71GvxAzGrGCOJdFn4VrWsAcsxFevgiehvqh9hFgx8S-OT45VHttTnJcZ6lTv_CE6p47F8awHIufw1-GWekRPgA_7ioCF9fzHlLhUTqm6JnXwP1gbIlrOLxMbWAPOY30/s1778/Loaging%20Geese%20backlit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1778" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihwOp97IAkE-UlrbFm7loprpAI7Sy6sXuBSPHKSz70ewjMncYE9zCE53aqkcXZ71GvxAzGrGCOJdFn4VrWsAcsxFevgiehvqh9hFgx8S-OT45VHttTnJcZ6lTv_CE6p47F8awHIufw1-GWekRPgA_7ioCF9fzHlLhUTqm6JnXwP1gbIlrOLxMbWAPOY30/w640-h432/Loaging%20Geese%20backlit.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Otherwise ho-hum Canada Geese are picturesque when backlit (creating the "art shot"). </span><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0D1EI0xalFJ9dChUZRrEPjL5fS-K6pZ_sPpf83kllp2Nbl55FZq666lVgI5aTXNZoq7CgKO-fuAuuWIS8XhYeL5cVY-DFAV9K4VUPuX96gEyZarFZLX-EeJJsEYAAwdu7iWG0Jr7pmoDEEp_PH0YYIzUYzjIQQ-aUXExWDm0JLlPNcgt4Fvhs7ZeBKWc/s2366/Mockingbird.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2366" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0D1EI0xalFJ9dChUZRrEPjL5fS-K6pZ_sPpf83kllp2Nbl55FZq666lVgI5aTXNZoq7CgKO-fuAuuWIS8XhYeL5cVY-DFAV9K4VUPuX96gEyZarFZLX-EeJJsEYAAwdu7iWG0Jr7pmoDEEp_PH0YYIzUYzjIQQ-aUXExWDm0JLlPNcgt4Fvhs7ZeBKWc/w640-h406/Mockingbird.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">This banded Northern Mockingbird at the HawkWatch Platform has plenty of fruit in this adjacent bush.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQzbaLpWNxNT4GYxuwoVjyZTxJjl6CdsZnWrPzUsh3nzE-zEXccllPCJULRON4HYCpthCx1ihLjoJoH3bxsYjCg3L20JDF3kvGBcj5F92-RZNH4x6uN08I6wdT5wWNS2aNPNsRgt6sH8isBPir35oT0pnA0Qn0yuyblqgFh_1nBsIrw0sfzQz1Ro0Dsj8/s2748/Black%20Scoter%20flock.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="2748" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQzbaLpWNxNT4GYxuwoVjyZTxJjl6CdsZnWrPzUsh3nzE-zEXccllPCJULRON4HYCpthCx1ihLjoJoH3bxsYjCg3L20JDF3kvGBcj5F92-RZNH4x6uN08I6wdT5wWNS2aNPNsRgt6sH8isBPir35oT0pnA0Qn0yuyblqgFh_1nBsIrw0sfzQz1Ro0Dsj8/w640-h210/Black%20Scoter%20flock.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">This flock of Black Scoters seems to be led by a female scaup.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8V3ong3wKFnpOdSFROvIHOj5iIDPhYT7PpbfpzxhSIlmp2hFlHxDLswQER4z7YJxgcNwSw9BrS38VVRlwuybsxJ5p-vWN6fJk_hmK09alEzzh1oqqbKqAtc4DdR5T9DuLQA_-PCYqdxs7qbCubUaGczxaB66EB2i0defghEm_sdlqsQjCvDozH-y-hH4/s2883/Mute%20Swnas%20in%20air.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="2883" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8V3ong3wKFnpOdSFROvIHOj5iIDPhYT7PpbfpzxhSIlmp2hFlHxDLswQER4z7YJxgcNwSw9BrS38VVRlwuybsxJ5p-vWN6fJk_hmK09alEzzh1oqqbKqAtc4DdR5T9DuLQA_-PCYqdxs7qbCubUaGczxaB66EB2i0defghEm_sdlqsQjCvDozH-y-hH4/w640-h266/Mute%20Swnas%20in%20air.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">A threesome of Mute Swans, sounnding like jets going over. Big, heavy, and noisy in flight!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxER3hVrDQ16yTDt8NNcV5dO80clX_qB_UiGXqVDuXdg910awqwBLM-nFJSKcxTFNYpYa0KKSGDTj5JTEuP88WYBWJ4in4YCWoQpQNR_aZqmHDPhlg6HieoK2WK6bXqycGBvqXgJw5FU5MRcaganauw6VSmkS1k63s2XFjtcsTVX6tJZFYnF_YVG0t9-s/s3109/Tree%20swallows%20on%20beach.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="3109" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxER3hVrDQ16yTDt8NNcV5dO80clX_qB_UiGXqVDuXdg910awqwBLM-nFJSKcxTFNYpYa0KKSGDTj5JTEuP88WYBWJ4in4YCWoQpQNR_aZqmHDPhlg6HieoK2WK6bXqycGBvqXgJw5FU5MRcaganauw6VSmkS1k63s2XFjtcsTVX6tJZFYnF_YVG0t9-s/w640-h248/Tree%20swallows%20on%20beach.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">This flock of Tree Swallows resting on the beach was perhaps 5,000 or more... The sighting of the weekend! </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjavBYW10v8-vBlo9f1s0AOZEzGwbNv5wnfWsZ566cJmSOEVnzW2wHuJ61Ntwy6Gl7rsT-9Ly2Mso5LsH719zvRKftNV1l26pPD-GBRoCAYA18e6qaK2ff2UXARy4KekRlgAEGlx3iR2jXHI1fwVdQHXCDByNoJQVKjqEiu7QSETmK8YjCdx8m8rcuBRg/s2403/White%20Ibis%20flock.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2403" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjavBYW10v8-vBlo9f1s0AOZEzGwbNv5wnfWsZ566cJmSOEVnzW2wHuJ61Ntwy6Gl7rsT-9Ly2Mso5LsH719zvRKftNV1l26pPD-GBRoCAYA18e6qaK2ff2UXARy4KekRlgAEGlx3iR2jXHI1fwVdQHXCDByNoJQVKjqEiu7QSETmK8YjCdx8m8rcuBRg/w640-h400/White%20Ibis%20flock.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">A decade ago this flock of White Ibis would have drawn shouts of excitement. Now this expanding species nests in NJ.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHhix-A1SqqagdgaCXTvk1BcnsRNdBmCzrhSm25ME-q-9DmVJ54yiOy9HI2C_X5PDTYOM8u-HaP5eN12MgSKnrbzJ4Jp0Vi4fAmAjztpucwA5hXY3DoHVqihvYRQp5UipLyv6TBp4VXX7CXwhvkNdsQY0gvgD4THB41iRCFG_8gaF1DxCUXDsSlDlke-o/s1997/Sumac%20reds.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1997" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHhix-A1SqqagdgaCXTvk1BcnsRNdBmCzrhSm25ME-q-9DmVJ54yiOy9HI2C_X5PDTYOM8u-HaP5eN12MgSKnrbzJ4Jp0Vi4fAmAjztpucwA5hXY3DoHVqihvYRQp5UipLyv6TBp4VXX7CXwhvkNdsQY0gvgD4THB41iRCFG_8gaF1DxCUXDsSlDlke-o/w640-h480/Sumac%20reds.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Autumn colors in this sumac.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMjscHd2yMBksntJqbaWG5btcMvhRTqqvYI9MZJMDeH_qmOpHyx3MkMCaM3oe1CEYU1hRsa3N0faTrN7rinNt-etmYaJ9swSQoY0g8JE2OxlRaFHR3H8AnudSZpQAfKhhNT-oopJ4aO7aDOnKgGJY0S4mGUUKvTOgVl4kNZBDhl2OY3WH1JQAHeo9S2R4/s2559/Sharpie%20on%20ground%20adult.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2559" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMjscHd2yMBksntJqbaWG5btcMvhRTqqvYI9MZJMDeH_qmOpHyx3MkMCaM3oe1CEYU1hRsa3N0faTrN7rinNt-etmYaJ9swSQoY0g8JE2OxlRaFHR3H8AnudSZpQAfKhhNT-oopJ4aO7aDOnKgGJY0S4mGUUKvTOgVl4kNZBDhl2OY3WH1JQAHeo9S2R4/w640-h376/Sharpie%20on%20ground%20adult.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">At the very end of the day I came upon this Sharp-shinned Hawk on the lawn of the State Park when dusk was upon us.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjsdif1W5liqs3RRBC3rI9c7VdCtWebHhbgcY0u4sKTH6YdBxsJ3SpKuez-9gfpriqF9ZzowXYoP_vioK3UMgx4MYYUSUbdBmmt5x2PC-v0aKKp9DwwMaA0ZZNuOxNag06p8tQmDvbQVwLl_NB7jT8UPUCavPO4EpNI4NpDBQ9iPZpiZxcLmYrEcKBnQ/s1995/Sharpie%20in%20flight.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1995" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjsdif1W5liqs3RRBC3rI9c7VdCtWebHhbgcY0u4sKTH6YdBxsJ3SpKuez-9gfpriqF9ZzowXYoP_vioK3UMgx4MYYUSUbdBmmt5x2PC-v0aKKp9DwwMaA0ZZNuOxNag06p8tQmDvbQVwLl_NB7jT8UPUCavPO4EpNI4NpDBQ9iPZpiZxcLmYrEcKBnQ/w640-h384/Sharpie%20in%20flight.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Another Sharpie at Coral Avenue--a young bird.</span></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmuk8eMCVVwH3iQybTIfT9EAWWWfx_h58oVO1DTc79LaE2vg0bcOzYKlcUPi2T3Q-Ct5kRx7MDAc4QKjQxBOyU74uSuOaAUlsIT0wJ7q12-4BqTEbN0PMCM3lZX24yxqvdSto6KY2St6mCVUGem3bT2SXaaV24FBSIYWSzWoij2Fp8t0_KgxTONVVQ3Es/s2341/Myrtle%20Warbler%20close%20up.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2341" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmuk8eMCVVwH3iQybTIfT9EAWWWfx_h58oVO1DTc79LaE2vg0bcOzYKlcUPi2T3Q-Ct5kRx7MDAc4QKjQxBOyU74uSuOaAUlsIT0wJ7q12-4BqTEbN0PMCM3lZX24yxqvdSto6KY2St6mCVUGem3bT2SXaaV24FBSIYWSzWoij2Fp8t0_KgxTONVVQ3Es/w640-h410/Myrtle%20Warbler%20close%20up.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">An autumn-plumaged Myrtle Warbler, which we saw by the hundreds.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4fTUMtBTAU_5aPXzNBg0tKbUHVVVZ6hj8bHnezYiY1L0qgh5-eEJn4s1_sRBsHvAOF_pP-22kAtly7QLxHXrIutnMQTXGuNxxBgruApL-8CcXYZ9OvW9Py7N27FUPN_ZnrVxHSDlfA3VrYNmNuT0clGYu23DdVWFirAnF_O5IJb56CMwWUqNsRjLhixw/s2001/Sanderling.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="2001" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4fTUMtBTAU_5aPXzNBg0tKbUHVVVZ6hj8bHnezYiY1L0qgh5-eEJn4s1_sRBsHvAOF_pP-22kAtly7QLxHXrIutnMQTXGuNxxBgruApL-8CcXYZ9OvW9Py7N27FUPN_ZnrVxHSDlfA3VrYNmNuT0clGYu23DdVWFirAnF_O5IJb56CMwWUqNsRjLhixw/w640-h384/Sanderling.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">A winter-plumaged Sanderling at the North Wildlife breakwater. No Purple Sandpipers yet! </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyB8UhLHn8Y3ehYy1ERVNCJkEzJCcXNe4DZLilLEksFm6fnws1jbTjtRd85lOv_Q2Nwv76XFAKOokloAZPTgQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;"> Amazing video of the great flock of Tree Swallows! </span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Bruce Beehlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15885008878848042968noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4395290943835782922.post-20019452330378607782023-10-04T13:03:00.002-07:002023-10-05T09:07:23.649-07:00<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKvU-976k9WREAm2HMgMbfdkS6AmZGI1eiRUxaxk2FpNljIGYSQZFQYsMKYHlehtjQ3evSUIPYMp46t3_RUNno84h72jxYxqKyKLg_WLPbyidviK0RH4uHWPhh2dh5DuM5TiQZD7ZBLMOmzKf5sPxbyc0MU1eNWUsfpOLA2OgerO5MB5aD93Hi3deHam4/s2254/whaleboat%20and%20whale.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2254" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKvU-976k9WREAm2HMgMbfdkS6AmZGI1eiRUxaxk2FpNljIGYSQZFQYsMKYHlehtjQ3evSUIPYMp46t3_RUNno84h72jxYxqKyKLg_WLPbyidviK0RH4uHWPhh2dh5DuM5TiQZD7ZBLMOmzKf5sPxbyc0MU1eNWUsfpOLA2OgerO5MB5aD93Hi3deHam4/w640-h426/whaleboat%20and%20whale.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Whale watch boat with Humpback showing off for the eager crowd.<br /></span><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Eastern
Massachusetts, September 2023</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5nOYIssndYSeqTumAriofLSyKPnTHJJ2sREvYZDDiN78IusJrXWctm-G7K-JWQxSHjNwjFNTpXWoNO5fqH5G6Y0cI3jG5rDgsDzH1wldwfHTLjTx7gACgT8zbYhW4A3FgsZTFdlcygUhWw7EdsbiVAQte2LN4rn4PJILn65zXw-CVtzDyixyomoEKhwg/s2408/three%20gannets%20three%20plumages.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="2408" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5nOYIssndYSeqTumAriofLSyKPnTHJJ2sREvYZDDiN78IusJrXWctm-G7K-JWQxSHjNwjFNTpXWoNO5fqH5G6Y0cI3jG5rDgsDzH1wldwfHTLjTx7gACgT8zbYhW4A3FgsZTFdlcygUhWw7EdsbiVAQte2LN4rn4PJILn65zXw-CVtzDyixyomoEKhwg/w640-h240/three%20gannets%20three%20plumages.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Three distinct age-related plumages of the Northern Gannet</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> (eldest to youngest)</span></span><div><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #800180;">This
blog is dedicated to Florence LaRiviere, who worked to conserve the precious
wetlands of San Francisco Bay. Tip of the hat to you, Florence! </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2UhubzEB7XNAR7278SWxd8j7e73KfNdyfuW6S1LDKJ6kEjvEjiNCZby5svze0FmPFbYZJ6zF1yaDHkJRtnKwGki5FKvAiuJ6FbdpGBFhi6xQh3D4zyI4bI3LW8RvZGQdO73-IoYzWDkei9NkuzXaPFyJSSgPBkveLZw5G3M0Cff25ZZIDmQJLnNWYzc/s1660/Whimbrel.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1660" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2UhubzEB7XNAR7278SWxd8j7e73KfNdyfuW6S1LDKJ6kEjvEjiNCZby5svze0FmPFbYZJ6zF1yaDHkJRtnKwGki5FKvAiuJ6FbdpGBFhi6xQh3D4zyI4bI3LW8RvZGQdO73-IoYzWDkei9NkuzXaPFyJSSgPBkveLZw5G3M0Cff25ZZIDmQJLnNWYzc/w640-h462/Whimbrel.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Whimbrel at Wellfleet Bay Audubon Sanctuary, Cape Cod, Mass. </span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">In September
2023 I visited Massachusetts twice. In my first visit I camped at Provincetown
and birded and watched whales and also attended the 150<sup>th</sup> anniversary
celebration of the Nuttall Ornithological Club. In my second visit I
participated in a Williams College mini-reunion for the class of 1974. For this
I visited Plymouth, Duxbury, Annisquam, and Gloucester, camping out as well in
Plymouth and Cape Anne. These are among the most historic and picturesque
communities in a state known for history and beauty. I would love to spend more
time in these places!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsCoGjNKaSN8Eg7gOCkXKakfVUAx4PGXCOxvabVGawNPdOTK5yEv3ofUgM77wxjtWl4-bWbMeVyxWd3OAlNHSHlurkIgmEbbMJkOpjvTvUV7o98SwTzqOn-DtZsuER81xOHDkPCv7x7980p09mdyss3OzBvK5FlnF8uIky1f52XnNGMoAFqO9giFbyNoI/s1500/Great%20Shearwater%20and%20shadow.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1381" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsCoGjNKaSN8Eg7gOCkXKakfVUAx4PGXCOxvabVGawNPdOTK5yEv3ofUgM77wxjtWl4-bWbMeVyxWd3OAlNHSHlurkIgmEbbMJkOpjvTvUV7o98SwTzqOn-DtZsuER81xOHDkPCv7x7980p09mdyss3OzBvK5FlnF8uIky1f52XnNGMoAFqO9giFbyNoI/w590-h640/Great%20Shearwater%20and%20shadow.JPG" width="590" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Great Shearwater over Stellwagon Bank.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">In Provincetown
I camped at the Dune’s Edge Campground, managed by the Trustees. The campsites
are nestled in a woodland of pine and oak, only a short bike ride from downtown
P’town.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0vJwFKeBSn09LFtyoT2m_2IdFRbU7wybZZ20Z8CHpU2jwWKmZx2JLpSTFgSdTIXcHOVjH6KCu-9lQvTI-vssNpOPbuDjOCSwEGuS4JvkpaSx8Cm_RG4amaQ4_olPdWNIjFT_blFlbCB58sf3PnGKvFFc-sFursUQhl-6UxZZk7CGjWO2Hn8uXEXwYeFU/s2376/fiddler%20crabs.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="2376" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0vJwFKeBSn09LFtyoT2m_2IdFRbU7wybZZ20Z8CHpU2jwWKmZx2JLpSTFgSdTIXcHOVjH6KCu-9lQvTI-vssNpOPbuDjOCSwEGuS4JvkpaSx8Cm_RG4amaQ4_olPdWNIjFT_blFlbCB58sf3PnGKvFFc-sFursUQhl-6UxZZk7CGjWO2Hn8uXEXwYeFU/w640-h324/fiddler%20crabs.JPG" width="640" /></a> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small; text-align: left;">Hermit Crabs display in the estuary mud.</span></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><p class="MsoNormal">I biked the
trails north to Race Point Beach; walked the sandy hiking trail out Hatch’s
Harbor to Race Point; waded the harbor flats with Dennis Minsky; and did two
whale watches with the Dolphin Fleet. Here are a series of images from those
four days out at the tip of Cape Cod.</p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTTWRL3rn4Kdl_we1HCyfvGcewcGx9PWUL_8zlR-RLEkD-Ou4SqYOkUW6YnmdNiFeXfa0m53A0rZLOJ3zA2JZ5S6VQx6HdbYtQsMN7L1YZNWCq7z09sjeDCE5cLcG-aYFahNaDE35_4H8Dx6aQJfsbEyX_xg3579izqXkbQFs2TcpetNsfEl4bXywTJk/s2034/dark%20morph%20Parasitic%20J.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2034" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTTWRL3rn4Kdl_we1HCyfvGcewcGx9PWUL_8zlR-RLEkD-Ou4SqYOkUW6YnmdNiFeXfa0m53A0rZLOJ3zA2JZ5S6VQx6HdbYtQsMN7L1YZNWCq7z09sjeDCE5cLcG-aYFahNaDE35_4H8Dx6aQJfsbEyX_xg3579izqXkbQFs2TcpetNsfEl4bXywTJk/w640-h472/dark%20morph%20Parasitic%20J.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">A handsome dark morph Parasitic Jaeger (juvenile)</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9BeVczXJOr6Y_5CVGavAcAgnBrzWmd1yXvvG49nPMObBuDOpZ0rOJsFihOXSRL1YL6wSQT1Us4Mc0Su_4chDb-Y7AA7Xvhrdyy8sJeY41bl9XLoS23hQqAyr08wqL0LDaHPoIwIwFomNBrlh532OnauHVldl9VZLmIheH9k6nUJp7DOkZK42vX7BVhtk/s2234/curious%20Humpback%20and%20blow.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="2234" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9BeVczXJOr6Y_5CVGavAcAgnBrzWmd1yXvvG49nPMObBuDOpZ0rOJsFihOXSRL1YL6wSQT1Us4Mc0Su_4chDb-Y7AA7Xvhrdyy8sJeY41bl9XLoS23hQqAyr08wqL0LDaHPoIwIwFomNBrlh532OnauHVldl9VZLmIheH9k6nUJp7DOkZK42vX7BVhtk/w640-h344/curious%20Humpback%20and%20blow.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Curious Humpback Whale approaches the boat</span><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2Ef-z195JKxSHifbo3bvv_r1RNyLWsvoA_bFicfcJB86oadh_MMfYQbjJSbgiPx9lykdST5gzi3ZfriAF3cY_H7lgWdZetkQW1aOHYxDfCVpJsePFHo8VbXnEDO3X8O3DEAYTAHvF_xCk70tBdwlhPAI6r8KW5AAxZHLrfQASPttN3p0qt-YHYcCoSU/s2702/breaching%20Humpback%20with%20pectoral.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1605" data-original-width="2702" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2Ef-z195JKxSHifbo3bvv_r1RNyLWsvoA_bFicfcJB86oadh_MMfYQbjJSbgiPx9lykdST5gzi3ZfriAF3cY_H7lgWdZetkQW1aOHYxDfCVpJsePFHo8VbXnEDO3X8O3DEAYTAHvF_xCk70tBdwlhPAI6r8KW5AAxZHLrfQASPttN3p0qt-YHYcCoSU/w640-h380/breaching%20Humpback%20with%20pectoral.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Breaching Humpback--this is what we all hope to see! </span><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7iRlpsFnXauwWMflX5ZLJfqAz2NwrDbxb2EWPu9sD8DpjnKD0vePUzFuhNnI3HLjUesV7Zqan4QapjZGLJnThNEDY9D3qxYrJGxsSMCA3UwmNMGBKw1gNId7oj3b3QFs_Qs_3YT5G-vHjWuO4foW9InJvMQEZrxnGS_UwUtXGcSZY7X705vCljaWzIIs/s1904/breaching%20Humpback%20arching.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1360" data-original-width="1904" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7iRlpsFnXauwWMflX5ZLJfqAz2NwrDbxb2EWPu9sD8DpjnKD0vePUzFuhNnI3HLjUesV7Zqan4QapjZGLJnThNEDY9D3qxYrJGxsSMCA3UwmNMGBKw1gNId7oj3b3QFs_Qs_3YT5G-vHjWuO4foW9InJvMQEZrxnGS_UwUtXGcSZY7X705vCljaWzIIs/w640-h458/breaching%20Humpback%20arching.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Breaching!</span><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvBzBbip0wjd_cPdFi0Ia6RCZmuz2olwHdJyhe_Qm-XSwHt5fHVv6dadjT8M1V4iWcj3C5_wvcDJunM8LNrKKsgwSKrh_LiDlZi3hfQ_Uq_SUWwo0YqzGDNXuam8JNn01_5ekpHaK99cIGg9S0jgcdQ64MQK4MiAroBacl8chW3ufVL7HEx2revmZJpQ/s2038/explosion%20of%20completed%20breach.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="2038" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvBzBbip0wjd_cPdFi0Ia6RCZmuz2olwHdJyhe_Qm-XSwHt5fHVv6dadjT8M1V4iWcj3C5_wvcDJunM8LNrKKsgwSKrh_LiDlZi3hfQ_Uq_SUWwo0YqzGDNXuam8JNn01_5ekpHaK99cIGg9S0jgcdQ64MQK4MiAroBacl8chW3ufVL7HEx2revmZJpQ/w640-h282/explosion%20of%20completed%20breach.JPG" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> <span style="text-align: left;">Humpback Cannonball! </span></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_az-9z4cn25Q08b2SEd9AlFt8mAEy94ND_fme82J_0k9rPmkIFzCnt1qRYAhqMhH-z_NQecwisdaMMAs0QWukMqSrNmxajfMes0s8mJi2k2v0v3xg7t4d7JcjA68opOIKh-nVYoQ4tVh4Ji8We4szwUsPS71Jf-Rc5ZStB_dDzZQRCHUfZqYpPwyHLw/s1899/stretching%20kittiwakes.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1899" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_az-9z4cn25Q08b2SEd9AlFt8mAEy94ND_fme82J_0k9rPmkIFzCnt1qRYAhqMhH-z_NQecwisdaMMAs0QWukMqSrNmxajfMes0s8mJi2k2v0v3xg7t4d7JcjA68opOIKh-nVYoQ4tVh4Ji8We4szwUsPS71Jf-Rc5ZStB_dDzZQRCHUfZqYpPwyHLw/w640-h506/stretching%20kittiwakes.JPG" width="640" /></a> <span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">Loafing Black-legged Kittiwakes in Hatch's Harbor, Provincetown.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlioOUomSm2gqln6GiBePD7-hXzJjeyuXcr_gpxRgaPRlZqtpI9HpWANW63oSyBfbaUyqFTwkxiBhE4ZkZ3L0rgD4glH-6fBcL9ElBcX0XTA94AIThnJ6XzvbfHQN2ZQgGZSqRnfpRmGyLc-Xcs0lg5GkF6o5YdRLUAsp15OiBvgL8JiyJcsuFXhjEkJ4/s1846/Terns%20in%20Ptown-barious%20bill%20colors.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1846" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlioOUomSm2gqln6GiBePD7-hXzJjeyuXcr_gpxRgaPRlZqtpI9HpWANW63oSyBfbaUyqFTwkxiBhE4ZkZ3L0rgD4glH-6fBcL9ElBcX0XTA94AIThnJ6XzvbfHQN2ZQgGZSqRnfpRmGyLc-Xcs0lg5GkF6o5YdRLUAsp15OiBvgL8JiyJcsuFXhjEkJ4/w640-h416/Terns%20in%20Ptown-barious%20bill%20colors.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Identify these terns, please! Note the bill color, bill width, and dark at bend of the wing...</span><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">The
Nuttall Club event, in Burlington, was attended by about 150 people, mainly Nuttall
members. I was an invited speaker. It was great catching up with a collection of the most accomplished of Massachusetts ornithologists as well as other notable Nuttall members—Wayne Peterson, Brian
Harrington, Trevor Lloyd-Evans, Stephen Brown, Peter Alden, Frank Gill, Jeremiah
and Peter Trimble, Scott Edwards, P.A. Buckley, Jared Keyes, John Kricher, Ted
Davis, and more. Fellow plenary speakers--in particular, Ted Floyd (the future
of birding), Sara Morris (bird migration), Bette Loiselle (manakins and fruit),
and Amanda Rodewald (data science for birds) gave superb presentations, each
telling a compelling and distinct story about birds in our world.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQ9Xv0roIWkBtwzSp-DMnHlHKl0OrTRGCW5D8rYgipjQXBzOAo7g9FHv4ZqNGOGmwC1Jz0fDVR9ixE3ktSXZuJTuU2MZtBza-fS8cdECvi8Zhx2s_xy3pTDEbaHkhRhT4R7REWS4EleIpUcrBMa9O1u7BQuZVUMi_Q6olupsUhIVrW5ZenAZLrJh2ivo/s2526/black-bellied%20Plovers%20and%20dowitchers.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="2526" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQ9Xv0roIWkBtwzSp-DMnHlHKl0OrTRGCW5D8rYgipjQXBzOAo7g9FHv4ZqNGOGmwC1Jz0fDVR9ixE3ktSXZuJTuU2MZtBza-fS8cdECvi8Zhx2s_xy3pTDEbaHkhRhT4R7REWS4EleIpUcrBMa9O1u7BQuZVUMi_Q6olupsUhIVrW5ZenAZLrJh2ivo/w640-h228/black-bellied%20Plovers%20and%20dowitchers.JPG" width="640" /></a> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small; text-align: left;">Black-bellied Plover flock at Plymouth, Mass. (Note dowitchers in very front)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">After the
Nuttall event, I drove to Delaware for the annual family summer vacation. I did
regular beach-walks that produced eBird lists but few bird species of note. Caspian
Tern appeared some days, usually as a singleton. And one day a Spotted
Sandpiper appeared on the beach, marginally associating with a large flock of
Sanderlings. Sanderlings were the star of the beach show, as well as an array
of the usual gulls (Great Black-backed, Lesser Black-backed, Herring, Ring-billed,
and Laughing).</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH0QDl5881EMnEOTZuCg1oN0BaJ_jtG-XhyphenhyphenIWbhu0D8QR2AAD17KcXqR8T0P8tIgMr9heC404T_lp-sSDGkYLiIxrFCvYlBNoAAVDsl7VFjex6EmI5zaaJR2V6Ca3zWJ4du_9ZXaqTyYNlm90J-lwzfxWDGhcaSthSddoe1ms3cwqSbep-yDDUAkPKgHg/s2283/Great%20Black-backed%20G%20with%20fish.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2283" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH0QDl5881EMnEOTZuCg1oN0BaJ_jtG-XhyphenhyphenIWbhu0D8QR2AAD17KcXqR8T0P8tIgMr9heC404T_lp-sSDGkYLiIxrFCvYlBNoAAVDsl7VFjex6EmI5zaaJR2V6Ca3zWJ4du_9ZXaqTyYNlm90J-lwzfxWDGhcaSthSddoe1ms3cwqSbep-yDDUAkPKgHg/w640-h420/Great%20Black-backed%20G%20with%20fish.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Great Black-backed Gull--look a delicious fish-head! </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">A week
later I drove back to Massachusetts, camping for two nights at the very bucolic
and woodsy Pine Tree Lodge Campground in Plymouth. From here I walked the Plymouth
Long Beach spit to the very end—a remarkable harbor-creating barrier beach. I
birded both the Atlantic and bay sides. I missed the single Hudsonian Godwit
that was hanging out there (other birders reported it to me that day).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NwMWd9KL5oINnNlpRB4JyI8a3ssmuIWjwnj3bvWxL9fEGRqczmQAi7kmJ_UhD-hgFsavJ3j46AZapg2_VZNbh3KPmuPIellXRPZg9wTNVbeOSh0elPeHQOA-EY-CCUZ3Z6mY4riZKZfuxKHrtcUKQurpYKd4jbfyvX9iVEaanbuLJi8zA8n6g9z5kuE/s2715/Piping%20Plover.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2715" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NwMWd9KL5oINnNlpRB4JyI8a3ssmuIWjwnj3bvWxL9fEGRqczmQAi7kmJ_UhD-hgFsavJ3j46AZapg2_VZNbh3KPmuPIellXRPZg9wTNVbeOSh0elPeHQOA-EY-CCUZ3Z6mY4riZKZfuxKHrtcUKQurpYKd4jbfyvX9iVEaanbuLJi8zA8n6g9z5kuE/w640-h354/Piping%20Plover.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Piping Plover</span><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Mainly I
watched flocks of Black-bellied Plovers, and other commonplace shorebirds. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxlgW7TzftW8WRdwA-8MzMGTTgj8PyrSzUlCJNOUjvB5J5iSOSuqEOoLsN40BmptTI3VTeVzQ94d2X1Y5VBNvJ8UA7AJaT2JNQPy5OhSM7pOcAJXYfaEQc_ytnP6jbYpMYF_rQfoKYiKw0v-FhOZmXDYV-tz3NZqBg5LWPsaxgPH1mxQhP1r1R2sM1QhE/s2954/Peregrine%20Falcon.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2954" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxlgW7TzftW8WRdwA-8MzMGTTgj8PyrSzUlCJNOUjvB5J5iSOSuqEOoLsN40BmptTI3VTeVzQ94d2X1Y5VBNvJ8UA7AJaT2JNQPy5OhSM7pOcAJXYfaEQc_ytnP6jbYpMYF_rQfoKYiKw0v-FhOZmXDYV-tz3NZqBg5LWPsaxgPH1mxQhP1r1R2sM1QhE/w640-h324/Peregrine%20Falcon.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Adult Peregrine Falcon hunting gulls and plovers</span><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">A single
gorgeous adult Peregrine Falcon hunted shorebirds and gulls along the spit.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijpQ12FggF02puBkX82G2UUpp5y_7g5fWjTIRblR8YIRRSaJhGW1jF1AhPWlLCJKjXfYPU1UPOPK3r_SyE88cW1lnUZpB6A3T79l6xWMdrUPvQc9T-cAyVQsT5f0DrIn9NX7w-oh3_xNFkssXOKWvFnbOk3nBNTKN7wIOSog1-Icqx740GoCGbRAzB_gs/s2254/Northern%20Harrier%20with%20vole.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1432" data-original-width="2254" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijpQ12FggF02puBkX82G2UUpp5y_7g5fWjTIRblR8YIRRSaJhGW1jF1AhPWlLCJKjXfYPU1UPOPK3r_SyE88cW1lnUZpB6A3T79l6xWMdrUPvQc9T-cAyVQsT5f0DrIn9NX7w-oh3_xNFkssXOKWvFnbOk3nBNTKN7wIOSog1-Icqx740GoCGbRAzB_gs/w640-h406/Northern%20Harrier%20with%20vole.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Juvenile</span> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Northern Harrier carrying a vole. </span><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">And a Northern Harrier caught a vole in the grass while I watched.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUkqR37N_CBvzsR_amtxuDdv_IvmaPhPxJTC29xbKSkz4ziHik78aWP3lrnqOH7CcSkVS4986VnL963iRMEhAwfv8iIB_qs0uUj7lCvH738m5rUqfHGcyxd1PcsN3W6-CXPUzHel53i3WeIuQ_HyQTt1_HwkH2Y01ZIvh7XhZN32bgoBj0879LYE3o-8Y/s1979/Mayflower%20in%20Plymouth%20harbor.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1979" height="582" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUkqR37N_CBvzsR_amtxuDdv_IvmaPhPxJTC29xbKSkz4ziHik78aWP3lrnqOH7CcSkVS4986VnL963iRMEhAwfv8iIB_qs0uUj7lCvH738m5rUqfHGcyxd1PcsN3W6-CXPUzHel53i3WeIuQ_HyQTt1_HwkH2Y01ZIvh7XhZN32bgoBj0879LYE3o-8Y/w640-h582/Mayflower%20in%20Plymouth%20harbor.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Mayflower replica in Plymouth harbor.</span><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">I had
stellar views across the bay to the Mayflower and Plymouth Rock, set inside an
ornate columned chamber. Dennis Minsky would want me to note, at this point, that the Pilgrims first touched land in Provincetown Harbor, not Plymouth. A tall plinth in P'town memorializes this "first arrival."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirV9bzzOz5jZ8Wl3YdlgSFLfRGmKFXvJo5MEDcQxj5JQT1Bo8fZt8FS2CRYcjehS4U2onR0fFb-NCeCDybBcyNdH_cR4sgMZ6HTVG-Rfm9QJF7rsVfABb5KmkqvFYMmnvw7H3o_8PGuOtvz-AP8wgIcHKWHtxjJAOtM6vpBHefm3-mJdgx50o3n7TOjQE/s2130/Plymouth%20Rock%20in%20harbor.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="2130" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirV9bzzOz5jZ8Wl3YdlgSFLfRGmKFXvJo5MEDcQxj5JQT1Bo8fZt8FS2CRYcjehS4U2onR0fFb-NCeCDybBcyNdH_cR4sgMZ6HTVG-Rfm9QJF7rsVfABb5KmkqvFYMmnvw7H3o_8PGuOtvz-AP8wgIcHKWHtxjJAOtM6vpBHefm3-mJdgx50o3n7TOjQE/w640-h360/Plymouth%20Rock%20in%20harbor.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">The grand tomb encasing Plymouth Rock</span><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">A woman
walking the Plymouth beach ahead of me plowed through large flocks of gulls, forming clouds
of birds as they rose from the beach.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2vSCOHhHA1ZqpkVot17nNKylFM044qRUSkcbL-GSC77sEPgXm7yj8krTBaQf5TXTlkeSi6FLopoKrnazZQPKwST0iJIbecLOLXNmzTwHPvuX1DX5b2G1SJJ8e2cFMfbkqQ5HuiH-sYhll7UvIiy-zDjK7BRXoFb7B5VPwYny_BdzunmSAVEzROi5YQfw/s2995/walking%20thru%20gulls%20Plymoth%20Long%20Point.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2995" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2vSCOHhHA1ZqpkVot17nNKylFM044qRUSkcbL-GSC77sEPgXm7yj8krTBaQf5TXTlkeSi6FLopoKrnazZQPKwST0iJIbecLOLXNmzTwHPvuX1DX5b2G1SJJ8e2cFMfbkqQ5HuiH-sYhll7UvIiy-zDjK7BRXoFb7B5VPwYny_BdzunmSAVEzROi5YQfw/w640-h320/walking%20thru%20gulls%20Plymoth%20Long%20Point.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">walking Plymouth Long Beach amongst the gulls</span><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">I came
upon two Piping Plovers on the beach, as well as a single Red Knot, and a Least
Sandpiper. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw1vfS5bOtXm-p2wu0jb-qPlWP0yAseby2jLutyevn1YpdPHA0OtnD3AKsYzs_azfqd91I3BgLH6hzujrWQ_FKyzgpKQ-mbmM0CDB2k3YEPLjxwBy3PUDsR7kg3ZdGcqkaJxwv-RdUCUe_myTK2Bg2LqTZD36SRZG6bGxYLZYzxx91peIP75bTftZUWvQ/s1550/Red%20Knot%20flying%20off.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1550" height="620" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw1vfS5bOtXm-p2wu0jb-qPlWP0yAseby2jLutyevn1YpdPHA0OtnD3AKsYzs_azfqd91I3BgLH6hzujrWQ_FKyzgpKQ-mbmM0CDB2k3YEPLjxwBy3PUDsR7kg3ZdGcqkaJxwv-RdUCUe_myTK2Bg2LqTZD36SRZG6bGxYLZYzxx91peIP75bTftZUWvQ/w640-h620/Red%20Knot%20flying%20off.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Red Knot</span><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">In the afternoon
I walked part of the vast Duxbury spit, south towards Saquish Head. Mainly gulls
and wind and pretty views. I found clammers doing their thing on the bay side. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6qd6lO9NeZkpQ9kbV7Td21fiDoZKmImazLieROK9rD1I4KBPlAgFsBiFCuYidd4sh3QP2CqoKm7lgWaBQ8aqYYtND44QphVETckDQreIqh6KZiQduqAtoccaCR3ZEJFtdmoXolgzf4mFu6TzEzVHSpjKHwheTc_cyFDXorDvt1BhUSdUn2wQ3U7R0dSc/s2720/clammers%20Duxbury.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="2720" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6qd6lO9NeZkpQ9kbV7Td21fiDoZKmImazLieROK9rD1I4KBPlAgFsBiFCuYidd4sh3QP2CqoKm7lgWaBQ8aqYYtND44QphVETckDQreIqh6KZiQduqAtoccaCR3ZEJFtdmoXolgzf4mFu6TzEzVHSpjKHwheTc_cyFDXorDvt1BhUSdUn2wQ3U7R0dSc/w640-h424/clammers%20Duxbury.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Hunting for a steamed clam dinner</span><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">On the
following day the Williams group did a boat trip down the Essex River to its mouth.
Not very birdy in late September—mainly Double-crested Cormorants and Herring
Gulls loafing. But wonderful views of the Crane Mansion and Annisquam Light. And a single Harbor Seal.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGzlTlmVT7b-CgC36uLOFF1y1SflutJHkimVo9_kdc0W0XuU38wZOZMYn45OVPUh82uTk0zyOdRW-dHdiYsC998zH3L16MuzgO2vtfSmKtEwrNglFm1YH_B-uLSysE6yiatV-6wM5pPNs0DQoOChaA0pHFBxUZmrbrZJw4GPfQ5tFJCAfalkWvQ-zJleM/s3020/cormorants%20loafing%20Essex%20River.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="3020" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGzlTlmVT7b-CgC36uLOFF1y1SflutJHkimVo9_kdc0W0XuU38wZOZMYn45OVPUh82uTk0zyOdRW-dHdiYsC998zH3L16MuzgO2vtfSmKtEwrNglFm1YH_B-uLSysE6yiatV-6wM5pPNs0DQoOChaA0pHFBxUZmrbrZJw4GPfQ5tFJCAfalkWvQ-zJleM/w640-h190/cormorants%20loafing%20Essex%20River.JPG" width="640" /></a> <span style="font-size: x-small;">L</span><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">oafing Double-crested Cormorants on the Essex River.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNqfndba5ev2Lp6U_75xVLo2nypK53_s_WZvVRJYBEtSZMYZOheQTLre9vqHB9uW0g45l4_9D3u2_CgtURjEXE917exLUiZSjLWOWL93A7pmJpZAEWvB0C9VxPQ7vH8egPHPalGZ1Uw9j2merDXKSUrjMHJRaM3aEo-9HYTsYjrbXMWWVPSSCFe-WfANU/s1241/Annisquam%20Yacht%20Club-Jeff%20Elliott.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="931" data-original-width="1241" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNqfndba5ev2Lp6U_75xVLo2nypK53_s_WZvVRJYBEtSZMYZOheQTLre9vqHB9uW0g45l4_9D3u2_CgtURjEXE917exLUiZSjLWOWL93A7pmJpZAEWvB0C9VxPQ7vH8egPHPalGZ1Uw9j2merDXKSUrjMHJRaM3aEo-9HYTsYjrbXMWWVPSSCFe-WfANU/w640-h480/Annisquam%20Yacht%20Club-Jeff%20Elliott.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Annisquam Yacht Club (photo courtesy Jeffrey Elliott)</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Then we
did a boat trip out of Gloucester in search of whales. We found a pair of adult
Humpbacks, that’s it. I tent-camped at the Cape Anne Campsite across the water
from Annisquam. The Williams group had cocktails and dinner at the Annisquam
Yacht Club, and as the sunset we watched flocks of hundreds of cormorants pass overhead,
going to some unknown evening roost.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkTfZFJ_xRKYq-q65QGDGvFLXU5IdaBhchaq7Tl5Xs2ueExX1ANc3WJQ3paf2dQRgSsR5lOm8V7KlQBY-v8twrBsvvDLw0j1kPmW5yZIeZGZxCoWmmyku8tk76QcoM1oUIIKJDehT5JmSg_pDn0v0wQcMQZQLURyBRcn5rUMpywfR2zKp1D0ytaXxTqUo/s872/Cormorants%20over%20yacht%20club.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="547" data-original-width="872" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkTfZFJ_xRKYq-q65QGDGvFLXU5IdaBhchaq7Tl5Xs2ueExX1ANc3WJQ3paf2dQRgSsR5lOm8V7KlQBY-v8twrBsvvDLw0j1kPmW5yZIeZGZxCoWmmyku8tk76QcoM1oUIIKJDehT5JmSg_pDn0v0wQcMQZQLURyBRcn5rUMpywfR2zKp1D0ytaXxTqUo/w640-h402/Cormorants%20over%20yacht%20club.JPG" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small; text-align: left;">A V of cormorants winging overhead (one of perhaps 40 Vs that went over and sunset; photo: Jeffrey Elliott)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-align: left;">Autumn in
eastern Massachusetts is a most worthy place to invest time.</span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG0jxeCH-vYfRV48hrc64szUWMLrn509SeGGEb2XUHnys2PPhHiT8jXhmJiPwoVo3Cchmg5CbyeRJ5Yp2OU4hkj7_VA5J2gvdAOvqyU1ecpjWXkrTBflqd1RO6aPdLxz8GfqDd0R1kstWLmy8PUiwLD6xRj3hFIE8ZIczSkn-YobE-7NJCaJ1xE9n9ZyU/s1241/Sunset%20Annisquam%20harbor.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="931" data-original-width="1241" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG0jxeCH-vYfRV48hrc64szUWMLrn509SeGGEb2XUHnys2PPhHiT8jXhmJiPwoVo3Cchmg5CbyeRJ5Yp2OU4hkj7_VA5J2gvdAOvqyU1ecpjWXkrTBflqd1RO6aPdLxz8GfqDd0R1kstWLmy8PUiwLD6xRj3hFIE8ZIczSkn-YobE-7NJCaJ1xE9n9ZyU/w640-h480/Sunset%20Annisquam%20harbor.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Sunset in Annisquam (courtesy Jeffrey Elliott)</span><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span><p></p></div>Bruce Beehlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15885008878848042968noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4395290943835782922.post-34443182876094771242023-06-05T17:34:00.004-07:002023-06-07T06:40:40.745-07:00<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6kkXCVejYqXEn80_F2Q9FCMylL3CQwkKYHfqf_qwTVFEHLMbocZoUDfxlnbBBESrRyYDfV_EhRO9126DBAgqQwchECyY27TvwMqRyAa8KPmG-We_c5x6m0STNzQQO2GAbiYjhgqC88qZa8shMK41IjkeLoZOMl_y7XU2ppIqSgYZj9EZptzeQEsi/s1665/Cape%20May%20Warbler%20wings%20open.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1665" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6kkXCVejYqXEn80_F2Q9FCMylL3CQwkKYHfqf_qwTVFEHLMbocZoUDfxlnbBBESrRyYDfV_EhRO9126DBAgqQwchECyY27TvwMqRyAa8KPmG-We_c5x6m0STNzQQO2GAbiYjhgqC88qZa8shMK41IjkeLoZOMl_y7XU2ppIqSgYZj9EZptzeQEsi/w640-h384/Cape%20May%20Warbler%20wings%20open.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Cape May Warbler male</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">BIRDING NORTHEASTERN ONTARIO</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">—ESKER LAKES PROVINCIAL PARK</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> 26 May - 3 June 2023</o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazkjIAJX1tJPeQNqqYlCgaM8H9E1sP_7X_WfgJwocMYVGaI8UCsQYAmpCLcwXgrLeyHjcSXTaNSoFF0Q7ouHnc-nag__mpjSNeC9BLogsXf5dOTr94zDmXW1bBJRD4kGfDCZwTdEOlKVjPI790qHdTI6KWlNJfPOWirTlJy0YLYg0BMJm2qZ3iuAu/s1685/Bay-breast%20male%203%20close%20up.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1685" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazkjIAJX1tJPeQNqqYlCgaM8H9E1sP_7X_WfgJwocMYVGaI8UCsQYAmpCLcwXgrLeyHjcSXTaNSoFF0Q7ouHnc-nag__mpjSNeC9BLogsXf5dOTr94zDmXW1bBJRD4kGfDCZwTdEOlKVjPI790qHdTI6KWlNJfPOWirTlJy0YLYg0BMJm2qZ3iuAu/w640-h380/Bay-breast%20male%203%20close%20up.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Bay-breasted Warbler male</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-align: left;">Having had
the pleasure of observing the northward-migrating wood warblers at High Island,
Texas, in late April (see my blog of 22-24 April 2023), I was eager to spend
time with these beautiful little birds on their northern breeding grounds in
boreal Canada at the beginning of the nesting season. Up north they would be on
territory and singing loudly (at High Island they are mostly silent).</span><div><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIPSNEHowmB31zkzuLgYpO_mIX1IsQ5wOF-siP7vLZiR8qqc2QxPaB_Q5dtNlic6BB99i6-JSyJzK1S7jzNrc5_Si4lb-DTYIseND6J4Wb_DRYSZU8QCq3OQkfvT1cBmNFYvovRbXLu33zEfHVNG-0auPx-EPvTrFBQHKe6fsIWIAagA0MjPFtIKb4/s1317/Map%20of%20Esker%20Lakes.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="841" data-original-width="1317" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIPSNEHowmB31zkzuLgYpO_mIX1IsQ5wOF-siP7vLZiR8qqc2QxPaB_Q5dtNlic6BB99i6-JSyJzK1S7jzNrc5_Si4lb-DTYIseND6J4Wb_DRYSZU8QCq3OQkfvT1cBmNFYvovRbXLu33zEfHVNG-0auPx-EPvTrFBQHKe6fsIWIAagA0MjPFtIKb4/w640-h408/Map%20of%20Esker%20Lakes.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Esker Provincial Park located by red pin</span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">I used the
eBird Explore tool to search for promising sites in Ontario where the elusive
Connecticut Warbler nests. My thinking was that any habitat that hosts this
rare warbler as a nester will be productive for many of the other 23 northern
wood warbler species. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjmAGWiaUetfIZrU-jjUwkX2xL3VL9CXl0L-g5fhIxrb2EbP2Te9G2BGqZ_8yEhvfN8sYeOoqJGhhrUrwKpkdYAHQubxCppbSp5iMkwJRHjYLrNiYgcnPPWYqYiRz3utScOMEg4eBvdys_7ow36ZHOUOjw50n5yUiePRz6oYUkUIUOMHHJq6GhQq5/s1936/Canadian%20Tiger%20Swallowtails%20on%20beach.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1936" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjmAGWiaUetfIZrU-jjUwkX2xL3VL9CXl0L-g5fhIxrb2EbP2Te9G2BGqZ_8yEhvfN8sYeOoqJGhhrUrwKpkdYAHQubxCppbSp5iMkwJRHjYLrNiYgcnPPWYqYiRz3utScOMEg4eBvdys_7ow36ZHOUOjw50n5yUiePRz6oYUkUIUOMHHJq6GhQq5/w640-h248/Canadian%20Tiger%20Swallowtails%20on%20beach.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Canadian Tiger Swallowtails on Esker beach.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">eBird Explore
highlighted a part of northeastern Ontario, near the border with Quebec, that
had a scattering of prior-year Connecticut Warbler records in season. When I
looked over this area in Google Maps, I found </span><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Esker Lakes Provincial Park</b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">,
about twenty miles as the crow flies northeast of Kirkland Lake, Ontario. I booked
seven nights at the Park in order to have a base of operations to hunt for
Connecticut Warbler and the many other enticing breeding wood warblers. As made
obvious in my 2018 book, </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">North on the Wing</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">, warblers are a passion of
mine.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsxmcDyxFqq0lj5PG_sHRm_ILiJMX3nxbfRKFFRPKPMzDYDCYddWIPE8-Hl1_WzbGHj6PlnjoSxKsmnpRRgy2gDWwXyqhjmb5ELBMyzO5kg6l6x_CgY-KO4QrfswUlwDX0AThlk5oD77-wiXF6psQ0q2xSFiz_lBjg5fAFHLCILlU2jy-PnsHZ7i12/s1887/Esker%20Lakes%20sign%20board.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1887" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsxmcDyxFqq0lj5PG_sHRm_ILiJMX3nxbfRKFFRPKPMzDYDCYddWIPE8-Hl1_WzbGHj6PlnjoSxKsmnpRRgy2gDWwXyqhjmb5ELBMyzO5kg6l6x_CgY-KO4QrfswUlwDX0AThlk5oD77-wiXF6psQ0q2xSFiz_lBjg5fAFHLCILlU2jy-PnsHZ7i12/w640-h340/Esker%20Lakes%20sign%20board.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Google
Maps informed me that the drive from Washington, DC to Esker Lakes was a good
16 hours—841 miles. This was, for me, more than a day’s drive. At 3 PM on
Friday 26 May I departed from a doctor’s appointment and pointed my car north.
I drove through western Maryland and Pennsylvania. In seven hours, after a
couple of stops, I finished the day in Salamanca, New York, a bit south of
Buffalo. I was in bed by 11PM at the Holiday Inn Express, well positioned for
my push northward early Saturday AM.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXgeX55ah0DuFsEchSxufl6j4Azhqx3kDsv_cZNU-w6Fbuk2k6eYWfIgp-3djMzEY-Xpl-XFINFex4xb8VITndFe93noOJ_TicmRCmKtD0f-x95m0T-HjHbD0lEvC34E9vHbOLS6IrkUJjNBZ2dvwwnJcN-ZRijDHSqcyInT4JCZNe_HHNjXbo2ZBI/s1805/sunrise%20Esker%20Lakes.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1805" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXgeX55ah0DuFsEchSxufl6j4Azhqx3kDsv_cZNU-w6Fbuk2k6eYWfIgp-3djMzEY-Xpl-XFINFex4xb8VITndFe93noOJ_TicmRCmKtD0f-x95m0T-HjHbD0lEvC34E9vHbOLS6IrkUJjNBZ2dvwwnJcN-ZRijDHSqcyInT4JCZNe_HHNjXbo2ZBI/w640-h354/sunrise%20Esker%20Lakes.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Brilliant sunrise - colored by a nearby fire?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">My travel objective
was to slip through the massive urban sprawl of Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Mississauga,
Hamilton, and Toronto before traffic got bad on Saturday morning. These various
merged urban areas, all linked by a spaghetti-bowl of highways, were crammed between
the eastern end of Lake Erie and the western end of Lake Ontario. I departed
Salamanca at 5:15AM and spent a couple of hours traversing this fearsome
network of highways. Thank heavens for Google Maps! I had made my morning
destination Barrie, Ontario, where I would stop at WalMart and stock up on food
and provisions for my camping sojourn. Barrie is safely on the northern side of
metropolitan Toronto, meaning I was free of the city.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGfkCM2PqA0_BtDFWqGFB2077kFuoVwCSDMc3SVNop5kcZrEFpfhjUyr81iIHfNyLkYe69wxV0Tsp2f8ZnoaO7cXP5KaApvZAsDQ4EuCipCayq_wLqLK6kKchjW4gq512ki1lZRFSsknKfAkl5kyCHRSYVYU2iTaYawkBmmbIIGlDyPsFMOUa29MDn/s1647/Snowshoe%20Hare.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1647" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGfkCM2PqA0_BtDFWqGFB2077kFuoVwCSDMc3SVNop5kcZrEFpfhjUyr81iIHfNyLkYe69wxV0Tsp2f8ZnoaO7cXP5KaApvZAsDQ4EuCipCayq_wLqLK6kKchjW4gq512ki1lZRFSsknKfAkl5kyCHRSYVYU2iTaYawkBmmbIIGlDyPsFMOUa29MDn/w640-h388/Snowshoe%20Hare.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Snowshoe Hare in summer pelage.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Departing
Barrie at about 9:30AM, I headed northward into Ontario’s fishing and summer-camp
country. Roads got smaller, traffic stayed light, and the scenery got prettier
and prettier. First, White Pines dominated the roadside, then these thinned out
and White Spruce and Jack Pine took over, as well as aspens and birches. This
is countryside much like the Adirondacks where I spent summers as a child. I love
the northeastern boreal forests, and that was the main reason I was here for a
week.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNVa6KCV7kF1lfQhfzrhPgS2LFPDqKzX7Xr4E7v3f_qFVOXeftAOd1htHyJl7xLIZ0sO7YcKgYQwhaJ0aPCGwZ3Wu6kDykYJkkvsMNkdwI7MSMGQTNbiPT2h8EHXyIn2Kv8ybGEuHv8xr9BdQmbs-VNvxpq8kFPyI7uz_8B3nBKJ_SPJjY7I4vO8b/s1674/Violets.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1674" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNVa6KCV7kF1lfQhfzrhPgS2LFPDqKzX7Xr4E7v3f_qFVOXeftAOd1htHyJl7xLIZ0sO7YcKgYQwhaJ0aPCGwZ3Wu6kDykYJkkvsMNkdwI7MSMGQTNbiPT2h8EHXyIn2Kv8ybGEuHv8xr9BdQmbs-VNvxpq8kFPyI7uz_8B3nBKJ_SPJjY7I4vO8b/w640-h382/Violets.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"> Common Blue Violets. </span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Esker
Lakes Provincial Park sits atop Ontario’s largest post-glacial ridge (known as
an esker) that is more than 100 miles long. It is dotted with kettle lakes,
also remnants from the past glaciation.</span></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoiFAL-UtodSZM6uGkKnhNnGit57NpOFEZQk0Qul_risIetctv5qDv3Z9crQ4nl5AFrM_9QvAsEOLAGvpTM1aNV2CcM-akCv1ZmmPIXw4xc6v9wmHjwotBmPkAHL9VvLUTq-jrH9ayfO_fzLcu9QDVRXAvVjfiVhn-QkqTSHfZXZKr7V-mfy_OEzWv/s2117/tent%20camp%20Esker%20Lakes.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2117" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoiFAL-UtodSZM6uGkKnhNnGit57NpOFEZQk0Qul_risIetctv5qDv3Z9crQ4nl5AFrM_9QvAsEOLAGvpTM1aNV2CcM-akCv1ZmmPIXw4xc6v9wmHjwotBmPkAHL9VvLUTq-jrH9ayfO_fzLcu9QDVRXAvVjfiVhn-QkqTSHfZXZKr7V-mfy_OEzWv/w640-h302/tent%20camp%20Esker%20Lakes.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">I set up
camp under a mix of spruce, fir, and aspens, in a drive-in spot in the main
campsite. This is luxury camping, because there are amenities—washrooms with
hot showers. What I did not plan for was the weather. The first six days in the
park was hot, sunny, and dry, with afternoon temperatures in the high 80s (F).
Crazy hot! I had to set up a green tarp over my sleeping tent to keep it from becoming
an oven. Forest fires were burning all over Canada at this time of drought and
heat. Luckily we did not get any smoke until the very end of my visit.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwWk3VsF9AZFYiEN76gNz914dEdtz9Cqhx7grVqL7cQrhTOdA2UznG3HSpUzZZwUG20gP4Qn1_JplD6LgXiV75t8jwq3MUjYmkZPnJSmVmWaSip1E31L2zn76njCnWAB-Q30Ecj-fNOjsZ6Ys2iiTRt9ov_OpuwtuCLGzKbSxFH8t50xk6aYghCjD/s1442/Bay-breast%20male%20close%20up.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1442" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwWk3VsF9AZFYiEN76gNz914dEdtz9Cqhx7grVqL7cQrhTOdA2UznG3HSpUzZZwUG20gP4Qn1_JplD6LgXiV75t8jwq3MUjYmkZPnJSmVmWaSip1E31L2zn76njCnWAB-Q30Ecj-fNOjsZ6Ys2iiTRt9ov_OpuwtuCLGzKbSxFH8t50xk6aYghCjD/w640-h444/Bay-breast%20male%20close%20up.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Bay-breasted Warbler male</span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">The heat
also brought out the biting insects. Black Flies were the most notable,
followed by mosquitoes and deer flies. These brought back Adirondack memories from
the 1960s…</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqGJDAW6o7mW7BPw9BDiyp-bzZVuJiG9QPNUn2XyfxVdG7LOz02CBdxkHouR-D1SVMCDSNqhIuXkCZp6zScIexVvNj2T8iCAUeciUVDcYC_Ox8wn4mBwSTVXEcU8dcI2mIyapXHlY2otklByC3nhzkJgWwxz2VuxFX7ChXMKaLKnOzPanotgvDKvDi/s1696/Chestnut-sided%20Warbler.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1696" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqGJDAW6o7mW7BPw9BDiyp-bzZVuJiG9QPNUn2XyfxVdG7LOz02CBdxkHouR-D1SVMCDSNqhIuXkCZp6zScIexVvNj2T8iCAUeciUVDcYC_Ox8wn4mBwSTVXEcU8dcI2mIyapXHlY2otklByC3nhzkJgWwxz2VuxFX7ChXMKaLKnOzPanotgvDKvDi/w640-h378/Chestnut-sided%20Warbler.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Chestnut-sided Warbler male</span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">I spent
the best hours of each day (5 AM to 10 AM) out birding, mainly by bicycle. Ontario
Road 672 passes north-south by the east side of the Park, and was my main
survey route. This paved two-lane road got very little traffic because it did
not connect any towns at all. And it was quite flat. Perfect for moving about
on bicycle.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLXZKULQoVn5_dOVQRFBHPpJhIdcgxD-86y6mu9Wx7KlLmtJctkJ5L6TlMFlv3e5p3MT0Tq9eg-Y6Jc-7FsZ2z0zEWNXlM7CcmSJYJbhjzl_1NSIvxAaXhBHtIOsRYWMdSbS3ID_SApYJSWVx5ZjbKNKGJ3TAyKlYJvQ02vemSfRc2Tv-js_wTXzEk/s2341/Nashville%20Warbler.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2341" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLXZKULQoVn5_dOVQRFBHPpJhIdcgxD-86y6mu9Wx7KlLmtJctkJ5L6TlMFlv3e5p3MT0Tq9eg-Y6Jc-7FsZ2z0zEWNXlM7CcmSJYJbhjzl_1NSIvxAaXhBHtIOsRYWMdSbS3ID_SApYJSWVx5ZjbKNKGJ3TAyKlYJvQ02vemSfRc2Tv-js_wTXzEk/w640-h274/Nashville%20Warbler.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Nashville Warbler male (note partial chestnut cap).</span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Bicycle
birding is done mainly by ear. And on this particular field trip it was done
with the help of the Merlin sound app, which allowed me to use my cell phone to
detect the presence singing birds in real time. I would bike along route 672
and stop at spots with good boreal forest habitat or with lots of birds in
song. I would then bring out my iPhone, let it record for a minute or so, and
then match up what Merlin found against what I was hearing. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKSRbzfhhcNhIUciCrFUGP2MWDSCpifg1FQu9RSxVPuPcTmtucy2nAUznNAyYQ2lZBMQMnW3DkcB6pc_NlioAk9o8BIGP5d9JRXnvQcy5M5zKFRn0ve674MVlhFeWVr1ez2zE2zBi_YgyGV_d0yTpXUOhMGQti-UPNSkBl8kdeQ2bLkO6oW3iejLl5/s1439/Northern%20Waterthrush%20in%20song.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1439" height="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKSRbzfhhcNhIUciCrFUGP2MWDSCpifg1FQu9RSxVPuPcTmtucy2nAUznNAyYQ2lZBMQMnW3DkcB6pc_NlioAk9o8BIGP5d9JRXnvQcy5M5zKFRn0ve674MVlhFeWVr1ez2zE2zBi_YgyGV_d0yTpXUOhMGQti-UPNSkBl8kdeQ2bLkO6oW3iejLl5/w640-h556/Northern%20Waterthrush%20in%20song.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Northern Waterthrush male in song.</span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Although
Merlin does make mistakes, it also is very good at “hearing” singing birds that
I had difficulty hearing myself. “Cedar Waxwing” would pop up on the Merlin
app, and then I would look up and there were a small group of waxwings flying
over. Magic! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0AshZvdbrhRIEQx5sahZvt8_g3xoSkbHXGMMS0uoaqjDfhSNinvDtgQU2cYYPnMxchMQde3QH9eGDHb6PrdLznMsUy4nVlrnpXz02LQ9C5d-8mSvwy-w9-28XZpEj-l-drI9fORwQpBEDOkIDSWDwS-YWqZEDxCkfGqCE59MR86S59df2UXXJXdPf/s2012/Ringed%20Neck%20Duck%20pair.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2012" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0AshZvdbrhRIEQx5sahZvt8_g3xoSkbHXGMMS0uoaqjDfhSNinvDtgQU2cYYPnMxchMQde3QH9eGDHb6PrdLznMsUy4nVlrnpXz02LQ9C5d-8mSvwy-w9-28XZpEj-l-drI9fORwQpBEDOkIDSWDwS-YWqZEDxCkfGqCE59MR86S59df2UXXJXdPf/w640-h318/Ringed%20Neck%20Duck%20pair.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Ring-necked Duck pair at Esker Provincial Park.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">The two
breeding birds Merlin really helped with were Golden-crowned Kinglet and Brown Creeper.
Because their songs are high pitched and also quite soft, my hearing aids
cannot usually pick them up. But they do not escape Merlin’s sharp ear. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4BLE3yVjdp60ETgiTrG2l_30z3DKmHjEfDyCmdg34hVUTQSq7CP2k2VdWynFDag__gkidWmdGS1r-NcDpO9W_ad0xZ69gfjza54YiguUSX1RIxJdh-CDTnF84kTPf6oYoQt4uNDSG2REI_EYC0JC3oMShjhIL3dQnPPQ-EsqktqMzw4hb0CtxKW4O/s2000/Ruby-crowned%20Kinglet%20male.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4BLE3yVjdp60ETgiTrG2l_30z3DKmHjEfDyCmdg34hVUTQSq7CP2k2VdWynFDag__gkidWmdGS1r-NcDpO9W_ad0xZ69gfjza54YiguUSX1RIxJdh-CDTnF84kTPf6oYoQt4uNDSG2REI_EYC0JC3oMShjhIL3dQnPPQ-EsqktqMzw4hb0CtxKW4O/w640-h320/Ruby-crowned%20Kinglet%20male.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Ruby-crowned Kinglet male with crest erected.</span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Merlin
also is good at distinguishing similar songs—like those given by two wood
warblers—Bay-breasted and Cape May. These are also easily overlooked because
they are weak and high-pitched. But Merlin did not miss them. They happily
confirmed that I could hear and identify each to species by song alone (in
earlier days I had had trouble separating these two).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7SCjIiGLCIghoH6xcR1AehsguBGNYqUXNy1rQuo1VZ6fc-Dz2tv_7tkA80F6WKB8haOG5qaQs0X0YUa31GWlQcYOzWLk_n-m_X1hTiT5xibHKU_E6TMDibAUECh2P17ldqA7Wey7TwWMo71-5EpBAw9zLLou2Kpk8nyTasgCFCUUXgpEfBp9TLx-p/s1897/Ruffed%20Grouse%20male%20on%20display%20log.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1897" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7SCjIiGLCIghoH6xcR1AehsguBGNYqUXNy1rQuo1VZ6fc-Dz2tv_7tkA80F6WKB8haOG5qaQs0X0YUa31GWlQcYOzWLk_n-m_X1hTiT5xibHKU_E6TMDibAUECh2P17ldqA7Wey7TwWMo71-5EpBAw9zLLou2Kpk8nyTasgCFCUUXgpEfBp9TLx-p/w640-h422/Ruffed%20Grouse%20male%20on%20display%20log.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Ruffed Grouse male on his drumming log.</span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">I would do
bird surveys from ca. 6-10 AM and then return to camp for breakfast, after
which I would transcribe my Merlin data and personal results into my field notebook.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ROCNOQ8atFHmxAEv0GNxf68YcLJplB76U-sv31glhzgAlKMHvAMj0S0PRoxywmi8Ln6dPXeAkF_C6NRsn0MLfTRK7BHF3BHD_ELl999_gLowBvsadE53H-pPgKLikHw1UIvHAuELhX-iDZjqS32HZ3Gd-zRqVpKt8sRwjMZdIlJnzEuCEgvB06Rm/s2206/Ruffed%20Grouse%20foraging.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2206" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ROCNOQ8atFHmxAEv0GNxf68YcLJplB76U-sv31glhzgAlKMHvAMj0S0PRoxywmi8Ln6dPXeAkF_C6NRsn0MLfTRK7BHF3BHD_ELl999_gLowBvsadE53H-pPgKLikHw1UIvHAuELhX-iDZjqS32HZ3Gd-zRqVpKt8sRwjMZdIlJnzEuCEgvB06Rm/w640-h362/Ruffed%20Grouse%20foraging.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Ruffed Grouse foraging at roadside in the Park.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">The wood
warblers in late May in northern Ontario are vocal. Here is a warbler sample from
a single </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">early-morning survey based on
my bicycle-powered strip survey: 22 Magnolia Warbler, 13 Nashville Warbler, 11
Ovenbird, 9 Tennessee Warbler, 8 Northern Parula, 8 Yellow-rumped Warbler, 7
Blackburnian Warbler, 7 Bay-breasted Warbler, 6 American Redstart, 5 Cape May
Warbler, 4 Black-and-white Warbler, 4 Common Yellowthroat, 3 Yellow Warbler, 4
Chestnut-sided Warbler, 2 Black-throated Blue Warbler, and 1 Palm Warbler. That
is 114 individual wood warblers of 16 species, from 31 one-minute survey counts
along a single strip of route 672 about five miles in length.</span></div><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRkYO0FeJbRCimYwvwbIjrzZq0_L7_P_199T7BHtMmQFHGZhA7lrhrX25tGrG9t3xMaxK2v84xkBHc9Pt-31HvYkcbkEwD6J1rbR7R4xzVhiPKPPtDbU1iB2fX04B_I2swO5_UdIasg5cGovURv7o72nF0kFbrPoosdKCPFJR-xX-bgnk5pQhospZw/s1674/Slipper%20Orchid.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1674" height="574" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRkYO0FeJbRCimYwvwbIjrzZq0_L7_P_199T7BHtMmQFHGZhA7lrhrX25tGrG9t3xMaxK2v84xkBHc9Pt-31HvYkcbkEwD6J1rbR7R4xzVhiPKPPtDbU1iB2fX04B_I2swO5_UdIasg5cGovURv7o72nF0kFbrPoosdKCPFJR-xX-bgnk5pQhospZw/w640-h574/Slipper%20Orchid.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Pink Slipper Orchid</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">One
morning, in a boggy part of Alfie Creek, I encountered a pair of American
Three-toed Woodpeckers, one of North America’s rarest boreal forest birds. Ontario
Province had only six breeding season reports for this species this year.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW7KIZUBmZATfO4mG1jYF_xln6ur9ObSKhNyoBleeyQ6GcwJRRzTxVAAuCwZ38zG5N4FTkkLqJB7ZFnzXYRrbykelT9FEtW6zwfhJqoK1nWyHPXR91_xkUZ-nVpaM3oYYQCGLXfxRvhbCXNBH8QLjeoxJz_F7Sx7BysXU1kuAv_YvbheVwVmdXgN2f/s1659/American%20Three-toed%20Woodpecker%20male%20close%20up.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1659" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW7KIZUBmZATfO4mG1jYF_xln6ur9ObSKhNyoBleeyQ6GcwJRRzTxVAAuCwZ38zG5N4FTkkLqJB7ZFnzXYRrbykelT9FEtW6zwfhJqoK1nWyHPXR91_xkUZ-nVpaM3oYYQCGLXfxRvhbCXNBH8QLjeoxJz_F7Sx7BysXU1kuAv_YvbheVwVmdXgN2f/w640-h482/American%20Three-toed%20Woodpecker%20male%20close%20up.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">American Three-toed Woodpecker male on a small cherry.</span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">I found
both a male and a female, which I presumed were a mated pair. I hunted for this
species’ close relative—the Black-backed Woodpecker—but did not find this (more
common) boreal species on this trip.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDa-qqNc-3s24S41g4Dx57DsVoXM17lZPBhTtrU57oNEWoTw08p4dqFuxsD66zwsjGysM5oa2xhNpGst39CkamKyzkCN7wW-eQnqnaqjorN8s9igXkUqA-ExIAS7v8zVD774YJXGM_iUdqtSQnzYUMUAeq1vzunhLVSU12RQRiJQlDuLmezXzGzrJa/s1000/ATTE%20female%20for%20eBird.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="805" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDa-qqNc-3s24S41g4Dx57DsVoXM17lZPBhTtrU57oNEWoTw08p4dqFuxsD66zwsjGysM5oa2xhNpGst39CkamKyzkCN7wW-eQnqnaqjorN8s9igXkUqA-ExIAS7v8zVD774YJXGM_iUdqtSQnzYUMUAeq1vzunhLVSU12RQRiJQlDuLmezXzGzrJa/w516-h640/ATTE%20female%20for%20eBird.JPG" width="516" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">American Three-toed Woodpecker female (black cap).</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">I spent a
lot of time listening for the loud and distinctive voice of the rare
Connecticut Warbler (which is a boreal bog forest breeder). I found lots of
likely habitat, but route 672 was, sadly, free of singing Connecticut Warblers.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimodc94Od--q_f_vllN3UwZfko__WmyPSnvu5uY85BQnBf3yQTID4u7-N6kNqggQSSngltPN5icp3rk42AO-i_OHQSsdvQZlIaS3FNNo2BmOQFk6WQnsjYSXnTYBaACp077u_hGfjhwBGb_-IUlT9B-axCACTZ2dIMU7EqvjUae0pl5fKNOqvIcY14/s1576/Cape%20May%20male%20in%20cherry.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1576" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimodc94Od--q_f_vllN3UwZfko__WmyPSnvu5uY85BQnBf3yQTID4u7-N6kNqggQSSngltPN5icp3rk42AO-i_OHQSsdvQZlIaS3FNNo2BmOQFk6WQnsjYSXnTYBaACp077u_hGfjhwBGb_-IUlT9B-axCACTZ2dIMU7EqvjUae0pl5fKNOqvIcY14/w640-h406/Cape%20May%20male%20in%20cherry.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Cape May Warbler male</span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Checking
the eBird map for clusters of sightings from recent years, I found a site about
an hour northeast of Esker Lakes in Quebec. I got up pre-dawn and drove the
back roads to the site. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJA9MYo-hwinzOumoGuff9NAIzLoElDlHICqF5It6LsgVcSGJY8MtqZ1xWffUGyB7CGcLZXHLUz0M9q8rnlSf42STMHJgT3zS0xcNJTFwg4vRTB2H-jYf2NTPxgSumVuUrlbA_su_XsNcwPsQ8wh5Np5B3KTvbKUZwLTHXYUXzb2B_c2BtAsF2KGAY/s1657/Brown%20Creeper.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1657" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJA9MYo-hwinzOumoGuff9NAIzLoElDlHICqF5It6LsgVcSGJY8MtqZ1xWffUGyB7CGcLZXHLUz0M9q8rnlSf42STMHJgT3zS0xcNJTFwg4vRTB2H-jYf2NTPxgSumVuUrlbA_su_XsNcwPsQ8wh5Np5B3KTvbKUZwLTHXYUXzb2B_c2BtAsF2KGAY/w640-h482/Brown%20Creeper.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Brown Creeper</span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Back roads
are great places to see wildlife early in the AM before the traffic starts.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3NzD495N9DdFBgSxo6v3kAoevL7frmKByzpCkhnPOb6wbiL8ricb_hFFBC8RHGZ2K0yh_MQ-fDkadcB3GPa7QvCJYaQmRRZmH8hhIeLvVgGQMkyXmgVg31C1aryoLeSQyWkl5O8Bj42DErO1_r9saIjid1Y2y8YV4DsxTPbTFrDBpZ1rakKyzFhFg/s1983/Blue-headed%20Vireo.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1983" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3NzD495N9DdFBgSxo6v3kAoevL7frmKByzpCkhnPOb6wbiL8ricb_hFFBC8RHGZ2K0yh_MQ-fDkadcB3GPa7QvCJYaQmRRZmH8hhIeLvVgGQMkyXmgVg31C1aryoLeSQyWkl5O8Bj42DErO1_r9saIjid1Y2y8YV4DsxTPbTFrDBpZ1rakKyzFhFg/w640-h404/Blue-headed%20Vireo.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Blue-headed Vireo</span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">I came
upon two Moose.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh231tvUVN-KBtWE6YC_NLRa7R1zyW4i45OfaLHe8q4UNR9820CZoEO7wvXB5AvtnRV0h4hntH1G8UuQlhHfRWfFR4fbroSa5VAUQ1TDe8A220KOExAYa8d4BMwH8CTyPjTpHUXgkv_KSX0-uLOhPcFo3aQQCNRPv6fO5m1k8sAk_Guq7TPF9jXcB-E/s1500/yearling%20Moose%202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="860" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh231tvUVN-KBtWE6YC_NLRa7R1zyW4i45OfaLHe8q4UNR9820CZoEO7wvXB5AvtnRV0h4hntH1G8UuQlhHfRWfFR4fbroSa5VAUQ1TDe8A220KOExAYa8d4BMwH8CTyPjTpHUXgkv_KSX0-uLOhPcFo3aQQCNRPv6fO5m1k8sAk_Guq7TPF9jXcB-E/w366-h640/yearling%20Moose%202.JPG" width="366" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"> A yearling Moose.</span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">I came
upon two Black Bears.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3XJHDiomv-y9NeQApsMStxnHiLfcFVPBRU2smHAzaOVz2Z-UAqrYRD4FSr1q1etiShTA80zI9J7CK7OIQx5C6uF044XPfYyvDCxIh-mtxLBlJXad4J5q5uX0GHGGRLE8ZmuSoNATNbOzEBxxeELQEknmpwPv6FyxO3SCS0lQTNs9A0_x4Hd32FszW/s1938/yearling%20Black%20Bear.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1938" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3XJHDiomv-y9NeQApsMStxnHiLfcFVPBRU2smHAzaOVz2Z-UAqrYRD4FSr1q1etiShTA80zI9J7CK7OIQx5C6uF044XPfYyvDCxIh-mtxLBlJXad4J5q5uX0GHGGRLE8ZmuSoNATNbOzEBxxeELQEknmpwPv6FyxO3SCS0lQTNs9A0_x4Hd32FszW/w640-h412/yearling%20Black%20Bear.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">A yearling Black Bear on the roadside allowed close approach for photography. This photo taken with my iPhone.</span></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">And I
glimpsed a Fisher (a large mustelid—an oversized mink about 3 feet long)
running across the road. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYXDNKq0sj_QDFOmmfNjQ-bVRNbovhbAR2nOWWonLM9kKeI5LLkSzq1FONxQBpt5-aR2_vUi-fheheMt178yYkczpUAwqzCULHZ_DLVNrLWX4TefYeIG9cYj_UswAgBZZe-U911habkFwYhLXm4HJRbkwe65kSX97BOzSbDst7_G94t2XpGQTCs7a-/s1758/Greater%20Yellowlegs.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1758" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYXDNKq0sj_QDFOmmfNjQ-bVRNbovhbAR2nOWWonLM9kKeI5LLkSzq1FONxQBpt5-aR2_vUi-fheheMt178yYkczpUAwqzCULHZ_DLVNrLWX4TefYeIG9cYj_UswAgBZZe-U911habkFwYhLXm4HJRbkwe65kSX97BOzSbDst7_G94t2XpGQTCs7a-/w640-h364/Greater%20Yellowlegs.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Greater Yellowlegs sounds off on a lakeshore in Esker Provincial Park.</span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Getting to
the site where I had found the cluster of Connecticut Warbler records from
previous years, I was disappointed to find no suitable habitat nearby. Why the
cluster of eBird records from monoculture planted Jack Pine? Strange! I did
walk along an ATV trail nearby, which took me through some nice mixed boreal habitat.
Here I encountered lots of wood warblers, but no Connecticut. <o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOu3aJCHEuGAI0rS1s_MTnIICl-qMrFMXTDJuSDkCSc5E663IN5df2vcsmjVufDL0bZbgrWmgDMJNix2syNs6DZpXzD5awn7AtIHT_iaAv3bicsaFGJTZA60wj0DpBrcBRogHn7lcNESHd-h7rUqP1xbPYcS1bMyNepsx9RbvleAbP_f51Tv1MU5SJ/s1783/Philadelphia%20Vireo.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1783" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOu3aJCHEuGAI0rS1s_MTnIICl-qMrFMXTDJuSDkCSc5E663IN5df2vcsmjVufDL0bZbgrWmgDMJNix2syNs6DZpXzD5awn7AtIHT_iaAv3bicsaFGJTZA60wj0DpBrcBRogHn7lcNESHd-h7rUqP1xbPYcS1bMyNepsx9RbvleAbP_f51Tv1MU5SJ/w640-h448/Philadelphia%20Vireo.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Philadelphia Vireo eating a small spider.</span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Kevin
Sasseville, a knowledgeable and friendly Esker Park staffer, took me under his
wing and gave me lots of useful intel about the park, the park’s wildlife, and
the natural history of the region. He had all sorts of interesting images and
recordings on his smart phone—which added to our list of birds present here—Northern
Saw-whet Owl, Eastern Whip-poor-will, American Woodcock, Bonaparte’s Gull, and Yellow-headed Blackbird (which he videoed walking into the maintenance office on a rainy day).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8npZKIAzAGywEDkLLJTLKIK1JwpVaTsnvXRA_WIVXKl7bpn5FFt9C87ErnY-EAgw67eaKuQmI_4lv1fVCgIsgaqLcX8Ksx9u5uhJxt3n0FqKvMafmvM8TRa4TWeTqdbnNkmzWRyaZyeAnscnXRzWPYiynnhRFUcmWCoVyNSTmJIl-tJSfEEvcpr7g/s1813/Bonaparte's%20Gull.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1813" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8npZKIAzAGywEDkLLJTLKIK1JwpVaTsnvXRA_WIVXKl7bpn5FFt9C87ErnY-EAgw67eaKuQmI_4lv1fVCgIsgaqLcX8Ksx9u5uhJxt3n0FqKvMafmvM8TRa4TWeTqdbnNkmzWRyaZyeAnscnXRzWPYiynnhRFUcmWCoVyNSTmJIl-tJSfEEvcpr7g/w640-h354/Bonaparte's%20Gull.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Bonaparte's Gull at Esker Park.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Kevin
introduced me to Mike Leahy, the local birding expert. I arranged to go out with
Mike and his partner Ann Black on my last morning before departure. I drove
down to Swastika, a suburb of Kirkland Lake, and met Leahy and Black at their home.
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA9edQOkRqP460PJz2XDMmud2ERe2KM8o8woMsLrv32ZQYT27vTBkogJY2v185REdkU5bm3azPE2uMQdKtEWDnDh_ZEqc4wsZeibbT8qReJGZNl4rN_M32iWWBTpSGLnt1Wf9fiFb9GFKavo1Bx2mzT6YduhBRBAnwFte2NxIcO0UYn1-yIqnr_0zP/s1750/Alder%20Flycatcher%20in%20song.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1750" data-original-width="1660" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA9edQOkRqP460PJz2XDMmud2ERe2KM8o8woMsLrv32ZQYT27vTBkogJY2v185REdkU5bm3azPE2uMQdKtEWDnDh_ZEqc4wsZeibbT8qReJGZNl4rN_M32iWWBTpSGLnt1Wf9fiFb9GFKavo1Bx2mzT6YduhBRBAnwFte2NxIcO0UYn1-yIqnr_0zP/w608-h640/Alder%20Flycatcher%20in%20song.JPG" width="608" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">A singing male Alder Flycatcher in a clearing in the Swastika Municipal Recreation Area.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">From their
home we took a very pleasant four-hour bird walk through the Swastika municipal
forest recreation area, visiting Elsie Lake. This is a place where Mike and Ann had
seen a Connecticut Warbler in July 2022. This morning we counted thirteen
warbler species (55 individuals) and had a Canada Jay, which was new for my
trip list. Other highlights were Alder Flycatcher and Mourning Warbler.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEionkm-A5X98aBB_mAlNdkgNh0IRrpX7BDgISouF0wxNYdHfNyxz4L5bDMpOxJWWeps4ddA5jYtZbWnB4dAqBpzymLMUhivydNafCe86fPsSA0BBJRhTgTP14-mikXQ7HPpHT5cXg2COjHsFDszR3CnkUKPLTixzrPFTe-LVu26Pub1sSSYYSs6o01T/s2468/Mike%20and%20Ann%20in%20Swastika,%20ON.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2468" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEionkm-A5X98aBB_mAlNdkgNh0IRrpX7BDgISouF0wxNYdHfNyxz4L5bDMpOxJWWeps4ddA5jYtZbWnB4dAqBpzymLMUhivydNafCe86fPsSA0BBJRhTgTP14-mikXQ7HPpHT5cXg2COjHsFDszR3CnkUKPLTixzrPFTe-LVu26Pub1sSSYYSs6o01T/w640-h324/Mike%20and%20Ann%20in%20Swastika,%20ON.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Ann Black and Mike Leahy at Elsie Lake, near Swastika, Ontario.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">It was
great to spend time with local experts who know so much about the geology,
botany, birdlife, and history of the region. Mike is a retired minerals prospector,
and knew this part of Canada like the back of this hand. This is big-time
mining and timber country. During our walk through the woods we could hear the low
industrial sounds of a nearby large gold mine that had been operating for more
than a century.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZvpnss9OZI_mqc9M9r_lMWV_p50oyriXcRBfdaZcmrGl-pSIxJnF33QYL6zWu2DTjL8uzf5vPdrtiUhefr_DwXtpRsWh4RRdno-tkXrxzSbzOfnZEZNEn26NVU7CxbSOi8Ej0OOhnSWhAU1R4R3u28PcSg9biTZcbkf71yR0ZONiRbwInqlHfoC3/s1838/Mourning%20Warbler%20male%20in%20song.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1838" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZvpnss9OZI_mqc9M9r_lMWV_p50oyriXcRBfdaZcmrGl-pSIxJnF33QYL6zWu2DTjL8uzf5vPdrtiUhefr_DwXtpRsWh4RRdno-tkXrxzSbzOfnZEZNEn26NVU7CxbSOi8Ej0OOhnSWhAU1R4R3u28PcSg9biTZcbkf71yR0ZONiRbwInqlHfoC3/w640-h348/Mourning%20Warbler%20male%20in%20song.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">A male Mourning Warbler skulking and singing by a wet thicket of alders.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Rural Canada
is a place where “wilderness” and industry often are found standing side by
side.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_vZslLYZidbolWmpmBhC-6AaJ17CJTWWuJ5Zu2U0LG-lDB_DLgEP1ashOtsneI8gnOA7FPyaCuHWgOdS-pK1DlHo92hOabexsFPm_eeVBTKZMgAz8a3Q-NSPRozrZCvbP-EdQBm8F-BdRKetOfU3OmF_1Z44LkSgeHOBqSJWdcFsPQSt5lcSOOG2z/s2243/clear%20fell%20operation.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2243" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_vZslLYZidbolWmpmBhC-6AaJ17CJTWWuJ5Zu2U0LG-lDB_DLgEP1ashOtsneI8gnOA7FPyaCuHWgOdS-pK1DlHo92hOabexsFPm_eeVBTKZMgAz8a3Q-NSPRozrZCvbP-EdQBm8F-BdRKetOfU3OmF_1Z44LkSgeHOBqSJWdcFsPQSt5lcSOOG2z/w640-h286/clear%20fell%20operation.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> S<span style="font-size: x-small;">tacks of White Birch logs, as part of commercial clear-fell operation near the Park.</span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">I drove
the first leg home on early Saturday morning, passing for several hours through
thick smoke and haze from nearby forest fires. It was very unpleasant. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhGo9wXgYmeFdyUhAm4qQ1tsDaVM4l2Scug3ksHErGh5_Gl8NN09HjH3NEdVKCwoiRaNoiz8Sz0tl62vqYN4CTe8NheofAgT6bynAUTnbka4jgxvtZerx-wrHAEp7k8xcqGqfgI4uDaahtH2emDaUN5WwNY5FUk6HVjufdzCnBCChBTUL369Ew4JI/s1772/ATTE%20male%20in%20flight.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1772" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhGo9wXgYmeFdyUhAm4qQ1tsDaVM4l2Scug3ksHErGh5_Gl8NN09HjH3NEdVKCwoiRaNoiz8Sz0tl62vqYN4CTe8NheofAgT6bynAUTnbka4jgxvtZerx-wrHAEp7k8xcqGqfgI4uDaahtH2emDaUN5WwNY5FUk6HVjufdzCnBCChBTUL369Ew4JI/w640-h362/ATTE%20male%20in%20flight.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">A male American Thee-toed Woodpecker flies from perch.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">As I wrote
this blog at home, I checked eBird to see about this spring’s reports of
Connecticut Warbler from Ontario. A few migrant records from the far south, but
not a single breeding record for the species this year at this point (6 June).
These birds are very rare, and also Ontario has relatively few birders out
hunting for warblers on breeding territory. There is still work to be done!</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjjFkBj83GGMuhHS4hF22qCPP_YUWnni0Gyf2gvl2byDsGZK_SpzxVFB8CyWnHWc0yFt0BbExtjnL9aRAGyMkYWQQGeti9tRJBF8Fzwy_rePtCk0rKAtilmaSHPm2zfNSTn24xekKwgziWgNnBjhKTTUe-3lT5mHBRUMAQjJ2M9vR3ZphlNLtHUe7U/s1914/smoke%20filled%20sky%20filtering%20sun.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1914" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjjFkBj83GGMuhHS4hF22qCPP_YUWnni0Gyf2gvl2byDsGZK_SpzxVFB8CyWnHWc0yFt0BbExtjnL9aRAGyMkYWQQGeti9tRJBF8Fzwy_rePtCk0rKAtilmaSHPm2zfNSTn24xekKwgziWgNnBjhKTTUe-3lT5mHBRUMAQjJ2M9vR3ZphlNLtHUe7U/w640-h418/smoke%20filled%20sky%20filtering%20sun.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Red smog from a forest fire nearby on the start of my drive back to the US.</span></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span><p></p></div>Bruce Beehlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15885008878848042968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4395290943835782922.post-34483353702160374452023-05-26T06:22:00.000-07:002023-05-26T06:22:52.160-07:00<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9dhXlsmB9CpKYlrQk9KKiJSW6FdESqy_o0h1CRR17f9Lco4NJ5PGtc4n9QvTUAF3vC8WJKLuGtwKOkmXfHaOZmxe_cLJjLuCPgqhxe_eLXjqKYpnwiLD49SaLjNvB8_xGX7iN_hV42zalNWlt8gjrNcIl-z2hzzLsiruONB64_JViQFV_jldQAP4o/s1615/Ladder-backed%20Woodpecker.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1615" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9dhXlsmB9CpKYlrQk9KKiJSW6FdESqy_o0h1CRR17f9Lco4NJ5PGtc4n9QvTUAF3vC8WJKLuGtwKOkmXfHaOZmxe_cLJjLuCPgqhxe_eLXjqKYpnwiLD49SaLjNvB8_xGX7iN_hV42zalNWlt8gjrNcIl-z2hzzLsiruONB64_JViQFV_jldQAP4o/w640-h396/Ladder-backed%20Woodpecker.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Ladder-backed Woodpecker</span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Blog 6: Southeastern Arizona: </p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Portal and Cave Creek Canyon
and North Texas</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">3-9 May 2023</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7f4rOD-dEomfnFpGy0E0i4iRjCmj91tP4NWclnvqpZnTtLedFdyII8c_tolRBOSiazqpRmHpiGDRnirb1EEqRKa5M7NMgE8wnw7wW67Vpy24mas1-grVIeOVAet4qm1pMU9XIKYiOhj4TRX3kKXdHG8HTNYAQNNUOrJXgJpBNh3YX1h9B4d44WXO/s4032/IMG_1501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7f4rOD-dEomfnFpGy0E0i4iRjCmj91tP4NWclnvqpZnTtLedFdyII8c_tolRBOSiazqpRmHpiGDRnirb1EEqRKa5M7NMgE8wnw7wW67Vpy24mas1-grVIeOVAet4qm1pMU9XIKYiOhj4TRX3kKXdHG8HTNYAQNNUOrJXgJpBNh3YX1h9B4d44WXO/w640-h480/IMG_1501.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">After giving a talk to the Maricopa Audubon Society in Scottsdale,
Arizona, I spent the night at the home of my Audubon Society host in Tempe, Elias
Esquier. My host was a language expert and we spent a lot of time talking about
local and indigenous languages in the Region. <o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikhBxG3IDZOrR5sMNC0o9jKA4KvNpnFWE7P1fBUIbGrsfKDN12-VdCUkrYrFqGbz6AHg5ttsT9_1V3Q0rKtbiClUIAWX4QQfVZTQDOcOSontlNFRc74EniLbXtDNg-w6dfRkNHh7mMuF7CnBjKg10zoapWy0K6Jol2-tCr-ULALEzAB7DMiRAaAyVm/s1513/Broad-billed%20Hummer%20male.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1513" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikhBxG3IDZOrR5sMNC0o9jKA4KvNpnFWE7P1fBUIbGrsfKDN12-VdCUkrYrFqGbz6AHg5ttsT9_1V3Q0rKtbiClUIAWX4QQfVZTQDOcOSontlNFRc74EniLbXtDNg-w6dfRkNHh7mMuF7CnBjKg10zoapWy0K6Jol2-tCr-ULALEzAB7DMiRAaAyVm/w640-h424/Broad-billed%20Hummer%20male.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Broad-billed Hummingbird</span></div><p class="MsoNormal">The next morning I breakfasted with my cousin Cita and her
husband Irwin on a sunny patio at the beautiful Camelback Inn. Mid-morning
headed eastward through the Arizona mountains on backroads, through Globe, Cutter,
Peridot, Bryce, Pima, and Safford. Passing through Safford, I could see mighty
snow-capped Mount Graham to the southwest of town. Mount Graham hosts an
astronomical observatory and is also the home of an endemic subspecies of Red
Squirrel. Amazing to see snow in southern Arizona in May.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXa_opFNeqwSgzMWlEimgWaHneY_fLcFyFS_Psr0dNn6JIMkB8vlx3vsEYAz5wZiZKuYhZNg-mqbHi2zyzMrSbFIaTOWVngtudd29AwWt4xwbyHcYIo-kcgDZSYlnvgf8r0yi721lV5IjCDaVckn1_LZBKM33y-jJAPHp7t-vMgFdplvDfIWjEPW9/s6000/IMG_1350.CR2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXa_opFNeqwSgzMWlEimgWaHneY_fLcFyFS_Psr0dNn6JIMkB8vlx3vsEYAz5wZiZKuYhZNg-mqbHi2zyzMrSbFIaTOWVngtudd29AwWt4xwbyHcYIo-kcgDZSYlnvgf8r0yi721lV5IjCDaVckn1_LZBKM33y-jJAPHp7t-vMgFdplvDfIWjEPW9/w640-h426/IMG_1350.CR2" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">northern scarp of the Chiricauhua Mts</span></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal">From Safford I headed due south to Portal, the tiny town
that provides access to the Chiricahua Mountains and Cave Creek Canyon.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyxHh0iatwSuwZM7QMdXBMU4KwtxejHyNwgMkNeLaQeG0mB7ZAFvFrmeGeWrzA41SAPK70cOMlwiFxe-Ce5piYopfs7xedD38F87QmwOscJw70S6raGiZ5g3GhV8WzZu5Fsss1HE0fMagyxDQye9VxpEl7IEEJvDeu4qV-K7reLQfsC4EHKq19inZa/s1142/Townsend's%20Solitaire.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1142" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyxHh0iatwSuwZM7QMdXBMU4KwtxejHyNwgMkNeLaQeG0mB7ZAFvFrmeGeWrzA41SAPK70cOMlwiFxe-Ce5piYopfs7xedD38F87QmwOscJw70S6raGiZ5g3GhV8WzZu5Fsss1HE0fMagyxDQye9VxpEl7IEEJvDeu4qV-K7reLQfsC4EHKq19inZa/w640-h560/Townsend's%20Solitaire.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Townsend's Solitaire</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Southeastern Arizona is a famous birding hotspot, bordering Sonora,
Mexico, and southwestern New Mexico. The mountains and canyons of the region
harbor numbers of Mexican bird species that only be found in the US in this
little corner of the birding world. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As a result, the area in spring is infested with swarms of eager
birders, most of whom are seniors who have the time and resources to visit this
isolated spot in order to add to their birding life lists. In early May the
little hotels and lodges and campgrounds were filled to the brim. Birders
everywhere (not unlike High Island).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I spent three nights camped in the Idlewilde Campground, nestled
deep within a narrow canyon through which flowed the chilled clear waters of
Cave Creek. I set my tent at the top of the campground, beside a house-sized
boulder that had dropped from the steep and colorful cliffs that rose above the
campground on both sides of the creek.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyVOvD88clQ4VFuCQ7of9gX3PK-vP6ZZhh-rCp7qL9tzvHKdzYTssQkPz3Me8jwreP6q3krCxhfr9Z_av-7M-sZW75LIJJxgCJibyc3ypx7t-9KpPidPmOxmBB0vDUnr0MvnDlN2cCml3ZC_jSj8AYTuKe7xu0vQkT8zu2AWrqRuZzbeQnB6y-LVez/s4032/IMG_1467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyVOvD88clQ4VFuCQ7of9gX3PK-vP6ZZhh-rCp7qL9tzvHKdzYTssQkPz3Me8jwreP6q3krCxhfr9Z_av-7M-sZW75LIJJxgCJibyc3ypx7t-9KpPidPmOxmBB0vDUnr0MvnDlN2cCml3ZC_jSj8AYTuKe7xu0vQkT8zu2AWrqRuZzbeQnB6y-LVez/w640-h480/IMG_1467.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Idlewilde Campground, Cave Creek Canyon</span></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal">As I set up my tent I was serenaded by a male Hepatic
Tanager who had selected my campsite as his breeding territory. He was here, singing,
every day.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9HObmk0CldjAKGgZRZ-608lmvotgRUKG6YTHUjIqFcfcxrOsnmMvNbbenJpI02JE4iwFQ02Aia7LKkoNbrxGVHWN39UW9_J5jgIx2kEkV6BPZ-VlnSoiOPFd80pGRn0ujmRhEg6G5XjiS9SJax7-hs27xUHeLu-uLDpNjF9Q3XtBBmJymDD18ym6/s4032/IMG_1485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9HObmk0CldjAKGgZRZ-608lmvotgRUKG6YTHUjIqFcfcxrOsnmMvNbbenJpI02JE4iwFQ02Aia7LKkoNbrxGVHWN39UW9_J5jgIx2kEkV6BPZ-VlnSoiOPFd80pGRn0ujmRhEg6G5XjiS9SJax7-hs27xUHeLu-uLDpNjF9Q3XtBBmJymDD18ym6/w480-h640/IMG_1485.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal">Given how parched and desert-like the flat land I had just
driven through, it was refreshing to be under a thick canopy of oaks and by a
noisy mountain stream with cool drinkable water in abundance. No wonder the
birds loved it here. It is magnificent!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirr0b_dbzHfEjh1wi99zsJDsfnOp_6CbsCHWkaMw8FkuIZSkiC6lQNJiJc6QlPN5sffTjmCUcesxbNGugT2UxKvOdNKmZYibtEiOxhPCdWFcK6oabcIbMI_f2KPLoQzdLDplm_kRtkRCH-4PUwOeKZMnehoQZaT6_B02WoAgAVYvwyT55AQL5IJ5Hr/s4032/IMG_1473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirr0b_dbzHfEjh1wi99zsJDsfnOp_6CbsCHWkaMw8FkuIZSkiC6lQNJiJc6QlPN5sffTjmCUcesxbNGugT2UxKvOdNKmZYibtEiOxhPCdWFcK6oabcIbMI_f2KPLoQzdLDplm_kRtkRCH-4PUwOeKZMnehoQZaT6_B02WoAgAVYvwyT55AQL5IJ5Hr/w640-h480/IMG_1473.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal">Here at the base of the mountains, I was at 4,750 feet
elevation. The summit of the range tops 9,700 feet. A forest service road to
Rustler Park would take me to 8,000+ feet. Nice to be in the uplands! I was told
by Elias Esquier, who had hosted me in Tempe for my talk, that the name “Chiricahua”
is an Opah-tah name that means “mountains of the Wild Turkeys.” </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpr_OvC9U1IQ-b8GjOiOfA7iSfzXeq_rmVMCVoB7VGJ21KMYn0Vx7x6KIAmLiVC7bz0-jbzhTyb8p66LhbDwV1SJ3g7nUuq3qZRQ86o7a4GoiPtmdSMuhz076EDNxYqnm-kkuqU9z9Xo4u4uoOVvEviq9HxsQXd4uI84HesteiiLCZ1uZBK1eDgPez/s2001/Gabler%20Turkey.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2001" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpr_OvC9U1IQ-b8GjOiOfA7iSfzXeq_rmVMCVoB7VGJ21KMYn0Vx7x6KIAmLiVC7bz0-jbzhTyb8p66LhbDwV1SJ3g7nUuq3qZRQ86o7a4GoiPtmdSMuhz076EDNxYqnm-kkuqU9z9Xo4u4uoOVvEviq9HxsQXd4uI84HesteiiLCZ1uZBK1eDgPez/w640-h400/Gabler%20Turkey.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal">The name was apt, as I saw and heard Wild Turkey frequently here
in this beautiful green space.</p><p class="MsoNormal">As the sun set, it struck the high cliffs of the canyon,
lighting them with color.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Every bend in the road offered a different view of rocky
heights.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One of the most common birds in Cave Creek Canyon was the
Mexican Jay. Family flocks of 8-9 would descend on my campsite every morning
and evening, looking for handouts. They were beautiful and confiding and filled
with personality. And they were noisy! <o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ICrkfxoRlNnjR6UKtHb9oCLZPAD_r68Hy0TatNXaz4m2ABrdosHJmJ4fyWz6YPIZx0yE3lyrLp8Es0lbpE1_z2zQvb3HdXeD3pl7LEe6_R6Mfa7uorvZ9ui6i79Ekh5HXPwTHzKqihfybFyUzIiuue2q6uocSl1SUQ2w4PJUkWZpJeSzudndJvUx/s1717/Mexican%20Jay.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1717" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ICrkfxoRlNnjR6UKtHb9oCLZPAD_r68Hy0TatNXaz4m2ABrdosHJmJ4fyWz6YPIZx0yE3lyrLp8Es0lbpE1_z2zQvb3HdXeD3pl7LEe6_R6Mfa7uorvZ9ui6i79Ekh5HXPwTHzKqihfybFyUzIiuue2q6uocSl1SUQ2w4PJUkWZpJeSzudndJvUx/w640-h372/Mexican%20Jay.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Mexican Jay</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal">My first morning in Cave Creek Canyon I biked up the road, looking
for birds. Aside from the turkeys, I found a Painted Redstart in song.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguvc5Jacm4pRg6z55W6XFj_DCFZeUC_FWbA2XCcwbnqcsbHlZL__ZW_hOCftprefEDkDP8IDe-4rHGYp02m1-6W7SCNbMf4iXKJxSbp7XVdv0_ztMJSyxuhjVy9LIjbuWaENF3PWBzoGZvcDi7x19BYdGO43pB_uPzY6tI9Jg_32GXgWwg8pk--pvs/s1212/Painted%20Redstart.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1212" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguvc5Jacm4pRg6z55W6XFj_DCFZeUC_FWbA2XCcwbnqcsbHlZL__ZW_hOCftprefEDkDP8IDe-4rHGYp02m1-6W7SCNbMf4iXKJxSbp7XVdv0_ztMJSyxuhjVy9LIjbuWaENF3PWBzoGZvcDi7x19BYdGO43pB_uPzY6tI9Jg_32GXgWwg8pk--pvs/w640-h396/Painted%20Redstart.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Painted Redstart male</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal">Also a vocal Black-headed Grosbeak.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJfUoiXErZEy-FQHRjwC8QnACyeSxgdXqZM0xMg5I_qlSa4dkMrCFUnzEYfgTTaQunChuouQVTlmMUoz4D2-0HqCouxSFGfiw-hK6yjFdxiYn89_8ekhWIFchIZaQ5FLxo5U38vox8CG6xGmFSJdGUARlpraPHVXRUN4-_TA1-liS37Q7JKphkeAZr/s1737/Black-headed%20Grosbeak.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1737" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJfUoiXErZEy-FQHRjwC8QnACyeSxgdXqZM0xMg5I_qlSa4dkMrCFUnzEYfgTTaQunChuouQVTlmMUoz4D2-0HqCouxSFGfiw-hK6yjFdxiYn89_8ekhWIFchIZaQ5FLxo5U38vox8CG6xGmFSJdGUARlpraPHVXRUN4-_TA1-liS37Q7JKphkeAZr/w640-h368/Black-headed%20Grosbeak.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Black-headed Grosbeak male</span><p class="MsoNormal">A bit later in the morning, I visited Cliff Rodriguez’s bird
feeders, just outside of Portal. Mr. Rodriguez was one of several landowners
who had set up permanent bird feeding stations for visitors, who pay a small
fee for the pleasure of sitting and watching as birds of all sorts come in to
feed.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyosQcDCl1e4Hc9OVVP7tXMhAVPQM6Th7Xjpa2N-6Tve4SljXN74AElp4J7VlHq_X5NEvNI4usL1g-YBqOZ-TczQczraB-c05b5XK5G00QJtjOGexLpThpPdrJdLwAX-QTgGuMcWpeoqg8CjyF-_a5QseloCu3W-IaW8A6-j3SbRpTrv4GZGFaSQHR/s2447/Bell's%20Vireo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2447" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyosQcDCl1e4Hc9OVVP7tXMhAVPQM6Th7Xjpa2N-6Tve4SljXN74AElp4J7VlHq_X5NEvNI4usL1g-YBqOZ-TczQczraB-c05b5XK5G00QJtjOGexLpThpPdrJdLwAX-QTgGuMcWpeoqg8CjyF-_a5QseloCu3W-IaW8A6-j3SbRpTrv4GZGFaSQHR/w640-h262/Bell's%20Vireo.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Bell's Vireo</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal">Walking in from the parking lot I found a singing Bell’s
Vireo.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt27MvdkcFrghXWH5uEjF7awMDE2LLKU1CDKeITG_ESxU22HdB60HW3tY9CgDg_WxkTXYAKzi-4FS7rJnKMdXrDQCd7B2vQTjiYU-GN1ZdMfE7nC7quDWa4wL9WnniaxRz5rhjRfWjHUlLJvvKmTNU5ltpV9jDe_e5cePSmtSe_QToQSDMVTaahNpa/s1764/Gambel's%20Quail%202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1764" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt27MvdkcFrghXWH5uEjF7awMDE2LLKU1CDKeITG_ESxU22HdB60HW3tY9CgDg_WxkTXYAKzi-4FS7rJnKMdXrDQCd7B2vQTjiYU-GN1ZdMfE7nC7quDWa4wL9WnniaxRz5rhjRfWjHUlLJvvKmTNU5ltpV9jDe_e5cePSmtSe_QToQSDMVTaahNpa/w640-h362/Gambel's%20Quail%202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Gambel's Quail</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal">Gambel’s Quail came to forage in pairs.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6VDiePvQeqVLEh8Nk7P03EPYrJ4wbmO1bhaIhs4MuHeS6XL2HWghvPm-pATDJuWkP8qh_CxI-KXpP4pFBTiubVF4IbKkt9b_mrLbihQUIX66p8GwPxmDKTIhpV9SHebDSz2SIVxaxLCPmDcESLcEEa6syaG-emgtXuY08Z1MjPCMpRE91ctQ3eVLP/s1699/Bullock's%20Oriole%202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1699" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6VDiePvQeqVLEh8Nk7P03EPYrJ4wbmO1bhaIhs4MuHeS6XL2HWghvPm-pATDJuWkP8qh_CxI-KXpP4pFBTiubVF4IbKkt9b_mrLbihQUIX66p8GwPxmDKTIhpV9SHebDSz2SIVxaxLCPmDcESLcEEa6syaG-emgtXuY08Z1MjPCMpRE91ctQ3eVLP/w640-h376/Bullock's%20Oriole%202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Bullock's Oriole male</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal">Bullock’s Oriole came for nectar and fruit.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxr_Jo5WcPmxXg32j-JUa3f7ar8a-7U61M3myJ9c4EYPUJvQNUSSvVZ6I-FVUrO9DAVbjBpnN1JzrB1lO3fWbqx-3WDRiQxgUn1xTJCRKsgR-2O31zPgozwsC5TzHtZVDe-DvsvA1NLGcfQ-Qh6ybpsphAIzO2mMftVqziZssW0fRCKbNz--lie4PY/s1895/Crissal%20Thrasher.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1895" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxr_Jo5WcPmxXg32j-JUa3f7ar8a-7U61M3myJ9c4EYPUJvQNUSSvVZ6I-FVUrO9DAVbjBpnN1JzrB1lO3fWbqx-3WDRiQxgUn1xTJCRKsgR-2O31zPgozwsC5TzHtZVDe-DvsvA1NLGcfQ-Qh6ybpsphAIzO2mMftVqziZssW0fRCKbNz--lie4PY/w640-h338/Crissal%20Thrasher.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Crissal Thrasher</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal">Crissal Thrasher took seed from a hanging feeder.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_t5ggsIZslgG_uMzahwV2UtOwzrm3Bb0RVHtA2ozgfYgWX3vYFyBW_VQOXB-Rh2oAfqi78GSKcUfUYPu48G4YMi_a9_HBvcswyQ49P07t4qQIEJiDf7YAIOEs4rjQPi2UurCcPHiyI7MBDP83JKlOXb7kM2kBMRc4hbdvBZ9fJjwNJVoF9-576yEi/s1710/Curved-billed%20Thrasher.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1710" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_t5ggsIZslgG_uMzahwV2UtOwzrm3Bb0RVHtA2ozgfYgWX3vYFyBW_VQOXB-Rh2oAfqi78GSKcUfUYPu48G4YMi_a9_HBvcswyQ49P07t4qQIEJiDf7YAIOEs4rjQPi2UurCcPHiyI7MBDP83JKlOXb7kM2kBMRc4hbdvBZ9fJjwNJVoF9-576yEi/w640-h374/Curved-billed%20Thrasher.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Curve-billed Thrasher</span></div><p class="MsoNormal">Curve-billed Thrasher foraged on the ground for scattered
seed.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Harris’s Antelope Squirrel, looking like an oversized
chipmunk, was a new mammal for me, but went unphotographed (darn!).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On my second morning I made my way up to the top of the forestry
road at Rustler Park, where large stands of giant Ponderosa Pines formed
beautiful mountaintop parklands. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Up top, the Yellow-eyed Junco was the most common of the
sought-after montane Mexican species. I found it everywhere, foraging at the
roadside. <o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqoDGQPPya-ApsGaRLnTOnf1mA76s4rxWyCYMRuqAHi1GTxuEmK7aL0wby7rLClL1z5BAFPXhv3w3oIKImwkM58GtKD74yLRKXFqcYjXfzJdSbdB6jIEEhQitY2DWh7EhgoV_caDqsf6qOWe97DbXLB68tTnSv43yLeetKQmLhHNJvOg9AbvZdR4hn/s1758/Yellow-eyed%20Junco.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1758" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqoDGQPPya-ApsGaRLnTOnf1mA76s4rxWyCYMRuqAHi1GTxuEmK7aL0wby7rLClL1z5BAFPXhv3w3oIKImwkM58GtKD74yLRKXFqcYjXfzJdSbdB6jIEEhQitY2DWh7EhgoV_caDqsf6qOWe97DbXLB68tTnSv43yLeetKQmLhHNJvOg9AbvZdR4hn/w640-h364/Yellow-eyed%20Junco.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Yellow-eyed Junco</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal">Another birder, sharper-eyed, pointed out a Zone-tailed Hawk
soaring overhead, looking like a vulture.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTz5pD2x_-a0r5c699zs-_wp7p-D3Ay4oTyakRSZGfAPZ4zWMJ8ieknvV_u6fZFgeo7EwIe2LK9OzBaK4yZrPsLQBRaVAAx0a7l2cvI2iPmAdT5bPQQxXo-bjidGwsO0F_UrTy5tMx5rPl2jEQJ6J97BZJj3H4B3UaNWxnBEifV7OC94iAR3wPpWT1/s2282/Zone-tailed%20Hawk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="2282" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTz5pD2x_-a0r5c699zs-_wp7p-D3Ay4oTyakRSZGfAPZ4zWMJ8ieknvV_u6fZFgeo7EwIe2LK9OzBaK4yZrPsLQBRaVAAx0a7l2cvI2iPmAdT5bPQQxXo-bjidGwsO0F_UrTy5tMx5rPl2jEQJ6J97BZJj3H4B3UaNWxnBEifV7OC94iAR3wPpWT1/w640-h210/Zone-tailed%20Hawk.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Zone-tailed Hawk</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal">Other target species included Mexican Chickadee, Red-faced
Warbler, and Olive Warbler (the last now being sequestered in its own family,
the Peucedramidae). </p>I hunted for these three, finding instead other nice birds: Grace’s
Warbler and Black-throated Gray Warbler. I finally heard the trilled, wren-like
song of the Olive Warbler coming from some small pines.<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmp2rS4r52bhSezLiBLcL_I9sUTFWpUM1mv2SOJCv8Pja3lzISa8kOnLyyxwCt3fbFmDW2NWTiE-7EgA3DYONFFZLbNDkl06kIfGb8rueoMD7NdBj0mg46f1sSvES4IuYoGWeVqZFIQgDGRhhJcvRZ1ZfVaFfW_sT5H-NVU_22ryL0zIVq39DBu7mG/s3630/Olive%20Warbler%203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1660" data-original-width="3630" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmp2rS4r52bhSezLiBLcL_I9sUTFWpUM1mv2SOJCv8Pja3lzISa8kOnLyyxwCt3fbFmDW2NWTiE-7EgA3DYONFFZLbNDkl06kIfGb8rueoMD7NdBj0mg46f1sSvES4IuYoGWeVqZFIQgDGRhhJcvRZ1ZfVaFfW_sT5H-NVU_22ryL0zIVq39DBu7mG/w640-h292/Olive%20Warbler%203.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Olive Warbler</span></div><p class="MsoNormal">I spent about ten minutes admiring this unusual bird as it
foraged among the pine needles.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiShyuF3Kn5_o9im8za0HBaf6zxjBDZz5bM0QuqkJ_wBQC0ZEUBkFVMYu8PIXCaSOZdawneUxTrMV8f_5eyqeQGi5rK8CTqQOjlAn3IoOf_MsfXhm1qyC2c0R1notK4oErN1H-1nmn4kFi9phP2blDq66naZWyI0IMCroyaFrPtF7KtxTnuBc8dVT6f/s2321/Olive%20Warbler%20flying.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2321" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiShyuF3Kn5_o9im8za0HBaf6zxjBDZz5bM0QuqkJ_wBQC0ZEUBkFVMYu8PIXCaSOZdawneUxTrMV8f_5eyqeQGi5rK8CTqQOjlAn3IoOf_MsfXhm1qyC2c0R1notK4oErN1H-1nmn4kFi9phP2blDq66naZWyI0IMCroyaFrPtF7KtxTnuBc8dVT6f/w640-h276/Olive%20Warbler%20flying.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"> Olive Warbler</span></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal">I slowly descended the rough unpaved road, stopping to
search for the chickadee and the Red-faced Warbler. Neither species showed
itself. I would have to come back to search for them again another year. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipc5jOoueLZPFbQJUxVf8bOmqVC4Ov_VOBo6DcMBcd9Wp34Qd7LSfmROs-5CuMd68yRBnCgE56D5wQfuqnzKF63yfnObHxJyY7CHknRjfPQkV8AwZvZP7CAwqsGDeKq9MUrn4wcGXoHWb9JC4izRrSXHiqtHHo7nyjyojjHGMChCmAthYAIyuav-Pa/s2207/Elegant%20trogon%202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2207" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipc5jOoueLZPFbQJUxVf8bOmqVC4Ov_VOBo6DcMBcd9Wp34Qd7LSfmROs-5CuMd68yRBnCgE56D5wQfuqnzKF63yfnObHxJyY7CHknRjfPQkV8AwZvZP7CAwqsGDeKq9MUrn4wcGXoHWb9JC4izRrSXHiqtHHo7nyjyojjHGMChCmAthYAIyuav-Pa/w640-h290/Elegant%20trogon%202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">On my last afternoon in the Canyon, I was able to track down a calling Elegant Trogon, one of the prized birds here.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhujtj93FYC8Gk8J_PDJgmAcn5ZuPnTEltiMeImJIQbBgFFHI-gvHHhtB_vKLzpx2gwh1hh8bPlkrriGW5grphs_V0JJuNHzKEfPQcHAFogGy4VC4sOd5HzIcV_jf4SYj0rKcIiMcfZ_kCoUcAzU9LFsR6dfedq6qRxGK_Qs_ZPuSstGMiA-HeqFiNz/s4032/IMG_1503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhujtj93FYC8Gk8J_PDJgmAcn5ZuPnTEltiMeImJIQbBgFFHI-gvHHhtB_vKLzpx2gwh1hh8bPlkrriGW5grphs_V0JJuNHzKEfPQcHAFogGy4VC4sOd5HzIcV_jf4SYj0rKcIiMcfZ_kCoUcAzU9LFsR6dfedq6qRxGK_Qs_ZPuSstGMiA-HeqFiNz/w640-h480/IMG_1503.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Caprock Canyons State Park</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On the 6<sup>th</sup> of May I needed to begin my drive back
home. This would be a serious four-day effort, each day more than 500 miles. This
first day of driving took me along back roads through desert across New Mexico
and into northern Texas. I picked up two nice birds along the way: Scaled Quail
and Chihuahuan Meadowlark. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">I arrived at Caprock Canyons State Park, in Quitaque, Texas,
at 8 PM. This is a bit southeast of Amarillo. I was now in well-watered
agricultural country, the desert left behind. A Bobcat leisurely crossed the road
in front of my car as I drove through the little town with the unusual name. The
state park featured a patch of moonscape-like canyon country of bright red clay,
quite picturesque, lit by the late afternoon sun. The birding highlight was a
calling Burrowing Owl, which I never saw. I had never heard the voice of a
Burrowing Owl before, so this was a treat (I identified it using the Merlin app).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS4Zv_KcIOg13Vtq8305q1J1htT9R5TzTtxLyH6ymwVlM7kDTWGb8dTfE9Wk69_H0TbgeMJ6O4Bejm86X3nFeZkQAhHrI-Ghzr5WmxFQ2dYeDu8jmpUVApn-plQ_BRBi0V0V2otJhIWIETiwZwIj4XlxFKfv0KebMbHA-DNQT-S7AXzzLb-bQaTxMR/s4032/IMG_1507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS4Zv_KcIOg13Vtq8305q1J1htT9R5TzTtxLyH6ymwVlM7kDTWGb8dTfE9Wk69_H0TbgeMJ6O4Bejm86X3nFeZkQAhHrI-Ghzr5WmxFQ2dYeDu8jmpUVApn-plQ_BRBi0V0V2otJhIWIETiwZwIj4XlxFKfv0KebMbHA-DNQT-S7AXzzLb-bQaTxMR/w640-h480/IMG_1507.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Turkey, Texas!</span></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal">On the 7<sup>th</sup> of May I drove north and east through
Oklahoma, ending my long day of driving at Norfork, Arkansas, right on the main
stem of the White River. I spent the night at the getaway home of Gary Graves, Curator
of Birds at the Smithsonian. Warblers sang in nearby woods. Northern Arkansas
is rural, green, and beautiful. The White River cuts through hilly country,
forming tall bluffs—perfect country to situate a retreat.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On the 8<sup>th</sup> of May I continued my drive eastward:
Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, and finally Kentucky. I encountered many box
turtles crossing the roads in southern Missouri. I crossed the Mississippi and
the Ohio Rivers in short order in southernmost Illinois, on two ancient and narrow
trestle bridges. I spent the night in Louisville with Chuck Burg, who I had
worked with at the Smithsonian and at Conservation International. Chuck and his
wife Jessica had recently translocated from DC to Kentucky. Warblers were
passing through town, and Chuck pointed out good birding sites as we walked to dinner
at a nearby restaurant. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On the last day of the journey I drove through Kentucky,
West Virginia, and Maryland to my home, arriving in the mid-afternoon. Stopping
at highway rest stops, I heard the songs of Kentucky Warbler and Hooded Warbler
coming from woods backing the rest stops. These were the last sweet highlights
of my birding adventure. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Final trip mileage: 6,279 miles. States driven through: 17. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>My next blogs, to be issued in early June, will feature
Esker Lakes Provincial Park, northeastern Ontario.<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO2f4-1GcT5b74IGjT-27qAQNVzfheuxnPgekeh0FVVPi_Vfglfcx2GAg9CW0acFB1huymCwiAbttB9xDTLz5BsbEhQweOqVjZfPHVlcNt1e6HfjWM5L73YZ7Nf9MpiQOjV7RPIkaFFHATlhwCEGY-zaec0Apjt0zdNT7ucwjoRcgmyvkkyGQ-z9xg/s1991/Cactus%20Wren.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1991" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO2f4-1GcT5b74IGjT-27qAQNVzfheuxnPgekeh0FVVPi_Vfglfcx2GAg9CW0acFB1huymCwiAbttB9xDTLz5BsbEhQweOqVjZfPHVlcNt1e6HfjWM5L73YZ7Nf9MpiQOjV7RPIkaFFHATlhwCEGY-zaec0Apjt0zdNT7ucwjoRcgmyvkkyGQ-z9xg/w640-h322/Cactus%20Wren.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Cactus Wren</span></div><br /><i><br /></i><p></p>Bruce Beehlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15885008878848042968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4395290943835782922.post-23807260230172691472023-05-24T13:27:00.001-07:002023-05-25T05:34:08.799-07:00<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAfqaDCmq52Jrvr5vmD4jAqEXbAah7zCDDShrF9ea6OPiDL5DMNV3g8OQUnDq2qQ2ttv1k_h4pTZ-lOwdRiQ2lhFpWVRfQYRJjTV3pFDqIKyWJXV6oZkUHnw4oOWk6_gmnRfX68peTj9suA5arzbghhUJf1cyF_GEFo7PNGpWt7hzMKCctrdEkLsnw/s1729/Vermilion%20Fly%20male%202%20flight.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1729" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAfqaDCmq52Jrvr5vmD4jAqEXbAah7zCDDShrF9ea6OPiDL5DMNV3g8OQUnDq2qQ2ttv1k_h4pTZ-lOwdRiQ2lhFpWVRfQYRJjTV3pFDqIKyWJXV6oZkUHnw4oOWk6_gmnRfX68peTj9suA5arzbghhUJf1cyF_GEFo7PNGpWt7hzMKCctrdEkLsnw/w640-h370/Vermilion%20Fly%20male%202%20flight.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> male Vermilion Flycatcher</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: x-large; text-align: center;">Catalina State Park, Arizona, 1-2 May 2023</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8KPtTeiGkbbkN82H9aByyPgWBHzGwYFL0I82qei0FjktVznfruQmxsIrSmzYT3-dmC1JdwZ3J-5cJnFxIjYyYm-eutMba6bz3A_DDb9M2freVm6xAzJ24StyPiiFKiXnEvWg0nEIlG9dBqzUNxygq4_muithL_STQPk5jhtFZiHyWMiWOFoCuyCtT/s4032/IMG_1437.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8KPtTeiGkbbkN82H9aByyPgWBHzGwYFL0I82qei0FjktVznfruQmxsIrSmzYT3-dmC1JdwZ3J-5cJnFxIjYyYm-eutMba6bz3A_DDb9M2freVm6xAzJ24StyPiiFKiXnEvWg0nEIlG9dBqzUNxygq4_muithL_STQPk5jhtFZiHyWMiWOFoCuyCtT/w640-h480/IMG_1437.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"> early morning view of the western flank of the Mount Lemmon range from Catalina State Park</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">On the 1<sup>st</sup> of May I drove 550 miles from West
Texas to Tucson, Arizona, where I camped at Catalina State Park, just on the western
flank of Mount Lemmon.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Y5O_3tTpUgUTV4ryjeNNrYO8ZVV7jDebXvrN1ckAC2SUBitUaugWmKvbRBMrGh_GOlVwXZBYfxB0vlOug5PIUzgP4TDCLia2uw3JGCpLoLqyIn28DVQf1xfbd-4J2rKRWxtU7oBF3j0jbmIz2g3pEl6gMMxBydo6VFLqCDg9FRTj7IHtyuN2gkFH/s4032/IMG_1420.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Y5O_3tTpUgUTV4ryjeNNrYO8ZVV7jDebXvrN1ckAC2SUBitUaugWmKvbRBMrGh_GOlVwXZBYfxB0vlOug5PIUzgP4TDCLia2uw3JGCpLoLqyIn28DVQf1xfbd-4J2rKRWxtU7oBF3j0jbmIz2g3pEl6gMMxBydo6VFLqCDg9FRTj7IHtyuN2gkFH/w640-h480/IMG_1420.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> The rather tiresome drive through El Paso, TX, on I-10</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">This was a long day, driving from the Chihuahuan Desert into
the Sonoran Desert. The drive took me west on I-10 through El Paso, Texas, and
Las Cruces, New Mexico. In Texas I could look south into the valley of the Rio Grande (Rio Bravo). On the US
side were vast monoculture plantations of Pecan. I was surprised that this was
the favored crop in this very dry region. Irrigation-dependent of course.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMqCm_UPQJsQTnD32JRy_4zhBcP8EBBWzqAIpMOVgS8Z4MkTTdsVEwvKOfwX0-vJbx4Y9UkZsUzcXcAL8VVA_HSuGviOBhIdgxGAN81ojesoWO0VDY9SWhDSlkfVeq9qtKP9xxwW13oVSbwSvzEkIV2qMlbqppiCVWFb-Jc7I9qexyx8so0mkaXhnP/s1888/Pecan%20Orchard%20near%20Tornillo,%20TX.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1888" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMqCm_UPQJsQTnD32JRy_4zhBcP8EBBWzqAIpMOVgS8Z4MkTTdsVEwvKOfwX0-vJbx4Y9UkZsUzcXcAL8VVA_HSuGviOBhIdgxGAN81ojesoWO0VDY9SWhDSlkfVeq9qtKP9xxwW13oVSbwSvzEkIV2qMlbqppiCVWFb-Jc7I9qexyx8so0mkaXhnP/w640-h338/Pecan%20Orchard%20near%20Tornillo,%20TX.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Pecan monoculture near Tornillo, Texas (just north of Rio Grande).</span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Catalina State Park features several thousand acres of foothill
forest and riparian canyons—just on the verge of the burgeoning Tucson metropolitan
area. The park is an oasis of nature in this very built-up part of the arid Southwest.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdFobwh16LsUvcTbsmQ8zkbXJdpzFP0HCEakVNaklJy6BGUW1qN99nXrob6QlxvZnPV0nesCFhkOrGePBt5XoryVP5Aorp3g2ZjrVK8DY98zfsluTZigiYcW-YFt7iX5qg85E8ZpJsqSjZSSFLvfzCoLkBPRZzV9dciMk67v7yxQbyqlCA7n7oG-mB/s4032/IMG_1438.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdFobwh16LsUvcTbsmQ8zkbXJdpzFP0HCEakVNaklJy6BGUW1qN99nXrob6QlxvZnPV0nesCFhkOrGePBt5XoryVP5Aorp3g2ZjrVK8DY98zfsluTZigiYcW-YFt7iX5qg85E8ZpJsqSjZSSFLvfzCoLkBPRZzV9dciMk67v7yxQbyqlCA7n7oG-mB/w640-h480/IMG_1438.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal">My campsite sported several small mesquite trees and a
picnic table, set right next to the campground host, who had put out
hummingbird feeders and other goodies for the local birdlife.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizhoLuHUKFVe4TqRkKjWK9-aCki8huQz2i-XVqji0fiRqfX5928RCYCUMdaWe4XQ5W2hglitTS4QWYzMELjJcUmsTkXSzUCWRexvEa-gk9rTrf0O3G3w4Uy5fM5Qb_1KKuQSuzEjpxS8u5ijnMnKhG_43jt_qgLcagxZaOppcFzuWRMl4_MJdsMA_k/s2138/Greater%20Roadrunner%201.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2138" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizhoLuHUKFVe4TqRkKjWK9-aCki8huQz2i-XVqji0fiRqfX5928RCYCUMdaWe4XQ5W2hglitTS4QWYzMELjJcUmsTkXSzUCWRexvEa-gk9rTrf0O3G3w4Uy5fM5Qb_1KKuQSuzEjpxS8u5ijnMnKhG_43jt_qgLcagxZaOppcFzuWRMl4_MJdsMA_k/w640-h374/Greater%20Roadrunner%201.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Greater Roadrunner</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal">The first bird to show itself was an adult Greater
Roadrunner, who actively hunted the clearing between our campsites. I was told
it was nesting in a thicket just a few feet from my parking space.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc0XNfgRkQ_4DlyzVs5IRQ2wONU4bYJbNSIPQ-tDQhqnkE4LewyP1DkIx8LsVn3UPT_LTPkHXYm8C__QLmwpUdPWWjgVYDmlytN-uL6v7wkqiWrjjrMAvLPB4YUrTR6XN94llK5cpvexdvssJVm20_eDpt87PmKUsbmQ0hcDqRg-3GZv0tDmPx8znZ/s2400/Great%20Roadrunner%20with%20lizard.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2400" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc0XNfgRkQ_4DlyzVs5IRQ2wONU4bYJbNSIPQ-tDQhqnkE4LewyP1DkIx8LsVn3UPT_LTPkHXYm8C__QLmwpUdPWWjgVYDmlytN-uL6v7wkqiWrjjrMAvLPB4YUrTR6XN94llK5cpvexdvssJVm20_eDpt87PmKUsbmQ0hcDqRg-3GZv0tDmPx8znZ/w640-h266/Great%20Roadrunner%20with%20lizard.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">I watched as the roadrunner captured and consumed a
medium-sized lizard.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAS-kBhFZSxt2BgdPcKYwpqGRFRUPZN4KkK9GcRzLqeIUIGYCL2haervTsnAQR56d7Q_VosxYaGzK9BPVrOR9PaoV_-5onbmo64dATc0t_w-vxp7MOrV9gHtINhvwkuWNKuxJ270Osy6agJrRGShtc75tZeEX4pvKv1lX9bmcZXxhmcxYFSSkF55o4/s2583/Round-tailed%20Ground-squirrel.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2583" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAS-kBhFZSxt2BgdPcKYwpqGRFRUPZN4KkK9GcRzLqeIUIGYCL2haervTsnAQR56d7Q_VosxYaGzK9BPVrOR9PaoV_-5onbmo64dATc0t_w-vxp7MOrV9gHtINhvwkuWNKuxJ270Osy6agJrRGShtc75tZeEX4pvKv1lX9bmcZXxhmcxYFSSkF55o4/w640-h248/Round-tailed%20Ground-squirrel.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">Round-tailed Ground-squirrels came out of their solitary
burrows and moved about cautiously, trying to get a sense of the threat I posed
to them. I was a newcomer, of course, and they wanted to understand my
intentions.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCxTddNQpViR1WIHn9ug-bpIaoeEEJVTGQopiRRD6lyqceJjup2NAbcMS-_FwwXRgJyzwoJqBlOw6rVMhdUjyd_6xff1H0cRxhbJccyqwY2fid1Fp09n6krXPxb7OsOrCF2lbvNDzVJz_TXapvBdBgIllTixTtU22ZkXYkAMFMv9ROfrNV7MwUQM29/s4032/IMG_1439.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCxTddNQpViR1WIHn9ug-bpIaoeEEJVTGQopiRRD6lyqceJjup2NAbcMS-_FwwXRgJyzwoJqBlOw6rVMhdUjyd_6xff1H0cRxhbJccyqwY2fid1Fp09n6krXPxb7OsOrCF2lbvNDzVJz_TXapvBdBgIllTixTtU22ZkXYkAMFMv9ROfrNV7MwUQM29/w640-h480/IMG_1439.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"> Perhaps this is Cane Cholla (fide Dr. David Steadman)</span></div><p class="MsoNormal">The Park offered excellent biking, both on the paved roads
and the unpaved trails and bridle paths.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdNnMPBQGUySIr2vm-86WYDb9dQbLMimossEkCzRWA9d3YhMj8eZ7LjMEONKlStxvWHGrAiApwJ8q12SuMcE5bApZsx3XLrty_jkmfcipODelkpepPpjHQ618G3qsDTTdnsXF-fKgrnXcv0OcpU6fPkq4DuhZ3SeFIr_hemGBMuQ1OU1TlHhdw1zZa/s2245/Abert's%20Towhee.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2245" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdNnMPBQGUySIr2vm-86WYDb9dQbLMimossEkCzRWA9d3YhMj8eZ7LjMEONKlStxvWHGrAiApwJ8q12SuMcE5bApZsx3XLrty_jkmfcipODelkpepPpjHQ618G3qsDTTdnsXF-fKgrnXcv0OcpU6fPkq4DuhZ3SeFIr_hemGBMuQ1OU1TlHhdw1zZa/w640-h286/Abert's%20Towhee.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;"> Abert's Towhee</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal">The uplands were cloaked in natural desert vegetation, featuring
Saguaro cactus, Ocotillo, and Barrel cactus.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs9_d_Tq5WL8-WCCETDJHW9SKPQY9qBA2-IDbKJmhQeCe8C6sXw59uquIhhBqg38Bh6_8IqhojAetlFyYe_MwKD6JWf-Fln5Q7Cmgom3e-1sO45s97emmfWHbvb9HJuw1l3Iwk_UyM1nBzH8h9CBAfSDpVGrbayoWhCL9x1Y9bdi_m6dtFwvGDoQ7-/s1791/Black-throated%20Sparrow.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1791" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs9_d_Tq5WL8-WCCETDJHW9SKPQY9qBA2-IDbKJmhQeCe8C6sXw59uquIhhBqg38Bh6_8IqhojAetlFyYe_MwKD6JWf-Fln5Q7Cmgom3e-1sO45s97emmfWHbvb9HJuw1l3Iwk_UyM1nBzH8h9CBAfSDpVGrbayoWhCL9x1Y9bdi_m6dtFwvGDoQ7-/w640-h358/Black-throated%20Sparrow.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Black-throated Sparrow</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal">To the east rose rugged and dry lower ridges of Mount Lemmon,
forming a picturesque backdrop to the desert vistas. A morning bird walk through the upland desert was
productive. I encountered Black-throated Sparrows in song.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilkgcxavTNusB5WKNw_opEbWNqNMQFQgD3Iumzw-SwmhNruOGLpiZQub9Am-P7pBdN-JyinQbWGG8YQ4D2MS2DYV3ieHv9PSMa99Z0lKWrwYnOyJQKOI6xyIkh-NGcM9dRjOm2TcrCTiPvXpT9q_OiVOPCHnCtHWwkSPw-ocef7scTOL4eBgxEg5P9/s2574/Cactus%20Wren%20on%20Saguaro.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2574" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilkgcxavTNusB5WKNw_opEbWNqNMQFQgD3Iumzw-SwmhNruOGLpiZQub9Am-P7pBdN-JyinQbWGG8YQ4D2MS2DYV3ieHv9PSMa99Z0lKWrwYnOyJQKOI6xyIkh-NGcM9dRjOm2TcrCTiPvXpT9q_OiVOPCHnCtHWwkSPw-ocef7scTOL4eBgxEg5P9/w640-h248/Cactus%20Wren%20on%20Saguaro.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Cactus Wren atop a Saguaro</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal">Also Cactus Wrens, Pyrrhuloxia, Phainopepla, Rufous-winged
Sparrow, and Curve-billed Thrasher. Verdins were commonplace and vocal.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5LNxoPtYRAhAE8KEJfZVsFMla0gwO_H4oSjxy4PznAjlIcXJlPKDJP4HIC3DXPuOV6UAGQLh3OKHpD2ls8fXhk8b0_R6QD_bNNcZI7t5-1QOobbxrMlea_YvQXCoDZmVM5l9PvdFvh8nMqzClAQIsB39Dv0NjVJVzF-AmwSzlPc3aP_BjvnjSUci/s2179/Pyrrhuloxia%20male.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2179" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5LNxoPtYRAhAE8KEJfZVsFMla0gwO_H4oSjxy4PznAjlIcXJlPKDJP4HIC3DXPuOV6UAGQLh3OKHpD2ls8fXhk8b0_R6QD_bNNcZI7t5-1QOobbxrMlea_YvQXCoDZmVM5l9PvdFvh8nMqzClAQIsB39Dv0NjVJVzF-AmwSzlPc3aP_BjvnjSUci/w640-h368/Pyrrhuloxia%20male.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">male Pyrrhuloxia in an Ocotillo</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal">In several places I found Vermilion Flycatchers actively
foraging in shady picnic grounds. The male glows in the sunlight.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdhVFmY12uKWa3pNhjtg76-7R0w6Td9b-UgMUpUx3ZAG5dGluWA0QDEyIe8l83wk7T5GOaBgHKNWFYeJRh4-1KlyJPPAMYK-TsB_6JP4mrCOE2ttq9GdDvldfgL8qSzpJ--SlAmJ1FDC8dBl4lLglv7O2xgJbtRzACI9Xoux_uVb0zO8ltiVo6Z-b/s1935/Vermilion%20Flycatcher%20male.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1935" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdhVFmY12uKWa3pNhjtg76-7R0w6Td9b-UgMUpUx3ZAG5dGluWA0QDEyIe8l83wk7T5GOaBgHKNWFYeJRh4-1KlyJPPAMYK-TsB_6JP4mrCOE2ttq9GdDvldfgL8qSzpJ--SlAmJ1FDC8dBl4lLglv7O2xgJbtRzACI9Xoux_uVb0zO8ltiVo6Z-b/w640-h414/Vermilion%20Flycatcher%20male.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">male Vermilion Flycatcher</span></div><p class="MsoNormal">Ash-throated Flycatcher was common and vocal at the edge of
the desert.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88M7JRbotLmQqZIkqLNuH7y7mw9n7r12S3YrZrzL1eb3E2TGB4LFppAVsCTlmeqwnWpVIRLbQJKfEitTd1H7gbEga8xJaTkT5_EKxqztD1FRNfTY1pXL_6c8EbisTCYXIRl4Bp9vG3k8rO6cA8nlrcn-AnXvHzRoslGIkYYqDnEUArC6Cqy58Nf3L/s2114/Sah-throated%20Flycatcher.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2114" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88M7JRbotLmQqZIkqLNuH7y7mw9n7r12S3YrZrzL1eb3E2TGB4LFppAVsCTlmeqwnWpVIRLbQJKfEitTd1H7gbEga8xJaTkT5_EKxqztD1FRNfTY1pXL_6c8EbisTCYXIRl4Bp9vG3k8rO6cA8nlrcn-AnXvHzRoslGIkYYqDnEUArC6Cqy58Nf3L/w640-h302/Sah-throated%20Flycatcher.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Ash-throated Flycatcher</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal">Lucy’s Warbler was a regular forager in the small trees of
the campground. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtKiI9LiPCkPEWEMlG7VVoG7H0It7N11FviXqoVivJr3O6dGtzyn2Qq6fic9rK_gpnwkE5LpLET7xBv8VaG9cFycOWxnaIs_vWxZkb-oKQmqcKoPP-WgaaWzHn9OaycItkxworHUPxiIzDJR3wJnQPAVEFOMnFzGukQxbiSasFT1r8lsWXRgqu29EL/s2418/Lucy's%20Warbler.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2418" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtKiI9LiPCkPEWEMlG7VVoG7H0It7N11FviXqoVivJr3O6dGtzyn2Qq6fic9rK_gpnwkE5LpLET7xBv8VaG9cFycOWxnaIs_vWxZkb-oKQmqcKoPP-WgaaWzHn9OaycItkxworHUPxiIzDJR3wJnQPAVEFOMnFzGukQxbiSasFT1r8lsWXRgqu29EL/w640-h264/Lucy's%20Warbler.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Lucy's Warbler with a caterpillar</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal">A large Saguaro near my campsite featured the hole nest of a Gila Woodpecker. The male
would come and go to the cactus hole and also visit the hummingbird feeder to
take nectar.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWIPGzlqxj3S0Ak_Xp5mnyi9PZpv-ByXl6ntOU9GqJKsEvx4QfLCJTKVyOMVxp9ki_S-RoY8N5r5kKnPDkSgUEgurUnL5mcD2DHcULy15XcnQvie3osANdtN9_H_lHuSG7VSNG1U-nRwpr0c7ga-OuhAvxM5ZhJyte9kqOpoG2eUv53wjiqzdlMFH/s1874/Gila%20Woodpecker%201.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1874" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWIPGzlqxj3S0Ak_Xp5mnyi9PZpv-ByXl6ntOU9GqJKsEvx4QfLCJTKVyOMVxp9ki_S-RoY8N5r5kKnPDkSgUEgurUnL5mcD2DHcULy15XcnQvie3osANdtN9_H_lHuSG7VSNG1U-nRwpr0c7ga-OuhAvxM5ZhJyte9kqOpoG2eUv53wjiqzdlMFH/w640-h342/Gila%20Woodpecker%201.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">male Gila Woodpecker emerging from its nest</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal">I only had one night plus one morning in Catalina State Park. I could have happily
stayed here several days, photographing the birds and other wildlife.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-76_2rIE_pDPF7K3M_aPBG3B-hFYH8wHi1N6l-S-QxMyPgoYBm0GTLrtlRaaoYxkGuOYYSpNNsizOvLguGyunPkEoiuaaZGN-dHFKDDjbRi4Yv_rWJAv-HN-OGtM584u1w-jv90Loz6UEsS3drBdkxY7ajM3gUMQVDgQARmZQzOlYuoRVvAmIGe72/s2352/Verdin.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="2352" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-76_2rIE_pDPF7K3M_aPBG3B-hFYH8wHi1N6l-S-QxMyPgoYBm0GTLrtlRaaoYxkGuOYYSpNNsizOvLguGyunPkEoiuaaZGN-dHFKDDjbRi4Yv_rWJAv-HN-OGtM584u1w-jv90Loz6UEsS3drBdkxY7ajM3gUMQVDgQARmZQzOlYuoRVvAmIGe72/w640-h204/Verdin.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Verdin, a vocal forager</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal">My last nature blog in this series will feature the Chiricahua
Mountains and Cave Creek Canyon of southeastern Arizona. Look for that in a few days...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgymdJdHQtGr1R3bmA1mpF7putlQPns6bnVzvR_ZXWmrWRxsdfC9OQ9D10zQwqWzJAeyvsAKMsPFB_n2uwkTISFXSl3vDnfClNwA11R0QJOEEUJQk4nY7fnpktZ0RbAtKT_IAtMaqJ-hzExhNNzmEWj-SaiyTnsSBqA1YN3gLITPcebEo7K7LUAWUw_/s1975/Rufous-winged%20Sparrow.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1975" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgymdJdHQtGr1R3bmA1mpF7putlQPns6bnVzvR_ZXWmrWRxsdfC9OQ9D10zQwqWzJAeyvsAKMsPFB_n2uwkTISFXSl3vDnfClNwA11R0QJOEEUJQk4nY7fnpktZ0RbAtKT_IAtMaqJ-hzExhNNzmEWj-SaiyTnsSBqA1YN3gLITPcebEo7K7LUAWUw_/w640-h324/Rufous-winged%20Sparrow.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Rufous-winged Sparrows sang in the canyons</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>Bruce Beehlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15885008878848042968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4395290943835782922.post-31724799325816666312023-05-19T11:47:00.001-07:002023-05-23T17:01:29.998-07:00<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtyFdtdjJ2g4cl1U1AxCpVb83uFI3yQKVCVb9i3y-AEHfaXGXhTLolXT8p1F5WXNGgeDIvGl47Q48e1OkvkjIH7EyoRDMdFdcirGRLu9eSXgtYkLJzflGyFrJnOb82afKBqBIIIFTTLlCOiNVlSVvYiRVdHiqZRgPf6stsvN9UfQJ2t8hiCVZACZ6Z/s1367/Elf%20Owl%20in%20daytime.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1367" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtyFdtdjJ2g4cl1U1AxCpVb83uFI3yQKVCVb9i3y-AEHfaXGXhTLolXT8p1F5WXNGgeDIvGl47Q48e1OkvkjIH7EyoRDMdFdcirGRLu9eSXgtYkLJzflGyFrJnOb82afKBqBIIIFTTLlCOiNVlSVvYiRVdHiqZRgPf6stsvN9UfQJ2t8hiCVZACZ6Z/w640-h468/Elf%20Owl%20in%20daytime.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Elf Owl peers from fresh Acorn Woodpecker nest hole during the daytime</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: x-large; text-align: center;">West Texas and the Davis Mountains, 29 April-1 May 2023</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6DETnhY-1O25r6xp0libb-hXUzgTwD0zJwsWtmbhiNDyk9MMu4xVpgDf6IsiR0DbxZDCa_8DLZlpIOQpNLWJgENWFPLGNRndSLraVfHxVJpuPJF_sAQsqlL2Zzr-mYSKG-b0wpSDFcwIc-f2CrqnbfjrREWjPwn7RI6mQ9V50NedAak_64CF1BixT/s1816/cactus%20flowers.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1816" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6DETnhY-1O25r6xp0libb-hXUzgTwD0zJwsWtmbhiNDyk9MMu4xVpgDf6IsiR0DbxZDCa_8DLZlpIOQpNLWJgENWFPLGNRndSLraVfHxVJpuPJF_sAQsqlL2Zzr-mYSKG-b0wpSDFcwIc-f2CrqnbfjrREWjPwn7RI6mQ9V50NedAak_64CF1BixT/w640-h352/cactus%20flowers.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">cactus flowers</span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After the eight-hour-long drive west, I arrived in Fort Davis,
Texas, in the afternoon. Here it was sunny and cool. Fort Davis sits at 4,850
feet above sea level. That’s why it was cool even though I was in a Chihuahuan Desert
landscape. The fort, established in 1854, was named after Jefferson Davis (later
the President of the Confederacy). Today Fort Davis stands in Jeff Davis County
(some things never change). <o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZyCeUrAUgls-ilrWznlyUK-0cq807WJZO4HpalLxoSDo1AHPHDS_ENu68pEtKkPSlGf6cMBks9YC90TGMWUNL3dyeO-npxfLH404LhuBwfqLDMemQURi72CB8ERt4nvsSQOYFDaMMgHnznoWK0AyNW2a3sJhCqBdT5ZkmiRx8yiK_upexrWE8q-bc/s2235/Black-chinned%20Hummingbird%20male.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2235" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZyCeUrAUgls-ilrWznlyUK-0cq807WJZO4HpalLxoSDo1AHPHDS_ENu68pEtKkPSlGf6cMBks9YC90TGMWUNL3dyeO-npxfLH404LhuBwfqLDMemQURi72CB8ERt4nvsSQOYFDaMMgHnznoWK0AyNW2a3sJhCqBdT5ZkmiRx8yiK_upexrWE8q-bc/w640-h286/Black-chinned%20Hummingbird%20male.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> male Black-chinned Hummingbird at one of the feeding stations at Davis Mts State Park</span></div><p class="MsoNormal">For naturalists, the attraction of Fort Davis is the 2,700
acre Davis Mountains State Park, whose campground is tucked in a pretty canyon
of Limpia Creek. I tented under a shdy cluster of low oaks, which
protected me from the fierce sun.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxn0e_DW3sAcno8_C8fc3kzk_CGuyigEnMRRpT3byxVSwKpogLtTNLLsMb57FIGZQ95Ac91te2SNKLyiWGY0HfPx0o17XxZGpJ2e4CHpC6LEg0XLXOVEcUUZjSrn6DqGmQj4kh8GLyfw_Zk_q4ZHdYvhX8uv5qqdyF-6AQKJdBIWus0ydDLdl72yg7/s1699/Canyon%20Towhee.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1699" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxn0e_DW3sAcno8_C8fc3kzk_CGuyigEnMRRpT3byxVSwKpogLtTNLLsMb57FIGZQ95Ac91te2SNKLyiWGY0HfPx0o17XxZGpJ2e4CHpC6LEg0XLXOVEcUUZjSrn6DqGmQj4kh8GLyfw_Zk_q4ZHdYvhX8uv5qqdyF-6AQKJdBIWus0ydDLdl72yg7/w640-h376/Canyon%20Towhee.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Canyon Towhee</span><p class="MsoNormal">The state park is a bird-watcher’s haven. In the spring,
birders arrive from all around the US to revel in the scenery and abundant
birdlife. Two permanent feeding stations (with enclosed observing spaces), maintained by the park staff, are
busy all day long with visiting birds—doves, towhees, hummingbirds, jays,
siskins, goldfinches, sparrows, and more. Cassin’s Kingbird and White-winged
Dove were the two most common species of the park.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP3MzaqmaAutQOzGqmdZUM1Tyn7NrwCBfDItNS4duVfuNxyAqJCnmVYqh_AKNtr8lfwUnHQ1gLYfYE-6nS1c2IrqMlkASIdlr90A7PO2kVdT6SQPtpkJn5jBUYvX5kXxlN81Pzc0MqT6-0fUJ12c1F0bDOeBcGWPUifOtH_A8FwDszA4rMdrGeFppb/s4032/IMG_1414.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP3MzaqmaAutQOzGqmdZUM1Tyn7NrwCBfDItNS4duVfuNxyAqJCnmVYqh_AKNtr8lfwUnHQ1gLYfYE-6nS1c2IrqMlkASIdlr90A7PO2kVdT6SQPtpkJn5jBUYvX5kXxlN81Pzc0MqT6-0fUJ12c1F0bDOeBcGWPUifOtH_A8FwDszA4rMdrGeFppb/w640-h480/IMG_1414.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> a shady spot to set the tent</span></div><p class="MsoNormal">I took my bike off my car roof and used my bike to get
around the park in pursuit of interesting birds. Stopping at one of the large observation
blinds overlooking a feeding station, I ran into a birding tour group. It so
happened the group was led by an old friend from DC, Greg Butcher. I knew Greg
when he had worked in the International Office of the US Forest Service. Greg
shared some helpful birding intel that informed my birding movements over the
next few days. We agreed to meet at the top of the campground at dusk to look
for a "staked out" roosting Elf Owl.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuYIO96ulMTJoz9mtL7i7g0x_UAghaYnJrxn12q2xOGc9AVlYUQTojJpsgAb1s50_v-_QsLuHPfVYQfiUUU-6IPTaE4fVyL6E7jvxGmehPQf2TV_zW3tQXSsU_A6F2F91-_z2mrpxAHJhJOl5_nDvWgfqA5Ns1puoP7S9vx0hYo7M9ZwfTICb0ond4/s2823/Elf%20Owl%202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2823" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuYIO96ulMTJoz9mtL7i7g0x_UAghaYnJrxn12q2xOGc9AVlYUQTojJpsgAb1s50_v-_QsLuHPfVYQfiUUU-6IPTaE4fVyL6E7jvxGmehPQf2TV_zW3tQXSsU_A6F2F91-_z2mrpxAHJhJOl5_nDvWgfqA5Ns1puoP7S9vx0hYo7M9ZwfTICb0ond4/w640-h226/Elf%20Owl%202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">The Elf Owl peers out at night from the nest hole</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal">The park is very birdy. I was kept entertained wherever I
went. A group of Acorn Woodpeckers fussed about in the trees above my camp, and
another group hung out near the shower room. These somewhat clownlike
woodpeckers were omnipresent, ranging about the campground and visiting the
feeding stations.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmVfXVCeW8PydOXyrRWehdIwJigVc16nEpyOhciLFmzyNQygPDTfoleFt0l028244_ioCpTgmj6egzeS6qxi_k_nIhZUd__1MD9LJdf6kgVxnQ8tR1K2KDGaf1qUSka4v8rB8KNKNQr3A1xca6Zu6bYb_qVzZ_b7ela1eu4r3uWAtHw42ID3WE4N4o/s1662/Elf%20Owl%201.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1662" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmVfXVCeW8PydOXyrRWehdIwJigVc16nEpyOhciLFmzyNQygPDTfoleFt0l028244_ioCpTgmj6egzeS6qxi_k_nIhZUd__1MD9LJdf6kgVxnQ8tR1K2KDGaf1qUSka4v8rB8KNKNQr3A1xca6Zu6bYb_qVzZ_b7ela1eu4r3uWAtHw42ID3WE4N4o/w640-h386/Elf%20Owl%201.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">As darkness approached, Greg, two members of his group, and
I huddled across the street from the telephone pole with the woodpecker hole
near the top. It got darker and darker and colder and colder, but no little owl
could be seen. Finally, it was so dark it was difficult to see the woodpecker
hole. Then the little owl winnied a few times and emerged from its hole,
perching on the telephone line above the road.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg2zl3t80drxBpxivNv6t16HSWV6rOAJ9K8btTsZ0_jFPoWPcQ4nveGCl-G9TClq0J2F9Ip2uRRfIg6fsap4MjDNXPV8ugLaOQGMH5CVekHmsfUFu_QO7sQdWeKJCHuGTyX6cvZHNP0avzPZwcc0TLLV9kUH8TEKg_lSCvyfziB52X1J7HNhS1EUvL/s1591/Acorn%20Woodpecker%20looking%20in%20hole.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1591" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg2zl3t80drxBpxivNv6t16HSWV6rOAJ9K8btTsZ0_jFPoWPcQ4nveGCl-G9TClq0J2F9Ip2uRRfIg6fsap4MjDNXPV8ugLaOQGMH5CVekHmsfUFu_QO7sQdWeKJCHuGTyX6cvZHNP0avzPZwcc0TLLV9kUH8TEKg_lSCvyfziB52X1J7HNhS1EUvL/w640-h402/Acorn%20Woodpecker%20looking%20in%20hole.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Acorn Woodpecker looking in at the Elf Owl who has taken over the woodpecker's nest hole</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal">It was tiny—just about the size of a House Finch. Of course,
this was a life bird for all of us. We celebrated in the dark.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgflUUYUPhrVdyemGdH-3dpNVzuvu2IlC0tOzyoe_NQr9SITi7_UzO8Hurq2IltZJqPfmlTVxVuxnX-h1CFzxCPXPQkpMZ1TsqhL98YeIEZm2TxAXk3lojQqsdAIwmhmQJvajq1eyyGG-3voAWzPM1uLVX4qK3_zME4xKThf_1V25ju-ECWN3NUTKe3/s1618/Acorn%20Woodpecker%20perched.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1618" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgflUUYUPhrVdyemGdH-3dpNVzuvu2IlC0tOzyoe_NQr9SITi7_UzO8Hurq2IltZJqPfmlTVxVuxnX-h1CFzxCPXPQkpMZ1TsqhL98YeIEZm2TxAXk3lojQqsdAIwmhmQJvajq1eyyGG-3voAWzPM1uLVX4qK3_zME4xKThf_1V25ju-ECWN3NUTKe3/w640-h396/Acorn%20Woodpecker%20perched.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Acorn Woodpecker</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal">It turned out that this little owl was commonplace in the
park. There was one that called each night by the shower house. Another called
in the pre-dawn morning just above my tent. Wherever an Acorn Woodpecker had drilled
a nest hole, one of these little owls had taken over ownership, even though the
woodpecker, at 80 grams, was twice the weight of the tiny owl (40 grams).</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGNGBG_yhXb2JzomR0uGTg6YIHYKX_TkHIB_58iTW30ZiFvlNk78bhueIA4tczYxc8PmuXlaors3dpOmJaI7zl2Rqr1WOEo6u5N6699rQI2pJHeCkUANolKpnP658EUXg1G4meDjwi5T4B7fw4ZYz10mZqNdJkvkApvl8OOZYTUEfYb6r07bYvc50v/s1606/White-throated%20Sparrow.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1606" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGNGBG_yhXb2JzomR0uGTg6YIHYKX_TkHIB_58iTW30ZiFvlNk78bhueIA4tczYxc8PmuXlaors3dpOmJaI7zl2Rqr1WOEo6u5N6699rQI2pJHeCkUANolKpnP658EUXg1G4meDjwi5T4B7fw4ZYz10mZqNdJkvkApvl8OOZYTUEfYb6r07bYvc50v/w640-h398/White-throated%20Sparrow.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> A fresh spring White-throated Sparrow--familiar from the East Coast but not so common here...</span></div><p class="MsoNormal">I spent a fair amount of time watching Acorn Woodpeckers
return to stolen nests, peering wistfully into the nest hole to find a feisty owl
hidden inside. What a curious story! The nest hole near the shower room was
brand new, freshly minted, and yet here was a little owl in residence, and the
woodpeckers on the outside looking in…</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmdn6_ud9QUP859_XgHJOSxLOxVCCDdY22OaXeiGVHgB2DbKjP7lpb3OoDUOo_X9doKagh7ktBVsqzWJEF4OJGS-xNZ8QoHZRIJEEEWsJpjv-3PxgTTxetiA7hUva9qulUFWkw-Ff47cdZ-Sl7z0W5YR_BVZqwCYFGH0wUuP1SQsvZhc27BGSvvAi6/s2590/Gray%20Flycatcher.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2590" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmdn6_ud9QUP859_XgHJOSxLOxVCCDdY22OaXeiGVHgB2DbKjP7lpb3OoDUOo_X9doKagh7ktBVsqzWJEF4OJGS-xNZ8QoHZRIJEEEWsJpjv-3PxgTTxetiA7hUva9qulUFWkw-Ff47cdZ-Sl7z0W5YR_BVZqwCYFGH0wUuP1SQsvZhc27BGSvvAi6/w640-h248/Gray%20Flycatcher.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Gray Flycatcher atop a pine high up in the Davis Mts</span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Greg Butcher had advised me to visit the McDonald Observatory
as well as the Madera Canyon Trail and the Lawrence A. Wood Picnic Area, north
of the Park and high in the Davis Mountains on route 118. I visited the picnic
area my first morning in West Texas. It was clear and cold, the 7AM temperature
in the mid-40s. The birds were in full spring song. First was the male Hepatic
Tanager, glowing in the sunlight in a tall pine. His song was reminiscent of the
eastern tanagers I knew. This bird was a specialty of the mountains of the
Southwest. A lifer!<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6aHWrL4ciUEywsVt_-sXv4pKalQGWmu2XtHLTzlUekifsjnN6Iz_AWaxmBNHMydpxg74KsXBaDx02prEUD_srFjRuwhD21Bc-SAatph9x5czlvUb_Cs_Qmn5QwQq4254G7QHU3BayLYIG4JhRWk2wVnMG8Fkq2bjT7XofCDxqyO51wTrCCAiDUwwR/s2727/Hepatic%20Tanager.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2727" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6aHWrL4ciUEywsVt_-sXv4pKalQGWmu2XtHLTzlUekifsjnN6Iz_AWaxmBNHMydpxg74KsXBaDx02prEUD_srFjRuwhD21Bc-SAatph9x5czlvUb_Cs_Qmn5QwQq4254G7QHU3BayLYIG4JhRWk2wVnMG8Fkq2bjT7XofCDxqyO51wTrCCAiDUwwR/w640-h234/Hepatic%20Tanager.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">male Hepatic Tanager in the early morning sunlight of a canopy oak</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal">Other birds at the picnic area included Gray Flycatcher,
Plumbeous Vireo, Blue Grosbeak, Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay, and Say’s Phoebe. Lower
down on the observatory grounds I came upon a Townsend’s Solitaire.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbKgZ59IyG0A7nGWiEwLTJbvbqBKAY_xN1eUYBY3AmM5sJGEmtgLarJQYtgwqrcCLunUjMPlqWnxuwR-JNt0SJBrXoRmmHmYaReoee2-pMggnhDRzGzUDStUlYCsOrwMps2yredjXuqyP8_iA_3Bd6WXMEbiF-4-ty7RhtBpmZ1koRlUbpD9p99iTn/s1983/Harlewuin%20Quail%20male%201.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1983" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbKgZ59IyG0A7nGWiEwLTJbvbqBKAY_xN1eUYBY3AmM5sJGEmtgLarJQYtgwqrcCLunUjMPlqWnxuwR-JNt0SJBrXoRmmHmYaReoee2-pMggnhDRzGzUDStUlYCsOrwMps2yredjXuqyP8_iA_3Bd6WXMEbiF-4-ty7RhtBpmZ1koRlUbpD9p99iTn/w640-h322/Harlewuin%20Quail%20male%201.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">An adult male Montezuma Quail atop the McDonald Observatory</span><p class="MsoNormal">I decided to drive to the summit of the observatory drive. I
was able to park just below the 107” telescope on Mount Locke. As I quietly strolled
up the driveway to the dome of the telescope, a movement to my left caught my
attention—an adult male Montezuma Quail standing expectantly by the roadside.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG2j4MvmPrnhezHGXmhdTrtOueHJ7BE5aBjM5NQ5RENN-v2ucoH80Xf6ueOYnfSu8CZx02CQAcvZDSyGL4Q0OH8cBUO4DwlxyZGvNcjGuioFcsYMSW3_3hEvzY_XWXw7EDeBHI1opSh9HrkQu25EMJjAr4oZNYcvbBShFHArZ7c0fg30hh0HrVwe3l/s2011/Harlequin%20Quail%20male%203.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2011" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG2j4MvmPrnhezHGXmhdTrtOueHJ7BE5aBjM5NQ5RENN-v2ucoH80Xf6ueOYnfSu8CZx02CQAcvZDSyGL4Q0OH8cBUO4DwlxyZGvNcjGuioFcsYMSW3_3hEvzY_XWXw7EDeBHI1opSh9HrkQu25EMJjAr4oZNYcvbBShFHArZ7c0fg30hh0HrVwe3l/w640-h318/Harlequin%20Quail%20male%203.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Montezuma Quail</span></div><p class="MsoNormal">I spent nearly ten minutes studying and photographing this
special bird. Not only a lifer for me, but without question the bird of the
trip, no, the bird of 2023! As you can see from the images, I was practically
standing next to this single bird, and it never fled. This species has a
reputation of being difficult to locate. I was lucky.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqasu4enclABB-81YL5OKDAwKyu6pVXVuM_3T2WCmu4OEnh2FDE2qntIVU_hlwYr69qI15gplE8ed6A-pzq_amSAIsL05ggjeI3E7n2W6IHwfPt9cA5Tj2-UfU6wGX9jFVjNxatvdwjHNvkQB6ofHA7uXkfGJ1RVRPFPFs1DqkkS8-VJagqC2nJrkr/s1500/Harlequin%20Quail%20male%204.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqasu4enclABB-81YL5OKDAwKyu6pVXVuM_3T2WCmu4OEnh2FDE2qntIVU_hlwYr69qI15gplE8ed6A-pzq_amSAIsL05ggjeI3E7n2W6IHwfPt9cA5Tj2-UfU6wGX9jFVjNxatvdwjHNvkQB6ofHA7uXkfGJ1RVRPFPFs1DqkkS8-VJagqC2nJrkr/w426-h640/Harlequin%20Quail%20male%204.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal">I spent the remainder of the day doing bird photography back
in the state park, enjoying my day and thinking back to the encounter with the elusive
quail.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKbfTFnujfBKBsig_OnyICDnX7LjHRHxPqE0Z6GAfyT9P_vbmWdvP5-sy1y6rZ6SoHyKPUssI7TKZTPeDP4EHU5nwFsnc6xRonJCmbbRWI8cJvOmz0gS7cLhsA8NsrRh-JfYh7HZ4XEu3Qgrqh4pA7RWaUj9U8f4qVHVpW9NGWAy9Mb132YOwJUVMW/s2364/Woodhouse%20Scrub-Jay.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2364" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKbfTFnujfBKBsig_OnyICDnX7LjHRHxPqE0Z6GAfyT9P_vbmWdvP5-sy1y6rZ6SoHyKPUssI7TKZTPeDP4EHU5nwFsnc6xRonJCmbbRWI8cJvOmz0gS7cLhsA8NsrRh-JfYh7HZ4XEu3Qgrqh4pA7RWaUj9U8f4qVHVpW9NGWAy9Mb132YOwJUVMW/w640-h270/Woodhouse%20Scrub-Jay.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay</span><p class="MsoNormal">By 7 AM the next morning I was packed and on my way west to
Arizona. I had a speaking engagement scheduled for the following evening in
Scottsdale. I took route 118 again north through the Davis Mountains, and I stopped
again atop Mount Locke in hopes of encountering that Montezuma Quail. Instead I
found a singing Rufous-crowned Sparrow and a Western Wood-Pewee. The rest of
the day was spent traversing the desert landscape of westernmost Texas (to El
Paso), New Mexico, and southern Arizona. <o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZZ-8Ls0EQz_PD3iBBaQBmmgkYngyVSFMTAd6OvRVsmLaTbwsxdCb4d9kqBsGQBtW54hlXfm1FSbLXPzBteWtI7l3mAdR6raRvg31qBbiiAvWuOjQ37_WwdMNIT3P5zxDzi1tb2bgy4_r8Jz0NC-kJAtXV_xC5kpI9xKhlaBGKkuhStXEXgxJkv-M/s4032/IMG_1415.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZZ-8Ls0EQz_PD3iBBaQBmmgkYngyVSFMTAd6OvRVsmLaTbwsxdCb4d9kqBsGQBtW54hlXfm1FSbLXPzBteWtI7l3mAdR6raRvg31qBbiiAvWuOjQ37_WwdMNIT3P5zxDzi1tb2bgy4_r8Jz0NC-kJAtXV_xC5kpI9xKhlaBGKkuhStXEXgxJkv-M/w640-h480/IMG_1415.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">The view out from atop the McDonald Observatory</span><p class="MsoNormal">My next blog will feature Catalina State Park, situated just
northeast of Tucson, Arizona.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMWM6_-9Wtqhdni1cS9TszVaAFcttPIa6pGRLuoMQXqHBtnvGhMUF40i6d-hAJhj4jHr5TBTgJKKzWakC3EVUS1x0KWP3B6tiA-5wuTqr1LP7JIwt6DZMez-NJu9c8kdwn101WAIy6Pf6h3Qa5YWwzBgD1HEDRjVrE9NX_9K1TzV6eD6v4-RtrZ0VL/s4032/IMG_1417.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMWM6_-9Wtqhdni1cS9TszVaAFcttPIa6pGRLuoMQXqHBtnvGhMUF40i6d-hAJhj4jHr5TBTgJKKzWakC3EVUS1x0KWP3B6tiA-5wuTqr1LP7JIwt6DZMez-NJu9c8kdwn101WAIy6Pf6h3Qa5YWwzBgD1HEDRjVrE9NX_9K1TzV6eD6v4-RtrZ0VL/w640-h480/IMG_1417.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">The 107-inch Telescope atop Mount Locke</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>Bruce Beehlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15885008878848042968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4395290943835782922.post-41137376902965541972023-05-17T12:33:00.001-07:002023-05-17T12:33:12.861-07:00<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggd2bFTv-H-N5kW5rPWBEy-Qf6QBoaydi0WEH9JtzWiOLZZKXnTtzmKDg0LxQOI1hd-eaGJCakMGB_SflNrh1ES5Jvpi88HJqzcp1KN6WIVjGkCiibNsxIWIDpKOfw9VARZzUD5Eu0514A4lt54c4rQVK98c7-3c6bK1do3OnAT20XoviacBh1UeTB/s2417/Red%20Admiral.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2417" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggd2bFTv-H-N5kW5rPWBEy-Qf6QBoaydi0WEH9JtzWiOLZZKXnTtzmKDg0LxQOI1hd-eaGJCakMGB_SflNrh1ES5Jvpi88HJqzcp1KN6WIVjGkCiibNsxIWIDpKOfw9VARZzUD5Eu0514A4lt54c4rQVK98c7-3c6bK1do3OnAT20XoviacBh1UeTB/w640-h264/Red%20Admiral.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Red Admiral butterfly</span></div><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">CENTRAL TEXAS, </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">24-27 April 2023</span></p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A bit over four hours of serious driving from the Trinity River
bottoms got me to Plano, Texas, and the home of Merrick and Lorraine Darley, my
local hosts for two nights. I was there to give a talk to the Prairie and
Timbers Audubon Society membership.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcjVJj8Un-Zuq05Xr8bOkyPE5Sba1b_MQ1RqXyB32Ejd5IH_EEzwIdTukvjNw-WWDekz0kC2MjLbAHW3NqpU9Spd1xs3YBIRRvTShJA7SrkJ8i5qbDe54y_S00BVux-nFZmJJKpSY4BpOLnJN43ZBQvPZWFSyJvl9Co_yF49-djVdK3D_MfMMGljkI/s1734/Barred%20Owl%20Plano.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1734" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcjVJj8Un-Zuq05Xr8bOkyPE5Sba1b_MQ1RqXyB32Ejd5IH_EEzwIdTukvjNw-WWDekz0kC2MjLbAHW3NqpU9Spd1xs3YBIRRvTShJA7SrkJ8i5qbDe54y_S00BVux-nFZmJJKpSY4BpOLnJN43ZBQvPZWFSyJvl9Co_yF49-djVdK3D_MfMMGljkI/w640-h370/Barred%20Owl%20Plano.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Barred Owl adult</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal">The next morning, Plano’s best birders, including Merrick
Darley, Mike Cameron, Linda Ergonis, Candy Anandagoda, and her husband Vas
Anadagoda, took me out to Bob Woodruff Park, a favorite birding venue in spring
for migrant songbirds.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf0HFz72CJdKXeKZWtXkzU-mB3LjoM2Dho2p7BniFw8WjTIksfA5cpxoE_fpCQL9IBMz9DeZ6MIm-dDTK4D6H33mQpX0spFY4SceGw8NmGeMj1f3HC7nkuk97e-sbNvvCi44J-T5GkmaCDAn2eIzj_Eg5oLiArPqV4ydVJp9PeMkuwISTy6vbo_Q2d/s2415/Great%20Horned%20Owl%20Plano.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2415" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf0HFz72CJdKXeKZWtXkzU-mB3LjoM2Dho2p7BniFw8WjTIksfA5cpxoE_fpCQL9IBMz9DeZ6MIm-dDTK4D6H33mQpX0spFY4SceGw8NmGeMj1f3HC7nkuk97e-sbNvvCi44J-T5GkmaCDAn2eIzj_Eg5oLiArPqV4ydVJp9PeMkuwISTy6vbo_Q2d/w640-h266/Great%20Horned%20Owl%20Plano.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Great Horned Owl fledgling</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal">In four leisurely hours we tallied fifty-four species, a
nice list for a somewhat cool and dreary morning. There was no evidence of a big migrant arrival, but stuff was around. Woodruff Park is a Plano town
park that protects Rowlett Creek, whose banks are nicely wooded, forming a
riverine strip of forest. Walking a stream-side trail in the forest, we came
upon a pair of fledgling Great Horned Owls and also an adult Barred Owl. Here
we also heard singing Blue-headed and Red-eyed Vireos.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVvaoBYe8pjs42Jxe-0Xw66ET1aJXDezuSi_0KJO7f1LQB23xi16gU8hTjD3r3HH5KEMHlnBVjCFhxzV39Q8bbqOBdad0o_Zb_rWnZ9T_azbZmJFzpWNPaFFvcQ6NgHtqZbFXWCqbUhF5yvfQofnJVdnuYKHHL5C_8Xm_IlMuQU3UwM9EXjDyiZn4t/s2693/Brown%20Thrasher.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2693" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVvaoBYe8pjs42Jxe-0Xw66ET1aJXDezuSi_0KJO7f1LQB23xi16gU8hTjD3r3HH5KEMHlnBVjCFhxzV39Q8bbqOBdad0o_Zb_rWnZ9T_azbZmJFzpWNPaFFvcQ6NgHtqZbFXWCqbUhF5yvfQofnJVdnuYKHHL5C_8Xm_IlMuQU3UwM9EXjDyiZn4t/w640-h238/Brown%20Thrasher.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Brown Thrasher</span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Warblers were few: Northern Waterthrush, and Myrtle, Nashville,
Orange-crowned, and Black-and-white Warblers. What was nice was the wide range
of species seen: Brown Thrasher, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Painted Bunting, Yellow-breasted
Chat, and Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, among others. <o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwjaDZGg5iu0sU71n7VtlTufFj6-GXf0EUtoeXR_yhes1qNazy9IbWiTJIVgO7NBNjmEh0g5DFadXeo3vhFnYYywL_oglMeXqCbvi7CTTmlOoISKyuElpEO2ggczAzW1ODlYynivSpsR77CS_VCn8MIQ0YYqqZDCmDNsByhaEf-9D2BbBOulmh4tLE/s2069/White-winged%20Dove.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2069" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwjaDZGg5iu0sU71n7VtlTufFj6-GXf0EUtoeXR_yhes1qNazy9IbWiTJIVgO7NBNjmEh0g5DFadXeo3vhFnYYywL_oglMeXqCbvi7CTTmlOoISKyuElpEO2ggczAzW1ODlYynivSpsR77CS_VCn8MIQ0YYqqZDCmDNsByhaEf-9D2BbBOulmh4tLE/w640-h310/White-winged%20Dove.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;"> the hyper-abundant White-winged Dove</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal">It’s always fun going out with local birders who know their
stuff, which our group did. I was able to query them about local and Texas-wide
birding opportunities, which prepared me for my upcoming travels to West Texas.
Several in our group were headed out for a weekend birding trek to New Mexico in the
afternoon. So they were getting a jump on me!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4tx50y4_oiwWutoB9pabNFnXx3dNeIhcbhn7TV-tVeAWakg0PKnYSK8XxpnJsjKrfBy0J-sTp0oM1yNEk9x6FyjWqw-FU8yRBxwgi51G5mbxvcXauNcvfZsCObcC8brtr-Wuud4j_HiS7NA4RGU4SMxBlYK-gD3002RxzIKE499BPDdfbr-ScKd_u/s2053/Fox%20Squirrel.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2053" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4tx50y4_oiwWutoB9pabNFnXx3dNeIhcbhn7TV-tVeAWakg0PKnYSK8XxpnJsjKrfBy0J-sTp0oM1yNEk9x6FyjWqw-FU8yRBxwgi51G5mbxvcXauNcvfZsCObcC8brtr-Wuud4j_HiS7NA4RGU4SMxBlYK-gD3002RxzIKE499BPDdfbr-ScKd_u/w640-h312/Fox%20Squirrel.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Fox Squirrel</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal">From Plano, I drove five hours south to San Antonio to visit
my friends Patsy and Tom Inglet, and to give a talk to the Bexar Audubon
Society. I took the “back way” to San Antonio, in order avoid the unpleasant
traffic in Austin. I took route 281 through Lampasas and Johnson City, which is
quite picturesque. I stopped for a picnic lunch at Longhorn Cavern State Park,
a few miles west of Burnet. Getting a park map, I saw that there was a “warbler
trail” on it. Since I was on the eastern edge of the Edwards Plateau, I
surmised this was a trail to see the endemic breeder, the Golden-cheeked
Warbler.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRvuRPSFmOVsIRPvSdtBSLd5_XGzMs1NkyDX0DuwwEbMpVROf20IxTkPcj0838sry-TUuOKCk91N9_MFJ1uULgixEitPgn9VD1mkN0pC-vjmHnbbX-aF5an17s6eX66vJl62o7S6yEjADi_2_H660tPlr4HRRmx9wtbWFSX8Q5UHUhrb-RMHYNlhzM/s2509/Golden-checked%20Warbler%20male%202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2509" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRvuRPSFmOVsIRPvSdtBSLd5_XGzMs1NkyDX0DuwwEbMpVROf20IxTkPcj0838sry-TUuOKCk91N9_MFJ1uULgixEitPgn9VD1mkN0pC-vjmHnbbX-aF5an17s6eX66vJl62o7S6yEjADi_2_H660tPlr4HRRmx9wtbWFSX8Q5UHUhrb-RMHYNlhzM/w640-h256/Golden-checked%20Warbler%20male%202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">adult male Golden-cheeked Warbler</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal">Longhorn Cavern State Park is small, and features a cave. I
passed on the cave and lingered on the Warbler Trail until I heard the bright
and buzzy song of a territorial male Golden-cheeked Warbler. Bingo! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnBgvgqdWfbGLspq2GQMlUwhzl8eOw_KabbJqDTdg0WePnfduJP0hRkywFo0pCFK5mWJzx1halLLUdmFGHmvTVU8Uzaeg9ahNmJ30B-aWJmlGg1CKxpg1TsamrHOqb_MGdDvCWE2mNSOQFG5iQ0SnoRJxodCr0fF9naOeIrx9ltzBSmFIo7KfbOhi/s2051/Golden-cheeked%20Warbler.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2051" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnBgvgqdWfbGLspq2GQMlUwhzl8eOw_KabbJqDTdg0WePnfduJP0hRkywFo0pCFK5mWJzx1halLLUdmFGHmvTVU8Uzaeg9ahNmJ30B-aWJmlGg1CKxpg1TsamrHOqb_MGdDvCWE2mNSOQFG5iQ0SnoRJxodCr0fF9naOeIrx9ltzBSmFIo7KfbOhi/w640-h312/Golden-cheeked%20Warbler.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: small;">adult male Golden-cheeked Warbler</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This rare warbler is a bird I had seen only once before, at
Dinosaur Valley State Park near Glen Rose, more famous for its dinosaurian
footprint impressions visible in the mudstones of the stream bottom. Merrick
Darley had taken me there from Plano on a Texas visit about a decade earlier.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh50SCNGO8JTYlg5YgCObl3aTiSAdA-slvuXAu3gMdXQY5TQesi8HmT2wgaqBIsDjHioqS5it86F-qpt34WRNeRjsrkVNeIpIRFaeSy4SmAKmdckQVRnV8mUEAKlx7CQjU5cS-NFIdFitXaTrOvUcOyMpmXbwkAq_ZVVFbvByRUz73sfderC8GQk3E/s4032/IMG_1405.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh50SCNGO8JTYlg5YgCObl3aTiSAdA-slvuXAu3gMdXQY5TQesi8HmT2wgaqBIsDjHioqS5it86F-qpt34WRNeRjsrkVNeIpIRFaeSy4SmAKmdckQVRnV8mUEAKlx7CQjU5cS-NFIdFitXaTrOvUcOyMpmXbwkAq_ZVVFbvByRUz73sfderC8GQk3E/w640-h480/IMG_1405.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">downtown Waring, Texas</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal">This male Golden-cheek was quite confiding and allowed close
approach in the thicket of Ashe Junipers, the warbler’s favored nesting tree.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT8S9uixChKyefwZeMFFNTcbxVUDtp89c529LSm-vykI4PR7Y-M1kZTse9vvS7gapQTGgybGezn8-xEYihMEdvCO8V4Ugs-hH5Oc_yMJlR1FajWmdnMtL9UPVL4ScqD13ddJJG0v6jZ5P3mINIfbzPeFRKsf7w-3q5hmq6FOsypvmwgYamiEEVujDg/s4032/IMG_1406.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT8S9uixChKyefwZeMFFNTcbxVUDtp89c529LSm-vykI4PR7Y-M1kZTse9vvS7gapQTGgybGezn8-xEYihMEdvCO8V4Ugs-hH5Oc_yMJlR1FajWmdnMtL9UPVL4ScqD13ddJJG0v6jZ5P3mINIfbzPeFRKsf7w-3q5hmq6FOsypvmwgYamiEEVujDg/w640-h480/IMG_1406.JPG" width="640" /></a> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Little Joshua Creek, near Welfare, Texas</span></p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After a nap at my host’s home in San Antonio, I went out
with the Inglets to bird Joshua Springs Park, a bit northwest of Boerne
(pronounced “BURN-ee”), and near the towns of Waring and Welfare (along the Little
Joshua Creek). It was breezy and sunny so the afternoon birding was a bit
challenging, but the Inglets showed me a lifer (Ash-throated Flycatcher), and
we also enjoyed a Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Crested Caracara, and Vermilion
Flycatcher—a blazing red male. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtD4aj_rRyWZRqSRO-8ZPqIsh5XvhPSH9t3T0DrhfyWBdiy5c7GbUKXe1_hKeAeO2hGHmoh6RqovE2KWfmF9_j8YPx2G4YiMpnujSZy0u7FcMsV3JmPyUtRfScFpk-lnSjxwtQZ_fGjEsF37rlFqY-l3lzf1mHZcq2OaZzxwxlFLtG4C7uP4RbH5z6/s1776/Hpuse%20Finch%20pair.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1776" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtD4aj_rRyWZRqSRO-8ZPqIsh5XvhPSH9t3T0DrhfyWBdiy5c7GbUKXe1_hKeAeO2hGHmoh6RqovE2KWfmF9_j8YPx2G4YiMpnujSZy0u7FcMsV3JmPyUtRfScFpk-lnSjxwtQZ_fGjEsF37rlFqY-l3lzf1mHZcq2OaZzxwxlFLtG4C7uP4RbH5z6/w640-h360/Hpuse%20Finch%20pair.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">pair of House Finches, the male the brighter one</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The next morning I followed the Inglets to Mitchell Lake
Audubon Center, where they had to teach a class. I spent the morning there, mainly
trying to photograph some of the local Texas birds. This is a good spot for
bird photography because of the many feeders and plantings that attract an
array of birds. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjetWf4CWIN3gJgwqPIZM3PtnpDnJdW3igNrEAtaTgfI_FUcDsA_Nr4jaeV9J-bNInLsiLooZQSzCBPNZsc6XRuWxub5G96HGFFLFLXJy3UiJcB0nLn-oSUShsqxsaQ3dcv9LM6Hob8rmmJ9G7sCrN6Xa8qG-_z-9ut1q1ND3YoBsc9cUYEKGIvFz4P/s2419/Black-chinned%20Hummingbird.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2419" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjetWf4CWIN3gJgwqPIZM3PtnpDnJdW3igNrEAtaTgfI_FUcDsA_Nr4jaeV9J-bNInLsiLooZQSzCBPNZsc6XRuWxub5G96HGFFLFLXJy3UiJcB0nLn-oSUShsqxsaQ3dcv9LM6Hob8rmmJ9G7sCrN6Xa8qG-_z-9ut1q1ND3YoBsc9cUYEKGIvFz4P/w640-h264/Black-chinned%20Hummingbird.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Black-chinned Hummingbird male</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I did shoot birds, but also lizards and butterflies and some
plants as well. It is nice to spend some time in one place, just hunkering
down, and letting nature come to you… </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_2k6za1tc5XnJks0v5X3lYYrNHvUvUfMBhb2vWOnjloy9PlWhftoeNSKGi2pV1GbXPtn1pUS_4qMn4MNVk9GsVpswe2hO7-LYS2c9v0TTH6iyByCTfwMlrfmHHBNbHFv7dNe3EVDoFGGX1D49484o8Vnftm2fqJzQ0i0UwozMu1MTaQ4ishLfqSJ/s2145/Lizard.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="2145" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_2k6za1tc5XnJks0v5X3lYYrNHvUvUfMBhb2vWOnjloy9PlWhftoeNSKGi2pV1GbXPtn1pUS_4qMn4MNVk9GsVpswe2hO7-LYS2c9v0TTH6iyByCTfwMlrfmHHBNbHFv7dNe3EVDoFGGX1D49484o8Vnftm2fqJzQ0i0UwozMu1MTaQ4ishLfqSJ/w640-h224/Lizard.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Texas Spiny Lizard</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the late morning I said my goodbyes to the Inglets and
drove north to Austin, to visit Jane Tillman and her husband Mark, and to give
a talk to the Travis Audubon Society. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUt4RL_UPVXvk4JMtfTPAfSnhX9uQO0Fjws_TdFOpH1LSka9Q6xvVSZkGA9h-8-ko1Vm32yY8jm-bZY1R-1TeN1h45xxwR14IbI2HOmnnQMf4vMl3cRqD5pbhDQwJ19v_p07jCiecYODfMkiEFiW2hinsY8YDG89vf6sDA5qwBUnQKh0YbPJgEooLM/s2317/Prickly%20Pear%20flower.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2317" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUt4RL_UPVXvk4JMtfTPAfSnhX9uQO0Fjws_TdFOpH1LSka9Q6xvVSZkGA9h-8-ko1Vm32yY8jm-bZY1R-1TeN1h45xxwR14IbI2HOmnnQMf4vMl3cRqD5pbhDQwJ19v_p07jCiecYODfMkiEFiW2hinsY8YDG89vf6sDA5qwBUnQKh0YbPJgEooLM/w640-h276/Prickly%20Pear%20flower.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Prickly Pear cactus</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The morning after the talk Jane took me to Lake Travis and Bob
Wentz Park for a bird walk to Windy Point along the shore of the reservoir.
This netted me another lifer (Egyptian Goose), plus some nifty shorebirds
(Baird’s Sandpiper, Spotted Sandpiper, American Golden-Plover), and some
songbirds (e.g., Lark Sparrow). This is beautiful spot for a good walk and some
good birds. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeR-HzrriVsKrtqiJMqMn7itWWmQgpDWEHJPhSu4fuYAxdU01lMZ8cNF_WS19L6jQhw0dz-_X9A_VQS_NeWDmJ4wfUH_41VUfV_3MT2amUOoXrRJKUsjgDKKimVOd8T1T4wV6JQ2QtJnBBwTeffmi8-huba1nTy5BEqGAyi4JZmyFoSaRnex5beLzJ/s2541/Baird's%20Sandpiper.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2541" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeR-HzrriVsKrtqiJMqMn7itWWmQgpDWEHJPhSu4fuYAxdU01lMZ8cNF_WS19L6jQhw0dz-_X9A_VQS_NeWDmJ4wfUH_41VUfV_3MT2amUOoXrRJKUsjgDKKimVOd8T1T4wV6JQ2QtJnBBwTeffmi8-huba1nTy5BEqGAyi4JZmyFoSaRnex5beLzJ/w640-h252/Baird's%20Sandpiper.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">An alert Baird's Sandpiper. Always a treat to see this uncommon and solitary species</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">By late morning I had said farewell to Jane and I was driving south and west, headed to the
Davis Mountains of West Texas. Wanting to see some new country and avoid the
monotony of I-10, I made my way down to Highway 90, taking me through Uvalde, Brackettville,
Del Rio, Langtry, Comstock, and Alpine (longer but more scenic, taking me up along the north bank of the the Rio Grande valley). <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3sTkzvKFpzOGfzA5twPmruw3dOEcS5MCfMjiuOD7a25Uc3JW5QzGKmQB0VQkqPaFzT-vbJqKk63LSvwQZmhwZvOAMGzSlh1UaWsfFl9auaprUZ0Tkvx0B7lV9_-1kb-pgs6-hCiSJeXhj1KDeCd12TDuxbyfLQqCxdIXt_scwzzsJc7qHrxMB_QYO/s4032/IMG_1409.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3sTkzvKFpzOGfzA5twPmruw3dOEcS5MCfMjiuOD7a25Uc3JW5QzGKmQB0VQkqPaFzT-vbJqKk63LSvwQZmhwZvOAMGzSlh1UaWsfFl9auaprUZ0Tkvx0B7lV9_-1kb-pgs6-hCiSJeXhj1KDeCd12TDuxbyfLQqCxdIXt_scwzzsJc7qHrxMB_QYO/w640-h480/IMG_1409.JPG" width="640" /></a> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Alicia's Kitchen, in Bracketville, Texas (on Highway 90)</span></p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Seven hours of driving got me to Fort Davis. I was now in
the Trans-Pecos, desert country with clusters of dry mountains capped with
conifers. This is the land of wide-open spaces… </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyD46EIUka1UhXvFKZQBEM4hZ-7DoSXCOXl_TcGkzTCj48QCTZ6-JznJCNPYhUhUtuDqVn8Rl6wM9bCm3NO-I9WKeWZEjc24uPL4slmVS6FATsVM0TiunKxrkwOz3pECrhkwNuRgPeHQJoooqIFLmu-PrYCaS2TdIWQ26sNCqoF64XxmCv2vRyCtan/s4032/IMG_1412.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyD46EIUka1UhXvFKZQBEM4hZ-7DoSXCOXl_TcGkzTCj48QCTZ6-JznJCNPYhUhUtuDqVn8Rl6wM9bCm3NO-I9WKeWZEjc24uPL4slmVS6FATsVM0TiunKxrkwOz3pECrhkwNuRgPeHQJoooqIFLmu-PrYCaS2TdIWQ26sNCqoF64XxmCv2vRyCtan/w480-h640/IMG_1412.JPG" width="480" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">A Tall Blooming Yucca</span><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My next blog will feature the Davis Mountains and some
specialty birds of West Texas. <o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBwIr2jcQGdbAMcVhFeKWTWVausl8EcV2GcYdI_BDYx_NPL8PFKvE9tRXfrYPGOGrlAcGe8TTRlqEF0Q-3aQyE7gQi0HAkvueQtpHSRWkYz8-x7YXifgbs0-DvyxthSUa6g8wMDK8eM7v8uZDz7_45F9YXiWmKJiuMtid3lWlGxWbO8DcWVYR-VmUD/s4032/IMG_1408.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBwIr2jcQGdbAMcVhFeKWTWVausl8EcV2GcYdI_BDYx_NPL8PFKvE9tRXfrYPGOGrlAcGe8TTRlqEF0Q-3aQyE7gQi0HAkvueQtpHSRWkYz8-x7YXifgbs0-DvyxthSUa6g8wMDK8eM7v8uZDz7_45F9YXiWmKJiuMtid3lWlGxWbO8DcWVYR-VmUD/w640-h480/IMG_1408.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>Bruce Beehlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15885008878848042968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4395290943835782922.post-67807756914058956072023-05-15T15:10:00.002-07:002023-05-15T15:10:32.622-07:00<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXn3TbfjQMmDraP8Ba3KDqRzKjw4k5jascararl1YD9I4ktl00Je3GtKxJcJd58syrz-7epzQB4RxENcS6pEgEnAzF5zu66fINoSedosbFl26x67U0TK95BQiWrwCc5-C_zzUfrPhwBYRgHQJ202GY2ol5PMJ8jUXRhyhmzVVjieHD1wBZ0M5q4clJ/s2164/Great%20Egret%20on%20nest.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2164" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXn3TbfjQMmDraP8Ba3KDqRzKjw4k5jascararl1YD9I4ktl00Je3GtKxJcJd58syrz-7epzQB4RxENcS6pEgEnAzF5zu66fINoSedosbFl26x67U0TK95BQiWrwCc5-C_zzUfrPhwBYRgHQJ202GY2ol5PMJ8jUXRhyhmzVVjieHD1wBZ0M5q4clJ/w640-h370/Great%20Egret%20on%20nest.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Great Egret on nest, preening.</span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">HIGH ISLAND, TEXAS, PART II –
22-24 APRIL 2023</p></span><p></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg69Nfph0t68FvnNCNo0DSMgLWw44voLN5-B--LOOtF14pcKC6qYilPxWnE6xxaQToPi5wuYqzG_953H1wLTrx5RopNdAkm6QCmMcM_DMqujLj7Is7-m3T7u4O79U-QN-x8Wcoq1PuZ3VZ2bJfY4CkBK9xhs8vMtk54AEJ1bHlGT_vaNiB6espAeIG2/s4032/IMG_1398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg69Nfph0t68FvnNCNo0DSMgLWw44voLN5-B--LOOtF14pcKC6qYilPxWnE6xxaQToPi5wuYqzG_953H1wLTrx5RopNdAkm6QCmMcM_DMqujLj7Is7-m3T7u4O79U-QN-x8Wcoq1PuZ3VZ2bJfY4CkBK9xhs8vMtk54AEJ1bHlGT_vaNiB6espAeIG2/w640-h480/IMG_1398.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Colorful beach houses on tall stilts, at Crystal Beach, TX. Do you think these are hurricane proof?</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal">Early in the morning of 22 April I drove down to Fort Travis
County Park for another dose of shorebirds. I was not disappointed. The expanse of wet lawns was dotted with clots of shorebirds, and one particular flock was
being examined by a bird-tour group from the weekend-long FeatherFest being
held in nearby Galveston, led by expert birder Jon Dunn (senior author of the <i>National
Geographic</i> guide). That group was zeroing in on the two species of godwits
there, mixed among the many dowitchers, turnstones, and other lesser species.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fvzM_0bW9xBN_SQ3r0mdBGH7I2JZjPGwSVx8T0iqVPFliKk8NV6v2jFs4sNW0YSsG2V0c9yUJXbFec9b_7HcJb-Tn41OsobFsuFQP4vR51gXZmvHxg7erqr8MQcPVHQPJk0I1RhryrxOJHep0GRKFcY586m7hexWCoLYpxfhsXcLp_SEn9vYZHHk/s1496/two%20godwit%20species.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1496" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fvzM_0bW9xBN_SQ3r0mdBGH7I2JZjPGwSVx8T0iqVPFliKk8NV6v2jFs4sNW0YSsG2V0c9yUJXbFec9b_7HcJb-Tn41OsobFsuFQP4vR51gXZmvHxg7erqr8MQcPVHQPJk0I1RhryrxOJHep0GRKFcY586m7hexWCoLYpxfhsXcLp_SEn9vYZHHk/w640-h428/two%20godwit%20species.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Breeding male Hudsonian Godwit in front of foraging Marbled Godwit, Fort Travis Park.</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal">I waited for the tour group to move to another bird flock
and then I feasted my eyes on the seven Hudsonian Godwits and two dozen Marbled Godwits
that were foraging in the wet grass. I spent about an hour with my prized
godwits at very close range. They foraged greedily as I watched and photographed
them.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjenXrJitI1HfueHr9uEIEWxa-7AYJoqAK0u4DkA29nAjzBNoA0wNZnZdik0OTYc-tYeu6ym-H7QWhAaUi04Ek2-rSq7XYJnPjJ8choll94m7bOPuCBRHufkAwLvPIt5jy4PtLp-f6OTcFQrAefa24w7nevwbp66GnMyAJ4E-SiUUUoPlTw12XGFm6i/s2421/HUGO%20pair%20in%20flight.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2421" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjenXrJitI1HfueHr9uEIEWxa-7AYJoqAK0u4DkA29nAjzBNoA0wNZnZdik0OTYc-tYeu6ym-H7QWhAaUi04Ek2-rSq7XYJnPjJ8choll94m7bOPuCBRHufkAwLvPIt5jy4PtLp-f6OTcFQrAefa24w7nevwbp66GnMyAJ4E-SiUUUoPlTw12XGFm6i/w640-h330/HUGO%20pair%20in%20flight.JPG" width="640" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Pair of Hudsonian Godwits, adult male above, young male below.</span></p> <br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The seven Hudsonian Godwits had dropped in the preceding day
and had been reported by the VENT tour group. This particular species is quite
uncommon on the grass of Fort Travis Park, so I was indeed fortunate to have
these to enjoy. I had only seen a single Hudsonian here the preceding day, but
had spoken with Victor Emanuel at Smith Oaks that afternoon and he confirmed
their notable presence in the AM.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZwSwGJn6YfOxevPuBK1XAl6dObWdiLheixg-liExN0lltGj724fPPgqirmOB0mP0y80ptWYbcWzI7mF7ywuJREP5_Wp6Lxhq8L79A6LOF78t4ftHube4IayKnici6t916fLLtZG9xQzQnCIY1iPMKTyPAqld8UJGTpzoTR6tnsQDd96XDFanixsZ/s2206/HUGO%20male%20breeding.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2206" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZwSwGJn6YfOxevPuBK1XAl6dObWdiLheixg-liExN0lltGj724fPPgqirmOB0mP0y80ptWYbcWzI7mF7ywuJREP5_Wp6Lxhq8L79A6LOF78t4ftHube4IayKnici6t916fLLtZG9xQzQnCIY1iPMKTyPAqld8UJGTpzoTR6tnsQDd96XDFanixsZ/w640-h290/HUGO%20male%20breeding.JPG" width="640" /></a></p> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Sweet close-up of a fine-plumage breeding male Hudsonian Godwit at rest. Fort Travis Park.</span><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Fort Travis is a regular spot for the larger and more common
Marbled Godwit. This day there were more than twenty, perhaps nearly forty of
the species. This is an all-time high-count for me, so I was fortunate indeed.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDK19oS6UZqDpWnjf1S7SMIopfhTEe62R0M6EqQvCg9y6_s0MkX3URulKxSffyMXKuYJhi2JdFA8iS_eUEP0JpaJXmipoBrk15nGfkeFX3SwBfHq-ZoXTuPkve_mEdaWKc-JKUaSJFQhWVw86oSDCX60CUynhgUugt_lnxrQFBcwMY5tKK6T8Dbyl/s1733/Marbled,%20HUGO,%20and%20Dowitchers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1733" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDK19oS6UZqDpWnjf1S7SMIopfhTEe62R0M6EqQvCg9y6_s0MkX3URulKxSffyMXKuYJhi2JdFA8iS_eUEP0JpaJXmipoBrk15nGfkeFX3SwBfHq-ZoXTuPkve_mEdaWKc-JKUaSJFQhWVw86oSDCX60CUynhgUugt_lnxrQFBcwMY5tKK6T8Dbyl/w640-h370/Marbled,%20HUGO,%20and%20Dowitchers.JPG" width="640" /></a></p> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Marbled Godwit (upper left), juvenile Hudsonian Godwit (center), dowitchers (lower and right)</span><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It was also unusual to watch Marbled and Hudsonian foraging
should-to-shoulder. I had wrapped up my godwit fieldwork in June of 2022, and
yet this was providing “bonus footage” of these two species, to be featured in
my upcoming book entitled <i>Flight of the Godwit</i>, long delayed by the
covid lock-down of Canada. Smithsonian Books plans to publish that popular work
in April 2024. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiorv0f8fw40zX5NloJ6_dIXq5N5aljsCE0aTdO6PAxNHZAHNJVSxI_nOWyXSzgFD2D25sRdupF1rmI1dHNU7K_ZGkF0xy1zlAmtocyAFo2bvZzgqrJCQgkywdy_vqAe0iaWsm9qloBCVGk-d28bqpN9Fbuw57_eWyScL0nWRBKg-RJ3w4rOQGjGzUl/s2139/HUGO%20male%20and%20dowitchers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2139" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiorv0f8fw40zX5NloJ6_dIXq5N5aljsCE0aTdO6PAxNHZAHNJVSxI_nOWyXSzgFD2D25sRdupF1rmI1dHNU7K_ZGkF0xy1zlAmtocyAFo2bvZzgqrJCQgkywdy_vqAe0iaWsm9qloBCVGk-d28bqpN9Fbuw57_eWyScL0nWRBKg-RJ3w4rOQGjGzUl/w640-h300/HUGO%20male%20and%20dowitchers.JPG" width="640" /></a></p> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Breeding male Hugsonian Godwit, surrounded by foraging dowitchers.</span><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the late morning I headed back up to High Island and the
Smith Oaks sanctuary, where I linked up with Cliff and Julie Shackelford, who immediately
alerted me to the all-import mid-day Methodist Church BBQ feast and
fund-raiser. Arriving early, we chowed down on pork BBQ sandwiches, potato
salad, cole slaw, and sweet pies, with sweetened iced tea to wash it all down.
The church was bursting with hungry birders at mid-day. This is a fun spring
event for High Island. <o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirNBayZSfrxeOr9D6hYwZs-DhgF46YEGlmPvExUZGI3B2cbDFWhpImb3oYeQKTKG9Oh1UBHlzGkgQR9Fd_YYAbn1qGuofwkgAqpwae53bK2hv1m-yqHvrkZkLKcP9pjQA-OuHLEadL2QhvLWRv-ksagoyMdIz5h_w_iWGumQkESB4NL87TQy7dTDEV/s4032/IMG_1395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirNBayZSfrxeOr9D6hYwZs-DhgF46YEGlmPvExUZGI3B2cbDFWhpImb3oYeQKTKG9Oh1UBHlzGkgQR9Fd_YYAbn1qGuofwkgAqpwae53bK2hv1m-yqHvrkZkLKcP9pjQA-OuHLEadL2QhvLWRv-ksagoyMdIz5h_w_iWGumQkESB4NL87TQy7dTDEV/w640-h480/IMG_1395.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">sumptuous breakfast, High Island RV Park, High Island, TX.</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal">After an early afternoon nap in my tent at the High Island RV
Park (a birding senior’s must) I zipped over to Smith Oaks to join the birding crowd
awaiting the afternoon arrival of colorful migrant songbirds—birds crossing the
Gulf as well as birds following the eastern shoreline of Mexico to this spot
(some species mix it up and different individuals follow one route or the
other). On this afternoon it was a mix of cross-Gulf and the round-the-Gulf
birds dominating—Indigo Buntings, Baltimore Orioles, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks,
Scarlet Tanagers, and Summer Tanagers. Warblers were relatively few for some
reason. The larger birds dominated the canopy woods.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ylP-sxWn6SJJxxOqtPVlWs7tFJPjpyMrhRORTnOEscPXab_3V4V-G9hjct-5Hk1u9qYWKhetGhkjpfLh-RGzJao4GTz7u8Fvum3D1MTUSslYDqImdOMeipg2xsy5_7FlRKSo0ge1hVxNiRA3yIJQC5keH_o31Pq0Xedbl_W4197Dnj37A1x9fuIT/s2183/Scarlet%20Tanager%20male.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2183" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ylP-sxWn6SJJxxOqtPVlWs7tFJPjpyMrhRORTnOEscPXab_3V4V-G9hjct-5Hk1u9qYWKhetGhkjpfLh-RGzJao4GTz7u8Fvum3D1MTUSslYDqImdOMeipg2xsy5_7FlRKSo0ge1hVxNiRA3yIJQC5keH_o31Pq0Xedbl_W4197Dnj37A1x9fuIT/w640-h366/Scarlet%20Tanager%20male.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Adult male Scarlet Tanager, fresh from the Yucatan.</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal">The Shackelfords located a termite swarm exiting from the
cracks in the base of a dead oak, down in the shaded understory below the metal
skywalk where most birders gathered.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnYsdPwBjdaOYBVCA34IQCX9Ps4Z_zUJdAeDSYAJfyFxHUp2f9Vm5JYZAyz_L9K6Pc1YhLE9PwNIgygiVR_TG9Ddr3ASGXSwpOykQH1_wDaeH-6mT6fWqLwT-FJYj5jHTP6BtL_nDwyT-acA5zTd2X2fFp-z7oVwCxYkdm09lw8UVjF5zgvtoSLu0/s1988/Rose-brsted%20Grosbeak%20gobbling%20termites.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1988" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnYsdPwBjdaOYBVCA34IQCX9Ps4Z_zUJdAeDSYAJfyFxHUp2f9Vm5JYZAyz_L9K6Pc1YhLE9PwNIgygiVR_TG9Ddr3ASGXSwpOykQH1_wDaeH-6mT6fWqLwT-FJYj5jHTP6BtL_nDwyT-acA5zTd2X2fFp-z7oVwCxYkdm09lw8UVjF5zgvtoSLu0/w640-h322/Rose-brsted%20Grosbeak%20gobbling%20termites.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Adult male Rose-breasted Grosbeak, beak stuffed with termites.</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal">We stood down on the forest floor, watching the grosbeaks,
tanagers, orioles, and vireos chasing and gobbling up the millions of dispersing
termites. What a strange sight to see a male Rose-breasted Grosbeak with his
beak filled with small termites! Typically we see this species feasting in the fruiting
mulberries scattered around the marking lot. This was a switch.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1RuLktuiMDXIU5mgW_82UZy2o0Nwl8af-YZxJ96zyNQ7An1OgX1baPXjyypQj_lSznMh3DCIIuQ2tp68r2JsCliRdYedCITBK5SYbVdYE5-n7wGnX1OSWe3Wnnj-1JkIGsbvAah0SMWMIlfJ0ByHfjYWq0ipQFgqII8vCZqyl-ZiluQRh15jP_SLQ/s2305/Summer%20Tanager.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2305" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1RuLktuiMDXIU5mgW_82UZy2o0Nwl8af-YZxJ96zyNQ7An1OgX1baPXjyypQj_lSznMh3DCIIuQ2tp68r2JsCliRdYedCITBK5SYbVdYE5-n7wGnX1OSWe3Wnnj-1JkIGsbvAah0SMWMIlfJ0ByHfjYWq0ipQFgqII8vCZqyl-ZiluQRh15jP_SLQ/w640-h278/Summer%20Tanager.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Summer Tanager, adult male.</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal">Where were the wood warblers? Julie managed to pick out a
lovely adult male Cerulean Warbler in a canopy hackberry, but warbler numbers were a
disappointment. Why had they not arrived? After grilling Cliff about the
mechanics of spring migration arrival here at High Island, I came to see that
science has not quite figured out how to predict a substantial arrival flight.
Cliff said there were just too many variables at play to make this discernable. So
we just had to show up and wait and see how the afternoon would develop. That’s
not so bad! It’s fun when things are uncertain… </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyd-hWc3n_sqNtEIlpxEize5YbXwRp3M_qQ3HtAhOtlcb3DFeTreb_ISnE3nhhkOIgahJZeYruVw3qb4qsfiT76E7yy1ocHeBXhUMSnYwL__6_5Cxl7sXnYCsMO6ooGVNLgHVXC05k8gSjthRsxAppuduYvOJ2DLHrlzvs59tB9JApSA15pxxvm_e/s2846/Cerulean%20Warbler%20male.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2846" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyd-hWc3n_sqNtEIlpxEize5YbXwRp3M_qQ3HtAhOtlcb3DFeTreb_ISnE3nhhkOIgahJZeYruVw3qb4qsfiT76E7yy1ocHeBXhUMSnYwL__6_5Cxl7sXnYCsMO6ooGVNLgHVXC05k8gSjthRsxAppuduYvOJ2DLHrlzvs59tB9JApSA15pxxvm_e/w640-h224/Cerulean%20Warbler%20male.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Adult male Cerulean Warbler in canopy at Smith Oaks.</span><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">To new readers learning about High Island in spring, here
are two notable things: (1) most of the arriving birds do not sing upon
arrival; and (2) most of the songbirds arrive in the afternoon, not the
morning. For newcomers from the Northeast and Midwest, this takes some getting used to. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2ZMZ42nWqNQAsyO1vNXJceeBqIkkFsDlWYaNBbStneQT5Rhvabnl8GgOZZB73tv9uiWogMIpdvFtFEZmwbUvO9SpO0jfBft5AP0LX1vRgaOLrQkq-kyEDO3sXKitAfRSIfLCF-EedazSCAjTcbKBBbR5cFitaoeRofvh20UT0_8oWycZPzLMNnSF/s1967/Tricolored%20Heron.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1967" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2ZMZ42nWqNQAsyO1vNXJceeBqIkkFsDlWYaNBbStneQT5Rhvabnl8GgOZZB73tv9uiWogMIpdvFtFEZmwbUvO9SpO0jfBft5AP0LX1vRgaOLrQkq-kyEDO3sXKitAfRSIfLCF-EedazSCAjTcbKBBbR5cFitaoeRofvh20UT0_8oWycZPzLMNnSF/w640-h326/Tricolored%20Heron.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Breeding Tricolored Heron in the rookery at Smith Oaks.</span><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The morning of the 23<sup>rd</sup> April I worked the interior
fields and flats, looking for grasspipers and sandpipers, driving and looking
along Fairview and White’s Ranch Roads north of High Island and east of
Anahuac. Wet ricefields are a great attraction, as are short-grass fields (for
the grasspipers). Today I tallied about 50 Whimbrels, 8 Upland Sandpipers, and an
assortment of yellowlegs and Solitary and Pectoral Sandpipers. Decent, but not
overwhelming.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvf8NB_EpIVJAEJr2DXeXdK5-jXnefxcO8XVIIG_3zW3h-bxaJUdjuTJvannqjiSf_3hxBbudli76nAczpHTcB3mCK0WbZyZ2z6bijxF3uE78muaXhIuzRgB87n4ipdIPYDfPhv2majcc6Yd1pTZ-bkzFv1lLKtcwB-Tz-zgKSsYw78rQ1gbe7kax-/s1933/Buff-breasted%20Sandpiper.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1933" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvf8NB_EpIVJAEJr2DXeXdK5-jXnefxcO8XVIIG_3zW3h-bxaJUdjuTJvannqjiSf_3hxBbudli76nAczpHTcB3mCK0WbZyZ2z6bijxF3uE78muaXhIuzRgB87n4ipdIPYDfPhv2majcc6Yd1pTZ-bkzFv1lLKtcwB-Tz-zgKSsYw78rQ1gbe7kax-/w640-h248/Buff-breasted%20Sandpiper.JPG" width="640" /></a> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Buff-breasted Sandpiper on the mowed lawn at Fort Travis County Park.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the late AM I headed back down the Bolivar Peninsula to
Fort Travis County Park. It was gloomy and rainy, but the shorebirds were there
in numbers. A highlight was a pair of Buff-breasted Sandpipers (these are prime
grasspipers that love short-grass habitats). They are regular but rare at this
venue. </p><p class="MsoNormal">I had plans to lunch in Galveston with famed bird photographer Brian
Small (we had just completed a book project together and I wanted to celebrate with Brian), but after 95 minutes
waiting in line at the ferry to Galveston, I pulled the plug (the weather was awful at
this point). I headed back up to High Island and got to Smith Oaks Sanctuary by
4:30PM for an excellent arrival of warblers, tanagers, and grosbeaks. I ran
into Jane Tillman and her husband Mark, who would, in a few days, be hosting me in Austin
for an Audubon talk I was to give. Finding eleven species of warblers in a bit
over an hour was a nice pay-off after the misery of the ferry delays and gloomy
rain of morning… </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM4ery3fROR7LA0xwG3xZensr5dtNLItOdu6WTpk9b9idhyaGToXHLKZGL7XuoPYjWycihG9c5cn8E8vB9msouDPZucx3Iph_Pn75hS_Ape3T7qGleV3UDbrQ11QmC9hDA4ia42XnjQU225fs22cLd4ryl0-Hq0poxy2KMd8hjxl_DELUderhQg1Hr/s2254/Baltimore%20Oriole%20male.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="2254" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM4ery3fROR7LA0xwG3xZensr5dtNLItOdu6WTpk9b9idhyaGToXHLKZGL7XuoPYjWycihG9c5cn8E8vB9msouDPZucx3Iph_Pn75hS_Ape3T7qGleV3UDbrQ11QmC9hDA4ia42XnjQU225fs22cLd4ryl0-Hq0poxy2KMd8hjxl_DELUderhQg1Hr/w640-h212/Baltimore%20Oriole%20male.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><o:p> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Adult male Baltimore Oriole hunting for termites at the dead tree below the skywalk.</span></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On the early morning of the 24<sup>th</sup> I broke camp and
headed northwest to the Page Unit of the Trinity River National Wildlife
Sanctuary in the rich interior forested lowlands of East Texas. I had the bottomland
forest tract to myself this morning, and I reveled in the morning birdsong (Northern
Parula, Hooded Warbler, Acadian Flycatcher, American Redstart, etc). This is a
world apart from the migratory phenomenon of High Island. Here is prime breeding
habitat for a bunch of wood warblers, including the ever-desirable Swainson’s
Warbler, which I heard in song within a minute of exiting my parked car. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjloX6_pG6UUbYj97ysKE2WvPyOjDRSiOd0sRcXe9RRxh4iQkREahq9xNtP6WsRYne7rRauvVcGNPBxUjeL0jMmg9YbnUUPlsX7hbk1lujeoBYC-ttPtG029VDgOeHEITXY67RgNu8xgiidMnUtnx1xuNjOt1NADuoKbDLDSeluUTwVRs6_GvWO_S1O/s1935/Swainson's%20Warbler.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1935" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjloX6_pG6UUbYj97ysKE2WvPyOjDRSiOd0sRcXe9RRxh4iQkREahq9xNtP6WsRYne7rRauvVcGNPBxUjeL0jMmg9YbnUUPlsX7hbk1lujeoBYC-ttPtG029VDgOeHEITXY67RgNu8xgiidMnUtnx1xuNjOt1NADuoKbDLDSeluUTwVRs6_GvWO_S1O/w640-h330/Swainson's%20Warbler.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Singing male Swainson's Warbler</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The male Swainson’s is plain-looking but noted as a shy
songster of southern forests, from West Virginia to East Texas. This was a
great spot to see this elusive songbird. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOcGQlFtCaO9P62ZXjG7lQ9L32i5zIO-K9ppl4s1GqNSL0LjMc-ntUnwj7pC5RlJMk25-mmFQHuUFde8AsguC0CAbcpsIy8TDnguBoljgDILoHAy2CDJqNh7LCntxLi6IoZ-9h2MCDEe7txDX7ljybHoD6AcV-xlKA-yrMWlDwoaoj-4KbFXB5S5KE/s2153/Nonsinging%20Swainsons%20Warbler.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2153" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOcGQlFtCaO9P62ZXjG7lQ9L32i5zIO-K9ppl4s1GqNSL0LjMc-ntUnwj7pC5RlJMk25-mmFQHuUFde8AsguC0CAbcpsIy8TDnguBoljgDILoHAy2CDJqNh7LCntxLi6IoZ-9h2MCDEe7txDX7ljybHoD6AcV-xlKA-yrMWlDwoaoj-4KbFXB5S5KE/w640-h298/Nonsinging%20Swainsons%20Warbler.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Confiding male Swainson's Warbler on territory on the Trinity River, northwest of Winnie, TX.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I found the male singing beside a side-road through the magnificent
bottomland forest and communed with him for about five minutes. This was my dollop
of birding for the day, as I was headed northwest to Plano, north of Dallas, where
I was scheduled to give another Audubon talk the next evening. <o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg72LdtuqITjp1Tu99p8KyYQ8coHkLbYFSLhDY5-QFqbKR0z6eKRYrcXlUytQEoLOcMIzrTjkfCq10VQCS7GWTz2K_ae7reJ63B7DewGw7rAxIqgC3B8nwm4PVeQra5rPg1_a6HBPMHTOD7DHYGLUFmXYPgbig-uBR1NGpQzvR3H7GS6kMVRhz5I-mL/s2273/Killdeer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2273" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg72LdtuqITjp1Tu99p8KyYQ8coHkLbYFSLhDY5-QFqbKR0z6eKRYrcXlUytQEoLOcMIzrTjkfCq10VQCS7GWTz2K_ae7reJ63B7DewGw7rAxIqgC3B8nwm4PVeQra5rPg1_a6HBPMHTOD7DHYGLUFmXYPgbig-uBR1NGpQzvR3H7GS6kMVRhz5I-mL/w640-h282/Killdeer.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Killdeer foraging in grass at High Island RV Park, next to my tent.</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal">My next blog will feature Plano, Austin, San Antonio, and the Edwards Plateau.</p>Bruce Beehlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15885008878848042968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4395290943835782922.post-75573592583649078722023-05-13T11:04:00.001-07:002023-06-07T13:00:01.247-07:00<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTwc0-JVZV3WL-O6-2xPsblIf-85bJoyhHyogwvQM8nHlmzO5I2eqduoiHhbuyhDubeB5H6wOgyaj_4b2kypTaXKf1pxg8H5_7h1qH-qxIVdA147CRqbVmz81w_sJW9kLdCnhe8n25tFzqpXtIMNSwNeYw0gueJjKSnhUScTC3jg5shR30UQkMG9bQ/s2782/Roseate%20Spoonbill.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2782" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTwc0-JVZV3WL-O6-2xPsblIf-85bJoyhHyogwvQM8nHlmzO5I2eqduoiHhbuyhDubeB5H6wOgyaj_4b2kypTaXKf1pxg8H5_7h1qH-qxIVdA147CRqbVmz81w_sJW9kLdCnhe8n25tFzqpXtIMNSwNeYw0gueJjKSnhUScTC3jg5shR30UQkMG9bQ/w640-h288/Roseate%20Spoonbill.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Roseate Spoonbill displaying at rookery in Smith Oaks Sanctuary, High Island, Texas.</span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">SPRING ROAD TRIP TO TEXAS AND ARIZONA (PART ONE) </p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">17-21 April 2023</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Having completed a big writing project in early April, I
celebrated this accomplishment with a three-week-long solo driving trip to the
Arid Southwest (and back). I combined birding and camping with some pre-planned nature
talks to local Audubon societies and visits with friends and relatives along the
way. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It was a great relief to unchain myself from the desktop
computer in my basement office and to head out onto the open road, parts south
and west. This trip would take me, by car, through sixteen states, totaling
6,279 road miles over 23 days.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwMMPLXsTy-Qu4Tg1NEk2bVlOMl6hGMlyhYDEA-daCKJcWPrUvjTROeDahpWPcVDrjVvk9CJYA03Lmxu57OATz-9HluR6uhmNCVqL0OwDUcliqo_CbbrmdU42QjKfa9hqbzhk0hvym_xU16lQ_ABPqMA16jSyRDa1WKZngQJ6jHYkHTRWAWue75-3B/s4032/IMG_1372.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwMMPLXsTy-Qu4Tg1NEk2bVlOMl6hGMlyhYDEA-daCKJcWPrUvjTROeDahpWPcVDrjVvk9CJYA03Lmxu57OATz-9HluR6uhmNCVqL0OwDUcliqo_CbbrmdU42QjKfa9hqbzhk0hvym_xU16lQ_ABPqMA16jSyRDa1WKZngQJ6jHYkHTRWAWue75-3B/w640-h480/IMG_1372.JPG" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Spring in all its glory in downtown Asheville, North Carolina</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">The first leg of my travels took me down to Asheville, North
Carolina, where I visited Marianne Mooney and her husband Joe Sasfy, and gave a
talk to the Blue Ridge Audubon Society. The drive to Asheville, down Interstate
81 and the interior valleys of Virginia and Tennessee, was 467 miles. Highlights
of the drive were banks of roadside Redbud in flower and my first-ever peek at the
summit of Mount Mitchell, the highest mountain in the East (a smidgen higher
than Mountain Washington). I glimpsed Mount Mitchell from Interstate 26, which
cuts due south through the mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina—very picturesque.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMMaG0UEclgbGjKlYlsRwKvKNzeil7EmwhIUaYRLgK-hGwlXk5x8zpgLBqPP5LJhIHGD1a3YRsPoVaiN26Eiib4zoa_xfg6NLbhr58Gsaplui6JCDH_cjHxIY4cu0-QNX5CGbk1vQCTnj12I5m0TKWz3TW5fuiIEuA2l9rNRNAraheKBSJNEBZxiVQ/s4032/IMG_1369.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMMaG0UEclgbGjKlYlsRwKvKNzeil7EmwhIUaYRLgK-hGwlXk5x8zpgLBqPP5LJhIHGD1a3YRsPoVaiN26Eiib4zoa_xfg6NLbhr58Gsaplui6JCDH_cjHxIY4cu0-QNX5CGbk1vQCTnj12I5m0TKWz3TW5fuiIEuA2l9rNRNAraheKBSJNEBZxiVQ/w640-h480/IMG_1369.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Marianne and Joe in Hickory Nut Gorge, amongst the trillium.</span><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span> On the morning before my Audubon talk, my hosts took me on a
hike down the Trombatore Trail, through Hickory Nut Gorge, southeast of
Asheville. We started high on a ridge, where the morning temperature was in the
forties. The walk through the forest gorge was enriched by the array of wildflowers
in full bloom across the shady forest floor.</div><div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOQORt8X91IPq_h7dJYGJy3DKgF5VlR0owip3n_nnbqhEITTL3B2ppUPBW6_X1wrp5gKQtWAYSYGMNJk-vPgBiizF0-3dxx8EWCdWT9wcmijfjlX5_cdu01E2DObiZiFeeiUWlxrCJPVOwePRFMk1ywkJtKWLbgyudKl_Od-coyZlAdGPA2ikLHqrC/s4032/IMG_1352.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOQORt8X91IPq_h7dJYGJy3DKgF5VlR0owip3n_nnbqhEITTL3B2ppUPBW6_X1wrp5gKQtWAYSYGMNJk-vPgBiizF0-3dxx8EWCdWT9wcmijfjlX5_cdu01E2DObiZiFeeiUWlxrCJPVOwePRFMk1ywkJtKWLbgyudKl_Od-coyZlAdGPA2ikLHqrC/w480-h640/IMG_1352.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Southern Blueflag (an iris)</span></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The birdlife in territorial song included Ovenbird and
various additional warblers: Hooded, Worm-eating, Black-throated Blue,
Black-throated Green, and Black-and-white. Also Blue-headed and Red-eyed Vireo.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijzo44MVFkl_BKrGSmXJ-HtJW2aIGPAi9KiwefFDutWTQBn0x7b5w3B2Xl_TT31GX9Cinvxg5LcLWOPJ-ajXH6Ybaz71EPcxRfHq18viP00yNqcqfNP0ebvTxbm6_9K2VvY6naYteCVFENvKWOMaVSeQMr6iYGJ_4N2rG7krbYvoQTuy7go2eSblP/s4032/IMG_E1356.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijzo44MVFkl_BKrGSmXJ-HtJW2aIGPAi9KiwefFDutWTQBn0x7b5w3B2Xl_TT31GX9Cinvxg5LcLWOPJ-ajXH6Ybaz71EPcxRfHq18viP00yNqcqfNP0ebvTxbm6_9K2VvY6naYteCVFENvKWOMaVSeQMr6iYGJ_4N2rG7krbYvoQTuy7go2eSblP/w640-h480/IMG_E1356.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Large-flower Trillium</span><br /> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9G4nPtn4OCK51dy8e5Wl19Y8BMMC4Jk4CC7Mfp6TDJrKc_nW8L8j75P5OD8LmOjALCEE501GpEouQt2tXjzuVvIbdqYRsDAlTJpm8An8oAqYuwnSPfcT-V1qg3C21LUIaeU2aelxgQ8OzKQeJ8sCn6cFDSL5efkTimY5QCOufCYfGW9wOC8HEKMb/s4032/IMG_1360.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9G4nPtn4OCK51dy8e5Wl19Y8BMMC4Jk4CC7Mfp6TDJrKc_nW8L8j75P5OD8LmOjALCEE501GpEouQt2tXjzuVvIbdqYRsDAlTJpm8An8oAqYuwnSPfcT-V1qg3C21LUIaeU2aelxgQ8OzKQeJ8sCn6cFDSL5efkTimY5QCOufCYfGW9wOC8HEKMb/w640-h480/IMG_1360.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Jack-in-the-Pulpit</span><br /><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After to nights in Asheville, I next drove south to Gautier, Mississippi, down on the Gulf
Coast, where I camped at Shepard State Park. This drive of 576 miles took me
through Atlanta, Auburn, Montgomery, and Mobile, and five different states, following
a western route through the Smokies that skirted South Carolina. I camped in
piney woods that verged a swampy estuary of the Gulf of Mexico. Setting up my tent in the
evening gloaming, I was serenaded by Pine Warbler, Great Crested Flycatcher,
and Eastern Towhee. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6rW8s7I8qzLv20FSLI3SJbW3bCHXWF8cvYXj8Q8VQpehVd3I5Kn68_qX4kMvIDMZOZ1QGHLBK0IKf_D4lcQfmLuI3P_CMod3xx5tMvdXjuuNCD-AqmV7eaN5uvPXyJgcG75jKJkoJysPUrGlMYXLGqzVKv7jJk7JkgyJVBwK-WeWm4NtRHy3oyT5P/s4032/IMG_1373.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6rW8s7I8qzLv20FSLI3SJbW3bCHXWF8cvYXj8Q8VQpehVd3I5Kn68_qX4kMvIDMZOZ1QGHLBK0IKf_D4lcQfmLuI3P_CMod3xx5tMvdXjuuNCD-AqmV7eaN5uvPXyJgcG75jKJkoJysPUrGlMYXLGqzVKv7jJk7JkgyJVBwK-WeWm4NtRHy3oyT5P/w640-h480/IMG_1373.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"> historic wall poster in Sunday Diner, Clayton, Georgia (where I got a down home breakfast)</span><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-COF51SGbJPHkh02NY-62MiQFDc1hVwtNO4Vz9GlC7kjqzBNLkziPUunI0BbBEOVobJpgZa-tqoT6Nll0rovNWoqQY9QHjXDvJh7QZ0g7F2t2kruLb5sx4B_W5u_vBq3lm8lnDcEDzjmyz2XxcDTLoHfxxS_UZhp9xLZY3ad81qACM-BcEJauKYC3/s4032/IMG_1374.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-COF51SGbJPHkh02NY-62MiQFDc1hVwtNO4Vz9GlC7kjqzBNLkziPUunI0BbBEOVobJpgZa-tqoT6Nll0rovNWoqQY9QHjXDvJh7QZ0g7F2t2kruLb5sx4B_W5u_vBq3lm8lnDcEDzjmyz2XxcDTLoHfxxS_UZhp9xLZY3ad81qACM-BcEJauKYC3/w640-h480/IMG_1374.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Shepard State Park, Gautier, Mississippi--first night camping</span></div><p class="MsoNormal">The next morning, in the thick cool coastal mist, I broke
camp easly and drove east to Ocean Springs to have breakfast with Mary LeCroy, a
colleague from the American Museum of Natural History and noted expert on birds
of New Guinea. She had recently returned to Mississippi. After a fun breakfast at
Lancaster’s spent chatting about all manner of museum people and ornithological
politics, I dropped Mary at her home and headed west to Scott, Louisiana, where
I could have a late lunch of boudin and other cajun goodies at Billy’s, just off
Interstate 10. The shrimp roll-up was particularly tasty. But the two flavors
of boudin did not disappoint…</p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdF1ubbNR6rQKqV-CMHrkDgoaxoAe2VUcz-WjRrGTFJXTs3BGAURKbOTTOwzVINEd0bTLLuwIcC7hvMtd0aeQiIwr7hqjwlvrHwMYTGxqJTQCh5rL0TbBMQ7RuroU2cO2t5uhPoUVWiaIjuQy38dCinmHn8wnVhRWsIH_uSiB7NEUgVxxx0AufIcA/s4032/IMG_1375.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdF1ubbNR6rQKqV-CMHrkDgoaxoAe2VUcz-WjRrGTFJXTs3BGAURKbOTTOwzVINEd0bTLLuwIcC7hvMtd0aeQiIwr7hqjwlvrHwMYTGxqJTQCh5rL0TbBMQ7RuroU2cO2t5uhPoUVWiaIjuQy38dCinmHn8wnVhRWsIH_uSiB7NEUgVxxx0AufIcA/w640-h480/IMG_1375.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Billy's Boudin and Cracklins, Scott, Louisiana</span></div><br />2.5 hours more driving west on the dread I-10 got me to Winnie Texas, where I filled my cooler with camping food and then headed south of Texas 124 to High
Island, where I would be camping for four nights. The High Island RV
Park was under new management and was a perfect base of operations for me. From
here I could launch out to White's Ranch Road, Smith Oaks Sanctuary, Anahuac National Wildlife
Refuge, or Fort Travis County Park down the Bolivar Peninsula toward Galveston.
So many great birding venues that are bursting with birds in late April!<div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9U8frjKFSwXwewxgUUkVnSgt21U8RkkODls697WdLKbWdVWaD9hqHrhpsUvI-3MAjUEk1OMcAakEGHDlgPulRB1bnPRCUzy_kSZWMouULm37QIpL6jhat7Aatf999uqXj5BLNuKoHRVaFmABTeEGFMGs6Uj6hPj9bLDd0ogs7YkWrPMLWf6dPJnFV/s4032/IMG_1382.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9U8frjKFSwXwewxgUUkVnSgt21U8RkkODls697WdLKbWdVWaD9hqHrhpsUvI-3MAjUEk1OMcAakEGHDlgPulRB1bnPRCUzy_kSZWMouULm37QIpL6jhat7Aatf999uqXj5BLNuKoHRVaFmABTeEGFMGs6Uj6hPj9bLDd0ogs7YkWrPMLWf6dPJnFV/w640-h480/IMG_1382.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"> the tenting lawn at the High Island RV Park, High Island, Texas (before the first night's flood)</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal">My first evening featured a series of noisy thunderstorms
and heavy rain that flooded the tenting lawn of the RV park. The interior of my
tent remained dry but outside was a bay of standing water surrounding my tent. The
crash of thunder and flash of lightning went on for what seemed like hours.
Welcome to the Gulf Coast in spring! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpOER45_cfrHSNhgkz4DSu9ThNcjUVeEUPeykygAwwt5LyhuNahXERPA3TJEan8oLmO68cLypg-5myTd3CuOs8XJEACbXpiCxP-yCv-ufOjJGQp3FdXm3BFCxGyTCGbR2N8qy9HcXn3pRm77q3PSGCn9LgmGdK1rVLsaL_PIJqOPXBIXb79MXycjdc/s2368/Red-winged%20Blackbird.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2368" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpOER45_cfrHSNhgkz4DSu9ThNcjUVeEUPeykygAwwt5LyhuNahXERPA3TJEan8oLmO68cLypg-5myTd3CuOs8XJEACbXpiCxP-yCv-ufOjJGQp3FdXm3BFCxGyTCGbR2N8qy9HcXn3pRm77q3PSGCn9LgmGdK1rVLsaL_PIJqOPXBIXb79MXycjdc/w640-h338/Red-winged%20Blackbird.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> adult male Red-winged Blackbird displaying on territory at Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWgbhdOuBxUtgiSkbMJBXTrYQTgTjuSx8wglsEyFWM5As8HM_apFatmNfYZptSee2Fb5QCPRCmz34zCwTCnDbRv4cnjl-xm6tZf4aqq_xVAQhKjiIwFoX3F6jgp3-J5OwUqr8TtfkJLlW31I-R0UAHv2W-LT1E1zYfA-3VGatpnXL2iVPVb97zqUrS/s1779/Boat-tailed%20Grackle.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1779" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWgbhdOuBxUtgiSkbMJBXTrYQTgTjuSx8wglsEyFWM5As8HM_apFatmNfYZptSee2Fb5QCPRCmz34zCwTCnDbRv4cnjl-xm6tZf4aqq_xVAQhKjiIwFoX3F6jgp3-J5OwUqr8TtfkJLlW31I-R0UAHv2W-LT1E1zYfA-3VGatpnXL2iVPVb97zqUrS/w640-h360/Boat-tailed%20Grackle.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Boat-tailed Grackle adult male displaying at Anahuac (wildlife drive)</span></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-DC0orwihsSSze2YmFM-bqLGaMbP06I-7zdNYEtLXz7hYav87EElqF30sU9-pFwhYKSxBbbZMOGUa-k6Ze_aACZnZwHPLCv9OAlkDbzIORxTijwKLiGBl64JhpSDemdfilXvnqbS_wLWeJTRoZcyQ4EoP_aF7tjY6MPAgCGJwIYCX5akQ7nPl-y2/s2038/Neotropical%20Cormorants.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2038" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-DC0orwihsSSze2YmFM-bqLGaMbP06I-7zdNYEtLXz7hYav87EElqF30sU9-pFwhYKSxBbbZMOGUa-k6Ze_aACZnZwHPLCv9OAlkDbzIORxTijwKLiGBl64JhpSDemdfilXvnqbS_wLWeJTRoZcyQ4EoP_aF7tjY6MPAgCGJwIYCX5akQ7nPl-y2/w640-h392/Neotropical%20Cormorants.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Neotropical Cormorant group, Anahuac NWR</span></div><p class="MsoNormal">An early morning visit to Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge was
productive for shore- and marsh birds. The birding loop is always a good bet in
the morning.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxtVRUKjYadwZPnchRmqSAes0KmeYK9rhV5bCY3ywgXpTBByyrtHemmdnr6th3Eib_3GdOFWzPO7SSmZdZEP1JC-xsNVNzWxuU13KM1-lCeFzbyzAQH1DGdNsJGUYPGaVZWoR0S0MR3uupF4kwz0Zb34zHw0mZzCcmFZqIRJ34Ni7uTKmOBuK7XIy/s2434/algae%20covered%20slider%20turtle.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2434" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxtVRUKjYadwZPnchRmqSAes0KmeYK9rhV5bCY3ywgXpTBByyrtHemmdnr6th3Eib_3GdOFWzPO7SSmZdZEP1JC-xsNVNzWxuU13KM1-lCeFzbyzAQH1DGdNsJGUYPGaVZWoR0S0MR3uupF4kwz0Zb34zHw0mZzCcmFZqIRJ34Ni7uTKmOBuK7XIy/w640-h328/algae%20covered%20slider%20turtle.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> A slider (?) wearing a dorsal covering of algae</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_a3Pp3PEd1--aHE_6xUj7KhiLM2BWFkNfRROozwEsaJApdNGrpkduqKf8Yz9UUW64tbYQqF43M-dYwlnJOXKLp68-111jvPg2YP4v1AYQBRdkC-RU0qDxuALalqLEZifSKFr3fgfNqTmCYOJNE3EuWYnYpQdxHAt4UpG8UtavKo3-c3BSw9dt0ZK/s1845/alligator%20with%20prey.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1845" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_a3Pp3PEd1--aHE_6xUj7KhiLM2BWFkNfRROozwEsaJApdNGrpkduqKf8Yz9UUW64tbYQqF43M-dYwlnJOXKLp68-111jvPg2YP4v1AYQBRdkC-RU0qDxuALalqLEZifSKFr3fgfNqTmCYOJNE3EuWYnYpQdxHAt4UpG8UtavKo3-c3BSw9dt0ZK/w640-h346/alligator%20with%20prey.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">An Alligator having a meaty breakfast</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg562d5Ifn9Ihnts1u26afbtuzYtAOgGPjbZpXXt_Krqn9EbnYXK5Ipz28DGDK2sRfRd_8suns18mgqpGlOdT3dwD1J8BlL64XqJd0yKcCFcK1UU_EbQQ9r5tOp4ygm1bNj-rHrzMURgxfV-UI22Y0K1YU4cBy9LuxGlC883HqFsoBpHV3M9uFhVa-H/s2640/Purple%20Gallinule.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2640" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg562d5Ifn9Ihnts1u26afbtuzYtAOgGPjbZpXXt_Krqn9EbnYXK5Ipz28DGDK2sRfRd_8suns18mgqpGlOdT3dwD1J8BlL64XqJd0yKcCFcK1UU_EbQQ9r5tOp4ygm1bNj-rHrzMURgxfV-UI22Y0K1YU4cBy9LuxGlC883HqFsoBpHV3M9uFhVa-H/w640-h242/Purple%20Gallinule.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> A Purple Gallincule showing off its oversized feet</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3b_-ssz1qJdncIYHb5VyGlZmjR-U-3ZDlouCE7_R2nm066BAsBUr6VSyzbaf2FUz4C_2nk70OT9j28MXq0ILFFQmpndZ8qPJwsSLYw3Re0lMS-YvV59E_mwvOdWfuZwD4Qjk2QlwmyypdhHslDNmG48136Fo0iBM6kvWkyNeS4CJW-CLttVvzmLqy/s2371/nesting%20Black-necked%20Stilts.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2371" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3b_-ssz1qJdncIYHb5VyGlZmjR-U-3ZDlouCE7_R2nm066BAsBUr6VSyzbaf2FUz4C_2nk70OT9j28MXq0ILFFQmpndZ8qPJwsSLYw3Re0lMS-YvV59E_mwvOdWfuZwD4Qjk2QlwmyypdhHslDNmG48136Fo0iBM6kvWkyNeS4CJW-CLttVvzmLqy/w640-h270/nesting%20Black-necked%20Stilts.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">A pair of Black-necked Stilts; left bird sitting upon its soggy nest.</span></div><br /><div>A late morning visit to Fort Travis County Park was worthy
for the many shorebirds frequenting the vast mowed lawns of the Fort’s interior.
I saw a single Hudsonian Godwit and dozens of Marbled Godwits, and plenty of
Whimbrels, turnstones, and dowitchers…</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7q2WlR0BQa7IIkGztaUHRpZv-_d85bkOi8GAYjHRZ0tu3GNZCqk2zSkJBbg_LWp3ra7g8F-e3gAu3QHRXaK-qky709EEcS-Mo4eK3kYMYcBlvZ2jOIOkXWxxW3WqKxcPxFzuuwpZlLREri2avrWZTQe1y5Pu5YRj2K_wKqZW9oScQUvFCAYlIAM4e/s1500/Spotted%20Sandpiper.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="829" data-original-width="1500" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7q2WlR0BQa7IIkGztaUHRpZv-_d85bkOi8GAYjHRZ0tu3GNZCqk2zSkJBbg_LWp3ra7g8F-e3gAu3QHRXaK-qky709EEcS-Mo4eK3kYMYcBlvZ2jOIOkXWxxW3WqKxcPxFzuuwpZlLREri2avrWZTQe1y5Pu5YRj2K_wKqZW9oScQUvFCAYlIAM4e/w640-h354/Spotted%20Sandpiper.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Spring-plumaged Spotted Sandpiper on the walkway.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijhv80S7cJ5nPDDOrJAUgtbzrqwlaBExe2X8v0nHAF_mnIy7AW-h6csFEu0vUdjLbnGIygi55rMA_BAMAi4nesfxI--b9CUejbcQKFwohyiSRqrMbA1IZdmlHiSLl8tCVum_VktWN6qonMQtXW2doaPjn90nHSqTqjYEmeobt_su959G5zEZq-o0Zj/s1311/Western%20Sandpiper.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1311" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijhv80S7cJ5nPDDOrJAUgtbzrqwlaBExe2X8v0nHAF_mnIy7AW-h6csFEu0vUdjLbnGIygi55rMA_BAMAi4nesfxI--b9CUejbcQKFwohyiSRqrMbA1IZdmlHiSLl8tCVum_VktWN6qonMQtXW2doaPjn90nHSqTqjYEmeobt_su959G5zEZq-o0Zj/w640-h366/Western%20Sandpiper.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">A Western Sandpiper showing off its chestnut shoulder patch.</span><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIuUkuQ2zPHqYKFJjAu5j5qREsPx4sqTFtqi8kkHeYXjzzCJomYD68dg0c_th8V9UJEz1P-EgY7tUs7mf5usmif4ScGRO9tB_CnyhNbMoghV-MdpOJV8O_hReIYCKowak1A1_nglG2yS-Jb5_aZ6FNsEiiS3GSnzNnAUvo0Y3RTq9YNFTfDTa4mXwq/s2233/Marbled%20Godwit.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2233" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIuUkuQ2zPHqYKFJjAu5j5qREsPx4sqTFtqi8kkHeYXjzzCJomYD68dg0c_th8V9UJEz1P-EgY7tUs7mf5usmif4ScGRO9tB_CnyhNbMoghV-MdpOJV8O_hReIYCKowak1A1_nglG2yS-Jb5_aZ6FNsEiiS3GSnzNnAUvo0Y3RTq9YNFTfDTa4mXwq/w640-h286/Marbled%20Godwit.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Marbled Godwits were hanging out at Fort Travis County Park in good numbers.</span><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">I visited Smith Oaks sanctuary on High Island in the afternoon
and bumped into my New Jersey friends Michael O’Brien and Louise Zemaitis, who are leading a VENT tour,
and Cliff and Julie Shackelford, famous Texas birders and conservationists. The
wonderful canopy walk is filled with eager birders, hoping for a strong arrival
of songbirds in the late afternoon. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTKAWzcXHZt09OG3FTbgU2Ruick7-rbFG-5koSuhC1M3nQzWMwK7rBRpB5XwhUe7I4VMot6_yomxuwKKGwectkJqr6wJMWrfIOmYYaw0RUMiKc6Jmdnb0RXrUFuktZaLkTVFKPv2szB6e46j8tKybEUNK6e4kBHtYlZKB3zcN_KsLN2ldZlTnFjHh/s4032/IMG_1378.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTKAWzcXHZt09OG3FTbgU2Ruick7-rbFG-5koSuhC1M3nQzWMwK7rBRpB5XwhUe7I4VMot6_yomxuwKKGwectkJqr6wJMWrfIOmYYaw0RUMiKc6Jmdnb0RXrUFuktZaLkTVFKPv2szB6e46j8tKybEUNK6e4kBHtYlZKB3zcN_KsLN2ldZlTnFjHh/w640-h480/IMG_1378.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Birders spotting warblers from the comfort of the canopy walkway at Smith Oaks sanctuary.</span></div><p class="MsoNormal">I was just getting going here in East Texas. Stay tuned for
my next blog, which will show and tell more about the High Island area birding and
its particular highlights of Spring 2023.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjibMng4j_kn_7iRpQ7xj1IE0REnEni6IfpOA5FSzMkrDudhs3amVa1T4GPBjmOhFkRedBOfZwff7QsivyxhQNvlHE9nabiUkA4asPQJrVBhYG5xdJtgnqVRAgTcIP-INjXMMkT3j0xpoW1mkSkKmlWzySW0tQwbjiecqZqhZWkmXlhET1l_ov7afY/s4032/IMG_1391.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjibMng4j_kn_7iRpQ7xj1IE0REnEni6IfpOA5FSzMkrDudhs3amVa1T4GPBjmOhFkRedBOfZwff7QsivyxhQNvlHE9nabiUkA4asPQJrVBhYG5xdJtgnqVRAgTcIP-INjXMMkT3j0xpoW1mkSkKmlWzySW0tQwbjiecqZqhZWkmXlhET1l_ov7afY/w640-h480/IMG_1391.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Birder's sitting at Don's Drip are visited by an overly-confiding White-tailed Deer (at Smith Oaks).</span></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div>Bruce Beehlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15885008878848042968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4395290943835782922.post-16187605471392148962022-08-12T05:50:00.000-07:002022-08-12T05:50:07.751-07:00<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiluhVh8ZoSXrKVEzkKDR9Z5FIkYZiEI7VPToCFX06p1Cc6be26ejIh3bamdT6hEJ0UkgQ1dEBZp6Pfhzk5RDShosy_fUNnHv5JEMywgJvmEcp_Hm5O8JjQK3hXMUzHVEeV1xDyLT2jQUtT9Vi9CeqvCin5BskJO0rhTBYBPYfHzwz2izQIjtqFUsca/s2847/Kluane%20Range,%20Yukon.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2847" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiluhVh8ZoSXrKVEzkKDR9Z5FIkYZiEI7VPToCFX06p1Cc6be26ejIh3bamdT6hEJ0UkgQ1dEBZp6Pfhzk5RDShosy_fUNnHv5JEMywgJvmEcp_Hm5O8JjQK3hXMUzHVEeV1xDyLT2jQUtT9Vi9CeqvCin5BskJO0rhTBYBPYfHzwz2izQIjtqFUsca/w640-h338/Kluane%20Range,%20Yukon.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> vista on the Alaska Highway</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div><span style="font-size: xxx-large;">Across the Continent </span></div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">(highlights reel) </span></p><div><span style="font-size: large;">Maryland - Alaska - NW Territories - Montana - Wyoming - MD</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">22 May - 2 July 2022</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> American Golden-Plover adult</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgugoPUlV4Ki8nXuZJMuPXp-oqEdLjVjn45-HRU_UJlIac21S9udgLI77MS1JoFCf_PHWejz7SAfqhP6hSxYDUdw4w8ZgWUMoM6huqzT5Gn6xrN-IHkHtQ_FCgQGdl1nTDXJ7nZEmL_vJWRWaQ4NJpakbmzuavAY_tqqJaExx1U9cDhulpdLSUywxpZ/s1831/American%20Golden-Plover%20Surfbird%20Ridge%2022%20June.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1831" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgugoPUlV4Ki8nXuZJMuPXp-oqEdLjVjn45-HRU_UJlIac21S9udgLI77MS1JoFCf_PHWejz7SAfqhP6hSxYDUdw4w8ZgWUMoM6huqzT5Gn6xrN-IHkHtQ_FCgQGdl1nTDXJ7nZEmL_vJWRWaQ4NJpakbmzuavAY_tqqJaExx1U9cDhulpdLSUywxpZ/w640-h436/American%20Golden-Plover%20Surfbird%20Ridge%2022%20June.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWeRq6qRvuXXSJFTcMjIy3D2wj_3EQSd_ELLjqdOeQTGwSL-1C3vxfpuNXDwdlLcJRQtWMU5FQLNFozrygcxG0a4oclaNAjBP3nCBR6ZBd06xnurpLiVXRfgjNKsHbYRuscAumAx_hSbE0gMe21E7Beizz04eL_YdSdk8XOXxlvyB71x8C_7dTXzWt/s1652/big%20buck%20Porcupine%20side%20view.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1652" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWeRq6qRvuXXSJFTcMjIy3D2wj_3EQSd_ELLjqdOeQTGwSL-1C3vxfpuNXDwdlLcJRQtWMU5FQLNFozrygcxG0a4oclaNAjBP3nCBR6ZBd06xnurpLiVXRfgjNKsHbYRuscAumAx_hSbE0gMe21E7Beizz04eL_YdSdk8XOXxlvyB71x8C_7dTXzWt/w640-h484/big%20buck%20Porcupine%20side%20view.JPG" width="640" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQr2-4Kd61dX1KkMqZ76-62DRt-ZXyY5ecHaGqQei23dHRdzXHgFtj1a6oqQV2oIE9Hkl1_9tvydSoxc010bbuxmwOEJsK0LziL212GkqY7Zitz5rL9jdeeQVNFnJflcLnBU_kJEBd7w8Fbv0sIpEgC16Op0g744kVP_kVqNndyicKekOnXFY5djFk/s2808/Barrow's%20Goldeneye%20pair%20in%20Muncho%20Lake.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2808" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQr2-4Kd61dX1KkMqZ76-62DRt-ZXyY5ecHaGqQei23dHRdzXHgFtj1a6oqQV2oIE9Hkl1_9tvydSoxc010bbuxmwOEJsK0LziL212GkqY7Zitz5rL9jdeeQVNFnJflcLnBU_kJEBd7w8Fbv0sIpEgC16Op0g744kVP_kVqNndyicKekOnXFY5djFk/w640-h284/Barrow's%20Goldeneye%20pair%20in%20Muncho%20Lake.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Barrow's Goldeneye, Muncho Lake, BC</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOT5marWiPxEVgHquvnWRM0HW49odIY-P6odov-dy4Qn8Xh97MMWpLLhvXNQNZQXy2291mySsaUS0LMuvVulcb1kfuRzPrVuIXZHy8G86HFgw-M-B5XNQKnc5kpP5pNWJ0hrr2vhxq1Rx7bHbSiRZj2baWQlCra3dkl3CuAhXrIOEm_Yulu6PM2aG/s1822/Black%20Bear%20boar%20Alberta%2026%20May.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1822" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOT5marWiPxEVgHquvnWRM0HW49odIY-P6odov-dy4Qn8Xh97MMWpLLhvXNQNZQXy2291mySsaUS0LMuvVulcb1kfuRzPrVuIXZHy8G86HFgw-M-B5XNQKnc5kpP5pNWJ0hrr2vhxq1Rx7bHbSiRZj2baWQlCra3dkl3CuAhXrIOEm_Yulu6PM2aG/w640-h352/Black%20Bear%20boar%20Alberta%2026%20May.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jmbg14xGLuX6UGnOHaxwCqbWEEXqb6huaj1XO6fviv-KLN5HP8nTMKSkCG5t2tQhgxMhbBjXLBNhVKre2HEUBuXqQzB8qkwm7FB1TXvqsBtVvcxuk5XoraOg4cZRSnakgoI1fY-JSbRVCoYWIIIY6WpZ5zIX8WJb5bxWmf_doxeaZT8IWWjtX_3e/s1885/Bluethroat%20male%206%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1885" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jmbg14xGLuX6UGnOHaxwCqbWEEXqb6huaj1XO6fviv-KLN5HP8nTMKSkCG5t2tQhgxMhbBjXLBNhVKre2HEUBuXqQzB8qkwm7FB1TXvqsBtVvcxuk5XoraOg4cZRSnakgoI1fY-JSbRVCoYWIIIY6WpZ5zIX8WJb5bxWmf_doxeaZT8IWWjtX_3e/w640-h424/Bluethroat%20male%206%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Bluethroat, Nome, AK</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBf2KVYfamVSmoiOrfDRUU1WKOUZWcL0Deqc-sC_ruEFAwmyIJKwbC71U3jlJHtXqjHVkiV3IwNd50eyZ0d10b6_yqkO98W1C6lTkZKVRFn7HpCqq_MbPb1qCZF1EXGlg03bqHB-VncGcMxhaMZI7DtsSKB9tz_DRIUL0vEA1ZoXJ0tHd4HBVo_1O/s1921/breakfast%20al%20fresco%20Tombstone%20park.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1921" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBf2KVYfamVSmoiOrfDRUU1WKOUZWcL0Deqc-sC_ruEFAwmyIJKwbC71U3jlJHtXqjHVkiV3IwNd50eyZ0d10b6_yqkO98W1C6lTkZKVRFn7HpCqq_MbPb1qCZF1EXGlg03bqHB-VncGcMxhaMZI7DtsSKB9tz_DRIUL0vEA1ZoXJ0tHd4HBVo_1O/w640-h416/breakfast%20al%20fresco%20Tombstone%20park.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">breakfast, Tombstone Territorial Park, Yukon </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9P5wlXQDeFNlKLGe6eNA5W3f1PlIfybx3JgwWtE9D5hvNK1jHqOQsqpEuHIgPbIid0dwBAi7SXJcPT3YICX3U6_NePIrWw_eOSMdORRrIQL_sl-UFSqzyFpKBuXLkneGGCFeROoCyb12W3AbhzwDL26UEMR5EJO0cqPe76W0rJIWfrFDkOZqsYij/s1292/Bristle-thighed%20Curlew%205%20June%2022%20image%202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1292" height="620" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9P5wlXQDeFNlKLGe6eNA5W3f1PlIfybx3JgwWtE9D5hvNK1jHqOQsqpEuHIgPbIid0dwBAi7SXJcPT3YICX3U6_NePIrWw_eOSMdORRrIQL_sl-UFSqzyFpKBuXLkneGGCFeROoCyb12W3AbhzwDL26UEMR5EJO0cqPe76W0rJIWfrFDkOZqsYij/w640-h620/Bristle-thighed%20Curlew%205%20June%2022%20image%202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Bristle-thighed Curlew, Kogaruk Road, AK</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsOgXhLUd_SsZ9HLeTvbEJ0MwDAVbL_QzhD98vPRL3DvxmZVQmXBPvMa9XZVOU63EwBRTD-Ow1bqHpbBdaqNUdc1v3yljUBvDvfuojRobGogvhILBehy_ePTlFVNB25nWL19LjbQ0myu0jzLwqxqGUxKohMJ0YICHubma2Uq0tCEaaj4ijFUrYW1cB/s1500/camped%20in%20Tok,%20AK.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1389" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsOgXhLUd_SsZ9HLeTvbEJ0MwDAVbL_QzhD98vPRL3DvxmZVQmXBPvMa9XZVOU63EwBRTD-Ow1bqHpbBdaqNUdc1v3yljUBvDvfuojRobGogvhILBehy_ePTlFVNB25nWL19LjbQ0myu0jzLwqxqGUxKohMJ0YICHubma2Uq0tCEaaj4ijFUrYW1cB/w592-h640/camped%20in%20Tok,%20AK.JPG" width="592" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">BB at camp on the Tok River, AK</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Arctic Warbler singing on territory, Nome, AK</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKqb7m7a9Dd9k04sWbcp2G6IJeBwZceaa6unbD0zliESL52yCjgpi-Btb5XXhF6JP2ycWaMAhywiq3fmPDMjqEQUghhbMwS6Fd3dEV0XL3Mldipalr1qdcBZ2npqwdxp4E4iRJXGq_rpDtmqdpgunzgpRoCGRrOwZeLFVY-iYj-5hT-XR9PZWtNDg-/s1552/Arctic%20Warbler%205%20June%2022%20Nome.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1552" height="618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKqb7m7a9Dd9k04sWbcp2G6IJeBwZceaa6unbD0zliESL52yCjgpi-Btb5XXhF6JP2ycWaMAhywiq3fmPDMjqEQUghhbMwS6Fd3dEV0XL3Mldipalr1qdcBZ2npqwdxp4E4iRJXGq_rpDtmqdpgunzgpRoCGRrOwZeLFVY-iYj-5hT-XR9PZWtNDg-/w640-h618/Arctic%20Warbler%205%20June%2022%20Nome.JPG" width="640" /></a><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ggZayT-_aTg-8P-hSyz1l7zRkhVKH_4KxVGwmmkZkEF7uQvjei689VhbKkCpmYgKy2pxZOlg_L0ijKM33hp_1lwezBjXYJMgJQt0a5zRYjcSnBP-nOQgmQFfaVZe3f67-Ff2tTizXcKHWfQz_qtywdd2eh8eNuJBzxVAIIHK2Q_AMSiJXKtMzL75/s1947/Canada%20Lynx%203%20June%20Nome.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1947" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ggZayT-_aTg-8P-hSyz1l7zRkhVKH_4KxVGwmmkZkEF7uQvjei689VhbKkCpmYgKy2pxZOlg_L0ijKM33hp_1lwezBjXYJMgJQt0a5zRYjcSnBP-nOQgmQFfaVZe3f67-Ff2tTizXcKHWfQz_qtywdd2eh8eNuJBzxVAIIHK2Q_AMSiJXKtMzL75/w640-h328/Canada%20Lynx%203%20June%20Nome.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Canada Lynx, Kogaruk Road, AK</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIkKIMOWjxzQJax-t8YGeDgR9ufTtTScj6VFE6QVRXMg1Ef2a4N4aul65rpnjqouvZ3_jFLEtg-DEqC99du3o1UolGKr3wWYck6DmX5cf8IuPHdB8RWk0RfdxNJg1vaiQ9MZ_3pAYY_0goo7Q26xpaBW3mSsh6Ormfa4hIGV5NNlpsjzPoVBVsez5y/s2017/Grizzly%20boar%20photo%20two%2017%20June.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2017" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIkKIMOWjxzQJax-t8YGeDgR9ufTtTScj6VFE6QVRXMg1Ef2a4N4aul65rpnjqouvZ3_jFLEtg-DEqC99du3o1UolGKr3wWYck6DmX5cf8IuPHdB8RWk0RfdxNJg1vaiQ9MZ_3pAYY_0goo7Q26xpaBW3mSsh6Ormfa4hIGV5NNlpsjzPoVBVsez5y/w640-h318/Grizzly%20boar%20photo%20two%2017%20June.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">boar Grizzly, Eagle Plains, Dempster Highway, Yukon</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBllI6dZw-5JRmzacPo5UuHYwiEdahsAH5t-m3oML7-0iD2FxSon2-GPYdf5FMnfQbIp4vYjF_hul4NW4xA-6G9EOrK_3sFiwqylXvA3lkv9w1JX3lnSWcGO5tLaYqoP6XYRfgUlQwLUyX6T2AzTs0qZwBL9a7Hrxj-HHYUXY5Fc4SGQRFmdm56SX6/s1851/Gyrfalcon%20on%20nest%20wth%20chicks%204%20June.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1851" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBllI6dZw-5JRmzacPo5UuHYwiEdahsAH5t-m3oML7-0iD2FxSon2-GPYdf5FMnfQbIp4vYjF_hul4NW4xA-6G9EOrK_3sFiwqylXvA3lkv9w1JX3lnSWcGO5tLaYqoP6XYRfgUlQwLUyX6T2AzTs0qZwBL9a7Hrxj-HHYUXY5Fc4SGQRFmdm56SX6/w640-h432/Gyrfalcon%20on%20nest%20wth%20chicks%204%20June.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Gyrfalcon nest, Nome, AK</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDFoEdmCNPRP_p7TlzCHPhqPunMj95plt1Pwolzsk4x52PFHo071pnYYJAL8jnem8IL_vF_-kPvTTQGfZV97g5pdM51SOxT6ma6rCzyViyo8_ugpNPwvj2zIu3ueu557R7bDFCQBFTsprTRbNxsrtMD8WtVwMIvR7bk2s8oLk030etJeDUfsNITCvf/s2274/Long-tailed%20Jaeger%20on%20post%206%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2274" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDFoEdmCNPRP_p7TlzCHPhqPunMj95plt1Pwolzsk4x52PFHo071pnYYJAL8jnem8IL_vF_-kPvTTQGfZV97g5pdM51SOxT6ma6rCzyViyo8_ugpNPwvj2zIu3ueu557R7bDFCQBFTsprTRbNxsrtMD8WtVwMIvR7bk2s8oLk030etJeDUfsNITCvf/w640-h422/Long-tailed%20Jaeger%20on%20post%206%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Long-tailed Jaeger, Nome, AK</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF387kRid-74eMqxKldCDrx2rsu65vwU6Bf2ii8ggso7kyGvbNpCr0jOOBxn4Zxj7W0m9mpzUSQKP0k2g_VpGPIxOtai5LNpDINNM1zO_mySOye4kA-oEPdCjSUBxUGPm5KXiEIAFQUw7r2Hxodlz1fpUOESqyuwJaKUS-9XQiQcFCBFZUy-MgVYdO/s3865/Moose%20bull%20turning%2029%20May%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3433" data-original-width="3865" height="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF387kRid-74eMqxKldCDrx2rsu65vwU6Bf2ii8ggso7kyGvbNpCr0jOOBxn4Zxj7W0m9mpzUSQKP0k2g_VpGPIxOtai5LNpDINNM1zO_mySOye4kA-oEPdCjSUBxUGPm5KXiEIAFQUw7r2Hxodlz1fpUOESqyuwJaKUS-9XQiQcFCBFZUy-MgVYdO/w640-h568/Moose%20bull%20turning%2029%20May%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> young bull Moose, AK</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">typical vista along the Alaska Highway, in the Yukon</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguEM2ZmZeeWvEn_VCEvFmWUogQBykTzKMpcQGjkSXcP1RaqXBYKuAmZoxSRFkH5SrtQMqUsI45Nd_xK1fJvg1jONqIoLQbkAxEqtXP_bb__cMbD5nkR0NLpDeolO63w1saEpI73B0SzVvYtvdq4x-01BZmsIUulFBGVPI0b5bxEPCZ4UyoZhKdB3CM/s2212/Northern%20BC%20vista%20mts%20and%20river.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2212" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguEM2ZmZeeWvEn_VCEvFmWUogQBykTzKMpcQGjkSXcP1RaqXBYKuAmZoxSRFkH5SrtQMqUsI45Nd_xK1fJvg1jONqIoLQbkAxEqtXP_bb__cMbD5nkR0NLpDeolO63w1saEpI73B0SzVvYtvdq4x-01BZmsIUulFBGVPI0b5bxEPCZ4UyoZhKdB3CM/w640-h362/Northern%20BC%20vista%20mts%20and%20river.JPG" width="640" /></a><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4r3hVPOY8hsiTHIF8OC-NvxNTUP8MWRkldGJ3UKysDa5a9EVHMk5_ZKacwlsMBBzOoCkOr-hYCRabrUc_DK7yNWcpErYRd0VkMD3oErDXeQziUSfatmc5_jbOL8kxGC0dSEAUaqJFzcngCcKsW1q9qdvL5LlvSFvVwT4gKGqk0YnyMUvp4J4AtO9_/s1816/Polar%20Bear%20looking%20down%209%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1816" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4r3hVPOY8hsiTHIF8OC-NvxNTUP8MWRkldGJ3UKysDa5a9EVHMk5_ZKacwlsMBBzOoCkOr-hYCRabrUc_DK7yNWcpErYRd0VkMD3oErDXeQziUSfatmc5_jbOL8kxGC0dSEAUaqJFzcngCcKsW1q9qdvL5LlvSFvVwT4gKGqk0YnyMUvp4J4AtO9_/w640-h440/Polar%20Bear%20looking%20down%209%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">shore ice and bear, Utqiagvik, AK</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilIWbTcGybK8MBx45SsqIas986WfDOLrYovsJxJjED3RHSazF2KljReA2q2RVyNQY9pUkeo8a735dkYccz8I4M-pqAd7oFoKXylKpqcKF84risYU1X-H8Fxl4RctIXiONSRQSUNiKxO9U0u15LaB280Scz7itmhv2F-r1tQZAKXhuSFIvU8sfwszJR/s2057/Pomarine%20Jaeger%20on%20ground%209%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2057" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilIWbTcGybK8MBx45SsqIas986WfDOLrYovsJxJjED3RHSazF2KljReA2q2RVyNQY9pUkeo8a735dkYccz8I4M-pqAd7oFoKXylKpqcKF84risYU1X-H8Fxl4RctIXiONSRQSUNiKxO9U0u15LaB280Scz7itmhv2F-r1tQZAKXhuSFIvU8sfwszJR/w640-h312/Pomarine%20Jaeger%20on%20ground%209%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Pomarine Jaeger, pale morph adult, Utqiagvik</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">adult female Red Phalarope, Utqiagvik, AK</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcCt9LBmlSXJTHF91fx6OtnCEZ_ebrKEkbsPjfZe2tS77RE8rBWwWlmIsbagpe2Reqjc4MT6l_wXO9yaQsKXi_yTPJknavB-13OTlYkhJusfEHTTDoyE7oShNlt84UWdn_Q-RZB6ZQHFwDSET28t9aXDMh66afbU9vczX1nDDJK-VIzOwF2BgnYeIp/s1952/Red%20Phalarope%20female%20adult%208%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1952" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcCt9LBmlSXJTHF91fx6OtnCEZ_ebrKEkbsPjfZe2tS77RE8rBWwWlmIsbagpe2Reqjc4MT6l_wXO9yaQsKXi_yTPJknavB-13OTlYkhJusfEHTTDoyE7oShNlt84UWdn_Q-RZB6ZQHFwDSET28t9aXDMh66afbU9vczX1nDDJK-VIzOwF2BgnYeIp/w640-h410/Red%20Phalarope%20female%20adult%208%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTjA7NVCP4JlyKucDSXY5vuPHVVbPf6EpaZbwZfpYcA2dagKT-tNsmkbipOPx4ZMSJZGu8tEaGswrqpuFMK30p5drfSPt2w_BqpYpUihruKXVaglqlW89SHwhgLckMYVbxeF_h3z-BypWsVFpBhOuxcLUn-ArE3_lp6lBzU91vIAAcCHe42Ux2bmb/s1365/Grizzly%20number%20two%20last%20look%20back%2019%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1365" height="586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTjA7NVCP4JlyKucDSXY5vuPHVVbPf6EpaZbwZfpYcA2dagKT-tNsmkbipOPx4ZMSJZGu8tEaGswrqpuFMK30p5drfSPt2w_BqpYpUihruKXVaglqlW89SHwhgLckMYVbxeF_h3z-BypWsVFpBhOuxcLUn-ArE3_lp6lBzU91vIAAcCHe42Ux2bmb/w640-h586/Grizzly%20number%20two%20last%20look%20back%2019%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"> boar Grizzly, Tombstone Territorial Park, Yukon</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7yfYJP4COsuNMS_Jbw7J8YS-SlNnKcJvU3sxuoTcixmGS5_FHNga2sMSvihuJcyRTZHZ_SY5Iw-_pC1I0UTYX-IzYVf-LSRbbuOYBnSNk4pMnw97P4S4VIma00DRVS2I8rMn1WZuvv3ztwFBsHgoq5Wd1Vm_2URDf_OCEO0C8253vPcMlydLqb-Ud/s1549/Red-headed%20Woodpecker%20pair.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1549" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7yfYJP4COsuNMS_Jbw7J8YS-SlNnKcJvU3sxuoTcixmGS5_FHNga2sMSvihuJcyRTZHZ_SY5Iw-_pC1I0UTYX-IzYVf-LSRbbuOYBnSNk4pMnw97P4S4VIma00DRVS2I8rMn1WZuvv3ztwFBsHgoq5Wd1Vm_2URDf_OCEO0C8253vPcMlydLqb-Ud/w640-h516/Red-headed%20Woodpecker%20pair.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Red-headed Woodpecker pair at nest, MT</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Rock Ptarmigan, Arctic Valley, AK</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPe8HHjt9bPbIrxKaW4ZEZ5YUjHSBJKNHS90MrQuFFidKKt4PmFx07pvHV_SgqA8dB5IJDwa3uLU7dVLCRAaKPJWf0-DwELwwQAFtYGrzsFqh7k783XbucBwpxPEbUJotB8cnJRIwSfhMEZp0qclcwQmfSAaaNduhalPbTpcVSfhOAYmmCM3czMp96/s2223/Rock%20Ptarmigan%20Arctic%20Valley%201%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2223" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPe8HHjt9bPbIrxKaW4ZEZ5YUjHSBJKNHS90MrQuFFidKKt4PmFx07pvHV_SgqA8dB5IJDwa3uLU7dVLCRAaKPJWf0-DwELwwQAFtYGrzsFqh7k783XbucBwpxPEbUJotB8cnJRIwSfhMEZp0qclcwQmfSAaaNduhalPbTpcVSfhOAYmmCM3czMp96/w640-h360/Rock%20Ptarmigan%20Arctic%20Valley%201%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3syJK77CojI-l2P3U2q2s5naIB5Dw-DBbpGH1QKgfg-HWcTnLxVPIDJgVwlmdzHff2dXuH0moTKvUz-J8LszYzjcastdXSbugWbruCHfJmgMnPNsY8gTA1av7XpgQAzNUt6d2-sqL8lVJ5e9DBgT7hEBYIN5g2kPv2ZYPCaXZFAIEvTV60lcndd_Z/s1888/Muskox%20male%20solo%203%20June.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1888" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3syJK77CojI-l2P3U2q2s5naIB5Dw-DBbpGH1QKgfg-HWcTnLxVPIDJgVwlmdzHff2dXuH0moTKvUz-J8LszYzjcastdXSbugWbruCHfJmgMnPNsY8gTA1av7XpgQAzNUt6d2-sqL8lVJ5e9DBgT7hEBYIN5g2kPv2ZYPCaXZFAIEvTV60lcndd_Z/w640-h338/Muskox%20male%20solo%203%20June.JPG" width="640" /></a></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5nz261JTBEitKpXfrRjPZb_E2BNODf8ChOcjoCUx9KxSUql867k3ZdxFKsDpG8m8KiJxAuSM5y6OPxVJ4EnXMHVwuVkR9wYzEHBpGEF5LPjf17hih6INkNkgKOx5-DO5tOWShWMo1HlYY8oUoWMevQDKyooeC5gj5c_rfz8cNsAhkGqcHFKjE7s2o/s1186/Sabine's%20Gull%20adult%209%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1186" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5nz261JTBEitKpXfrRjPZb_E2BNODf8ChOcjoCUx9KxSUql867k3ZdxFKsDpG8m8KiJxAuSM5y6OPxVJ4EnXMHVwuVkR9wYzEHBpGEF5LPjf17hih6INkNkgKOx5-DO5tOWShWMo1HlYY8oUoWMevQDKyooeC5gj5c_rfz8cNsAhkGqcHFKjE7s2o/w640-h540/Sabine's%20Gull%20adult%209%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Sabine's Gull adult, Utqiagvik, AK</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_oLNaZlZxTfApfyt9sf02t0t6XeAKMysQ-uQ4aojsBArNCYeL8WaxAVEhV66D3-5TwTWYo41yEst2AQOMK-KsxszlrQKV_reNw2Sc8IzwCmtO0uQYMmG6OnIjjIY47pIgyvn88PLvi4Y-TJZNFXNT8CoGY8XOLzLlo6yU6tpL3FNYOa8fdZ82R66/s1713/Steller's%20drake%20in%20air.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1713" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_oLNaZlZxTfApfyt9sf02t0t6XeAKMysQ-uQ4aojsBArNCYeL8WaxAVEhV66D3-5TwTWYo41yEst2AQOMK-KsxszlrQKV_reNw2Sc8IzwCmtO0uQYMmG6OnIjjIY47pIgyvn88PLvi4Y-TJZNFXNT8CoGY8XOLzLlo6yU6tpL3FNYOa8fdZ82R66/w640-h374/Steller's%20drake%20in%20air.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> drake Steller's Eider, Utqiagvik, AK</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsisxGFhvt7qVInWVgnJWuQUjoLW0aN-98KV8gS6vZmYTYOD9FxUgScnVsraKYLvQ7nA4udvie_Ui2jxnDLi_-BjtxDqVjMe6Fo4NWbC5SCPlqVAvy0XiLOEW7MBFlwtmqnVRO2hSs2C7_TmTlKZX6QgCMgcFWwvHPJN5l_9WzBoBTTkXqKi5pSJx4/s2949/tundra%20in%20Tombstone%20Park.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2949" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsisxGFhvt7qVInWVgnJWuQUjoLW0aN-98KV8gS6vZmYTYOD9FxUgScnVsraKYLvQ7nA4udvie_Ui2jxnDLi_-BjtxDqVjMe6Fo4NWbC5SCPlqVAvy0XiLOEW7MBFlwtmqnVRO2hSs2C7_TmTlKZX6QgCMgcFWwvHPJN5l_9WzBoBTTkXqKi5pSJx4/w640-h272/tundra%20in%20Tombstone%20Park.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"> scene along the Dempster Highway, at Tombstone Territorial Park (searching for Smith's Longspur)</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZFWZxdvlXTGIB-lLTebg_P1gcDlB3k9229PV03VBU2cvXsiXDiGkzgi5OPoSjKPffWYccUsQc5aV8E29ai62Ik-4CXJspem37aCyhYje3gy6HEC6dz5L37BjFPM2e0GMdm7VvcMGE15FbYm-_Ta7Tn1DpuTcbw7pSMEJ4MfcaxljNZKzrcr8WsALW/s1610/Western%20Sandpiper%203%20June%20on%20territory.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1610" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZFWZxdvlXTGIB-lLTebg_P1gcDlB3k9229PV03VBU2cvXsiXDiGkzgi5OPoSjKPffWYccUsQc5aV8E29ai62Ik-4CXJspem37aCyhYje3gy6HEC6dz5L37BjFPM2e0GMdm7VvcMGE15FbYm-_Ta7Tn1DpuTcbw7pSMEJ4MfcaxljNZKzrcr8WsALW/w640-h496/Western%20Sandpiper%203%20June%20on%20territory.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Western Sandpiper on its tundra nesting territory, Kogaruk Road, AK</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZhr5IvWDGDvycZlDRUUJYNzEIGHujwI7aKX3dfQ1Gm3N5Hr9tiLYeCgvX_UDVp9rL0aFJczz2-lBOI0YMZI6TvsrLCsywfkFCQrU9CYcC_D1WKPaVwxRx5lHUTOhJVFu5Ylmpjzs1eWImmvwedrXboz-u6GHEl7vVcoA5SXyX5FUVmnKeGhk6iPt/s2545/Yukon%20town%20vista.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1750" data-original-width="2545" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZhr5IvWDGDvycZlDRUUJYNzEIGHujwI7aKX3dfQ1Gm3N5Hr9tiLYeCgvX_UDVp9rL0aFJczz2-lBOI0YMZI6TvsrLCsywfkFCQrU9CYcC_D1WKPaVwxRx5lHUTOhJVFu5Ylmpjzs1eWImmvwedrXboz-u6GHEl7vVcoA5SXyX5FUVmnKeGhk6iPt/w640-h440/Yukon%20town%20vista.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">view from the gas station, Alaska Highway, Yukon</span><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>This is the last of my "Across the Continent" series</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div> <p></p></div>Bruce Beehlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15885008878848042968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4395290943835782922.post-62325513924096441532022-08-09T17:53:00.001-07:002022-08-09T17:53:37.594-07:00<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirJU3JR_V0bhjtlYNQL5qDwXcpXk11KP-eSiAqVTfKcYtuynrKZchMjIfeeGOTVsyPH63lrq7PL7VQNOH5myrFFE2_Iys4FsAEiHvwsY8dZxuPxUPcdfko4MiZqfFY4_mYJajpzNNJNS0oDDvzpRPvVw-NBSXi9JyfOIkRjisqKSCQmD8GedEasd-Q/s2444/Big%20Horn%20Mts%20of%20WY.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2444" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirJU3JR_V0bhjtlYNQL5qDwXcpXk11KP-eSiAqVTfKcYtuynrKZchMjIfeeGOTVsyPH63lrq7PL7VQNOH5myrFFE2_Iys4FsAEiHvwsY8dZxuPxUPcdfko4MiZqfFY4_mYJajpzNNJNS0oDDvzpRPvVw-NBSXi9JyfOIkRjisqKSCQmD8GedEasd-Q/w640-h262/Big%20Horn%20Mts%20of%20WY.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">view of the Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming</span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: xxx-large; text-align: center;">Across the Continent </span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">(part 11) </span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Montana - Wyoming - Nebraska - MD</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">26 June - 2 July 2022</span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5x6MIrj3Jk_SlBQdf3C334sB7VEPubu7-EHXSkO7mTpTrLUzbWmC6MgnLRyCpB_eiNBsdbUH5Bv_zoCTC64jO7_vFAzZM5Ci3wuMymF0EelbJO9qVcRduXXdJld3A_LDTEEStLMVbChA0giwrFcwohP4eSm2730-llwTYWhaY_56n5XCLnZ5CdkET/s3237/Mule%20Deer%20stotting%20on%20Benonite%20Rd%2027%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="3237" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5x6MIrj3Jk_SlBQdf3C334sB7VEPubu7-EHXSkO7mTpTrLUzbWmC6MgnLRyCpB_eiNBsdbUH5Bv_zoCTC64jO7_vFAzZM5Ci3wuMymF0EelbJO9qVcRduXXdJld3A_LDTEEStLMVbChA0giwrFcwohP4eSm2730-llwTYWhaY_56n5XCLnZ5CdkET/w640-h248/Mule%20Deer%20stotting%20on%20Benonite%20Rd%2027%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">stotting Mule Deer, Bentonite Road</span><br /><p></p><p>I arrived in Glasgow, Montana on the afternoon of the 26th of June, having driven from Olds, Alberta, just south of Red Deer. Glasgow is a nice little town, and has the Shady Rest RV Park, where I had camped in 2020. I was back because I had fallen in love with the Bentonite Road, which crosses a large undeveloped patch of high prairie rich in birds and mammals. And the Shady Rest was a perfect base for naturizing the region.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3OVt3fh574Xv4eYl8kLVqIAKcUn4FtdwxzK-PkkrutFY-cSDEnuCD7f0EfTr7VYwUlEfgv5-RzgeqluouoIyuLpkUfLEQmpHO5npoC8buObAK6Okk7o9-D54V5Zd4j5xcymtZVuggnPUShrvweKC5A-j2tG_dNKaBT_sVIsAkeeNVjlei6ypCzl1L/s2082/sunrise%20on%20Bentonite%20Road,%20Montana.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2082" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3OVt3fh574Xv4eYl8kLVqIAKcUn4FtdwxzK-PkkrutFY-cSDEnuCD7f0EfTr7VYwUlEfgv5-RzgeqluouoIyuLpkUfLEQmpHO5npoC8buObAK6Okk7o9-D54V5Zd4j5xcymtZVuggnPUShrvweKC5A-j2tG_dNKaBT_sVIsAkeeNVjlei6ypCzl1L/w640-h308/sunrise%20on%20Bentonite%20Road,%20Montana.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">sunrise on the Bentonite Road</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div>I rose at 4:30am on the 27th of June and drove out to see the sunrise on the Bentonite Road. In May of 2020 I had seen Sharp-tailed Grouse displaying in a roadside lek and lots of other things that made me wish to return here. This visit, later in the season, was quite different, but still very satisfying. Instead of Sharptails I saw lots and lots of Greater Sage-Grouse along the road, parties of females and hens with chicks. In two days I saw perhaps 50 of the birds. In 2020 I saw zero... That's why it is worth visiting these special places in different seasons.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5-snbq3G7JBVN9VLTmEGSBzu_FenVCFE1X5zSC24L7fU5N-ak2rImikQiFbT7wkmsUEu9wxVvCv4OM_Lo4vj9Bc8Pu2CAF_Ic_cJX9BZ12nr9ew7KsGvEGhyRwFEwjZ1pjNg9vGi8SwrB61hLlmZuWH_JPlEHYXkTsZ1Hki_ShbIEFaU5kSRvNgB4/s2207/Great%20Sage-Grouse%20hens%20foursome%2027%20June.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2207" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5-snbq3G7JBVN9VLTmEGSBzu_FenVCFE1X5zSC24L7fU5N-ak2rImikQiFbT7wkmsUEu9wxVvCv4OM_Lo4vj9Bc8Pu2CAF_Ic_cJX9BZ12nr9ew7KsGvEGhyRwFEwjZ1pjNg9vGi8SwrB61hLlmZuWH_JPlEHYXkTsZ1Hki_ShbIEFaU5kSRvNgB4/w640-h362/Great%20Sage-Grouse%20hens%20foursome%2027%20June.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Greater Sage-Grouse</span></div><div><br /></div><div>I spend a long morning out on the Bentonite Road, returning for a late breakfast in town. Shorebird highlights were 3 Marbled Godwits, 1 Long-billed Curlew, and 2 Willets. The dirt road itself was positively choked with Mourning Doves and Horned Larks. I saw hundreds. In fact, this transect was the richest in raw numbers of birds of any morning on my 43 day trip. There were birds everywhere. Bird heaven!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgWvCwNPXg8h4xTENCax3sEn3o_RMepZL7f9123r2cQK0yU3AcFKvjfM-PfbhSgDfZh4XET3WqDsE73AmcFgOWgt8fCgctQtor0bMfc2p0MIcn9jpsqh_TXdl0LvziKYqqb2Dj0Fkgke3qwZg6WHb8AxGNZ7rINiA_I1pmgmkOD5-QEr2xoEMtDxNQ/s1841/Greater%20Sage-Grouse%20and%20chick%2027%20June.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1841" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgWvCwNPXg8h4xTENCax3sEn3o_RMepZL7f9123r2cQK0yU3AcFKvjfM-PfbhSgDfZh4XET3WqDsE73AmcFgOWgt8fCgctQtor0bMfc2p0MIcn9jpsqh_TXdl0LvziKYqqb2Dj0Fkgke3qwZg6WHb8AxGNZ7rINiA_I1pmgmkOD5-QEr2xoEMtDxNQ/w640-h434/Greater%20Sage-Grouse%20and%20chick%2027%20June.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Great Sage-Grouse hen and chick</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Lark Buntings were thick along the roadside, and I also saw Lark and Vesper Sparrows and two species of longspurs--Thick-billed and Chestnut-collared. This means I saw all four longspurs on my trip--a feat not terribly easy to accomplish by car... After breakfast in town I drove back out to the Bentonite Road. It was hotter and quieter, but I encountered Red-headed Woodpeckers, Upland Sandpipers, lots of Pronghorns, and a Golden Eagle. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOtrOPdIjQVj_76sdmidZ-aP7LITgjSqNWZlytCPTkkWWakYfYg7Dh511cl7pUloemQxhWskDSSySvCCp_yWxYgCNPfAStBVoOXpL4WVLiL-w0quR9Z5WgABqFdkRDwHzfz8B_fqZtkuiXWv0dd4E2mSbiReS4PaxZY3GbYssubxZDGgPc1dIevuO4/s2142/Ring-necked%20Pheasant%20cock%2027%20June.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2142" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOtrOPdIjQVj_76sdmidZ-aP7LITgjSqNWZlytCPTkkWWakYfYg7Dh511cl7pUloemQxhWskDSSySvCCp_yWxYgCNPfAStBVoOXpL4WVLiL-w0quR9Z5WgABqFdkRDwHzfz8B_fqZtkuiXWv0dd4E2mSbiReS4PaxZY3GbYssubxZDGgPc1dIevuO4/w640-h448/Ring-necked%20Pheasant%20cock%2027%20June.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">cock Ring-necked Pheasant</span></div><div><br /></div><div>On the 28th I made a quick trip out to the Bentonite Road to say farewell, and then I headed south to the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming. On this morning I saw a Long-billed Curlew, several Marbled Godwits, and more Upland Sandpipers. It was quite a long drive to Buffalo, Wyoming, the jumping off town into the Bighorns. I passed through varied country, some grazed, some under agriculture, much as unbroken upland dry prairie, some badlands, and then some pine forests. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidzY-7NDoDhE21HxGQ2wfmO7KiBBr4cQywY0EgUDgdhc6WANRxa8rT2A6Ia3qy2XqNfJgKTl6UpEU3I3pd_WBCI7c5l9lVIGFafwoiBbZ4-g_FtgfCHZHUCEdUV31fw826daNfZPDjLx0_Vj8ZcB54cjXF55HlNemNKLaI9NtpscKBwFSlHbLy-ZRi/s1500/Richardson's%20Ground-Squirrel%2027%20June%20Bentonite%20Rd.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1398" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidzY-7NDoDhE21HxGQ2wfmO7KiBBr4cQywY0EgUDgdhc6WANRxa8rT2A6Ia3qy2XqNfJgKTl6UpEU3I3pd_WBCI7c5l9lVIGFafwoiBbZ4-g_FtgfCHZHUCEdUV31fw826daNfZPDjLx0_Vj8ZcB54cjXF55HlNemNKLaI9NtpscKBwFSlHbLy-ZRi/w596-h640/Richardson's%20Ground-Squirrel%2027%20June%20Bentonite%20Rd.JPG" width="596" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Richardson's Ground-Squirrel</span></div><div><br /></div>After a burger in Buffalo, WY, I headed up route 16 into the southern side of the Cloud Peak Wilderness of the Bighorn Mountains. I was here because I had fond memories of a visit to this area back in 1972 with Adirondack Wilderness Camp (their western field trip). On this particular afternoon, I had to find a space in the crowded campgrounds of the national forest. Crowded in large part because there were bad floods in Yellowstone at this time and campers had been turned away from that more popular destination.<br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE9kY2I93T80_syNGGkQ7ca0X00VYmj6GTa_xA-YmzmeY6isAIDS8yKOxLpD7VKHlgCnkQcClmZmqQM4U8VDvknosBqZEfEBZ3dgPfv2bzvnyla1InXlBbRWnhqbOGuCvNxMSotwRU0hOHqgaWeWoQXsV3vsEjUAyT9UvUbQrVFUt8I9TboghKGZ8B/s1550/Pronghorn%20doe%20and%20calf%20-%20Bentonite%2028%20June.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1550" height="620" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE9kY2I93T80_syNGGkQ7ca0X00VYmj6GTa_xA-YmzmeY6isAIDS8yKOxLpD7VKHlgCnkQcClmZmqQM4U8VDvknosBqZEfEBZ3dgPfv2bzvnyla1InXlBbRWnhqbOGuCvNxMSotwRU0hOHqgaWeWoQXsV3vsEjUAyT9UvUbQrVFUt8I9TboghKGZ8B/w640-h620/Pronghorn%20doe%20and%20calf%20-%20Bentonite%2028%20June.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Pronghorn doe and fawn</span></div><div><br /></div><div>The winding road took me higher and higher, and I crossed a pass at more than 9,000 feet before arriving at Sitting Bull Campground, where I was able to cadge a campsite for two nights in a pretty stand of pines next to a large grassy opening, with views of the snow-capped peaks to the north. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQcBghoq-o-kBsnbNi0kBwcgmRL_3ZkQSoancUhXN1XcpVKVaMkmVi_AD7cOfyg9ezGsTt8Mw1WjG6KKlDACffduZ7GKElZWI7N-pE_zIEoVkLOSHimhdLjpgwQKr-bHqayPgjOKk5bPO1QxR2AoLhKbzOAEnxO5BlVDUimWlccxPlguhhJZ94a7Yu/s2404/Pronghorn%20does%20and%20calves%2027%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2404" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQcBghoq-o-kBsnbNi0kBwcgmRL_3ZkQSoancUhXN1XcpVKVaMkmVi_AD7cOfyg9ezGsTt8Mw1WjG6KKlDACffduZ7GKElZWI7N-pE_zIEoVkLOSHimhdLjpgwQKr-bHqayPgjOKk5bPO1QxR2AoLhKbzOAEnxO5BlVDUimWlccxPlguhhJZ94a7Yu/w640-h332/Pronghorn%20does%20and%20calves%2027%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Pronghorn does and fawns</span></div><div><br /></div><div>My tent was set in the conifers at 8,600 feet above sea level. A Cassin's Finch was collecting nesting materials nearby, and a Warbling Vireo sang from over my tent. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopRtJPdYbJ2VLZfjPUa_vNOncLN47iuAHB1qhCXb2Wub16dObyYSwXDL-nNqgGx5C5mmfsmr1uxVvR5QyPKzLQqDz7-7w-SvHddS2iwqyAZEWLiTbAnkR4X7HXLOr70kCo25rjHK8ctIDVjRb5Ta3wHCiEzU89PQj66wO0G8LTzgJO7bBIZEVhCP6/s1787/Long-billed%20Curlew%20Bentonite%2028%20June.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1787" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopRtJPdYbJ2VLZfjPUa_vNOncLN47iuAHB1qhCXb2Wub16dObyYSwXDL-nNqgGx5C5mmfsmr1uxVvR5QyPKzLQqDz7-7w-SvHddS2iwqyAZEWLiTbAnkR4X7HXLOr70kCo25rjHK8ctIDVjRb5Ta3wHCiEzU89PQj66wO0G8LTzgJO7bBIZEVhCP6/w640-h448/Long-billed%20Curlew%20Bentonite%2028%20June.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Long-billed Curlew</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMuBhusfnCXOpLdPFjiwuF1ALDUA7X34kk0Lh_9czO630pVYqIZrKa1L6YlHKLdzbXseDXqoFEWcCxm_FPkV6CIpjtgUgLTJgk_Zz14RTlrb4SthlBdiBsj48DPAz5IiQLx9dd44wb9khGKfojdSXv8TDM8C2gj3H4rtjhA39GMIITE0uMR8bKmnYm/s2067/McCown's%20Longspur%20male%2027%20June.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2067" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMuBhusfnCXOpLdPFjiwuF1ALDUA7X34kk0Lh_9czO630pVYqIZrKa1L6YlHKLdzbXseDXqoFEWcCxm_FPkV6CIpjtgUgLTJgk_Zz14RTlrb4SthlBdiBsj48DPAz5IiQLx9dd44wb9khGKfojdSXv8TDM8C2gj3H4rtjhA39GMIITE0uMR8bKmnYm/w640-h310/McCown's%20Longspur%20male%2027%20June.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Thick-billed Longspur in a songflight</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuqLIv2vVo_mRwqWN9JCtZxsrfXGq2gtql-TVj350wRmV-pHTt8FBtn562f5Ae5c1ozSO-QGjDe3ToBAEtdK6RMWSw3CBBQyB1wYNRqh2JwMjxGrlzxJW5SNI6eWSLyWutQ-lRD2aSIjzlXGEHWsNzbQtSxJfweTSTLd-9_3nevS_Vcai6nT8APuYl/s2321/McCown's%20Longspur%20male%20close%20up%2027%20June.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2321" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuqLIv2vVo_mRwqWN9JCtZxsrfXGq2gtql-TVj350wRmV-pHTt8FBtn562f5Ae5c1ozSO-QGjDe3ToBAEtdK6RMWSw3CBBQyB1wYNRqh2JwMjxGrlzxJW5SNI6eWSLyWutQ-lRD2aSIjzlXGEHWsNzbQtSxJfweTSTLd-9_3nevS_Vcai6nT8APuYl/w640-h276/McCown's%20Longspur%20male%20close%20up%2027%20June.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Thick-billed Longspur on the Bentonite Road</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKv_G3iaX_D9O4DyrucUmb7xWZlhSlZwsqJK5oLEgGyz7HPzKXcX6x6Xa4lRoNpYGaCVOhspVndjTpboINZmLA1Nzmh1AOKp92ROpSZ2YEgRT8QvT73raZ8KZGLzGhtcy-PLr-YpDk7O6s8H-L51cNRMnn6WGs7x1o_F6sR3IHgAz8AWOCEbKhckvX/s2741/southern%20MT.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2741" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKv_G3iaX_D9O4DyrucUmb7xWZlhSlZwsqJK5oLEgGyz7HPzKXcX6x6Xa4lRoNpYGaCVOhspVndjTpboINZmLA1Nzmh1AOKp92ROpSZ2YEgRT8QvT73raZ8KZGLzGhtcy-PLr-YpDk7O6s8H-L51cNRMnn6WGs7x1o_F6sR3IHgAz8AWOCEbKhckvX/w640-h234/southern%20MT.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">pretty vista in Rosebud, Montana</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjii6RrpLbMZAyT9aj8R4nDzI1n0MrwfDRUXxei1U8hFMfFl7ez2LGdb1TGUg84bGpXA-ffLoiIlUsEDQnW_0ymTz-k2ylzcN0wVlJM0DHWKdON0pM54xjAO9eKPKDLKVxrVBG2gBTXd92LY6uTGDPyg5YYNjoGKSfFC3fCKcgPiJL0B5U7UFWMmrSF/s2290/East%20Tensleep%20Lake,%20WY.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2290" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjii6RrpLbMZAyT9aj8R4nDzI1n0MrwfDRUXxei1U8hFMfFl7ez2LGdb1TGUg84bGpXA-ffLoiIlUsEDQnW_0ymTz-k2ylzcN0wVlJM0DHWKdON0pM54xjAO9eKPKDLKVxrVBG2gBTXd92LY6uTGDPyg5YYNjoGKSfFC3fCKcgPiJL0B5U7UFWMmrSF/w640-h280/East%20Tensleep%20Lake,%20WY.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">East Tensleep Lake, looking up into the Cloud Peak Wilderness (Wyoming)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>The early morning of the 29th of June I hiked up to East Tensleep Lake, a hike of more than three hours and an ascent of more than 1,200 feet. I passed through pines, spruce, and fir as I climbed higher and higher. Highlights of the hike were several butterflies, lots of singing birds, and a curious male Pine Grosbeak, novel for the trip. In the afternoon a thunderstorm raged overhead and I took shelter in my tent. </div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTXjrikrQushS_1S4Aw9svgbbBkq30oGhfj03uiSe6rBMuaRbBBzn2nJwVvnVgvzojfoMtITGZgcopwiVx0SlaThEwUj9xyMM40lBXAFDwFvQ0Uhcg1TD5woc68wSG99NlsG6GIKFIVcTpu-wuF1HJwo1GFaptEprOqVu3F5vZIQxA2Ekh_8CFaIUd/s1741/meadow%20in%20Big%20Horns.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1741" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTXjrikrQushS_1S4Aw9svgbbBkq30oGhfj03uiSe6rBMuaRbBBzn2nJwVvnVgvzojfoMtITGZgcopwiVx0SlaThEwUj9xyMM40lBXAFDwFvQ0Uhcg1TD5woc68wSG99NlsG6GIKFIVcTpu-wuF1HJwo1GFaptEprOqVu3F5vZIQxA2Ekh_8CFaIUd/w640-h368/meadow%20in%20Big%20Horns.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">flower-bedecked meadow at Sitting Bull Campground (Bighorn Mts, WY)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>On the early morning of the 30th of June I departed Sitting Bull Campsite and started my travel home. Once out of the national forest, I headed southeastward from Buffalo, with my destination being Big Blue Campground on the Big Blue River right in Seward, Nebraska. I had stayed at Big Blue in 2020 when hunting for Hudsonian Godwits in the spring (all the regular campgrounds were shut tight because of covid and I had to find places that operated below the radar, like Big Blue--which is a town campground.)</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37rgeI7By0DufDWXq9-iGbRpOu_p0toDwASNDqboK4w4gxRNgmdyTKBnnng-ZAz39jpJsDYPHvJGM_cUpXxuxSfK3CBsvcJocqD2a4AYMoMeFCB_lKlD1owNOJqUjpn_Q9uGCxRz6jp9lyVRxaXJrG2Omm6HDp2TqTx_rlTmZbelFl_1dmtCI9e5B/s1877/Sara%20Orangetip%20-%2029%20June.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1877" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37rgeI7By0DufDWXq9-iGbRpOu_p0toDwASNDqboK4w4gxRNgmdyTKBnnng-ZAz39jpJsDYPHvJGM_cUpXxuxSfK3CBsvcJocqD2a4AYMoMeFCB_lKlD1owNOJqUjpn_Q9uGCxRz6jp9lyVRxaXJrG2Omm6HDp2TqTx_rlTmZbelFl_1dmtCI9e5B/w640-h426/Sara%20Orangetip%20-%2029%20June.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Sara Orangetip</span></div><div><br /></div><div>The long drive to Seward, Nebraska took me through Casper and Douglas, and Scottsbluff, Oglalla, and North Platte, among other lesser towns. I crossed the North Platte a number of times. I added a mammal to my trip list--Black-tailed Prairie-Dog (in a prairie-dog town). I lunched in Ash Hollow State Park, which was very pretty but hot and sunny. I sat on a picnic table beside a stand of huge old cottonwoods at the creek bottom. These giant cottonwoods are the reason for this state park, no doubt. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj739KxleYD2zVJAkUvKvx7Dxjc0JzDQE_jbw2zh6-3TkBygf1vCXjQ_EopnDCoAHqE3gLkLnLtjCfYB4iMr_gHfHgcc0vcbKw29BmZ497HWWs3XjI4coNGP4Yjq-ibxEFDywZgWQdffhTMa5ojTVPyxLaBAwnO9vVbxc6H5P87CAe_uSLQ7YWGb_9K/s1518/Common%20Alpine%20-%2029%20June.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1518" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj739KxleYD2zVJAkUvKvx7Dxjc0JzDQE_jbw2zh6-3TkBygf1vCXjQ_EopnDCoAHqE3gLkLnLtjCfYB4iMr_gHfHgcc0vcbKw29BmZ497HWWs3XjI4coNGP4Yjq-ibxEFDywZgWQdffhTMa5ojTVPyxLaBAwnO9vVbxc6H5P87CAe_uSLQ7YWGb_9K/w640-h528/Common%20Alpine%20-%2029%20June.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Common Alpine</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Big Blue Campground in Seward, NE, was fine, but because of the approach of the 4th of July, the kids in the area were detonating fireworks, some very noisy, until after midnight. Then, of course, the freight train passed by in the early AM, making all manner of noise and lasting for a long long time... ah, small towns and freight trains! </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCAQ1OS9nDv_c0AQa115jlgDudfyheOWIYgmEIfk-mV9iYGKq5alhwcDCNdk-mxCvbXCYfnpygouHeodbmDD8yKY-OFkvvP1CvEJcBkOQ0NMvJvojc7xnSoWXvsgjiu_TIPdyU_EkpBeXdQK3AImlm986F71LTBTrF68a0NnQRGloadGJi8YY-tGyR/s1942/Pine%20Grosbeak%20male%20-%20Big%20Horn%20Mts%2029%20June.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1942" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCAQ1OS9nDv_c0AQa115jlgDudfyheOWIYgmEIfk-mV9iYGKq5alhwcDCNdk-mxCvbXCYfnpygouHeodbmDD8yKY-OFkvvP1CvEJcBkOQ0NMvJvojc7xnSoWXvsgjiu_TIPdyU_EkpBeXdQK3AImlm986F71LTBTrF68a0NnQRGloadGJi8YY-tGyR/w640-h494/Pine%20Grosbeak%20male%20-%20Big%20Horn%20Mts%2029%20June.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">male Pine Grosbeak</span></div><div><br /></div><div>I crossed the Missouri into Iowa at 7:30am on the 1st of July, and before you know it I was in Missouri. I had breakfast in Cameron, Missouri, on route 36. Added another new mammal for the trip this morning--Eastern Cottontail! </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdPlqNNzD_UHhTvhp9YzBghl1tVOych86KQzm3ubsBnTjkT-obOFMJcE2Jo4cgobi5FGtJ1UXJx3dRTb6T9bh263t_p1ZGu96nt4M17SlTwLXKxsq2DNKvtPyrtqCX4BBLSNh2m1mXeerG3WcvGX5qUWSn3aZLVUzanvky0zcRB7CrwyBNuZU5g4Ge/s1746/Milbert's%20Tortoiseshell%2029%20June.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1746" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdPlqNNzD_UHhTvhp9YzBghl1tVOych86KQzm3ubsBnTjkT-obOFMJcE2Jo4cgobi5FGtJ1UXJx3dRTb6T9bh263t_p1ZGu96nt4M17SlTwLXKxsq2DNKvtPyrtqCX4BBLSNh2m1mXeerG3WcvGX5qUWSn3aZLVUzanvky0zcRB7CrwyBNuZU5g4Ge/w640-h458/Milbert's%20Tortoiseshell%2029%20June.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Milbert's Tortoiseshell butterfly</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Crossed the Mississippi at Hannibal, Missouri into Illinois. I was not sure about where to spend my last night on the road. I got tangled up in terrible construction and traffic in Indianapolis, and after many long hours of driving I took a chance on Greenfield, Indiana, just east of the big city. Bingo! I chatted by phone with the town police (on a whim) and they steered me to a town park where I dined after dark and set up my tent next to my car in this busy downtown park. The morning of the 2nd rose before 5am and drove east, stopping in Wheeling to do my monthly radio show ("Natural Encounters", with Jimmy Mac, on Radio Nemo, on Sirius XM), and then at Lick Hollow State Park, in the Laureal Highlands of PA, for a picnic lunch (gorgeous eastern deciduous forest). I added three more birds to the trip list--birding singing from the canopy of this beautiful cove forest. I arrived home in Bethesda, after 43 days on the road, and driving 11,834 miles, on the afternoon of the 2nd of July. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNeNwZPBkjqqNbhIUKjYbdx-RXainbweW0QUSBaKv4gPKB9nlMnslDW1ZzqQr7RS5QhhXZEfmlW9bVn1aZRTD6ggjQoaDF8hoFZRzuezzGs5-2VePgOr_nZc-eHUJzRzUUkbJaNQxWNna034Ux8dbtVsBr82yhWClR71y63VHJq_e4-YboejDtKmsz/s4032/Sentinal%20Rock,%20Nebraska.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNeNwZPBkjqqNbhIUKjYbdx-RXainbweW0QUSBaKv4gPKB9nlMnslDW1ZzqQr7RS5QhhXZEfmlW9bVn1aZRTD6ggjQoaDF8hoFZRzuezzGs5-2VePgOr_nZc-eHUJzRzUUkbJaNQxWNna034Ux8dbtVsBr82yhWClR71y63VHJq_e4-YboejDtKmsz/w640-h480/Sentinal%20Rock,%20Nebraska.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Chimney Rock, near West Bayard, Nebraska</span>Bruce Beehlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15885008878848042968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4395290943835782922.post-52875475636701756562022-08-04T13:36:00.000-07:002022-08-04T13:36:14.973-07:00<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs1e_Uc7kncb5J6AS-ZleZSuIjBJ447POePV2zeCRH7IME2YZ7nMyw6p0BkskVCSx1se9Ryblp8gdJXqFPGR7A8NGj74Q1IEEdBLIQzOZgIFlXnMZhQlwRDJlj-jyyOLKR1eQBQVa8CyQFbHcfboxgDmqjGW7pHb8Noq1j3qO6l5K8qaBMHpl03S1J/s1894/Yukon%20headed%20southward.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1894" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs1e_Uc7kncb5J6AS-ZleZSuIjBJ447POePV2zeCRH7IME2YZ7nMyw6p0BkskVCSx1se9Ryblp8gdJXqFPGR7A8NGj74Q1IEEdBLIQzOZgIFlXnMZhQlwRDJlj-jyyOLKR1eQBQVa8CyQFbHcfboxgDmqjGW7pHb8Noq1j3qO6l5K8qaBMHpl03S1J/w640-h422/Yukon%20headed%20southward.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">headed south on the Alaska Highway in the Yukon</span><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-large;">Across the Continent </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">(part 10) </span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yukon - British Columbia - Alberta</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">23-26 June 2022</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaLjj_kcs4qFXabViVFf_dNtrOHk4GFJ1qpYCIfPmXPdO0CqmmCW_nSPnnxRNgcT54Syo6ZO8xkkSOVedEmvOiVAle_UYGT3t9lNHyRXieEtDwVflg7-JPN-G4zhpZ1Wjp2qxIFxoTWRzRQKGebb87BFH2tJSK3RQO2Mpvjkh4KFuIdyBrmc61-TFR/s2469/Alberta%20open%20spaces.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2469" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaLjj_kcs4qFXabViVFf_dNtrOHk4GFJ1qpYCIfPmXPdO0CqmmCW_nSPnnxRNgcT54Syo6ZO8xkkSOVedEmvOiVAle_UYGT3t9lNHyRXieEtDwVflg7-JPN-G4zhpZ1Wjp2qxIFxoTWRzRQKGebb87BFH2tJSK3RQO2Mpvjkh4KFuIdyBrmc61-TFR/w640-h260/Alberta%20open%20spaces.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">wide open spaces of Alberta</span></div><div><br /></div><div>I spent the night of 23 June in the Tatchun Lake campground in Carmacks, Yukon. The spruce forest was swarming with hungry mosquitoes. I departed early the next morning, headed for Whitehorse and then Watson Lake. I arrived at Norm Leclerc's automotive garage at 5 PM in Watson Lake and let Norm do a once-over on the vehicle. He had worked on my car on my drive up here in May. He gave the car the thumbs up and provided advice on where to have dinner in town (at Andrea's). A plate of crispy fried chicken hit the spot. I tented at at Watson Lake Campground--another mosquito-rich camping spot... My highway sightings of this day were 2 Porcupines, 1 Arctic Ground Squirrel, and 1 Red Squirrel. Pretty slim pickings...</div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCcmEjV6O7_RghgV0zhK2ZImMKfMYOpcnnh3I8p79bKaUBBB7xUGql85srcL8Zz-wbZQPziP1u7NsKYzOQfJ6EBexxE9eWFTs8AL5SgCMSGXpQKsIdpCiuGGFPmXk5fiXrby73DwPOGmMfRJ3BFmEXuP3qBEgN9NDov4JvXQJqlC6WaqZo0e9qgs4v/s2063/baby%20Cross%20Fox%2024%20June.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2063" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCcmEjV6O7_RghgV0zhK2ZImMKfMYOpcnnh3I8p79bKaUBBB7xUGql85srcL8Zz-wbZQPziP1u7NsKYzOQfJ6EBexxE9eWFTs8AL5SgCMSGXpQKsIdpCiuGGFPmXk5fiXrby73DwPOGmMfRJ3BFmEXuP3qBEgN9NDov4JvXQJqlC6WaqZo0e9qgs4v/w640-h466/baby%20Cross%20Fox%2024%20June.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;"> yearling Cross Fox </span></div><div><br /></div><div>Up at 3:30am (24 June). I continued down the Alaska Highway towards Fort St. John, in British Columbia. This particular stretch of highway provided the big pay-off for wildlife: Bison, Caribou, Moose, Red Fox, Dall Sheep, Coyote, and some new birds for the trip: Tennessee and Magnolia Warblers and Blue Jay (surprising eastern boreal species). And more glorious cloudless weather... </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlZVKvqerrQS1UTWq8jeBLspqKEtIb6twZqit3SlklHHnxLk_rNMSXf5lgOqUA7VDTCAlgUp2eNFBBZYwb1kvFFY6iIqa-nxyOErrXC9rutAMs3DJT4lIrl2UX7Zyv13m1hBs7IQoGqSYYrAUdT6rq0e1hwpLLYRr0jSh8ezWbeeh9Tfy5H8l85UJt/s1875/baby%20Bison%20and%20mother%2024%20June.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1875" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlZVKvqerrQS1UTWq8jeBLspqKEtIb6twZqit3SlklHHnxLk_rNMSXf5lgOqUA7VDTCAlgUp2eNFBBZYwb1kvFFY6iIqa-nxyOErrXC9rutAMs3DJT4lIrl2UX7Zyv13m1hBs7IQoGqSYYrAUdT6rq0e1hwpLLYRr0jSh8ezWbeeh9Tfy5H8l85UJt/w640-h426/baby%20Bison%20and%20mother%2024%20June.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"> heifer and mother Woodland Bison</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div>I spent the night at Charley Lake (in northeastern BC). It was a Sunday night and the campground was crowded with summer campers... The aspen forest of the campground was filled with eastern birds that I had not seen or heard for quite a while: Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Red-eyed Vireo, White-throated Sparrow, American Redstart, and Yellow Warbler...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieicMjvrVR8DcjrCIf8eIzkxqA3KufVHFj52oQjQoRiCN3aB0JM0ymEuYNrzvOMJPO_JaIIiYQ58angNZuNVqCP6gz1BEHR_fA79wEktETMktvye0BpcnZNKTP7vRol6DTRPoXRCM3qW2voBgC-cgKn8o-pOXc_GVfuh6gTl8m-ayqXHLA7onuM5OP/s1862/bull%20Wood%20Bison%2024%20June.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1862" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieicMjvrVR8DcjrCIf8eIzkxqA3KufVHFj52oQjQoRiCN3aB0JM0ymEuYNrzvOMJPO_JaIIiYQ58angNZuNVqCP6gz1BEHR_fA79wEktETMktvye0BpcnZNKTP7vRol6DTRPoXRCM3qW2voBgC-cgKn8o-pOXc_GVfuh6gTl8m-ayqXHLA7onuM5OP/w640-h430/bull%20Wood%20Bison%2024%20June.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">bull Woodland Bison with a major hump</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div>On the 25th of June I drove from Charley Lake (87 km north of Dawson Creek) to Olds, Alberta--twelve hours of driving. I departed the boreal forest and entered the northern plains. That evening, the only place I could find to camp was the Olds town park where a youth baseball tournament was being staged. Olds is a bit east of Banff and a bit north of Calgary, and just south of Red Deer. I set up my tent in a gravel spot right next to the ball field, surrounded by RVs owned by the traveling families with their young ball players. I was definitely out of the woods here... Talked to some friendly senior ladies, here to watch the baseball. They reported that they were big Trump fans and they cheerfully disparaged their overly liberal Prime Minister (their car sported a bumper sticker with colorful text that I cannot repeat here...)</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYOZZTcCpoLN9-tY4_e-YGu6riKRjh0u-eQbeVize2ZG-rWM1KXrFzJd8IDGXg12b8UMB2m7CTVrk4qivAe_52f735qLDB0McU1h99VDjqMAJR2fOGyAbYpJsUHEcZZR1A6LzAx5pj0op56gJLEDpMnzbE75eXHw4sUi2uYoCN_gLmceo9oxii3wcz/s1000/old%20bull%20Bison%2024%20June.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="969" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYOZZTcCpoLN9-tY4_e-YGu6riKRjh0u-eQbeVize2ZG-rWM1KXrFzJd8IDGXg12b8UMB2m7CTVrk4qivAe_52f735qLDB0McU1h99VDjqMAJR2fOGyAbYpJsUHEcZZR1A6LzAx5pj0op56gJLEDpMnzbE75eXHw4sUi2uYoCN_gLmceo9oxii3wcz/w620-h640/old%20bull%20Bison%2024%20June.JPG" width="620" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">old timer Woodland Bison bull</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ajISif_8aiqAhOFw-pToRZiaL-_PpwKLgtUh8ZigfN7LOZps5osYOFc3oGK1OcJ5AH8deTylPm-rrRWbtUqwbX53D77-IAWBU3cv1vSGm65C66MqN4xYC_vjWV8BWRDlAcy6hUHUUhccmobhgJ2LAUHzgmAzTyAtjm9Cjts6fXIAfKx1-1ZfKgeI/s1847/Bison%20crossing%20road%2024%20June.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1847" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ajISif_8aiqAhOFw-pToRZiaL-_PpwKLgtUh8ZigfN7LOZps5osYOFc3oGK1OcJ5AH8deTylPm-rrRWbtUqwbX53D77-IAWBU3cv1vSGm65C66MqN4xYC_vjWV8BWRDlAcy6hUHUUhccmobhgJ2LAUHzgmAzTyAtjm9Cjts6fXIAfKx1-1ZfKgeI/w640-h346/Bison%20crossing%20road%2024%20June.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Muncho Lake herd</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3LQzJugR4Q7pmXFiyJaDMGd67brk-LDfdjibOpmYIQl7QqmbxsrmwHnyexTs_wwiFwXqjjAR_ix3Q4e5QzhaTOS8UAIC3iuooE52nDhhxMnTjtZ1k39abGsKNO2UUaqHgT7lDAEYBjPdz-spvwvrmcdnMW4fZCkRzb6MuH7yQ0DJ_pwSUj-AkVt4Y/s1444/Dall%20Sheep%20babies%20and%20ewes%2024%20June.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1444" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3LQzJugR4Q7pmXFiyJaDMGd67brk-LDfdjibOpmYIQl7QqmbxsrmwHnyexTs_wwiFwXqjjAR_ix3Q4e5QzhaTOS8UAIC3iuooE52nDhhxMnTjtZ1k39abGsKNO2UUaqHgT7lDAEYBjPdz-spvwvrmcdnMW4fZCkRzb6MuH7yQ0DJ_pwSUj-AkVt4Y/w640-h554/Dall%20Sheep%20babies%20and%20ewes%2024%20June.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Dall Sheep ewes and youngsters</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInjXNUXOXSnviyQmgNFeVnTUc71GO7Qe2j191vRLFzRuytHSsOXWw7SUyGBjDnY2a0GwcsJ_oAQ7HT9GpWBiuLDQfC0BaHu6oQI6pAEjo7ptCS8mH5ZBAiWycbMS2l77RUAMs5VdAhP_wlzWrLgLDlqmmpOM-zNlolurMAs4A8jinBcw2vr9Hiufl/s1605/cow%20Moose%20turning%2024%20June%20-%20Alaska%20Hwy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1605" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInjXNUXOXSnviyQmgNFeVnTUc71GO7Qe2j191vRLFzRuytHSsOXWw7SUyGBjDnY2a0GwcsJ_oAQ7HT9GpWBiuLDQfC0BaHu6oQI6pAEjo7ptCS8mH5ZBAiWycbMS2l77RUAMs5VdAhP_wlzWrLgLDlqmmpOM-zNlolurMAs4A8jinBcw2vr9Hiufl/w640-h498/cow%20Moose%20turning%2024%20June%20-%20Alaska%20Hwy.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">cow Moose giving me the eye</span><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpsTWkBtGSj10aSzc7fK_jJKitG3cRxCwMjHjZvFAl3Dminmx-RKgT5KCsFXEioTL8IEvycrVJFU3wOTtqQrRzP9fJ4V1id8o0kp4MRQCQdo1wHXAcwt606O_8h91DxrhjHpXEwR49tpqbMdHm7EjP-yf8QXEaR8lVP2iDfSrDPzARjaOzoeh8cWz8/s1250/retreating%20Coyote%2024%20June.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpsTWkBtGSj10aSzc7fK_jJKitG3cRxCwMjHjZvFAl3Dminmx-RKgT5KCsFXEioTL8IEvycrVJFU3wOTtqQrRzP9fJ4V1id8o0kp4MRQCQdo1wHXAcwt606O_8h91DxrhjHpXEwR49tpqbMdHm7EjP-yf8QXEaR8lVP2iDfSrDPzARjaOzoeh8cWz8/w536-h640/retreating%20Coyote%2024%20June.JPG" width="536" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">spry Coyote making for the cover of the woods</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSoApIQmlm0Y9_D24BBey0cMuzHcytNgSKck04oWUdJuSLfH6ZKPpyPJwyNQTBkElKx7-9RAB5zkTSmE-7HYQFhwnaHXttNm5aKvaFzIcWHbACV4VsjOIjKsKzm0GYGh55no3O3459WVrkkGS88NlWEBcGkRW6v6K1VCGE-Z2gxJsGEKuVG4NtZOXg/s2358/historic%20barns%20-%20Alberta%20-%2025%20June.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2358" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSoApIQmlm0Y9_D24BBey0cMuzHcytNgSKck04oWUdJuSLfH6ZKPpyPJwyNQTBkElKx7-9RAB5zkTSmE-7HYQFhwnaHXttNm5aKvaFzIcWHbACV4VsjOIjKsKzm0GYGh55no3O3459WVrkkGS88NlWEBcGkRW6v6K1VCGE-Z2gxJsGEKuVG4NtZOXg/w640-h340/historic%20barns%20-%20Alberta%20-%2025%20June.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Alberta farm</span> </div><div><br /></div><div>Central and southern Alberta has the look of big sky farm country, with vast plains and fields. This is also big oil country... A freight train passed by at 2AM and it was as if I was camped right on the track--the train sounds were so deafening...It seems camping places are always placed near train tracks...and it seems the freight train has a habit of passing by at 2AM. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTclPtJs83rS0cLVO5jYsjYfudfXdyFvvUpY9ph9GpJvg91k0w7-h4sqdmHMbMw54DyR9HpF18ie6NtBco2kXdFVtzbTj53TClPWcxRL0N_o9tnPOt7ZdbLKpmqBtq_vrsMG2rvHP1mzCr8yIRhIP8Kos3RfGTGbMpRplSXdouWXYXz7jc3QERoDI7/s1807/Ferruginous%20Hawk,%20Alberta,%2026%20June.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1807" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTclPtJs83rS0cLVO5jYsjYfudfXdyFvvUpY9ph9GpJvg91k0w7-h4sqdmHMbMw54DyR9HpF18ie6NtBco2kXdFVtzbTj53TClPWcxRL0N_o9tnPOt7ZdbLKpmqBtq_vrsMG2rvHP1mzCr8yIRhIP8Kos3RfGTGbMpRplSXdouWXYXz7jc3QERoDI7/w640-h532/Ferruginous%20Hawk,%20Alberta,%2026%20June.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Ferruginous Hawk--hunter of the High Plains</span></div><div><br /></div><div>On the 26th of June I drove a long and sunny eight hours to Glasgow, Montana. I passed through the conifer-forested Cypress Hills and then into some lonely high plains entirely free of trees.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilT3zkwzqvwMKKxVkVHbSxWV_ugSjhfjtmzT1HkUL-jh683kngY9Jz4kwGBMJYwoOszph34A-g3YCwS4j88PksKPN1pjOTqjAr5QKyrJoK_MdfgXNTZhwHP42CDVYKKyt1bnWZkmz6PERCtxUncfARA-ecoKwM7Y4a0VmXWcQy14q3slE185Apwd01/s1570/buck%20Pronghorn%2026%20June.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1570" height="612" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilT3zkwzqvwMKKxVkVHbSxWV_ugSjhfjtmzT1HkUL-jh683kngY9Jz4kwGBMJYwoOszph34A-g3YCwS4j88PksKPN1pjOTqjAr5QKyrJoK_MdfgXNTZhwHP42CDVYKKyt1bnWZkmz6PERCtxUncfARA-ecoKwM7Y4a0VmXWcQy14q3slE185Apwd01/w640-h612/buck%20Pronghorn%2026%20June.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">buck Pronghorn</span></div><div><br /></div><div>I was headed to Glasgow, Montana, because of the presence of the Bentonite Road, a paradise of high plains habitat and wildlife that I will report on in the next blog. </div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw-Y3bYNxbs9Sd4_pkkoQ5OrUT_aeh_b5yPVmrMgvdx6aM9fafF-PXRjGPMln_ldc04noDU5CfuFkIQHjo6wyDNz6E0FAnBWLMsGapMPY7kQOxIErovB9PoCN1lsdvyRCefLScecpv85ZVuKtmB5FUrmaIAf6fdOLxrgbNCalemXAfPIAeNjTPj5E7/s2453/high%20plains%20of%20Benonite.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="2453" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw-Y3bYNxbs9Sd4_pkkoQ5OrUT_aeh_b5yPVmrMgvdx6aM9fafF-PXRjGPMln_ldc04noDU5CfuFkIQHjo6wyDNz6E0FAnBWLMsGapMPY7kQOxIErovB9PoCN1lsdvyRCefLScecpv85ZVuKtmB5FUrmaIAf6fdOLxrgbNCalemXAfPIAeNjTPj5E7/w640-h196/high%20plains%20of%20Benonite.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">high plains</span></div><div><br /></div><div>I crossed the international border into the US at Wild Horse. Needless to say, there was not a line at the</div><div>US customs barrier. I passed through with minimal comment from the border staff... It felt as if I had turned a page in my big trip... the main events were all done and I just had a few beautiful stops before I made my way home... </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6jnazgHtnFDamydgdxJk8xCSjzp3gLY62C7ESK3rDPTxT7UY8rYENpabbJRgepbooICdjSRniJysuW7A38dsH4BSTqoaalvOPOCMTJ36JDIOCSPfUi4O3AcScEA0xunEWYE_CkYvtmCaYrqwlKGKRzVM_4DdjxLEXEJmCvyisl_VYEW7TUrPXCF7Q/s2524/high%20prairie%20of%20Bentonite%20Rd,%20MT,%2027%20June.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2524" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6jnazgHtnFDamydgdxJk8xCSjzp3gLY62C7ESK3rDPTxT7UY8rYENpabbJRgepbooICdjSRniJysuW7A38dsH4BSTqoaalvOPOCMTJ36JDIOCSPfUi4O3AcScEA0xunEWYE_CkYvtmCaYrqwlKGKRzVM_4DdjxLEXEJmCvyisl_VYEW7TUrPXCF7Q/w640-h316/high%20prairie%20of%20Bentonite%20Rd,%20MT,%2027%20June.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"> more high plains</span></div><div><br /></div><div>I arrived at the Shady Rest RV park in Glasgow at the end of the day and luckily the nice three-genration family that ran the park had a convenient spot for me. The granddad had lived in Maryland and attended the University of Maryland was was a Terps fan. They made me feel welcome... This was not my first time here (I think I was last here in 2020). Glasgow is a nice town in an amazing corner of Montana...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5kuhdop9YoIpiXzMQa9c_fjzpQ_-JLLfZNehK-eQfodhhV8TXzvXTHl6MWPPXDCXX5r5TCZnaNyoYhEYkXr0lHyxXjo8LZrcjG0iVuA5QAWdSM-vAr3AeIHY_MzI9mi8DumGiZi7d-fixt7aZggTWI-cZoc3OmLyAAthMKF0zWg54U9BmjLuxQPsV/s2566/Upland%20Sandpiper%20Bentonite%2027%20June.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2566" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5kuhdop9YoIpiXzMQa9c_fjzpQ_-JLLfZNehK-eQfodhhV8TXzvXTHl6MWPPXDCXX5r5TCZnaNyoYhEYkXr0lHyxXjo8LZrcjG0iVuA5QAWdSM-vAr3AeIHY_MzI9mi8DumGiZi7d-fixt7aZggTWI-cZoc3OmLyAAthMKF0zWg54U9BmjLuxQPsV/w640-h374/Upland%20Sandpiper%20Bentonite%2027%20June.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">bird of the high plains--Upland Sandpiper</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div>On the Montana side of the border there is much more crop agriculture along the little road that leads me to Havre, Montana... Horned Larks are hyper-abundant along the two-lane road, bereft of traffic. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzRNSvrefyQ88pjduHrT0DIpYlY8pXORm0YIYoMXfgeRtksuJxOLdjlUktysy-BhMSLwalelkhjs7l_jgo1IkJ2lAQmoheBuPqDUJ5HgobZNg6tTwz_gMp9G92TBTdTp2Sniz9FgN8BRzZuL5PtBPv3V7CnfyOYzCPwDVHucl7bfa2PwjQVTWajvwh/s1250/Western%20Meadowlark%20Bentonite%20Rd%2027%20June%2022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1250" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzRNSvrefyQ88pjduHrT0DIpYlY8pXORm0YIYoMXfgeRtksuJxOLdjlUktysy-BhMSLwalelkhjs7l_jgo1IkJ2lAQmoheBuPqDUJ5HgobZNg6tTwz_gMp9G92TBTdTp2Sniz9FgN8BRzZuL5PtBPv3V7CnfyOYzCPwDVHucl7bfa2PwjQVTWajvwh/w640-h640/Western%20Meadowlark%20Bentonite%20Rd%2027%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">another bird of the high plains--Western Meadowlark</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisyTt8Nc_PcSF2kFEiiVbAdcXvtXWaEQiFLSVJvzqkr_JVhScC-YTdRHOEN-mLILiz9g4GPHxd6CAn-3f9kCpNYosUnkV8-YTQXK9Q7oZ5-yawrHtTL8_L38h3lU_jhcUbcVMh5BD1XMmNEUINV_HdsvHb-pDTnT8Z0i9KuUfaUOT3DDRvJQu5FCiy/s1512/Western%20Willet%20Bentonite%20Rd%2027%20June.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1512" height="634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisyTt8Nc_PcSF2kFEiiVbAdcXvtXWaEQiFLSVJvzqkr_JVhScC-YTdRHOEN-mLILiz9g4GPHxd6CAn-3f9kCpNYosUnkV8-YTQXK9Q7oZ5-yawrHtTL8_L38h3lU_jhcUbcVMh5BD1XMmNEUINV_HdsvHb-pDTnT8Z0i9KuUfaUOT3DDRvJQu5FCiy/w640-h634/Western%20Willet%20Bentonite%20Rd%2027%20June.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">sandpiper of the high plains--Western Willet</span><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcWPScijUI99QxdhgZc3tt8CMRkbsCzAGOxQAQgUiOUbRIJ73xDY-anrsaovroUg4luSjErbv7QaWoXnkjIVVAHhGIoT8edbtFdD14KAILj3pm1v0-YOtSNIRcIfYc_E6gGSdXe-i8hFyTSFKawfkVegKS6epZ72UyHJcMQCammE-6OKCFIa8JIqX/s1987/wheat%20field%20NE.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1987" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcWPScijUI99QxdhgZc3tt8CMRkbsCzAGOxQAQgUiOUbRIJ73xDY-anrsaovroUg4luSjErbv7QaWoXnkjIVVAHhGIoT8edbtFdD14KAILj3pm1v0-YOtSNIRcIfYc_E6gGSdXe-i8hFyTSFKawfkVegKS6epZ72UyHJcMQCammE-6OKCFIa8JIqX/w640-h402/wheat%20field%20NE.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">the spring crop comes good</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgte8bj6HBrTr9dG5Jybfa8_7mTFXdJEQABfGjWt46hNUxt4ma-CXVGAyoKhgaGfFK71hkfvmX4rbq21O6N1DfONg8VN5RqUPiiyx3W5dEUCWJuTUdiPm7AlS8n-qqmroS3E7CY3taXX_azkEIJ2dBMeKgvwUsBL3PQNPD0K0CiycufmGaF4s6X1n4i/s1344/White-tailed%20Jackrabbit%2027%20June%2022%20Bentonite.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1344" height="596" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgte8bj6HBrTr9dG5Jybfa8_7mTFXdJEQABfGjWt46hNUxt4ma-CXVGAyoKhgaGfFK71hkfvmX4rbq21O6N1DfONg8VN5RqUPiiyx3W5dEUCWJuTUdiPm7AlS8n-qqmroS3E7CY3taXX_azkEIJ2dBMeKgvwUsBL3PQNPD0K0CiycufmGaF4s6X1n4i/w640-h596/White-tailed%20Jackrabbit%2027%20June%2022%20Bentonite.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"> White-tailed Jackrabbit</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTY8YIedzIp1BHVODlp4G1hay_4AnDPHXv9LYk1kOPFaBl3hwzUpvxhZaqUncP0OpfdKo3j9NhSip33zyol_ZtX7WGdwq2G6-uxNCohEbN8PcjgrGx5APst6LkRwNTJjKTBI9qkyQdoBfNqIF91YpKPI8Ev7FN_jA3HLOqF3AnoHM_Nqig84IyXMNf/s2836/approaching%20Havre,%20Montana.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2836" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTY8YIedzIp1BHVODlp4G1hay_4AnDPHXv9LYk1kOPFaBl3hwzUpvxhZaqUncP0OpfdKo3j9NhSip33zyol_ZtX7WGdwq2G6-uxNCohEbN8PcjgrGx5APst6LkRwNTJjKTBI9qkyQdoBfNqIF91YpKPI8Ev7FN_jA3HLOqF3AnoHM_Nqig84IyXMNf/w640-h282/approaching%20Havre,%20Montana.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">dropping into the valley of Havre, Montana</span><br /><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>The final blog of Crossing the Continent will feature Montana and Wyoming</i></b></div>Bruce Beehlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15885008878848042968noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4395290943835782922.post-66475919625094223732022-08-01T08:30:00.000-07:002022-08-01T08:30:19.250-07:00<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidNZ1wrIl2PJrlmu-aZWa1II78Gg8lugMlvfGMKwlVjbB8sdc5DJJh2xS6m5gdco1gL1LaTQZSR5pjNBKsOJJjmzML9D2pJo4KrS2Wx9hf6HcJZaBEW83HRTaob3Etxkl3CJWmO4L-TB2i15TNJBxf7gxilvCLUcIxHFx3NtcgQWQQhyETkTiKoiqr/s2416/N%20of%20Tombstone%20Park%20in%20Mts%20named%20what.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2416" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidNZ1wrIl2PJrlmu-aZWa1II78Gg8lugMlvfGMKwlVjbB8sdc5DJJh2xS6m5gdco1gL1LaTQZSR5pjNBKsOJJjmzML9D2pJo4KrS2Wx9hf6HcJZaBEW83HRTaob3Etxkl3CJWmO4L-TB2i15TNJBxf7gxilvCLUcIxHFx3NtcgQWQQhyETkTiKoiqr/w640-h332/N%20of%20Tombstone%20Park%20in%20Mts%20named%20what.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">barren mountains north of Tombstone Territorial Park on the Dempster Highway</span><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-large;">Across the Continent (part 9 of 10) </span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tuktoyaktuk to Tombstone Park (NW Terr. and Yukon)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">18-22 June 2022</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFs0owZ7TlIihX-F7HJ3AuodISFQKURhYxW6WPk3TXlRuQE6zeHTYIYVXCvhyBQxlWrA40IUJzwkcU7pw-Ycdwf64RNFENGucn01Fy4aEU1XDxexVchLFZP7BxXWdQ0P5iMUZO9Amjytv7ugVwhqpmNR6pwtxyht2Va_WLF0RjCsZ3YfaRmfj9tRcI/s2540/Lincoln's%20Sparrow%2021%20June%20Tombstone.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2540" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFs0owZ7TlIihX-F7HJ3AuodISFQKURhYxW6WPk3TXlRuQE6zeHTYIYVXCvhyBQxlWrA40IUJzwkcU7pw-Ycdwf64RNFENGucn01Fy4aEU1XDxexVchLFZP7BxXWdQ0P5iMUZO9Amjytv7ugVwhqpmNR6pwtxyht2Va_WLF0RjCsZ3YfaRmfj9tRcI/w640-h252/Lincoln's%20Sparrow%2021%20June%20Tombstone.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Lincoln's Sparrow--a common songster of thickets in valley bottoms near streams</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">After my night in Tuktoyaktuk, I slowly drove southward, stopping to look at birds and take photographs along the Highway. Between Tuktoyaktuk and Inuvik, I saw mainly waterfowl and a few tundra-loving birds (such as Long-tailed Jaeger, Whimbrel, and Pacific Loon). I took the ferry across the Mackenzie at the indigenous community of Tsiigehtchic. I got the Peel River ferry at Fort McPherson, another indigenous community. I stopped for the night at the Rock River Campsite, right on the border of the Yukon and the Northwest Territories. </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwvSt0yh7rR_AVjfEHRRMhKGfpdU6pCAqblAJ7vpRtlPwGVTbDoYiRMzCkyZnlzWXw4fcRlgjlagX2-NrSc7PZjj1Ip7uMhnyfxsQSoisLQROp_usr2KaAvJiOmmnrLP2eji4MWnanWPsV4_IHLUYqPi-8D9AQNo9TUehXtYyBEHBN7gXnhhoNDi4R/s3832/dirty%20car.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2498" data-original-width="3832" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwvSt0yh7rR_AVjfEHRRMhKGfpdU6pCAqblAJ7vpRtlPwGVTbDoYiRMzCkyZnlzWXw4fcRlgjlagX2-NrSc7PZjj1Ip7uMhnyfxsQSoisLQROp_usr2KaAvJiOmmnrLP2eji4MWnanWPsV4_IHLUYqPi-8D9AQNo9TUehXtYyBEHBN7gXnhhoNDi4R/w640-h418/dirty%20car.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">No convenient car-wash on the Dempster... </span></div><div><br /></div><div>I spent two very pleasant nights at the Rock River Campground, and during the day of the 19th I explored the habitats along the road north to Wright Pass, which marks a continental divide as well as a Canadian territorial boundary. I wandered the mountain tundra and rocky scree in search of upland breeders, which were few (mainly Lapland Longspurs). Highlight of the day's wandering was a boar Grizzly that I encountered foraging by the road (see pix below). I watched him for several minutes. He was clearly not happy to be seeing me... the bears along this road were very skittish! </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPVt8MPh1duxQmgsPxShuMNcawzF2hCUGTkxGRDsYRMH3yVIYyRARqhqFyL-hP5Rswg31iY1DYzsSYWXu25fsBf1l-Zov5Dzy2e-TqJr0yTfVuAZuswMUb7GW7zHVgXY3mZT1dkw8p36VRNf7Sk5pls7lahAdqfTg07SkFcGw6-lgJHvPCIE-pfjJW/s2682/Dempster%20north%20of%20Tombstone%20-%2017%20June.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2682" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPVt8MPh1duxQmgsPxShuMNcawzF2hCUGTkxGRDsYRMH3yVIYyRARqhqFyL-hP5Rswg31iY1DYzsSYWXu25fsBf1l-Zov5Dzy2e-TqJr0yTfVuAZuswMUb7GW7zHVgXY3mZT1dkw8p36VRNf7Sk5pls7lahAdqfTg07SkFcGw6-lgJHvPCIE-pfjJW/w640-h298/Dempster%20north%20of%20Tombstone%20-%2017%20June.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">the Dempster follows large river courses that punch through the Yukon's mountain ranges</span></div><div><br /></div><div>On the 20th of June I broke camp and headed slowly back to Tombstone Territorial Park, where I planned to spend a couple of nights, searching for the birds and mammals that I have not yet seen on this trip. At Two Moose Lake I come upon an RV that has left the road and plunged into a deep water-filled ditch. An emergency vehicle (from where?) had already arrived. The disconsolate travelers stood about in the drizzle, looking miserable. The abrupt end to fun holiday! The Dempster has no guard rails. But does have plenty of steep drop-offs. I was happy to be driving very slowly...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtynUUNM5plF5_1cgk9SxApdaspriZis4XvP1ZvSxBNlAe-mV8Z6z_uMsKwXU8v80WfcJh7XXaLN7zdgDPCeJipPB_IVXZt3ZSOjk444DMFY1FksbbjGfMnbvAwk2wwqI5z5u_ojbDfc824ce2HMLeFbKUsJ88g2HJUX-adtCBTTLTz0C6VTDuZYZd/s2107/Rock%20River%20Sampground%20Dempster.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2107" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtynUUNM5plF5_1cgk9SxApdaspriZis4XvP1ZvSxBNlAe-mV8Z6z_uMsKwXU8v80WfcJh7XXaLN7zdgDPCeJipPB_IVXZt3ZSOjk444DMFY1FksbbjGfMnbvAwk2wwqI5z5u_ojbDfc824ce2HMLeFbKUsJ88g2HJUX-adtCBTTLTz0C6VTDuZYZd/w640-h380/Rock%20River%20Sampground%20Dempster.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Rock River Campground in a valley bottom filled with White Spruce</span></div><div><br /></div><div>I stopped whenever I saw a streamside patch of willows or alders, in order to search for Gray-headed Chickadee--that will-o-the-wisp. I found no chickadees of any sort... I did manage to see a group of Caribou foraging high up on a mountainside. Birds seen this day included Varied Thrush, American Three-toed Woodpecker, and Yellow-rumped Warbler. My search of pikas and marmots was for naught... </div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm1s56g4wmY6_kpYPgT-qhwbRn2YyTF869_o3B8Uccb6vmk3-MbmTBSWCdcF7TNwrEXnw78ysnKAiVs7NYDf3alScQGpT96K79xsi35J-qnMWdYtcTo9M-flne9L-rE3ZvJcmolbdSlH559TI5vHHiRUlLVqnTPevBok6ik4CqK1CPjTKiTa_omX_n/s2287/Wright%20Pass%20-%20Arctic%20Circle%20Mark%20-%2020%20June%2022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2287" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm1s56g4wmY6_kpYPgT-qhwbRn2YyTF869_o3B8Uccb6vmk3-MbmTBSWCdcF7TNwrEXnw78ysnKAiVs7NYDf3alScQGpT96K79xsi35J-qnMWdYtcTo9M-flne9L-rE3ZvJcmolbdSlH559TI5vHHiRUlLVqnTPevBok6ik4CqK1CPjTKiTa_omX_n/w640-h350/Wright%20Pass%20-%20Arctic%20Circle%20Mark%20-%2020%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">just in case you ever wondered what the Arctic Circle looks like, here it is! </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">I had a late breakfast and filled up the gas tank at the Eagle Plains Hotel. And I arrived in the rain at the campground at Tombstone Territorial Park in the early evening.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDk4nX55eVkR35xMjBRYqgg_jd-xMfitanZ5Sfl6_ukW46sq7t3xnb78GWN8ygZ-l75aZK8FqEZPJrWp-CIInoxIN_20HsCmPf_CoHIdltpw7dz34G028wlE21JPMagoEFEBHz71kdgMOH5wuxt7CR2von3ztOD94Ov4l43I4XAMeF9-ktWgEfmQmc/s1939/View%20of%20barren%20mts%20on%20Dempster%20north%20of%20Tombstone%2020%20June.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1939" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDk4nX55eVkR35xMjBRYqgg_jd-xMfitanZ5Sfl6_ukW46sq7t3xnb78GWN8ygZ-l75aZK8FqEZPJrWp-CIInoxIN_20HsCmPf_CoHIdltpw7dz34G028wlE21JPMagoEFEBHz71kdgMOH5wuxt7CR2von3ztOD94Ov4l43I4XAMeF9-ktWgEfmQmc/w640-h330/View%20of%20barren%20mts%20on%20Dempster%20north%20of%20Tombstone%2020%20June.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">tundra leading up to barren mountains of dark shale </span></div><div><br /></div>The Dempster is amazing because of its many vistas and ever-changing array of habitats. Names include the North Ogilvie Mountains, Blackstone Plateau, Taiga Ranges, and Richardson Mountains. The south was mountainous, and the north was dominated by lowlands--the North Slope and the Mackenzie Delta..<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0fGDPybc56HdjSdVYnamVB1QdfNnZ9HNsxYTKEIiVmG9jBgMmrzK2DnZuqJRvT9dpbY6rfxkMXQfoYXYKpFD3Lry92EzS0PNKe5wUPOdOwWQ-tHoAtFviu5Iqi_xDQDgTwwg3Mjdac3wCz9O6kKq9wTtIcDkwXj_t8essvpfLw94qO3YX7Spv2kwn/s1250/Grizzly%20poo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1134" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0fGDPybc56HdjSdVYnamVB1QdfNnZ9HNsxYTKEIiVmG9jBgMmrzK2DnZuqJRvT9dpbY6rfxkMXQfoYXYKpFD3Lry92EzS0PNKe5wUPOdOwWQ-tHoAtFviu5Iqi_xDQDgTwwg3Mjdac3wCz9O6kKq9wTtIcDkwXj_t8essvpfLw94qO3YX7Spv2kwn/w580-h640/Grizzly%20poo.JPG" width="580" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">fresh Grizzly poo</span></div><div><br /></div><div>My three encounters with Grizzly Bears on this trip were all roadside experiences, and in every instance the big boar Grizzly saw me and my car and then high-tailed it... Each individual was distinctive and I never tired of scrutinizing them. They are so very different from the Black Bears I saw earlier in my journey. Moreover, these interior Grizzly populations are bulky and compact and short-necked and large-headed and handsome, with a thick fur coat--a much nicer-looking bear than the more rangy and lanky coastal Brown Bears that feed on salmon... </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl325gIU6pyyWbRJhNVmAt8Id34m0AmU4zbq-O8CYUjSF3QsCrPaNK55WzINjY0iwic6564Q9NnSGJlXHJxooH6ocma16MMdL3IJ8zmKs4evcOFdjt9OPgXArTxjSejSr4YYs1fJZAhWNtM2LmQvzt6hbqQMSPtbLnQBeBQlDtcSlvSZVi2cLiTbV4/s2690/Grizzly%20boar%20number%20two%20looking%20back%2019%20June%2022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2690" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl325gIU6pyyWbRJhNVmAt8Id34m0AmU4zbq-O8CYUjSF3QsCrPaNK55WzINjY0iwic6564Q9NnSGJlXHJxooH6ocma16MMdL3IJ8zmKs4evcOFdjt9OPgXArTxjSejSr4YYs1fJZAhWNtM2LmQvzt6hbqQMSPtbLnQBeBQlDtcSlvSZVi2cLiTbV4/w640-h298/Grizzly%20boar%20number%20two%20looking%20back%2019%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnezpInimWLBXKEMHv3dbeBYM2CFFqzETuMQfXFQskHodD2OgoDu5ubVkraN1uaXZ94Q89I4co6oPaWZeTSBasTudKNC5JZVqq2nYTDH5b8e8kvkv2vLlq3Dpw1QfhwmFYLwjUcoKpkF5uSppn8oRDfKxvgZ_VtEl_IxRLp02igm5UqXOOS5omSBwN/s1962/Grizzly%20number%202%20close%20by%2019%20June%2022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1962" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnezpInimWLBXKEMHv3dbeBYM2CFFqzETuMQfXFQskHodD2OgoDu5ubVkraN1uaXZ94Q89I4co6oPaWZeTSBasTudKNC5JZVqq2nYTDH5b8e8kvkv2vLlq3Dpw1QfhwmFYLwjUcoKpkF5uSppn8oRDfKxvgZ_VtEl_IxRLp02igm5UqXOOS5omSBwN/w640-h408/Grizzly%20number%202%20close%20by%2019%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaZtHZ_wZvoRTEDBwvAvX6miyxtQuqQ8-SXGkrh-FasYE3jCCUdr0BG5UuzV3VfGt-dyEozESNvGC57rb6qM8erQphJ8tAbQrAboamUXgHvuUNkbEr9O9GC-Y7Gj-K9E_Wyl7b4sTWczDPuOCRIqXOve6hyslBam0tsLduJ7FHSYLSEqz47W1GXQ2k/s1365/Grizzly%20number%20two%20last%20look%20back%2019%20June%2022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1365" height="586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaZtHZ_wZvoRTEDBwvAvX6miyxtQuqQ8-SXGkrh-FasYE3jCCUdr0BG5UuzV3VfGt-dyEozESNvGC57rb6qM8erQphJ8tAbQrAboamUXgHvuUNkbEr9O9GC-Y7Gj-K9E_Wyl7b4sTWczDPuOCRIqXOve6hyslBam0tsLduJ7FHSYLSEqz47W1GXQ2k/w640-h586/Grizzly%20number%20two%20last%20look%20back%2019%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I rose very early on the morning of the 22nd of June and drove north to Jensen's Corral and then to the repeater station at the foot of Surfbird Ridge. I then spent 6 hours climbing up and around atop Surfbird Ridge in search of Surfbirds nesting on the gravel/tundra ridgetops... The hike was glorious because of the oh-so-fine weather, but the birds were few. No Surfbirds. A single American Golden-Plover. The commonplace birds of the upland tundra were American Robin, Savannah Sparrow, Lapland Longspur, Horned Lark, Wilson's Snipe, and Common Redpoll. The prize of the morning was a pair of Collared Pikas--a mammal lifer for me. I was surprised and disappointed that I could not find a Hoary Marmot. And neither did I locate an Eversmann's Parnassian butterfly--one of the upland tundra specialists. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_TIt6n1W0d0gkVdcB5qF_wKDUw9nAKjdNAoJWsjZtP2iFNlrSIj4WTtShHQtCxjXRkkqRFGeJuJmAh-L1zSfjlQ07gJCw3VUWBxRUwm2kKJka33UeaHklA99-ZdhmlNuOyg_2P8jPO7qSLUWBYYZfolNleAhOe0Sw_bDWAb7iJgeqmyRjghue8RCn/s1437/Freija%20Fritillary%20-%2016%20June%20-%20Tombstone.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1437" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_TIt6n1W0d0gkVdcB5qF_wKDUw9nAKjdNAoJWsjZtP2iFNlrSIj4WTtShHQtCxjXRkkqRFGeJuJmAh-L1zSfjlQ07gJCw3VUWBxRUwm2kKJka33UeaHklA99-ZdhmlNuOyg_2P8jPO7qSLUWBYYZfolNleAhOe0Sw_bDWAb7iJgeqmyRjghue8RCn/w640-h446/Freija%20Fritillary%20-%2016%20June%20-%20Tombstone.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Freija Fritillary in the tundra</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzzyYhc-S_iL7wGog_pGnIzpz1wPDik8tkFSRDgXJmMxTr1Z6xUCwWyjkZX5eT3UoxB4ea4n_2Fd3Rnvitf7CweDtd61JQM6qeYSjtnB_bNqjx-j-YUIOiXTi9tTknri4hMLL9vh_m4YUi9PT691DS7zwFJ23b51qHwFkAkyn9iMg-p9n3M6F7Hy5/s2143/dwarf%20Black%20Spruce%20stand%20on%20Dempster%2020%20June.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2143" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzzyYhc-S_iL7wGog_pGnIzpz1wPDik8tkFSRDgXJmMxTr1Z6xUCwWyjkZX5eT3UoxB4ea4n_2Fd3Rnvitf7CweDtd61JQM6qeYSjtnB_bNqjx-j-YUIOiXTi9tTknri4hMLL9vh_m4YUi9PT691DS7zwFJ23b51qHwFkAkyn9iMg-p9n3M6F7Hy5/w640-h374/dwarf%20Black%20Spruce%20stand%20on%20Dempster%2020%20June.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">a stand of dwarf Black Spruces</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3IuC7-egIlFFs5cGpacaNYGYS9bOnwihb-JRYYryA_0GCPAFhtVQaDRKD9Q2mI9QpHbzLARDGk2A7Y91mxBwgtq1ap3HbXxpbARVRWFpV0FRyMTTlA2xPpqkzgPcAZ3psGZ6dDJA8D9luT_zLaQgf6oD7sootMbwh0GgexIgdhVkJBZjr9CYLP7ds/s2358/Collared%20Pika%2022%20June%20Surfbird%20Ridge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2358" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3IuC7-egIlFFs5cGpacaNYGYS9bOnwihb-JRYYryA_0GCPAFhtVQaDRKD9Q2mI9QpHbzLARDGk2A7Y91mxBwgtq1ap3HbXxpbARVRWFpV0FRyMTTlA2xPpqkzgPcAZ3psGZ6dDJA8D9luT_zLaQgf6oD7sootMbwh0GgexIgdhVkJBZjr9CYLP7ds/w640-h272/Collared%20Pika%2022%20June%20Surfbird%20Ridge.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Collared Pika</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3VQy9ZiiSmh9x8zql1KooBHcuDdYiMucyASELf0s36phhjXnlFgKduYT66hkx1rBP47sQ5-ZiccizQFnUN5tnMYgPaaM_NfkW7pJvYXijrKL-lkgqQ7O-2ps23B5NtvBVCUPm8PnqlTteutIIrm9m6JqWcTPDosgnv46Su33lramousyaKpgYWft/s1921/breakfast%20al%20fresco%20Tombstone%20park.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1921" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3VQy9ZiiSmh9x8zql1KooBHcuDdYiMucyASELf0s36phhjXnlFgKduYT66hkx1rBP47sQ5-ZiccizQFnUN5tnMYgPaaM_NfkW7pJvYXijrKL-lkgqQ7O-2ps23B5NtvBVCUPm8PnqlTteutIIrm9m6JqWcTPDosgnv46Su33lramousyaKpgYWft/w640-h416/breakfast%20al%20fresco%20Tombstone%20park.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">a late morning breakfast after a long walk in the early morning (Tombstone Park)</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2S3bx0A5shgrE-dSHPk2_UNn5ck6vqERiD-x4ui0zQvZB09kbO0QRbkwy59NrxMk_h-Rmsmms8CHUUMGaSiX9LiHQtnej4KDy-VR9Fv9RvkL0DnU1SpJTq_1CsWZQ1GP05xE76Vt27k4V0a-9ViL63djGiSnIYY4Rpq8ICvDWa-TwXG-KKEvlac0q/s3372/Hammond's%20Flycatcher%2016%20June.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3258" data-original-width="3372" height="618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2S3bx0A5shgrE-dSHPk2_UNn5ck6vqERiD-x4ui0zQvZB09kbO0QRbkwy59NrxMk_h-Rmsmms8CHUUMGaSiX9LiHQtnej4KDy-VR9Fv9RvkL0DnU1SpJTq_1CsWZQ1GP05xE76Vt27k4V0a-9ViL63djGiSnIYY4Rpq8ICvDWa-TwXG-KKEvlac0q/w640-h618/Hammond's%20Flycatcher%2016%20June.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Hammond's Flycatcher</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGF8ictm2h00aISTesne1K7Ac7DWgHqI0xLm4rrROxjyH4iPZWiw3Oe_NkKJPKCmGHFsXf9ur_M_McFsW6QG7AcLB6LCiF2eLKLENyA8u3WDoiigsFqFSBklknB4x-K7Q5QYBrL5x6rd46JF5rnfPprdCCI54Xhm_glnmnLrQk-biMo3Ra7GQEM2vi/s1783/Orange-crowned%20Warbler%20-%20Tombstone%2016%20June.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1783" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGF8ictm2h00aISTesne1K7Ac7DWgHqI0xLm4rrROxjyH4iPZWiw3Oe_NkKJPKCmGHFsXf9ur_M_McFsW6QG7AcLB6LCiF2eLKLENyA8u3WDoiigsFqFSBklknB4x-K7Q5QYBrL5x6rd46JF5rnfPprdCCI54Xhm_glnmnLrQk-biMo3Ra7GQEM2vi/w640-h448/Orange-crowned%20Warbler%20-%20Tombstone%2016%20June.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Orange-crowned Warbler</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj960QYcppjAp-R4qmzHswFBOxpwW7Fw34uwe22pEJgpDXipVeY6j8CPLPYUZREeceCBIRClZP3NhhTXOh5FKwVEL_vOv3pnkW8HZ3AwOlEs5pfare3cQpV-fISPsxo5Nwto_21bA6il2OYPDw902e9tZtENFVsGW0T_t7E15aygHupXqWXM7qPPAIk/s2267/Short-eared%20Owl%2022%20June%20Dempster.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2267" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj960QYcppjAp-R4qmzHswFBOxpwW7Fw34uwe22pEJgpDXipVeY6j8CPLPYUZREeceCBIRClZP3NhhTXOh5FKwVEL_vOv3pnkW8HZ3AwOlEs5pfare3cQpV-fISPsxo5Nwto_21bA6il2OYPDw902e9tZtENFVsGW0T_t7E15aygHupXqWXM7qPPAIk/w640-h352/Short-eared%20Owl%2022%20June%20Dempster.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Short-eared Owl</span></div><div><br /></div>On my trip, Short-eared Owl was my tundra owl. I encountered no Snowy Owls for some reason, in spite of being in prime Snowy Owl country on a number of days. I also hunted for Boreal Owl in White Spruce stands without success. Perhaps Boreal Owls do not call when there is no darkness at night... they are early spring breeders...I also dipped on Northern Hawk-Owl. <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkS7IVZIHWkFm89kz7cPVsQRRpJYKei2mWvy_xexLGmPBQf3n_P6Sv8wV9MdMwV-FUV3rt6WXlaW4YGNJf5xHUd8NxlmVxndghgT2IDcAJ11SzRNkOOG3QGvHqP5oBwDdHXWLPIoC6achKzIU7BPAle3oQpGOIi12h2RU4UJ8ziPSHgo1RaobSLIpD/s2949/tundra%20in%20Tombstone%20Park.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2949" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkS7IVZIHWkFm89kz7cPVsQRRpJYKei2mWvy_xexLGmPBQf3n_P6Sv8wV9MdMwV-FUV3rt6WXlaW4YGNJf5xHUd8NxlmVxndghgT2IDcAJ11SzRNkOOG3QGvHqP5oBwDdHXWLPIoC6achKzIU7BPAle3oQpGOIi12h2RU4UJ8ziPSHgo1RaobSLIpD/w640-h272/tundra%20in%20Tombstone%20Park.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">low tundra along the Dempster in Tombstone Park</span><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><b><i>The 10th Installment will feature the Klondike Highway, Alaska Highway, Montana, and Wyoming</i></b></div>Bruce Beehlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15885008878848042968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4395290943835782922.post-85338172132714961862022-07-29T12:40:00.001-07:002022-07-30T14:29:55.150-07:00<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjos3ucvrqKBELLL6tqp7kXntR-_ep9FZdxvQJfbDi9DaxcrCbH9ZR4hjN_5p5RPQ3MqgFppsNbHPsI5C1x6JskBiHeQ6M1MLc89ZLUp0seIAwdL9IQCLK6-RAa9EcxHeQLrqgJpVVn6o0Oi-Gc8VSRhp1sSKTvt5r1Z7L9CCd0MbFZ7FYF3zqt7Yci/s2221/vista%20of%20Tombstone%20Mt,%2022%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2221" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjos3ucvrqKBELLL6tqp7kXntR-_ep9FZdxvQJfbDi9DaxcrCbH9ZR4hjN_5p5RPQ3MqgFppsNbHPsI5C1x6JskBiHeQ6M1MLc89ZLUp0seIAwdL9IQCLK6-RAa9EcxHeQLrqgJpVVn6o0Oi-Gc8VSRhp1sSKTvt5r1Z7L9CCd0MbFZ7FYF3zqt7Yci/w640-h288/vista%20of%20Tombstone%20Mt,%2022%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Tombstone Territorial Park vista (looking west toward Tombstone Peak in far distance)</span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Across the Continent (part 8 of 10) </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Anchorage to Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">14-18 June 2022</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ9hiy1CAyIogaSZwES67NAg9ruel4hZKqf5Ke00Kymvs-Ts55SBM007RsILqV3YQIydK5ueDi4OSqL-C1Nf5CglivVYeey9XALVJvtDoRtQkJNOEZRjXt3ox8fVLIvxMsesNHf8Ieo_c-eFHJnHI_aWpcA66uGXsQa6LLe96f4cXNM8m9YU8bpX2b/s1446/White-crowned%20Sparrow%20Tombstone%2016%20June.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1446" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ9hiy1CAyIogaSZwES67NAg9ruel4hZKqf5Ke00Kymvs-Ts55SBM007RsILqV3YQIydK5ueDi4OSqL-C1Nf5CglivVYeey9XALVJvtDoRtQkJNOEZRjXt3ox8fVLIvxMsesNHf8Ieo_c-eFHJnHI_aWpcA66uGXsQa6LLe96f4cXNM8m9YU8bpX2b/w640-h442/White-crowned%20Sparrow%20Tombstone%2016%20June.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After my frustrating flight delays in Utqiagvik, I was in a hurry to get back onto the open road. I first picked up my car from the Nissan Dealer in downtown Anchorage, where I had dropped it off for a check-up. Then gathered up my stored gear and food at David Sonneborn's home and I packed my car. For more than three years I had dreamed of driving to the far northern community of Tuktoyaktuk on the Arctic Ocean via the Dempster Highway in western Canada. Now I was going to actually do it! To me this was the most challenging and exciting part of my big trans-continental drive. I was eager to get into it... </div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4XCzw9KOp2JWytMPkiNzihZ3K549GURer9WIYK48Oki25VsLhPzaOYJm8wYmdEDHI6QhqoArcgbhZpGc2hREHEbquOhPEnjQ_JkXXvSZxanAoofKWp-Bu1MzTNpX9VBoioNqB0yPy1dr9WiJV9d7rFHytVaKM_ByLal9F7PtKZ5pYUdGeCZNeey8l/s1667/Top%20of%20the%20World.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1667" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4XCzw9KOp2JWytMPkiNzihZ3K549GURer9WIYK48Oki25VsLhPzaOYJm8wYmdEDHI6QhqoArcgbhZpGc2hREHEbquOhPEnjQ_JkXXvSZxanAoofKWp-Bu1MzTNpX9VBoioNqB0yPy1dr9WiJV9d7rFHytVaKM_ByLal9F7PtKZ5pYUdGeCZNeey8l/w640-h480/Top%20of%20the%20World.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Vista from the "Top of the World" Highway from Tok to Dawson City </span></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">It was late afternoon when I finished packing my car in Anchorage. I stopped off at the Fred Meyer to load up my cooler with fresh food for the next ten days of adventure. Then I got on the Glennallen Highway and headed northeastward toward the Yukon border. At midnight I stopped to camp at the Dry Creek State Recreation Site near Glennallenn. It had been a long day, traveling from Utqiagvik. </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0O0sQqDxTDTzC2dOTg_y8zjvLX3016mOUiKK8vubeOTNFGFY6kmCNtBdIkKx9DmCGJw3t3gw5hTQs-dx7ltWaIsEIrp21Pc8cKIoqdrwWOrCY8kH0rozuBW_FCSoKFok29yCtHkdJKcjrC6QXgdH8l6zeBTMISl_UpXN_zQjwhO3YsNdek37315R/s2243/Ornge-crowned%20Warbler%20showing%20orange%20crown%2021%20June.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2243" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0O0sQqDxTDTzC2dOTg_y8zjvLX3016mOUiKK8vubeOTNFGFY6kmCNtBdIkKx9DmCGJw3t3gw5hTQs-dx7ltWaIsEIrp21Pc8cKIoqdrwWOrCY8kH0rozuBW_FCSoKFok29yCtHkdJKcjrC6QXgdH8l6zeBTMISl_UpXN_zQjwhO3YsNdek37315R/w640-h286/Ornge-crowned%20Warbler%20showing%20orange%20crown%2021%20June.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Here is an Orange-crowned Warbler where you can actually see the orange on the crown...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The evening drive to Glennallen was an unalloyed pleasure after being stuck in Utqiagvik. The scenery was stunning--snowclad mountains, glaciers, deep gorges, spruce forests... Passing through Sutton-Alpine I was reminded of Jackson Hole... and I was savoring the freedom of the open road! There's nothing quite like it. Alaska Highway One followed the gorge of the Matanuska River, which is gorgeous. The low evening sun on the Matanuska Glacier pouring out of a steep valley was awe-inspiring. I slept in the car because I didn't want to set up tent out in the swarming mosquitoes. Of course, it was not dark at Midnight, but in spite of the light I slept the sleep of the dead. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQnP5xyDmrz28UUz2ZUMdCxg-y78zJukNKbMNMqVC2Lz_5hM4zMHt4fOm5LK4xoFRgYDd6Q4Su2C4cBof3Fi9QUs-ZbXLFKn4lbzPx-cnLeMRbubHNVi5XEmMYb00kxEJKB2kSVmAnzufK9uUb7NDR-h8kA5JRX9d_XTShiyEI9HOTOS-IxQChhspX/s3284/Spruce%20glade%20Dempster.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="3284" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQnP5xyDmrz28UUz2ZUMdCxg-y78zJukNKbMNMqVC2Lz_5hM4zMHt4fOm5LK4xoFRgYDd6Q4Su2C4cBof3Fi9QUs-ZbXLFKn4lbzPx-cnLeMRbubHNVi5XEmMYb00kxEJKB2kSVmAnzufK9uUb7NDR-h8kA5JRX9d_XTShiyEI9HOTOS-IxQChhspX/w640-h244/Spruce%20glade%20Dempster.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> a spruce glade at the edge of the tundra on the Dempster Highway</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">On the 15th of June I breakfasted al fresco in Tok, looking south at the great snowy mass of one of the snowdomes of the Wrangell-St. Elias Mountains. Then I headed out on the Top of the World "highway" to Chicken, crossed the border into the Yukon, and by the end of the day I was at a sprucy campsite on the banks of the Yukon River, just across from Dawson City. This is a famous drive but I found it disappointing--the road conditions were poor, the vistas were so-so, and there was no wildlife to be seen. I was happy to be in Dawson City, ready to take on the Dempster Highway...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSQ6qilz9uJnr11y-Ui7A2YUhMp-TEGrHvXwemDMm97lCXQLCVt2n3QsORABpeXmuwSX792KnCYNX-XfVfHBSqaY4i3cIHnBidWL1xsU1p6rGS8AYRKJQ9yc6W6pOGEX-Sa6roo8cmT2m1nSKOJXB5ZXEWAR8wwsIymhT_27rDPaChc7fMT9rGzr7Y/s2120/Tombstone%20Park.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2120" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSQ6qilz9uJnr11y-Ui7A2YUhMp-TEGrHvXwemDMm97lCXQLCVt2n3QsORABpeXmuwSX792KnCYNX-XfVfHBSqaY4i3cIHnBidWL1xsU1p6rGS8AYRKJQ9yc6W6pOGEX-Sa6roo8cmT2m1nSKOJXB5ZXEWAR8wwsIymhT_27rDPaChc7fMT9rGzr7Y/w640-h378/Tombstone%20Park.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">another vista in Tombstone Territorial Park, on the Dempster Highway</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The highway from Alaska to Dawson City lacked one thing--a bridge across the Yukon. One must take a ferry, which crosses every twenty minutes or so... Free and easy to get... After birding the White Spruce woods of the campground (Townsend's Warblers, Canada Jays), I spent the next morning in Dawson City on my bike, shopping for stuff I needed for the big drive to Tuktoyaktuk. Dawson City is small and cute and very touristy--but in a good way. It stands right on the banks of the Yukon, and features lots of historic gold-rush buildings plus a lot of recreated ones as well. I did my laundry, bought bear-bangers (small explosive projectiles used to scare away bears), and other odds and ends.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfueueLm4QByTM1WJxCCBNOvmJ3X4K4GzxqwIyJSFlVa5M7hTgWQatEIp96YE4UWifQNz6X_fdxy7znpTr05xVM_DiwOddUzOD9Bb64IpzAZbLO_WdVl7wzqXdx_NdOWPQ9tzL3qLrqUbWNQ240p3rKbm3R6c1wiH1QD_haqKpvmBDfisiPEg03sAM/s1831/American%20Golden-Plover%20Surfbird%20Ridge%2022%20June.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1831" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfueueLm4QByTM1WJxCCBNOvmJ3X4K4GzxqwIyJSFlVa5M7hTgWQatEIp96YE4UWifQNz6X_fdxy7znpTr05xVM_DiwOddUzOD9Bb64IpzAZbLO_WdVl7wzqXdx_NdOWPQ9tzL3qLrqUbWNQ240p3rKbm3R6c1wiH1QD_haqKpvmBDfisiPEg03sAM/w640-h436/American%20Golden-Plover%20Surfbird%20Ridge%2022%20June.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> American Golden-Plover on territory atop a high tundra ridge in Tombstone Park</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Now fully provisioned, I return to my camp, packed my car, crossed the Yukon by ferry, filled my tank, and headed out to the bottom of the Dempster Highway, which originates just east of Dawson City on the Koldike Highway. Departing the town, I passed by high and elongated mounds of rough gravel--the product of industrial dredging of the Klondike. I had seen similar devastation along the Bulolo River in Papua New Guinea. It is amazing what a terrible mess gold-miners make when harvesting their gold. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIUXAi5AwZZGiatI5h1aLEwFMLLtIgng1FDKB-sMMXzj1DsQBlS0zPMLtA84iKoLmIa_hcJtFihG8UHvjwF4O3k8gt_y_WBVfZ_Jth1GHuAWT3033fab6vqix-XdscjgkvSqc8WeDm7S4UgVitPFaWSNAuKh7Xb1dC7HebsCEf2MOfiBBmGqo6aW_i/s2017/Grizzly%20boar%20photo%20two%2017%20June.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2017" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIUXAi5AwZZGiatI5h1aLEwFMLLtIgng1FDKB-sMMXzj1DsQBlS0zPMLtA84iKoLmIa_hcJtFihG8UHvjwF4O3k8gt_y_WBVfZ_Jth1GHuAWT3033fab6vqix-XdscjgkvSqc8WeDm7S4UgVitPFaWSNAuKh7Xb1dC7HebsCEf2MOfiBBmGqo6aW_i/w640-h318/Grizzly%20boar%20photo%20two%2017%20June.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> a boar Grizzly eyes me from the roadside on the Dempster Highway... would a bear-banger stop this guy? I wondered....</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">After just a few hours drive (100 miles--one of the shortest driving days of the entire trip) I arrived in the heart of Tombstone Territorial Park, one of the Dempster's gems. I set up camp in the Park's main campground that is just a short walk from an excellent and fully-staffed Park Interpretive Center. This is the Yukon's answer to Yellowstone or the Tetons. The Dempster Highway is 559 miles of gravel road that crosses the Arctic Circle and terminates on the Beaufort Sea, an embayment of the Arctic Ocean. Tombstone is the only formal park along the highway, and one of the road's featured stops.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTywgwTOw5mmTL2s3ZA63ULGaQnToa2MgE5naL-0tR6futOHEonyHS8xY9dAunaEnVKshn8boZmJjpjf7S8CZlNdTremhH_F1Q_4UW1yTtm8542YjtXKoi56N_43I8mM6ilEsTq-5_8hpJaOfyQiArrPfVXRqryo-vlqRFnsFS9NK_VfbfmRWRkTud/s1500/Rough-legged%20Hawk%2018%20June%2022%20near%20Tuk.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1420" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTywgwTOw5mmTL2s3ZA63ULGaQnToa2MgE5naL-0tR6futOHEonyHS8xY9dAunaEnVKshn8boZmJjpjf7S8CZlNdTremhH_F1Q_4UW1yTtm8542YjtXKoi56N_43I8mM6ilEsTq-5_8hpJaOfyQiArrPfVXRqryo-vlqRFnsFS9NK_VfbfmRWRkTud/w606-h640/Rough-legged%20Hawk%2018%20June%2022%20near%20Tuk.JPG" width="606" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Rough-legged Hawk, looking more like a Brahminy Kite</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I spent two nights at the Tombstone campsite, because I had been told that the Peel River ferry, to the north, is closed because of high water. This gave me a chance to get to know Tombstone, which was picture perfect--blue skies, cool temperatures, few biting insects.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVJpPift1j8wndK52hyLd_vrreAbJ5HJqEzRM5V_O8W23sAPfB9PCuDIXomIMwtMKafh-t4sXb5jmpqVbyJgdidgF9TLlxwkRmFUfI2hRqMDk621sfes4eYO04kUqZ-OIuOOmALaA1eQlUnEKJMtxNvIHWiY6cXoV9rz1CXzHv9c4rcWbkYHq0ZquJ/s4127/SHort-eared%20Owl%20in%20flight%2022%20June.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="4127" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVJpPift1j8wndK52hyLd_vrreAbJ5HJqEzRM5V_O8W23sAPfB9PCuDIXomIMwtMKafh-t4sXb5jmpqVbyJgdidgF9TLlxwkRmFUfI2hRqMDk621sfes4eYO04kUqZ-OIuOOmALaA1eQlUnEKJMtxNvIHWiY6cXoV9rz1CXzHv9c4rcWbkYHq0ZquJ/w640-h194/SHort-eared%20Owl%20in%20flight%2022%20June.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Short-eared Owl, patrolling the tundra</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I drove north on the 17th of June, departing the campground around 4am. The benefit of rising early is the wildlife. I saw three Moose and a big boar Grizzly along the quiet road. Hours passed before I encountered another car... The road took me though uplands and lowlands and a wide range of geological terrain--it is raw landscape with big vistas. I breakfasted at Eagle Plains Hotel, happily filling my gas tank. For a long time was worried that the stretch from Dawson City to Eagle Plains was beyond the capacity of my gas tank. The worry was for naught. There are few gas stations along the Dempster, but they were sufficient for a typical SUV like the one I had. All the guidebooks recommend packing a spare container of gasoline on the roof of the car. I did not, and was happy for that fact...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkKRTl8Wgs-oxon18kM8oki9z_i0N6QUajU2Lhy_gPyeAt6pGnEGxlwdNeMuLDuCCEKjJ2YEeGsPIqjtX_ZWkaqXAO0GHE2dIlT61ROyGsjqZ-zWRWrEuMCzcqmFC7yqg68lORqnAQjzgAUg6P5A5gzbHd_tyNxLyzcQ3vh00Hr2iplnBCyl4Ce52H/s2019/Smith's%20Longspur%20Jensen's%20Corral%2022%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2019" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkKRTl8Wgs-oxon18kM8oki9z_i0N6QUajU2Lhy_gPyeAt6pGnEGxlwdNeMuLDuCCEKjJ2YEeGsPIqjtX_ZWkaqXAO0GHE2dIlT61ROyGsjqZ-zWRWrEuMCzcqmFC7yqg68lORqnAQjzgAUg6P5A5gzbHd_tyNxLyzcQ3vh00Hr2iplnBCyl4Ce52H/w640-h316/Smith's%20Longspur%20Jensen's%20Corral%2022%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">a singing male Smith's Longspur in the low tundra grass near Jensen's Corral--about an hour north of the Tombstone</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> campground.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The 17th of June was a long day for me. I crossed the Peel River by ferry, then the mighty Mackenzie by ferry. Ever northward... I had thoughts of camping in Inuvik (the largest town on the Dempster), but because it was a local weekend holiday, all of the campgrounds in Inuvik were full. Frustrated, at 5pm I simply got back into my car and continued driving north along the Dempster extension, northward to Tuktoyaktuk. Since there were no campgrounds, even though the hours ticked by, I kept moving, until I found myself, at 8pm, in a parking lot facing the Beaufort Sea--the very end of Beaufort Street. I had completed my drive to the Arctic Ocean!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubBFWT2TT4tPRKyvbAOPWRC9RnRyImimeknlkRCMJF0cywVq9Hv7ycRkdmE44gJEwO_F6iVkaV-DK-1_X03klGdBvf-g7duwJ25L9MY8iCBXBL4K4gwpjztGC9KayhXojD0SB3a9AeksIiTgdg7icNv38zzekkWmyncDFzVfGLalSxGPXjMByhoZH/s1282/Smith's%20Longspur%20number%202%20closer%2022%20June.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1282" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubBFWT2TT4tPRKyvbAOPWRC9RnRyImimeknlkRCMJF0cywVq9Hv7ycRkdmE44gJEwO_F6iVkaV-DK-1_X03klGdBvf-g7duwJ25L9MY8iCBXBL4K4gwpjztGC9KayhXojD0SB3a9AeksIiTgdg7icNv38zzekkWmyncDFzVfGLalSxGPXjMByhoZH/w640-h500/Smith's%20Longspur%20number%202%20closer%2022%20June.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> a furtive male Smith's Longspur This songbird was one of the tougher species to locate in the vast tundra landscapes...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">The afternoon drive up to Tuktoyaktuk was mainly through lonely low tundra, mostly treeless. The weather had turned cloudy and drizzly, and aside from some jaegers and waterfowl, I saw very little wildlife. The road was in poor condition, and, frankly, I was worried about where I would spend the night in this far northern corner of Canada (now I was in the Northwest Territories, by the way). </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCgA5e8HKb3ywUcV0reMVzxmeqG2z4x1WHyANTkDIzMWn_s40khrUNB2_LCUWrOdwo1729nFr4WD887z7W-wrG1mDXUgocuLDl8zv29U25UBwtn9L-s-TjBQtrCsxhfDLahxUzT8ZiwqH2zwFZ90pE5CtbkmZMEEM3CrukXNIQsZ7NTqbs2oLPB-31/s2557/sunrie%20at%20Tuktoyaktuk.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2557" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCgA5e8HKb3ywUcV0reMVzxmeqG2z4x1WHyANTkDIzMWn_s40khrUNB2_LCUWrOdwo1729nFr4WD887z7W-wrG1mDXUgocuLDl8zv29U25UBwtn9L-s-TjBQtrCsxhfDLahxUzT8ZiwqH2zwFZ90pE5CtbkmZMEEM3CrukXNIQsZ7NTqbs2oLPB-31/w640-h312/sunrie%20at%20Tuktoyaktuk.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Unlike Utqiagvik, here at Tuktoyaktuk the tundra was mainly snow-free, but the sea was still pretty much iced over</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I was now on the North Slope, just east of the vast Mackenzie Delta. That was a known breeding grounds for Hudsonian Godwit--the bird that ostensibly drew me to Tuktoyaktuk. But I had no means to get into the Delta. I had not carried out the due diligence to figure that out (presumably it would involve a helicopter, which is always an expensive proposition). </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDVm0q5JnKhPZOCzw97cwotWItSSiXbbLmb1OWxdqy0-rYUyYjaEy7RhHMVrVr9H1o1wCbUFftF93iW8Cfx9M6_JkLsJdSTRJ_rKCw1fuXxzt47epZSeecG39qZjOBRi498nJ69ze3BhvaHOST3bWBnB0oGA_roGbRJjamGHiMI-KnwSaImMSNKnxi/s2550/Tuk%20view%20of%20Beaufort%20Sea%20and%20sunrise.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2550" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDVm0q5JnKhPZOCzw97cwotWItSSiXbbLmb1OWxdqy0-rYUyYjaEy7RhHMVrVr9H1o1wCbUFftF93iW8Cfx9M6_JkLsJdSTRJ_rKCw1fuXxzt47epZSeecG39qZjOBRi498nJ69ze3BhvaHOST3bWBnB0oGA_roGbRJjamGHiMI-KnwSaImMSNKnxi/w640-h314/Tuk%20view%20of%20Beaufort%20Sea%20and%20sunrise.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> The end of the road! Here I am, where the sun never sets, a mere 4,530 miles from Bethesda, Maryland. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">I had spent months daydreaming about Tuktoyaktuk during the covid years, during which I could not travel to Canada. And now I had finally made it to this mysterious and distant destination with a bunch of other adventure-minded travelers, all corralled in a gravel parking lot. We were made welcome. There was a large covered structure with a set of picnice tables which was perfect for setting up for dinner. This I did with a couple from Newburgh, New York. There were probably fifteen other cars or RVs in the large parking area that served informally as a campground. Most were arrayed out along the shore. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvKlTocV93pQcWSDWfJGNV9NbA-ziLdM-UQRXGM9ep5zovlTLf7YWZVCkl6pSEZHNiNx_tRbCPjI7nBhdsMGEpWtxytKPMCoSixq4uuEx0gaSKysbajhp4crGL2kfkJr3kL5edJe5PkQe5h87eHgccNQWWOkE5NWqAgBvGjEFWIIKl29SI5cBw3ro/s2004/Tuktoyaktuk%20visitors.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2004" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvKlTocV93pQcWSDWfJGNV9NbA-ziLdM-UQRXGM9ep5zovlTLf7YWZVCkl6pSEZHNiNx_tRbCPjI7nBhdsMGEpWtxytKPMCoSixq4uuEx0gaSKysbajhp4crGL2kfkJr3kL5edJe5PkQe5h87eHgccNQWWOkE5NWqAgBvGjEFWIIKl29SI5cBw3ro/w640-h400/Tuktoyaktuk%20visitors.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> A friendly couple pay us a visit with their two children (who are playing on the ATV out of sight). Trevor, fron Newburgh,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> NY, on right. My dirty car in background...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">We were visited by a number of curious and friendly Inuvialiut residents, who had nothing better to do that evening. They arrived in cars and ATVs, and asked us all manner of questions...they wanted to socialize with these long-distance visitors... I chatted while working to make a dinner for myself. By 9pm the parking lot was buzzing with cars and people. It was like any other small town on a summer evening... A single Pomarine Jaeger flew by... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnv5T04iLsm9gZNnoz6YfdX-aqIF2pEJ-s5P2Fv-3Q3VAj4NZL8qWquahIESOHQ89a4d95Khp1nMQ6wBjrRj5uxXQz7jAmEgRIHJufme081I9_LQdXRI4opovYgi44n-6xeHuPyKdnMNSBtFO1mgeJhEgPA3ZzVoq1k9duyLhcffpHbqOFHzWz-IeO/s3087/Tuktoyasktuk%20bays%20and%20sun%20rays.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="3087" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnv5T04iLsm9gZNnoz6YfdX-aqIF2pEJ-s5P2Fv-3Q3VAj4NZL8qWquahIESOHQ89a4d95Khp1nMQ6wBjrRj5uxXQz7jAmEgRIHJufme081I9_LQdXRI4opovYgi44n-6xeHuPyKdnMNSBtFO1mgeJhEgPA3ZzVoq1k9duyLhcffpHbqOFHzWz-IeO/w640-h260/Tuktoyasktuk%20bays%20and%20sun%20rays.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> dawn in Tuktoyaktuk</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As it got later and later I tried to ignore my new friends and eat my dinner, and I started worrying about where I would sleep and whether I would set up my tent in the parking lot or not... By 11pm I decided to sleep in the car, which I moved over to the others parked near the shore... By then it had dawned on me that I had not adequately planned for Tuktoyaktuk. But I was too sleepy to worry much about it. Cars passed through the parking lot through the night. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDHfJePvwPe3mdGZo_pck7qSw9eTvikkxYIQXmfrRQIrFZnEq3u208Gi0oK2IBvKrqYwb54gAxAW46hyP9Fg5NVa2-ay9Vx2pjUcRdnmOrmwXpUu76ZCrogC1XkqqA-YtUDljKPs9gZktoMoDwgcFPD_s4ChzXXjqHdyW_g0hWJ4e89PQWXC52byaC/s3087/Tuktoyasktuk%20bays%20and%20sun%20rays.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCYcbi84ZNe7l3tCzxkG_lQD4yY8u8slxNbJjmmAUpJBXAHIBkvu-IYplr6WD5yMTuWb5PA1-IJB8DJ_L76vGjg7NGLxWFNESFNKuzULTHgYtne0ISf-_twIJhUaB236q7Q4tsTpAX76luTN3ciB22AXIb6k-6rVQ0ikBryZ6YTrWQo7aqZJYKXg89/s2467/White%20Spruce%20spires%20over%20Black%20Spruce%20and%20Larch%2018%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2467" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCYcbi84ZNe7l3tCzxkG_lQD4yY8u8slxNbJjmmAUpJBXAHIBkvu-IYplr6WD5yMTuWb5PA1-IJB8DJ_L76vGjg7NGLxWFNESFNKuzULTHgYtne0ISf-_twIJhUaB236q7Q4tsTpAX76luTN3ciB22AXIb6k-6rVQ0ikBryZ6YTrWQo7aqZJYKXg89/w640-h324/White%20Spruce%20spires%20over%20Black%20Spruce%20and%20Larch%2018%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Drier hilltops supported tall White Spruce, which towered over the Black Spruce, creating these curious forests</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">The next morning I rose early. It was rather gloomy and most of wht I saw there in Tuk was post-Industrial. Tuktoyaktuk was formerly an important military installation for the Cold War. Right on the DEW Line, with radars of the "defense early warning" system, poised to detect Soviet ICBMs headed to NYC and DC. All that serious hardware is still there, but it is now superseded by space-based surveillance. So Tuk is a mix of indigenous village and decaying military installations. That morning, in the gloom, it did not offer me much solace. Without much thinking, I headed slowly southward, stopping to identify all the birds I saw in the many ponds and lakes I passed. I searched for shorebirds and looked for possible habitat for the vanishingly-rare Gray-headed Chickadee... </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghLv0r8gYm3W80_89cNZhw3eUlfSMgUhrTdll_58KYIMTs_Fqp8kr2sLpJce9OC-XFk_2eompxRg9_WVY8gEz-EdqusdEaHOVNuJfnYNzd2jdsAnvjmBLwpgZA1p7F5vWlDK3xHt0ri0b7z0uPzOo6tFcymbcIex3C5Q_zmkIAPfJoV3_WJuPHrnfD/s2408/Tombstone%20vista.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2408" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghLv0r8gYm3W80_89cNZhw3eUlfSMgUhrTdll_58KYIMTs_Fqp8kr2sLpJce9OC-XFk_2eompxRg9_WVY8gEz-EdqusdEaHOVNuJfnYNzd2jdsAnvjmBLwpgZA1p7F5vWlDK3xHt0ri0b7z0uPzOo6tFcymbcIex3C5Q_zmkIAPfJoV3_WJuPHrnfD/w640-h332/Tombstone%20vista.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCgf_hg1sgdXiQ2OniF898d8euZqZd9eDgKONQz_K1-HKkaGQ4luTd4EArbqjvVR2FDqBAr_YcJfe6kGN5we2NYTZ_d8jOf5yvgeMKx3aSXT3ZtP4jGoHuItroiP12lsgaYa68AxnTyt7xM-s_SuVHsAvy6NmLtfpo7ltf9lxrEY0eSKktwGJOoixB/s1972/Grizzly%20boar%20on%20Dempster%20north%20of%20Tombstone%2017%20June.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1972" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCgf_hg1sgdXiQ2OniF898d8euZqZd9eDgKONQz_K1-HKkaGQ4luTd4EArbqjvVR2FDqBAr_YcJfe6kGN5we2NYTZ_d8jOf5yvgeMKx3aSXT3ZtP4jGoHuItroiP12lsgaYa68AxnTyt7xM-s_SuVHsAvy6NmLtfpo7ltf9lxrEY0eSKktwGJOoixB/w640-h324/Grizzly%20boar%20on%20Dempster%20north%20of%20Tombstone%2017%20June.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>Installment #9 will feature more of the natural history of the Dempster Highway, NW Territories</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Bruce Beehlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15885008878848042968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4395290943835782922.post-45426705538616088042022-07-26T13:52:00.002-07:002022-07-26T13:52:59.896-07:00<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ8nHgsUuPfdtPEAPigs8kqFrg-2q_Fz1HRj4b2tHKOuOic73awWPumadYNy5McOP3miG5t89x-f2LGnSJlGEDUrhoIOdp6jRqyXvNkoL42W97VbHLAxGBESmcrnZBXdSRqWRD5K99VvXmK6aeVrKBWNs0bi607wBtuYV5A_qQzeM8chxFpKeICf1K/s2510/Sea%20Ice%20in%20Barrow%2013%20June%202022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2510" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ8nHgsUuPfdtPEAPigs8kqFrg-2q_Fz1HRj4b2tHKOuOic73awWPumadYNy5McOP3miG5t89x-f2LGnSJlGEDUrhoIOdp6jRqyXvNkoL42W97VbHLAxGBESmcrnZBXdSRqWRD5K99VvXmK6aeVrKBWNs0bi607wBtuYV5A_qQzeM8chxFpKeICf1K/w640-h318/Sea%20Ice%20in%20Barrow%2013%20June%202022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: times;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Across the Continent (part 7 of 10)</span></i></b></div><h1 style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; margin: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Utqiagvik (Point Barrow), Alaska<br /></b><b>11-14 June 2022</b></span></span></h1><div><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc0DlIf8juvgyPRneUdaqFSOR6Pr_eMOwm8IN32U1lq3n1HE9zPfe_ztIdSSBHIIO7ozoDYT-xQDKwArLMXXYbtU_fVLNi01wga1pZnajTGeSIB7Y5lPWmLhjtl2V-vp1d-NX3SRCQSMRUKFmhdNY--6EG54pYcgJMt8XEpk5z39rJSZv9xSxwa5E0/s2211/Common%20Eider%20flock%20migrating%20north%209%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="2211" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc0DlIf8juvgyPRneUdaqFSOR6Pr_eMOwm8IN32U1lq3n1HE9zPfe_ztIdSSBHIIO7ozoDYT-xQDKwArLMXXYbtU_fVLNi01wga1pZnajTGeSIB7Y5lPWmLhjtl2V-vp1d-NX3SRCQSMRUKFmhdNY--6EG54pYcgJMt8XEpk5z39rJSZv9xSxwa5E0/w640-h218/Common%20Eider%20flock%20migrating%20north%209%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>From the sandy beach facing the Chukchi Sea on the western side of Utqiagvik town, one looked out on an unbroken jumble of sea ice. What we could not see, was the open ocean, which in fact was just a couple of miles out. This open ocean is where the local hunters would go out in search of Bowhead Whales and other edible forms of sea life. The beach here was a good place in the morning to see flocks of eiders and loons passing northeastward, headed to their breeding grounds along the north coast of Alaska.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqEyNCdhBFwYeYYBZfCa8REDqVcoWWGTvCl7r5ONMoYASluWr7kv83ceghKDiD_XlNPiq_CbwXRBYkvdl76Se2c9u-njkbsOs4qrBFcnah1xqPcKoBvPnAiQC-j4EeA-gMzern64eflnZWLzH57wBCJjqX7wxgDH7oEbaJo7Br44A2lhr5c902Etn/s3297/Polar%20Bear%20looking%20at%20us%209%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="2054" data-original-width="3297" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqEyNCdhBFwYeYYBZfCa8REDqVcoWWGTvCl7r5ONMoYASluWr7kv83ceghKDiD_XlNPiq_CbwXRBYkvdl76Se2c9u-njkbsOs4qrBFcnah1xqPcKoBvPnAiQC-j4EeA-gMzern64eflnZWLzH57wBCJjqX7wxgDH7oEbaJo7Br44A2lhr5c902Etn/w640-h398/Polar%20Bear%20looking%20at%20us%209%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I did not expect to see any Polar Bears on my visit, but was surprised by an individual that I encountered on two different days during my stay. The bear was attracted to some Caribou parts that somebody had tossed out on the ice. A crowd would gather on the beach to admire this bear... On one of the days a Polar Bear, perhaps this one, sauntered into the gas station in town and created a stir. It had to be shooed off by the Bear Patrol.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZzfUD4eKoVGOkIxIlS30sW-djvGNs-JToazMKB_COURudVWSCnKDBdBPqRbusr4O-bNTmr5Im9nf8DOgMZWMYJKeXmUq3VUPWnK7KaWssFAefSoXJr0embZjlohP0I-rcf2ao8_F1xtV4X_UbqCCuBnNxm5ROs_bUkt5xV-YHTOjMrvfB4D-aVtRn/s1816/Polar%20Bear%20looking%20down%209%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1816" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZzfUD4eKoVGOkIxIlS30sW-djvGNs-JToazMKB_COURudVWSCnKDBdBPqRbusr4O-bNTmr5Im9nf8DOgMZWMYJKeXmUq3VUPWnK7KaWssFAefSoXJr0embZjlohP0I-rcf2ao8_F1xtV4X_UbqCCuBnNxm5ROs_bUkt5xV-YHTOjMrvfB4D-aVtRn/w640-h440/Polar%20Bear%20looking%20down%209%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Jaegers are the avian predators that patrol the shore and the frozen tundra. Here up north it was mainly Pomarine and Parasitic Jaegers. Recall, in Nome, it was the Long-tailed that dominated, and the Parasitic and Pomarines were relatively uncommon. The only true raptor we saw in Utqiagvik was a single Peregrine Falcon, migrating northeastward...</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1tAnd7SnYp0OG5aLljMuiQwVal1Jcn0ZvMQ2RGNfTjyCCCpIyO-1zm_jitA0wNpDMukoibJPxtCbGQEYPcEwCVO08Eu07FsFKjTfAMvHJAHV7cqtli1etGiEBu2LBJT6lRW3S_lzm0sKK9XMpVzWIoXKHs5TbS-U0GguQGjvXRtpNsCJFvExAu4uZ/s1871/Pomarine%20Jaeger%20in%20flight%208%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1871" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1tAnd7SnYp0OG5aLljMuiQwVal1Jcn0ZvMQ2RGNfTjyCCCpIyO-1zm_jitA0wNpDMukoibJPxtCbGQEYPcEwCVO08Eu07FsFKjTfAMvHJAHV7cqtli1etGiEBu2LBJT6lRW3S_lzm0sKK9XMpVzWIoXKHs5TbS-U0GguQGjvXRtpNsCJFvExAu4uZ/w640-h342/Pomarine%20Jaeger%20in%20flight%208%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>In Nome, I saw Red-necked Phalaropes, whereas in Utqiagvik is was mainly Red Phalaropes, with a few Red-necked thrown in the mix. The Red Phalaropes seems perfectly at home in the icy water along the roadside. They paid the birders no mind and allowed close approach.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhitDoru4brmCDAQmImQ4wrNLI5dxweEYK9kGn8Mln7ixnhbRElWxEbxAL30zDYGs1nXayFA4C8poA8nb-BZ_xhC2LF92rxfutpHdZkgz2CAeALCJ5jq0IpxzLYr4O4aSNIE5lHZsXCSsInJLvXTfg3Zx6fjPACSRPlRW8r1Doyb0vS-n6Sn2vLoCPy/s1952/Red%20Phalarope%20female%20adult%208%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1952" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhitDoru4brmCDAQmImQ4wrNLI5dxweEYK9kGn8Mln7ixnhbRElWxEbxAL30zDYGs1nXayFA4C8poA8nb-BZ_xhC2LF92rxfutpHdZkgz2CAeALCJ5jq0IpxzLYr4O4aSNIE5lHZsXCSsInJLvXTfg3Zx6fjPACSRPlRW8r1Doyb0vS-n6Sn2vLoCPy/w640-h410/Red%20Phalarope%20female%20adult%208%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Lapland Longspurs were second only to the Snow Buntings in Utqiagvik. They were actively in display in spite of the mainly gloomy weather... </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY0NSCErf0uzY2jBBUy7CowcmnXsCrGHfVXOIL_n5qNLWsnXiaO6euNHjq2W6NaVYQYQAftp5qfzb9FketlZhNv-_It9V7Uo3clPGIucfB04gB3yF8VYsPiPqpjjnprOTPxgL6JpQyI7b02FwzAYx3qou33mcdrkA1JLX_F1PSK5lsIPnOsRM3ctmp/s1824/Lapland%20Longspur%20Nome%202%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1824" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY0NSCErf0uzY2jBBUy7CowcmnXsCrGHfVXOIL_n5qNLWsnXiaO6euNHjq2W6NaVYQYQAftp5qfzb9FketlZhNv-_It9V7Uo3clPGIucfB04gB3yF8VYsPiPqpjjnprOTPxgL6JpQyI7b02FwzAYx3qou33mcdrkA1JLX_F1PSK5lsIPnOsRM3ctmp/w640-h350/Lapland%20Longspur%20Nome%202%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Driving out Gaswell Road, one had the strong impression of "winter (see below)." Little wet spots along the verges of the road allowed for small parties of arriving shorebirds to huddle and forage. These included Dunlin; Semipalmated, Pectoral, and Western Sandpipers; and Red Knots and Sanderlings. We were told by a meterological researcher that the spring expanse of open water out beyond the coastal beach ice produced humidity that fell as excess snow on the region, making recent springs snowier that normal. So in this case, local warming was producing more snow rather than less... </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqSGEjDZs-bbFZoanI-QtndqwnTf2DJ7X2VCxUlz6_M-ApjeUeLvoNvG6V_33zQrx8twdEQJ5XBQtKXc8zon81llyKz0_3xU7TM271KrpRWEWAigWCRfw49Hx8IL_7guB3AuNoBgJU0bEjTajBq0ntltwN36Trz8CjFvYQzOZEFCVbhKnJ10Xuu9U/s2066/spring%20in%20Utqiagvik.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2066" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqSGEjDZs-bbFZoanI-QtndqwnTf2DJ7X2VCxUlz6_M-ApjeUeLvoNvG6V_33zQrx8twdEQJ5XBQtKXc8zon81llyKz0_3xU7TM271KrpRWEWAigWCRfw49Hx8IL_7guB3AuNoBgJU0bEjTajBq0ntltwN36Trz8CjFvYQzOZEFCVbhKnJ10Xuu9U/w640-h388/spring%20in%20Utqiagvik.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>One morning I saw a child in town playing. She was wearing a parka with a lovely fringe of Wolverine fur, which is reputed to be the ideal fur for parka hoods...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXIzPxHgdiTSQ6NJnYrZm29p2DZhL0qk410c4OXWUPF0mkEw3CoSmb2NJSWyC0Z0Cfaz9cgRHLQSElSU37xYldyYyoZIvnssGzM2LdaKOLZBgrB9F12Z_hOInNSputl6zq8ZJC0YitGbSu7MnmEIqLvPbHqgkRG1b6vwhdoL3uz2Dvl07eIliUKrn/s1784/Snow%20Bunting%20male%20displaying%2010%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1784" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXIzPxHgdiTSQ6NJnYrZm29p2DZhL0qk410c4OXWUPF0mkEw3CoSmb2NJSWyC0Z0Cfaz9cgRHLQSElSU37xYldyYyoZIvnssGzM2LdaKOLZBgrB9F12Z_hOInNSputl6zq8ZJC0YitGbSu7MnmEIqLvPbHqgkRG1b6vwhdoL3uz2Dvl07eIliUKrn/w640-h448/Snow%20Bunting%20male%20displaying%2010%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I never tired of watching the male Snow Buntings do their spring display antics... They were everywhere in town and along the roads. Antic is indeed the word for them... <br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6UpU8w1cQWNbE7nAo_C13iiB607K5uF3zFNXKbHs0ojD7zJ77qvg62xZgv32VXwtqWtRi5EAqXGSnEylwmp4iBujYn2C4IJ8iqjJ4f7UvfR_w_bwKLmOQHa4MKSvJq8y_vcSE5L-4MI2juOM40GRr9jVjNk89poLHyCXl6szPdtdYJJK5Tv_nPR7r/s2896/Arctic%20Fox%20collared%2010%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2896" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6UpU8w1cQWNbE7nAo_C13iiB607K5uF3zFNXKbHs0ojD7zJ77qvg62xZgv32VXwtqWtRi5EAqXGSnEylwmp4iBujYn2C4IJ8iqjJ4f7UvfR_w_bwKLmOQHa4MKSvJq8y_vcSE5L-4MI2juOM40GRr9jVjNk89poLHyCXl6szPdtdYJJK5Tv_nPR7r/w640-h276/Arctic%20Fox%20collared%2010%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>One of the Arctic Foxes we encountered has a radio collar. Some research student must be working on them here. Because of its northerly location, Utqiagvik is a famed site for biological research in the Arctic. We bump into young researchers out and about every day... In this season, the town is filled with visitors--birders and environmental researchers... </div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJg8pek1Lb2GnmZLT9aHmTxfHh0hr-E3NM2NXwoGXm6kCztUSyIzWpRZmgziX5YgLrujKbGpPDUHxOeHMItBgcak7UPo_0DfHxNMGwqJWlAyCEUbw13QnCST8jKsXfmXtc5mxGkn7OHrrEiDNMJ9cZYteys-LgeZDVGWaebeDc_S5Odb76VDThLxGA/s1905/Barrow%20birding.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1905" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJg8pek1Lb2GnmZLT9aHmTxfHh0hr-E3NM2NXwoGXm6kCztUSyIzWpRZmgziX5YgLrujKbGpPDUHxOeHMItBgcak7UPo_0DfHxNMGwqJWlAyCEUbw13QnCST8jKsXfmXtc5mxGkn7OHrrEiDNMJ9cZYteys-LgeZDVGWaebeDc_S5Odb76VDThLxGA/w640-h336/Barrow%20birding.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This is Dave Powell watching a Red-necked Stint in the gravel pit. This was a good birding spot just at the edge of town. In fact, every nook and corner of Utqiagvik was a birding spot. One had to visit each and every strange little place to see all the birds there... I would love to go back there in mid-June when the snow and ice were in retreat and the temperature a bit higher... </div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiglyxS-c560ITRH-Mg_JT1-DVq4KuFH0TnyW2XZW7LujeaqfsVy_r3TFecch_637XOzPtmVhMOgMmLGBU_Va6fHe-REMf0SM-b4um9G_XAISfZ_p3gPRlHFq7TmNhmLChLZal4D8__-GF8ydLerVZQF86R8UvMPZfqDE8J3fX4dMFI1Gp76Or0BlsF/s1999/Dunlin%20flock%208%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1999" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiglyxS-c560ITRH-Mg_JT1-DVq4KuFH0TnyW2XZW7LujeaqfsVy_r3TFecch_637XOzPtmVhMOgMmLGBU_Va6fHe-REMf0SM-b4um9G_XAISfZ_p3gPRlHFq7TmNhmLChLZal4D8__-GF8ydLerVZQF86R8UvMPZfqDE8J3fX4dMFI1Gp76Or0BlsF/w640-h320/Dunlin%20flock%208%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The Dunlins were the most handsome of the shorebirds while I was there. This is an important breeding site for them and we saw them in numbers.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5pRIdyItboeVROggvYuLzLDeGoVXgEZ0RU1lIfni7Lsp9FVlVUm46iauCu5msfDIXfwVa-Zz5MwmV_nLIdUd2wTAkJYqJHXYKlRx_dHS4fz8DGeMpnkmaEaICmnUUImwp89FWdE93hOw1WiDh5M3To6d4ASs5_Yonhtzo-kPXz822TSRw2-RDec7g/s1561/Greater%20White-fronted%20Geese%20pair%209%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1561" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5pRIdyItboeVROggvYuLzLDeGoVXgEZ0RU1lIfni7Lsp9FVlVUm46iauCu5msfDIXfwVa-Zz5MwmV_nLIdUd2wTAkJYqJHXYKlRx_dHS4fz8DGeMpnkmaEaICmnUUImwp89FWdE93hOw1WiDh5M3To6d4ASs5_Yonhtzo-kPXz822TSRw2-RDec7g/w640-h410/Greater%20White-fronted%20Geese%20pair%209%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Greater White-fronted Geese, in pairs, were everywhere. They are the "Golf Course Goose" equivalent in Utqiagvik... <br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj3DivHz5g4yF8Z5IcBdbZNZt0pYvTouyBYZSQsxN_XsKdWhn2oCxQD9-u1bPPwxx5dDu2dTTosfQagKB9TM1xdbx7Fu5QVi2MKN-GTGzsVEPrAOhxrtBgjaYV3e5FzSiVvckTjVvdh2RoJiBoM4mBR7z1nj7sqRk7irV4Cy7Z-cCbhrqE3KaJkcEk/s1938/King%20Eider%20drake%20in%20pond%209%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1938" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj3DivHz5g4yF8Z5IcBdbZNZt0pYvTouyBYZSQsxN_XsKdWhn2oCxQD9-u1bPPwxx5dDu2dTTosfQagKB9TM1xdbx7Fu5QVi2MKN-GTGzsVEPrAOhxrtBgjaYV3e5FzSiVvckTjVvdh2RoJiBoM4mBR7z1nj7sqRk7irV4Cy7Z-cCbhrqE3KaJkcEk/w640-h330/King%20Eider%20drake%20in%20pond%209%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Here is a drake King Eider. We saw this species in small numbers and they never really allowed us to get close to them. A pity! What's worse, the Spectacled Eiders made themselves distinctly scarce and were even harder to photograph...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjolW0nVZJB8Dk_G8VSLHou60ica1cFabbcUl5yqEhVVlwtK7ZJEEEsCxg81COG2nVP9QRlbacDXkiqzkzE1xG6xlq9GcRADKpF1hlJp1XV9YTSci6UBXfAK0A-qqxnho4aXIEpIqv5bOEETzks6GKAHH-6YbtzACvXTVfXrkfrBouXhQM8yPAiRUIf/s3518/x-IMG_1028.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1914" data-original-width="3518" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjolW0nVZJB8Dk_G8VSLHou60ica1cFabbcUl5yqEhVVlwtK7ZJEEEsCxg81COG2nVP9QRlbacDXkiqzkzE1xG6xlq9GcRADKpF1hlJp1XV9YTSci6UBXfAK0A-qqxnho4aXIEpIqv5bOEETzks6GKAHH-6YbtzACvXTVfXrkfrBouXhQM8yPAiRUIf/w640-h348/x-IMG_1028.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Its a tough and long winter here in Utqiagvik! </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_-J2n8s5mQKP_YfG8ZMvujHQCEEP-tMhih55tkzNsd9wvZu21038Moxw_av0a2u5GHdcR_mkVA0yJSxj95rtYlDCzbuIB4lrrRnFC_kwCO-O7MS1lHWlI7h2OydBofedQl53ULzjFlUs6yJHVUPoTItXdJtkmSwL0oASQKz7Eyp6bDMB0S-nxZuo/s3390/Steller's%20Eiders%20group%20roosting%209%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="3390" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_-J2n8s5mQKP_YfG8ZMvujHQCEEP-tMhih55tkzNsd9wvZu21038Moxw_av0a2u5GHdcR_mkVA0yJSxj95rtYlDCzbuIB4lrrRnFC_kwCO-O7MS1lHWlI7h2OydBofedQl53ULzjFlUs6yJHVUPoTItXdJtkmSwL0oASQKz7Eyp6bDMB0S-nxZuo/w640-h188/Steller's%20Eiders%20group%20roosting%209%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">a party of loafing Steller's Eiders</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Some of the High Arctic species birders hope to see in Utqiagvik were not in evidence during my stay there. I dipped on Yellow-billed Loon, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, and Baird's Sandpiper. Of course, that's part of the birding experience...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgimevp2poYH1mRHOcGfTwtyVPcLl0QP__n7X-5yE0iuH_6Hey4hGHCkznK-8kymZUdqlgygIIj4Z65rlHbiMHKlAQrkEX4F87eaiYJFA2Eoht2eX23tQqzrzNflREcA0-1GT5s7dPhvJz-QrTVQDa5M-7lKzFcjTbpToWNF4tk4praa0ZF0xzcNeQh/s2820/Brant%20Pair.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2820" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgimevp2poYH1mRHOcGfTwtyVPcLl0QP__n7X-5yE0iuH_6Hey4hGHCkznK-8kymZUdqlgygIIj4Z65rlHbiMHKlAQrkEX4F87eaiYJFA2Eoht2eX23tQqzrzNflREcA0-1GT5s7dPhvJz-QrTVQDa5M-7lKzFcjTbpToWNF4tk4praa0ZF0xzcNeQh/w640-h226/Brant%20Pair.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Brant breed up there and we saw them in flocks... <br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSgT5hmF6f5-RiCS7zyybgqv0n1Xg_GK5wtS7q0XCnN8nvOuu6jUYeDXD8aAs4WEziYLTklUxB0WOWH3b0DwL9uyDaJshgJN-jQ3ZsWHKMJE3a7u4nYMywwyM7LNBJL8_EBPxnDSClkjHpWHANSgUsVpH-pTu_7WXjoiEWJ0pL6ditdSHq43uO589T/s1250/Pectoral%20Sandpiper%20face%20on.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1206" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSgT5hmF6f5-RiCS7zyybgqv0n1Xg_GK5wtS7q0XCnN8nvOuu6jUYeDXD8aAs4WEziYLTklUxB0WOWH3b0DwL9uyDaJshgJN-jQ3ZsWHKMJE3a7u4nYMywwyM7LNBJL8_EBPxnDSClkjHpWHANSgUsVpH-pTu_7WXjoiEWJ0pL6ditdSHq43uO589T/w618-h640/Pectoral%20Sandpiper%20face%20on.JPG" width="618" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Pectoral Sandpiper</span></div><div><br /></div><div>The Dunlins, Semipalmated Sandpipers and Pectoral Sandpipers were all displaying upon arrival, which was a special treat for me... The sounds they made, the flights they took, and the aggressive acts were all great fun to experience.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1ksMMTOIzDNis7ZfGZhQMEpNbt8k37pPmDKD_MxZzw64RhHEB_O2UHuDfg_in-I0RpSXTySnf1VP23Zsob76sqhvHeOQwCn_JrJcsOysD846Z8eT6Gm-1jufEWi_pozRfWQ3rIsWaNgG3pnWgSUQ04rg2AIVBbE1FR3XBHIX6InAokJ-t1-5zs3R/s2080/Parasitic%20Jaeger%20Barrow.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2080" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1ksMMTOIzDNis7ZfGZhQMEpNbt8k37pPmDKD_MxZzw64RhHEB_O2UHuDfg_in-I0RpSXTySnf1VP23Zsob76sqhvHeOQwCn_JrJcsOysD846Z8eT6Gm-1jufEWi_pozRfWQ3rIsWaNgG3pnWgSUQ04rg2AIVBbE1FR3XBHIX6InAokJ-t1-5zs3R/w640-h308/Parasitic%20Jaeger%20Barrow.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">adult pale morph Parasitic Jaeger</span></div><div><br /></div><div>So.... the very first "bump" I faced on this long field trip of mine was experienced here in Utqiagvik. My scheduled return flight back to Anchorage on the afternoon of the 11th of June was "cancelled." The plane came, flew once over the airport, and promptly flew back to Anchorage (with its complement of passengers). This sort of things was repeated the next day. I did not get a flight back to Anchorage until the afternoon of the 14th, and the hotel bills and my re-booking charge by Alaska Airlines cost me a bundle. I won't bore you with the details, but the experience I had was quite excruciating, with miscommunications, false information, recriminations, wasted trips to the airport, and the like. Oh well.. All part of the travel experience these days... </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG7Ce5Fvue3eHw6kHoXd9rbcu2O3Z2NKnPe-E_yIPX3CDxLG6k4Uy6fINV00hDNvJ-48tLR7HNfaaOLJpCkHS2ToLYFipjTS569yaiUwDoTNe1M1hhIX3uwrE741xvV_IdnshfgjAhtMkJyDnBGWVJ6OL0PwyelUb7qEnLGUGsrr7RTyqJjB0OliOw/s2224/White-front%20pair%20in%20air.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2224" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG7Ce5Fvue3eHw6kHoXd9rbcu2O3Z2NKnPe-E_yIPX3CDxLG6k4Uy6fINV00hDNvJ-48tLR7HNfaaOLJpCkHS2ToLYFipjTS569yaiUwDoTNe1M1hhIX3uwrE741xvV_IdnshfgjAhtMkJyDnBGWVJ6OL0PwyelUb7qEnLGUGsrr7RTyqJjB0OliOw/w640-h288/White-front%20pair%20in%20air.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Greater White-fronted Geese</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcV9tcn3ujJq4mm0jeCGJtC3X_LR3c-uwf6-KsVxlyjgX2ImAaP432rP9Rnpnuk-QhXaJiwpyCCmUmiJvmZGvUEpo5RTOYsD-5uKmE3rIobZ_HJqdRHpxphCoh74X-NJb9BhFNCvdg5FmgMIZBK8aGKxf98iew0zYiUblcPoDOYHYhqDlOB8gb9HRU/s1713/Steller's%20drake%20in%20air.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1713" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcV9tcn3ujJq4mm0jeCGJtC3X_LR3c-uwf6-KsVxlyjgX2ImAaP432rP9Rnpnuk-QhXaJiwpyCCmUmiJvmZGvUEpo5RTOYsD-5uKmE3rIobZ_HJqdRHpxphCoh74X-NJb9BhFNCvdg5FmgMIZBK8aGKxf98iew0zYiUblcPoDOYHYhqDlOB8gb9HRU/w640-h374/Steller's%20drake%20in%20air.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">drake Steller's Eider--the most cooperative of the "rare" eiders of Utqiagvik</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwy6iM5K7xfLf4vmidQRNwIgH0ylspN3KVw8Xb7hNd6kEP6vF1tBR0tEkgoXBPGt-wvnV3qy8Ysp6FSukRircY-mPWRXSPvR0PHgNicYSJlBySBLzJMsjXS1GX8HamiD38DObxky6HNUe2ZIDbGJHTgDYsR5Tw_5SKQMz9wd45qcCOnzJn0KtkPYVK/s1813/Long-tailed%20Duck%20pair%2010%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1813" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwy6iM5K7xfLf4vmidQRNwIgH0ylspN3KVw8Xb7hNd6kEP6vF1tBR0tEkgoXBPGt-wvnV3qy8Ysp6FSukRircY-mPWRXSPvR0PHgNicYSJlBySBLzJMsjXS1GX8HamiD38DObxky6HNUe2ZIDbGJHTgDYsR5Tw_5SKQMz9wd45qcCOnzJn0KtkPYVK/w640-h354/Long-tailed%20Duck%20pair%2010%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">a breeding pair of Long-tailed Ducks</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWEDxhskY-AEl-f7tj_EYmbLhJrsgA6uUdY7_7xwd2S2xMrTKsGgvYnV_3HjqKTwgz52wnymmOLPrOP-lgjo0onbenv6swBieL9RwlwMg_JWqp4WRnJTz8fLUs5GAUnt7KUce0ROu72CnE61BbmbBhjSgJoIEXim7tG_kC7-YsHTPfIpqjD5P7i9rJ/s4584/Semipalmated%20Sandpiper%20image%20two%209%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2986" data-original-width="4584" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWEDxhskY-AEl-f7tj_EYmbLhJrsgA6uUdY7_7xwd2S2xMrTKsGgvYnV_3HjqKTwgz52wnymmOLPrOP-lgjo0onbenv6swBieL9RwlwMg_JWqp4WRnJTz8fLUs5GAUnt7KUce0ROu72CnE61BbmbBhjSgJoIEXim7tG_kC7-YsHTPfIpqjD5P7i9rJ/w640-h416/Semipalmated%20Sandpiper%20image%20two%209%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">A foraging Semipalmated Sandpiper... </span></div><div><br /></div><b><i>The next blog will feature a return to the Yukon and a drive up the Dempster Highway of Canada.</i></b><br /><div><br /></div>Bruce Beehlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15885008878848042968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4395290943835782922.post-62146947785929204722022-07-23T08:18:00.001-07:002022-07-23T08:18:22.985-07:00<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNBIVHQeMyyHvwPR_yNuKSUJ-PHm3Pz3b1aWNRKyxJXfgZacs3fsP5rrgLhlec0Xzwlck14s0JjMTQR2dmnG3kgtjX6eYClksD-vZacD3fHBgD6Ur85FMepPRUztnuCWfjo51viiR6a8wm-8ZRLGSWUDFg7GhTP34TkyeSiYEsq6i_3alqARdyepZ/s3992/x-IMG_1004.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1473" data-original-width="3992" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNBIVHQeMyyHvwPR_yNuKSUJ-PHm3Pz3b1aWNRKyxJXfgZacs3fsP5rrgLhlec0Xzwlck14s0JjMTQR2dmnG3kgtjX6eYClksD-vZacD3fHBgD6Ur85FMepPRUztnuCWfjo51viiR6a8wm-8ZRLGSWUDFg7GhTP34TkyeSiYEsq6i_3alqARdyepZ/w640-h236/x-IMG_1004.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">skulls of Bowhead Whales, from the annual subsistence harvest carried out each March</span><p></p><h1 style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; margin: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Across the Continent (part 6 of 10)</span><br /></i></b><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Utqiagvik (Point Barrow), Alaska<br /></b><b>8-11 June 2022</b></span></span></h1><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicnOJrjUlh1H-0UXUItiqGZaQFHyCHH4nOwpTYD9PCmVeTMyduuImHVjjG336K3uco2_EyNI8OKE3opgpcGBy-iJ_eJImFDycs9CQlcHz-Vsm5y7Cl6tAAm6F70oM-HENN8c-rGMouIej7Xyi67tj5DmPJZuXstWeZVGbJO3gN5gt59XUbTAQJqw4p/s2464/Steller's%20Eider%20pair%20in%20water%209%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2464" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicnOJrjUlh1H-0UXUItiqGZaQFHyCHH4nOwpTYD9PCmVeTMyduuImHVjjG336K3uco2_EyNI8OKE3opgpcGBy-iJ_eJImFDycs9CQlcHz-Vsm5y7Cl6tAAm6F70oM-HENN8c-rGMouIej7Xyi67tj5DmPJZuXstWeZVGbJO3gN5gt59XUbTAQJqw4p/w640-h260/Steller's%20Eider%20pair%20in%20water%209%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">pair of Steller's Eiders</span><br /><p>On the 7th of June I flew from Nome to Anchorage. After a night spent back in the Eagle River Campground I boarded an Alaska Airlines plane for the 90-minute flight to Utqiagvik (Pt. Barrow)--the northernmost point on mainland North America. It was warm and summery in Anchorage. Utqiagvik was in full-winter mode. The first three days I was there the high temperature was 32F and the low was 28F. The shoreline was stacked with ice. Most of the landscape was snow-covered. For a birder, this was a shock to the system that required some adjustment... and it makes one wonder why the migrant shorebirds and waterfowl would wish to arrive here so early in the season!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSD3tIZmSCIR8ONVrWXdiW68yDpDtoRRPNmSpaxmPmtpcfK6L6hGh7pxIPudYu7D_Dq5MPBpBQtYptfzYI6mcFIugC27LLoFhpK--kAEU8h3PAaks8Y13GuVeijknO5fUh77HTF18H26URGGW9moS0POp3Wupjz1xlTYZICSK0tCJRVCLJXFPvJvrn/s1667/church%20and%20sign%20in%20Barrow.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1667" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSD3tIZmSCIR8ONVrWXdiW68yDpDtoRRPNmSpaxmPmtpcfK6L6hGh7pxIPudYu7D_Dq5MPBpBQtYptfzYI6mcFIugC27LLoFhpK--kAEU8h3PAaks8Y13GuVeijknO5fUh77HTF18H26URGGW9moS0POp3Wupjz1xlTYZICSK0tCJRVCLJXFPvJvrn/w640-h480/church%20and%20sign%20in%20Barrow.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">downtown Utqiagvik</span></div><div><br /></div>The town is small and inhabited mainly by indigenous Inupiak residents. These are the most northerly residents of the North American mainland. The Inupiak are mainly subsistence hunters--depending on whales, other marine mammals, Caribou, and waterfowl. They must look upon us visiting birders with some bemusement... That said, my stay there was a pleasure and my Inupiaq hosts were very hospitable. <div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyxzIYveLQu7lU1bm1oTWW8cvbjmZyCQ_mgdSuUcBYz7kQYmXGOdwNkZiZQ08RTHC5LQHrirKkWSD5sIPDnIto8v3tRef57TjRaEX2tGvwKOo-50kopPUcM_3fYO3utG36oyAqiBH11ZBx4ToShHdFOT74AUVRoiNhWnRXnIIls3dsZfEpAcoWb0uM/s2397/birding%20Barrow.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2397" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyxzIYveLQu7lU1bm1oTWW8cvbjmZyCQ_mgdSuUcBYz7kQYmXGOdwNkZiZQ08RTHC5LQHrirKkWSD5sIPDnIto8v3tRef57TjRaEX2tGvwKOo-50kopPUcM_3fYO3utG36oyAqiBH11ZBx4ToShHdFOT74AUVRoiNhWnRXnIIls3dsZfEpAcoWb0uM/w640-h268/birding%20Barrow.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Dave Powell and Clive Harris, birders from Maryland, birding the gasfield road.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>As with Nome, Utqiagvik in early June is a Mecca for birders. I bumped into two fellow Montgomery Bird Club members on the flight up--Clive Harris and Dave Powell. I spent much of the first several days birding with them. I also bumped into a colleague from West Virginia who was here birding with friends--LeJay Graffious. Small world! </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmFVu1crGbNxJHIU8YGK6WQs8Wn4-d0rnEPY5GUmUYR27LjGzolv3BCNl6GUI3CqZQqBuAH4HQN9FZG_wgbWZxP8erwXgVhgQNsQ61ZOKOsfEMe4ch289nyUsv8ov5kqa7JfPEVsjvBzf4CgFI2I37cGIEVSL6x3tjSPe1oh5t5P-ysRh1E9dpU4sT/s1823/Great%20White-fronted%20Goose%209%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1823" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmFVu1crGbNxJHIU8YGK6WQs8Wn4-d0rnEPY5GUmUYR27LjGzolv3BCNl6GUI3CqZQqBuAH4HQN9FZG_wgbWZxP8erwXgVhgQNsQ61ZOKOsfEMe4ch289nyUsv8ov5kqa7JfPEVsjvBzf4CgFI2I37cGIEVSL6x3tjSPe1oh5t5P-ysRh1E9dpU4sT/w640-h438/Great%20White-fronted%20Goose%209%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Greater White-fronted Goose--the most common species of waterfowl in Utqiagvik</span></div><div><br /></div><div>The weather on arrival was rather gloomy--heavy overcast with occasional snow flurries. In spite of this, the Snow Buntings in town were in maximum display mode, and the White-fronted Geese were already paired and spending time mainly in town hanging out in those people's yards that were free of snow.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVYbsUR1qXFiODpjGCWfJVFCMY5zZrB8-Wr90Lf3XHU-iSITuoVlH8H7PwCWXC4sM3v-X0CNITdd5SMA12a8Pm-DXBR_WuBi-R_U1vWjggDAXU8LI2W4SnxplPQxXiI5y9OzfrhcEglaLQL3By81dEHic1-akbsjlqTpL_2doElyCcVXV7yzg7kmDz/s1707/King%20Eider%20pair%20in%20water%209%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1707" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVYbsUR1qXFiODpjGCWfJVFCMY5zZrB8-Wr90Lf3XHU-iSITuoVlH8H7PwCWXC4sM3v-X0CNITdd5SMA12a8Pm-DXBR_WuBi-R_U1vWjggDAXU8LI2W4SnxplPQxXiI5y9OzfrhcEglaLQL3By81dEHic1-akbsjlqTpL_2doElyCcVXV7yzg7kmDz/w640-h374/King%20Eider%20pair%20in%20water%209%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Seeing the four eider species was an objective of this visit--here are a pair of King Eiders (drake on the right)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Birding highlights of the first day were the commonplace and confiding Red Phalaropes (a Lifer for me) and the Pomarine Jaegers, patrolling the snowy tundra. And of course in June in Utqiagviak it never gets dark. Welcome to the land of the Midnight Sun! </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNmv6JwqIEZmwvYa1gSgzl78EIWBsqEY2JvvTvbO2Ln11lc3lNqBmkaCvJB1Y-E8BX42pFlSE_rli1LvGRVG1_i0zvckgm3gd0FreQ4Pqq5199lzRZCV7UGk8D3_lkyc0hAgsS4WYffs90MWAhg8BYy5H7GdYr9-cUCHnuPGz8bVtBKAiMWvgqR294/s1944/Lapland%20Longspur%20male%20on%20tundra%203%20June.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1944" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNmv6JwqIEZmwvYa1gSgzl78EIWBsqEY2JvvTvbO2Ln11lc3lNqBmkaCvJB1Y-E8BX42pFlSE_rli1LvGRVG1_i0zvckgm3gd0FreQ4Pqq5199lzRZCV7UGk8D3_lkyc0hAgsS4WYffs90MWAhg8BYy5H7GdYr9-cUCHnuPGz8bVtBKAiMWvgqR294/w640-h330/Lapland%20Longspur%20male%20on%20tundra%203%20June.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">male Lapland Longspur</span></div><br /><div>The songbirds are few (longspur, bunting, redpolls). Instead, the shorebirds and waterfowl are here in abundance. The featured ducks, of course, are the eiders. Here one can find all four of the Earth's eiders. We glimpsed all four on Day Two, but Steller's was the most accessible, and King was around in small numbers. Spectacled was the elusive one (I saw it once on this visit). Common Eiders flew over in flocks in the morning, heading eartward up along the north coast.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYqVnMHJh57wWnT5aLq95TUIcHzTO-FcSAqhpxG0zWOWfu8tAGzL_TeCK0iegm1kkYLwYcjZOuEDcXpG5iXwBpj_cGBTFp9f9vbaIHr-uCzHPO8LLdNvxUW8uPNlnQaFqG75xWEj9aha2NCf75WTgG6s0SjHXC2xN8JoCuInSPbGdoiYlDV3LuL9nP/s2193/Long-tailed%20Duck%20pair%20number%20two%2010%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2193" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYqVnMHJh57wWnT5aLq95TUIcHzTO-FcSAqhpxG0zWOWfu8tAGzL_TeCK0iegm1kkYLwYcjZOuEDcXpG5iXwBpj_cGBTFp9f9vbaIHr-uCzHPO8LLdNvxUW8uPNlnQaFqG75xWEj9aha2NCf75WTgG6s0SjHXC2xN8JoCuInSPbGdoiYlDV3LuL9nP/w640-h292/Long-tailed%20Duck%20pair%20number%20two%2010%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">pair of Long-tailed Duck, a very common duck in Utqiagvik</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Long-tailed Ducks were quite common here, often in flocks. This is one of the few ducks in which the winter plumage of the drake is more striking than the summer plumage. Still (see above) the male was quite handsome in black rather than white...</div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6pRndj3cgvhblpcPBlgqdi9wKB_NxGaZpF8DhSDrclWrEKzhJs07Q0Y4geK3nzUiVwuub3iqwYzfK7gNFdzh8GeO-7vn5SDNG3TtCWqEq4neXR0SFzpjNeJ9K6UNo_RQN6oD3_ZG9zILneAfOPUSyphFVl7uCgGpflbB1FvDpQ-7RO8icsSMH8uR2/s1533/Pectoral%20Sandpiper%20puffy%20breast%2010%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1533" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6pRndj3cgvhblpcPBlgqdi9wKB_NxGaZpF8DhSDrclWrEKzhJs07Q0Y4geK3nzUiVwuub3iqwYzfK7gNFdzh8GeO-7vn5SDNG3TtCWqEq4neXR0SFzpjNeJ9K6UNo_RQN6oD3_ZG9zILneAfOPUSyphFVl7uCgGpflbB1FvDpQ-7RO8icsSMH8uR2/w640-h418/Pectoral%20Sandpiper%20puffy%20breast%2010%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Pectoral Sandpiper male in partial display</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Pectoral Sandpipers were present in good numbers already, and were starting to display and chase about. The male puffed up and looked quite strange when displaying on the ground. Certainly not the prettiest of the shorebirds in display! </div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFtS0bWlLvESGb87IPCKKuBLYY_9FRI1waO7s6qsaZYOp3DGdb1BRr48IYTttaDrT6nqdWFTN04Hu7oe0iomxu3Ifc6oVFsNVS9SQoT2UoQaqTyCu0ep3ZYhA2ul6S9F7mVj1nfu5xVmPgomSzsN0MHHUKtqxtubrrp7fiko6NIqJqr3W3k3RzSa8I/s3274/Polar%20Bear%20on%20day%203%20-%20cleaner%20-%2011%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2698" data-original-width="3274" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFtS0bWlLvESGb87IPCKKuBLYY_9FRI1waO7s6qsaZYOp3DGdb1BRr48IYTttaDrT6nqdWFTN04Hu7oe0iomxu3Ifc6oVFsNVS9SQoT2UoQaqTyCu0ep3ZYhA2ul6S9F7mVj1nfu5xVmPgomSzsN0MHHUKtqxtubrrp7fiko6NIqJqr3W3k3RzSa8I/w640-h528/Polar%20Bear%20on%20day%203%20-%20cleaner%20-%2011%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">The shoreline of the Chukchi Sea was frozen during my stay. Good for Polar Bear travel...</span></div><div><br /></div><div>We were lucky enough to see a Polar Bear on Day Two. It was out on the shore ice, foraging on some Caribou parts that someone had put out there... The presence of Polar Bears here meant one had to be careful when wandering about on foot. But when a bear was feeding out on the ice it quickly drew a crow of admirers...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZP-bPwfS065X1cY5niAl-GMKXIRlUHQ-RESSakgTsHzXOFkledlnDuMV1zpCBsQqZAHtnnLRj9cZFDiEom9GURzwSYgQiAyCSCf2s_WjorFWSUcX540hhlf-k9exFpDT5-16nJge0Be2et84FaFCvJVDpfOfNIBHxjd4XrHUGHDSmfLoK6uFrRYlD/s2057/Pomarine%20Jaeger%20on%20ground%209%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2057" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZP-bPwfS065X1cY5niAl-GMKXIRlUHQ-RESSakgTsHzXOFkledlnDuMV1zpCBsQqZAHtnnLRj9cZFDiEom9GURzwSYgQiAyCSCf2s_WjorFWSUcX540hhlf-k9exFpDT5-16nJge0Be2et84FaFCvJVDpfOfNIBHxjd4XrHUGHDSmfLoK6uFrRYlD/w640-h312/Pomarine%20Jaeger%20on%20ground%209%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Pomarine Jaeger adult pale morph--rather common here in Utqiagvik</span></div><br /><div>The jaegers I never tired of. One day we watched a pair of Parasitic Jaegers have a long chase of a Semipalmated Sandpiper. They finally captured it and consumed the poor little thing...</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI77Nf0R-3YblRqFqlQIZ2PDiTMaaEm225HcHUCknsU36UoXyii4jfpVx3q0lbDPdpgzo7UKjHEpDdOhqw9eZdWl1pLbMP3RMQXqEGzXAnTqsd31t5dD4ZgaE25QVYy3952enOFPe2n0YaPJgQmITpS-DYQi-vUnxYzhDfOqQ2PCQSgcS_mLoWUfo1/s2044/Red%20Knot%209%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2044" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI77Nf0R-3YblRqFqlQIZ2PDiTMaaEm225HcHUCknsU36UoXyii4jfpVx3q0lbDPdpgzo7UKjHEpDdOhqw9eZdWl1pLbMP3RMQXqEGzXAnTqsd31t5dD4ZgaE25QVYy3952enOFPe2n0YaPJgQmITpS-DYQi-vUnxYzhDfOqQ2PCQSgcS_mLoWUfo1/w640-h314/Red%20Knot%209%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">a single lonely Red Knot, hugging the road because there was snow-free ground on which to forage</span></div><div><br /></div><div>It seemed as is we were still a bit early for the bulk of the breeding shorebirds. We saw singleton Red Knots but no Buff-breasted Sandpipers... Dunlins, Pectorals, and Semipalmated Sandpipers were the main show here... No godwits and no curlews... </div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitX50Ie9GxuE4Km9hGn8s2BYsV660Q79nr00hlI0aBmAPbPR1gY91hhAyKpI69lJvGtdkCpWUGG9kyJPHPsijHV2oLCi9VybJ2UgcRsEjyvfiAWEmKIcY7nZPFd87pAikQhp4vrU7_-VmzltJCv0gFhCFWfbbXawi4xPpRU-nzzpN1kjvCnkUFGvim/s1311/Red-necked%20Stint%209%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1311" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitX50Ie9GxuE4Km9hGn8s2BYsV660Q79nr00hlI0aBmAPbPR1gY91hhAyKpI69lJvGtdkCpWUGG9kyJPHPsijHV2oLCi9VybJ2UgcRsEjyvfiAWEmKIcY7nZPFd87pAikQhp4vrU7_-VmzltJCv0gFhCFWfbbXawi4xPpRU-nzzpN1kjvCnkUFGvim/w640-h488/Red-necked%20Stint%209%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Red-necked Stint is one of the Siberian strays birders hunt for in Utqiagvik</span></div><div><br /></div>Red-necked Stint was the rarest of the shorebirds we encountered. This is a Eurasian species that creeps across the Bering Strait into Alaska (but does not breed here). Two individuals were hanging out in a flooded gravel pit near the airport. That industrial area was quite birdy... <br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWWA9wJ63lRL2fT7NYZvadon7is13nyfVwG-P46wqwSY8-Q2AI2m0m26E_n7PsxahVT58Hg5Q-18M_3OTFPdHhH0BE562U4AECSciBMeWj9CNX44MoGRVQbjSvZ2t_0Ss3fW1qAZiZfVy0TSxIK51G2o2xnNiZ5RaR8C4R4ZbfGocdj92B9rlPMr1l/s1186/Sabine's%20Gull%20adult%209%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1186" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWWA9wJ63lRL2fT7NYZvadon7is13nyfVwG-P46wqwSY8-Q2AI2m0m26E_n7PsxahVT58Hg5Q-18M_3OTFPdHhH0BE562U4AECSciBMeWj9CNX44MoGRVQbjSvZ2t_0Ss3fW1qAZiZfVy0TSxIK51G2o2xnNiZ5RaR8C4R4ZbfGocdj92B9rlPMr1l/w640-h540/Sabine's%20Gull%20adult%209%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Sabine's Gull is high on the list for most visiting birders from the Lower 48</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Getting to spend some quality time with Sabine's Gull was a treat. I had seen a small flock of the species in Nome, but they were quite distant. Here I could walk up to several for a photograph.</div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6VWYgjcZKOZxULc7APWzkmCOaa48aiYp_HL8LjYZmqrUJyPShP23MC0Dazq43BdhI8qeYf6P0ZgkwkfSTaJpOeYsLX0tc5ICQKOYOUxu8C8jA7GtU3SXNfiGf-sKF_avKnNlJp6_B7_08vk9cCDlB5H7VRo2BSDftQPt0r9B_A2sFslgghEopToi/s1875/Semipalmated%20Sandpiper%209%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1875" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6VWYgjcZKOZxULc7APWzkmCOaa48aiYp_HL8LjYZmqrUJyPShP23MC0Dazq43BdhI8qeYf6P0ZgkwkfSTaJpOeYsLX0tc5ICQKOYOUxu8C8jA7GtU3SXNfiGf-sKF_avKnNlJp6_B7_08vk9cCDlB5H7VRo2BSDftQPt0r9B_A2sFslgghEopToi/w640-h426/Semipalmated%20Sandpiper%209%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">As with Nome, here the Semipalmated Sandpiper was abundant and on territory...</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Semipalmated Sandpipers were busy in display here, just like they were in Nome. </div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjstq4YTDwb-DQlDQwkUdO9WBewstsW8wMxh_5sEZKGTI-KsgD4GFZrTvxQfNadfJXw9PqUk_YquvKM3SAB2XfqZdBg-wV7Wkg3SUtKHGKHJ4uC80P9Wb4p_57xAHBOFsHzUH-xq9h6OuVl7hY4qCVY_bwS_TiVWm--6ESKlLnMmBKhQCcw3zrKy1lr/s1537/Snow%20Bunting%20male%20close%20up%2010%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1537" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjstq4YTDwb-DQlDQwkUdO9WBewstsW8wMxh_5sEZKGTI-KsgD4GFZrTvxQfNadfJXw9PqUk_YquvKM3SAB2XfqZdBg-wV7Wkg3SUtKHGKHJ4uC80P9Wb4p_57xAHBOFsHzUH-xq9h6OuVl7hY4qCVY_bwS_TiVWm--6ESKlLnMmBKhQCcw3zrKy1lr/w640-h520/Snow%20Bunting%20male%20close%20up%2010%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"> T<span>he commonplace town bird in Utqiagvik was the Snow Bunting</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>The male Snow Buntings, in the crisp spring plumage, love to perch atop the roofs of the houses in town. They also would do display flights out in the tundra. This is <u>the</u> songbird of Utqiagvik.</div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAKcR66KqahNl9EFj12eNSs5jkzz6OqUdeF-YMKFb-LyDCVHDsNXn1hQpjx5hkZgc81Xt4rWim7S0b8_U2EchSgKG8jXroQMIrueDNTB69FtRixLIH5ZmuFcrm8gt02msfrdtb0LMUI3emZnP5JRPqWUn7YdgEGAdzpKHCfARgIuPpEwE5-aT4me8B/s2273/Spectacled%20Eider%20pair%20distant%209%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="804" data-original-width="2273" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAKcR66KqahNl9EFj12eNSs5jkzz6OqUdeF-YMKFb-LyDCVHDsNXn1hQpjx5hkZgc81Xt4rWim7S0b8_U2EchSgKG8jXroQMIrueDNTB69FtRixLIH5ZmuFcrm8gt02msfrdtb0LMUI3emZnP5JRPqWUn7YdgEGAdzpKHCfARgIuPpEwE5-aT4me8B/w640-h226/Spectacled%20Eider%20pair%20distant%209%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> T<span style="font-size: x-small;">he most elusive of the eiders was the Spectacled. Here is a distant pair...</span></div><br /><div>Flocks of eiders would migrate past the town each morning, headed who knows where... The flocks were dominated by Common Eiders, but included small numbers of the other three species. Loons also migrated past, but I never was able to pick out a Yellow-billed--that was a disappointment.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEk5cjgchqqFFE6GOFWPt8nBhZZ1-6_X6NtDq_vC_4apdcuw8DroiPdkOAMOmLAO6qCPuxutqLhFOHqacM8AMxz5vY-UZAJD5wZKcHMj6yArIu5GH2h-gUWt-WK72ial_PuiUhoPo32A9knDJkL2oalY7_aYrsbcsOXcyHZHI07IoOlneIEhJOp8Ee/s1836/Steller's%20Eider%20pair%20in%20flight%20over%20ice%2011%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1836" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEk5cjgchqqFFE6GOFWPt8nBhZZ1-6_X6NtDq_vC_4apdcuw8DroiPdkOAMOmLAO6qCPuxutqLhFOHqacM8AMxz5vY-UZAJD5wZKcHMj6yArIu5GH2h-gUWt-WK72ial_PuiUhoPo32A9knDJkL2oalY7_aYrsbcsOXcyHZHI07IoOlneIEhJOp8Ee/w640-h436/Steller's%20Eider%20pair%20in%20flight%20over%20ice%2011%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Steller's Eider was the most accessible of the eiders here.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXk-FtcWArQT9k5WvCyBmD3c7XTs8QV29M_mYr1ZuxywUNU7RiUdJjFYGUdpbjqTXqzp6NNjS_844ZaNjhEhONQ5-C226DRdasKbI2rV400QK-Z1fSlw_uZVgNRKqqdXuOoACLbGEqvdeEu0QB_0wLbbzETtC6LLOSGBuGu_NcUZlb6ZiFhIk0dufg/s1853/Steller's%20Eiders%20two%20drakes%20on%20pond%209%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1853" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXk-FtcWArQT9k5WvCyBmD3c7XTs8QV29M_mYr1ZuxywUNU7RiUdJjFYGUdpbjqTXqzp6NNjS_844ZaNjhEhONQ5-C226DRdasKbI2rV400QK-Z1fSlw_uZVgNRKqqdXuOoACLbGEqvdeEu0QB_0wLbbzETtC6LLOSGBuGu_NcUZlb6ZiFhIk0dufg/w640-h346/Steller's%20Eiders%20two%20drakes%20on%20pond%209%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">two male Steller's Eiders</span></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhggC4dQa5clw_RqJERryqSbC1puBI2ySfzxSHFsY7gtQXFRkKGFwEuWpwpTM9UqBeTNvLGgCSVLK8LxeFV-q-1wCyU5Db5hQTSRlI2GrWJGvR9-5sSZbxk_EDG2-JfeqM4A3mqdnjwvVT0gRd8v6gOIZPCmaHSp_LelKpdNf98A6-ZlvpguSZ8m7-L/s3408/White-front%20pair%20in%20yard%20Barrow.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2069" data-original-width="3408" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhggC4dQa5clw_RqJERryqSbC1puBI2ySfzxSHFsY7gtQXFRkKGFwEuWpwpTM9UqBeTNvLGgCSVLK8LxeFV-q-1wCyU5Db5hQTSRlI2GrWJGvR9-5sSZbxk_EDG2-JfeqM4A3mqdnjwvVT0gRd8v6gOIZPCmaHSp_LelKpdNf98A6-ZlvpguSZ8m7-L/w640-h388/White-front%20pair%20in%20yard%20Barrow.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">the White-fronts were yard-birds here in town...</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxQA9PbitOD9YNDRxQix_rjcecFoiHinkFEiHuezorusxJSAHdHATVqsHAsMkhfK4HJjPjrYvD850DXGc_0D1nSJXHnwq5hgzTh6M4TnXR36UrTwv9TRHBw7-lPYAzAcOuyNcFkhND3__qVh0Qh8QidXed4ALIEjwjXfyi_hTOpVr0gmZU6KoRmKvb/s3062/x-2022-06-10-30511.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2009" data-original-width="3062" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxQA9PbitOD9YNDRxQix_rjcecFoiHinkFEiHuezorusxJSAHdHATVqsHAsMkhfK4HJjPjrYvD850DXGc_0D1nSJXHnwq5hgzTh6M4TnXR36UrTwv9TRHBw7-lPYAzAcOuyNcFkhND3__qVh0Qh8QidXed4ALIEjwjXfyi_hTOpVr0gmZU6KoRmKvb/w640-h420/x-2022-06-10-30511.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"> dark morph Pomarine Jaeger</span></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DGNf0aIbQC2e_dghTrrJfHQSRvfx2ZdWN5GGSkcwo07gslqItwAaQ9JMPXnRib3DPerXdHJA0kwoZvi5uZWtnld-joyAbAsHdUGZuoRamHr8w1O7YF4T4yezbBhec12NOTP1uedRysh4m3eU-l4Y9IN-T2dE0gms_uoiiYZrNAzFlZs6F1zz5Zge/s1800/Arctic%20Fox%20running%2010%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1800" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DGNf0aIbQC2e_dghTrrJfHQSRvfx2ZdWN5GGSkcwo07gslqItwAaQ9JMPXnRib3DPerXdHJA0kwoZvi5uZWtnld-joyAbAsHdUGZuoRamHr8w1O7YF4T4yezbBhec12NOTP1uedRysh4m3eU-l4Y9IN-T2dE0gms_uoiiYZrNAzFlZs6F1zz5Zge/w640-h356/Arctic%20Fox%20running%2010%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Arctic Fox in its rather drab spring pelage on a snowy morning</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Seeing Arctic Fox was a treat. We encounter two individuals on two different days. They are very shy and mainly seen on the run... Their drab spring pelage made them difficult to pick out on the mottled tundra.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUvI1HUjgTy8siptCH3yXNKXwR5K3aQhp76AIV54y2FhDnT29OoVpjwz7W1_oiGPCX9O1Tdt4LfoEJ4PQT9gXA1Own15MsF-LeDIAjMnO-_BO9FyNc9cUm4VmvbieuA5muBglRdnOT2BHnHLhOBzWwcoKoFV6j_52lwi7j_jNhCqaTirSSs57SE0F7/s3965/x-IMG_1023.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1662" data-original-width="3965" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUvI1HUjgTy8siptCH3yXNKXwR5K3aQhp76AIV54y2FhDnT29OoVpjwz7W1_oiGPCX9O1Tdt4LfoEJ4PQT9gXA1Own15MsF-LeDIAjMnO-_BO9FyNc9cUm4VmvbieuA5muBglRdnOT2BHnHLhOBzWwcoKoFV6j_52lwi7j_jNhCqaTirSSs57SE0F7/w640-h268/x-IMG_1023.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Caribou pelts out for curing</span></div><div><br /></div>It's all about subsistence here. The seasons and the harvest of wild game is the Inupiag way of life. One saw it every day--little kids out on snow machines, gunning for White-fronts. I saw a cube of muktuk (whale blubber) in somebody's front yard. This is typically stored in a pit in the back yard. Since it is always cold, the pit in the yard is a natural refrigerator.<br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4XParvQwwD2djoTyhlo8BF9x6Mxid-IRpxNZnvY6FIpNkxgC7Lf5gDzJjjyN1qa3ZiB7n9z1CPdUgEZooxqAvhlIOZoe5ObRIbfckb1n8QmlWoX_x8is0aNxBeUTkglFAVSGk7TjERtCxCY8YWb-dNoRWn3-bra3-fzqgtY_3WVvd2mt1_PeIPlS4/s3998/x-IMG_0998.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1961" data-original-width="3998" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4XParvQwwD2djoTyhlo8BF9x6Mxid-IRpxNZnvY6FIpNkxgC7Lf5gDzJjjyN1qa3ZiB7n9z1CPdUgEZooxqAvhlIOZoe5ObRIbfckb1n8QmlWoX_x8is0aNxBeUTkglFAVSGk7TjERtCxCY8YWb-dNoRWn3-bra3-fzqgtY_3WVvd2mt1_PeIPlS4/w640-h314/x-IMG_0998.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">spring in Utqiagvik offers mainly winter scenery....</span><br /><div><br /></div></div><div><b><i>Part 2 of my visit to Utqiagvik will be presented in the next blog. </i></b></div>Bruce Beehlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15885008878848042968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4395290943835782922.post-81316807349344839912022-07-20T14:02:00.000-07:002022-07-20T14:02:06.292-07:00<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCXeuTHx1kPKgXXQAIUOpdwZS2v8HTQT_6uplWEyiB2e7zxhdoxtvvec4gCKkxIMKZcZ0jQmQ2VBlz1Mnjnptw5bvjIWyvGbH1_Hl7O-5lnV3zcgHC9IeQtEgBnBahLpt1xuJIZZyEyRQFgXDW-u639SrDFrGkz6p7Ay2tH4SPyZvuG4g_vD22lh_6/s1911/Gyrfalcon%20in%20flight%206%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1911" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCXeuTHx1kPKgXXQAIUOpdwZS2v8HTQT_6uplWEyiB2e7zxhdoxtvvec4gCKkxIMKZcZ0jQmQ2VBlz1Mnjnptw5bvjIWyvGbH1_Hl7O-5lnV3zcgHC9IeQtEgBnBahLpt1xuJIZZyEyRQFgXDW-u639SrDFrGkz6p7Ay2tH4SPyZvuG4g_vD22lh_6/w640-h334/Gyrfalcon%20in%20flight%206%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">an </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">adult Gyrfalcon eyes me suspiciously</span><br /> <p></p><h1 style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Across the Continent (part 5 of 10)<br /></span></i></b><b><span style="font-size: large;">Nome & the Seward Peninsula<br /></span></b><b><span style="font-size: large;">5-7 June 2022</span></b></h1><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBEBrv5LvmbrmQvC8W7YFwuDCH9QAB0KSqfivyw-zUIaFkFYI4B4x8YA22QiF5W17lTXABrQw0xODfO8jsKbZE1ub5W5PC1_wcJLhwjvVFhwaU9pD4aRQp3ZB-IUgsm3_xK7HXP4xR3bf1yPQs26z3SbsEk0xP8XEQy1hy5rZlCICsPQ6xypjCuKLa/s1606/Iditarod%20Race%20Finish%20in%20downtown%20Nome.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1606" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBEBrv5LvmbrmQvC8W7YFwuDCH9QAB0KSqfivyw-zUIaFkFYI4B4x8YA22QiF5W17lTXABrQw0xODfO8jsKbZE1ub5W5PC1_wcJLhwjvVFhwaU9pD4aRQp3ZB-IUgsm3_xK7HXP4xR3bf1yPQs26z3SbsEk0xP8XEQy1hy5rZlCICsPQ6xypjCuKLa/w640-h398/Iditarod%20Race%20Finish%20in%20downtown%20Nome.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">finish line for the Iditarod Sled Dog Race in downtown Nome</span><p></p><p>So I am in Nome in the early Alaskan spring, with a bunch of other crazy birders, looking for all manner of Alaskan specialties. This is a rite of spring here in Nome, better know as the terminus of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race, which winds its way in the height of winter from near Anchorage (now Willow) to Nome over a number of days. Nome is a quiet seaside Inupiat village on the south side of the Seward Peninsula.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSF2l5VRP5GDuUhXSetoKaCzUxC0uUR6BI_yhqP2kZogBgp8ZJvsxHhF2plsf3WaO62FbZqQuZUUzuq3YVhuRiBMpQlu7de7RSoSbyJfy-NkrDhdJ12kLs3mikiEqoeLcqEiVDVrc5kZJGxlKO2McCSVODM94px9rqDFthIMEWHt8NSr_Z5z63FPs9/s1820/Bar-tailed%20Godwit%20adult%207%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1820" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSF2l5VRP5GDuUhXSetoKaCzUxC0uUR6BI_yhqP2kZogBgp8ZJvsxHhF2plsf3WaO62FbZqQuZUUzuq3YVhuRiBMpQlu7de7RSoSbyJfy-NkrDhdJ12kLs3mikiEqoeLcqEiVDVrc5kZJGxlKO2McCSVODM94px9rqDFthIMEWHt8NSr_Z5z63FPs9/w640-h440/Bar-tailed%20Godwit%20adult%207%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">adult male Bar-tailed Godwit, in breeding plumage, in the mouth of Nome River, south of town</span></div><div><br /></div><div>One the shorebirds I was most interested in spending time with in Nome was the Bar-tailed Godwit (above), a close relative of my beloved Hudsonian Godwit... If you would like to see a knock-out photo of the species taken along the Teller Road this spring, go to: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/457269411&source=gmail&ust=1658430688567000&usg=AOvVaw27HG-hTuva4RobymfCAFpe" href="https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/457269411" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" target="_blank">https://macaulaylibrary.<wbr></wbr>org/asset/457269411</a></div><div>That sweet image was shot by John Garrett of the Cornell Lab... I found small groups of this remarkable long-distant migrant in the mouth of the Nome River, south of town. They would loaf about here in mornings... They were fairly shy, and I was never able to get particularly close to them. Hunting for them in the vast tundra expanses (both lowland and upland) I failed to encounter this species, instead finding Whimbrel to be the commonplace large shorebird of the tundra.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG5rIaoiuqrlFBDV-wiKuj12W3-QLhhp78BSIad5OD2I-nmkx600sp5kJ_jJo74Ax5zXR-G330JJSqUlKC0692LFL1bSQIfDU2JNfOaEFiEitXIoolKG2aRbTiqDURBY_nV15uXx2vtmGaJ3rCa7n_vLSvhwg6nHz9D37TLQ-xt0nVH8A4WU2AuD09/s1834/Arctic%20Tern%20hovering%202%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1834" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG5rIaoiuqrlFBDV-wiKuj12W3-QLhhp78BSIad5OD2I-nmkx600sp5kJ_jJo74Ax5zXR-G330JJSqUlKC0692LFL1bSQIfDU2JNfOaEFiEitXIoolKG2aRbTiqDURBY_nV15uXx2vtmGaJ3rCa7n_vLSvhwg6nHz9D37TLQ-xt0nVH8A4WU2AuD09/w640-h348/Arctic%20Tern%20hovering%202%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Arctic Tern hunting for dinner</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Terns in the Nome area were also best found at the mouth of the Nome River. Here the Arctic Terns were abundant and the Aleutian Terns were fairly common. Of course, it was the Aleutian Terns that the peripatetic birders were after (myself included). This is one of the few accessible places on Earth where they can be found with ease...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij6evL9FWHLIZnHMTTYlT1ZPAcnVSKnZsb9G7s62K56bajN-q2ko1eyMsyiiDOkUj9eJKCFzjT1-1jgDPvidFK4c0yNI7-Ekb_rJ3H9AW41jJipWzjgrvH_BCweic4SW6KI-Ibp4iRwxKaLt7ENiz6rNExRQRMCuHmAUzd6ih6yZaU_fQOhhvQ10lZ/s2682/Aleutian%20Terns%20-%207%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2682" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij6evL9FWHLIZnHMTTYlT1ZPAcnVSKnZsb9G7s62K56bajN-q2ko1eyMsyiiDOkUj9eJKCFzjT1-1jgDPvidFK4c0yNI7-Ekb_rJ3H9AW41jJipWzjgrvH_BCweic4SW6KI-Ibp4iRwxKaLt7ENiz6rNExRQRMCuHmAUzd6ih6yZaU_fQOhhvQ10lZ/w640-h238/Aleutian%20Terns%20-%207%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Aleutian Tern pair, thinking about nesting</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3iODuVu1t5CnlGo0JKSWLLG3GTYubCGlBvLSbCN2R0TZzE_1RhBx3d2BZAc_rnl9YtDFF4Z2K0VU9epakvoZ16kErrV1esyECPPywimL0Xlvmkp3W_Q8tBu7fUQm91xIzpaANRMKBfW0THjWUMAxRaj68F5A0XG79H-YkJTXWEdDkbcE3Imy8ER3A/s2688/Aleutian%20Tern%20in%20flight%20-%207%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2688" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3iODuVu1t5CnlGo0JKSWLLG3GTYubCGlBvLSbCN2R0TZzE_1RhBx3d2BZAc_rnl9YtDFF4Z2K0VU9epakvoZ16kErrV1esyECPPywimL0Xlvmkp3W_Q8tBu7fUQm91xIzpaANRMKBfW0THjWUMAxRaj68F5A0XG79H-YkJTXWEdDkbcE3Imy8ER3A/w640-h238/Aleutian%20Tern%20in%20flight%20-%207%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Aleutian Tern on the wing</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span>Gulls were present, but not in big numbers, and they were not very approachable. The big surprise was that Glaucous Gull, the most common gull here, was quite skittish and never let me close enough to get a good photo. This was one of the Nome frustrations. I believe that because most everything is hunted for subsistence, all birds and mammals are leery of close approach...</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx8tpxG0RDtuLcBZKLI2JVjOqAfEL0VHSuTl37we6-dzi1zR1Ru4NC3Lu0qYR2v43DVLjPNsaeTy0svZfzfYbDnTVmbAz6FvHYoyWdke_zZ68cYF0Tbf6aAqu2zw4WEycXpEHonuuqGdKI_1cFJRVvBDmxOE43796VzARKwnOdLcIK9FUd5Xdv_MMj/s1793/Glaucous%20Gull%207%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1793" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx8tpxG0RDtuLcBZKLI2JVjOqAfEL0VHSuTl37we6-dzi1zR1Ru4NC3Lu0qYR2v43DVLjPNsaeTy0svZfzfYbDnTVmbAz6FvHYoyWdke_zZ68cYF0Tbf6aAqu2zw4WEycXpEHonuuqGdKI_1cFJRVvBDmxOE43796VzARKwnOdLcIK9FUd5Xdv_MMj/w640-h268/Glaucous%20Gull%207%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Glaucous Gull adult, distant, as always</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Safety Sound, twenty minutes south of town, was one of the birding spots where I would spend time at least once a day... It is scenic and open and birds are all about. The hunt for the rare eiders and Emperor Geese were the main pastimes... Most of the time we were frustrated.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmEtYs4BZXjE2EQbTVuj8LYO1td02YlBA-38xHkAU4iMmZAXqcTUKEgbDbiEvw93X_-cTYZEzcHC61NajNESYfJkMW0AusT66O055i4pnpNSLlzaauaXzA-hIGIOP2XXAYm4BquFU0FNL4pcyymGGYBbBPKMtcLbFdsCa0OYk00ZzuyaJWZiNItdK/s2927/kites%20and%20Bering%20Sea%20in%20spring.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2927" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmEtYs4BZXjE2EQbTVuj8LYO1td02YlBA-38xHkAU4iMmZAXqcTUKEgbDbiEvw93X_-cTYZEzcHC61NajNESYfJkMW0AusT66O055i4pnpNSLlzaauaXzA-hIGIOP2XXAYm4BquFU0FNL4pcyymGGYBbBPKMtcLbFdsCa0OYk00ZzuyaJWZiNItdK/w640-h218/kites%20and%20Bering%20Sea%20in%20spring.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">kites in the wind, south of Nome Point, and the sparkling Bering Sea</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Safety Sound is filled with little weekend and fishing houses owned by the Inupiat. They must have become inured to the annoyance of the ever-curious birders traipsing all about. All my interactions with local residents were pleasant....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1KhoxsJjhqeKu8_zikOG3n2oPIKcMo9VEZimqjfv84DzhADwlc0umiPxuMmUDnKgKLAsX3ZKUvOpPbFaHYJlB6q8q8QyBS3a5JhmFw6UN4YZfCObgDsd4CVXWYlygCxn1YPRj1AJSOOlPr9X4_7tDAif8qxteUsDS8ZUDmFxsq3VurKWuurOlNO6y/s1787/American%20Tree-Sparrow%20image%20two%20%20-%205%20June.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1787" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1KhoxsJjhqeKu8_zikOG3n2oPIKcMo9VEZimqjfv84DzhADwlc0umiPxuMmUDnKgKLAsX3ZKUvOpPbFaHYJlB6q8q8QyBS3a5JhmFw6UN4YZfCObgDsd4CVXWYlygCxn1YPRj1AJSOOlPr9X4_7tDAif8qxteUsDS8ZUDmFxsq3VurKWuurOlNO6y/w640-h448/American%20Tree-Sparrow%20image%20two%20%20-%205%20June.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">American Tree Sparrow, a roadside songster (in a willow)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Driving south on the Council Road into the interior was a must. I did this twice. One crossed Safety Sound and then turned east into the hills, crossing several rivers. The roadsides in the interior were lined with low willows, alders, and birches. These roadside habitats were very birdy--with sparrows, warblers, and thrushes. </div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkL27uU3CNHn3q9BEXuCVempZJqYEnYzVtWjic104fb7-o_cIoRJlB77ngycPp_uWKVJ005jXQVCfpMvqWPBgtBgnQ6RALXooIpjbaoEHDXsxFVHA05nvVaVZWIHeFGMDOWSRyURDY5z2LbGlrFbH4Ao95Bo_FaAsHf49mfhpS3RyShdy2F92581GH/s1322/American%20Dipper%206%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1322" height="606" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkL27uU3CNHn3q9BEXuCVempZJqYEnYzVtWjic104fb7-o_cIoRJlB77ngycPp_uWKVJ005jXQVCfpMvqWPBgtBgnQ6RALXooIpjbaoEHDXsxFVHA05nvVaVZWIHeFGMDOWSRyURDY5z2LbGlrFbH4Ao95Bo_FaAsHf49mfhpS3RyShdy2F92581GH/w640-h606/American%20Dipper%206%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">American Dipper, with a lunch of arthropods for the nestlings; the prey were taken from under water in a rocky stream of </span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"> the Teller Rd.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>The tumbling rocky clearwater streams were home to the American Dipper, which I encountered once. This individual happily foraged the waters of the stony stream for aquatic invertebrates--capturing several and then transporting them back to its hidden nest.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMK1z8vQ3LKthqpifMmWzIYcaiXPSBw7bus7pN39jNYVM3Rh4Ecn2jQDPG4XAg4LlQRXfU74eMN1IYMgN_dvnNqSTKZ_juR3JAvT_cqs2PZyiG6b8cRYrgYqWiD4FAnno7l0EvaAQjIJVnHuxv6VrnWX-fvw1JXmKPBdGp1KTXdQAL7d6b4lL8ysjH/s2176/Gyrfalcon%20on%20nest%204%20June%20-%20image%202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2176" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMK1z8vQ3LKthqpifMmWzIYcaiXPSBw7bus7pN39jNYVM3Rh4Ecn2jQDPG4XAg4LlQRXfU74eMN1IYMgN_dvnNqSTKZ_juR3JAvT_cqs2PZyiG6b8cRYrgYqWiD4FAnno7l0EvaAQjIJVnHuxv6VrnWX-fvw1JXmKPBdGp1KTXdQAL7d6b4lL8ysjH/w640-h368/Gyrfalcon%20on%20nest%204%20June%20-%20image%202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Nest with three young under a bridge of the Salmon River, on the Council Road, south of Safety Sound</span><br /><div><br /></div><div>Speaking of nests, the most famous one this spring was the Gyrfalcon nest under the bridge crossing the east fork of the Solomon River, about an hour's drive south of town. The three nestlings were white fluffballs, and the attending parent was a fierce-looking adult. Another Gyr nest was in a high cliff on the Kougarok Road. I saw 7 different Gyrfalcons on my visit to Nome (three youngsters, four adults). This is more than a lifetime worth of Gyrs.... </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1evpMAZF7HKiIPTF4wk0CkJCo_0jJ4mmd5vPRm-fH9hI8N07P52-xU7_rwCHFed_mj9w0Xf9b9Wm60IkijE5Yk7gO5rBwc5xJUY1-SBn8ZJ_Nd3TkY0R6zf_30iHnGeq5Dx_Xr7XRvkc3VPSjBltpIZ7ZVSvn6zxXCM8pM4vhzb3AXqCHoHePRoT/s1747/cow%20Moose%20and%20calf%20by%20house%206%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1747" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1evpMAZF7HKiIPTF4wk0CkJCo_0jJ4mmd5vPRm-fH9hI8N07P52-xU7_rwCHFed_mj9w0Xf9b9Wm60IkijE5Yk7gO5rBwc5xJUY1-SBn8ZJ_Nd3TkY0R6zf_30iHnGeq5Dx_Xr7XRvkc3VPSjBltpIZ7ZVSvn6zxXCM8pM4vhzb3AXqCHoHePRoT/w640-h458/cow%20Moose%20and%20calf%20by%20house%206%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Mom and Junior, hiding in plain site--a roadside fishing shack</span><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div>The weather remains fabulous--no rain or fog on the latter days and deep blue skies and nice temps. Great birding weather... I had expected rain, fog, and cold.</div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2GaxspJnohgp0K5tfFRU0M1vBZ1C0t5pYfNrBvrfuyXqY7KC4Qtr3dU1DFPhaROiduKGTBKZONQ9IP7t_DYfhYOQ7fppbW7dOYRF7fus5QkqWef1_tadxU_O8bagfWyBujz-U7ZzKXmxAs-i0rOH1JbrZ54qt49QJVXrrT6I3cd2ViLXL-6dfanAB/s1398/Fox%20Sparow%206%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1398" height="572" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2GaxspJnohgp0K5tfFRU0M1vBZ1C0t5pYfNrBvrfuyXqY7KC4Qtr3dU1DFPhaROiduKGTBKZONQ9IP7t_DYfhYOQ7fppbW7dOYRF7fus5QkqWef1_tadxU_O8bagfWyBujz-U7ZzKXmxAs-i0rOH1JbrZ54qt49QJVXrrT6I3cd2ViLXL-6dfanAB/w640-h572/Fox%20Sparow%206%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Fox Sparrow in song. Another commonplace roadside songster.</span><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL2-tOWcJMoCUJLpQX_Nckak80YbsSQ8zE7wkFxPFEo3I58sqUBCNEWKR3M-AroIRbhKTBJMbeX0dTQKjI4f7RgT9A4F2mbuoGvnHZiFChVjVuzG1ZnnBpoi8ev4Epkw448Bx-LH7IN2kphnPPgWNLmdv2KrLmZd4N8HOesmTGc1M0HtgxXYMOHLwZ/s1640/Gray-cheeked%20Thrush%20in%20its%20willow%20habitat%202%20June.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1640" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL2-tOWcJMoCUJLpQX_Nckak80YbsSQ8zE7wkFxPFEo3I58sqUBCNEWKR3M-AroIRbhKTBJMbeX0dTQKjI4f7RgT9A4F2mbuoGvnHZiFChVjVuzG1ZnnBpoi8ev4Epkw448Bx-LH7IN2kphnPPgWNLmdv2KrLmZd4N8HOesmTGc1M0HtgxXYMOHLwZ/w640-h390/Gray-cheeked%20Thrush%20in%20its%20willow%20habitat%202%20June.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Gray-cheeked Thrush in the willows by the roadside. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Gray-cheeked Thrushes here were commonplace along the roadside thickets of willow and alder. It was a surprise not seeing them in the dark interior of a spruce stand...where one finds the closely related Bicknell's Thrush.<br /></span><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggHBo5mCQ98ZCob4bCyzhiVIaxiGQLIz2yRYcZl2GX_UT9HIIYNI3UNHSOuokRIAW9TPbmO_CvaXOR_BoegUCByrP2gNCFMlWXIxl2lKXhClqfggWFF0V9Ble5olFVZbtAKgOfnQJu408nbeHMhhOeMZnR6uFfcsrDI_Nv1fuIgxkjvO_4CewdADIK/s1552/Arctic%20Warbler%205%20June%2022%20Nome.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1552" height="618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggHBo5mCQ98ZCob4bCyzhiVIaxiGQLIz2yRYcZl2GX_UT9HIIYNI3UNHSOuokRIAW9TPbmO_CvaXOR_BoegUCByrP2gNCFMlWXIxl2lKXhClqfggWFF0V9Ble5olFVZbtAKgOfnQJu408nbeHMhhOeMZnR6uFfcsrDI_Nv1fuIgxkjvO_4CewdADIK/w640-h618/Arctic%20Warbler%205%20June%2022%20Nome.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Arctic Warbler, having just returned from its wintering grounds in Java or Borneo.</span><br /><div><br /></div><div>I find my first Arctic Warbler at Salmon Lake. It sang to beat the band. And it ignored me as I crept up to photograph it. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirtkrv3etk_xcKfTd_Oj-su3mpYF8NQxRPKTsf2l4Ny-vYfhKyebb1hgl4QbaN54wl-Uk29lZNy_JN66bUtlo0j2tL4uslKU_4TDg5lZFAGvSJXhYIJTlNHS7XK9CnmK3ylyUWZgBPbZq7Pd6903945NBrgv5Vb3kUtEXQRi2DjXiza3G06PRtJnkB/s1885/Bluethroat%20male%206%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1885" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirtkrv3etk_xcKfTd_Oj-su3mpYF8NQxRPKTsf2l4Ny-vYfhKyebb1hgl4QbaN54wl-Uk29lZNy_JN66bUtlo0j2tL4uslKU_4TDg5lZFAGvSJXhYIJTlNHS7XK9CnmK3ylyUWZgBPbZq7Pd6903945NBrgv5Vb3kUtEXQRi2DjXiza3G06PRtJnkB/w640-h424/Bluethroat%20male%206%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Male Bluethroat, perched after completing a sky-high song flight above the Council Road</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div>I found the male Bluethroat on the Council Road, below the high pass. It had set up shop in roadside willows, and did its display flight every ten minutes or so. It would spend more than a minute high in the sky, singing and fluttering about before returning to Earth. Both the Bluethroat and the Arctic Warbler were recent arrivals from Southeast Asia, where they had wintered...</div><div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOKfG8KMbYBvR-UkoYDEz4z9RKROJj7zFD85HFsyj650fCm5U3GVMjWp3lVu_ZmMb9Yf2rS-yG98QJnof71jDRZ5MtZAMBHxi2mBrJxfE79NMRvnVWIkDSxlstuXJFloUOSZPnxMIIFKhu8dobPej1J150rW66N3JV6W0cpmiTMYQlpMkMnH9X1uRi/s2023/grassy%20lowland%20%20tundra%20Nome.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2023" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOKfG8KMbYBvR-UkoYDEz4z9RKROJj7zFD85HFsyj650fCm5U3GVMjWp3lVu_ZmMb9Yf2rS-yG98QJnof71jDRZ5MtZAMBHxi2mBrJxfE79NMRvnVWIkDSxlstuXJFloUOSZPnxMIIFKhu8dobPej1J150rW66N3JV6W0cpmiTMYQlpMkMnH9X1uRi/w640-h316/grassy%20lowland%20%20tundra%20Nome.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Seward Peninsula tundra with rocky hills in background, and remnant snow drifts.</span></div><br /><div>Every day I spent time walking the tundra. It was one of my favorite things. I hunted for butterflies, wildflowers, songbirds, and shorebirds. It was great walking country!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPgwuZaCVhxcW18ncqI0ZQb4tUB1VTcFwKq7_QnX-m6od01338GfhICdNMLMAtC4WUrwdFkBnXR43oaQGJrIZgGA1TpX_ydGN4-GvTkHuYp4yJr2MgJ7C9an3xvkGcHCIQRnIUYjDytATgJlcMZQ-3rid3rigghyq8_P6Otpxge_6x-qv5oRQConjf/s1171/Arctic%20White%206%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1171" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPgwuZaCVhxcW18ncqI0ZQb4tUB1VTcFwKq7_QnX-m6od01338GfhICdNMLMAtC4WUrwdFkBnXR43oaQGJrIZgGA1TpX_ydGN4-GvTkHuYp4yJr2MgJ7C9an3xvkGcHCIQRnIUYjDytATgJlcMZQ-3rid3rigghyq8_P6Otpxge_6x-qv5oRQConjf/w640-h546/Arctic%20White%206%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Arctic White Butterfly foraging in tundra. </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga5LrnJqss-WSZzrFoaEBfjmt598lh3MiE-sKa1RvVoxj_aDwyok4LuLKFCENt9evL2gpLQt2mjXUc3bh_GxzZLWVTeU2nXXp2oAp7Pj-B_FujRxm8RxxURKdo1YDdGPAatdvWLpYKd_9_ikuD2W6zW3KwR6b9weo7KitakmEYQCNN4mDzEU9XmtDd/s3221/Pacific%20Golden-Plover%20on%20territory%206%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2183" data-original-width="3221" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga5LrnJqss-WSZzrFoaEBfjmt598lh3MiE-sKa1RvVoxj_aDwyok4LuLKFCENt9evL2gpLQt2mjXUc3bh_GxzZLWVTeU2nXXp2oAp7Pj-B_FujRxm8RxxURKdo1YDdGPAatdvWLpYKd_9_ikuD2W6zW3KwR6b9weo7KitakmEYQCNN4mDzEU9XmtDd/w640-h434/Pacific%20Golden-Plover%20on%20territory%206%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Pacific Golden-Plover chiding me in the lowland tundra of the Teller Road where it would like to nest in peace.</span></div><br /><div>On the 5th of June I reprised the trip to Bristle-thigh Ridge at milepost 82 on the Kougarok Road. I departed Nome at 4 AM and arrived at the high pass at 5:30am. It was a bright sunny day. I spent the entire morning on the Road and adjacent tundra. Then I slowly worked my way back to town.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVmr7CXZshIlBNXLCJzzkWHfaK-oho0B4TLWvK8HndtLbXgiTSsGSVU-ZiD92rb4VpceN-zSmenSync7Xj4KSxjMVldU_jPZ0FeCM06JOcEw7F12BB1OxC2Gk8MPjAJh2KugxlizpI5cXA_1Yyf4isq0vhAvpimTqYe-nce8kBQbqYkMO07RapGw32/s1947/Canada%20Lynx%203%20June%20Nome.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1947" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVmr7CXZshIlBNXLCJzzkWHfaK-oho0B4TLWvK8HndtLbXgiTSsGSVU-ZiD92rb4VpceN-zSmenSync7Xj4KSxjMVldU_jPZ0FeCM06JOcEw7F12BB1OxC2Gk8MPjAJh2KugxlizpI5cXA_1Yyf4isq0vhAvpimTqYe-nce8kBQbqYkMO07RapGw32/w640-h328/Canada%20Lynx%203%20June%20Nome.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;"> Canada Lynx gives me a look. </span></div><div><br /></div><div>At mile post 50, where the Snowshoe Hares were abundant, I glimpsed a Canada Lynx on the roadside, and spent five minutes with this gorgeous predator, who was undoubtedly there to feast on the hares. Lynx are not something you see every day. This encounter made it a Red Letter day...</div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYoggoZaUwJKqEJSPG4pplwopzMDV5XcVp_EgnEAGghLqxrOkKtuSHtyBvUkcxrrNr9DOSK1clvChHUAZ6J_LNxtl9-lPV26Beuqtarhfih1_l0Iy-kvgXILCo-E0Evri_ZxSnTMA6xep8rLqckVAJgqFDosCogtzQ5SbOCQK35MCkhHStItQJ_GXQ/s2469/Canada%20Lynx%20running%20off%203%20June%20Nome.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2469" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYoggoZaUwJKqEJSPG4pplwopzMDV5XcVp_EgnEAGghLqxrOkKtuSHtyBvUkcxrrNr9DOSK1clvChHUAZ6J_LNxtl9-lPV26Beuqtarhfih1_l0Iy-kvgXILCo-E0Evri_ZxSnTMA6xep8rLqckVAJgqFDosCogtzQ5SbOCQK35MCkhHStItQJ_GXQ/w640-h260/Canada%20Lynx%20running%20off%203%20June%20Nome.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Canada Lynx says "good bye."</span></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDPn2h3V5fWuZjw-xx3d1N1ux46ejp3FazqUaLij2977vN16U_Ih9M05DnkMfvXBO3Wk2gYpwOGn6jX5j3b3_WKppSuhqzjKyJZIbkVxv8hreUDM7eKU17YKbR0pGbd3BpqPTUQBpwKGz3ca_TEzD3bq1suak4RzZlznLxcvDy7a0AzoY8GbDmwRCE/s1863/Grizzly%20Bear%20young%20male%20running%205%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1863" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDPn2h3V5fWuZjw-xx3d1N1ux46ejp3FazqUaLij2977vN16U_Ih9M05DnkMfvXBO3Wk2gYpwOGn6jX5j3b3_WKppSuhqzjKyJZIbkVxv8hreUDM7eKU17YKbR0pGbd3BpqPTUQBpwKGz3ca_TEzD3bq1suak4RzZlznLxcvDy7a0AzoY8GbDmwRCE/w640-h258/Grizzly%20Bear%20young%20male%20running%205%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">This is what a boar Grizzly looks like when running for its life.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Driving westward back towards town, I stopped to photograph a Northern Harrier soaring over the tundra. The harrier's movement drew my eye to a large creature moving in the distance--on the other side of the tundra valley. It was a boar Grizzly, running speedily up along a creek. My first Grizzly of the trip! Why was it running? I was more than a kilometer from the beast. My best guess is that it was running from my car, which it recognizes as a mortal threat. Again, everything is hunted here on the Seward Peninsula... </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8tN0B8FNtVQjDUmXpAUVQwtL915fYzjIsthHMEZg_FLDjqBQlsbXlUkmUwSsytWysz-4kmhjRY6NjjOWVNGwVenCdVzepJN7VENejssDUBrtfFCXRVqLzZTINScTh57zcrzfxElmixO-3fm6hKl5z5nuC8PJdm5DUj_VrioEuDfo4V0-rz7Xho2V4/s2753/Bristle-thighed%20Curlew%205%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2753" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8tN0B8FNtVQjDUmXpAUVQwtL915fYzjIsthHMEZg_FLDjqBQlsbXlUkmUwSsytWysz-4kmhjRY6NjjOWVNGwVenCdVzepJN7VENejssDUBrtfFCXRVqLzZTINScTh57zcrzfxElmixO-3fm6hKl5z5nuC8PJdm5DUj_VrioEuDfo4V0-rz7Xho2V4/w640-h290/Bristle-thighed%20Curlew%205%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Bristle-thighed Curlew strutting its stuff atop Bristle-thigh Ridge, 82 miles east of Nome town. </span></div><br /><div>Of course, the prime target of my second trip out the Kougarok Road was the elusive Bristle-thighed Curlew. I spent 2.5 hours walking the high tundra of Bristle-thigh Ridge in the early morning, all alone. I had the ridge to myself. I found only American Golden-Plovers and Whimbrels. These are great birds, but not what I was looking for... </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihb7it5WNdtKiYimelOP8FBtNbFOYnxNqlTDlR9cEMZEa9e9sEElZ23GXEFzzJv1mtH4W6jE4vcKFCdMwTfndK6LuMUH_0xlZboAUaITqsoduqP6Q5zHfUw-RTSdAgQKjWNRyIRxgx7BWvzMmAjCJQ_MzPsnpvfOz5xTAMiSRGYwgbVZ2O4yGrOgHQ/s1292/Bristle-thighed%20Curlew%205%20June%2022%20image%202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1292" height="620" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihb7it5WNdtKiYimelOP8FBtNbFOYnxNqlTDlR9cEMZEa9e9sEElZ23GXEFzzJv1mtH4W6jE4vcKFCdMwTfndK6LuMUH_0xlZboAUaITqsoduqP6Q5zHfUw-RTSdAgQKjWNRyIRxgx7BWvzMmAjCJQ_MzPsnpvfOz5xTAMiSRGYwgbVZ2O4yGrOgHQ/w640-h620/Bristle-thighed%20Curlew%205%20June%2022%20image%202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Bristle-thighed Curlew in the low tundra vegetation where it would like to nest...</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div>My long walk back and forth across the open tundra was frustrating. Then I saw a birding group up atop the ridge, so I said to myself, "the birding groups know what they are doing." I hustled up to the group (it took me more than 20 minutes to get to them--distances are deceptive on the tundra). As I approached, I heard the <i>tooee-tooee </i>call note of the Bristle-thighed, so I knew I was on the right track.</div><div><br /></div><div>The birding group was just about finished savoring the bird as I arrived at the group. The leader, who turned out to be Craig Robson (British author of the very fine <i>Birds of Southeast Asia</i>). He saw me approach, and said: "I am handing the bird off to you." I thanked him profusely and, as the tour group departed, I had my quarry in my sights... I had five minutes with this single individual, which eventually flew off, vocalizing. I heard both the song and the call--thrilling! </div><div><br /></div><div>The Bristle-thigh, along the the Bar-tailed Godwit, is one of the great trans-Pacific travelers, spending the winter in the islands of the South Pacific. The curlew nests only in a handful of isolated interior locations in western Alaska. I had seen the species on a ball field in Oahu many years ago with a close birding friend, but seeing it on the breeding ground was special. Having to try twice to enjoy this experience made it all the more memorable... </div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Blog #6, featuring the far north of Utqiagvik (Pt Barrow) will be issued on 23 July...</i></b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO3NngnbenDos9nQiCbpflPjhzBrfDqop7XespL43y6nF-xK_9CNoRuFtsRnP4ypf28GT6gVYFTwlQOWOVXsxXL3ukx4a90ZiUl3V9aVbLZgj3fGKf-B0J9jz11HR5HM-cA_gETG0Op1TAVjYy2o-e3hbqXDc6g6A4_ESi3cIX22sI9cESUgpLyRuE/s5546/Harlequin%20Ducks%20on%20Bering%20Sea%203%20June.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="933" data-original-width="5546" height="108" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO3NngnbenDos9nQiCbpflPjhzBrfDqop7XespL43y6nF-xK_9CNoRuFtsRnP4ypf28GT6gVYFTwlQOWOVXsxXL3ukx4a90ZiUl3V9aVbLZgj3fGKf-B0J9jz11HR5HM-cA_gETG0Op1TAVjYy2o-e3hbqXDc6g6A4_ESi3cIX22sI9cESUgpLyRuE/w640-h108/Harlequin%20Ducks%20on%20Bering%20Sea%203%20June.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Harlequin Ducks (2 male, 2 females) off Nome Point</span></div><br /><div><br /></div></div>Bruce Beehlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15885008878848042968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4395290943835782922.post-53601838549042168222022-07-17T14:11:00.003-07:002022-07-21T11:20:08.636-07:00<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5G5-785xla_qmxW4znK0FFwKhir58tmLfpl7lg0s8iiVUfLb2LHb_ITSTlnH9Vz6g-OLFuaApk4PxXy0eTLQO-96Xr86sjK90RcNql8DDGnWpY11Lg-xPOuyxMHN-3sn-UPFp9l0FJbsymJQKitOE0A0fEbJWOoIJFzf062dV5ddZ8G7-3idWsLri/s2345/Long-taild%20Jaeger%20in%20air%206%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2345" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5G5-785xla_qmxW4znK0FFwKhir58tmLfpl7lg0s8iiVUfLb2LHb_ITSTlnH9Vz6g-OLFuaApk4PxXy0eTLQO-96Xr86sjK90RcNql8DDGnWpY11Lg-xPOuyxMHN-3sn-UPFp9l0FJbsymJQKitOE0A0fEbJWOoIJFzf062dV5ddZ8G7-3idWsLri/w640-h272/Long-taild%20Jaeger%20in%20air%206%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Long-tailed Jaegers patrolled the lowland and upland tundra landscapes of the Seward Peninsula of Alaska</span><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Across the Continent (part 4 of 10)</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Nome & the Seward Peninsula</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>2-4 June 2022</b></span></div></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLRdeRBo9rqjRQ9Y4s69IdK0-z1B5qrswK33Wjn_D-T4sJqc3r5MW3hw-U3UDNZjRXJ8PGET6UYxMaBgytZlyrhFQxQTzpZY2f336887XojzovGxwazymOHY54fdG6t46CM5UfzdTQja_bToZ1MWGLsVIMzYCkZB8nzUo0uhz2p9eAeo10Qz5DPlJ7/s2551/Red-throated%20Loon%20pair%20display%202%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2551" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLRdeRBo9rqjRQ9Y4s69IdK0-z1B5qrswK33Wjn_D-T4sJqc3r5MW3hw-U3UDNZjRXJ8PGET6UYxMaBgytZlyrhFQxQTzpZY2f336887XojzovGxwazymOHY54fdG6t46CM5UfzdTQja_bToZ1MWGLsVIMzYCkZB8nzUo0uhz2p9eAeo10Qz5DPlJ7/w640-h250/Red-throated%20Loon%20pair%20display%202%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Red-throated Loons were commonplace on small ponds around Nome.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After dropping off my Xterra at the Nissan Dealer in Anchorage for a check-up, I Ubered to the airport to catch the Alaska Airlines flight to Nome, on the Seward Peninsula. I was headed to Nome on the advice of Alaska birding expert David Sonneborn, whom I had met in my 2020 visit to Alaska. In fact, I was one of <u>many</u> birders (and bird tours) headed to Nome for the height of the late spring birding season. Surprisingly, birders traipse to this isolated destination from all over the world. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNyIurEDVXwg5vAaw0qZz8WfqriBXPj9NfhopJf7uu4LDV2o41VJwb7jtlfMa6q5HrZX4AcGT1hFGqYfaGRqwfgaEaCkx0V-rFfDEmatIVFPRXGzWuAFj9S94wfbVyBoMo8roh1-2E562G4arMnm9Z0LEgt7pyAOHxgJNRgGZetARKWBr0e20XMWij/s1815/Long-tailed%20Jaeger%20on%20rock%203%20June.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1815" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNyIurEDVXwg5vAaw0qZz8WfqriBXPj9NfhopJf7uu4LDV2o41VJwb7jtlfMa6q5HrZX4AcGT1hFGqYfaGRqwfgaEaCkx0V-rFfDEmatIVFPRXGzWuAFj9S94wfbVyBoMo8roh1-2E562G4arMnm9Z0LEgt7pyAOHxgJNRgGZetARKWBr0e20XMWij/w640-h352/Long-tailed%20Jaeger%20on%20rock%203%20June.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Long-tailed Jaeger on territory</span><br /><p>My 2022 plan was to visit both Nome and Utqiagvik (Pt Barrow)--northern Alaskan coastal localities that are important breeding grounds for my beloved shorebirds. Neither location is accessible by road...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPElhHHJDyPikto1koSTLt0GEa7xsGGQeDo9XHJ3p3nxV9VAeq2RRsi08_Xl5oJ9gnPe6JFSn_uCRR0I2T6LlmKGmRuoNGW7rk7SPcTqjylw5X8t0qS_gwMWM29Kl039wuNj910pQWGcsAy6UlgufC6nol7s5j52EEptuS_fi5Qb8_p6OQ7-fjsGo/s2289/Long-tailed%20Jaeger%20on%20nest%206%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2289" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPElhHHJDyPikto1koSTLt0GEa7xsGGQeDo9XHJ3p3nxV9VAeq2RRsi08_Xl5oJ9gnPe6JFSn_uCRR0I2T6LlmKGmRuoNGW7rk7SPcTqjylw5X8t0qS_gwMWM29Kl039wuNj910pQWGcsAy6UlgufC6nol7s5j52EEptuS_fi5Qb8_p6OQ7-fjsGo/w640-h280/Long-tailed%20Jaeger%20on%20nest%206%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Long-tailed Jaeger on its single-egg nest in lowland tundra.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Of course, aside from loads of sandpipers, curlews, godwits, and phalaropes, these two locations featured lots of other tundra-breeding birds, many unfamiliar to me. The jaegers, typically only glimpsed at sea from a bobbing boat, could be found nesting and hunting in the roadside tundra. The wildlife around Nome was a feast for the eyes...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt5kuQE8hIt0SfeaAP6HnCWsFKvVlHOIU-Lbwk-7LZJi3vqKe92U9Yo83Vej_n__FOi5_YMzDE1ANUzkqxWU38ZysSHLzLptPGlpjfupHXZUfBsfKdiXDwkcX3VESTKpxKGx1Ib-eFpzHuso4o0GFi-YHtXswcEGdwfznPiqBpl6lymKRH0V3bJOVY/s2322/Nome%20vista%20with%20tundra%20and%20mts.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2322" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt5kuQE8hIt0SfeaAP6HnCWsFKvVlHOIU-Lbwk-7LZJi3vqKe92U9Yo83Vej_n__FOi5_YMzDE1ANUzkqxWU38ZysSHLzLptPGlpjfupHXZUfBsfKdiXDwkcX3VESTKpxKGx1Ib-eFpzHuso4o0GFi-YHtXswcEGdwfznPiqBpl6lymKRH0V3bJOVY/w640-h276/Nome%20vista%20with%20tundra%20and%20mts.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">As with most places in Alaska, a clear vista afforded views of snow-covered mountains</span><br /><div><br /></div><div>Nome is on the shores of the Bering Sea, which in early June was pretty much ice free, though big chunks of ice could be seen piles up on the sandy shoreline. The tundra was mainly snow-free as well, so the time was right for a storm of migrants from the south--birds headed here to breed and birds headed further north toward Utquiagvik and the Arctic Ocean.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg959wsMFdN37kPYe1Nz8-MfegifbfmcbX9dNef-XAVfM9DO1z1qGi-bu6eTLiKN9JzVCRM5awFw_oROAvtORd7lYohtLWHzftS6WFpiuZgE9YvcooOuP19ErG-6th245S9hC1ZhNMe-f512XiqVWote9HMVyzqEsSbj5Lmfs2l7x-5TghXPr8SVEnn/s1538/Northern%20harrier%20male%205%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1538" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg959wsMFdN37kPYe1Nz8-MfegifbfmcbX9dNef-XAVfM9DO1z1qGi-bu6eTLiKN9JzVCRM5awFw_oROAvtORd7lYohtLWHzftS6WFpiuZgE9YvcooOuP19ErG-6th245S9hC1ZhNMe-f512XiqVWote9HMVyzqEsSbj5Lmfs2l7x-5TghXPr8SVEnn/w640-h520/Northern%20harrier%20male%205%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Raptors were uncommon on the tundra. This Northern Harrier male was one of the few I saw...</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div>The 90-minute flight to Nome is over a series of snowy mountain ranges and vast expanses of what looks like unpopulated wild land. I arrived in Nome, checked into my hotel (the Aurora Inn) and picked up my rental car. Nome offered nearly 200 miles of dirt roads to travel in search of birds and wildlife. This morning, a heavy fog lay on the coast and sea, but the interior was clear and sunny. The temperature on the coast was a brisk 39F. <br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZqMT1i7pOTmlh0ZEVfuG8g25D0DpXEeYo8N3_uNXiNobNODnRrRBl4O0CXz8IHraduco4jZqSMEEUq6u4j-nWj7ITe_7Bu5miZW3bG6Qm8uBqi3ZthcoePCM7HlpXrEgTA-UqPZW1JIWx-wrQS1IVlVUfLqhsBBh0irvxB3CfTsG4cE4-p8e8qWLo/s1791/Orange-crowned%20Warbler%206%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1791" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZqMT1i7pOTmlh0ZEVfuG8g25D0DpXEeYo8N3_uNXiNobNODnRrRBl4O0CXz8IHraduco4jZqSMEEUq6u4j-nWj7ITe_7Bu5miZW3bG6Qm8uBqi3ZthcoePCM7HlpXrEgTA-UqPZW1JIWx-wrQS1IVlVUfLqhsBBh0irvxB3CfTsG4cE4-p8e8qWLo/w640-h446/Orange-crowned%20Warbler%206%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Songbirds, such as this Orange-crowned Warbler, were abundant in roadside willow and alder thickets.</span><br /><div><br /></div><div>In the afternoon of the 2nd of June, I drove south into Safety Sound, famous open and watery birding country, and then into the interior on the Council Road. I found Bar-tailed Godwits foraging in the delta of the Nome River and glimpse a pair of Emperor Geese on a grassy bank in Safety Sound. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIJm-_VawbwpQhrfQiBJFxtxZN9kT1S15HYwIsCnnqAdmUogvpkbRDoXT8yuxrabf4_pyuFr218iHIwa5-JaDIbUpStZVBK4a5IFqh2Ugk8E360OlKvplin1biKJif5zM2yxfLDK1Kop2ZSvwZvSBzo_opelR-SydeaRRYksGPQq4UcMBxM6nzJcfW/s1466/Semipalmated%20Sandpiper%20Nome%202%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1466" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIJm-_VawbwpQhrfQiBJFxtxZN9kT1S15HYwIsCnnqAdmUogvpkbRDoXT8yuxrabf4_pyuFr218iHIwa5-JaDIbUpStZVBK4a5IFqh2Ugk8E360OlKvplin1biKJif5zM2yxfLDK1Kop2ZSvwZvSBzo_opelR-SydeaRRYksGPQq4UcMBxM6nzJcfW/w640-h546/Semipalmated%20Sandpiper%20Nome%202%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Breeding-plumaged Semipalmated Sandpiper, one of the show-boats of Nome roadside tundra.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span>I bumped into birding colleague Ben Barkley and his dad birding at Nome Point. They showed me a Pomarine Jaeger on the rocks--the only one I saw in Nome. And also a small flock of male Harlequin Ducks. The fog moved in and out along the coast.... </span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLgfqF1iWydZKYoRKsYne7-kZ-6NObKKwcsAgGvm0LsSgIsBGAHPHuDWFpvxKem2_xpucwPg8rCF3QlG-P8-OCHH865j7P4rPe6THz_5XI-ay976hpIdc8jpGLjcaAcRXHBrAK568MPa7Pmka_1cqJUp_aefBSTWngrruXA4bKB5-Dr7ebszTJLM2g/s1951/Pomarine%20Jaeger%20adult%202%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1951" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLgfqF1iWydZKYoRKsYne7-kZ-6NObKKwcsAgGvm0LsSgIsBGAHPHuDWFpvxKem2_xpucwPg8rCF3QlG-P8-OCHH865j7P4rPe6THz_5XI-ay976hpIdc8jpGLjcaAcRXHBrAK568MPa7Pmka_1cqJUp_aefBSTWngrruXA4bKB5-Dr7ebszTJLM2g/w640-h328/Pomarine%20Jaeger%20adult%202%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Pomarine Jaeger. Saw this single adult pale morph bird near Nome Point. </span></div><div><br /></div><div>Vans filled with birders passed me. If I saw one stopped with scopes out, I would stop and query them on what interesting birds they had seen (and where?).... I walked out onto a wide expense of coastal tundra to get a feel for this unique habitat. In the interior, roadside willow thickets rang out with the songs of Gray-cheeked Thrushes and Northern Waterthrushes.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNK5k5C9geQthLc3vQ7NFHEIeramSoiMiSoA6k8Aonx3VpAMXVLMSKS5UQvxF78vaCVg7uWBdlwRwFLt6nqj3jaH675cH8ug3Q-YzI9iKgAn6IjhefvmG9k26DZUFFoKvqOkckfqmgG1SNQMNyq80vJwaJEcKyuLEsuxy9yzXnnmMhaQ6CmkdznEh1/s2022/peeps%20on%20the%20move%206%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="2022" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNK5k5C9geQthLc3vQ7NFHEIeramSoiMiSoA6k8Aonx3VpAMXVLMSKS5UQvxF78vaCVg7uWBdlwRwFLt6nqj3jaH675cH8ug3Q-YzI9iKgAn6IjhefvmG9k26DZUFFoKvqOkckfqmgG1SNQMNyq80vJwaJEcKyuLEsuxy9yzXnnmMhaQ6CmkdznEh1/w640-h238/peeps%20on%20the%20move%206%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">A flock of small peeps over Safety Sound, south of Nome on the coast road. These are birds headed north of here to breed.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>All along the road in Safety Sound, I bumped into Semipalmated Sandpipers in full display mode. Individuals would be skylarking in the air, giving their call, which sounded like a malfunctioning short-wave radio--a pulsing trill. They would hold their wings up at an angle and sail down to the ground with a flourish. Or males would chase each other, seeking to establish a breeding territory. The mix of Semipalmated Sandpipers and singing male Lapland Longspurs brought the tundra to life.</div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil1ZbGnzGTKt9SDornhUOUs39gJwp1tUJgE8dD1eHTO3mLX6WQz5uSE9nRMtD-jTIP4R6u5xCnJj-cc9N-KzoftZ055I0bk6U7qjmBiTQgg-NEETEKYIJUNQvKo5yc8Y_VEWqSfBrmpaGYx4cO-4FzkLtxMfd_wYcajCZ9o897tg55v_XdR5_9yCWu/s1500/Moose%20calf%20close%20up%206%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1458" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil1ZbGnzGTKt9SDornhUOUs39gJwp1tUJgE8dD1eHTO3mLX6WQz5uSE9nRMtD-jTIP4R6u5xCnJj-cc9N-KzoftZ055I0bk6U7qjmBiTQgg-NEETEKYIJUNQvKo5yc8Y_VEWqSfBrmpaGYx4cO-4FzkLtxMfd_wYcajCZ9o897tg55v_XdR5_9yCWu/w622-h640/Moose%20calf%20close%20up%206%20June%2022.JPG" width="622" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">young calf Moose by the road in Safety Sound</span></div><div><br /></div>In the vast expanse of water behind Safety Sound I saw flocks of Tundra Swans, many species of puddle ducks, Brant, and eiders. Arctic Terns foraged in flocks at the bridge crossing the main river draining the Sound.The Bering Sea, when the sun hit it, was a very deep cobalt blue. <br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6aRP3jRfb_ZjgCvDzU6KMlGCLB-EooFftBV9QRqmkS6xPK11SxeJstnhMeDHQSeygCJMcbAfDX9C2KgzRU6tX-bALim1F2m72Nb5f8QrZtKDOlGmCRyuDSoksOFGUrUsi9pj4enh2hKdv2aCrclV0aWEtI0tGMy3kmP5qwG9Dmetc_x_KX0E_JmSw/s1768/Muskox%20cow%20with%20calf.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1768" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6aRP3jRfb_ZjgCvDzU6KMlGCLB-EooFftBV9QRqmkS6xPK11SxeJstnhMeDHQSeygCJMcbAfDX9C2KgzRU6tX-bALim1F2m72Nb5f8QrZtKDOlGmCRyuDSoksOFGUrUsi9pj4enh2hKdv2aCrclV0aWEtI0tGMy3kmP5qwG9Dmetc_x_KX0E_JmSw/w640-h452/Muskox%20cow%20with%20calf.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">cow Muskox with its calf</span></div><div><br /></div><div>On 3 June I drove the Kougarok Road 82 miles into the very heart of the Seward Peninsula uplands. The rough dirt road took me over passes and through valleys surrounded by mountains. Taking off at 5am, the road was empty of cars--only me! Snowy ranges that could not be seen from the coast rose up on either side of the road. I flushed 20+ Snowshow Hares from the road as well a 3 Willow Ptarmigan. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwftpQ8eLCcB3pxqnG2gKKXr1tkxm6_bexyNrSYqiUwh-xWH_hBNYNHkg4tTU-91T-S9A-FunhWiwgLBJHK73aj0cVtU0uigeI5VxbsVbxOllyp7gtrhfxFfo6n2AzlfWg7QVDIUMNwzNyYf61VXumvU3O7lmwLsyibYkISjfDG38JsbMQJNMUYHi/s1888/Muskox%20male%20solo%203%20June.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1888" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwftpQ8eLCcB3pxqnG2gKKXr1tkxm6_bexyNrSYqiUwh-xWH_hBNYNHkg4tTU-91T-S9A-FunhWiwgLBJHK73aj0cVtU0uigeI5VxbsVbxOllyp7gtrhfxFfo6n2AzlfWg7QVDIUMNwzNyYf61VXumvU3O7lmwLsyibYkISjfDG38JsbMQJNMUYHi/w640-h338/Muskox%20male%20solo%203%20June.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">solitary bull Muskox, foraging in the upland tundra</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Crossing ahigh pass at milepost 49 I came up my first herd of Muskox. Seeing Muskx made me feel like I was well and truly in the Arctic. Talk about weird creatures! Some 25 of the beasts were foraging in the upland tundra--cows and calves together and the bulls separately... Whimbrels on territory flushed and whistled their musical alarm calls.</div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqIPkqR6swuY1pavZTDK5nGdtyoeA_IFoP2iKWx6MOnYBj-nT_tDjqHwyJy1eEMrhIMg-TJcpL2EZ1g5T3FZPHI002IRs23-yyVTIborSRSuZcaGZm1evZw85uQUtFQygQzjSpPQONMkov_G3-Ot-yz-yOcJNJxDJsW113p7PBZxHH20K-uXc5E_zc/s2303/Muskoxen%20image%203%20-%205%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2303" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqIPkqR6swuY1pavZTDK5nGdtyoeA_IFoP2iKWx6MOnYBj-nT_tDjqHwyJy1eEMrhIMg-TJcpL2EZ1g5T3FZPHI002IRs23-yyVTIborSRSuZcaGZm1evZw85uQUtFQygQzjSpPQONMkov_G3-Ot-yz-yOcJNJxDJsW113p7PBZxHH20K-uXc5E_zc/w640-h278/Muskoxen%20image%203%20-%205%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">One invariably sees Muskox in groups out in the tundra. </span></div><div><br /></div><div>I drove to milepost 82 in order to get top Bristle-thigh Ridge, just north of the road from Coffee Dome. This is where one hoped to glimpse the elusive Bristle-thighed Curlew. I got up onto that rounded ridge of low tundra by 7am. Mine was the only car parked in the pass. Walking the tundra here was magical--it is unlike any place in the Lower 48. Wall-to-wall tundra... The tundra is not a grassland, but a dwarf forest only a few inches high, made up of birch, willow, sphagnum moss, rhododendron, raindeer lichens, vaccinium, and many and diverse alpine flowering plants. </div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOBTIpvvjTJo4fviRDVgUuMywW8fJ7MN3awKF1mN7akDI6qF6vhafYWWXCbY5ipOzflmyqgj2e8Nb0Td1u59nzRdOk3IQb-Ty-kDhiVdQqT7LWwYg5H3y230kFv5IPY45FyOU89crJgzXekCYYBH4j_SU39ou1fdfxdGiBAbDPpCoDMPNXaGBUMGyp/s1500/tundra%20vegetation%20and%20boots.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1478" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOBTIpvvjTJo4fviRDVgUuMywW8fJ7MN3awKF1mN7akDI6qF6vhafYWWXCbY5ipOzflmyqgj2e8Nb0Td1u59nzRdOk3IQb-Ty-kDhiVdQqT7LWwYg5H3y230kFv5IPY45FyOU89crJgzXekCYYBH4j_SU39ou1fdfxdGiBAbDPpCoDMPNXaGBUMGyp/w630-h640/tundra%20vegetation%20and%20boots.JPG" width="630" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">The glory of the Alaska tundra--a forest in miniature, with birch, rhododendrons, blueberries, and other woody species.</span></div><br /><div>The commonplace birds were Lapland Longspur, Willow Ptarmigan, Savannah Sparrow, Wilson's Snipe, Whimbrel, Long-tailed Jaeger, and more.... But in general it is quiet and seemed empty. The vast expanse of habitat means the breeding birds have plenty of space to spread out... And they do! </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTynUZZLCFOUsEtuIIKqeSdIVeZMw9VcplQJZEaGSmsE3O6R_SrG0OftA0VkN2Od11Z1uryXYRwKl0_oneamExbBa980B6rAO77WOAVu6RtRJWrLhE_51alnecCtg-p0RVnvzzobOROQGP2hnbHcKL8uq1ZVMN5IwohqqidV2vkXlVb-D_V5D-Vkgg/s1610/Western%20Sandpiper%203%20June%20on%20territory.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1610" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTynUZZLCFOUsEtuIIKqeSdIVeZMw9VcplQJZEaGSmsE3O6R_SrG0OftA0VkN2Od11Z1uryXYRwKl0_oneamExbBa980B6rAO77WOAVu6RtRJWrLhE_51alnecCtg-p0RVnvzzobOROQGP2hnbHcKL8uq1ZVMN5IwohqqidV2vkXlVb-D_V5D-Vkgg/w640-h496/Western%20Sandpiper%203%20June%20on%20territory.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Western Sandpiper on territory up on the high ridge across from Coffee Dome (Kougarok Road). </span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div>I walked for three hours through this mountain tundra, every now and then coming upon some avian surprise... Greater White-fronted Geese, Cackling Geese, and Sandhill Cranes passed by... The Bristle-thighed Curlew was remarkably recondite. I heard the Curlew give its bubbling song once in the distance, but never glimpsed it. I found several Whimbrels on territory, but of course I was not there to look for that rather common species (on a typical birding day back home, Whimbrel would be a prized species). <br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0PNTYa7gXe56-bJGbX2etC6xxNTInSPIDqtPRbxIGLat2vS_N7Ff4h9QYx9C1GjgNFE8Inw-mUhAjuzWYToD5N1fd0czp_vnHsRTmsKKnebn79ybE7ncMVI4sNE2lAijIs5_2N2Wmftx-UaFQ3N5vXkpsGC6tiZF3wGPiRae8uKbxoLnFMPw9OUpw/s1571/Willow%20Ptarmigan%203%20June%20tundra%20uplands.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1571" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0PNTYa7gXe56-bJGbX2etC6xxNTInSPIDqtPRbxIGLat2vS_N7Ff4h9QYx9C1GjgNFE8Inw-mUhAjuzWYToD5N1fd0czp_vnHsRTmsKKnebn79ybE7ncMVI4sNE2lAijIs5_2N2Wmftx-UaFQ3N5vXkpsGC6tiZF3wGPiRae8uKbxoLnFMPw9OUpw/w640-h510/Willow%20Ptarmigan%203%20June%20tundra%20uplands.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">A confiding Willow Ptarmigan on the Bristle-thigh ridge, Kougarok Road</span></div><div><br /></div><div>High on this hill, nearly 100 miles from town, all alone, I was in a sort of birding nirvana--mysterious and empty and yet filled with promise. No biting insects. Temperature 45-50F. Tundra dry and friendly for walking. I was exactly where I wanted to be!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgTe_gNk0aWUEA5VNxzxJw9GJRvO0PutiMXgu9gGa9Kvr3LYBt_H4zRmqx87et4CVRspr0hd9UbqKWXglEUs3cFemvyVi9nz2Cp9Qn36ZAJ_ReKf8oLmHCoryXm2bEOtf7m5stCKikrlXjz_cFhB3uX5Waz9xXK37Yx2Sp8g6sGje3Ip9nL2S6YG6n/s2435/Whimbrel%20in%20flight%20Chocolate%20Mt%203%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2435" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgTe_gNk0aWUEA5VNxzxJw9GJRvO0PutiMXgu9gGa9Kvr3LYBt_H4zRmqx87et4CVRspr0hd9UbqKWXglEUs3cFemvyVi9nz2Cp9Qn36ZAJ_ReKf8oLmHCoryXm2bEOtf7m5stCKikrlXjz_cFhB3uX5Waz9xXK37Yx2Sp8g6sGje3Ip9nL2S6YG6n/w640-h262/Whimbrel%20in%20flight%20Chocolate%20Mt%203%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Breeding Whimbrels infested the Bristle-thigh Ridge on the Kougarok Road, making it difficult to find the rarer species.</span></div><br /><div>I was disappointed by my inability to see the Bristle-thighed Curlew, but the experience was sublime. Nothing else like it. I am a tundra-lover... As I loaded up the car for the long and slow drive back to town, I was already thinking, perhaps I should come back here...</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF3qEjcSvC0QHTGGXIG0E-WAp5ZKuzB0pt0KdWWqWnBEu0k_2pI5ZVnW_xhIND5QNfloIMlduiz9VzE3P8aePnSkNfhJfJ_o-yqrmrsLphELRk62mtfZxEa1Cn5_gQFwd-jauKL8JiYgT1I1IiK1lVnmtQWqLLMeoj3tpSX0_CyKONJMhNs96yeFHX/s1250/Snowshoe%20Hare%203%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1161" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF3qEjcSvC0QHTGGXIG0E-WAp5ZKuzB0pt0KdWWqWnBEu0k_2pI5ZVnW_xhIND5QNfloIMlduiz9VzE3P8aePnSkNfhJfJ_o-yqrmrsLphELRk62mtfZxEa1Cn5_gQFwd-jauKL8JiYgT1I1IiK1lVnmtQWqLLMeoj3tpSX0_CyKONJMhNs96yeFHX/w594-h640/Snowshoe%20Hare%203%20June%2022.JPG" width="594" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">At Milepost 35 on the Kougarok Road, Snowshow Hares were abundant along the roadside...</span><br /><div><br /></div><div>Highlight on the bird front up on the Bristle-thigh hill was American Golden-Plover. I spent time with two different breeding pairs in the tundra. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_iHWlqVEdTBz9sL_CbNGMqubSDW3HWEyLqEjIy-RYWRJtosqGc1XtK93eXNHZB2stcVy5Yt8aempnNJC9zaPJU74RyIr-WctuMYaKeUFdlA76GJw5cM8fVTwmZvToh-M9Nx8affEj8dNPZpYpOYvFdA0ZT7j8uIDI2OP8R0h9qbggDdhNLMEov8QA/s3079/American%20Golden-Plover%20in%20flight%205%20June%20Chocolate%20Mt.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="3079" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_iHWlqVEdTBz9sL_CbNGMqubSDW3HWEyLqEjIy-RYWRJtosqGc1XtK93eXNHZB2stcVy5Yt8aempnNJC9zaPJU74RyIr-WctuMYaKeUFdlA76GJw5cM8fVTwmZvToh-M9Nx8affEj8dNPZpYpOYvFdA0ZT7j8uIDI2OP8R0h9qbggDdhNLMEov8QA/w640-h208/American%20Golden-Plover%20in%20flight%205%20June%20Chocolate%20Mt.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">On my first visit to the Bristle-thigh Ridge, American Golden-Plover on territory was the prize encounter.</span></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipzGXTfhM1IxCu-vHC4VY3YqiHfwSnEzPX61WazsWVoQ8RCyk1MJlojWMAgKgGum5NcS5bONJGmVPQf0NGR1wgR_C0ONzDIlg8FH1eG-f2R2hjZZJB_EzUach8zxg0FQDqdzgPY2Q5Huuo_6PReO3Wiu83BLLDTDfPfLZ4-z4wj-rNapF7BO0xMoAh/s2901/American%20Golden-Plover%203%20June%20Kougarok%20Rd.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2901" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipzGXTfhM1IxCu-vHC4VY3YqiHfwSnEzPX61WazsWVoQ8RCyk1MJlojWMAgKgGum5NcS5bONJGmVPQf0NGR1wgR_C0ONzDIlg8FH1eG-f2R2hjZZJB_EzUach8zxg0FQDqdzgPY2Q5Huuo_6PReO3Wiu83BLLDTDfPfLZ4-z4wj-rNapF7BO0xMoAh/w640-h220/American%20Golden-Plover%203%20June%20Kougarok%20Rd.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">American Golden-Plover in the low vegetation of the upland tundra of Bristle-thigh Ridge.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>On the 4th of June I headed south on the Council Road. I drove 45 miles to a high pass and walked more upland tundra. I cannot get enough of it. It had not been raining. One could simply drop onto the tundra and take a nap it was so spongy and comfortable. The birds I was looking for--Bluethroat and Arctic Warbler and Northern Wheatear, were all hidden from view on this day... </div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrxlIvKvBdR82x7ZMVC0Rg7kl6U_Mf82b4AzuZN-Zyh877u9Gt6ZHgWlJY8L_pK9jLlNxnbUvw_3PANPJ1373HUhxTCpwMdYbGx-c055NsvRcK-NxJy4MQatiUCCjqIYsVVLxtYAxm4aK9KdSPMy_rIQKZaGmU43ePiPjXZWG2WuIBeUSHTNihF6yD/s1333/tundra%20poppies.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1333" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrxlIvKvBdR82x7ZMVC0Rg7kl6U_Mf82b4AzuZN-Zyh877u9Gt6ZHgWlJY8L_pK9jLlNxnbUvw_3PANPJ1373HUhxTCpwMdYbGx-c055NsvRcK-NxJy4MQatiUCCjqIYsVVLxtYAxm4aK9KdSPMy_rIQKZaGmU43ePiPjXZWG2WuIBeUSHTNihF6yD/w640-h600/tundra%20poppies.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Arctic Poppies in the upland tundra</span></div><div><br /></div><div>The tundra wildflowers were fantastic and so accessible. I could photograph them with my iPhone. </div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiP45qkbUXKUVIveoO7amj-h-Mq4RsiNignEv9a82NzRSrGd7t4EGm0p8bPrHOL4BWZxbPrczJZumdpEcpm5uKcZ06IKeoVOnj4emSdF9RoiuOClYApVSlSeisdGgfYmRNszokpIRqDoCF33RmY13QP6g1Dhzx4BscO1LcIJw25paCO6LRn7RsR7uN/s2284/Red-throated%20Loon%20pair%20together%202%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2284" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiP45qkbUXKUVIveoO7amj-h-Mq4RsiNignEv9a82NzRSrGd7t4EGm0p8bPrHOL4BWZxbPrczJZumdpEcpm5uKcZ06IKeoVOnj4emSdF9RoiuOClYApVSlSeisdGgfYmRNszokpIRqDoCF33RmY13QP6g1Dhzx4BscO1LcIJw25paCO6LRn7RsR7uN/w640-h280/Red-throated%20Loon%20pair%20together%202%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;"> One never tired of spending time with a breeding pair of Red-throated Loons</span></div><div><br /></div><div>In the afternoon of the 3rd of June, Safety Sound continued to be productive--lots of Pintails, Shovelers, Green-winged Teal, Red-breasted Mergansers, Brant, and swans. An Eastern Yellow Wagtail flitted up from the edge of the water--a life bird for me. This is a bird I had written about for my work in New Guinea... This Asian species breeds sparingly in Alaska, but winters in Australasia....</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizxXc7F5zI2wX0QqQpX8Gba12B0pRlIJpOJamugXXv14SJvPlfXQtsT6KNK1r__HnPbd9pBl7mPkuje3k5rBBwXoa7ksCMT7XqHJOdcIZmms3pDWg27SY4Gq8b2VU_gkLfpdnlrgW__P-kGziZFz10IzVpJYvgUCvgwpbjDKSk6uMq52srpg5MJET4/s1264/Snowshoe%20Hare%20number%20two%20-%205%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1264" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizxXc7F5zI2wX0QqQpX8Gba12B0pRlIJpOJamugXXv14SJvPlfXQtsT6KNK1r__HnPbd9pBl7mPkuje3k5rBBwXoa7ksCMT7XqHJOdcIZmms3pDWg27SY4Gq8b2VU_gkLfpdnlrgW__P-kGziZFz10IzVpJYvgUCvgwpbjDKSk6uMq52srpg5MJET4/w640-h632/Snowshoe%20Hare%20number%20two%20-%205%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Better look at the spring Snowshoe Hare...</span></div><div><br /></div><div>More surprises--a dark morph Parasitic Jaeger passed me by as I drove north. The American Robins were singing their hearts out at 7am in town. </div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAJCf9CgHEt3ZO7MeN2Z0g7An0XI0cOeDqASMoQXI5Ogxfck7qsl59m1BYGKwDyAKcLchgjvsI4RjOaJGbqifJeiQNJ9qtZfFAqSCpEz3ItmHpK_pDLScFJMYj8Z-yZ9Lt8PPiPz9lYTGZkTNySIJbLtYhP82QDIBuY5Ua3XZ-gwPKIuIvPHv5rGjW/s3436/Muskoxen%20threesome%203%20June%2022%20Nome.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="3436" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAJCf9CgHEt3ZO7MeN2Z0g7An0XI0cOeDqASMoQXI5Ogxfck7qsl59m1BYGKwDyAKcLchgjvsI4RjOaJGbqifJeiQNJ9qtZfFAqSCpEz3ItmHpK_pDLScFJMYj8Z-yZ9Lt8PPiPz9lYTGZkTNySIJbLtYhP82QDIBuY5Ua3XZ-gwPKIuIvPHv5rGjW/w640-h186/Muskoxen%20threesome%203%20June%2022%20Nome.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">One last look at the Muskoxen. </span></div><div><br /></div><div>Fox Sparrows and American Tree Sparrows, wintering birds in Maryland, are spring breeders here, singing like crazy along the roadside thickets. Here's is a strange thing: a gallon of gasoline was only $4.77 in Nome but $5.22 in Anchorage... </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2p-OvlSst3LaXP-jsvNENcCMaiMImVs4vE1euHlizevMs4qMdUWWVNEquadfQFvw8Na95kt5sOldGUGQsRyv1J3CGFZzTnV2N-_wRzuMOITt2Ik0MlOLGfAURPyUU7vDPnosskoRu4c2g0vQZzca0yJ-PY8GOhAEMbVROnFsUe_QY70PGEHoqUuNw/s2558/Red-throated%20Loon%207%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2558" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2p-OvlSst3LaXP-jsvNENcCMaiMImVs4vE1euHlizevMs4qMdUWWVNEquadfQFvw8Na95kt5sOldGUGQsRyv1J3CGFZzTnV2N-_wRzuMOITt2Ik0MlOLGfAURPyUU7vDPnosskoRu4c2g0vQZzca0yJ-PY8GOhAEMbVROnFsUe_QY70PGEHoqUuNw/w640-h250/Red-throated%20Loon%207%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>For most meals I frequented Marino's Restaurant, downtown Nome, with an eclectic selection of food--Italian, Philippine, Chinese, and more. Birders piled in here at the end of the day. It was fun to compare notes on birds seen and not seen... <i><b>More on Nome and its wildlife next, in Blog 5.</b></i><br /><div><br /></div></div>Bruce Beehlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15885008878848042968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4395290943835782922.post-84300866700692288982022-07-14T13:29:00.000-07:002022-07-14T13:29:05.006-07:00<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhASCP7FVzEhJp2wk2NlvPl5yfgAAvGdae20eIS-Nwpxk_z4O4-geX-lWwZOmi7-Q4pGNdqoPqxaJzwOhDZgx9lg4JsE7pMAEGDEg4V84LYcNC7v6sHrvkSJcnXiuPlc37EpLJoaVjQXzd_MDTqzVRKKgF3u376jRwiuoBuqd3sKOfL4dsc9ptzp2hK/s2223/Rock%20Ptarmigan%20Arctic%20Valley%201%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2223" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhASCP7FVzEhJp2wk2NlvPl5yfgAAvGdae20eIS-Nwpxk_z4O4-geX-lWwZOmi7-Q4pGNdqoPqxaJzwOhDZgx9lg4JsE7pMAEGDEg4V84LYcNC7v6sHrvkSJcnXiuPlc37EpLJoaVjQXzd_MDTqzVRKKgF3u376jRwiuoBuqd3sKOfL4dsc9ptzp2hK/w640-h360/Rock%20Ptarmigan%20Arctic%20Valley%201%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Rock Ptarmigan atop a pinnacle in Arctic Valley, with the waters of Knick Arm in background</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Across the Continent (part 3 of 10)</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Yukon to Alaska</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>28 May - 2 June 2022</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_mt-3htD-dUB_LpKnK5TiX3nrV1_-t_xqqs9lRZHT6-mP0zQXFw8A33EWLT25Vxhy75tnQGyyrpeD083KhBRVOlGsUn24uuKf2tmC0SnkR1CeFY6XvYPLinKBlxX5wgw8koGdEpwl_pMWzo2a6oAo0yI4D_VQj_dUwiWWKqWzELAtOqnHmwos5vb/s2545/Yukon%20town%20vista.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1750" data-original-width="2545" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_mt-3htD-dUB_LpKnK5TiX3nrV1_-t_xqqs9lRZHT6-mP0zQXFw8A33EWLT25Vxhy75tnQGyyrpeD083KhBRVOlGsUn24uuKf2tmC0SnkR1CeFY6XvYPLinKBlxX5wgw8koGdEpwl_pMWzo2a6oAo0yI4D_VQj_dUwiWWKqWzELAtOqnHmwos5vb/w640-h440/Yukon%20town%20vista.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">This is the view when filling up in northwestern Yukon</span></div><div><br /></div><div>I spent the night of the 27th May on Teslin Lake, between Watson Lake and Whitehorse in the southern Yukon. The lake was frozen and there were snowdrifts around the campsite. The aspens were leafless. Being next to the frozen lake meant I had a cold night in my tent. It was 35 F when I departed the campground at 0541am. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQs-WeP3OLj9SLr9A5-qn2c7op4NLV5teIL9ZtOvD6HFOAqzZtAL5-elbqfZ-hDfm_pxazpLVAt5ucGpLVl95n6G6hDqYxS6vuAlWjHU2n2sNSWmJ67XAUyIx1HRlFRv0Ps1oo9acNaklJmnq_mrQtWlmq04Wx_wNdT7762mZQMmhkgR0wyO-Z2fiM/s1947/Moose%20Bull%20with%20velvet%20stubs%2029%20May%202022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1947" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQs-WeP3OLj9SLr9A5-qn2c7op4NLV5teIL9ZtOvD6HFOAqzZtAL5-elbqfZ-hDfm_pxazpLVAt5ucGpLVl95n6G6hDqYxS6vuAlWjHU2n2sNSWmJ67XAUyIx1HRlFRv0Ps1oo9acNaklJmnq_mrQtWlmq04Wx_wNdT7762mZQMmhkgR0wyO-Z2fiM/w640-h494/Moose%20Bull%20with%20velvet%20stubs%2029%20May%202022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">early summer bull Moose contemplating photographer</span></div><div><span> </span><br /></div><div><span><span>In the early AM I drove northwestward toward Whitehorse. I saw a Snowshoe Hare and many American Robins crossing the road. The Robin is the songbird of this trip. I saw them everywhere... The Alaska Highway follows formerly glaciated valleys--making for nice smooth routing. I found a restaurant in a </span></span>rundown motel just outside of Whitehorse on the west side of town and had a big breakfast. This breakfast is <u>so</u> good that I make a note to myself to return here on my way back south in late June...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6aKiCqIg4s75MLVZCBYZwnJC1WyZ83tDx-vadvBylee3mUNORKDv6f5ejhZmr6k2rDFoByAvMrLJqe-PWpYK6vCPimsB7325bs-pYeE82_ocVyOfaj2-NRhI1UUgDl6Yfvp0796WBApZmMgpsR1HZVoJsZWf8uwKxXB0IsJNDWIAvYPfD9gXO12Q0/s2050/Yukon%20-%20Alaska%20Hwy%20-%2028%20May%202022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2050" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6aKiCqIg4s75MLVZCBYZwnJC1WyZ83tDx-vadvBylee3mUNORKDv6f5ejhZmr6k2rDFoByAvMrLJqe-PWpYK6vCPimsB7325bs-pYeE82_ocVyOfaj2-NRhI1UUgDl6Yfvp0796WBApZmMgpsR1HZVoJsZWf8uwKxXB0IsJNDWIAvYPfD9gXO12Q0/w640-h390/Yukon%20-%20Alaska%20Hwy%20-%2028%20May%202022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">western Yukon in late May is a conucopia of snow-covered ranges</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div>My route on this day took me through bustling Whitehorse (Yukon's capital), Haines Junction, Destruction Bay, and Beaver Creek in the Yukon. I then crossed the international border back into the US just beyond Beaver Creek, and then I finished up in Tok, Alaska (pronounced TOAK). I drove through gorgeous mountain country but see very little wildlife. Over 10 hours I traveled 484 miles.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOb_iQKBRD0auiCtBXZe8ysCi_tmTt5j6bZvM4waq9zG0HRhEvk-mYeJoEEwX2AQvi9pTBm6_YCYTS8Dl2AaJvOVZB70Ud1GetmeBHeOEhda6tAqq9yRT_kwmvOls1P22A6qsbs_tyvtoL1No-8eSI7_GL5p-ZlV9_xH957YVF8QISpQ1q7JiLmRMy/s2218/bikers%20on%20way%20to%20Argentina.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2218" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOb_iQKBRD0auiCtBXZe8ysCi_tmTt5j6bZvM4waq9zG0HRhEvk-mYeJoEEwX2AQvi9pTBm6_YCYTS8Dl2AaJvOVZB70Ud1GetmeBHeOEhda6tAqq9yRT_kwmvOls1P22A6qsbs_tyvtoL1No-8eSI7_GL5p-ZlV9_xH957YVF8QISpQ1q7JiLmRMy/w640-h360/bikers%20on%20way%20to%20Argentina.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">William and Shelby Hunter, biking from the Arctic Ocean south to Argentina</span> <div><br /></div><div>I bumped into a young couple who are biking south to Argentina. Apparently that is an 18-month project... Now that's extreme travel! They can be followed at "team ultimate exposure".</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBnDWq7OjYgUxjq-K4rBw3StKcOIaPxNwYJBEHe1zOktTCmgyDDIdIqF43v7xz7iiPEJUzTWF6osGHBDMFbJW7VePXBHUVdrT7Xu3sLjL-0fprV4bjzicOe-jcSvpbsXGO96E2tyqd78cbGYq4Wi7tmbO-FjwavlJrzUCDJYm34xb-oSmEc0nnyQ8u/s2307/Yukon%20Mt%20vista%202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2307" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBnDWq7OjYgUxjq-K4rBw3StKcOIaPxNwYJBEHe1zOktTCmgyDDIdIqF43v7xz7iiPEJUzTWF6osGHBDMFbJW7VePXBHUVdrT7Xu3sLjL-0fprV4bjzicOe-jcSvpbsXGO96E2tyqd78cbGYq4Wi7tmbO-FjwavlJrzUCDJYm34xb-oSmEc0nnyQ8u/w640-h416/Yukon%20Mt%20vista%202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Black and White Spruce frame these Yukon hills</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Today my critter highlights are a single Black Bear and the Snowshoe Hare. My most interesting (and sad) encounter was a recently road-killed Wolverine, about 42 km east of Beaver Creek. This was the only Wolverine I encountered on the trip.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhua4P4erawVQ_iu0FyszSd0a8mpO0Lk1HJcSaufC0PhALgFt92swoy4W8f4nYZNYB3dFHmQygsklJb8ih4W_xB_FReFBkf-VQ9Yvyh8Y4N_nzT928UIbgmn60hPqUFrrW7zwI2kKAejYJ36nwsqtrwf_usC21soBrAjDpD4Y4iUp6SpjV__cSfZpCL/s2252/Yukon%20Mt%20vista%20no%203%20-%2028%20May%202022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2252" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhua4P4erawVQ_iu0FyszSd0a8mpO0Lk1HJcSaufC0PhALgFt92swoy4W8f4nYZNYB3dFHmQygsklJb8ih4W_xB_FReFBkf-VQ9Yvyh8Y4N_nzT928UIbgmn60hPqUFrrW7zwI2kKAejYJ36nwsqtrwf_usC21soBrAjDpD4Y4iUp6SpjV__cSfZpCL/w640-h284/Yukon%20Mt%20vista%20no%203%20-%2028%20May%202022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">snow-covered mountains in every direction in the Yukon, from the Alaska Highway</span></div><div><br /></div><div>I saw not a single raptor in my long day of driving. Why no raptors? </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgih1wQb0PF05oS3OjQ42vqCyuej1yZLPiL6chLc_DbBBFXNwdn2tBHZgHYyS6LsPLTc3Vpq-FkR9rzMCaI3DkhX9fCryNZLmNUrBI0QdslARv5_j1IF2ZeHzG6IYOc6eN9xeW0TZv6DWoJ-AR1mZ9yUkNpygk8mMywyzUTiA2Md4YZMjMk9b42S7dF/s4448/Greater%20Scaup%20drake%208%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3312" data-original-width="4448" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgih1wQb0PF05oS3OjQ42vqCyuej1yZLPiL6chLc_DbBBFXNwdn2tBHZgHYyS6LsPLTc3Vpq-FkR9rzMCaI3DkhX9fCryNZLmNUrBI0QdslARv5_j1IF2ZeHzG6IYOc6eN9xeW0TZv6DWoJ-AR1mZ9yUkNpygk8mMywyzUTiA2Md4YZMjMk9b42S7dF/w640-h476/Greater%20Scaup%20drake%208%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">drake Greater Scaup</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div>Lots of ponds, lakes, and rivers in these parts. Great nesting habitat for waterfowl. </div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi850Fu8PpIHnY_TmsAHxOKJpgI_8owLlUe9pYX-gHVqJRQJ9-C8wngAldicjUY1xMeCIgy3PWZVqudPoCG04UjDaEH9r6hOUq4Ryh_D5XdWXBF7fVN_-EYsDrOw3YcyLtHZOjT9_aVZRS_DxT-hAivYGeI0UOiXjkWCOUcR3pD-wlTsRUjLWKmgCXw/s2933/Trumpeter%20Swan%20on%20nest%20-%20near%20AK%20border%20on%20AK%20Hwy%2028%20May.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2933" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi850Fu8PpIHnY_TmsAHxOKJpgI_8owLlUe9pYX-gHVqJRQJ9-C8wngAldicjUY1xMeCIgy3PWZVqudPoCG04UjDaEH9r6hOUq4Ryh_D5XdWXBF7fVN_-EYsDrOw3YcyLtHZOjT9_aVZRS_DxT-hAivYGeI0UOiXjkWCOUcR3pD-wlTsRUjLWKmgCXw/w640-h272/Trumpeter%20Swan%20on%20nest%20-%20near%20AK%20border%20on%20AK%20Hwy%2028%20May.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Trumpeter Swan on its nest near the Yukon-Alaska border (Beaver Creek)</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihsPOFrfLff3uOTa7w9A3xUZZXk0f511oadYzLRTK32a11Z2Km_4DHXP0BdIAlprKjmcs6_22_WjBF5uHvn5lnf_6nq5NLTXnLintvX1kjnrT1QxL0hb_TOVWZR6vTkJMVkgYRLHIcM4aN8vL2JLyMR9lcDlLAsmYIE9b2ig5_m5_BAJb6glgVmHcb/s2700/Mts%20at%20AK%20border.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2700" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihsPOFrfLff3uOTa7w9A3xUZZXk0f511oadYzLRTK32a11Z2Km_4DHXP0BdIAlprKjmcs6_22_WjBF5uHvn5lnf_6nq5NLTXnLintvX1kjnrT1QxL0hb_TOVWZR6vTkJMVkgYRLHIcM4aN8vL2JLyMR9lcDlLAsmYIE9b2ig5_m5_BAJb6glgVmHcb/w640-h356/Mts%20at%20AK%20border.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">more mountain ranges near the Yukon-AK border</span></div><div><br /></div><div>On the afternoon of 28 May I arrived at the Tok River Campground in Alaska. I am gratified to have been able to drive from Maryland to Alaska in seven days. It was a great drive, with no hiccups. The Tok Campground is dominated by mature White Spruce. The river itself was in flood. I bump into some local residents who have put hooked lines in the water to catch a local fish called a Burbot. This little-know river fish produces mild white boneless meat -- sometimes called "poor man's lobster." It looks a bit like a snakehead.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieVUMpYcN2GT7ONQxybCykOwXsMo8sUVUYgo4lZ_oJixfR7F-cAE6tb-_2Ls9xVTLKrNWI51l_4Pb0j1byb96fNp4JbKo2DubER1bPSy9S06DDsqhp6csJEkjEjmQnBoponaA8-5JNY6aAC7nDhX_GhLNwq4wbSVxsBFS0deicGcxB_-bxIKTYXEmi/s1765/Canada%20Jay%20at%20Tok%20River%20Campground%20AK%2028%20May.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1765" height="544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieVUMpYcN2GT7ONQxybCykOwXsMo8sUVUYgo4lZ_oJixfR7F-cAE6tb-_2Ls9xVTLKrNWI51l_4Pb0j1byb96fNp4JbKo2DubER1bPSy9S06DDsqhp6csJEkjEjmQnBoponaA8-5JNY6aAC7nDhX_GhLNwq4wbSVxsBFS0deicGcxB_-bxIKTYXEmi/w640-h544/Canada%20Jay%20at%20Tok%20River%20Campground%20AK%2028%20May.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Canada Jay at Tok River Campground, in eastern AK</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span>I walked some of the trails around the Tok River State Forest and found Swainson's Thrush, Hermit Thrush, and Boreal Chickadee. Red Squirrel was the common mammal.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ99xfT7A0q8l6IibM6-z2hEk2iYJVDU1iq56mlsDFfW2Wxz3m2XVa0XIkH0iTX8g2KJOhsDBw8QCoCbhE3IkGbBazAc4CPYcGLe_Qb4eJJXR92OR1ZXKZhcicY-Sc4wj7amdW4OiJRaZXhWRmL0cncQP22q3yGOjbTuQg-Rd-NA_FS1opDdW6EOV8/s2190/Tipy%20Thai%20food%20truck,%20neat%20Tok%20AK%2029%20May%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2190" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ99xfT7A0q8l6IibM6-z2hEk2iYJVDU1iq56mlsDFfW2Wxz3m2XVa0XIkH0iTX8g2KJOhsDBw8QCoCbhE3IkGbBazAc4CPYcGLe_Qb4eJJXR92OR1ZXKZhcicY-Sc4wj7amdW4OiJRaZXhWRmL0cncQP22q3yGOjbTuQg-Rd-NA_FS1opDdW6EOV8/w640-h438/Tipy%20Thai%20food%20truck,%20neat%20Tok%20AK%2029%20May%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Yes, Thai food in Alaska! </span><br /><p>Rural eastern Alaska is curious, with all sorts of sights along the road of Alaskan lifestyles.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhIz4hWSj3wWjBzSHcaFCClOPbHhB7fdzAtmwN-vKOqBJkTeuV0NxB_2zWFw8Pwvre2z7EPcLJDVygK_qs-11YMjLwj3KYw9bBR4YU77Bc7gD6Hk7AML6pNzj3-2T9iDNTNJ9n3EJKyXkIlokT-sqWE9b0UadS0p7rJbCfvEzHvAxJxxfbpmcwcIho/s3170/rural%20AK%20scene%2029%20May%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="3170" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhIz4hWSj3wWjBzSHcaFCClOPbHhB7fdzAtmwN-vKOqBJkTeuV0NxB_2zWFw8Pwvre2z7EPcLJDVygK_qs-11YMjLwj3KYw9bBR4YU77Bc7gD6Hk7AML6pNzj3-2T9iDNTNJ9n3EJKyXkIlokT-sqWE9b0UadS0p7rJbCfvEzHvAxJxxfbpmcwcIho/w640-h202/rural%20AK%20scene%2029%20May%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">roadside homestead near Delta Junction, AK</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>On the 29th of May I drove to Fairbanks, Alaska, to visit a research colleague and her family. I am all alone driving on Highway 2 through Dry Creek, Delta Junction, Salcha, and North Pole. It is a Sunday. A lonely road. I glimpsed a cow Moose out on the broad gravels of the Tanana River in the morning. Then, near Delta Junction, I had a nice close encounter with a chill young bull Moose (see photo), by the road. This guy just did not worry about my proximity--which made for nice photographs.</div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBV1vpCqVVl5dQ0onL-OARCELCYonP8d1pf9iJpeQb02i8hjSI16rzJXynI_ikuHAHtqJyBO1Q_C50IlT7q1FVmZhuk1Uq4lp0GQXa3D5Q9rCeK3ZJJy-2x6yPjgeoZf7Vifx8BGpbqTfc8Ge9eYPlin3jTqzIcYHcfMmMOybfQ52bujdad3PAhhr4/s2339/Atop%20Murphy's%20Dome,%20near%20Fairbanks.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2339" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBV1vpCqVVl5dQ0onL-OARCELCYonP8d1pf9iJpeQb02i8hjSI16rzJXynI_ikuHAHtqJyBO1Q_C50IlT7q1FVmZhuk1Uq4lp0GQXa3D5Q9rCeK3ZJJy-2x6yPjgeoZf7Vifx8BGpbqTfc8Ge9eYPlin3jTqzIcYHcfMmMOybfQ52bujdad3PAhhr4/w640-h342/Atop%20Murphy's%20Dome,%20near%20Fairbanks.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Hiking with Julie Hagelin and husband Peter and son Nate, and their puppy, atop Murphy's Dome, outside of Fairbanks, AK</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span>Julie Hagelin, who worked in the Lakekamu Basin of PNG with me decades ago, is now a wildlife biologist working for the State, and has lived for a long time in Fairbanks. For many year she has studied the Olive-sided Flycatcher, which has shown serious declines across North America. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBx5lxV5dvsQpOc6hGUJpELZcTsrmu6bferPCvTO58hQFxSJRVbILPtVIiunDNLYs2dORgNT4W1bFJe_yk8-NC3iXPjJqjzSXi_chrn_tsN4QoPm5L1h0osqVyWeAFT7HNvrKqXATvPby6UjdVodcSUIV_IepKtfumwXZHXqc0zeIImo952i0XgI6r/s1627/alpines%20on%20Murphy's%20Dome.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1627" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBx5lxV5dvsQpOc6hGUJpELZcTsrmu6bferPCvTO58hQFxSJRVbILPtVIiunDNLYs2dORgNT4W1bFJe_yk8-NC3iXPjJqjzSXi_chrn_tsN4QoPm5L1h0osqVyWeAFT7HNvrKqXATvPby6UjdVodcSUIV_IepKtfumwXZHXqc0zeIImo952i0XgI6r/w640-h296/alpines%20on%20Murphy's%20Dome.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">two alpines, (left) Eight-petaled Mountain Avens and (right) another (unnamed) not flowering, on Murphy's Dome, near</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Fairbanks, AK</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div>On the evening of the 29th I dined at Julie's log home outside of Fairbanks. Sunny and warm and a bit buggy, we cooked out on the grill. The next morning we all drove out to Murphy's Dome for a hike and a mountaintop picnic. The weather cooperated. It was cloudless and gorgeous. This was Memorial Day.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf6vHYrct4wlo9v8LNQfVE5cVh8mxpdXQmm56gjwKocpd7NlA82e9zNQk3nw-8P12mano6MyC06Zsm4KBYdTbG9eNNZMZmVzWVxaqEH1zPAN1DPGPIKNDTTESDUwH8VmjxUIJzjvVsyjmbawMtE9z8_dYaOA1Urfeph4K40ZWraBnz1YDWdLuBSgRN/s1610/Wolly%20Lousewort,%20Fairbanks.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1610" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf6vHYrct4wlo9v8LNQfVE5cVh8mxpdXQmm56gjwKocpd7NlA82e9zNQk3nw-8P12mano6MyC06Zsm4KBYdTbG9eNNZMZmVzWVxaqEH1zPAN1DPGPIKNDTTESDUwH8VmjxUIJzjvVsyjmbawMtE9z8_dYaOA1Urfeph4K40ZWraBnz1YDWdLuBSgRN/w640-h496/Wolly%20Lousewort,%20Fairbanks.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Woolly Lousewort, Murphy's Dome</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div>Aside from the prety alpine flowers, and the amazing low tundra atop the Dome, we encountered a goodly number of birds: Northern Wheatear, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Northern Harrier, Swainson's Thrush, Rusty Blackbird, Yellow-rumped Warbler, White-crowned Sparrow, and, of course, hoards of American Robins. We feasted of pizza on the banks of the Chena River in the evening (with the sun high in the sky). Not much nighttime in late May in Fairbanks... </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbLxoFZXvosrurPbAQk9T_GASbUq0VJXOXCgP8TLl5QcCalF1wNpDqT_ERKVMyerKDgbV-08dR_jpIB0zA07JtjY-KhhQhFhUVElZwe3AkWiJiDuN2MuRwe0Yiul3poRR9YKS7RTj5Ir23RYPLWqcmljjyrSIeGiuG5rsyKEjuBjw0Ri6qA2mnCsM/s2321/Denali.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2321" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbLxoFZXvosrurPbAQk9T_GASbUq0VJXOXCgP8TLl5QcCalF1wNpDqT_ERKVMyerKDgbV-08dR_jpIB0zA07JtjY-KhhQhFhUVElZwe3AkWiJiDuN2MuRwe0Yiul3poRR9YKS7RTj5Ir23RYPLWqcmljjyrSIeGiuG5rsyKEjuBjw0Ri6qA2mnCsM/w640-h344/Denali.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Snow-domed summit of Denali, from the Denali Highway</span></div><div><br /></div><div>On the 31st of May I drove from Fairbanks to Anchorage. The route (Hwy 3) took me along the stunning Denali Highway--one of the more scenic roads in Alaska--that's saying something! Its a cloudless morning and the six-hour drive took me right by the great dome of Denali--the highest summit in North America. I passed through spectacular high tundra country. I looked for Grizzlys and Moose but no luck. Birds: Gray-cheeked Thrush, Common Redpoll, and Varied Thrush. At one point on that morning drive I looked into the rear view mirror and, framed by spruces was the sight of Denali, filling the mirror. What a sight to see in one's rear-view mirror! </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmSUoQtftcBvqmOykwZKtjFad70qm4kdDDuHG-d387HK1aw3f_65iSGo6WqRSJcnljFREnazdwJSjA-QJqBVCsepcCCjT8dvX-zD__-YC0AvvYCp6wEYf2mhGDtl6L2zIfkN9Dx7oJZE-A55Nu0xObAtR88bY68x-09TECJx33xb9UQxY5qG6-1Z7M/s1875/Mountain%20summit%20Arctic%20Valley%201%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1875" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmSUoQtftcBvqmOykwZKtjFad70qm4kdDDuHG-d387HK1aw3f_65iSGo6WqRSJcnljFREnazdwJSjA-QJqBVCsepcCCjT8dvX-zD__-YC0AvvYCp6wEYf2mhGDtl6L2zIfkN9Dx7oJZE-A55Nu0xObAtR88bY68x-09TECJx33xb9UQxY5qG6-1Z7M/w640-h426/Mountain%20summit%20Arctic%20Valley%201%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">A peak of the Chugach Mountains in Arctic Valley, just outside of Anchorage, AK</span></div><div><br /></div><div>I drove the 6 hours to the Eagle River Campground outside of Anchorage. It is a lovely campground filled with White Spruce. I stay here on three different occasions on this trip. Yes, there were mosquitoes, but they were not too serious... Campground birds on this first visit included Orange-crowned Warbler, American Robins, and several accommodating Varied Thrushes...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilPhbTY43yb99DHRAnAixKK1IOwPCo7SWJqXu6CM3ZnAvSK5Bth6kSn82OoFVuewp3MAzMg4PExngBawb8X_aKVO5DJblq4yV0iKuYxJG_qCkZURl5OwpWUby8tActBJoMYpVzAMM99aMoYuGZozepXB-UPtWnXPAYuymplwftYVMmZPbErZIDAkvQ/s1591/Arctic%20Ground%20Squirrel%20Arctic%20Valley%201%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1591" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilPhbTY43yb99DHRAnAixKK1IOwPCo7SWJqXu6CM3ZnAvSK5Bth6kSn82OoFVuewp3MAzMg4PExngBawb8X_aKVO5DJblq4yV0iKuYxJG_qCkZURl5OwpWUby8tActBJoMYpVzAMM99aMoYuGZozepXB-UPtWnXPAYuymplwftYVMmZPbErZIDAkvQ/w640-h302/Arctic%20Ground%20Squirrel%20Arctic%20Valley%201%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Arctic Ground-squirrel in the tundra of Arctic Valley</span></div><br /><div>I visted Anchorage and stopped to visit with David and Andy Sonneborn, who know the birds of Alaska like not nobody's business. David advised me on my upcoming travels to Nome and Utqiagvik (Pt Barrow).</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTj8uTJVCYyIwREr-vUkrjZmbyaNj1gzmUcUl1lFfPpf7Ig_7pbhYrPapOkPpiGG7SHOLvcaq6EFIOueSMQzXAus-YsOXCn1q_2ppjkkQU7SYLWVfLFHpDhBjEQSO7CsRbUstRZT7TKNca6tNknEzFR7EkxZHlNlwfmiVc0bvVYjittxFswL_05q_4/s2638/Rock%20Ptarmigan%202%20Arctic%20Valley%201%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2638" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTj8uTJVCYyIwREr-vUkrjZmbyaNj1gzmUcUl1lFfPpf7Ig_7pbhYrPapOkPpiGG7SHOLvcaq6EFIOueSMQzXAus-YsOXCn1q_2ppjkkQU7SYLWVfLFHpDhBjEQSO7CsRbUstRZT7TKNca6tNknEzFR7EkxZHlNlwfmiVc0bvVYjittxFswL_05q_4/w640-h304/Rock%20Ptarmigan%202%20Arctic%20Valley%201%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Close-up of this cock Rock Ptarmigan, a lifer for me.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Early on the morning of the 1st of June I drove up to nearby Arctic Valley. I had been here twice in 2021 in search of Rock Ptarmigan. This would be my third try... Up in the rocky heights I managed to find four, and one allowed me to visit at close range for more than 15 minutes. Third time was the charm! </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbg_V64In-IAUuLEMPd9aAcyHcAL5jg9o_7FcjR9P5i-WuJPhs8PB1atJgCjNBz8BEHfDo4Vor_6VYTySPcse4UzvnuCLP9ypj0InTQlq0MQv87dEzu5w44yYYZETGaPuhxLDlYhGw3u4bBg4Gr7b5n8_NZT33wSMWR9GY5aYTrbGVh_r_YlE0gjZ/s2090/Golden-crowned%20Sparrow%201%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2090" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbg_V64In-IAUuLEMPd9aAcyHcAL5jg9o_7FcjR9P5i-WuJPhs8PB1atJgCjNBz8BEHfDo4Vor_6VYTySPcse4UzvnuCLP9ypj0InTQlq0MQv87dEzu5w44yYYZETGaPuhxLDlYhGw3u4bBg4Gr7b5n8_NZT33wSMWR9GY5aYTrbGVh_r_YlE0gjZ/w640-h382/Golden-crowned%20Sparrow%201%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">a breeding adult Golden-crowned Sparrow, singing from a willow in Arctic Valley, AK</span></div><div><br /></div><div>The only other birds I recall seeing in the spare mountain tundra were two <i>Zontrichia </i>sparrow--Golden-crowned and White-crowned. The only mammal was Arctic Ground-squirrel.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tORvcRGabMsaXGbZWrE8IJdtoz0xnS9c95xYxiimDASph-h6VWVyHmOSJF2Zjjd-rCCq8KIWVkhlAozOd6uSBZQkGu7eFtbijjcyB1YkY1QKfrmPA6e1MsiHMDuy35fF73xHiNWH2ZGZ8nQKzyslLsOH-p0EoO5C0Jtpd7n1mR-v8gZM8R3G9Aqo/s1723/cow%20Moose%20and%20baby%20in%20grass%201%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1723" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tORvcRGabMsaXGbZWrE8IJdtoz0xnS9c95xYxiimDASph-h6VWVyHmOSJF2Zjjd-rCCq8KIWVkhlAozOd6uSBZQkGu7eFtbijjcyB1YkY1QKfrmPA6e1MsiHMDuy35fF73xHiNWH2ZGZ8nQKzyslLsOH-p0EoO5C0Jtpd7n1mR-v8gZM8R3G9Aqo/w640-h372/cow%20Moose%20and%20baby%20in%20grass%201%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"> A mother Moose and calf resting in Point Campbell Park, just west of the Anchorage airport</span></div><div><br /></div><div>David Sonneborn had told me where to look for Great Gray Owl, not far from his house in Anchorage. I visited three times. No owls, but I twice encountered a cow Moose with triplet youngsters. This was right beside the noisy Anchorage airport. </div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCiizUCj8KS2Mtft2WjipNUCg-IrnlFg5-UiOoklxnXG-6uWPGrkUf8VAgy6wsNXsm9Wt9RUPJ4HS54gkdaf46TtSGRiWi_Cg6wVZmseDjMBlzUn9mxrgC-WEt78jDHxBLGz2-OEWG1Kg4J52bLcKb8cuvkqWRZnd9PweqzIRE9l-zxWBdR8KLuoT/s2582/cow%20Moose%20and%20triplets%201%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2582" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCiizUCj8KS2Mtft2WjipNUCg-IrnlFg5-UiOoklxnXG-6uWPGrkUf8VAgy6wsNXsm9Wt9RUPJ4HS54gkdaf46TtSGRiWi_Cg6wVZmseDjMBlzUn9mxrgC-WEt78jDHxBLGz2-OEWG1Kg4J52bLcKb8cuvkqWRZnd9PweqzIRE9l-zxWBdR8KLuoT/w640-h310/cow%20Moose%20and%20triplets%201%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Wait! She has triplets?? The cow indeed had a threesome, and they lived by the airport in Anchorage...</span></div><div><br /></div><div>The highlight was the morning of the 2nd of June when I saw <u>nine</u> Moose in fifteen minutes: the cow and her young, plus five bulls out in a big field. That is a lifetime record for me, which I doubt I will ever break. These were all in the parkland just west of the airport. All because the safety of being in a city. In rural Alaska and Canada, Moose disappear quickly--they are very popular game for the stewpot and freezer...Subsistence hunting is a big thing in the Northcountry...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuGNgEBoC9ptWzG7Zwa5i0lRHswBun5ZKZNjAX3FbVBtcFbAzpAisCYg6Im2WDyZ7EEznSUYNdS3qtcRP7fBXHIGbmT8LPw2UhrVZlOvPR1WPgd-ncFh8eG_Lsn4BDCc9-uGqXJjyxjiLXo5vs8qNsmULmBksot7Pdx5I8DNL9kVtWo0VbZkG_4Ylq/s2459/view%20to%20Anchorage%20from%20Arctic%20Valley%201%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2459" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuGNgEBoC9ptWzG7Zwa5i0lRHswBun5ZKZNjAX3FbVBtcFbAzpAisCYg6Im2WDyZ7EEznSUYNdS3qtcRP7fBXHIGbmT8LPw2UhrVZlOvPR1WPgd-ncFh8eG_Lsn4BDCc9-uGqXJjyxjiLXo5vs8qNsmULmBksot7Pdx5I8DNL9kVtWo0VbZkG_4Ylq/w640-h260/view%20to%20Anchorage%20from%20Arctic%20Valley%201%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">View of Anchorage taken from the road overlook below Arctic Valley</span><br /><div><br /></div></div><div><i><b>Blogs 4 and 5 will feature the spectacular birds and mammals of Nome, Alaska.</b></i></div>Bruce Beehlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15885008878848042968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4395290943835782922.post-53718001517753946372022-07-11T06:26:00.000-07:002022-07-11T06:26:38.372-07:00<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiba8Fk8vR0uEHK0CpfEdSc8PC9R214V3N2n75bswuU0iEFHtoUPKb5Mbq0bZHonN9oQnFLXL1YJxCt1FZrdpH9VQDaxWQozARt640udFfQxnhF5_KUag6yGQ-sUu7wJkoaRem65VjuWaGyKKwTuibRZOqIVMnecVKsjPoA9XqD78M5146YNdgTnCHc/s2212/Northern%20BC%20vista%20mts%20and%20river.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2212" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiba8Fk8vR0uEHK0CpfEdSc8PC9R214V3N2n75bswuU0iEFHtoUPKb5Mbq0bZHonN9oQnFLXL1YJxCt1FZrdpH9VQDaxWQozARt640udFfQxnhF5_KUag6yGQ-sUu7wJkoaRem65VjuWaGyKKwTuibRZOqIVMnecVKsjPoA9XqD78M5146YNdgTnCHc/w640-h362/Northern%20BC%20vista%20mts%20and%20river.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Mountains and large snow-melt-fed rivers everywhere! I believe this is the Coal River....</span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Across the Continent, Part 2 (of 10):</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">British Columbia, 26-27 May 2022</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWfUjYcYPBRwoFUCFgsRabwYmJQyUCzuogbEoQWPXvrWDYL9mfu0TXRDXEy69Y3IX1M_Pqupih308bgQGRttolOrr9JqqNA8erHNll2oiUk86wtQejXiKACqgrFlL1_r94SKMdAqUUJb-Z0dBGu0OgGcefIfow3GOnDHwmOrcF9CKNYeigroEsilk/s2808/Barrow's%20Goldeneye%20pair%20in%20Muncho%20Lake.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2808" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWfUjYcYPBRwoFUCFgsRabwYmJQyUCzuogbEoQWPXvrWDYL9mfu0TXRDXEy69Y3IX1M_Pqupih308bgQGRttolOrr9JqqNA8erHNll2oiUk86wtQejXiKACqgrFlL1_r94SKMdAqUUJb-Z0dBGu0OgGcefIfow3GOnDHwmOrcF9CKNYeigroEsilk/w640-h284/Barrow's%20Goldeneye%20pair%20in%20Muncho%20Lake.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Drake and hen Barrow's Goldeneye in a small patch of open water in frozen-over Muncho Lake, BC.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I departed the campgrounds at Whitecourt, Alberta, at 7am on the 26th of May, headed north and west. I was woken this morning by songs of White-throated Sparrow, Clay-colored Sparrow, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and of course American Robin--the omnipresent bird of this trip. Morning temperature was in the 30s and the sky was clear.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFT9u040vsWqgEt52_u7pamKLdVNdpFM8XT0b8REkGZ1-e0KpUVtp46MI-BZ472kCoSSV00tHIwMxrMx7jLOHIvd1u3vQJW8n_oJWhHE-3dDvKtai-G_JqvrADh0BW_BTgv9lzusskSO5B788yALW21VimUK-pAPhAxjwKYkbHYUE2G6scdESJj-cQ/s1952/BC%20Mountain%20vista%20with%20snow.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1952" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFT9u040vsWqgEt52_u7pamKLdVNdpFM8XT0b8REkGZ1-e0KpUVtp46MI-BZ472kCoSSV00tHIwMxrMx7jLOHIvd1u3vQJW8n_oJWhHE-3dDvKtai-G_JqvrADh0BW_BTgv9lzusskSO5B788yALW21VimUK-pAPhAxjwKYkbHYUE2G6scdESJj-cQ/w640-h328/BC%20Mountain%20vista%20with%20snow.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Roadside vistas galore in northern BC. So many snow-coated mountain ranges! Cassiar Mts?</span></div><div><br /></div><div>On this day (Day Five) I drove 520 miles, ending at Andy Bailey Regional Park, south of Fort Nelson, BC. I was on the Alaska Highway, headed to the Yukon. In the morning I passed through lots of young aspen forests, a sign of logging or fire. At Pink Mountain I saw logging trucks headed south with piles of conifer logs. Resource extraction is the watchword in these parts... north of Pink Mountain the aspen stands remained wintery--bare of leaves.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTXlMCp9FBBQx9NRI6FemhRfot_ADkbz8Az7uZ6Lv9x_SmTW2-Ro6Iz0eXb-qjHlTB6vPOdJeMoxMfFxCA2_cUrcMelVwcVqu6NpD7acOPq12KLO532B4uA9UKNSjlsYbIUdk-zrZCk2cDv0072VzlG6E0H_SG9tWx307ekZC1PV60ODXRo0uUuvfW/s1663/best%20big%20buck%20Porcupine%20upright.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1663" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTXlMCp9FBBQx9NRI6FemhRfot_ADkbz8Az7uZ6Lv9x_SmTW2-Ro6Iz0eXb-qjHlTB6vPOdJeMoxMfFxCA2_cUrcMelVwcVqu6NpD7acOPq12KLO532B4uA9UKNSjlsYbIUdk-zrZCk2cDv0072VzlG6E0H_SG9tWx307ekZC1PV60ODXRo0uUuvfW/w640-h482/best%20big%20buck%20Porcupine%20upright.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9azkTADhx1tT8PjJ_hN4RS5LWrC9yXAb_lPrn6tkzUuI2eXkc1xh7TN4bDQANYtIi20kB5It-nYZYUqydx10NSXzYWf4aF-dIBhhVoCzE_nHTQqn9U9_U-O6wnXjHgbbM5wNSEjLc2tcLxmRJAaCuX-QSYUhWurZErUGCsFt4JPMpv3_GDfGiGBFJ/s1652/big%20buck%20Porcupine%20side%20view.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1652" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9azkTADhx1tT8PjJ_hN4RS5LWrC9yXAb_lPrn6tkzUuI2eXkc1xh7TN4bDQANYtIi20kB5It-nYZYUqydx10NSXzYWf4aF-dIBhhVoCzE_nHTQqn9U9_U-O6wnXjHgbbM5wNSEjLc2tcLxmRJAaCuX-QSYUhWurZErUGCsFt4JPMpv3_GDfGiGBFJ/w640-h484/big%20buck%20Porcupine%20side%20view.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmv4xIYfjxPVN4KbRUpJrfHXoYcAcNCVVYq7nNK0LR7rYdIi8veTd46ZU9EYhQPE-WxJWZP_6OZ6iFuq9Zu51Duf6PD0cEnUgI_VUm0tq_epMefcE3FOFPtFyFNJ-dahhKJpl6XFpcMG9nIoQZS-E7xiX70_FTwm3tWXh5Le98WX5TOME45fQLk_vb/s2002/big%20buck%20Porcupine.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2002" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmv4xIYfjxPVN4KbRUpJrfHXoYcAcNCVVYq7nNK0LR7rYdIi8veTd46ZU9EYhQPE-WxJWZP_6OZ6iFuq9Zu51Duf6PD0cEnUgI_VUm0tq_epMefcE3FOFPtFyFNJ-dahhKJpl6XFpcMG9nIoQZS-E7xiX70_FTwm3tWXh5Le98WX5TOME45fQLk_vb/w640-h400/big%20buck%20Porcupine.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7mvBAnceTgmYJ53cFhQWmyBezS-EZbOkIIssAZ54ejOPDAv8QlGoKLRziq3nyqEpn0OsKqjGe01haTYFLydUlf7o1Fpz-JTusw4vNwwhPO1APnrAMmNQOfYMoqRIOJxHDci6VmflbbaOk0F16Y5tA4_5hU0vdYTisenL9j2nYeQNMGrzH6vQZyYm0/s1378/business%20end%20of%20Porcupine.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1378" height="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7mvBAnceTgmYJ53cFhQWmyBezS-EZbOkIIssAZ54ejOPDAv8QlGoKLRziq3nyqEpn0OsKqjGe01haTYFLydUlf7o1Fpz-JTusw4vNwwhPO1APnrAMmNQOfYMoqRIOJxHDci6VmflbbaOk0F16Y5tA4_5hU0vdYTisenL9j2nYeQNMGrzH6vQZyYm0/w640-h580/business%20end%20of%20Porcupine.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5xHWEDzcs_I0M58SG08WCbUmXjSeY83BAOfnGbqs_kBZfx1ZATzfu0uIKYZ_YQm7FBtfT01w4azHQfhd5WebdgxEVSDoKgyS8bxC2QGGpK5fEm3tzbuwDPFezRpdy0Pp1afBNTDitrtqMFLf41FHBbS7ODkvdxRX2inHDaAIDTBmMrWByudQZW6PS/s1842/Porcupine%20backlight.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1842" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5xHWEDzcs_I0M58SG08WCbUmXjSeY83BAOfnGbqs_kBZfx1ZATzfu0uIKYZ_YQm7FBtfT01w4azHQfhd5WebdgxEVSDoKgyS8bxC2QGGpK5fEm3tzbuwDPFezRpdy0Pp1afBNTDitrtqMFLf41FHBbS7ODkvdxRX2inHDaAIDTBmMrWByudQZW6PS/w640-h434/Porcupine%20backlight.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">I encountered 8 porcupines on the 2 days of driving through BC. Each one was distinct... </span></div><div><br /></div><div>The first day of my BC drive was relatively quiet, regarding roadside wildlife: several Mule Deer, one Caribou, one Black Bear, two Sandhill Cranes, 30+ Common Ravens, three American Kestrels, and four Red-tailed Hawks.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_8OGiEY2gvC1kgcEuuPOF9XCkaB-SJLwms3RCm4QwA7Jtf2TI7jJRYfFGIWouzvBOCehxiC-hpV4BVsOQ9mqqF7OJ9OS8Bbf0EXil_df_Z57uMKdL4LKKHCyPv4sqileIHHv0_QZ3glAYiwJFYt-8mkhFB_hUceOrJSgof_vcJ9XQwnbopkwvW9y/s2530/Black%20Bear%20young%20boar.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2530" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_8OGiEY2gvC1kgcEuuPOF9XCkaB-SJLwms3RCm4QwA7Jtf2TI7jJRYfFGIWouzvBOCehxiC-hpV4BVsOQ9mqqF7OJ9OS8Bbf0EXil_df_Z57uMKdL4LKKHCyPv4sqileIHHv0_QZ3glAYiwJFYt-8mkhFB_hUceOrJSgof_vcJ9XQwnbopkwvW9y/w640-h252/Black%20Bear%20young%20boar.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdmrbOkPQSxt0bpzM9fr_nd37mWZEN_r5mN9aI0k-ucn6ojsmFFhP1-b6-tK-t71tdJvnQQF6TXtiR38scEPWsaiPgzEq_JXfAcby1klroBeJ-w7-HXv3lW8itxfJuv0xybwEFGWDrI1eIfRWFevpBHV1BmvLPHvzRzh-ghIZnJzuUcQmPc4FJ6VfD/s1412/Black%20Bear%20adult%20on%20the%20move.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1412" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdmrbOkPQSxt0bpzM9fr_nd37mWZEN_r5mN9aI0k-ucn6ojsmFFhP1-b6-tK-t71tdJvnQQF6TXtiR38scEPWsaiPgzEq_JXfAcby1klroBeJ-w7-HXv3lW8itxfJuv0xybwEFGWDrI1eIfRWFevpBHV1BmvLPHvzRzh-ghIZnJzuUcQmPc4FJ6VfD/w640-h454/Black%20Bear%20adult%20on%20the%20move.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">I had six Black Bears on the two days of driving in northern BC. </span><br /><p>The dominant roadside birds were familiar: robin, red-wing, raven, crow, kestrel, red-tail... </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0zWvkItHiBxYnu1Y-dIfzkuOWHihi1yzMq1mJeb_ETstKc7vxDTFN1rkrbQkSCWo344IC9xnJjznXRZNBNAIqMMKvtsafstArgmsQijmfdPv0Qtx7yGQ55jTDmGUBHe7NfzJ_8Jot-8ABm3NGcDwWZiRDbRlkM9ftCfpXiJIZ4ymORxKSkt3JoM0/s2102/Caribou%20running.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2102" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0zWvkItHiBxYnu1Y-dIfzkuOWHihi1yzMq1mJeb_ETstKc7vxDTFN1rkrbQkSCWo344IC9xnJjznXRZNBNAIqMMKvtsafstArgmsQijmfdPv0Qtx7yGQ55jTDmGUBHe7NfzJ_8Jot-8ABm3NGcDwWZiRDbRlkM9ftCfpXiJIZ4ymORxKSkt3JoM0/w640-h380/Caribou%20running.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Caribou were foraging along the board in the wilder parts of northern BC.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div>In the afternoon of the 26th I passed through a mix of spruce and aspen forests, having left the prairie behind. There were patches of roadside snowpack. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqNSd5JBzCINP3O2qzZ1mFwdISXQJOCkijIm8VWycK3AFPolyXYiq8BsO_ficEt3b0kjfgolBXGHHOEF-FZZk5rNVKmEYgq_zfp8Eq4WHXBvbuoieaVk1PI48zCUde35NpA_YmYCweEIH331MrEQ5_B5p_i2JXbgE2cuBxcbUaN6aoK7q0gKwIff3u/s2023/Dall%20Sheep%20ram%20and%20ewe.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2023" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqNSd5JBzCINP3O2qzZ1mFwdISXQJOCkijIm8VWycK3AFPolyXYiq8BsO_ficEt3b0kjfgolBXGHHOEF-FZZk5rNVKmEYgq_zfp8Eq4WHXBvbuoieaVk1PI48zCUde35NpA_YmYCweEIH331MrEQ5_B5p_i2JXbgE2cuBxcbUaN6aoK7q0gKwIff3u/w640-h316/Dall%20Sheep%20ram%20and%20ewe.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYmj6t9wWOBSuKpVC993Hh74-ho4LTIu4kTEXovYqyDR3CA8e0IrSCmbGCdBmGNoympYoqsLFr1Ut-eoxSG1FQZLKAZhGCqr4PVW-xJAsQT_tcx_yoJBLP9lQhux8thI4rZQ5mvAshxxDby589bDhS7rJr2HOjCh5i8xlLcNZ3Z8mi22Zi0GNQu4p5/s2030/Dall%20Sheep%20ram%20close%20up.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2030" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYmj6t9wWOBSuKpVC993Hh74-ho4LTIu4kTEXovYqyDR3CA8e0IrSCmbGCdBmGNoympYoqsLFr1Ut-eoxSG1FQZLKAZhGCqr4PVW-xJAsQT_tcx_yoJBLP9lQhux8thI4rZQ5mvAshxxDby589bDhS7rJr2HOjCh5i8xlLcNZ3Z8mi22Zi0GNQu4p5/w640-h316/Dall%20Sheep%20ram%20close%20up.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Dall Sheep came down to the road to get the minerals deposited along the roadside... </span><br /><div><br /></div><div>I spent the night of the 26th in Andy Bailey Regional Park, between Prophet River and Fort Nelson. My campsite was right on Andy Bailey Lake, which was very birdy--Common Loons, Blue-winged Teal, American Bittern, Greater Yellowlegs, Ring-necked Duck, and Bonaparte's Gulls, among others. The White Spruce stands featured Ovenbird, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and Ruby-crowned Kinglet. The mosquitoes were quite friendly that evening... I used my Thermacell device to keep them away from the picnic table...</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLxgLTNetnmr_xsvCTjw8dSarniL4C3h-IuEAGfPH76I92XNCS0nzK49GtNdMBT6SAbeX6ih8SP4gC5GYbHqD4pMvBtvZH4p7VD2SazrZ4-WTzwXYu37wdoBoSkB_WYaHlth9lAp1ccjm3UFdaoM2j-AY3oc-SekcfUqtpA6E1NSu-BVw4QmobwF6/s1719/driving%20through%20boreal%20forest%20on%20sunny%20day.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1719" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLxgLTNetnmr_xsvCTjw8dSarniL4C3h-IuEAGfPH76I92XNCS0nzK49GtNdMBT6SAbeX6ih8SP4gC5GYbHqD4pMvBtvZH4p7VD2SazrZ4-WTzwXYu37wdoBoSkB_WYaHlth9lAp1ccjm3UFdaoM2j-AY3oc-SekcfUqtpA6E1NSu-BVw4QmobwF6/w640-h372/driving%20through%20boreal%20forest%20on%20sunny%20day.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Wonderful weather along the route made travel a pleasure. I experience only brief rainshowers on the trip North. The road</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"> was empty of vehicles!</span></div><div><br /></div><div>On Day Six I departed Andy Bailey Regional Park at 0615am and drove 475 miles, to Teslin, Yukon. This stretch took me through the most creature-rich stretch of road of the entire trip. It was already light at 4am. The loon pair was calling to wake me up... Three of my beloved shorebirds were noisy and active along the lakeshore here: Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs and Solitary Sandpiper. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgze3myCeCJgXed5p-x3PZC0GABK93W1ZvI9iK4__OlzPaSd-jOP5uFYGvzo21VrgN-eyhQvV0ZVtlZ7CPEf0rockC3XwwYUQ47fNEC_ntII1xO74fIwGpGe1kPRxMog6D9wZ_dY49zx9Edj4NwIQCfXsW5hNy6Y_hqY0ivpiCSVT7fHIdZgb_gReCN/s2519/Golden%20Eagle%20youngster%2027%20June.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2519" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgze3myCeCJgXed5p-x3PZC0GABK93W1ZvI9iK4__OlzPaSd-jOP5uFYGvzo21VrgN-eyhQvV0ZVtlZ7CPEf0rockC3XwwYUQ47fNEC_ntII1xO74fIwGpGe1kPRxMog6D9wZ_dY49zx9Edj4NwIQCfXsW5hNy6Y_hqY0ivpiCSVT7fHIdZgb_gReCN/w640-h254/Golden%20Eagle%20youngster%2027%20June.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">A juvenile Golden Eagle</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div>The long winding drive into the Yukon was spectacular--the only similar road vistas to this were in the interior of Alaska (Denali Highway and Glennallen Highway). Snow-capped peaks in all directions.<br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_rP0msR1XmMFsyalHZ_v7jAzYYHmihudb_uTtkkhQsj8X8n_MraZ2qSO_DgQ00W7kcKdTCP575HUkCYIxQNhQ732tr3oPS_X7_v1N-wR6FwmZTBiizmY3h3zA_toluplaYIoszQFhhOYGymSxFaEq6MB691u7P28W8uQ-ICLwEm0CdmRwCbWkws7t/s5281/Moose%20bull%20side%20view%20AK%2029%20May.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3750" data-original-width="5281" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_rP0msR1XmMFsyalHZ_v7jAzYYHmihudb_uTtkkhQsj8X8n_MraZ2qSO_DgQ00W7kcKdTCP575HUkCYIxQNhQ732tr3oPS_X7_v1N-wR6FwmZTBiizmY3h3zA_toluplaYIoszQFhhOYGymSxFaEq6MB691u7P28W8uQ-ICLwEm0CdmRwCbWkws7t/w640-h454/Moose%20bull%20side%20view%20AK%2029%20May.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">A young bull Moose with nubbins...</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div>Day Six's drive was very productive in terms of quadrupeds: five Black Bears, four groups of Caribou, herds of Woodland Bison, Mule Deer, one Moose, Beaver, and many Porcupines. I encountered more than a hundred Woodland Bison foraging at the roadside, in small groups of males or herds of cows and calves. Barrow's Goldeneye and Dusky Grouse were two two best birds of the day.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigGw5fmB7Ns3ZwIxvCAWRNy2szw6uIlaEZiWoDX1PdvLgl8sZBmeoEE9USzIa4qnMFPKMjFnyko9Yrg2fSIaOmI4UesP2V5RHrjSwKwEce586AkqeoWtU5sgC-8sCa5ndgu7-xU1YcngVN88U7uIZfIOJRgp_4Z572nSCTQEf29yUkn09vJeC8Ke09/s2522/Dusky%20Grouse%20cock.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="2522" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigGw5fmB7Ns3ZwIxvCAWRNy2szw6uIlaEZiWoDX1PdvLgl8sZBmeoEE9USzIa4qnMFPKMjFnyko9Yrg2fSIaOmI4UesP2V5RHrjSwKwEce586AkqeoWtU5sgC-8sCa5ndgu7-xU1YcngVN88U7uIZfIOJRgp_4Z572nSCTQEf29yUkn09vJeC8Ke09/w640-h190/Dusky%20Grouse%20cock.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">The only Dusky Grouse of the trip was a brief encounter on the road.</span><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLnLbELpSuwi6c1AaLAgfcsmhaqTE1aU3ViP7nI-4ft5Bi-iUZAexjWYle8wV9h0dxdaDArEo36VBtSMXCwsPS3oCyV4D9dghWy73b7Ka8-Ft9VoVlIeeAl2PaP3m8tHdtLScLzT9Dst7HXFV8GCyGG1ijVu8x_DnfGkR-3zTkOu7oDuEaUGVDt8bg/s1500/mother%20Red%20Fox%20on%20Alaska%20Hwy%2024%20June.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="847" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLnLbELpSuwi6c1AaLAgfcsmhaqTE1aU3ViP7nI-4ft5Bi-iUZAexjWYle8wV9h0dxdaDArEo36VBtSMXCwsPS3oCyV4D9dghWy73b7Ka8-Ft9VoVlIeeAl2PaP3m8tHdtLScLzT9Dst7HXFV8GCyGG1ijVu8x_DnfGkR-3zTkOu7oDuEaUGVDt8bg/w362-h640/mother%20Red%20Fox%20on%20Alaska%20Hwy%2024%20June.JPG" width="362" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">This Red Fox was clearly habituated to humankind...</span><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRnTpSKQqB9I9fELWdS80a_qmV6OClEm9VjRCqtdFLS0_Qkv9eohrrkGxWjVO_YTvADd7tv-8A0-RFw1aWSvrlmZGGjgOHahZlNHW-w3Uyob7VwNGug8KFWva3AMGziBOQX3FQUCKnmb4prvNhMJGLYxv0MXQEArlEVZJQzOULPudOGQ_sCHotUV3a/s2711/Mt%20vista%20British%20Columbia.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2711" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRnTpSKQqB9I9fELWdS80a_qmV6OClEm9VjRCqtdFLS0_Qkv9eohrrkGxWjVO_YTvADd7tv-8A0-RFw1aWSvrlmZGGjgOHahZlNHW-w3Uyob7VwNGug8KFWva3AMGziBOQX3FQUCKnmb4prvNhMJGLYxv0MXQEArlEVZJQzOULPudOGQ_sCHotUV3a/w640-h354/Mt%20vista%20British%20Columbia.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">One never tires of the new scenes of mountains clad in snow...</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div>Once in the north country one had to keep an eye on the gas tank. There were long stretches without gas stations. I stopped at Coal River for gasoline and also had lunch in the tiny restaurant there. I feasted on a bison burger with the works, which powered me for the PM drive to Teslin, Yukon.<br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-p6zu3TGTczCweF3L0Ox4ji5Yd92ex_keOQjq_bMk_arTCxeRuFSPmlkZRw02ejvT_fVd7DZEjPDsYMs-tOCPIDdMYLksNC2yldEc4f_cHGQcepbMG7wbsv63PK8myxqiwCtYkgDDBs_CUY739APP-7yQc6I7vOW_TAkEmAxrIKzddNb0tjlEZRd/s1250/Red%20Squirrel%2030%20May%2022%20Fairbanks.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1247" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-p6zu3TGTczCweF3L0Ox4ji5Yd92ex_keOQjq_bMk_arTCxeRuFSPmlkZRw02ejvT_fVd7DZEjPDsYMs-tOCPIDdMYLksNC2yldEc4f_cHGQcepbMG7wbsv63PK8myxqiwCtYkgDDBs_CUY739APP-7yQc6I7vOW_TAkEmAxrIKzddNb0tjlEZRd/w638-h640/Red%20Squirrel%2030%20May%2022%20Fairbanks.JPG" width="638" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">a curious Red Squirrel</span><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFZprvwanHirvo6POKA_0tRhZpBoeclWingXB_gWCXJaJXO72BFfZDkaNzuEm8QqsGENMIdz08locdro0xkrUsjLvHMZL8ZW0PndyGv-CJRKJeIJeggNeg9ZB9vnvgIZ21-uIrObh2BLRq8MTn6nI8w7D9wJ01I7YBS4DYWFTVyb7x9LiQTDLohEBk/s2513/Ring-necked%20Duck%20drakes%20on%20Klondike%20Hwy%2024%20June.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2513" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFZprvwanHirvo6POKA_0tRhZpBoeclWingXB_gWCXJaJXO72BFfZDkaNzuEm8QqsGENMIdz08locdro0xkrUsjLvHMZL8ZW0PndyGv-CJRKJeIJeggNeg9ZB9vnvgIZ21-uIrObh2BLRq8MTn6nI8w7D9wJ01I7YBS4DYWFTVyb7x9LiQTDLohEBk/w640-h318/Ring-necked%20Duck%20drakes%20on%20Klondike%20Hwy%2024%20June.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">four drake Ring-necked Ducks on a mountain pond by the road.</span><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjla6USCt3So-zLolah_mTz_i7_1guWFQqO0gAwmd2P0PfQCsiRvqAm7m1UDiAFDI4GXEhogUdu7VgF2to0_7Co8pDbhRLs5JqGH__caVghvfSKS3LXI4kR-PqIBQVLNZDgWOBi0dsHGW2eZdeKuMYbLpJ4HIOw6ONwW0TAbkeVzSgHXWie0Izg9up/s2107/Wood%20Bison%20cows%20and%20calf.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2107" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjla6USCt3So-zLolah_mTz_i7_1guWFQqO0gAwmd2P0PfQCsiRvqAm7m1UDiAFDI4GXEhogUdu7VgF2to0_7Co8pDbhRLs5JqGH__caVghvfSKS3LXI4kR-PqIBQVLNZDgWOBi0dsHGW2eZdeKuMYbLpJ4HIOw6ONwW0TAbkeVzSgHXWie0Izg9up/w640-h304/Wood%20Bison%20cows%20and%20calf.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">two cow Woodland Bison with a gambolling calf.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_mG69vrxyG6qDH6K5L0RP2T9EIkEkbIGCR4I-knNY7RsqGvaWc4R0IQupGknfZgd-ydcggDScpXaY9KZW869YqlLB94wgIohZrkmR73p3Ew2SJYRxuOMEqHyCE0sX4yoyBk1xe1t3Q-2HwPs7NCQ5-3uvZeSUo5g-iIv40TJNv5dMU7N0PrAJrsdn/s2250/Wood%20Bison%20two%20adult%20cows.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2250" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_mG69vrxyG6qDH6K5L0RP2T9EIkEkbIGCR4I-knNY7RsqGvaWc4R0IQupGknfZgd-ydcggDScpXaY9KZW869YqlLB94wgIohZrkmR73p3Ew2SJYRxuOMEqHyCE0sX4yoyBk1xe1t3Q-2HwPs7NCQ5-3uvZeSUo5g-iIv40TJNv5dMU7N0PrAJrsdn/w640-h426/Wood%20Bison%20two%20adult%20cows.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">herds of cow Woodland Bison were along the road near Muncho Lake</span></div><div><br /></div><div>I saw both Tree Swallows and Violet-Green Swallows nesting in the small roadside communities. The most remarkable thing about the Alaska Highway here was that I typically could see no cars coming or ging. The road of virtually empty. I would go minutes without passing a car. This made the driving and nature-watching all that much better. Nice to be on the lonely highway!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ou2Vs2V2fYVco7bAALty7fF2eT4m99UqvZCHiRe-yDyvAz7zCF1iohqS_d9SOYpRV5cXIqS5hbhzMU2mdPjtjiDgTPVhRvozCnHAC0o8vqc75QJfyOAE4Ui2lrb69y_MLuVhXlG1uz1NWPm5hPplZPCIvZChg3o-8Phr2qi8dc5uo-drlJ4vkv1g/s2163/Swainson's%20Hawk,%20Alberta,%2026%20June.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2163" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ou2Vs2V2fYVco7bAALty7fF2eT4m99UqvZCHiRe-yDyvAz7zCF1iohqS_d9SOYpRV5cXIqS5hbhzMU2mdPjtjiDgTPVhRvozCnHAC0o8vqc75QJfyOAE4Ui2lrb69y_MLuVhXlG1uz1NWPm5hPplZPCIvZChg3o-8Phr2qi8dc5uo-drlJ4vkv1g/w640-h444/Swainson's%20Hawk,%20Alberta,%2026%20June.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">I saw many Swainson's Hawks in the prairie lands of Alberta and eastern BC.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div>I cross into the Yukon at 2 PM, where the landscape was a sandy glacial outwash cloaked with small Lodgepole Pines. This type of habitat burns regularly. Forest fire is a big thing in northern Canada.</div><div><br /></div><div>I stopped at Rugged Terrain Repairs in Watson Lake, Yukon, to have mechanic Norm LeClerc take a quick look at my car. Given I was alone, I did want to have my car break down in the middle of no where... Norm found all sorts of issues, which he addressed, and in 90 minutes I was back on the road, feeling a lot more confident about the future of the trip... While at Norm's fix-it shop, I bumped into Melody Campbell, a young ornithologist whose ancient Ford truck had broken down. Melody was stuck in Watson Lake, waiting for the arrival of repair parts from some distant supplier. This is the situation I was hoping to avoid. While Norm worked on my car, I chatted with Melody about her current plans (she was headed to Seward, Alaska for work), and her past bird research (she had studied Tree Swallows). What serendipity that I met an ornithologist at Norm's repair shop in Watson Lake! </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYR7sqStleNXWR_E1zpNgAoYt74VAgqv7SIh7gXLg4jT1iNF6Qat1IRZ2PijjO-fLi5EjZPx6rhGMI8WiTq8hyR899IILGh5T098qF86oiYYDYRGtURnzs23l85i0yZfOUba5vRT4S2VynEQvvFiIl-HdsHLZU2PN82t8yBjv_v_tiU9TMQm4J_up/s2293/sunrise%20White%20Spruces.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2293" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYR7sqStleNXWR_E1zpNgAoYt74VAgqv7SIh7gXLg4jT1iNF6Qat1IRZ2PijjO-fLi5EjZPx6rhGMI8WiTq8hyR899IILGh5T098qF86oiYYDYRGtURnzs23l85i0yZfOUba5vRT4S2VynEQvvFiIl-HdsHLZU2PN82t8yBjv_v_tiU9TMQm4J_up/w640-h348/sunrise%20White%20Spruces.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">As I drove farther and farther north, the sun set later and later in the evening....</span><br /><div><br /></div></div><div>I now had properly inflated tires. The Nissan Dealer in DC had under-inflated my new offroad tires and as a result the car's gasoline mileage was terrible. I instantly got 4 more miles per gallon, which is significant given the currently high price of gasoline. </div><div><br /></div><div>I spent the night of Day Six at the Lake Teslin Campground, in the southern Yukon. Snow was piled up around the campground and the aspens were entirely in winter-mode. I am headed northward back into winter even though each day the timing of the sunset stetches later in the evening. It is a chilly night!</div><div><br /></div><div>My next Blog will feature the Yukon....</div>Bruce Beehlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15885008878848042968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4395290943835782922.post-34852823377338384802022-07-08T05:21:00.002-07:002022-07-08T05:21:40.801-07:00<p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5z8tkXLs7s6yPJtqYTBYu9L-0qrQAn4TNOj0D0rpLI_25Y1zf3AONmLyJ2F2smXNZRXncztUP9GEw01of98t1dbS8QtWH6HfC34XnptTHbvdBBA3uDMB5QsH-cJDGe3giN2k1ijCVViYVDfdOjd-FP8KNhP9vbFl5cEOyfrjVRFSm5BycaBXgQhXf/s2561/Godwits%20taking%20wing.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2561" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5z8tkXLs7s6yPJtqYTBYu9L-0qrQAn4TNOj0D0rpLI_25Y1zf3AONmLyJ2F2smXNZRXncztUP9GEw01of98t1dbS8QtWH6HfC34XnptTHbvdBBA3uDMB5QsH-cJDGe3giN2k1ijCVViYVDfdOjd-FP8KNhP9vbFl5cEOyfrjVRFSm5BycaBXgQhXf/w640-h250/Godwits%20taking%20wing.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">I found my first godwits of the trip near Berea, North Dakota, on 24 May--day three of my Big Trip. These were migrants </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span> headed </span><span>to their northern breeding habitat in Alaska or Canada (where I was headed)... </span></span><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Across the Continent, <span>Part 1</span> (of 10): </span></i></b></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Bethesda, Maryland to Whitecourt, Alberta</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">22-26 May 2022</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VaHQpJ4E17dDEQCAuSNWMHOZBm1HDmGVW9BzZzDnJNsPCXKzcT0N8P6ttwVkvCP2GRDKh_xs2CAKoJkZ_o64khBGsyKlFdBqSyLEdlzP3eECWw4TVaxJ23GdnZhYwn95pz2AqXUZZN-dX_dPtkOsbTnI2Id_lmCnfrR-5Bc3IbagZKPbiNRFECwe/s2007/Saskachewan%20Visa%20-%20open%20plain.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="2007" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VaHQpJ4E17dDEQCAuSNWMHOZBm1HDmGVW9BzZzDnJNsPCXKzcT0N8P6ttwVkvCP2GRDKh_xs2CAKoJkZ_o64khBGsyKlFdBqSyLEdlzP3eECWw4TVaxJ23GdnZhYwn95pz2AqXUZZN-dX_dPtkOsbTnI2Id_lmCnfrR-5Bc3IbagZKPbiNRFECwe/w640-h240/Saskachewan%20Visa%20-%20open%20plain.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">G</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">etting to godwit breeding habitat by car involves lots of driving across vast stretches of flat open country...</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">In 2016, I did a big solo driving field trip from Texas to northern Ontario, following the migration of the wood warblers. I spent 100 days camped in the field, visiting the breeding grounds of all 37 species of warblers that inhabit central and eastern North America. That trip was chronicled in the book entitled <i>North on the Wing--Travels with the Songbird Migration of Spring. </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9r3GGN4A-rc-MhaGim0zkO4_FifuGtjglKChFiwntgQkmd2Vc1RbfrsLFytv91li_8iyp73exbvLr9hyXJU7R3hVHEPjAfawCFs0hx7onl8yuocCCsjFZXMnh2X_H7EdfIqN0mKsTaTaCi-Jb51H6oKAi1_6_yaQL0Xb9a56hn_9VwopM_1xCYTcQ/s2089/Packing%20Car%20Bethesda%2022%20May.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2089" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9r3GGN4A-rc-MhaGim0zkO4_FifuGtjglKChFiwntgQkmd2Vc1RbfrsLFytv91li_8iyp73exbvLr9hyXJU7R3hVHEPjAfawCFs0hx7onl8yuocCCsjFZXMnh2X_H7EdfIqN0mKsTaTaCi-Jb51H6oKAi1_6_yaQL0Xb9a56hn_9VwopM_1xCYTcQ/w640-h306/Packing%20Car%20Bethesda%2022%20May.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Packing the car is an art. The car served as my home for more than a month... see how spiffy the car is this day. In later </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> blogs you will see a car with an entirely different look.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In 2018, I decided to do a similar field trip that followed the migration of our shorebirds (called waders in the UK)--the sandpipers, curlews, and godwits, which are stupendous travelers, even more accomplished than the wood warblers. I decided to focus mainly on the Hudsonian Godwit. This large, colorful, and rarely-seen shorebird would be my flagship species for the Project.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjianmNQRK8blgqDuqC_xMJX6n5Ht2PF2i1a-tCg-r--mnO9ywzPuS63i-vV6iSQdjd-xDXBJLL3UKuXqtk4L4G3WOvbIO_PR6UlORtruvCVHv6lpZoZjNdzcuf6fjqfqiWS7Yo2OmRlTuTXcKqyZBj5ddXyOeo0BBhT-5BLbMyyekHGAjKulkc5m8P/s2014/Eastern%20Kingbird.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2014" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjianmNQRK8blgqDuqC_xMJX6n5Ht2PF2i1a-tCg-r--mnO9ywzPuS63i-vV6iSQdjd-xDXBJLL3UKuXqtk4L4G3WOvbIO_PR6UlORtruvCVHv6lpZoZjNdzcuf6fjqfqiWS7Yo2OmRlTuTXcKqyZBj5ddXyOeo0BBhT-5BLbMyyekHGAjKulkc5m8P/w640-h398/Eastern%20Kingbird.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Eastern Kingbirds are widespread from the East Coast into the plains of northwestern North America. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>As I researched the godwit's life history and made travel plans, it became clear I needed to carry out a <u>series</u> of field trips to visit all the places important to the Hudsonian Godwit and its cousins. This godwit has three distinct breeding territories (western Alaska, northwestern Canada, and northern Manitoba on the western shores of Hudson Bay). It also has an important autumn staging site (James Bay). I decided I needed to do four different field trips to capture the essence of this bird's life in the US and Canada.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLwY0kcbQU8ABAmp8l7ceFE38RIjsIlRqryxPQyfRGV8nDGrEdxkPagyBM6GGtbiS0n3uTyX8p-SQbEbwKhFCoJ5aDkCQ5mRYlF59idNvMqFE9HgRLZXClk4cwbC8kbvhYvacXt6GUBl5U9MXb-J8R13tThJU3G8H2CdkzfuCGKkAXillygFCeoAt/s1930/Urbana%20approaching%20storm.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1930" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLwY0kcbQU8ABAmp8l7ceFE38RIjsIlRqryxPQyfRGV8nDGrEdxkPagyBM6GGtbiS0n3uTyX8p-SQbEbwKhFCoJ5aDkCQ5mRYlF59idNvMqFE9HgRLZXClk4cwbC8kbvhYvacXt6GUBl5U9MXb-J8R13tThJU3G8H2CdkzfuCGKkAXillygFCeoAt/w640-h332/Urbana%20approaching%20storm.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">The first night of my drive I spent in a Motel 8 in Fargo, North Dakota. Here a thunderstorm approached...</span></div><br /><span>I did the first three trips in 2019 and 2020. The fourth and most complex trip was held up by my inability to cross the Canadian border because of covid-19. That final big trip I report on now...if you want to reprise my earlier godwit trips, they are reported in earlier editions of my Blog--feel free to go back and read them... I should also note that I did a US-only trip in spring 2021, after I had to postpone my big road trip into northern Canada and Alaska. The 2021 trip sought to spend more time with godwits in the north-central US on their spring migration northward.</span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzB3SYQYCpRAiMBb0q-wM7MYxX9lX24Qw2JlOAW7FCG2e-P84M-wOhYa04qjgq75WwcEWLpmcci-BFA_08l2j2D6aPH3srK7X03gmny4vXHyg2TrwIzOi7-jR0MMzK-pA_A5SHQMh2C365LS6iRB9UuTZFOUl25GZZD9n4sIuEPxr6Ucci9rOTJAl1/s2316/American%20Wigeon%20-%208%20June%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2316" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzB3SYQYCpRAiMBb0q-wM7MYxX9lX24Qw2JlOAW7FCG2e-P84M-wOhYa04qjgq75WwcEWLpmcci-BFA_08l2j2D6aPH3srK7X03gmny4vXHyg2TrwIzOi7-jR0MMzK-pA_A5SHQMh2C365LS6iRB9UuTZFOUl25GZZD9n4sIuEPxr6Ucci9rOTJAl1/w640-h346/American%20Wigeon%20-%208%20June%2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">American Wigeons are common and widespread across North America. I saw them on many occasions...</span></div><div><br /></div><div>I am planning 10 blogs, issued through the month of July. In these, I will detail (1) my drive from Bethesda, Maryland, to Anchorage, Alaska. (2) visits (by air) to Nome, AK, and Utqiagvik (Pt Barrow), AK. (3) My drive from Anchorage across the "Top of the World" to the Yukon, and then northward in Canada on the Dempster Highway to the Arctic Ocean and the tiny indigenous community of Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories--as far north as one can drive in mainland Canada. (4) And finally my drive home to Bethesda, Maryland--logging more 11,834 miles by car, all told, over 43 days.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBoV9vQQ22iBVaYWptJKqpitdvfEYQ3oAspp_imLhH-KbZphxeDFU68cvx46MxZTrS1HrJueI-5YnheQzNm-ItE-atwCYmPWmgBlsU2kwcJJdMpM_4UGLXIqHqszkEzgxUk8KaS4ew7jTm58aYyMFTKGTagav8FYzl_gDtgshnryxCk46jfM7jWGD7/s2344/American%20Robin.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2344" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBoV9vQQ22iBVaYWptJKqpitdvfEYQ3oAspp_imLhH-KbZphxeDFU68cvx46MxZTrS1HrJueI-5YnheQzNm-ItE-atwCYmPWmgBlsU2kwcJJdMpM_4UGLXIqHqszkEzgxUk8KaS4ew7jTm58aYyMFTKGTagav8FYzl_gDtgshnryxCk46jfM7jWGD7/w640-h410/American%20Robin.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Traveling long distances the first week, I saw mainly common bird species, like this American Robin.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div>Day One, 22 May 2022, I drove 676 miles, ending in Urbana, Illinois, passing through six states. I departed my home at 0607am and arrived at my motel at 6:15pm. I stopped for breakfast in Uniontown, PA, and for lunch in Vandalia, Ohio. The first seven days, with some minor excepts was "drive and sleep"--hoping to see the occasional interesting bird or mammal from the windows of the speeding car.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjktPUnTDTpM6iZ2JPF38trxmvjvjngvbQhzzY0Utks8blAJp6dzPyDrFqqF0U4ycu3OypI0RPt5nu2iZCn5z3M8GeCubqHt2MdSL2mALuBjd5mWDmSy7HaDDyV4xMqDdK_17z8w21ZnbyBW13v19nm-78fuLwgAP-7Ffz8UUHCUDCgh0ukukb1Pp5l/s1549/Red-headed%20Woodpecker%20pair.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1549" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjktPUnTDTpM6iZ2JPF38trxmvjvjngvbQhzzY0Utks8blAJp6dzPyDrFqqF0U4ycu3OypI0RPt5nu2iZCn5z3M8GeCubqHt2MdSL2mALuBjd5mWDmSy7HaDDyV4xMqDdK_17z8w21ZnbyBW13v19nm-78fuLwgAP-7Ffz8UUHCUDCgh0ukukb1Pp5l/w640-h516/Red-headed%20Woodpecker%20pair.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">In the dry midwest of the US, the Red-headed Woodpecker is a common resident--one of the most beautiful of woodpeckers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span> </span>Saw this species is Indiana. It was the bird of the day, no doubt.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>After settling into my motel in Urbana, I drove out into the rural countryside, to Sellers, Illinois, for a late afternoon bird walk. Featured birds were Dickcissel, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow, and House Wren. I had dinner at a Mexican restaurant of indifferent quality and hit the sack early.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZHPWcNV8ioqWHFww5r2nN-au6DvnToWwLpzyfOt_LzAHbdTNLgRsVAhl_99vE4izBz4IlWPxFWicCNarF2nHOhrZ4rJSuHHaQvSZpHy1CNHtZpLTjjVK6ziJJqdimdT_tYF-moWG5CbtCVmIYnzMc8ljWXUfoDntYYlp7xdms-y6u2cUTsL_D6hK/s1554/Shoveler%20drake.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1554" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZHPWcNV8ioqWHFww5r2nN-au6DvnToWwLpzyfOt_LzAHbdTNLgRsVAhl_99vE4izBz4IlWPxFWicCNarF2nHOhrZ4rJSuHHaQvSZpHy1CNHtZpLTjjVK6ziJJqdimdT_tYF-moWG5CbtCVmIYnzMc8ljWXUfoDntYYlp7xdms-y6u2cUTsL_D6hK/w640-h412/Shoveler%20drake.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> O<span style="font-size: x-small;">n Day Two I got into the Prairie Potholes, which features lots of ducks, like this drake Shoveler.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I departed Urbana at 0545am and headed northwestward. I followed the route provided by Google Maps that I uploaded from home: start: Bethesda, end: Anchorage. The route forms almost a straight line on the map, encompassing 4,357 miles, and 69 hours of driving.</div><div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDryXkRzoa3S_llDZUvi23HqiJC6vfhDdFEU_lHksSxnhcQGmxNf35-J3yw6fB9r9lC0Nwas5kluHa5FltnmWyKraPCzhKfPXCUnqeW4o16Am2hHCGjDEvtjy2JVU8o9pI528DI5CpSiJWG6gCyCeXCBB4N8aHI5tlbQ7_CaFD35kSBWbhwHlHtQBP/s1822/Baird's%20Sandpiper%20foraging.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1822" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDryXkRzoa3S_llDZUvi23HqiJC6vfhDdFEU_lHksSxnhcQGmxNf35-J3yw6fB9r9lC0Nwas5kluHa5FltnmWyKraPCzhKfPXCUnqeW4o16Am2hHCGjDEvtjy2JVU8o9pI528DI5CpSiJWG6gCyCeXCBB4N8aHI5tlbQ7_CaFD35kSBWbhwHlHtQBP/w640-h352/Baird's%20Sandpiper%20foraging.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">After Hudsonian Godwit and Marbled Godwit, Baird's Sandpiper was the best bird of the trip's first week (seen near</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Saskatoon, SK).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div>This morning in Illinois I saw a roadside sign that states "GunsSaveLife.com"... and a sign I saw the day before in Indiana stated: "Jesus is Alive. Go to Truth.com." Clearly, I am solidly in the Heartland. I see lots of planted cornfields, as well as the white blossoms of blooming locust trees along the Illinois River. North of Madison, Wisconsin, I start seeing White Pines (hint of boreal forest to come), and also some planted Red Pine, and those scruffy Jack Pines, which is a true boreal species (which loves fire). Highlight of the day is seeing the limestone buttes that tower by the road in the Wisconsin Dells. I saw Trumpeter Swan pairs in western Minnesota. </div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyhxxif4NcZbvxMZ6xBxTMM3WGm0aAsvTcLb4Fz06n78JXXp6RkiaSzm_KwMbbKPWIrm7zFJVie71RDcraZ1YDAGdnGQoEwGwoCx0sYgsPggjmHqXQ7SkyhYqYc76znYOYl0MHR1dYgOVLY3RafXiZ73Zm3RfZrjdN8-X0B97XUL-VEQLHv8D5LLu2/s2050/Red-necked%20Phalarope%20hoard.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="2050" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyhxxif4NcZbvxMZ6xBxTMM3WGm0aAsvTcLb4Fz06n78JXXp6RkiaSzm_KwMbbKPWIrm7zFJVie71RDcraZ1YDAGdnGQoEwGwoCx0sYgsPggjmHqXQ7SkyhYqYc76znYOYl0MHR1dYgOVLY3RafXiZ73Zm3RfZrjdN8-X0B97XUL-VEQLHv8D5LLu2/w640-h234/Red-necked%20Phalarope%20hoard.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">If you hit the Prairie Potholes at the right time, you can find large flocks of Red-necked Phalaropes, which typically are</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"> difficult to </span><span style="font-size: small;">find except out on the open ocean or in the Far North.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span>Day Two ended at Fargo, North Dakota, after more than 13 hours at the wheel and 743 miles of driving. Temps were in the 60s all day. My route to Anchorage, by the way, goes as follows: MD-PA-WV-OH-IN-IL-WI-MN-ND-SK-AB-BC-YU-AK.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW_PZZf-JSfp8DKLdLRnQcDTrtJ-SZSgWssbxzeaLhrR4Z0nLSfzZeNKNxXBe5m5uIImFHLctCGIYIgXn0yF4JyOPUahP4tP2c6n7gn9uCWf7Bn_XoweBeyb-9DT7xnO4gbSngEPARcMnmwtIskMw-I32YGZ4s0_lg55svkWmIV25tLPPLl3DIBioN/s2643/Red-necked%20Phalaropes%20up%20close.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2643" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW_PZZf-JSfp8DKLdLRnQcDTrtJ-SZSgWssbxzeaLhrR4Z0nLSfzZeNKNxXBe5m5uIImFHLctCGIYIgXn0yF4JyOPUahP4tP2c6n7gn9uCWf7Bn_XoweBeyb-9DT7xnO4gbSngEPARcMnmwtIskMw-I32YGZ4s0_lg55svkWmIV25tLPPLl3DIBioN/w640-h242/Red-necked%20Phalaropes%20up%20close.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Red-necked Phalaropes, on migration to their breeding grounds in northern Canada and Alaska.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div>Road kill: in the first two days I saw lots of dead deer, raccoons, and skunks. Got caught in the Minneapolis PM rush, which ain't fun... Day Three I detoured out to a wetland near Berea, North Dakota (just west of Valley City), where Hudsonian Godwits had been reported. I always get a rush when I see these bird handsome shorebirds standing in shallow water off in the distance. This is always a special bird for birders. There were eight of them, mainly males in breeding plumage. I was in high prairie and Horned Larks were displaying in the cool morning air and Yellow-headed Blackbird males were making their terrific noise as they parachuted high over their reedy territories. <br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMj1qbFiLeVv2KBMBqE6OFsZ0irXiiTCvb8gLT8Wh_4vUwIgS__F3dZQGpvrk72jnRr105DAm946iiy0HKUZPT0PpSORAI9kMBExkFqJTEnMA2B67o1zscr2apzN0az7gLtF4x0IrRl0DhsVsCg5-OYE8ojJYYY4HSH0mwQ0jVKSTPMWaULdpWcllC/s2415/Velva,%20ND%20-%20home%20of%20Dot's.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2415" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMj1qbFiLeVv2KBMBqE6OFsZ0irXiiTCvb8gLT8Wh_4vUwIgS__F3dZQGpvrk72jnRr105DAm946iiy0HKUZPT0PpSORAI9kMBExkFqJTEnMA2B67o1zscr2apzN0az7gLtF4x0IrRl0DhsVsCg5-OYE8ojJYYY4HSH0mwQ0jVKSTPMWaULdpWcllC/w640-h398/Velva,%20ND%20-%20home%20of%20Dot's.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Velva, North Dakota, is home to Dot's Pretzels, but otherwise a pretty small western town.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">North Dakota is one of my very favorite states. The tilled earth here is blackish and rich-looking. It is great birding country because of the Prairie Potholes. This day I saw pairs of Western Grebes--lanky and graceful... I was surprised to see Eurasian Collared-Dove in the small towns... </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZgRn3SB2aGtAMj726D9RQnvlMNOZyCvsDu4_7k0cANkA5veoz6_yPTxAzCgONFvXwWbk3PCHvF6KWHel9slXreoVZnSdNJd7YiQNguHaZqIjWILBvJUoLykS4Dtwb1ZPBHTLlS_d1XB6XKZsJdMJMWYSRogTApPcxo0noYv9R5d1sEDn0QiezljlA/s1611/Western%20Kingbird%2029%20June.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1611" height="596" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZgRn3SB2aGtAMj726D9RQnvlMNOZyCvsDu4_7k0cANkA5veoz6_yPTxAzCgONFvXwWbk3PCHvF6KWHel9slXreoVZnSdNJd7YiQNguHaZqIjWILBvJUoLykS4Dtwb1ZPBHTLlS_d1XB6XKZsJdMJMWYSRogTApPcxo0noYv9R5d1sEDn0QiezljlA/w640-h596/Western%20Kingbird%2029%20June.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Western Kingbird is common across the Great Plains of the US.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">On Day Three, after my birding side-trip, I drove from Fargo northwestward to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. I was happy to depart from my dirty and noisy Motel 6 to be out on the clean road... This is little-populated and wide-open prairie country and it is great driving territory. The standard interstate speed limit in North Dakota is 75 mph. I drive 534 miles, arriving in Makamow Campground in Moose Jaw town at 5:30pm. It was sunny and 70F. Best birds of the day were Marbled Godwits--larger cousins to the Hudsonian. The Marbled mainly nest in the Prairie Pothole country of Canada and the northern US. I also see Stilt Sandpipers and Upland Sandpipers. Quality birds! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy-u_hnvVdgpm31Qrx3xJrV9Dy-ocZwATayMhoi4pzS0gBZa6fixztkCcWTgFdwu_EvjDUEzDkYQt8ynzonSQCmGk_cEWdsakF73grXgRSGERuFycOlWrnOcqGmDfOwWbPjuhG3etO9No-XHRIJxhspr-VZR-YDxluxeuzGsuYmSHVfZXe-qQ6wUZx/s1898/Marbled%20Godwit%201.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1898" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy-u_hnvVdgpm31Qrx3xJrV9Dy-ocZwATayMhoi4pzS0gBZa6fixztkCcWTgFdwu_EvjDUEzDkYQt8ynzonSQCmGk_cEWdsakF73grXgRSGERuFycOlWrnOcqGmDfOwWbPjuhG3etO9No-XHRIJxhspr-VZR-YDxluxeuzGsuYmSHVfZXe-qQ6wUZx/w640-h338/Marbled%20Godwit%201.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Marbled Godwit</span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I love driving through the wide-open plains and prairies--the sky goes forever and it is such a change from what I know back on the East Coast. A different world.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEittbmpiNf-ZVBDzq_vt_BS9QDOoVzZTBBTCec1RFgMGQ4Da0QEWTO0Ek2sYeG1RFlJXpZQHeQYvh_zff9QnlZjj3Wm3YhWsUzLB7EJe29siEzlIrFGx1119YLXfkWboSn-Hv1k_eSGBKh9u_o_AJsZimy3JCAM6HISkDXprD8BmoImJh0m4Pw-kZKy/s3212/Scene%20in%20Nebraska%20iPhone.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="3212" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEittbmpiNf-ZVBDzq_vt_BS9QDOoVzZTBBTCec1RFgMGQ4Da0QEWTO0Ek2sYeG1RFlJXpZQHeQYvh_zff9QnlZjj3Wm3YhWsUzLB7EJe29siEzlIrFGx1119YLXfkWboSn-Hv1k_eSGBKh9u_o_AJsZimy3JCAM6HISkDXprD8BmoImJh0m4Pw-kZKy/w640-h250/Scene%20in%20Nebraska%20iPhone.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Saskatchewan scenery....</span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I cross over into Canada at North Portal, SK, and get chided by the border staff for not mentioning the machete in my cook box. They let me keep it... Canadians are nice! I passed by the low Cactus Hills and Dirt Hills. The night in Moose Jaw was filled with the rumble and screech of passing freight trains</div><div style="text-align: left;">--taking me back to the 1950s (I grew up next to the Ma & Pa Rail Line in Baltimore)... </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div>On Day Four I drove from Moose Jaw to Whitecourt, Alberta. Both Saskatchewan and Alberta are new provinces for my North American list of states and provinces... <br /><br /><span style="color: #0000ee; text-decoration-line: underline;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuisjP7608fI_FBEHoXYWEVPv1sMLhfiDf71ILAH4rjXKU0NMnHWNvYaYOqA8AkpQRjvQsb_4pH4sbwVdt4VqtqcFJEooAIEmPaMvz9Ygw_Za0iHdFYwBmDK9W38-nXtBY_4R3KQcLEq41729fcd3BG6xtP83Jkg6aGR_Y_yLHAGLmM4dvYhFqUKPQ/s1644/Brewer's%20Blackbird.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1644" height="584" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuisjP7608fI_FBEHoXYWEVPv1sMLhfiDf71ILAH4rjXKU0NMnHWNvYaYOqA8AkpQRjvQsb_4pH4sbwVdt4VqtqcFJEooAIEmPaMvz9Ygw_Za0iHdFYwBmDK9W38-nXtBY_4R3KQcLEq41729fcd3BG6xtP83Jkg6aGR_Y_yLHAGLmM4dvYhFqUKPQ/w640-h584/Brewer's%20Blackbird.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I drove 573 miles through northern prairie land, looking for signs of the boreal forest to come. Prairie dominated. I saw few birds, just common species such as Brewer's Blackbird (above). </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh0rjR-4CxF72nBBhzPEkHSVcYMuq5TXQfE6pT64MCB7LoLSKxKTVofuStwK7Blx8pSpVSz0EJv4EMisjK4SHJAoQKI9w_zSfGlWW39obGfELrZJTIjRWs5Jmg2It20ijfKcei71rhwyNcIm_tgpzgWmkr-uUh7FQxgyG9ePJwhKw7iGlkq-7VOVQ2/s3078/Oil%20Rig%20Alberta.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="3078" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh0rjR-4CxF72nBBhzPEkHSVcYMuq5TXQfE6pT64MCB7LoLSKxKTVofuStwK7Blx8pSpVSz0EJv4EMisjK4SHJAoQKI9w_zSfGlWW39obGfELrZJTIjRWs5Jmg2It20ijfKcei71rhwyNcIm_tgpzgWmkr-uUh7FQxgyG9ePJwhKw7iGlkq-7VOVQ2/w640-h260/Oil%20Rig%20Alberta.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And Alberta is oil and gas (and tar sands) country. There was lots of evidence of petroleum extraction along the way (above).</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW0yTrEZQP_dVRF_1-qMLkowoU6GMp4vkt9Z-6HLAflSJQiCc3FLd1h4ja_fTXyQ0mn5j0AF1LDKxV6KyF9x8DfP6--LA8yDUdLWFE0y9HzipppG0Aa-GqkEHOUmq-rS89XuJxOMQwo0K7qV-b8LRIBi1oLjlTPMb71vpdDtdJ4lhBBHF27fljge4Z/s1500/High%20Plains%20Alberta.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1497" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW0yTrEZQP_dVRF_1-qMLkowoU6GMp4vkt9Z-6HLAflSJQiCc3FLd1h4ja_fTXyQ0mn5j0AF1LDKxV6KyF9x8DfP6--LA8yDUdLWFE0y9HzipppG0Aa-GqkEHOUmq-rS89XuJxOMQwo0K7qV-b8LRIBi1oLjlTPMb71vpdDtdJ4lhBBHF27fljge4Z/w638-h640/High%20Plains%20Alberta.JPG" width="638" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And more wide-open land with not much on it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_dUUUVWd5w0iMcWRRgJ6hyMo5ONIY82h7gK_4K5i7NkiVp6d6xupzxyTEXG4xbo94rNtYrGzb3oQA8r1fLsUUn6cXpYEF73abNJabYZp6BJ4khiYDxS9nOaLX9cw682CZmvI83F5qdc1yWhF3ndtTm-1nlq4lTdNy2zeMGBplUY2Xv5lK-Z1LJM9o/s2200/Saskachewan%20ag%20operation%20in%20distance.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="2200" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_dUUUVWd5w0iMcWRRgJ6hyMo5ONIY82h7gK_4K5i7NkiVp6d6xupzxyTEXG4xbo94rNtYrGzb3oQA8r1fLsUUn6cXpYEF73abNJabYZp6BJ4khiYDxS9nOaLX9cw682CZmvI83F5qdc1yWhF3ndtTm-1nlq4lTdNy2zeMGBplUY2Xv5lK-Z1LJM9o/w640-h218/Saskachewan%20ag%20operation%20in%20distance.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Though there were signs of substantial agricultural productivity in the towns I passed (photo above).</div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZawX_8RJ3fLDzRBOyWOTIbxxvQXROt4T4HMk4tWIENWvIufgYiHMDi7uB6OX9jMh4op3iN1EZgae6iXid_Z7X5NIC03eWfSwSGe3hmiPlIXWddEmpqiYNq1loGDaW_pgu8JLy5b3qQIDlyOVOM0f1Sz7uKi0WDc_es71gHN5U_C_MRbm9mzoehPV/s1916/Campground,%20Whitecourt,%20AB.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1916" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZawX_8RJ3fLDzRBOyWOTIbxxvQXROt4T4HMk4tWIENWvIufgYiHMDi7uB6OX9jMh4op3iN1EZgae6iXid_Z7X5NIC03eWfSwSGe3hmiPlIXWddEmpqiYNq1loGDaW_pgu8JLy5b3qQIDlyOVOM0f1Sz7uKi0WDc_es71gHN5U_C_MRbm9mzoehPV/w640-h418/Campground,%20Whitecourt,%20AB.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">The Lions Club Campground in Whitecourt, Alberta, with the first boggy stands of White Spruce....</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">As I approached Whitecourt, I was entering forest land dominated by boreal spruce. Whitecourt featured oil, pulp, and timber industries.... The evening at the campground in Whitecourt I saw my first mosquitoes of the trip (but not the last). It cooled down quickly and reminded me of the Adirondacks. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtVZbma9KbDXfy42B9bvI-HXpB0h1p5hEPVeWiTUbu9K9-cgG-OS1vp4qrytnwJIc9zcrp-W_MX-ufF3Ci6eQaLWl9o-4pYsw4EQ60ojv7cdz-M2IBRodXhuTOTDHRApsQ6d_HlJO_K8oogleCWMprTCWkGzsmwJ70ohY04o5nl0dnX3G1CS_hCwbZ/s1822/Black%20Bear%20boar%20Alberta%2026%20May.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1822" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtVZbma9KbDXfy42B9bvI-HXpB0h1p5hEPVeWiTUbu9K9-cgG-OS1vp4qrytnwJIc9zcrp-W_MX-ufF3Ci6eQaLWl9o-4pYsw4EQ60ojv7cdz-M2IBRodXhuTOTDHRApsQ6d_HlJO_K8oogleCWMprTCWkGzsmwJ70ohY04o5nl0dnX3G1CS_hCwbZ/w640-h352/Black%20Bear%20boar%20Alberta%2026%20May.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I saw my first bear (a Black Bear) on the morning of the 26th May in northwestern Alberta. I also saw Mule Deer, the western counterpart to our eastern White-tail. A taste of things to come... </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Part 2 of the Blog series will feature northern British Columbia, which offers quite a change from the prairie lands I had been driving across the last several days. So reaching northwestern Alberta, I had done a lot of the heavy lifting in terms of thankless driving. Parts 2 and onward will feature a world of snow-capped mountains and wildlife. And it will get better and better and stranger and stranger.... Stand by for the upcoming blogs! </i><br /><span style="color: #0000ee; text-decoration-line: underline;"><br /><br /></span></div></div><p></p></div></div></div>Bruce Beehlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15885008878848042968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4395290943835782922.post-54875566986969956042022-01-09T12:00:00.000-08:002022-01-09T12:00:03.807-08:00<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEil2hqXhV4Bx9938N8VHGBpDC4U7mOQbut0eqjy_iT6pp2M1YrIGkLyS1QBcqlpMmHIAzoDwHxZ3OlBFkOt97NSEqlzxfTaUFWmrevVHVOSPk7s5XLnx7ySMQmbyO0bOVhVNeDmjrsB3XTPw4wVLP0d1lY26E57bluuwpL_9q7Fe2E07y4soC6KUjpm=s1888" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1888" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEil2hqXhV4Bx9938N8VHGBpDC4U7mOQbut0eqjy_iT6pp2M1YrIGkLyS1QBcqlpMmHIAzoDwHxZ3OlBFkOt97NSEqlzxfTaUFWmrevVHVOSPk7s5XLnx7ySMQmbyO0bOVhVNeDmjrsB3XTPw4wVLP0d1lY26E57bluuwpL_9q7Fe2E07y4soC6KUjpm=w640-h338" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> American White Pelicans</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Captiva and Sanibel Islands,
Southwest Florida<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">25 December 2021 – 8 January 2022</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdars7Vr7ucdLqER54JABIp0SgNPSKWCV1F8-Sn2L3J6IFrwYzapVfotuOahwxiDP6AC3YqqZSDqJZRIBvw8IExwK8j45mc0WQom1Wc51dIUa3X16cmkc6xLuK5PNwrSRYFEHh_59dDYNF41E-pD0frREuB1GclzFU75uVOn3WilM1efPkm2z3FILB=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdars7Vr7ucdLqER54JABIp0SgNPSKWCV1F8-Sn2L3J6IFrwYzapVfotuOahwxiDP6AC3YqqZSDqJZRIBvw8IExwK8j45mc0WQom1Wc51dIUa3X16cmkc6xLuK5PNwrSRYFEHh_59dDYNF41E-pD0frREuB1GclzFU75uVOn3WilM1efPkm2z3FILB=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">shell-strewn beach</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">When snow and cold begin to pay a
visit to the DC area, it is time to retreat to some place far to the South,
where sun and warm breezes dominate. On Christmas day we flew from DC to Fort
Myers, Florida, rented a car, and drove to Captiva Island for two weeks of
R&R and Nature.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgoyiXW0xOwgYPevtx_-jLRtBB6FHDhClxndzrDylPAxVvChTa1hRQVDvd0lmB5YVKVxEZUl_LUNMbLOaqmeV6fc1kTy-y0P9jbKYYF-tXA8l0aH5aepD7xN0U2-haDD0noSoNRDh52vCMu_lqPmgEF_GvZHojplrYWbAFkXXsuQ5FrWoOH2WUuGtkd=s1854" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1854" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgoyiXW0xOwgYPevtx_-jLRtBB6FHDhClxndzrDylPAxVvChTa1hRQVDvd0lmB5YVKVxEZUl_LUNMbLOaqmeV6fc1kTy-y0P9jbKYYF-tXA8l0aH5aepD7xN0U2-haDD0noSoNRDh52vCMu_lqPmgEF_GvZHojplrYWbAFkXXsuQ5FrWoOH2WUuGtkd=w640-h432" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Anhinga</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Captiva Island is just north of
Sanibel, famous for its shelling beaches. Captiva is home to ‘Tween Waters Inn,
sandwiched between Pine Island Sound and the Gulf of Mexico. ‘Tween Waters has
been hosting nature-lovers for more than a century—people like Anne Morrow
Lindbergh, Theodore Roosevelt, Roger Tory Peterson, and J.N. Ding Darling. We
stayed in Frangipani Cottage, one of the original cottages from an earlier
century.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4ejk9m38a_VyQqgTxG0Qg79OhmhIZwgfloz0os2-0I9TkLd1jQKgos8aDkB7yo1uwEqWogFUEjmo8Y39MZmkEaiTboSvSSwhs0OaihfV6DfkZK9yocoDfQAOgDpY0Yh1kj7rMaZRq1WxX59E1jTCfI8F3oH6M4J2nX-G2oNGiJl6H69K2uVMS0hEX=s1746" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1746" data-original-width="1250" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4ejk9m38a_VyQqgTxG0Qg79OhmhIZwgfloz0os2-0I9TkLd1jQKgos8aDkB7yo1uwEqWogFUEjmo8Y39MZmkEaiTboSvSSwhs0OaihfV6DfkZK9yocoDfQAOgDpY0Yh1kj7rMaZRq1WxX59E1jTCfI8F3oH6M4J2nX-G2oNGiJl6H69K2uVMS0hEX=w458-h640" width="458" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Brown Pelican</span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p>Here are the things we do once we
get settled in: walk on the beach, collect shells, bird-watch, bike to Ding
Darling National Wildlife Refuge, kayak around Buck Key, and get up early to
commune with the visiting Manatees. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjITl4dQNZs65jy3exfK2e5GvixvDXrRBaR8UJlkgSbyVa1oGK6NpnwBXapUPDQ0TIalzyU2_WGwkjP_WB4Q8-NNuNsRx_lDF-kkEpqVaC8M5QGokheE4qojHxa4aAjTMjycaVmiVWgdd6ptrQ_Nfh3PoFHBisZTotT1-kbw9ckStapVzJddvaYUDFZ=s1151" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1151" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjITl4dQNZs65jy3exfK2e5GvixvDXrRBaR8UJlkgSbyVa1oGK6NpnwBXapUPDQ0TIalzyU2_WGwkjP_WB4Q8-NNuNsRx_lDF-kkEpqVaC8M5QGokheE4qojHxa4aAjTMjycaVmiVWgdd6ptrQ_Nfh3PoFHBisZTotT1-kbw9ckStapVzJddvaYUDFZ=w640-h418" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Royal Terns</span><br /><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">The Gulf beach is home to a
variety of wintering waterbirds: sandpipers, plovers, terns, gulls, skimmers, and
pelicans. Birds are present and active no matter where you go on Captiva and
Sanibel.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjchGoPuvgHpUTvTOcoLpxFpbC19gBFYmTRtjgijHYxUwYDNAAW9gJx6vUZCa7qiLDRCetLpJ_e3ondXykyVTbIsQiGG12f7lAaY3CRtpmgREL05imTq2Xez9k2kcNwGBnZef3PYGrP5dhm0blzEP09eo_q2KOATK-e95vn_2DCda-KSi1YmSNUrvWn=s1500" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1055" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjchGoPuvgHpUTvTOcoLpxFpbC19gBFYmTRtjgijHYxUwYDNAAW9gJx6vUZCa7qiLDRCetLpJ_e3ondXykyVTbIsQiGG12f7lAaY3CRtpmgREL05imTq2Xez9k2kcNwGBnZef3PYGrP5dhm0blzEP09eo_q2KOATK-e95vn_2DCda-KSi1YmSNUrvWn=w450-h640" width="450" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Osprey</span><br /><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">No other place on Earth supports
a larger and more active population of Ospreys. It is not uncommon to look up
from your beach chair and see an Osprey plunging into the Gulf waters for a
fish. Look up and there are four, no six, no <u>eight</u> Ospreys circling
overhead. Are these wintering birds from up North or are they permanent
residents? Hard to say... noisy pairs of Ospreys are occupying nest platforms,
looking much like breeders...</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRQrt-GK9ZEUezY2Coq537UV119YiOgyyDqAh75_Nrkc2fCZvk6bR9ce3-YSxawK053jc_GxDXHM4RixOmoMICpaX_6vL8-gyk-3R4C0Gn2IqyaYUyc6Uke8b3u6t3Asd0ySyBg6MBy-33ChhTAGsSytVJUzCvW8u99r73BDBfWX1Y8q7p9LxuE3U2=s1169" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1169" height="548" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRQrt-GK9ZEUezY2Coq537UV119YiOgyyDqAh75_Nrkc2fCZvk6bR9ce3-YSxawK053jc_GxDXHM4RixOmoMICpaX_6vL8-gyk-3R4C0Gn2IqyaYUyc6Uke8b3u6t3Asd0ySyBg6MBy-33ChhTAGsSytVJUzCvW8u99r73BDBfWX1Y8q7p9LxuE3U2=w640-h548" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Bald Eagle</span><br /><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">And yes, there are Bald Eagles
here as well. We see these big birds lumbering overhead every day—but not in
the numbers equal to the Ospreys, whose high piping notes are heard all day
long.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8uDc1xyjfTWgYNW4QuXZgTpwCFum4O9o9HHRNNmzKOMnWMbM1MenPoioCG9nobRH5bzgLLgQmNOqK65D_4L26F6mezEjLmWZvVWbPE-ptLBlAfIWEB4PHCeLV2GnSuQaNDAdtAn0b1RduQ4wUGaZh5T2X-g00o38xjd4vd45tFfjyKhEvbjxeQ4oQ=s1294" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1294" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8uDc1xyjfTWgYNW4QuXZgTpwCFum4O9o9HHRNNmzKOMnWMbM1MenPoioCG9nobRH5bzgLLgQmNOqK65D_4L26F6mezEjLmWZvVWbPE-ptLBlAfIWEB4PHCeLV2GnSuQaNDAdtAn0b1RduQ4wUGaZh5T2X-g00o38xjd4vd45tFfjyKhEvbjxeQ4oQ=w640-h494" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Magnificent Frigatebird</span><br /><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Lots of birds soar overhead in
the deep blue Gulf sky. Skinny black birds with long tails appear out of the
blue and circle slowly without moving a wing—these are Magnificent Frigatebirds.
The male shows off his bright red throat gorget and jet black plumage—handsome indeed!
He looks small high up there in the sky. Don’t be fooled, the male has a wingspan
of 90 inches.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNRaceBp_br7moudpRBOoO1Z-KNMWwxINZ_AFM-MxOsHNAqNrOuvek7AIjYVX2-LY1xVPa1eP24ci0DAnkmwRZ9Vt_1gZ0ryQiebYp7vWMg2N2VhS4R-lHjQXcD4qzOTXrUaXzlCibmEb41IWNxxvK6hE3kHLatt0fQR3zR_-adzCpx6Pj_dgx7IdK=s1508" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1508" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNRaceBp_br7moudpRBOoO1Z-KNMWwxINZ_AFM-MxOsHNAqNrOuvek7AIjYVX2-LY1xVPa1eP24ci0DAnkmwRZ9Vt_1gZ0ryQiebYp7vWMg2N2VhS4R-lHjQXcD4qzOTXrUaXzlCibmEb41IWNxxvK6hE3kHLatt0fQR3zR_-adzCpx6Pj_dgx7IdK=w640-h424" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Pileated Woodpecker</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p>Waterbirds are featured here, but
there are some landbirds around. The photograph above is of a Pileated
Woodpecker male who spent more than an hour chiseling into a rotten part of a
flowering <i>Bauhinia</i> tree. On another
day I watched this same bird at a tall palm, harvesting bright red fruits.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhP2-zwj0bJ2wGp6H3asIpP9LCEOBaaziHYFQjcCYemy-WRk806kf9dpdaFnh3TEJI451PuGtFXXVs4O8P-bbx2-CPewrkakP500lb-_Mk5H_LV85C3uFG_7fiDeXdbdFX_Xy_TqzhumrGZUqwy6H0aoGFJ9nh4iS7L_oGbxRrpldQaz17ndr79B-UU=s2016" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhP2-zwj0bJ2wGp6H3asIpP9LCEOBaaziHYFQjcCYemy-WRk806kf9dpdaFnh3TEJI451PuGtFXXVs4O8P-bbx2-CPewrkakP500lb-_Mk5H_LV85C3uFG_7fiDeXdbdFX_Xy_TqzhumrGZUqwy6H0aoGFJ9nh4iS7L_oGbxRrpldQaz17ndr79B-UU=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"> Flame Box Crab</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">But there is more to see along
the Gulf Shore. How about that Flame Box Crab, which I picked up in the sand
one morning. This remarkable creature is apparently common in Gulf waters,
along with the better-known Blue Crab. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1opNuRUsIUf-MIQkR-NydUsTQpQTTb9XNvHMzs5nnLaYXg1rIWhiR47U9fvztZDz8ZdOVSjZXGVovW7PQu-10yGGkoVk52_pZ9RtY16z5oDrcesiiahrpIzZaaFeTYoN5tPzF4AYL2xXVVE6P7ez17CT4UnFgTj587iLaORbviQuNmeYKha7J8TO_=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1opNuRUsIUf-MIQkR-NydUsTQpQTTb9XNvHMzs5nnLaYXg1rIWhiR47U9fvztZDz8ZdOVSjZXGVovW7PQu-10yGGkoVk52_pZ9RtY16z5oDrcesiiahrpIzZaaFeTYoN5tPzF4AYL2xXVVE6P7ez17CT4UnFgTj587iLaORbviQuNmeYKha7J8TO_=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Ophioderma</i> Brittle Star</span><br /><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Sand dollars and sea urchins wash
up on the beach, as well as several starfish, the most attractive being the one
shown above. The shore every morning is littered with marine invertebrates,
mainly in the form of “seashells.” We
loved hunting for the more beautiful of these. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjmZvwFDJGzS_jTpfNCvfXvq3T-M3Jbg4H-hNcdTGeNKBzn9o51Lm42ICjTnWonhbCU7XLSFlh2UjC3AoxrGDHkk61bDEGo2qmcIYXqNPT7gb8bqTnCiyNmraOX8mP5XlB_RyX2xsWevYE3or4uU5VV5khEjpNBbyUmoZWxo_v9rg2UCGw7tUhRiI6b=s2016" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjmZvwFDJGzS_jTpfNCvfXvq3T-M3Jbg4H-hNcdTGeNKBzn9o51Lm42ICjTnWonhbCU7XLSFlh2UjC3AoxrGDHkk61bDEGo2qmcIYXqNPT7gb8bqTnCiyNmraOX8mP5XlB_RyX2xsWevYE3or4uU5VV5khEjpNBbyUmoZWxo_v9rg2UCGw7tUhRiI6b=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;"> young Florida Fighting Conchs and Banded Tulips</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Every shell collector on the
beach is searching for the holy grail—<i>Scaphella
junonia</i>, commonly known as the “Junonia.” Carol found a piece of one this
season, but whole specimens are rare as hen’s teeth. We settle, instead, for
good specimens of the more common species—moonsnails, cockles, whelks, tulips,
and the like. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiocgp-SZKmGrk2k9PqfNzPOjcwONwA83d7aIoUhwE0TJaaKLsGWDmmNxTy4fN0JwSUO4BJq8R8UuDuMpBvBhtbeYlQNI_Ii0PsCEhV2V59JP6kBcArL2TO4XtrAxvgYJhryaVIwVS7z-OHQy68hRBpen6crACaqfvlmS_zlZncM0gsysV-QVTQ3DP1=s2016" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiocgp-SZKmGrk2k9PqfNzPOjcwONwA83d7aIoUhwE0TJaaKLsGWDmmNxTy4fN0JwSUO4BJq8R8UuDuMpBvBhtbeYlQNI_Ii0PsCEhV2V59JP6kBcArL2TO4XtrAxvgYJhryaVIwVS7z-OHQy68hRBpen6crACaqfvlmS_zlZncM0gsysV-QVTQ3DP1=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;"> tiny Rough and Atlantic Calico Scallops</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">There is something very relaxing
about walking the beach<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in search of a
pretty sea shell. We never get tired of doing that. We bring back large numbers
to our cabin, and then return most of them to the shore at the end of our stay.
A few of the very best come back with us for display in wooden bowls in the
living room at home. We never tire of their beauty. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGbZVcboRE1OKs8NUstWLaev9auo5bIdx3lTt2Unk2vl_AlMKSB9aQI7AwpDsfr3V8O6e9bqnma6QqMq-tYc5ji9yivG9k3eVMLeUKSpGWHUhB1qpsPCVx9Rhz6-FE9TgZ3hnF-IykdCUwBb_GkT6eJt64XXEjTWCAGlCI-k4qJxz9FNKUTi9vvGyi=s2016" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGbZVcboRE1OKs8NUstWLaev9auo5bIdx3lTt2Unk2vl_AlMKSB9aQI7AwpDsfr3V8O6e9bqnma6QqMq-tYc5ji9yivG9k3eVMLeUKSpGWHUhB1qpsPCVx9Rhz6-FE9TgZ3hnF-IykdCUwBb_GkT6eJt64XXEjTWCAGlCI-k4qJxz9FNKUTi9vvGyi=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Great Blue Heron</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">A bike ride through the Nature
Loop of the Ding Darling National Wildlife Sanctuary is always worth doing.
Herons, egrets, spoonbills, and ibises are the featured birds. Here are some
examples. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_jLb9NuOKrcnU-M_jR20JjVxRJnATkvNlyDlP1SS6sp4FKzgJH_d8lmzjnNCsgdkc98IODi8Qtjkg9eDBWtuWlnW5KJP2hnwqYtymmt2-85eXuX6cEtRZLYaLOKN-l2stmAtyNKda_MofgIHyCXZ4DGyiKbjwf7x_Q1ZLUXqy5CJMe_W4fjJW__RO=s1720" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1720" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_jLb9NuOKrcnU-M_jR20JjVxRJnATkvNlyDlP1SS6sp4FKzgJH_d8lmzjnNCsgdkc98IODi8Qtjkg9eDBWtuWlnW5KJP2hnwqYtymmt2-85eXuX6cEtRZLYaLOKN-l2stmAtyNKda_MofgIHyCXZ4DGyiKbjwf7x_Q1ZLUXqy5CJMe_W4fjJW__RO=w640-h466" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Little Blue Heron</span><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtdKrDrGTr_sL1l4tnVALMN-D7pUa75RqBJ8-2UpEOoZ5h4p81MncnqxsBbr-ISpNM8lw4fEsRBxkV7l2d3ssJsHLYCC073wA0A9Dt-Yu_VG-LplyP3ApoGLjfdI4HrMRIYbg6rIjDC6oOx5Mqm0iXsb36_RQ_LFQnxv69jGC984BVzUnv2Om9vpIV=s4743" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3224" data-original-width="4743" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtdKrDrGTr_sL1l4tnVALMN-D7pUa75RqBJ8-2UpEOoZ5h4p81MncnqxsBbr-ISpNM8lw4fEsRBxkV7l2d3ssJsHLYCC073wA0A9Dt-Yu_VG-LplyP3ApoGLjfdI4HrMRIYbg6rIjDC6oOx5Mqm0iXsb36_RQ_LFQnxv69jGC984BVzUnv2Om9vpIV=w640-h436" width="640" /></a></p><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Yellow-crowned Night-Heron with a shrimp</span><br /><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjrBoDoFtV9s1fl8FbNRbH6a5aQ31BoCeBq8ZVjFCku6Gyg-xLLN2LBLrbV29Hbt-kEAgjquvJ9KUOjD3M59W0zl4PjvQqWz0v2wF1BEsf1PmE0wxeOsYKgBEzI8LKQ7HCCWxeggu4Mld9yfv1LY1ZDa08v5rN35BsrNuK7At6VegmC7mfyBDmIH1SX=s1183" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1183" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjrBoDoFtV9s1fl8FbNRbH6a5aQ31BoCeBq8ZVjFCku6Gyg-xLLN2LBLrbV29Hbt-kEAgjquvJ9KUOjD3M59W0zl4PjvQqWz0v2wF1BEsf1PmE0wxeOsYKgBEzI8LKQ7HCCWxeggu4Mld9yfv1LY1ZDa08v5rN35BsrNuK7At6VegmC7mfyBDmIH1SX=w640-h540" width="640" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"> Reddish Egret</span><o:p><br /></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhks8m2YCDHf9x9P7FR3_8B8rX7YhvyjsFpDZtkennFeT1XIQ0fZmzp-DHSm7zhKn8B8YOtWu9namw7NtDxWTTTkFcqEhHraFQldu0Ls5dOaa4Z7i0uIgDG8DWmW_0r-L4-S_274eGgCQ996KxV_7oS6q9zI5_3Im2sVxAfYQLaaxo6WNIRdgI-pqzc=s1239" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1239" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhks8m2YCDHf9x9P7FR3_8B8rX7YhvyjsFpDZtkennFeT1XIQ0fZmzp-DHSm7zhKn8B8YOtWu9namw7NtDxWTTTkFcqEhHraFQldu0Ls5dOaa4Z7i0uIgDG8DWmW_0r-L4-S_274eGgCQ996KxV_7oS6q9zI5_3Im2sVxAfYQLaaxo6WNIRdgI-pqzc=w640-h516" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Roseate Spoonbills</span><br /><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Walking the Gulf beach on the
early morning is another birdy experience—mainly for plovers, sandpipers, and
terns. The birds on the beach tend to be rather confiding, allowing close
approach for photography, another relaxing pleasure here... </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZmpJ99kBYdyllj_E_xr8S_sNcnXS9kIqj9Wuo9yEphgPz4kuY8ud6C-6uHqVMnuDXKL5Y7Gj3_-TCR0ZltgRRocs0NSfgblCEoMSNJuprWOiq-MgqhFX_nQXfQSYMSDimx9a81j__O_gtPU4BlpWGkUT3Kh1pPZISO1_dhRjP_Lzdxn-5R2gasg4O=s1753" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1753" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZmpJ99kBYdyllj_E_xr8S_sNcnXS9kIqj9Wuo9yEphgPz4kuY8ud6C-6uHqVMnuDXKL5Y7Gj3_-TCR0ZltgRRocs0NSfgblCEoMSNJuprWOiq-MgqhFX_nQXfQSYMSDimx9a81j__O_gtPU4BlpWGkUT3Kh1pPZISO1_dhRjP_Lzdxn-5R2gasg4O=w640-h456" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;"> Black-bellied Plover</span><br /><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgc-4k2lENzezePiLBAuecj9TSkBBhVVCng5iYbLSdamLi7fAEAToIujisQSnT3BTN6NBkPgqOBtTV8CK5bR3Ucp8gy-oewEytlPh3MypviQmoA0aiVOAMXuTnhn-PQvb2Ffm2LT6pJh7mIPtkxeveCXfX4m7_7CxozdFBCN1fwct3vfvuUGd9xRDJy=s1500" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgc-4k2lENzezePiLBAuecj9TSkBBhVVCng5iYbLSdamLi7fAEAToIujisQSnT3BTN6NBkPgqOBtTV8CK5bR3Ucp8gy-oewEytlPh3MypviQmoA0aiVOAMXuTnhn-PQvb2Ffm2LT6pJh7mIPtkxeveCXfX4m7_7CxozdFBCN1fwct3vfvuUGd9xRDJy=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Dunlin</span><br /><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwU5PZob6r4AZDNEAoIGijvkCDqrSJ4ldpNxsjn9i5jyCGR-my3vq-R4RPyLfSEgNELSxNXEGjm0vyvKPFEuEJ-Gn_U1kYm5ouu7CFUyXekIxYGIHDtOCBpXXogYUjKuE7UMv8CATsw2xeM4lyEGVGq6KMaKJmwzIcS1XfNrGIPGXTqFUkoHHo8uGe=s1125" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1125" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwU5PZob6r4AZDNEAoIGijvkCDqrSJ4ldpNxsjn9i5jyCGR-my3vq-R4RPyLfSEgNELSxNXEGjm0vyvKPFEuEJ-Gn_U1kYm5ouu7CFUyXekIxYGIHDtOCBpXXogYUjKuE7UMv8CATsw2xeM4lyEGVGq6KMaKJmwzIcS1XfNrGIPGXTqFUkoHHo8uGe=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;"> Sanderling</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjL_c7h6Y60_FKh9nZBggunBBRrgqcvv85EmYx-MV4aieKFAO2WQS0D_L_HRZCQGAFioKLLYVPzgoeS4tO043USV70dRvdxdeGlnxkSRhddgupc0i1lOMD7pz3AcqTFwZt9DdOIa2Dz4YYccKRLKCyjHIiLyj6bSsVnukgCGbgjO_w-o0aUSQ8IxDPL=s1725" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1725" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjL_c7h6Y60_FKh9nZBggunBBRrgqcvv85EmYx-MV4aieKFAO2WQS0D_L_HRZCQGAFioKLLYVPzgoeS4tO043USV70dRvdxdeGlnxkSRhddgupc0i1lOMD7pz3AcqTFwZt9DdOIa2Dz4YYccKRLKCyjHIiLyj6bSsVnukgCGbgjO_w-o0aUSQ8IxDPL=w640-h372" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Red Knots</span><br /><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmgfYvnpE06v2BiyWlvKE3-B-2ltGcHjs1ubUUofsS-XpzeJ8piGDg3dKnbso3CnmXD9Y6X_0f6k21Zzew10J4OdWx6wjA0PDzwFzVVqZAjdRPO8FCuyKV0L1tbcWIboJyGT3oo7eVqgwRcaJFQYedijv4OnrsIdo7JS5XYmsohTFVfLLNpR3ItvP9=s1341" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1341" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmgfYvnpE06v2BiyWlvKE3-B-2ltGcHjs1ubUUofsS-XpzeJ8piGDg3dKnbso3CnmXD9Y6X_0f6k21Zzew10J4OdWx6wjA0PDzwFzVVqZAjdRPO8FCuyKV0L1tbcWIboJyGT3oo7eVqgwRcaJFQYedijv4OnrsIdo7JS5XYmsohTFVfLLNpR3ItvP9=w640-h478" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Snowy Plover</span><br /><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbdUuQBIIRrS2wU2GwlAjl1VzzoNZAFAfk5fGrVUntawgj19X30BmeDNf-trM6NtoWv87CCGYNwbszEKSsEiuISMq8FexrFu-oR5zYtKdwlUb8A-IIzG9-NQcBmoYJXZ21xChunN8U3xcuXy4IAOSpwZxnWbdzG9njp6TaqWXgnT9F0IFEI-YLb8-k=s1301" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1301" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbdUuQBIIRrS2wU2GwlAjl1VzzoNZAFAfk5fGrVUntawgj19X30BmeDNf-trM6NtoWv87CCGYNwbszEKSsEiuISMq8FexrFu-oR5zYtKdwlUb8A-IIzG9-NQcBmoYJXZ21xChunN8U3xcuXy4IAOSpwZxnWbdzG9njp6TaqWXgnT9F0IFEI-YLb8-k=w640-h492" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Wilson's Plover</span><br /><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">A visit to historic Old Sanibel
village is a good thing to do on a gloomy day. Lots of 20<sup>th</sup> century
history here, where things got started near the end of the 19<sup>th</sup>
Century. The natural highlight to the village was a Green Iguana (below). </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiraC1-gNzgz25zLN21_XwUREZUzboMu1fxw38mwKe8CYWwyufknDW71LcE2Uqef4vkGAUFVDL2HgFcBuj-yhN7sV_gN0Vt299jVxWlrW-FdkEDUL9QnJlJFPuxPAu8IUWIbgjQMMIngfY35mPshvgUwNahY_80zzdJjKdp6Quj2rv02dQ73_DaNSHy=s1500" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1009" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiraC1-gNzgz25zLN21_XwUREZUzboMu1fxw38mwKe8CYWwyufknDW71LcE2Uqef4vkGAUFVDL2HgFcBuj-yhN7sV_gN0Vt299jVxWlrW-FdkEDUL9QnJlJFPuxPAu8IUWIbgjQMMIngfY35mPshvgUwNahY_80zzdJjKdp6Quj2rv02dQ73_DaNSHy=w430-h640" width="430" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Green Iguana</span><br /><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Captiva is famous for its
Manatees, which winter in marinas and mangroves all around the back side of the
island. They like the marinas because here they can usually find some access to
freshwater, which they drink. We would go looking for friendly Manatees every
morning, either at the ‘Tween Waters marina or at Jensen’s Marina, in downtown
Captiva. We were able to get within a few feet of these wonderful creatures—often
adults with little youngsters by their side. Some of these Manatees weigh more
than 1,500 pounds, and yet they were often in water no more than a 2-3 feet
deep. </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpNYT2bKv0975sF1TfwR-Ap8i--5K1y68SgC5qNDkaLfOIE8uYB5T6n6QHKSubdW1xp1gyKyYxHVcDs96fzckYRuoJCxHknRZ2pNIIpQIMOOThOuUzwnxvpRJAPu15uDOefEepeFySs32zhFUI5m_belIXR9aaGpcJakFmYrsd9VsjnJvxjRPAxhwQ=s2013" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1430" data-original-width="2013" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpNYT2bKv0975sF1TfwR-Ap8i--5K1y68SgC5qNDkaLfOIE8uYB5T6n6QHKSubdW1xp1gyKyYxHVcDs96fzckYRuoJCxHknRZ2pNIIpQIMOOThOuUzwnxvpRJAPu15uDOefEepeFySs32zhFUI5m_belIXR9aaGpcJakFmYrsd9VsjnJvxjRPAxhwQ=w640-h454" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;"> adult Manatee with hidden baby to lower right (photo: Chris Mocharla)</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"> </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgihrV2joAA1ylVlDoSrPEoKRiSB4fDOGyb6cqhNWXo7Vualcc2omxP5182HOUGojW1VMz7-v8ZR9VYX8SLvhjZ3Q_T1-81UjyW1unlvJ8fGHtYagLLerAmmmdmjLNHcp6jGCNo5gVB2ZvBhI1-fuGNQuC9DnOnUXHZxiTCqVzYzNhtQskL1SDPpq7x=s1819" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1819" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgihrV2joAA1ylVlDoSrPEoKRiSB4fDOGyb6cqhNWXo7Vualcc2omxP5182HOUGojW1VMz7-v8ZR9VYX8SLvhjZ3Q_T1-81UjyW1unlvJ8fGHtYagLLerAmmmdmjLNHcp6jGCNo5gVB2ZvBhI1-fuGNQuC9DnOnUXHZxiTCqVzYzNhtQskL1SDPpq7x=w640-h440" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">portrait of a baby Manatee</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">We had two close-up Manatee experiences
while kayaking. In the first instance, a big adult Manatee looked up over the side of the kayak,
and in the other, a large Manatee surfaced under our kayak, creating
considerable excitement, but no harm to us or to the creature... </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVyyqXhi9F3047WLo2zU37JlZD8V5CXAXGdpeHcn90SA7TaQ0vlIEc_xz8AKQkrIEtnHnLp_0yINYx4G4VjIBaPkFdSDNX-vh0PGBDbJIHf3UNPJ4Ge8YSz7dMPLsSi_KScWZbf3feHEM7jzJmXsZeDBAh4MNEOJBJdd6o9ku8VHYAnsfINnY0sFiB=s1458" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1458" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVyyqXhi9F3047WLo2zU37JlZD8V5CXAXGdpeHcn90SA7TaQ0vlIEc_xz8AKQkrIEtnHnLp_0yINYx4G4VjIBaPkFdSDNX-vh0PGBDbJIHf3UNPJ4Ge8YSz7dMPLsSi_KScWZbf3feHEM7jzJmXsZeDBAh4MNEOJBJdd6o9ku8VHYAnsfINnY0sFiB=w640-h438" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">portrait of an adult Manatee</span><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Kayaking was a favorite pastime.
We would take a circuit that crossed Roosevelt Channel to Buck Key, then
through a narrow and jungly mangrove passage across Buck Key to Pine Island
Sound, and thence back to ‘Tween Waters marina. These circuits provided various
wildlife encounters—swarms of small skates on the surface, sunning Anhingas,
hunting Ospreys, leaping fish, passing dolphins, and more.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgu4qSvPAg7DVxb5OIBARetkPET5vkQKcPRg2I712sn4_ydc_QRGKjaor94xuAVfBUxNF1XeK-gmibPWAxOf3lA09AnfTYesm0wYw-1YG-j5Nt9UOFJ25gecGBuFqGPuv2UsYBj3YTpIVuomHhSsJqZPjYYcbvupPsIOt6P-nOXkjEgPvEKKkyWvHs5=s1782" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1782" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgu4qSvPAg7DVxb5OIBARetkPET5vkQKcPRg2I712sn4_ydc_QRGKjaor94xuAVfBUxNF1XeK-gmibPWAxOf3lA09AnfTYesm0wYw-1YG-j5Nt9UOFJ25gecGBuFqGPuv2UsYBj3YTpIVuomHhSsJqZPjYYcbvupPsIOt6P-nOXkjEgPvEKKkyWvHs5=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Zebra Heliconian</span><br /><br />
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Our favorite butterfly of the
area is this Zebra, which we saw most frequently at the Visitor Center of the
Wildlife Refuge. I never tire of this tropical beauty! </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Perhaps the biggest surprise on
the wildlife front was a close encounter with a <u>Bobcat</u>, right on the campus of ‘Tween
Waters. Returning from the beach after watching the sunset, we returned to the
campus to find clots of people excitedly pointing at something in the gloaming.
A lanky adult Bobcat strolled between the cottages, as if this were its home
territory. This is a sighting Teddy Roosevelt would have appreciated! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj65Fu12ixp9NRcYuPcOTkLi4Cr14l-kFqJqLhBCKUK9JcWpdBWmX8lbd_0EmikJDzOPisZACHmU-rDqntCa0J6Lx-sxS5eB8aIAgV8ZN40cVd2yAbbMzXWtF5aUduBTXNY1nn1YTOxzdfzBn8u1KzxfMSRbPKIxCRUHHan5ovv5CIdqXXQXCX4dsF1=s2016" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj65Fu12ixp9NRcYuPcOTkLi4Cr14l-kFqJqLhBCKUK9JcWpdBWmX8lbd_0EmikJDzOPisZACHmU-rDqntCa0J6Lx-sxS5eB8aIAgV8ZN40cVd2yAbbMzXWtF5aUduBTXNY1nn1YTOxzdfzBn8u1KzxfMSRbPKIxCRUHHan5ovv5CIdqXXQXCX4dsF1=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Sunset over the Gulf with Venus in upper right</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></p><br />
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p>Bruce Beehlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15885008878848042968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4395290943835782922.post-77925918626400129452021-12-03T15:09:00.002-08:002021-12-03T15:09:41.226-08:00<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXQ_WLYm_g_J7aGj54GAKkdr6UvU_RW0bVp63VpAV4mhY79FqBMZ4mpb71R6cWyb9i9PaTnfyx_EC9GaF82o1VFx50o6ry9x53zWSB-b6m5c4oqnxsBFYq18j6suuU5kysExn1IQXBgTzWfi7gMsBBeeTuTnDi9U6Vv7Mcgv_1t_vhLue6N65JXHzy=s1750" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1750" data-original-width="1540" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXQ_WLYm_g_J7aGj54GAKkdr6UvU_RW0bVp63VpAV4mhY79FqBMZ4mpb71R6cWyb9i9PaTnfyx_EC9GaF82o1VFx50o6ry9x53zWSB-b6m5c4oqnxsBFYq18j6suuU5kysExn1IQXBgTzWfi7gMsBBeeTuTnDi9U6Vv7Mcgv_1t_vhLue6N65JXHzy=w564-h640" width="564" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: 8pt;"> Pileated Woodpecker adult male</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<h1 style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Snowy Sojourn in the Adirondacks<br />28 November – 2 December 2021</span></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">After Thanksgiving I had the urge
to experience old-fashioned Winter. I went online and checked out weather forecasts
for various northern destinations. Old Forge, in the southwestern Adirondacks,
offered several days of winter temperatures and the promise of snow. So I packed
the car and drove 8 hours due north to the Adirondack Lodge in Thendara, just a
short walk down Route 28 from Old Forge. I had stayed at the Lodge in February
2020, about two years earlier, and liked the location, offering access to some
diners, restaurants, abundant walking tracks, and birding locations.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPtGx3ejyT8Bw42ryzs4zNhN8QWdJ2DLyKlMqkggEwhBySkLFPQ58tyG9omsLrkH4iL63qcu4qg-Ddaze_KPZEFdBLM__6gsA0jNMzg8hi4lFZM3h6J25kzpjdsX_2rI8TKRr5hkfaOGLLs3yzYZTFCnMrxxwFRRL1orUpdFU-U0-WLYTkqsOvJ4X2=s2093" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2093" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPtGx3ejyT8Bw42ryzs4zNhN8QWdJ2DLyKlMqkggEwhBySkLFPQ58tyG9omsLrkH4iL63qcu4qg-Ddaze_KPZEFdBLM__6gsA0jNMzg8hi4lFZM3h6J25kzpjdsX_2rI8TKRr5hkfaOGLLs3yzYZTFCnMrxxwFRRL1orUpdFU-U0-WLYTkqsOvJ4X2=w640-h306" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> vista down Adirondack Scenic Rail Bed, Thendara <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">I had checked the winter finch report and the news was that aside from Purple Finches and American Goldfinches, things were pretty quiet. And the birding in November in the
Adirondacks is pretty slow, so I planned to focus on snow-walking and conifer gazing, with birding only as a back-up. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjGURmaAXsVvm_N86WS9zbi5t6oeP-g6CPpVN5l6YXknApg_Ld4BcGnMz_YvgqrIDM5K-OH5q3wbd59GPdfWlUwXeNUpOsLpKOJzmgnuXnCyg0jbqNbweHrChMSsTobjU8kb3D5-7pW80PsQymvulegV25w8iLa-GFoLinvayXq3wMd7NLV9zqpM6qP=s1169" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1169" height="548" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjGURmaAXsVvm_N86WS9zbi5t6oeP-g6CPpVN5l6YXknApg_Ld4BcGnMz_YvgqrIDM5K-OH5q3wbd59GPdfWlUwXeNUpOsLpKOJzmgnuXnCyg0jbqNbweHrChMSsTobjU8kb3D5-7pW80PsQymvulegV25w8iLa-GFoLinvayXq3wMd7NLV9zqpM6qP=w640-h548" width="640" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Red-breasted Nuthatch, adult male<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">On my first morning in Thendara I
walked the rail bed of the Adirondack Scenic Railway. This I had done in
February 2020 and I knew it was a good place to start testing out my legs. It
had snowed the night before, so the trees were frosted. In fact, I would see
snow falling for parts of four days, and every evening produced snow, so the
timing of my visit was good.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">That morning I had hopes of
completing a walking loop that would end up in downtown Old Forge, but an unbridged (and unfrozen) branch of the Moose River prevented that. So I back-tracked
to my motel, and then walked into town for a late breakfast at the Front Door
Diner. After four hours out and about, having walked a bit over 5 miles, at 11
AM I sat down in a warm and well-lit room and had a hot cup of coffee and a big
plate of breakfast. That was supremely satisfying.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">That became my mode—long early
morning walk followed by a late morning breakfast.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhr5gRnESRTG3gW1lrUTExQ6MMhdE_9CGN2mTX9RuQzH-ADxB4mZJi5qIyamX5-Xu560aOr_rdDDyZSawUVQ7KtKU5b1eNXxtBnJNd_NjTj3_vPVZLLEKBkU_9I8X2mf4MA9AfaA-liHFyZWSEXW9JCIlrl8Apx-DPQK2Cb2iUhiQweKKsq48sQ-jqK=s2540" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1238" data-original-width="2540" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhr5gRnESRTG3gW1lrUTExQ6MMhdE_9CGN2mTX9RuQzH-ADxB4mZJi5qIyamX5-Xu560aOr_rdDDyZSawUVQ7KtKU5b1eNXxtBnJNd_NjTj3_vPVZLLEKBkU_9I8X2mf4MA9AfaA-liHFyZWSEXW9JCIlrl8Apx-DPQK2Cb2iUhiQweKKsq48sQ-jqK=w640-h312" width="640" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> vista bright ridge in sun and foreground in shade featuring various conifers</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">The nice thing about walks in the
snow is one gets to see mammal tracks. This first morning I saw tracks of many
Snowshoe Hare, some White-tailed Deer, and perhaps a Coyote. For birds, I
encountered Blue Jay, Black-capped Chickadee, both nuthatches, Dark-eyed Junco,
and Raven. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhknCeLRJpe9p6avPOJ0G38_uzQ1r0v0MsDwVN82DTK6S7f3GUQ3IIFJ3DA_WnhAhWYVzwpLhvFj0Cu8gXGeqWeoopQZiCkIEJ6kKjYuInTT0VlyZm7-6PeKFCAwWAzidSkZGr0YBwrXNIIWGeNe6_cf_jkbHttIYbE-A1HsGm0c966y5fyctVnfDBv=s1650" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1650" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhknCeLRJpe9p6avPOJ0G38_uzQ1r0v0MsDwVN82DTK6S7f3GUQ3IIFJ3DA_WnhAhWYVzwpLhvFj0Cu8gXGeqWeoopQZiCkIEJ6kKjYuInTT0VlyZm7-6PeKFCAwWAzidSkZGr0YBwrXNIIWGeNe6_cf_jkbHttIYbE-A1HsGm0c966y5fyctVnfDBv=w640-h484" width="640" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Two White-tailed Deer in snow<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">I bumped into deer hunter, Mark
Hudon, along the route, and he mentioned he had seen tracks in the snow of a Fisher. That made
my heart skip a beat. I have always wanted to walk up on a Fisher in the woods.
Maybe this trip would be the time...<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrEdOOIO0GP6xHY5Vl_Yq4apNrC3gPvrpbGEpCnJKqh0nCiaKOT6aUfehNONejZ6ANps3ig4wlvwnheOfETHA-bab9CCrgQab3g2L71g0FOKyXrhQBX2zGXFP1GELbYL56B4Cusdg9V3pLZEPKtCHHq4GRN2Kmt9-L2CSeaR1IlRf8bsECUIwdbB7h=s1156" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1156" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrEdOOIO0GP6xHY5Vl_Yq4apNrC3gPvrpbGEpCnJKqh0nCiaKOT6aUfehNONejZ6ANps3ig4wlvwnheOfETHA-bab9CCrgQab3g2L71g0FOKyXrhQBX2zGXFP1GELbYL56B4Cusdg9V3pLZEPKtCHHq4GRN2Kmt9-L2CSeaR1IlRf8bsECUIwdbB7h=w640-h554" width="640" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Red Squirrel in snow<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Walking in winter is special. One
gets extra exercise because of the need for one’s boots to push through the
snow. And on those days when there is not a hint of sun, and snow is falling
from the ceiling of dull gray, one really feels the impact of winter-ness. The
tips of my fingers never were warm. It is a world apart. And don't forget the solitude and the absolute quiet.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJSdsbQhV8ybbAln6Lw0CkTt52d34RB11t1YBYFgyUunSADZE09wZHNYzaAzYXypK6obnPOe2oaJRK1qwJ2pxRDsFTYV_hYMNGgv-T6yKAeZQph30kx9eSWnnStlFUPoNd-9p__QsB7vbS2Mq3Nk1_zXcRFrk2UZ7f_OKuEIDnQP0SDpoST9EHWV0E=s2341" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2341" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJSdsbQhV8ybbAln6Lw0CkTt52d34RB11t1YBYFgyUunSADZE09wZHNYzaAzYXypK6obnPOe2oaJRK1qwJ2pxRDsFTYV_hYMNGgv-T6yKAeZQph30kx9eSWnnStlFUPoNd-9p__QsB7vbS2Mq3Nk1_zXcRFrk2UZ7f_OKuEIDnQP0SDpoST9EHWV0E=w640-h410" width="640" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Lighted Christmas tree in downtown Old Forge<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p>At 6 PM, I walked from my motel
north to my dinner location, at the Slicker’s Adirondack Tavern, a distance of 1.4
miles. I walked up in the dark, the snow falling steadily. The walk up and back
made the dinner that much more memorable. I felt like I had accomplished
something. And Old Forge had already put out its holiday lights. The town and its
businesses go whole-hog on the Christmas lights in all their varieties!</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDKSFqdNCYYKU9-hiX48GhbVuKksByIJxYXy-pRGc-YzWVpxFGQBrwHxyOyMTFbWG_XIh1SUvEUkP2gnZC5JCN6U4-D_xHA1uIQqSOpcFTiAHmTC4SgaHlLGK0Oyym-rPwjeBr1t_6_Qs5WXyRkxT9ZV6_jlgSmPlC5QMJdc0DdkIFqDlsHp20-IPH=s2000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDKSFqdNCYYKU9-hiX48GhbVuKksByIJxYXy-pRGc-YzWVpxFGQBrwHxyOyMTFbWG_XIh1SUvEUkP2gnZC5JCN6U4-D_xHA1uIQqSOpcFTiAHmTC4SgaHlLGK0Oyym-rPwjeBr1t_6_Qs5WXyRkxT9ZV6_jlgSmPlC5QMJdc0DdkIFqDlsHp20-IPH=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> snow falling at night in town<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">The next morning I headed north
to the Uncas Road, one of those most-favorite birding destinations. It is
snowing and because there is no wind, everything is be-whitened. Driving this
unpaved back road that links Eagle Bay and Raquette Lake is to enter the deep
North Woods. The forests here are mainly state-owned low country dominated by a
range of old growth conifers. Spruce and fir line the sides of this narrow
road.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEip1KYBIAGx4eKnOHtfYQzmtnaO8DtZr2gxqsaWN9CAZXhzp7seV691-ZJ-3UJfrbreKx-l2LpNGB8mrkPET5lrhJ_oR_VKzbDkjMR-p4FppJTjwVuTmi068KuKOzyPVKtGNE_gHP86taTb1F_kqkeFEjcXWLI76xMQhZEwmcf0f8xCWFgMgpv0QusD=s2000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEip1KYBIAGx4eKnOHtfYQzmtnaO8DtZr2gxqsaWN9CAZXhzp7seV691-ZJ-3UJfrbreKx-l2LpNGB8mrkPET5lrhJ_oR_VKzbDkjMR-p4FppJTjwVuTmi068KuKOzyPVKtGNE_gHP86taTb1F_kqkeFEjcXWLI76xMQhZEwmcf0f8xCWFgMgpv0QusD=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></p> <span style="font-size: 9pt;">Uncas Road - extremely snowy patch of hardwoods with their bare branches encrusted</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p>I see flocks of American
Goldfinches acting like crossbills by lighting down on the gravel roadbed in
search of grit. The road gets very little traffic.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8y--bVJMovjcohYleReV5ucU0ae3jDDu-PjK_dgVHh4zvMX5dCuwQUMGrFsWTg1xFOPr3vTdP2SsY28kBkHfGqYe37UkcMjUTl0XWV0GGdHABDrUy4e9Sax-EnVkkNdZDDOud7_xMy_aOiO1uZMSRgtTIg5Ew7AVn6mt8-SDiAC5SNekOrYNArVMf=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1181" data-original-width="2048" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8y--bVJMovjcohYleReV5ucU0ae3jDDu-PjK_dgVHh4zvMX5dCuwQUMGrFsWTg1xFOPr3vTdP2SsY28kBkHfGqYe37UkcMjUTl0XWV0GGdHABDrUy4e9Sax-EnVkkNdZDDOud7_xMy_aOiO1uZMSRgtTIg5Ew7AVn6mt8-SDiAC5SNekOrYNArVMf=w640-h370" width="640" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">American Goldfinches on roadbed gathering grit<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">My first stop is the trailhead to
Ferd’s Bog. At the start of the trail, up above the bog, is remarkable old
growth mixed forest with giant examples of Yellow Birch, Red Spruce, Eastern
Hemlock, and Sugar Maple. This area has never been logged. As the trail drops lower
and lower, more and more conifers appear. Back from the bog it is a mix of Red
Spruce and Balsam Fir. Out at the bog fringe it is small Black Spruce and
Tamarack (American Larch).</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4MGYvJRgXn5UI77wZIH-WVoWRE2KC6g1Cqt4cC8Y6lG2Y86UwRBRzTYg_SP4XyXMzy5lMLqQeLbHnH5BoreKbTaOO1ZnQRK0ITvTIlKayG51DyNPJ6naf13HKKpCQUMVHPvClGZ9INsFioYmD8BhqiBjSe7QK12Xvvtt_cd2YcVCbtTjsjg7LWsX5=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4MGYvJRgXn5UI77wZIH-WVoWRE2KC6g1Cqt4cC8Y6lG2Y86UwRBRzTYg_SP4XyXMzy5lMLqQeLbHnH5BoreKbTaOO1ZnQRK0ITvTIlKayG51DyNPJ6naf13HKKpCQUMVHPvClGZ9INsFioYmD8BhqiBjSe7QK12Xvvtt_cd2YcVCbtTjsjg7LWsX5=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></p> <span style="font-size: 9pt;">Ferd’s Bog looking toward Cascade Mountain</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">The middle of the bog is open
peatland and a slow stream—technically this may actually be a fen. A boardwalk
makes it possible to walk out to the very center of the clearing. I walk this
route four times on this trip. I never tire of the walk, even though the boreal
birds that make this bog famous with birders are not to be seen. But the
scenery and the snow and the chilly weather and varying sky conditions all make
the walk worthwhile. Standing there, I recall finding, back in late June 1989, in a stand of dead spruces, an active
nest of an American Three-toed Woodpecker, the parents bringing food to the
noisy nestlings. The nest hole was about 7 feet off the ground. I could stand right
next to the nest and the parents would ignore me and fly right in to provision
their offspring. That I will never forget. It has been more than a decade since
that rare species has been seen in the Bog or its vicinity. Its possible the
American Three-toed no longer exists in the Adirondacks. I hope that is not true. We need to get out and find it!</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmY8PNWd91KoTfzK5m2mwwoQ-RXbQCg-zoQHRXvGxsgHgJS6-uzTiOBWTf12EI4L2NvEN2B_xe76eWXHHgkT4w9gdGH8CySaiRnYUvx5p5OzR2Mj1ndGS8hlykcaGWGQpSCd7gNmjMrNsBTY4IbA5NeN2Qn7rjmItlEqyJld5NTTM_4Oi68j8GyV7v=s1688" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1688" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmY8PNWd91KoTfzK5m2mwwoQ-RXbQCg-zoQHRXvGxsgHgJS6-uzTiOBWTf12EI4L2NvEN2B_xe76eWXHHgkT4w9gdGH8CySaiRnYUvx5p5OzR2Mj1ndGS8hlykcaGWGQpSCd7gNmjMrNsBTY4IbA5NeN2Qn7rjmItlEqyJld5NTTM_4Oi68j8GyV7v=w640-h380" width="640" /></a></p><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Black-capped Chickadee</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span>Instead, I see Black-capped
Chickadees (not Boreal) and Blue Jays and a Raven. And I do happen upon some
tracks on a fallen log that is snow-covered—tracks of a Fisher that has
recently passed this way. So I am definitely in Fisher country!</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_4VzaGr8qL__MK5gk-Vv7treEqpoWTaMducq4zMz2hsKmhZCQNZZ1gF-iZX5V91CjJLs4bec_BrxlEUYMv6dR9Msxg11S4fpWV6R2jW6z6q2M5bdUEkKITmNtvp_ynARppwnx2X6xvj1xCiRda4eFC964yR3cnpGY4R4Ac2DAlaqGK6I6AqaEWFMY=s1750" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1750" data-original-width="1313" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_4VzaGr8qL__MK5gk-Vv7treEqpoWTaMducq4zMz2hsKmhZCQNZZ1gF-iZX5V91CjJLs4bec_BrxlEUYMv6dR9Msxg11S4fpWV6R2jW6z6q2M5bdUEkKITmNtvp_ynARppwnx2X6xvj1xCiRda4eFC964yR3cnpGY4R4Ac2DAlaqGK6I6AqaEWFMY=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: 9pt;">Tracks of Fisher on snowy log (glove for scale)</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">On the following morning I drive
to Upper Brown’s Tract Pond and park there to walk the snowmobile trail out to
the boardwalk onto Brown’s Tract Outlet Creek. This is another lovely walk
though conifer country—across an esker from one catchment to another. What is
remarkable is how the forest type is so closely related to the physiography of
the countryside. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0j6_s0KXipTaRfDVRPyp7A_3oYFUpKEULHv9Fvi63g2rOgTJkZJMnLeczfH9j7y-sDUYu4weTlgFK4gnxnZCY5sIUQjFl36BNpOxNNcH_u0yhO8LTwlvUWN3Vj33hulz6c4f_De-Q4eDf8aLZXE9k65tnc7XYHj-dwCrgn2sjQSIN0UkoaaMl-JzC=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0j6_s0KXipTaRfDVRPyp7A_3oYFUpKEULHv9Fvi63g2rOgTJkZJMnLeczfH9j7y-sDUYu4weTlgFK4gnxnZCY5sIUQjFl36BNpOxNNcH_u0yhO8LTwlvUWN3Vj33hulz6c4f_De-Q4eDf8aLZXE9k65tnc7XYHj-dwCrgn2sjQSIN0UkoaaMl-JzC=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Lower Brown's Tract Pond Outlet boardwalk<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">The boardwalk takes me out into a
headwaters of a stream that drains from Upper Brown’s Tract Pond into Raquette
Lake. It is boggy country and the catchment is lined with Black Spruce and
Tamaracks. I listen for Black-backed Woodpecker, but no luck, even though this
is their habitat. I do manage to see a Beaver foraging along a open patch of
water. It sees me and quickly retreats. Birds are few, mammals are even fewer.
If it was not for the tracks in the fresh snow, I would hardly know there are
mammals here (except for the Beaver).</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSKFsKauUgCO-DcRu-z2syRPMLvro1Op8OblcOQFBtNrOmj2Apr4yF4yb0zvQL1fBO6GCoP4DDtHFrjaZGMyPpWe1sOD2ngoeLIcgnu_XRlr95kRfb3ZtLr7-nHAi2BlLeI95tZw6ZIe1zncuSOc0hFEfBqSLO7Fz5pAfMGdaVX4ZflOzph8zfgcRm=s2089" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="850" data-original-width="2089" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSKFsKauUgCO-DcRu-z2syRPMLvro1Op8OblcOQFBtNrOmj2Apr4yF4yb0zvQL1fBO6GCoP4DDtHFrjaZGMyPpWe1sOD2ngoeLIcgnu_XRlr95kRfb3ZtLr7-nHAi2BlLeI95tZw6ZIe1zncuSOc0hFEfBqSLO7Fz5pAfMGdaVX4ZflOzph8zfgcRm=w640-h260" width="640" /></a></p> <span style="font-size: 9pt;">Beaver doing its thing, ice be damned!</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">I stop and admire a stand of great
White Pines that rise above the ridge of the esker I cross to return to my car.
These trees have diameters topping three feet—they are the forest giants here.
They dwarf the Eastern Hemlocks and Red Spruces and Balsam Firs that are
scattered about (the hemlocks higher up, the spruces and firs mainly lower down
the slopes). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBcOL8gGHcJQ3IDYWJiv_BjVcQrTBhrX1ZVgCmw2xhtGfZR5pW9MX3tOps5hyIefG_c4oYKSGOTemCfFgo0QEryfrTx9LgD2HVGMqQYu6tp6qTTEfHlv1pYvRo-gUA7_e1MuU2MOUmQ68l_8z_8sCBnAGtOz-TYMF5WLvzUaG_ERVjgetQrrJHVDXE=s1667" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1667" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBcOL8gGHcJQ3IDYWJiv_BjVcQrTBhrX1ZVgCmw2xhtGfZR5pW9MX3tOps5hyIefG_c4oYKSGOTemCfFgo0QEryfrTx9LgD2HVGMqQYu6tp6qTTEfHlv1pYvRo-gUA7_e1MuU2MOUmQ68l_8z_8sCBnAGtOz-TYMF5WLvzUaG_ERVjgetQrrJHVDXE=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: 9pt;">White Pine giants on ridge above Brown's Tract Outlet</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p>One of the few common species
here now is Blue Jay. I encounter them in ones or twos just about everywhere I
go. The Canada Jays are nowhere to be seen for some reason. This spot, with the
tall conifers, seems to be popular with flocks of Red Crossbills. I walk this
trail three times on my trip and hear them every time, and occasionally see one
or two perched atop one of the conifer spires.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirg5Hm_8hPVPBgFMOH3IAZlSeDQn6tBCxnD5YEZtFC5x-2sNwzlLfIqx0xUltqnp_887qtTbfa6vCvLA3XMWAMGfQps1Y-Qs7Bp47fgC0lqkX8DnXLXDh4FoqL4TUsG9iAnHtpKbf5Y7Hiwcm1UasWohMRTT7PHChyXJ23Hnf29aE28LtDAzbA-Er-=s1875" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1875" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirg5Hm_8hPVPBgFMOH3IAZlSeDQn6tBCxnD5YEZtFC5x-2sNwzlLfIqx0xUltqnp_887qtTbfa6vCvLA3XMWAMGfQps1Y-Qs7Bp47fgC0lqkX8DnXLXDh4FoqL4TUsG9iAnHtpKbf5Y7Hiwcm1UasWohMRTT7PHChyXJ23Hnf29aE28LtDAzbA-Er-=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Blue Jay<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRZBYtaKpw0tDmF1Tv5U2rYcib_azQzNTJxenlc1VWOb0EFJuEqhcEoQkEXBfIhjrbMxZijiYMUQEQoNCn92GjEDVBcww4rGrQLpro2nb9tz_wg5CYjUY18GFgSi_ofQRiPJ_3oq-8UuGFDeFM00ufFRfK1B7d5vO2q_B5WV15_UnH-udi0vuoqs0B=s2845" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2845" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRZBYtaKpw0tDmF1Tv5U2rYcib_azQzNTJxenlc1VWOb0EFJuEqhcEoQkEXBfIhjrbMxZijiYMUQEQoNCn92GjEDVBcww4rGrQLpro2nb9tz_wg5CYjUY18GFgSi_ofQRiPJ_3oq-8UuGFDeFM00ufFRfK1B7d5vO2q_B5WV15_UnH-udi0vuoqs0B=w640-h224" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: 9pt;">Small conifers encrusted with fresh snow</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">When one hears the tapping of a
woodpecker, one hope for something rare, but often it is a Hairy or Downy—both of
these common species like these woods. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4NGcTYr2iHBOINORzGT_Dlv2sNIU8rjRsVS-Iaa4t0S0spPe6NDXfcj6v3i0lzjsayjsCMAED1MXyAQyMIj4qgO9kMGnkMT3ZSllzBpJ7qvR4jAyaMr2VJx5PpLUKYxbOVumsE8f1p3ZAbojae8k-6n_S_LOIwpfgNkN05I_ipqyR0HbTuXgkn1_d=s1507" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1507" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4NGcTYr2iHBOINORzGT_Dlv2sNIU8rjRsVS-Iaa4t0S0spPe6NDXfcj6v3i0lzjsayjsCMAED1MXyAQyMIj4qgO9kMGnkMT3ZSllzBpJ7qvR4jAyaMr2VJx5PpLUKYxbOVumsE8f1p3ZAbojae8k-6n_S_LOIwpfgNkN05I_ipqyR0HbTuXgkn1_d=w640-h638" width="640" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> <span style="font-size: x-small;"> Hairy Woodpecker </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Still, it is the glorious scenery
that is captivating on my walks. The shapes of the snow-clad conifers as well
as the encrusted hardwood branches—so long as it stays cold and the wind
relents. These scenes are ephemeral, gone in a morning if the wind decides to
blow or if the temerature rises.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYDpQrgaPT5Cy5K7WhvlgOzW4Nbj9f6e3c8Tfgscql3to-RAYFEZ37UXx9bAbw0wDiHyYT6-ha28z4KZ8ZEtC8IhVl8YK0mDRndsp4RzNg3D1kR57u6zu48NUq9FHTILprQ16_iH0uIJhlyu3vccEOOu2XbF8d8Ad2Hwucw40mXFyr-59cNDoOO4y_=s2849" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2849" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYDpQrgaPT5Cy5K7WhvlgOzW4Nbj9f6e3c8Tfgscql3to-RAYFEZ37UXx9bAbw0wDiHyYT6-ha28z4KZ8ZEtC8IhVl8YK0mDRndsp4RzNg3D1kR57u6zu48NUq9FHTILprQ16_iH0uIJhlyu3vccEOOu2XbF8d8Ad2Hwucw40mXFyr-59cNDoOO4y_=w640-h336" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: 8pt;">Snowy Ridge</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">One afternoon I walk the town roads
on the ridge east of Thendara and Old Forge. This is a woodsy suburb of these
two tiny towns. Here on the well-drained hillsides the hardwoods dominate—American
Beech and Yellow Birch and Sugar Maple. I hear the loud thwack of a Pileated
Woodpecker at work on a big old Yellow Birch. It ignores me as I slowly edge
closer and closer, until I am standing about twenty feet from the bird. And it
continues to excavate. Why does it not fly off, as they usually do?</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDSoCfl_0tsBT846g0HHtohMFa_w2NNWsjmxT3LkoDSlZDhfkVt5umj56ZkTsXAbGi-gGUuBtJiChMG_xUvRV7ynXkgVWUSNFOhDHhlnfsAobDhUfmBaaOPm7jHuNRGJfR7ul4FMYNm6OozTyF6cEKXxpo_68VEmktn_FAGHzDuHIrQiHVsG9nqZeY=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1809" data-original-width="2048" height="566" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDSoCfl_0tsBT846g0HHtohMFa_w2NNWsjmxT3LkoDSlZDhfkVt5umj56ZkTsXAbGi-gGUuBtJiChMG_xUvRV7ynXkgVWUSNFOhDHhlnfsAobDhUfmBaaOPm7jHuNRGJfR7ul4FMYNm6OozTyF6cEKXxpo_68VEmktn_FAGHzDuHIrQiHVsG9nqZeY=w640-h566" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Pileated Woodpecker attacking the rot</span><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">The chickadee flock is the most
common of the avian phenomenon here in the snow. Black-capped Chickadees,
usually attended by one or two Red-breasted Nuthatches, and perhaps a Brown
Creeper, are actively hunting for winter food. I spish and the chickadees zoom
right down to greet me. I love their friendliness!</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKcsjnv8nvr6d-f3x0Nxk2AHwj2fyJwZlnwvETrX63anFWvouJfvUNPkZifvPkfQH9P38cCrUwA99vzFzJczsjnGUq6Ry-UXEDbBmckyFtbjNimnt8F3Q4UJWehjdTEsN6kBwFT4q3vhN5CVdJtPlrCF0SnQdBiNo8wnl_XuMWs2rJUodLJnW0h7oj=s1941" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1941" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKcsjnv8nvr6d-f3x0Nxk2AHwj2fyJwZlnwvETrX63anFWvouJfvUNPkZifvPkfQH9P38cCrUwA99vzFzJczsjnGUq6Ry-UXEDbBmckyFtbjNimnt8F3Q4UJWehjdTEsN6kBwFT4q3vhN5CVdJtPlrCF0SnQdBiNo8wnl_XuMWs2rJUodLJnW0h7oj=w640-h330" width="640" /></a></p><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Sunlight on Red Spruce, Balsam Fir, Tamarack (bare of needles), and perhaps an Eastern Hemlock (left to right)</span><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">I did manage to see some Pine
Siskins mixed in with American Goldfinches, but the latter were here in much
greater numbers.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEganoQtgGm2KTjkj0QE2TIsOq6HK8mVtucsmz2nhfNCCXYlYHeVnJntuMZPzuTkfBdvdt0XdcVm_LOMhrrsYfobO00lRUoqJtc_BHdLrjgwVqT8NeQkymbeDua3w-GS9fXDdB070VVn3s4EEzKVP9uWMmCGT_vcVfRibzSA0YLAnv1UBl78WKjT-Epi=s2026" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="2026" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEganoQtgGm2KTjkj0QE2TIsOq6HK8mVtucsmz2nhfNCCXYlYHeVnJntuMZPzuTkfBdvdt0XdcVm_LOMhrrsYfobO00lRUoqJtc_BHdLrjgwVqT8NeQkymbeDua3w-GS9fXDdB070VVn3s4EEzKVP9uWMmCGT_vcVfRibzSA0YLAnv1UBl78WKjT-Epi=w640-h236" width="640" /></a></p> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Pine Siskin</span><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">The only other common winter
finch is the Purple Finch. I encounter flocks of five or ten birds on several
of my walks.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgF1eFkWIbqBPESMtd6mYkIDqjfgR8xZzVBPjmYiqKe2UFzc8ilaLfZKBUdE8EEwNJCo7ZTgtIFUg5jFZSAg6RS8GlawCg8EpxiSiy6SLbifuhN1XBFSg7UStNvsqyLWaL2IaKzsUNm6zKnkv5cxtxGbk--JHIvrQxr6j_x0DKhXImAPd0StXQ1oNuv=s830" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="830" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgF1eFkWIbqBPESMtd6mYkIDqjfgR8xZzVBPjmYiqKe2UFzc8ilaLfZKBUdE8EEwNJCo7ZTgtIFUg5jFZSAg6RS8GlawCg8EpxiSiy6SLbifuhN1XBFSg7UStNvsqyLWaL2IaKzsUNm6zKnkv5cxtxGbk--JHIvrQxr6j_x0DKhXImAPd0StXQ1oNuv=w578-h640" width="578" /></a></p> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Purple Finch adult male</span><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">White-tailed Deer seem to move
into the towns in winter. Perhaps the browsing is better in people’s yards. I
watch one deer reaching high to take the feathery end-branches of a Balsam Fir.
I am surprised to see a deer take the redolent needles of this fir, but there
is not much else to choose this time of year. Down in town, I see another pair of
small deer. I spish and the smaller of the two slowly and directly walks up to
me, hoping for a handout. I reach out my hand and it licks my fingers. I am
able to reach out and pat it on the head. Its pelt is rough. Petting a wild White-tail is a first for me...</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLogTQtXcQAP9V3PYyoAD2u3BiNLaFP8cm2kFjBQaQNCDbCO_C-v2m81H81Bb3sTbNzQC6friiV5v4WrFa6K8nrypy2eoDRK-yCFOvYq9jhmci73kyY3ur0K2A216PVWJzKFCcka25Os_Uz_5-v9Ef72FJSy-CnyhkDsQgfLZ0q-iyjFCf7OLHdkbn=s1509" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1509" height="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLogTQtXcQAP9V3PYyoAD2u3BiNLaFP8cm2kFjBQaQNCDbCO_C-v2m81H81Bb3sTbNzQC6friiV5v4WrFa6K8nrypy2eoDRK-yCFOvYq9jhmci73kyY3ur0K2A216PVWJzKFCcka25Os_Uz_5-v9Ef72FJSy-CnyhkDsQgfLZ0q-iyjFCf7OLHdkbn=w640-h636" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> White-tail browsing Balsam Fir<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Wednesday evening I check in with
weather.com. Winds are going to blow from the south and temperatures are going
to rise above freezing on Thursday. The end of my early winter. I therefore plan
to pack the car early Thursday AM and drive south back into the warmth of the Mid-Atlantic.
I had three days of falling snow, 20+ miles of walks through the snow, and
perhaps 20+ species of winter birds. And, of course, the encounter with fresh
tracks of a Fisher in the powdery snow of Ferd’s Bog.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgogPXvNQvb6ouWBJCbjL-9DJS7nqsZDXFVBVabOUAWsgbwqn1aiJVVMyPO2p2YfXW_KRzVb8JspbPJ84-HHeLTSoCjPFKF7LviAPLJXoO9RE1Ynqq_ZNWCWSRW_O7CEkkn6TSffk1arlYU4Srwn1PfNxwkYPDfiory2bxVaJLA1o9thAX_xE45uIZo=s1484" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1484" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgogPXvNQvb6ouWBJCbjL-9DJS7nqsZDXFVBVabOUAWsgbwqn1aiJVVMyPO2p2YfXW_KRzVb8JspbPJ84-HHeLTSoCjPFKF7LviAPLJXoO9RE1Ynqq_ZNWCWSRW_O7CEkkn6TSffk1arlYU4Srwn1PfNxwkYPDfiory2bxVaJLA1o9thAX_xE45uIZo=w640-h540" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Red Crossbill adult male</span><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p>Bruce Beehlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15885008878848042968noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4395290943835782922.post-69109696023753343362021-11-07T09:34:00.000-08:002021-11-07T09:34:08.245-08:00<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCjkqdzxRF9nKhadcP5gNKAKDsbpEWfk5D3ZV3dBZRiXY8aNWxdwytRM-cC6oI4oVs4uXw-g-bqbMW3RRCh8sKpnLQbR-f60OZswgNNWWMaHUSjMllyBAdiSRdDFPRXZSv1Q8AAy-O9rs/s2653/Bald+Eagle+adult+-+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1159" data-original-width="2653" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCjkqdzxRF9nKhadcP5gNKAKDsbpEWfk5D3ZV3dBZRiXY8aNWxdwytRM-cC6oI4oVs4uXw-g-bqbMW3RRCh8sKpnLQbR-f60OZswgNNWWMaHUSjMllyBAdiSRdDFPRXZSv1Q8AAy-O9rs/w640-h280/Bald+Eagle+adult+-+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><h1 style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">Eagle Watching at Waggoner’s Gap </h1><h1 style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">Caprivi, PA, 3-4 November 2021</h1><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2IDCuF33hAfjjCLtdS9ALUDjKxvCT_xPtfiQYkUtfkefz0Nk_9ElijmNvzUxYkATXstZCmMhYO1Ds873T26CzOSQuSKfDZq6hDCXnQzdAg2bWZg9tvi50dMK2kDKzRyORQf4dOH-qKwA/s1500/Looking+North.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2IDCuF33hAfjjCLtdS9ALUDjKxvCT_xPtfiQYkUtfkefz0Nk_9ElijmNvzUxYkATXstZCmMhYO1Ds873T26CzOSQuSKfDZq6hDCXnQzdAg2bWZg9tvi50dMK2kDKzRyORQf4dOH-qKwA/w640-h426/Looking+North.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">vista north from the watch</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Early November is when the Golden
Eagles pass down along the Appalachian Ridges of Pennsylvania on their way to
their wintering home a bit further south and west. These eagles, rare in the
East, breed in northern Quebec and Labrador and winter in the central
Appalachians mainly. Eastern birders, such as myself, like to spend some time
with Golden Eagles when possible.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHoJ6P_dW0QIAX_8VXL0bkggCJm2IH8z9ohyHru56XS3HPmwOaZ2lx0iYVadkblSYsToND-X3t3Oz3JHXzTMUvCLoLqI4qwWTt0b4WIL-SnpVVK61NnL5Jo2CpdK3z88nTw2Kxg2JhaMc/s2016/Watchers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHoJ6P_dW0QIAX_8VXL0bkggCJm2IH8z9ohyHru56XS3HPmwOaZ2lx0iYVadkblSYsToND-X3t3Oz3JHXzTMUvCLoLqI4qwWTt0b4WIL-SnpVVK61NnL5Jo2CpdK3z88nTw2Kxg2JhaMc/w640-h480/Watchers.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Counter Brandon Brogle (left) and early-birds waiting for the first eagle</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">To do this, on the early morning
of Wednesday 3 November, I headed north to Waggoner’s Gap hawkwatch, about a
fifteen-minute drive north of the college town of Carlisle, just west of
Harrisburg. I stopped at the Carlisle Diner, on West High Street, for a hearty
breakfast to prepare me for spending 7 hours on the high rocky promontory. It
would be cool and breezy up there, so I need the nutrition to keep me from
hypothermia. There was a heavy frost that day in the countryside.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE5GIJG-tmOrmJEE3dMiDIxC2Wv95rAOIGB_kmvl3Xl-5sfqB2-ZKNXnBFoVgw37KLCnlCd-Re0faKdPuBqbA8as3Wa7zNMnvPXEcYmxIVcb2DtGOxPPWsCxCQXN_KSCB7ppjnGUM1eEU/s1414/Blue+Jay+perched.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1414" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE5GIJG-tmOrmJEE3dMiDIxC2Wv95rAOIGB_kmvl3Xl-5sfqB2-ZKNXnBFoVgw37KLCnlCd-Re0faKdPuBqbA8as3Wa7zNMnvPXEcYmxIVcb2DtGOxPPWsCxCQXN_KSCB7ppjnGUM1eEU/w640-h452/Blue+Jay+perched.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Blue Jay and autumn leaves</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">By 9:15 AM I joined the small
hawk watch group on the high ridge (for those who would like to visit, one can
plug in “Waggoner’s Gap Hawk Watch” into the GPS and it will take you to the
parking lot of the hawk watch, just below the ridge. This is a good place to
park because it is off the road and also has a port-a-potty.)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_px5Jbkb4SAxl5rVjB1yYOs-OFFoZ-WZAogW38O3AxVKvaYYxBHv5L2vwjG49l2g8ypsNbk9JpVmx2by0TGiIz2Q4dzBAGE4D6p235KNwAjmGhj62WNWa8aGFXDWs9iRH2MKc4k19sO0/s867/Red-shoulder+adult+-+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="578" data-original-width="867" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_px5Jbkb4SAxl5rVjB1yYOs-OFFoZ-WZAogW38O3AxVKvaYYxBHv5L2vwjG49l2g8ypsNbk9JpVmx2by0TGiIz2Q4dzBAGE4D6p235KNwAjmGhj62WNWa8aGFXDWs9iRH2MKc4k19sO0/w640-h426/Red-shoulder+adult+-+4.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Red-shouldered Hawk</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">I had chosen this day because
weather.com predicted northwest winds of ca. 12 mph, perfect for hawk
migration. A slightly higher-speed breeze would have brought more birds, but
this breeze would prove sufficient for a decent flight this day. Skies were
mainly clear, and the leaves of the various ridges were burnished with gold,
red, and various browns of autumn. This is a nice spot to spend the day away
from the office and the computer... <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhMtFQ-dzKs3DVbBbiRL1XVcqHl5UmW0nkZ2DrIGEoJHGuAmvELjpLT1yl5ixxs4s2_AULUSbehXPaqkZz6hFxGa2E3qhZeefzhv431APNvKn2cTPhv8oPDd-W3JLeaWmMiTsb-Sk1e84/s1678/Golden+Juvenile+-+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1106" data-original-width="1678" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhMtFQ-dzKs3DVbBbiRL1XVcqHl5UmW0nkZ2DrIGEoJHGuAmvELjpLT1yl5ixxs4s2_AULUSbehXPaqkZz6hFxGa2E3qhZeefzhv431APNvKn2cTPhv8oPDd-W3JLeaWmMiTsb-Sk1e84/w640-h422/Golden+Juvenile+-+4.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Golden Eagle</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Waggoner’s Gap is the most
productive hawk watch in Pennsylvania and is famous for its counts of Golden
Eagles in early November. It draws hawk-watchers from all over. There is a
regular crew of about 10-15 who are hawk-watching stalwarts—you’ll see their
names in the “Hawk Count” reports on the HMANA website (Hawk Migration
Association of North America). <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj38nPl1LVt4RBJB7E_fa3sFJUGExavomZSp7QqNMoVHPbXjcNsr31wGuC_Jd1doEYzzVSvzjJC4wGns8ek8QuTj05ij4GvyzmJfT3v1wsVC47NaBs5BznGxavTPVM34wEk8Pi61M1gz8g/s2008/Sharpie-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2008" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj38nPl1LVt4RBJB7E_fa3sFJUGExavomZSp7QqNMoVHPbXjcNsr31wGuC_Jd1doEYzzVSvzjJC4wGns8ek8QuTj05ij4GvyzmJfT3v1wsVC47NaBs5BznGxavTPVM34wEk8Pi61M1gz8g/w640-h318/Sharpie-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Sharp-shinned Hawk </span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Each hawk watch (and there are
more than two hundred of them across the continent) logs in a count each day,
along with weather and observer details. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYMVjssuaevVjnL288sp5KkhEaUJkWiZ2WkYOWFrALwBZjv4HkXB_P8lA9GmOdCTaZ_SmOsIv_0tyRrSO1Aw6gH7bkT_E_DrFR2NHrAPBessDEMAf-z-jzsBn-K15SdXWLFwl2Ai0G2k0/s1875/grackle+flock.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1875" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYMVjssuaevVjnL288sp5KkhEaUJkWiZ2WkYOWFrALwBZjv4HkXB_P8lA9GmOdCTaZ_SmOsIv_0tyRrSO1Aw6gH7bkT_E_DrFR2NHrAPBessDEMAf-z-jzsBn-K15SdXWLFwl2Ai0G2k0/w640-h342/grackle+flock.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">flock of Common Grackles</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">This year, Waggoner’s had a new “counter”—Brandon
Brogle. Brandon is sharp as a tack. He has good eyesight and great ears. He calls out the
birds (hawks and passing non-raptors such as songbirds) as they pass by. Brandon
is contracted to count passing raptors at Waggoner’s from late August to early
December.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFdhtKpoYXhBWy7Dn2oNmktLM7tFEwSwC6p4tZzJlX7wobTN1dwP4VtAtOmH1F6kxyn0fE3anL44uL-_wpOmw8eXWT_FfrruqqYedZ24pnTIti-iaPexZcnr-LUoZQHNrdy_QlUuQNa7Y/s1500/Frosty+Morning+Farm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFdhtKpoYXhBWy7Dn2oNmktLM7tFEwSwC6p4tZzJlX7wobTN1dwP4VtAtOmH1F6kxyn0fE3anL44uL-_wpOmw8eXWT_FfrruqqYedZ24pnTIti-iaPexZcnr-LUoZQHNrdy_QlUuQNa7Y/w640-h426/Frosty+Morning+Farm.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Frosty morning vista to the south</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">The group that assembles atop the
open rocky ridge is a mix of regulars, occasionals, and newbies. It is a nice
little society that forms every morning, with conversation about birding, local
issues, and lots of joking and joshing around, though things tend to get quiet
when the raptors are streaming by in numbers. Watchers come and go as their day's schedule allows. It's all very informal and nice. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJwd4ExxhQ3WOnZAVJIf0fmPrMQsiKZ588lD4bFprmFDVcnks4WkNsbJS9YVtUqo336UAlCuapVVZN4odW6j3quJTi0YbNaqsneBHnXs_MZw_ceEUavx3uJ9D445Y25-ZdeLoHX4iiQTk/s1406/Bald+Eagle+adult+-+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1406" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJwd4ExxhQ3WOnZAVJIf0fmPrMQsiKZ588lD4bFprmFDVcnks4WkNsbJS9YVtUqo336UAlCuapVVZN4odW6j3quJTi0YbNaqsneBHnXs_MZw_ceEUavx3uJ9D445Y25-ZdeLoHX4iiQTk/w640-h456/Bald+Eagle+adult+-+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">adult Bald eagle</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Most autumns I try to spend two
days on the Mountain, and 3-4 November were chosen because both offered NW
winds. It is absolutely a good idea to time one’s visit to good hawk-flight weather.
Northwest is best (winds between 10-25 mph preferred). Barring that, winds with
a westerly component trump those with an easterly component. Windy days tend to
trump days without any breeze at all (as I would find out on this trip). <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijyskMmfCxdRAiYyR3H1mr7nB6cb0Qr4TKhBL8fVnDtZCmf3Z8JWo8GJ9otdEoHTY4Eu98zp5i7Yg3eAAkYsEs0nLN2-zrWdxATl5sIe1s26-S_vVku9z-DUXcsLPFJTwMr6qgH4VDCAU/s1636/Golden+Juvenile+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1044" data-original-width="1636" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijyskMmfCxdRAiYyR3H1mr7nB6cb0Qr4TKhBL8fVnDtZCmf3Z8JWo8GJ9otdEoHTY4Eu98zp5i7Yg3eAAkYsEs0nLN2-zrWdxATl5sIe1s26-S_vVku9z-DUXcsLPFJTwMr6qgH4VDCAU/w640-h408/Golden+Juvenile+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Golden Eagle (juvenile)</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Day One up top was just about
perfect. Eagles were featured. We tallied 19 Bald Eagles and 12 Golden Eagles—that’s
makes for a nice day of watching! <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6pVRtUT5sKCKSipPZjolzhyphenhyphenXSLZSx_XL4KvaughiRkQp8S0DkZJENMXrDGGHNB9rnXzJ2d69Q5uSOucPVKU3dwDs08p9gn3ZLqxslmzwfbm_OCDU2hgDvafGx4T3UJ_4Y2UV3JNiJJ0I/s1204/Golden+Juvenile+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1053" data-original-width="1204" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6pVRtUT5sKCKSipPZjolzhyphenhyphenXSLZSx_XL4KvaughiRkQp8S0DkZJENMXrDGGHNB9rnXzJ2d69Q5uSOucPVKU3dwDs08p9gn3ZLqxslmzwfbm_OCDU2hgDvafGx4T3UJ_4Y2UV3JNiJJ0I/w640-h560/Golden+Juvenile+3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Golden Eagle (juvenile)</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">The watch on Day One counted 194
raptors. Aside from the 31 eagles, we had 123 Red-tailed Hawks, 25
Sharp-shinned Hawks, 6 Cooper’s Hawks, 6 Red-shouldered Hawks, 2 Merlins, and 1
American Kestrel.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglHi6jtCV5iiWK4un6Ilc1Fo9YlJJ85Ae6ZUDmnKgmPAfeVH117LuUo9NJPTiFb3GQiYBJ0eZfITV5ISNTiUY-B7FVVX3AdgaWgAoRNK7PIMWbrxp_mM8fvAQW8OOXkbb4Qovxdt5QAn0/s1492/Red-shouldered+adult+-+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1053" data-original-width="1492" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglHi6jtCV5iiWK4un6Ilc1Fo9YlJJ85Ae6ZUDmnKgmPAfeVH117LuUo9NJPTiFb3GQiYBJ0eZfITV5ISNTiUY-B7FVVX3AdgaWgAoRNK7PIMWbrxp_mM8fvAQW8OOXkbb4Qovxdt5QAn0/w640-h452/Red-shouldered+adult+-+3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Red-shouldered Hawk</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Non-raptors also passed by: a Pileated
Woodpecker, Common Ravens, flocks of American Crows, Common Loons high
overhead, Cedar Waxwings, Purple Finches, and American Robins, among others.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwPhsmtCYyuij5WyFSc32wTYb-KQEDfXCrvjibro6MO1G64aCBufDO_0UxGvIwzy1nMqYNPL70zcESML4ty6XtDwHTGIdL9PWPZT4gHv46PklLe1UG7_9fz1C6XY-HYHMKrO767KlQHvY/s1816/Pileated+in+flight+-+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="1816" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwPhsmtCYyuij5WyFSc32wTYb-KQEDfXCrvjibro6MO1G64aCBufDO_0UxGvIwzy1nMqYNPL70zcESML4ty6XtDwHTGIdL9PWPZT4gHv46PklLe1UG7_9fz1C6XY-HYHMKrO767KlQHvY/w640-h236/Pileated+in+flight+-+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Pileated Woodpecker</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">For those who have never done a
hawk watch, here’s the deal. As an observer, you are perched on some big
whitish rocks on the crest of the Kittatinny Ridge—a long ridgeline that trends
from east-north-east to west-south-west (this ridge is the same as the one
where the more famous Hawk Mountain sits, about an hour drive to the east.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The raptors ride the winds, which brings them
by the watch site. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKdJSMnrdVr3LuGWEb0yx9YVVAPd4Lg9QHJ2fcKrrDEnl71Z1rmi4zo2YKo4TX7rClKUxBfl60bUTs7rDaraJKX2_yh0GUWZDevpOItHHErUAhK8iyLoicmSwjTe-ugHoAK9R-RK-3EQ4/s1554/Blue+Jay+in+flight.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="764" data-original-width="1554" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKdJSMnrdVr3LuGWEb0yx9YVVAPd4Lg9QHJ2fcKrrDEnl71Z1rmi4zo2YKo4TX7rClKUxBfl60bUTs7rDaraJKX2_yh0GUWZDevpOItHHErUAhK8iyLoicmSwjTe-ugHoAK9R-RK-3EQ4/w640-h314/Blue+Jay+in+flight.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Blue Jay</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Some pass close by, but the
majority pass by from a distance. Often the birds are no more the little dark
specks in the sky. Viewed with a spotting scope, they can be identified by
their shape and behavior and by the amount and location of white on the bird.
When they get close, then one gets to see details—color, pattern, and the look
in the bird’s eye. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCLCMzfAGihEXWOZPa-zF3pG2DKi3c2Vjuy7-7JcBplfKtjPAQm7P9K7wsOc0BydqMxQfWuuoDU0g6yazhevppY039x5J67ZudPqnHZXHayFVS0a70R23Y-viG5oYbvJrqfuxqP8I_y98/s2142/Raven+threesome.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="2142" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCLCMzfAGihEXWOZPa-zF3pG2DKi3c2Vjuy7-7JcBplfKtjPAQm7P9K7wsOc0BydqMxQfWuuoDU0g6yazhevppY039x5J67ZudPqnHZXHayFVS0a70R23Y-viG5oYbvJrqfuxqP8I_y98/w640-h224/Raven+threesome.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Common Ravens</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">The eagles attract attention
because they are huge and they are majestic. Typically, a passing eagle will be
in view for a minute or two, sometimes longer. Of course, the hope is that the
big bird will come closer and closer and closer and finally pass right over the
watch site. This typically does not happen, but a few birds every day provide
great views, which makes it all worthwhile.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmAjrkO2O3VVIJ_xeMIDy5JLxm3xy481dujf25xEO981UC8m3i9t_YoEJImJn-rqTT_do4V8AR366a9LyAzCiqvp4JENkeIZROygzdvd8Cs-LrFBlsRtPCWqSsxVSDukUkRCVECPuSRM/s2529/Turkey+Vulture+-+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1243" data-original-width="2529" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmAjrkO2O3VVIJ_xeMIDy5JLxm3xy481dujf25xEO981UC8m3i9t_YoEJImJn-rqTT_do4V8AR366a9LyAzCiqvp4JENkeIZROygzdvd8Cs-LrFBlsRtPCWqSsxVSDukUkRCVECPuSRM/w640-h314/Turkey+Vulture+-+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Turkey Vulture</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">A day with double-digit Golden
Eagles is a Good Day for everybody. So, my first day was a rousing success. And
one Golden circled us a couple of times, allowing us to see the white of his
tail and wing patches—telling us this was a juvenile bird. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir_FgDrtghHgJH7lF4KN7bWm0i6IozwoKb6r9Z5gIMRnpMZsyR8TuWdK_aCmwtqd9Mli6JISzf-mcs3FidYGQPuU730Lf4oCggzmVKRjIrKzOSX3Be4NL2Kf0D7Ot7U5h9ENC0M2sW_xs/s1598/Golden+Juvenile.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1598" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir_FgDrtghHgJH7lF4KN7bWm0i6IozwoKb6r9Z5gIMRnpMZsyR8TuWdK_aCmwtqd9Mli6JISzf-mcs3FidYGQPuU730Lf4oCggzmVKRjIrKzOSX3Be4NL2Kf0D7Ot7U5h9ENC0M2sW_xs/w640-h400/Golden+Juvenile.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Golden Eagle (juvenile)</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">I spent that night in the Comfort
Suites in the middle of downtown Carlisle (a sweet little town with lots of
history and Dickinson College’s handsome campus right there). I dined happily
at Issei Noodle right on West High Street—a place the college students love. It
has great Asian fare. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3iqdreqFU2B-d0pZKydK9BmZtA2Xg9Gsv9kGIKvHP5BadMFOTlWa5mAj8lzzqXL1nOfzRrFA0f0NQutW4QGgSx0Tuc6pFSwgJ8xWeJ_pXICt2GUK1M73vrjpD-Kek4rzt9-iWxd-htw/s1044/chipmunk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1044" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3iqdreqFU2B-d0pZKydK9BmZtA2Xg9Gsv9kGIKvHP5BadMFOTlWa5mAj8lzzqXL1nOfzRrFA0f0NQutW4QGgSx0Tuc6pFSwgJ8xWeJ_pXICt2GUK1M73vrjpD-Kek4rzt9-iWxd-htw/w640-h460/chipmunk.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Eastern Chipmunk</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">On Day Two, after my hefty
breakfast at Carlisle Diner, I headed upslope and met the small group atop the
rocks at 8:30 am. Another gorgeous day, with very light northwest breezes. But,
sadly, I saw not a raptor or vulture by the time I departed at 11 am. A long
2.5 hours without a single big bird. This was the first time I have been
skunked at a hawk watch.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6UfElRr_euIdblWm1U6lI8S_BJ3NuvoYrmu-8_9Hh2L3wT-3HG7TlwuhG6bqwydXtLSMQcI5QpbScCqFUESLpmbegoG73mqG1lywSfVFBserBJqzBBvnoxlrzr4i683ksE2YQIRBnZEM/s1297/Bald+Eagle+adult+-+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1297" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6UfElRr_euIdblWm1U6lI8S_BJ3NuvoYrmu-8_9Hh2L3wT-3HG7TlwuhG6bqwydXtLSMQcI5QpbScCqFUESLpmbegoG73mqG1lywSfVFBserBJqzBBvnoxlrzr4i683ksE2YQIRBnZEM/w640-h494/Bald+Eagle+adult+-+3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">adult Bald Eagle</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">I should have stayed... In spite
of the light winds, the hawkwatch did produce that day: 2 Bald Eagles, 13
Golden Eagles, 22 Red-tails, and a handful of other hawks. It was a slow day,
but the 13 Golden eagles made it a winner. Six of these birds passed by within
20 minutes of my hasty departure. Woe is me! <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">It pays to stay and watch...<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4mTr0VKYMVBiAvEWIzq6ZNHmpmA-Hi2IqFzyXdfi3lEKYCm3_Dh_U5oKY941z-fAfiAX_vpoOm4plxLljXp_jTlNIkbmPJDT-mHlOK9u78uYb-wnp1bBSkqNNTAGPzCQztB_ImuVOavI/s1657/Red-shouldered+adult+-+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1286" data-original-width="1657" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4mTr0VKYMVBiAvEWIzq6ZNHmpmA-Hi2IqFzyXdfi3lEKYCm3_Dh_U5oKY941z-fAfiAX_vpoOm4plxLljXp_jTlNIkbmPJDT-mHlOK9u78uYb-wnp1bBSkqNNTAGPzCQztB_ImuVOavI/w640-h496/Red-shouldered+adult+-+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Red-shouldered Hawk (adult)</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">One can see other things at the
hawkwatch. Two weeks before, a Fisher visited the rocks and was photographed by
Chris Payne. What a bonus for the watchers! The site is visited by various
mammals from time to time: the daily chipmunks, but the occasional Short-tailed
Weasel and every now and then a wandering Black Bear. So there is more than
just hawks and eagles. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Q_7FikJCleX51frW2ES9_M0EPCubIfqOoNR5ZJ7P9x5YHyKZqQFSCXQlInJixOPhCzTScSlT6SXGQKxDeTZ-1mt9Y3aGmZm4RV20r7rHiGjfGdssLMwzI9E3Xe7YIAQDN4rPXMun2Qo/s2048/Fisher.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Q_7FikJCleX51frW2ES9_M0EPCubIfqOoNR5ZJ7P9x5YHyKZqQFSCXQlInJixOPhCzTScSlT6SXGQKxDeTZ-1mt9Y3aGmZm4RV20r7rHiGjfGdssLMwzI9E3Xe7YIAQDN4rPXMun2Qo/w640-h426/Fisher.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">An adult Fisher, photographed by Chris Payne, on the rocks just below the Watch</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">I am already thinking about next
year! <o:p></o:p></p>Bruce Beehlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15885008878848042968noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4395290943835782922.post-64654704362888203062021-09-29T12:02:00.000-07:002021-09-29T12:02:18.594-07:00<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNex-dVy3xWFXMAZnabaQ3zqfFI9x239s0Rbjq5R6lQmTOuFF-jTA29zATT7vRC4fhiZHsosdGtlfJBdIBJdWNOaT-UTmVWBYGe27y5L_lrAg-VK6ET0GfFG0-NgXImgHaE8qHi5n11I0/s1778/Bald+Eagle+on+the+deck.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1778" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNex-dVy3xWFXMAZnabaQ3zqfFI9x239s0Rbjq5R6lQmTOuFF-jTA29zATT7vRC4fhiZHsosdGtlfJBdIBJdWNOaT-UTmVWBYGe27y5L_lrAg-VK6ET0GfFG0-NgXImgHaE8qHi5n11I0/w640-h360/Bald+Eagle+on+the+deck.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Cape May, New Jersey: </span><span style="font-size: large;">24-28 September 2021</span></p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Every autumn, my closest birding colleagues
and I migrate to Cape May, New Jersey, to experience the fall migration of
dragonflies, butterflies, falcons, warblers, and hawks and eagles. Cape May
features beautiful weather in September and October, and the town also offers
up a nice selection of restaurants. This makes for a very pleasant weekend of
naturizing, reminiscing, and dining.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurXmYyR_gyfWOM2niFWACQOT3yZIm_9BtK4CkLBOUZcOCHQtfh4B-aG-N7LiIo4mk4QAgCUdvt2rDm8R3Pxlz7Zlok1GExRVzb18B0BETFk9NTXTL7s8Q0Ih-rHBn3pzWiXkB5cWfGb8/s2886/Osprey+ventral+view+close+up.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2886" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurXmYyR_gyfWOM2niFWACQOT3yZIm_9BtK4CkLBOUZcOCHQtfh4B-aG-N7LiIo4mk4QAgCUdvt2rDm8R3Pxlz7Zlok1GExRVzb18B0BETFk9NTXTL7s8Q0Ih-rHBn3pzWiXkB5cWfGb8/w640-h222/Osprey+ventral+view+close+up.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Osprey</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">For nature, we have a traditional
series of sites that we like to visit during our stay. Each provides unique
encounters with the migration phenomenon.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbYmMQ-avKWgYeAmRV6cK7idJLkqcw6TIxtBXkFsUeOZyw-8F2GJ2E5VABBBSlt8Zaqxwtb6NAlaWUxapDmmcR8vKr4L43YY_ppWrQU1740fyTua7_wyDsIYD75OSYs5iFXlTc8i70Uxo/s1942/Cooper%2527s+Hawk+young.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1942" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbYmMQ-avKWgYeAmRV6cK7idJLkqcw6TIxtBXkFsUeOZyw-8F2GJ2E5VABBBSlt8Zaqxwtb6NAlaWUxapDmmcR8vKr4L43YY_ppWrQU1740fyTua7_wyDsIYD75OSYs5iFXlTc8i70Uxo/w640-h330/Cooper%2527s+Hawk+young.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">young Cooper's Hawk</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">The place where every birder
likes to meet up is the hawk-watch platform at Cape May Point State Park. This
is where the Cape May Bird Observatory conducts its autumn raptor count. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-b646-Pa52c6_ReVNUZzl4fcl4XcvoXBRNUEf1oPJrFEeCcU6eL5r3ec2Q4AmqSdV1rkwgME5FTH1KHtF5kFj8jD_zfKxFg6Bi9aNzoXLihMGF3uO6lSAEfusFtMZBLqgLhnCE-q3SgM/s1835/wide+beach+looking+to+lighthouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1835" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-b646-Pa52c6_ReVNUZzl4fcl4XcvoXBRNUEf1oPJrFEeCcU6eL5r3ec2Q4AmqSdV1rkwgME5FTH1KHtF5kFj8jD_zfKxFg6Bi9aNzoXLihMGF3uO6lSAEfusFtMZBLqgLhnCE-q3SgM/w640-h262/wide+beach+looking+to+lighthouse.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">from the beach looking back toward the Hawk Watch platform and light house</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">The 2020 season produced a count
of 31,595 raptors, including more than 10,000 Sharp-shinned Hawks, 4,700
American Kestrels, 733 Peregrine Falcons, and 635 Bald Eagles, among the sixteen
species it regularly counts. The watch also counts other bird species that
migrate by. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj80CR5YRI6JL6K9zS8_QCH6r8_HSmPESQT9pXjdB-8d0LaDSZ7MZQKWjXVov01mVt1SLkysBT-CtQLJASbem4oeemto4vo-ebUG48niJW4NETiwWaYUSUWqkVx7Tz72uuo0xAsbzgIlWE/s1289/Red-tailed+Hawk+youngster.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1289" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj80CR5YRI6JL6K9zS8_QCH6r8_HSmPESQT9pXjdB-8d0LaDSZ7MZQKWjXVov01mVt1SLkysBT-CtQLJASbem4oeemto4vo-ebUG48niJW4NETiwWaYUSUWqkVx7Tz72uuo0xAsbzgIlWE/w640-h496/Red-tailed+Hawk+youngster.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Red-tailed Hawk</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">The State Park is right on the
shore where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean, and there are trails
that give access to ponds, woods, scrub, and a broad white beach. Lots of sea
ducks migrate along the beach in the late autumn.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirgjlV24LnUUVahQvhh3RN2Wd4vkbSV-8zV6RkMwgr8W4leWSjTYq9pbzd4-HPwDubIEgmPa_fnNNr992hOt4Iv7N_lzC16Ld5oFhYF98b40z5iSbJBEE8d5cj2nB_LWpkAjzqpFJkCTU/s1321/Merlin+eating+dragonfly+on+wing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="777" data-original-width="1321" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirgjlV24LnUUVahQvhh3RN2Wd4vkbSV-8zV6RkMwgr8W4leWSjTYq9pbzd4-HPwDubIEgmPa_fnNNr992hOt4Iv7N_lzC16Ld5oFhYF98b40z5iSbJBEE8d5cj2nB_LWpkAjzqpFJkCTU/w640-h376/Merlin+eating+dragonfly+on+wing.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Merlin disarticulating a dragonfly</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Groups of eager birders assemble
on the large wooden platform that gives a good look across the Park, allowing
the counters to pick up the raptors as they pass by. Some pass by low and right
over the platform, but most are seen as small specks as they glide by at high
elevation.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ZE6GQeAth_N7AyQ1ZnhyCszjLR2gT60o8hTzg0s54WQ5-gc66lTviZXc__-wGXpT9rAzDG7_UCzWMMoyEFcBek0krfyM5L5omC06t4f4BOYm5bvK-F6rA7lySXYbLY7KldcUYk4yDUw/s1484/Bald+Eagles+in+Tussle+-+pre-tussle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1484" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ZE6GQeAth_N7AyQ1ZnhyCszjLR2gT60o8hTzg0s54WQ5-gc66lTviZXc__-wGXpT9rAzDG7_UCzWMMoyEFcBek0krfyM5L5omC06t4f4BOYm5bvK-F6rA7lySXYbLY7KldcUYk4yDUw/w640-h324/Bald+Eagles+in+Tussle+-+pre-tussle.JPG" width="640" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-ac1rNpN49YGrSdXhQkbIREFwcvPG6wD9Qsp5MkaczauPkt20SkRQ5k5NAApax_zhwwqF77XvzXYQRjIzZqpAewTdl1klVMlTzZb_W8Dtc7nWVRPV2TcrihXta7qi7842baFlymRH1w/s2138/Bald+Eagles+Tussling+-+mid-tussle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="721" data-original-width="2138" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-ac1rNpN49YGrSdXhQkbIREFwcvPG6wD9Qsp5MkaczauPkt20SkRQ5k5NAApax_zhwwqF77XvzXYQRjIzZqpAewTdl1klVMlTzZb_W8Dtc7nWVRPV2TcrihXta7qi7842baFlymRH1w/w640-h216/Bald+Eagles+Tussling+-+mid-tussle.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">a large juvenile Bald Eagle tussling with a smaller adult Bald Eagle</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">The Bird Observatory also has a
natural history bookshop that sells birding optics at the Northwood Center,
about a half-mile from the State Park. This is set in a tiny patch of woods
that can be great for birding on certain windy days, when scores of migrant warblers
seek out the woods to shelter and feed.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSmXgUS8PKHoAXo7OaXNqkPkYwNl-u2WU4nULhB0bM3FqIQv3r3Gt4px9XHw-yPRjEmy7m9O4HjDzVJp5yD3tMzJREVq9539mUMPSvCyEuImDee8o7UNYfuyrTh3GeZv5IUXF-k6xs0qk/s1943/Peregrine++ventral+view.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="1943" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSmXgUS8PKHoAXo7OaXNqkPkYwNl-u2WU4nULhB0bM3FqIQv3r3Gt4px9XHw-yPRjEmy7m9O4HjDzVJp5yD3tMzJREVq9539mUMPSvCyEuImDee8o7UNYfuyrTh3GeZv5IUXF-k6xs0qk/w640-h362/Peregrine++ventral+view.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">young Peregrine Falcon</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Nearby the Northwood Center is
Lily Lake and tree-lined avenues that can be very birdy on select autumn days.
The Siberian Elms sometimes produce effusions of tiny insects that attract
clots of foraging songbirds at eye level. This is great for photographers. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsGde0AwSw7blWo3zw0EOMi79xL0GRttKWP7GCifhbd3WmbLukJeO4rUefHsjJ94CGlfHAMfPCuK792tenXOIc5CViggV75MT8AzRtp6uJVgxj3Scwu5LNRMatXG10MifEMZHl3uVbqc/s2050/in+woods+at+Northwoods+center.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2050" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsGde0AwSw7blWo3zw0EOMi79xL0GRttKWP7GCifhbd3WmbLukJeO4rUefHsjJ94CGlfHAMfPCuK792tenXOIc5CViggV75MT8AzRtp6uJVgxj3Scwu5LNRMatXG10MifEMZHl3uVbqc/w640-h390/in+woods+at+Northwoods+center.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Northwood Center woods</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Most mornings, we all meet up at
the dune-top platform at the south end of Coral Avenue, just a bit west of the
State Park. As many as twenty birders will perch here and watch passing Ospreys,
Bald Eagle, falcons, accipiters, and wood warblers on days with strong northwest
winds. Most of the birds pass along the pine-topped dune from east to west as
they look the move back up the northern shore of Delaware Bay.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgyWNFQxDqqu5aEx-M8rIQqa6F6cyvYMmfpsHundplHrO2AlJhLfuxz4ZbkhKFsrNsLEZCGg-0746S7esXizvF_f2OzDh6iNx4WiL_LdZVpBUMk2f6uG4N3yRCRWGEz5d8_N2YTWRrEPc/s1549/Palm+Warbler.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1549" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgyWNFQxDqqu5aEx-M8rIQqa6F6cyvYMmfpsHundplHrO2AlJhLfuxz4ZbkhKFsrNsLEZCGg-0746S7esXizvF_f2OzDh6iNx4WiL_LdZVpBUMk2f6uG4N3yRCRWGEz5d8_N2YTWRrEPc/w640-h414/Palm+Warbler.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Western Palm Warbler</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">They are migrating northwestward,
even though they want to head south. This is because many birds do not enjoy
crossing broad expanses of salt water. The northwest wind blows the migrating
birds down into the geographic cul-de-sac that is Cape May Point. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDzsARDAAFTOi0qY9YuXMGq_j2dmT2GRvf7y896yhZvD5mn6IJiOmw-Bm681qCFU0KcIENLSwWg4DR3MEcla9rm_hPr-SZrwnTtrUaBGAfEJM9Je30vA0PWYY3AwIye-y2jjE6ED8UrNE/s1756/Merlin+Ventral+View+crisp.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1756" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDzsARDAAFTOi0qY9YuXMGq_j2dmT2GRvf7y896yhZvD5mn6IJiOmw-Bm681qCFU0KcIENLSwWg4DR3MEcla9rm_hPr-SZrwnTtrUaBGAfEJM9Je30vA0PWYY3AwIye-y2jjE6ED8UrNE/w640-h364/Merlin+Ventral+View+crisp.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Merlin</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Certain birds
(e.g., Bald Eagle, Osprey, Peregrine) will simply head out from the Point and
cross to Cape Henlopen, Delaware, just to the southeast across the broad mouth
of Delaware Bay. But the vast proportion of songbirds head up to where they can
cross Delaware Bay where it is less challenging.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT-cz9pX18Dq02-sPUzqgMc1YtVo-rJIId9K-iMKkDPUXudgwYkm3J3wwb7G0w9DGXSZMIaH4pn7mln_Qmy-KGQp61y8JGW3rb-rYd3VKfhWdOGGfD3CEHTQj3VShhyKDCUmc0vDPm7E8/s1392/crew+at+coral+ave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1392" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT-cz9pX18Dq02-sPUzqgMc1YtVo-rJIId9K-iMKkDPUXudgwYkm3J3wwb7G0w9DGXSZMIaH4pn7mln_Qmy-KGQp61y8JGW3rb-rYd3VKfhWdOGGfD3CEHTQj3VShhyKDCUmc0vDPm7E8/w640-h344/crew+at+coral+ave.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Alex Wiebe pointing out bird to Bert and Eleanor Harris, Milton Harris, David Wilcove, and Louise Zemaitis</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Coral Avenue is where one sees
how brilliant some birders are. Over and over in a morning these experts call
out the species names of tiny songbirds that look like moving specks high in
the sky. They distinguish species by behavior, shape, movement, and the
high-pitched call notes emitted by the birds in flight. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcHdKWY7vjVa5MDiE0I171M40XvV1vSusYRdKu3Vcv3R3MhfBI9a0B6lTVuqJd6xkddiJhJYct1bw6i87f5T2zngg1QTcRzBQJczTvn5EaRn8bVIWBRyV5TajRZIEUhWUgvRWTYX0SbO0/s2029/view+from+coral+platform+to+sea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2029" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcHdKWY7vjVa5MDiE0I171M40XvV1vSusYRdKu3Vcv3R3MhfBI9a0B6lTVuqJd6xkddiJhJYct1bw6i87f5T2zngg1QTcRzBQJczTvn5EaRn8bVIWBRyV5TajRZIEUhWUgvRWTYX0SbO0/w640-h394/view+from+coral+platform+to+sea.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">This year I watched
Michael O’Brien and Alex Wiebe call out the names: Blue Grosbeak, Dickcissel, Indigo
Bunting, Blackpoll Warbler, Bobolink, and others. We mortals struggled to pick
out these tiny waifs moving through the sky...</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQOn84hXrlDDm24QVKBVb_eYWSKJbG6OuYmjb9FAh6wQ30WmKRZah_ewG1sPrpeakN3a9OLu0R1rG-OCzz5vdgsTkeSYR1fs7wLJoMIRkH462it5GmjgJX0uNkKU0oVVmGVydGXopDDE/s2083/Peregrine+at+eye+level.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2083" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQOn84hXrlDDm24QVKBVb_eYWSKJbG6OuYmjb9FAh6wQ30WmKRZah_ewG1sPrpeakN3a9OLu0R1rG-OCzz5vdgsTkeSYR1fs7wLJoMIRkH462it5GmjgJX0uNkKU0oVVmGVydGXopDDE/w640-h308/Peregrine+at+eye+level.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">juvenile Peregrine Falcon</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">The main challenge of Coral Avenue,
as well as most birding venues in Cape May, is that in the throws of migration,
most of the birds are on the move and seen only in flight. That makes seeing
them well and photographing them more difficult.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh57Gs9FXw9DWrfWDGhqwHp5k7Lk3WzHjdUscuIUtqQtf8fdlNr8cAcRi9uRGHwMQMHyXeIDgx531oUQLecisZ3rFfzG8yVVe85TdHK0zdyJTYb2jxWcpqDpYpzrvegkeJPcUuUVeC4nzo/s1958/Lesser+Yellowlegs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1958" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh57Gs9FXw9DWrfWDGhqwHp5k7Lk3WzHjdUscuIUtqQtf8fdlNr8cAcRi9uRGHwMQMHyXeIDgx531oUQLecisZ3rFfzG8yVVe85TdHK0zdyJTYb2jxWcpqDpYpzrvegkeJPcUuUVeC4nzo/w640-h408/Lesser+Yellowlegs.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Lesser Yellowlegs</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Just east of the State Park is
the Nature Conservancy’s south Cape May Meadows reserve. This abuts the
boundary of the State Park, and is another nice place to stretch one’s legs and
look for birds and butterflies. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJG3Dx7cSRPVTX1GuYZGz35IgKRXV8Udkmd8PXINwo2WJd411xmqXSpKMbap9Dvram6hTbCFTwxdsGz04e4lfJx6Oo3BL04dHjIUvnk92tw89z65cpyFSB6z_zZzyU1mXyacJKIabdT4o/s1493/Least+Sandpiper.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1493" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJG3Dx7cSRPVTX1GuYZGz35IgKRXV8Udkmd8PXINwo2WJd411xmqXSpKMbap9Dvram6hTbCFTwxdsGz04e4lfJx6Oo3BL04dHjIUvnk92tw89z65cpyFSB6z_zZzyU1mXyacJKIabdT4o/w640-h428/Least+Sandpiper.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Least Sandpiper</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">This year there were some shallow
wetlands that hosted several species of waders, visible from an elevated blind.
We spent long periods in the blind, looking down on foraging sandpipers at very
close range.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiCeqCm3ydyo0LNz9XVteNH-dhhPwOZFbDThUkq_qwIpRchHOECgYOWvT-xCu7arK4R9ZmBvJ76cT-5ornVN5Lkij5muVrIqfMHcIbedQTLeu9z2WQfjsE6fLATkj8opVXcc3tnCgzBh0/s1681/Semipalmated+Sandpiper.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1681" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiCeqCm3ydyo0LNz9XVteNH-dhhPwOZFbDThUkq_qwIpRchHOECgYOWvT-xCu7arK4R9ZmBvJ76cT-5ornVN5Lkij5muVrIqfMHcIbedQTLeu9z2WQfjsE6fLATkj8opVXcc3tnCgzBh0/w640-h380/Semipalmated+Sandpiper.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Semipalmated Sandpiper</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Separating the Semipalmated from
Least Sandpipers was fun, but identification of the single isolated Western
Sandpiper took the intervention of the experts to I.D. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdCRKc2ZX0tx34roefKh7fk-3J7S2hHYg9JQhV_3N1zBe9MxBl7U9H-aHzqD2_xvTxyN4sk1N-CM0udku3-hPosQfRJgOMXxta7wvpWgikBEs3V0KjfQuGXSQyZhLSGjVgf1_8_WqP6aQ/s1284/Western+Sandpiper.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1284" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdCRKc2ZX0tx34roefKh7fk-3J7S2hHYg9JQhV_3N1zBe9MxBl7U9H-aHzqD2_xvTxyN4sk1N-CM0udku3-hPosQfRJgOMXxta7wvpWgikBEs3V0KjfQuGXSQyZhLSGjVgf1_8_WqP6aQ/w640-h498/Western+Sandpiper.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Western Sandpiper</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">I showed three different local
authorities the photographs of this bird, and all quickly produced the same
identification. Great minds think alike. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUQ6ITZ0it2gsEn50l1Q1FzJP5i3wpYOB7DR_aKIKWAK-BDrMYZQt-4_sqW6opnqqn3Ge8r2tQTOi1xpxMR3VyUdc3Dl8LlH_DuSZ6WYa9wejUVvVHrf_A7LoN3s0CeldES6MOR8e_WM/s1451/Peregrine+dorsal+view.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1259" data-original-width="1451" height="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUQ6ITZ0it2gsEn50l1Q1FzJP5i3wpYOB7DR_aKIKWAK-BDrMYZQt-4_sqW6opnqqn3Ge8r2tQTOi1xpxMR3VyUdc3Dl8LlH_DuSZ6WYa9wejUVvVHrf_A7LoN3s0CeldES6MOR8e_WM/w640-h556/Peregrine+dorsal+view.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">dorsal view of Peregrine Falcon</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">The Meadows has a number of
trails through open scrub and this is great for looking at butterflies and
dragonflies, when the birds are not much in evidence. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Right in town, on Beach Avenue, one can find a wintering flock of Black Skimmers on the main bathing beach. It is always fun to spend time with this flock. They make a great photo subject...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK84bb0k9RVHmeJaPPttBv6iUNMHKCnerUFEPa4cld6LNLfHIm1glUV4sVMSHes9lU0zqLxtwwe0iJDM8J15TQJXG0W_Zlqhg8WpMA4ULBH_tx3AFUrjQ07i5uIqHIiAKrl9f0NR53dP0/s2048/Skimmers+from+below+nice+pattern.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="2048" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK84bb0k9RVHmeJaPPttBv6iUNMHKCnerUFEPa4cld6LNLfHIm1glUV4sVMSHes9lU0zqLxtwwe0iJDM8J15TQJXG0W_Zlqhg8WpMA4ULBH_tx3AFUrjQ07i5uIqHIiAKrl9f0NR53dP0/w640-h334/Skimmers+from+below+nice+pattern.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzG1Lup9EdxLhWzJ5xSTnsIWKdMcopAifSEFud8K2ugrsU5AAkxurJaVRl9UBq4EhxUgVRT-6_PwExdHafd2zWv0L-qSPCybz5d19N4UXEUW-uhtG6rPWCmSz8CnP4dLUXvRYKiW0jho/s1779/Skimmers+front+on.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1779" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzG1Lup9EdxLhWzJ5xSTnsIWKdMcopAifSEFud8K2ugrsU5AAkxurJaVRl9UBq4EhxUgVRT-6_PwExdHafd2zWv0L-qSPCybz5d19N4UXEUW-uhtG6rPWCmSz8CnP4dLUXvRYKiW0jho/w640-h360/Skimmers+front+on.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCX4EdDhUtkvEfRcyekOVnbq6AE11lPvgh_LUjYzqikyxf2fWSoDjU8ZUJRpS40UQB_O41iCv1A0CggcFyoS8LGQ0bHrSkkFYlTLmAZmzr6_-jb-oNSf8-ZRxs3I_DPaG2Y5Eu2u9tLo0/s1875/Skimmer+explosion.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1875" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCX4EdDhUtkvEfRcyekOVnbq6AE11lPvgh_LUjYzqikyxf2fWSoDjU8ZUJRpS40UQB_O41iCv1A0CggcFyoS8LGQ0bHrSkkFYlTLmAZmzr6_-jb-oNSf8-ZRxs3I_DPaG2Y5Eu2u9tLo0/w640-h426/Skimmer+explosion.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIIoQdnbnGjVDf27Dx9lFtAypS0aXGlNRXatlw_mcD4vmi5wTPvTtUbildWx5nKC5X4ht1rYrwvQCmE-a_vD1NfCHhU4lBQEbzE2Q7_vwhsQuu52gluSsat_qKtHnDN3L10NIz-okYuy4/s2048/Skimmer+yauning.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1514" data-original-width="2048" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIIoQdnbnGjVDf27Dx9lFtAypS0aXGlNRXatlw_mcD4vmi5wTPvTtUbildWx5nKC5X4ht1rYrwvQCmE-a_vD1NfCHhU4lBQEbzE2Q7_vwhsQuu52gluSsat_qKtHnDN3L10NIz-okYuy4/w640-h474/Skimmer+yauning.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">four views of Black Skimmers</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipj7nh_BShkLBSaUzqaQ-9srmycHDRkruhPnBLQh3Cf6_q_ZgTGbuSFgHtKKeB7zk1N2gBSNaX1jW4sQ6bRpt0SIMrhuvnDls7BOBV-gEzfASxs_8SMx38u5cH3m3rHjYLsSmJPnV_mSk/s1583/Saltmarsh+Sparrow.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1583" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipj7nh_BShkLBSaUzqaQ-9srmycHDRkruhPnBLQh3Cf6_q_ZgTGbuSFgHtKKeB7zk1N2gBSNaX1jW4sQ6bRpt0SIMrhuvnDls7BOBV-gEzfASxs_8SMx38u5cH3m3rHjYLsSmJPnV_mSk/w640-h404/Saltmarsh+Sparrow.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Saltmarsh Sparrow</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Farther afield from Cape May
Point, one can venture off “Cape Island” to the northeast to find other great
birding locations. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p>A short drive is toward Wildwood,
where one crosses broad saltmarshes good for birding. We visited Two Mile
Landing this year to hunt for the marsh sparrows.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p>The Saltmarsh Sparrow is a little
mouse of a bird that hides in the beautiful wet stands of <i>Spartina alterniflora</i>. We located a single individual willing to
show itself in the afternoon sun. No sign of either the Seaside Sparrow or
Nelson’s Sparrow this time...</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguANh1KghqwR9l0BbXyFIJ9SqHRviKps8V4lkxh6xtfhiMa0l5qZr2dYfyKZ73vTs8Zbq4ebB2zfBL-Z5K-vhI5p-7_Qb0htcJ087ExlwyCj50jgtnV6aak5cqykiEd28KasPC7g3t9Y4/s2123/GBBG+and+LBBG.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2123" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguANh1KghqwR9l0BbXyFIJ9SqHRviKps8V4lkxh6xtfhiMa0l5qZr2dYfyKZ73vTs8Zbq4ebB2zfBL-Z5K-vhI5p-7_Qb0htcJ087ExlwyCj50jgtnV6aak5cqykiEd28KasPC7g3t9Y4/w640-h302/GBBG+and+LBBG.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Great Black-backed and Lesser Black-backed Gulls</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Further northeast, one comes to
Stone Harbor Point, which is a sandy point that is all parkland, welcoming to
birds and walkers. Its about a forty minute walk through beach sand to the
point from the parking lot, and on a beautiful autumn day it is a paradise on
earth.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQhHa09cMGqc-vNaRbwoSOZGhBv9qDGs4kf78ltT3Ter44dC4sFAJhkj3Vrg1tRo4zMk5BiCJxNf7OPVui3A5L_A_NnHqtXG0yuIWsn7TVbww3atpg6WnwU-4piVZ4OToaXDRi_EVvYA/s1548/Caspian+Tern.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1548" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQhHa09cMGqc-vNaRbwoSOZGhBv9qDGs4kf78ltT3Ter44dC4sFAJhkj3Vrg1tRo4zMk5BiCJxNf7OPVui3A5L_A_NnHqtXG0yuIWsn7TVbww3atpg6WnwU-4piVZ4OToaXDRi_EVvYA/w640-h310/Caspian+Tern.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Caspian Tern</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">The breakers hit the beach to the
left, and the marshy estuary is to the right, with a very low dune rise down
the middle. Birds can be seen in every direction. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85Tvb1RPX_oUQbTY3oXz4p5WGofjjEnaQJR2ZADbx19_0AMwQBy4T51gxihRJyGXEMPmehyphenhyphenmw7W-O8VpRYGVe2hXHQXJ2ntGSR1KWtlWQlgyk2dWeROTkthdhe6bi9rcgH542btkK_xs/s2654/Oystecatchers+on+the+deck.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2654" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85Tvb1RPX_oUQbTY3oXz4p5WGofjjEnaQJR2ZADbx19_0AMwQBy4T51gxihRJyGXEMPmehyphenhyphenmw7W-O8VpRYGVe2hXHQXJ2ntGSR1KWtlWQlgyk2dWeROTkthdhe6bi9rcgH542btkK_xs/w640-h242/Oystecatchers+on+the+deck.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">American Oystercatchers</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">We spent a fair amount of time
chasing down the moving flocks of American Oystercatchers. Our high count was
173. That’s a lot of oystercatchers.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBoUxsYsoHPhhvxor-QGozN5sisYqPNUgoOULRvMdmgEJdWSx37p0UOOfNth9-gNVvVtkvWqDLdXkf-oSwEXAVuffqZH7l99qVP1kaOlrHoBPA1ozZQoMfCRZhjaveizvZewocYXI3G8/s2630/Oystercatchers+from+below.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1195" data-original-width="2630" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBoUxsYsoHPhhvxor-QGozN5sisYqPNUgoOULRvMdmgEJdWSx37p0UOOfNth9-gNVvVtkvWqDLdXkf-oSwEXAVuffqZH7l99qVP1kaOlrHoBPA1ozZQoMfCRZhjaveizvZewocYXI3G8/w640-h290/Oystercatchers+from+below.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHj8rseGzZv_C1EbBe4o6G93laSCKufs1aLjqVLupAHW0Oe1KMH7c3_iyX_v_F8dr2127asmSHc0HYFcKdqyC28B5YC78S09yywyDvYKyQbmiT5x-edegeuERTAzaJEp2c2l69ptZ5A_4/s3936/Oystercatchers+and+Marbled+G.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="3936" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHj8rseGzZv_C1EbBe4o6G93laSCKufs1aLjqVLupAHW0Oe1KMH7c3_iyX_v_F8dr2127asmSHc0HYFcKdqyC28B5YC78S09yywyDvYKyQbmiT5x-edegeuERTAzaJEp2c2l69ptZ5A_4/w640-h130/Oystercatchers+and+Marbled+G.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">oystercatchers... and look for Marbled Godwit in lower image (head and bill obscured)</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">There are lots of gulls here as
well as terns. Lesser Black-backed Gulls and Caspian Terns were the ones that
caught our eye. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrOISk3dvuvhm6GglpZrnFDJ2Yl_Kq6-1I5ewcoBJyuW5cwe3mqLz1yC8ISxdPdngtJ6UW71nj6xG5zmL51QUhhOt5lzryrMLwk1uYwQ_WoIbvGprYiBJe0TScvjtElw_Y5xPCO8utuuQ/s2048/Piping+Plover.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1156" data-original-width="2048" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrOISk3dvuvhm6GglpZrnFDJ2Yl_Kq6-1I5ewcoBJyuW5cwe3mqLz1yC8ISxdPdngtJ6UW71nj6xG5zmL51QUhhOt5lzryrMLwk1uYwQ_WoIbvGprYiBJe0TScvjtElw_Y5xPCO8utuuQ/w640-h362/Piping+Plover.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Piping Plover</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">We also found flocks of migrant
Semipalmated Plovers and the local resident Piping Plovers, much paler and
blending into the fluffy white sand.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Come evening, our thoughts turned
to fresh seafood. This year we dined at Blue Pig, Freda’s, and Sapore Italiano—all
at the top of their game. The key is to start making reservations at least a
week in advance...</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Lf39CEnlQvDHZsrrvOtqQsmI679paqJSBcgozSKqRwiH7MJQfQaTsr1hDpz3QY-3qmjR_vP2nN0sCMVm3ydEgwHOUf0IrheMKeIm6lLcF2CGT9rlGCc-sfWWD8WY0VAn1slqQu1IZVQ/s2048/Mute+Swan+in+flight+close+up.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1101" data-original-width="2048" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Lf39CEnlQvDHZsrrvOtqQsmI679paqJSBcgozSKqRwiH7MJQfQaTsr1hDpz3QY-3qmjR_vP2nN0sCMVm3ydEgwHOUf0IrheMKeIm6lLcF2CGT9rlGCc-sfWWD8WY0VAn1slqQu1IZVQ/w640-h344/Mute+Swan+in+flight+close+up.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Mute Swan</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">The motels fill up quickly on
autumn weekends. I get around this by tent-camping. At night, from my tent in
the Depot Travel Park on Broadway, in West Cape May, I had the pleasure of
hearing a yipping pack of Coyotes one night. On another night, I heard four
Barred Owls calling all at once. It’s worth waking up for that! <o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilYfjYr_bL0Y_3VEvCqtBVOv17uUp1b0ceUfTtcvD5UN7ZG7KoVNeqHJPr-TDi219gO5ssJJm1c1eNPJlbU8kHfhGAP-0WDXyjsdAJ_vHqg6ML7gzaYVXThHLvsUr2WO4ZXg-85LwvBvw/s3849/Mute+Swan+line.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="3849" height="92" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilYfjYr_bL0Y_3VEvCqtBVOv17uUp1b0ceUfTtcvD5UN7ZG7KoVNeqHJPr-TDi219gO5ssJJm1c1eNPJlbU8kHfhGAP-0WDXyjsdAJ_vHqg6ML7gzaYVXThHLvsUr2WO4ZXg-85LwvBvw/w640-h92/Mute+Swan+line.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></p>Bruce Beehlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15885008878848042968noreply@blogger.com6