Animals Archives

Reef and Rainforest (Part 2 of 2)

October 10, 2024October 6, 2024Posted in Animals, Plants, Travel, wildlifeTagged Australia, birds, Nature, travel3 Comments

The Great Barrier Reef extends about 1,250 miles in length and its width is from 37 to 155 miles. Some of the reef is just 10 miles off the coast and in other parts 100 miles. It is the largest coral reef in the world, an ecosystem that has evolved over millions of years. Our group took a boat ride, about 1.5 hours, to a pontoon in the middle of Moore Reef. (Thank you to the medical world for my motion sickness patch worn by me this day to enjoy the Coral Sea snorkeling experience!)

Our boat connected with the pontoon once we arrived. On the pontoon, we ate lunch, relaxed in the sun and checked the daily activity board. One activity was a ride in a glass-bottomed boat. That was fun and it gave me an idea of what I may see when I snorkel. Another activity was a ride in a semi-submarine. We sat below the main level where we stepped on the boat … therefore we were deeper from the start compared to the other boat ride. The majority of us though were here to snorkel.

Thank you to whoever took this photo … maybe Kim … underwater camera used where we snorkeled.

Here is where I finally got my fins on and pushed off the pontoon to snorkel.
Thank you to whoever took this photo.

Our guide encouraged us to leave valuables at the hotel. As a result, I did not bring my phone. The photos above are from people in our group; thank you!

Okay, am I up to the challenge of snorkeling!?! Anyone who truly knows me, knows I am not a water person, thus never snorkeled before. But, I’m here and going to give it a try!

My snorkeling experience began with putting on a Lycra suit; this is not a wet suit which keeps you warmer in the water, yet it did for me. This Lycra suit was so no jellyfish could sting you through it. The suit was a tight fit and included an attached hood. Next, how to position the mask and snorkel. Air tight on face with mask … and not breathing through nose … weird … and worrisome at first. Then understanding how the snorkel mouthpiece fits in your mouth … bite down on it and breathe through that tube! Yikes … is this really going to work? I got help with my mask since no hair should be within it … thereby making a tight seal on my face. Then to grab fins and know when to put them on.

I will admit, my guide and the staff on the pontoon were very patient with me as I tried to get mask and snorkel on at the right angle. It was a struggle in the water to put the fins on, but finally they were on and I had to think about actually snorkeling!

My first snorkeling attempt, I pushed off from the pontoon and went a very short distance. Mask and snorkel seemed awkward but workable. The short distance was a test for myself to try and believe I could breathe with all of this equipment. Second attempt, I went a further distance, using my arms to swim too and not just kick the fins. Why I did that I do not know; except maybe a natural crawl swim stroke seemed like the thing to do. Saltwater started to flow into my mouth! I flipped over, with my life jacket on, and back-stroked. Panic set in when I realized I was far from the lifeguard and where I needed to step back on the side of the pontoon. Darn that crawl stroke! Only with trust in my life jacket, back stroke and remaining calm did I get back! All a very unsettling experience, but I will say there were no jellyfish to worry about!

A lifeguard talked with me, modified my mask and snorkel angle, and encouraged me to take a break as we had 2.5 hours left before leaving here. My error was in not biting down on that mouthpiece all the time and thus water came in my mouth. I did take a break and returned for 3 more trips to different parts of the reef. Each was successful … no water in my mouth! Success and a good time to stop, so I did!

Looking at the reef through my goggles was amazing! At certain moments I was inches away from life on the coral and fish swimming in and around; other times I was over deep areas. Beige and brown colors seen for most of the life on the coral. Further out there were more colors and fish. Beautiful blue and yellow fish swam around. I almost bumped into a huge brown fish. When I say huge, it was the size of a laptop computer! The water was mostly warm, except when I ventured further out I hit a cold spot! It was wonderful seeing clownfish above what looked like sea anemone. I wished I had an underwater camera then. As anxious as I was about my first snorkeling attempt, I was more comfortable later in the day with the other 3 times I went out. Check snorkeling off my bucket list!

Next day we went to Daintree Rainforest, a 1.5 hour drive to it. We stopped for homemade, with exotic fruits, ice cream at Daintree Ice Cream. Arriving at Daintree National Park, a local guide took us on a 2 hour walk and talk through the rainforest. It’s the driest rainforest I have even been in. I understand now why that is. No recent substantial rain, but 9 previous months the area was hit by a tropical cyclone for 5 days. The rain totaled 80 inches within that time! The amazing news, only one life was lost in all the days with rain. Wow! We witnessed some of the damage from cyclone Jasper as we drove to the national park. Roadways hade been closed since rock and dirt flowed down from all that rain. Some of that rock were boulders almost as tall as me.

Our local guide at Daintree National Park led us on a rainforest walk. Daintree Rainforest is like a botanical Jurassic Park and one component of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area of Australia. It’s a sliver of the continent’s land hosting 40% of its plant species, a quarter of its reptiles, a fifth of its birds and a third of the marsupials and frogs with 633 species of plants, mammals, birds and reptiles found nowhere else but here! Unfortunately too, many are classified as threatened. He explained the history of the land and pointed out birds, butterflies, various plants and info about the number one pest: wild pigs. One sort of gets the feeling to be more cautious in this country before touching anything as it may be toxic! He was tremendously knowledgeable about all in the national park. We heard various birds, but I could not see them.

Our tour guide was not on the walk with us and saw of 2 cassowaries! They are large, flightless birds, labelled “the world’s most dangerous bird”. After watching the video he took of the sighting, I mentioned to the tour guide it might have been best to see 2 cassowaries at once since they seemed more interested in each other than humans. If the bird is provoked by a human or dog, a cassowary can cause harm and even fatal injury! Our guide did wish he had a backpack to protect his chest in case the bird came at him. He had no encounter as the bird seemed more interested in the other cassowary.

I wanted a sense of the difference between a cassowary and emu. My quickly drawn sketches below show a cassowary and the taller emu … both big birds … but don’t mess with a cassowary!

We’re back in Palm Cove to relax and pack our luggage for our flight to Sydney tomorrow. I have only one full day in Sydney before I fly to Auckland, New Zealand. There I will join another tour group which includes a friend of mine who loved New Zealand when she was there before. Early on in my “down under” planning, I decided if I was to fly the long distance to Australia, I would visit New Zealand too! And so I will!

Time in Palm Cove, Australia: Beach, Crocodiles & Birds (Part 1 of 2)

October 7, 2024October 6, 2024Posted in Animals, Birds, environment, Travel, wildlifeTagged Australia, birds, travel, wildlifeLeave a comment

We flew more than 1,000 miles from Yulara in the Northern Territory to a different city and state, Cairns in Queensland. Then drove north to Palm Cove; our tour guide actually lives about 30 miles further north in Port Douglas. Palm Cove is just north of the Tropic of Capricorn which delineates warm, tropical climate on our earth. And yes, Palm Cove today is 81 degrees Fahrenheit with 70% humidity.

It was interesting last night and today when I had opportunities to wander. It becomes very clear how one could walk in from the Pacific Ocean and the Coral Sea, onto a beach front in many places of Palm Cove. Or closer to Clifton Beach there is an area thick with mangroves you would discover on your walk inland. Nowadays there is housing, but on the backside of them you can see the clouds hanging above rainforest. In another day, we will visit a rainforest.

On this day, we visited Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures. It is Australia’s first and oldest facility to breed crocodiles in captivity. At the same time there are daily activities for curious visitors. You can pose with a snake or koala bear, or walk the discovery trail to see kangaroos, wombats, crocodiles and other animals. But the highlight for most people is to see the saltwater crocodiles be hand-fed in a show while another wildlife keeper explains the croc’s behavior. I always have mixed emotions with these shows, but at the same time, I understand humans seem to need this entertainment to realize the importance of other ecological and environmental messages. So be it, while these professional and experienced keepers interact with the crocs.

Only professionals with experience feed these crocodiles.

They did have an informative film on the operation of this crocodile farm and how it contributes to the conservation of wild crocodiles and their habitat. While on the boat cruise in their lagoon, the boatman did point out an alligator nest. Interestingly, the eggs are collected on site and artificially incubated. As the young crocodile ages, they are fed less times per week and always at the same time, by the same keeper with a routine to keep the crocodile’s stress level low. Within 4 hours after feeding the crocodiles, their tanks are scrubbed clean so no bacteria can grow. Those crocodiles in the lagoon feed on their own and know chicken will be available when a show happens. All parts of dead crocodiles are eventually used.

Keepers try to get the crocodile hog, then to roll and/or a head shake.

There are 216 species of snakes in Australia and half of them are brown. The keeper of this huge, venomous King Brown snake had a most interesting talk. She almost convinced me, as she once tried to convince her parents, that a snake is an easy pet to have. It didn’t work and they still don’t understand her love of snakes. Surprisingly and statistically-speaking, the most common age group to be bitten by a venomous snake is 50 -60 year old males … and possibly with alcohol involved. I don’t know why, but I was surprised with that fact.

I will say our tour group had an opportunity to hold a crocodile, which had its snout taped shut, and an olive python. I have felt both at other times and passed on this opportunity.

Other animals at the adventure center:

Seven new birds were seen by me at the adventure place. None of these birds were caged; therefore, I could record them in my eBird list. Here’s an interesting bird … Australasian figbird:

Unfortunately this bird I could not include as it has a clipped wing and is now a resident here. I understand healthy black-necked storks can fly as high as airplanes. Wouldn’t that be a kick if I happen to see one in that environment! Black-necked stork:

Back at Palm Cove, I wandered 1.5 miles south to Clifton Beach … only 4 other people on the beach with me … lovely! So was my morning walking meditation on the beach in front of our hotel. We are here 4 nights so I am sure to get plenty of beach time in. It will not be swimming as I find the water cold … and after seeing this sign, not all that inviting.

But one amazing discovery! I have looked all over the southern coast of California for this bird and here it was sitting in grass in Clifton Beach, Australia!

Tomorrow I am off to the Great Barrier Reef for my first snorkeling lesson … I’ll keep you posted!

More Time in Melbourne, Australia Area

October 3, 2024September 27, 2024Posted in Animals, Birds, blogging, TravelTagged Australia, birds, travelLeave a comment

Sometimes you cannot do it all! I chose to visit the Shrine of Remembrance, Rod Laver Arena and to spend time in various gardens: Queen Victoria, Kings Domain and the Royal Botanic Gardens. More new birds were discovered and photographed so it was a wonderful day!

Here are some of the birds:

Rod Laver, a great tennis player in his day.

I enjoyed a Nepali lunch in the late afternoon before heading back to my hotel room to identify and process the bird photos. I was disappointed to not be able to have a tour of the Rod Laver Arena. As I joked with the workers, “I guess I have to attend the Australian Open!” Right!

Other people enjoyed the optional Great Ocean Road National Park tour. It’s a park that winds 150 miles along Australia’s eastern coast. I appreciated having an option for me to be on my own looking and photographing birds.

As a group, we did travel south of Melbourne to Mornington Peninsula and visit Moonlit Sanctuary, a wildlife sanctuary. Koalas and kangaroos are native wildlife, so it was fun to see them here. The koalas sleep 20 of 24 hours. A chew on the eucalyptus leaves and then they are back to sleep; obviously not many nutrients in those leaves. I thought the dingoes were good-looking. I did discover 5 new birds here that were not in cages, thus I could include them in my eBird count. They had a nice show of a couple of animals. I loved seeing the tawny frogmouth, especially as the bird blends with the tree bark.

We stopped for lunch at Heronswood Gardens. Here they also have a nursery providing heirloom seeds. There heirloom garden surrounds a Gothic manor and is with beautiful flowers and trees. Extra bonus: saw 2 more new birds! Tomorrow we fly to Alice Springs. Finally to enjoy some warmer temperature!

For lots of money you could own a beach shack; cannot stay overnight in it, only for storage.

On To Launceston: Monotremes, Winery, Cataract Gorge & Penguins?

September 29, 2024September 26, 2024Posted in Animals, blogging, history, Tasmania, Australia, TravelTagged echidna, Nature, platypus, Tasmania, travel4 Comments

Onward with our travel in Tasmania from Cradle Mountain to Launceston which has many 19th century and Victorian-era warehouses still standing. We visited the Platypus House Wildlife Center. Here we saw these unique duck-billed animals close-up. Each platypus has its own pond, yet one female, Dawn, would sometimes slip through a tunnel to visit a male platypus, Jupiter. When it’s breeding time the staff will see how well the two will get on; otherwise a platypus is usually solitary. Tasmanian platypus are biologically distinct from those on the mainland due to their isolation here.

We also saw echidnas. They and the platypus are monotremes meaning they have a single opening for urinary, defecatory and reproductive systems. While the platypus were swimming in their ponds, the echidnas were walking around our feet. The echidnas have unbelievably long tongues as we watched them eat! The platypus and echidnas here at this facility are animals that cannot return to the wild. This is not a rehabilitation place, solely here for educational purposes.

The duck-bill of the platypus is closest to the window
to help you know one end from another on this unusual animal.

Echidna being fed; notice its back feet!

Echidna with 15 centimeter long, sticky tongue out.

Our lunch was at a boutique winery, Small Wonders. A delicious charcuterie board and a glass of the locally produced wine or two, as you wish. The vineyard was well pruned no doubt in prep for this spring and summer growth. Beautiful property. It truly is a first spring weekend for everyone so this winery was very busy.

While in Launceston, we rode the “longest single span of any chairlift in the world”, 308 meters at Cataract Gorge which was carved for thousands of years by the South Esk River. It was a beautiful, easy, short walk as we looked below to rushing waters from the winter’s snow. Yet last night there was snow on the nearby mountains. It’s been cold in Tasmania and I am “rugged up” every day.

Voting in Australia is compulsory. On that day a “sausage sizzle” is available for free to everyone voting. It is a piece of white bread with sautéed onions and a sausage. You can top it with sauce, BBQ sauce or mustard. Of course, we all tried one! Officially, the food is layered with white bread, then sausage, sautéed onions and sauce … or maybe it was bread, onions, then sausage and sauce … quite the discussion between the vendor and our guide as to which is the official way to serve the sausage sizzle. Whatever, we ate it!

The United States had benefitted from their allies, and the troops from Australia and New Zealand, when fighting in World War I and II, Vietnam and Korean War. April 25th is when Australians commemorate the loss of their people in various wars and conflicts around the world and it is called ANZAC Day. One statue where a commemoration would take place on the 25th:

On another note: it is good to see signs such as this:

Finally, we had to see the Fairy or, now officially known as, the Little penguins! We headed to Low Head with an arrival time as the sun was setting in anticipation of the penguins returning to their burrows for the night. They are about 12 inches high and weigh one pound. They are dark blue on their back and white on their belly, perfect for the time they spend in water. Predators above and below them will not see them. They eat about a half pound of fish every day, a good food supply here at the Bess Strait. Breeding will begin in September with the majority of the penguins mating for life. Two eggs are laid, usually 2 – 4 days apart, with the incubation lasting 35 days. Both parents share that responsibility. Our guide provided plenty of information about these little penguins which were so fun to watch! It was very cold and windy for us as spectators, but we watched the penguins as they marched off to their burrows. No flash was allowed so the photos are not the best, but hopefully you can spot the penguins. We fly to Melbourne next…

Fairy Penguins at Low Head Conservation Area

Stand still as they walk around where you may be.

From Rim to Rim at Grand Canyon National Park

September 8, 2024August 17, 2024Posted in Animals, bicycling, blogging, TravelTagged Dark sky, Grand Canyon National Park, travel4 Comments

Kanab, Utah to Grand Canyon’s North Rim is a short drive. No campsite reservation was available at the north rim, but I secured one night in the Jacob Lake area. Before driving to the rim, I walked the mile from my campsite to the store at Jacob Lake. There I purchased my favorite snickerdoodle cookies. More about cookies later. On my walk, I saw some birds and a Kaibab squirrel which is only found in this area.

Kaibab Squirrel, only found north of the Grand Canyon

After an hour’s drive from the campsite, I arrived at Point Imperial; perfect. I spent time walking at the highest point of the Grand Canyon, 8,800 feet. I decided not to drive the additional 19 miles to Cape Royal. At the north rim, the Bright Angel Point Trail was closed for the season due to repairs. Looking across the canyon is grand! Unfortunately though, there was a wildfire just west of the Hermit’s Trail on the south rim. It was actively burning while the one on the north rim by Widforss Trail had been extinguished. Lightning caused the fires and both were a distance from where any hikers would be on a trail.

While standing at the north rim, I am thinking how I have seen the canyon from many angles the last 20 years. I have hiked the South Kaibab Trail to Phantom Ranch, stayed overnight at the lodges, dorms, and camping near Phantom Ranch with a return hike on the Bright Angel Trail often. Time at the canyon’s bottom has been enjoyed with friends and first-time visitors on our tours. Short sections of the Grandview and Hermit’s Trail have also been hiked. Even some trails on the north side of the Colorado River from Phantom Ranch. There are so many more trails for me to discover. For now I will enjoy the north rim view of the canyon.

Bison seen as you drive from the north rim late in the day.

The south rim of the Grand Canyon has more visitors due to it close proximity to larger cities with airports: Phoenix and Las Vegas. A different vibe exists at the south rim compared to the north rim. I always encourage people to visit both rims, if possible. It is at least a 4 hour drive between the two areas. There is less lodging at the north rim and it is not open year-round; therefore, plan their visit.

In the past, I camped at the Desert View Campground on the eastern side of the canyon. This time, Mather Campground. It is central to all at the south rim of the canyon. Hop the shuttle bus and be transported in short time to many points of interest. I like this campground.

Today, while 75 degrees at the start, I hopped on my bicycle for a ride to the town of Tusayan, located outside the park. It was a 5 mile ride on a well-maintained bike path through Grand Canyon landscape … saw an elk relaxing … then national forest land, and finally into the town. I loved the downhills! Some of the uphills in combination with the altitude, about 8,000 feet, were not as enjoyable. I dug deep to complete the ride! It was fun and done before it was too hot, 90 degrees.

Loved the bicycle ride to Tusayan while it was cool.

Despite drinking water with electrolytes, I needed to drink more. So at my campsite I read a book, ate a snack and hydrated. Even though it was an eleven mile bike ride, my body needed it all. Took time then for lunch and organized for attending afternoon ranger talks. As I write this, I hear thunder. I am wondering if we’ll have the same weather pattern as yesterday. Last night it rained; so I guessed no sky astonomer-in-residence program. Tonight hopefully a clear sky … time will tell.

I attended the sky program along with about 75 other people! The astronomer-in-residence is only here for a month so Ranger Rick was our astronomer guide this night. He herded all of us a short distance in the dark with red light on the headlamps to an empty parking lot. There people spread out, laid on the ground, and listened to him. He pointed with his green laser light at and named specific constellations. He was often interrupted as people oohed and aahed when meteorites entered the atmosphere and streaked across the sky. Wow, what a dark sky!

I appreciated all the info about the big and little dippers, Polaris and other constellations. Ranger Rick pointed out the Milky Way. I had not ever thought about it being around the entire planet. Grand Canyon International Dark Sky Park meets requirements and every 5 years needs to apply again for the designation. I will not go into the details here, but work is done to make the national park darker. The majority of the light affecting the park is city glow from Las Vegas … 150 miles away! For more info, check the dark sky website.

The monsoon rains arrived each afternoon and by dinnertime we had cool, fresh air. Many of us enjoyed a late afternoon walk in Grand Canyon Village, along the rim, or in the campground. The majority of the people visiting the Grand Canyon lately are non-English-speaking people. I met a family from South Africa who lived in Texas and now live in Alberta, Canada. Many visitors are on tours and staying in the lodges at the rim while others have rented camper vans or camping in tents. Another couple, travelled across the USA to Flagstaff on Amtrak and then the train from Williams to the Grand Canyon. Often I find myself talking with people as I offer to take a group photo for them. The rim trail was busy with people which was why I chose not to ride my bicycle on the section bicycling is allowed. A few walkers made me nervous as they would step off the trail, close to the edge of the rim. Obviously they have not read the book, Over The Edge: Death in Grand Canyon by Michael P. Ghiglieri and Thomas M. Myers about how accidents can even happen at the rim’s edge!

If you are a reader and love the Grand Canyon, a more fun book to read, or listen to the author read, is A Walk in the Park: The True Story of a Spectacular Misadventure in the Grand Canyon by Kevin Fedarko. I just finished listening to it while I was at the canyon and learned new things about the history of the canyon.

If you have never been to Grand Canyon National Park, add it to your travel list. You will not be disappointed seeing this amazing landscape … it’ll be the biggest and most beautiful hole in the ground you’’ll ever see in the world!!

View from Navajo Point of the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon from the south rim.

Notice the Bright Angel Trail zigzagging down into the canyon!

Trail on Plateau Point is seen from here.

Wyoming’s Teton Raptor Center … Visit!

August 29, 2024August 13, 2024Posted in Animals, Birds, blogging, environment, Travel, wildlifeTagged birds, Nature, travel, wildlifeLeave a comment

I was safely driving through the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem from Wyoming to Idaho. Unfortunately though, not all raptors flying through the area are successful! An ill, orphaned or injured raptor could end up at the Teton Raptor Center in Wilson, Wyoming. There they will receive an assessment of their injury, possible rehabilitation and hopefully be returned to the wild!

Wild birds need to remain in the wild. However there are times a bird’s injury cannot be repaired thus hampering its ability to survive in the wild. At the Teton Raptor Center, these birds may be considered for use in their educational programs. Also, birds once used in falconry cannot return to the wild since they are human imprinted. Otherwise, the goal at this center is to return each bird to the wild!

To best view raptors during your visit, book a reservation for one of the programs at the Teton Raptor Center. The staff are knowledgeable and offer a variety of programs. I enjoyed the hour-long, live-bird presentation where I learned about, and saw up-close, three of their “bird ambassadors”. So many things to check out at the center! If you live in the area, I hope you visit. If you are traveling to Yellowstone or Teton National Parks, add this place to your itinerary! Let’s keep wild birds wild!

Family and Friends Interact With Animals

July 14, 2024June 22, 2024Posted in Animals, blogging, environment, wildlifeTagged animals, Family, friendsLeave a comment

I love visiting family and friends. Yet despite my best efforts, I never see everyone when I travel to the east coast. It was great fun though seeing everyone I could and their interactions with various animals, beyond their usual cat and/or dog.

Observing birds, such as the common eider; a new bird for my life list. Videos from a trail camera of woodchucks, fox, black bears, deer and others in the local woods where family members live. As I slept in my van, I wondered and listened in case any of those critters walked by while I slept. A sighting of a turtle; then a video of it digging a hole to lay its eggs the next day along my sister’s driveway! Helping to complete alpaca care with another sister … her labor of love for 30 plus alpacas is huge as I could only help in a small way with water in buckets and scooping poop. A neighbor shared information about her peacocks as we observed them in her backyard. I watched as a friend solved a bull’s dilemma in needing to get its head out of its hay feeder. Never a dull moment, even as I watched a spider capture other insects in its web!

Of course, it was wonderful to see everyone. I also love seeing life in its various forms and activities. Here are a few photos as I continue to keep my eyes open during my travel.

Pull feeder back & bull worked its head out!

Latest news: there are many more bears in the area, plus coyotes! The bears however are causing havoc with garbage containers of all size. One bear is huge in size, another yearling is causing the most headaches for all and another bear has 3 young cubs. Wow ….

North Carolina Family Visit & Van Repair

June 23, 2024June 22, 2024Posted in Animals, Birds, blogging, Travel, writingTagged FamilyLeave a comment

Arriving in North Carolina was a welcomed relief! Visiting with family members I do not see very often is always fun. Unfortunately though, they were also busy attending school or work. I am fortunate enough to see those days in a rearview mirror as a retired person!

My sister did take a day off from work. With her help we added another layer of silicone on the front cab lights. No way was I going to have any leak from those lights between now and arriving home in a month!

We enjoyed a walk at Crabtree Creek Trail in Raleigh. Plenty of turtles and some birds were seen. The most exciting was a red-tailed hawk fledgling. Another birder happened to tell us the nest location. There was the fledgling standing at the nest’s edge! About 10 minutes later we returned to look again and show another birder the nest and fledgling, yet the bird was not in sight! I don’t think it flew. I think it was behind the sycamore tree trunk and just out of sight at that moment. Of course, I wished I had my camera with a long lens …. Darn!

A few great blue herons were closer to me to photograph!

We enjoyed lunch and time together. Another discovery, leftover Indian food gets spicier … what was a spicy 2 when first eaten was spicier the next day, but still delicious!

The next day my van was repaired. A back cab light was ordered after the Oklahoma tornado incident and this North Carolina dealership was the only one with the part. Good thing Raleigh was on my itinerary! Now the only repairs to do when I return home: replace passenger side mirror, fix scratches and dents. I truly am so fortunate to have moved the van per my host’s recommendation. My van would have been totaled during the tornado if I had not. Instead, the tree came down parallel to the side of the van and not through the windshield and motor!

Keep Wildlife Wild!

January 21, 2024December 29, 2023Posted in Animals, wildlifeTagged Nature, wildlifeLeave a comment

We often visit Grand Canyon National Park. While the rocks are aging, we certainly don’t see those changes, but I did notice water stations in the park had gates around them. What’s up with that?

The water stations are provided for visitors to fill their water bottles with the canyon’s spring water. It’s important to stay hydrated at the higher altitude, especially with the hiking most people do while at the park. Other wildlife, such as elk, need water too. Amazingly, elk were taking drinks at the water stations too!

Usually, park officials are reminding people to give elk space, but I would have loved to see an elk grabbing a drink at a water station! That will not be happening. Gates are now built around the water stations.

So, fill your water bottle up and know an elk did not slurp there before you!

Where’s My Camera: A Solution

November 30, 2023November 12, 2023Posted in Animals, Birds, blogging, photography, wildlife, writingTagged birds, camera, hummingbird, photography, tripod, wildlife2 Comments

At first it was not about the camera.

Numerous mornings I would look out my back window at our two bird feeders. They would sway in the breeze or hang perfectly still. Sometimes with a bird or two trying to feed at them, other times no one. My 2023 goal has been to enter a daily eBird checklist. Most often when I am home, I am observing the birds here at our feeders.

As fall temperatures arrived, I noticed the birds coming to the feeder later per day, sitting on tree branches in the sunshine and not moving to the feeder till minutes later. They would sit with puffed-up feathers, content to just be.

I too am finding fall mornings more mellow, less rushed, and allowing me time to consider a midday walk while temperatures are still comfortable. Gone are the days in needing to walk during the early sunrising hours or planning a trip to the air-conditioned local gym.

A few days ago I observed a Greater roadrunner walking across our yard’s back wall. The bird was in no rush. I thought, wow, I have so much time to capture a photo, but where’s my camera? The next day I wondered if the birds I was observing were white-crowned sparrows with dark-lores or not.

Where’s my camera? Isn’t it always someplace a distance away? Or with lens not attached to the camera body? Or simply not where you want it and need it to be?

Here’s my solution. Keep the camera with your lens of choice on a tripod in the room where most sightings are being made. For me, I can see our bird feeders and the pollinator plants that attract birds with my camera in place on a tripod. Having the camera on the tripod makes it immediately available to me, along with it being on a tripod so I can pivot from feeder to plant or wherever … even that brick wall! While it is true that I am shooting through our back window, which I am fortunate to have a clean window, there is some challenge to getting the absolute best photo, but I am not complaining … I got a photo! Here are some from one morning: