tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47625405661327679592024-03-05T03:19:30.091-08:00Birding by ShantzA photographic journal of our travels with emphasis on birding, but in actual fact to showcase everything that our beautiful province has to offer. Wildflowers, wildlife and scenery will hold almost as much importance as the birds. Most of our time will be spent in the province of British Columbia and our immediate neighbours, Alberta, the Yukon and North West Territories.Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10519628597333512854noreply@blogger.comBlogger278125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762540566132767959.post-67972554342291097092012-07-21T16:19:00.001-07:002012-07-21T16:19:05.320-07:00July 2012 Trip – Tunkwa Lake P.P. – Part two<p><font size="3">As mentioned in Part one, the over whelming theme of this trip was feeding baby birds…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-D8CGc5vheGc/UAs4g7AsHMI/AAAAAAAATDA/qsi6vhc-4K8/s1600-h/Julytrip%2525271235x%252520085%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Savannah Sparrow with a mouthful" border="0" alt="Savannah Sparrow with a mouthful" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BERysPYkNUM/UAs4htzfLPI/AAAAAAAATDI/0MbbA5jxfaA/Julytrip%2525271235x%252520085_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">Savannah Sparrows everywhere were running around with mouthfuls of food!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MN8evx-pwRY/UAs4iejP8FI/AAAAAAAATDQ/2yRjm0KmyhU/s1600-h/Julytrip%2525271220x%252520083%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Feed me!" border="0" alt="Feed me!" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RBx_o4WPPdo/UAs4jFtPkdI/AAAAAAAATDY/FgQcV5ydRUc/Julytrip%2525271220x%252520083_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="453"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">most fledgling Savannah’s seemed to still be in hidden nests, but this little guy was advanced enough to have left his carefully concealed nest.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-APwwz2fH9fg/UAs4jzNtNhI/AAAAAAAATDg/mJRczN93l3g/s1600-h/Julytrip%25252712slr%252520099%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="feeding the kids" border="0" alt="feeding the kids" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lhvoTAY5RXs/UAs4kg8V3EI/AAAAAAAATDo/EEHDLnvDhtg/Julytrip%25252712slr%252520099_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="450"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">Dark Eyed Junco were doing feeding duty as well…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OzsCWp-nAhI/UAs4lkm_-AI/AAAAAAAATDw/Q7CAhr-E1tw/s1600-h/Julytrip%2525271235x%252520203%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Fledgling Cowbird in Ruby-Crowned Kinglet nest" border="0" alt="Fledgling Cowbird in Ruby-Crowned Kinglet nest" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Aj1gA4PWxzU/UAs4ms4CWGI/AAAAAAAATD4/UZ55tNdmoSs/Julytrip%2525271235x%252520203_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">Remember in a past blog, the little Ruby-crowned Kinglet nest and the female Brown Headed Cowbird sneaking into it? Well guess what! Here is the Kinglet nest and that is one fat fledgling cowbird hanging out of it!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_HPFqz80zuw/UAs4njM54tI/AAAAAAAATEA/sAGh8dkRSzI/s1600-h/Julytrip%2525271235x%252520194%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Ruby Crowned Kinglet showing the 'ruby'" border="0" alt="Ruby Crowned Kinglet showing the 'ruby'" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JsjLZKBq1qo/UAs4oTh00XI/AAAAAAAATEI/mwDPoJLwlio/Julytrip%2525271235x%252520194_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">and here is the poor little Ruby-crowned Kinglet that has been run ragged keeping it fed. The day after I took these pictures, the nest was no more. It seems the cowbird had reached the stage where it’s size just blew the nest apart – not to worry though (if you worry about cowbirds), the fledgling was perched on a branch….still being fed.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-k8cBR1w31ao/UAs4pNS2KCI/AAAAAAAATEQ/dytwx0jwQeQ/s1600-h/Julytrip%25252712slr%252520011%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Aspen Grove from a distance" border="0" alt="Aspen Grove from a distance" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1Y6S-9q1Zak/UAs4qDKfmtI/AAAAAAAATEY/yR9gfpje_9w/Julytrip%25252712slr%252520011_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">over at the aspen grove…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dVXNPTY2S4U/UAs4rxdcEeI/AAAAAAAATEg/968PQ5VkMLs/s1600-h/Julytrip%2525271235x%252520075%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="slightly different" border="0" alt="slightly different" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-onYDje-zFhg/UAs4wgD3_lI/AAAAAAAATEw/f83YcPHBMUs/Julytrip%2525271235x%252520075_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">the Tree Swallows were busy feeding young.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-y-gRk8B6yUI/UAs4xXC7uFI/AAAAAAAATE4/GTxnVMNcD5Q/s1600-h/Julytrip%2525271235x%252520098%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Chipping Sparrow with a mouthful" border="0" alt="Chipping Sparrow with a mouthful" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pxj8Q3s7F2A/UAs4yWzQkzI/AAAAAAAATFA/JMPK98A9G-k/Julytrip%2525271235x%252520098_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="444"></a> </p> <p></p> <p><font size="3">Chipping Sparrows too were running around with mouthfuls of food.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3j950i_cl4g/UAs4zeEmF_I/AAAAAAAATFI/KA6gfyS4q0s/s1600-h/Julytrip%2525271235x%252520165%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Raven family" border="0" alt="Raven family" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Cpz22tqrGjo/UAs40R6sZ4I/AAAAAAAATFQ/WPWGrETDr7I/Julytrip%2525271235x%252520165_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">out and about, but still being very noisy and demanding was this rather large family of young Common Raven.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zWsGExP8KaQ/UAs41QVuoFI/AAAAAAAATFY/vdRF3Ig_6AU/s1600-h/Julytrip%2525271235x%252520171%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Robin with a mouthful" border="0" alt="Robin with a mouthful" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ul1XkdrNHGQ/UAs42eYqZ3I/AAAAAAAATFg/x0wG-KJ9Fow/Julytrip%2525271235x%252520171_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="478"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">Mustn’t forget the Robins! They were busy too!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-c-IXOFt17ms/UAs43AdMwDI/AAAAAAAATFo/dlU09yRQjD8/s1600-h/Julytrip%2525271235x%252520031%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Red-naped Sapsucker" border="0" alt="Red-naped Sapsucker" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sr7QS0SHoAI/UAs44FHXWOI/AAAAAAAATFw/6hMTOehM9C4/Julytrip%2525271235x%252520031_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="639" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">There was a Red-naped Sapsucker nest in the same Aspen tree where the Northern Flicker nest had been – I tried and tried to get a picture of one of the parents going to the nest, but this was the only picture I managed the entire 5 days we were there, of one of the parents.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jzNLgv-z4K0/UAs45GGGmfI/AAAAAAAATF4/ISYiDyCXgE0/s1600-h/Julytrip%2525271220x%252520141%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Geese" border="0" alt="Geese" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WiYEfVq1pZw/UAs46F10qZI/AAAAAAAATGA/4qPD4Z_-Azo/Julytrip%2525271220x%252520141_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">what wasn’t hard to get pictures of were the Canada Geese goslings! My goodness! Remember in my posts of the May trip I’d said how the people running the park had commented on how few Canada Geese there were? Well no one would say that now. There were so many goslings, from newly hatched size to some, like in the picture above, that were already molting into adult plumage….and we’ll have more on Canada Geese and others…in part three.</font></p> Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10519628597333512854noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762540566132767959.post-70525266308656393112012-07-20T16:19:00.001-07:002012-07-20T16:19:58.085-07:00July 2012 Trip – Tunkwa Lake P.P. – Part one<p><font size="3">For the July 1st, Canada Day long weekend, we did as we had done for the May long weekend, taking an extra 5 days off to extend the mini vacation. This time we started at Tunkwa.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zgT9ZSJcwGc/UAnnY9vC2gI/AAAAAAAAS_Y/EoZylUmnQ8Y/s1600-h/Julytrip%2525271220x%252520283%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="lush, green and windy" border="0" alt="lush, green and windy" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WEgR3bVl0w8/UAnnZ5cADmI/AAAAAAAAS_g/pfl1nEedWUE/Julytrip%2525271220x%252520283_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">The month of June had been as wet and cool here as elsewhere in the province, resulting in a very green, lush landscape with high water levels for the lake.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EJ6U6SQVGG0/UAnnalYzlXI/AAAAAAAAS_o/lgjc7JSOHYo/s1600-h/Julytrip%2525271220x%252520279%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="The first campsite" border="0" alt="The first campsite" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bC_Wx5YNwMw/UAnnbV1HiaI/AAAAAAAAS_w/sYbZMG_pXtA/Julytrip%2525271220x%252520279_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">With our favorite site taken, we settled for this one, the same spot we had stayed in last Thanksgiving…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XNOa15-s8z8/UAnncLbGaEI/AAAAAAAAS_4/i6t-n4QF7rc/s1600-h/Julytrip%2525271220x%252520281%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Husky television" border="0" alt="Husky television" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kwBnJutphfo/UAnnc7A26JI/AAAAAAAATAA/u1MppgXIhW0/Julytrip%2525271220x%252520281_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">Shantz was very happy to have ‘husky television’ as not only were there various water fowl, but also many…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SIymoj4GaWc/UAnndyy1nEI/AAAAAAAATAI/DsHMG9gXMOE/s1600-h/Julytrip%2525271220x%252520035%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Marmot in the grass" border="0" alt="Marmot in the grass" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3PGJwmPYur8/UAnnez3B1TI/AAAAAAAATAQ/wXH1o9koyIQ/Julytrip%2525271220x%252520035_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">Yellow-bellied Marmots, running here, there and everywhere!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-k3TDWk4Pasw/UAnnfbQpIiI/AAAAAAAATAY/3RfdR3-_owg/s1600-h/Julytrip%2525271220x%252520296%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Pair of Lesser Scaup" border="0" alt="Pair of Lesser Scaup" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XOVvfE0FJSA/UAnnf6JZVeI/AAAAAAAATAg/tKrR4uvtQJM/Julytrip%2525271220x%252520296_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="462"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">I was happy to be able to sit at the water’s edge were there were Lesser Scaup – the males already out of breeding plumage, but still paired up and no ducklings to be seen…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oFPDnzw4MH0/UAnng3EBH1I/AAAAAAAATAo/6AUYSTENXts/s1600-h/Julytrip%2525271220x%252520287%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Pair of Red-neck Grebes" border="0" alt="Pair of Red-neck Grebes" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iEz6bjJ1ilE/UAnnh19RBXI/AAAAAAAATAw/2a0nW5qTX7I/Julytrip%2525271220x%252520287_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="438"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">was also kind of confused by this pair of Red-necked Grebe that were constantly together, seemed to be loosing their breeding plumage but with no young.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2WSuIo12_2o/UAnnj1DlbtI/AAAAAAAATA4/ECzG23gcEHQ/s1600-h/Julytrip%2525271235x%252520009%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Mallard family" border="0" alt="Mallard family" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-okwVx2bn1lA/UAnnky2jM8I/AAAAAAAATBA/w9nWLrgXnn0/Julytrip%2525271235x%252520009_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="425"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">these Mallard ducklings were well on their way to maturity…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-STZZw90-7oU/UAnnmEemEOI/AAAAAAAATBI/CKkUYOQJT2M/s1600-h/Julytrip%2525271235x%252520055%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Coot with young" border="0" alt="Coot with young" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mw_sDu8ChLY/UAnnnCbVCnI/AAAAAAAATBQ/xSPkoELvLvc/Julytrip%2525271235x%252520055_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="453"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">and there were lots of young American Coot. In fact youngsters and very busy parents feeding them, was definitely the theme and we’ll continue on in part two.</font></p> Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10519628597333512854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762540566132767959.post-73038804667594751122012-06-27T15:12:00.001-07:002012-06-27T15:12:28.615-07:00Spring Trip 2012 – Tunkwa Lake P.P. – Part 5<p><font size="3">OK, I’m going to try to finish up our spring time visit to Tunkwa, today in preparation for heading out there again tomorrow…I’ll probably just show some random pictures in no special order…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-x8Whstiu1F4/T-uE-kePymI/AAAAAAAASzg/Lqm_SF2U3ZA/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520413%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="White-crowned Sparrow in the grass" border="0" alt="White-crowned Sparrow in the grass" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wky8fLS-dcQ/T-uE_8isVOI/AAAAAAAASzo/H_WULJOMS2g/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520413_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">to show some more of the species frequenting the habitat beside our campsite – White-crowned Sparrow…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LoG8mxNLcSQ/T-uFAlqvkZI/AAAAAAAASzw/yoAaTuY4CnI/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520415%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Song Sparrow after a bath" border="0" alt="Song Sparrow after a bath" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pGF2DK9VW_k/T-uFBtvnG5I/AAAAAAAASz4/D6SPJx3D_bU/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520415_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="437"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">Song Sparrow – this one heading for a bath – there seems to be a small spring in this area – another bird attractant</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JcRNzSvVrTo/T-uFCu8YTsI/AAAAAAAAS0A/-sDDNK-GrNc/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520351%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Orange Crowned Warbler" border="0" alt="Orange Crowned Warbler" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-x_prFaNCfZc/T-uFD8ES49I/AAAAAAAAS0I/qQzCsAuXsVI/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520351_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="459"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">Orange-crowned Warbler….<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Q9DwHkjE_Y4/T-uFEmDXFjI/AAAAAAAAS0Q/gys57T14YZU/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520462%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Rufous in the bushes" border="0" alt="Rufous in the bushes" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8a5aYf2dY2M/T-uFFV0OyiI/AAAAAAAAS0Y/Jr2mrclUMxY/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520462_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="637" height="484"></a> </font></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><font size="3">Rufous Hummingbird – this one a male of course – hiding in the bushes…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FryPhhV2PQA/T-uFGFyQFXI/AAAAAAAAS0g/Qa9Ji0_oImg/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520400%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Brown-headed Cowbird approaching Kinglet nest" border="0" alt="Brown-headed Cowbird approaching Kinglet nest" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-x9LHQS70fmw/T-uFHGQ2jII/AAAAAAAAS0o/PAdpGPk7P8k/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520400_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="397"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">and remember I said I’d have a bit more about Ruby-crowned Kinglets – well that is a Ruby-crowned Kinglet nest on the underside of the branch, and to the left is a female Brown Headed Cowbird sneaking over, and yes, into the little kinglet nest.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xqnWYNlpE3c/T-uFHr3YGuI/AAAAAAAAS0w/CzAcK98NbVI/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520435%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Double trouble?" border="0" alt="Double trouble?" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zC5OqiuTyKo/T-uFIYYvLmI/AAAAAAAAS04/KxwMLjjIJEM/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520435_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="367" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">There were also Chipmunks – busy eating the dried up rose hips – left from last fall….</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JOlFBLUc_IA/T-uFJNJeutI/AAAAAAAAS1A/qgFFpFZfHtk/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520472%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Leighton Lake" border="0" alt="Leighton Lake" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-j1aCdwe1u-E/T-uFJ0O4ORI/AAAAAAAAS1I/zxYIx-K-0C8/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520472_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">on the Saturday (May 26th) we did the 4 km loop walk around Leighton Lake – this is the far end of Leighton where the campgrounds are.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ePx130gi4v0/T-uFKhrnC2I/AAAAAAAAS1Q/qusB5JQ51VA/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520477%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Shantz' brother 'Relic' and 'Pride' at Leighton" border="0" alt="Shantz' brother 'Relic' and 'Pride' at Leighton" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XuiSbED_4N8/T-uFLf78-bI/AAAAAAAAS1Y/29GbFtFEgVE/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520477_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="410"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">Camped at Leighton were some relatives – or at least relatives of Shantz – it is pretty obvious which was is Shantz’ brother (although from a separate litter), his name is ‘Relic’ and the little gray female’s name is Pride and we humans are now all Face book friends….Relic and Pride spend about as much time at Leighton as we do at Tunkwa…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-R-KannUv7Lc/T-uFMB_W26I/AAAAAAAAS1g/g8Csm2ZblQY/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520510%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Eagle on tree top" border="0" alt="Eagle on tree top" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NHcDzVhFpTM/T-uFMyf-OGI/AAAAAAAAS1o/lcufG2LJgsc/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520510_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">later in the afternoon, back at the campsite, look at the very top of the tallest tree….</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xSJIiTwk0kc/T-uFN-oC8TI/AAAAAAAAS1w/s5HmXZlk5jk/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520502%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Bald Eagle over head" border="0" alt="Bald Eagle over head" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AdQIkl6dz9g/T-uFOZwpbSI/AAAAAAAAS14/CD-9lIEuBf0/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520502_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="426"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">that young Bald Eagle spent quite a while up there….</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LPcBxtZW478/T-uFPI5YRrI/AAAAAAAAS2A/bupdlIhqBmc/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520518%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="clear skies and calm water" border="0" alt="clear skies and calm water" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ri1UL6QnMXE/T-uFPx3BH2I/AAAAAAAAS2I/hcbc2A-4X4A/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520518_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">just an evening shot from the end of Tunkwa Lake..</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-knGcTdB9FPM/T-uFQoOf5sI/AAAAAAAAS2Q/qXIaKMeGlYs/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520522%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="What's back here?" border="0" alt="What's back here?" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-n3SS1EuOdBo/T-uFRYWkhdI/AAAAAAAAS2Y/5BOIfZErsMQ/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520522_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="478"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">and an Osprey in the late afternoon sunshine…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eZsF-6Pgv7g/T-uFSNAA6jI/AAAAAAAAS2g/GwDu74SqALc/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520526%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Evening sunshine" border="0" alt="Evening sunshine" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GyaFZUJTL0Y/T-uFS71TokI/AAAAAAAAS2o/rayKcaGRJQg/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520526_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="460"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">and one more of the spillway, with the sun now really low in the sky…. the next day, we would have to head for home.</font></p> Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10519628597333512854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762540566132767959.post-88993545933903822942012-06-27T14:37:00.001-07:002012-06-27T14:37:20.429-07:00Spring Trip 2012 – Tunkwa Lake P.P. – Part 4<p><font size="3">Now the 25th of May and a Friday, we decided to head out for a morning walk over to the Aspen Grove</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--teyjRo1_y4/T-oubuFpV4I/AAAAAAAASu0/b0TuHd0N93Q/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520397%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="The spillway" border="0" alt="The spillway" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tpAPYAdVvLY/T-ouc1BvwLI/AAAAAAAASu8/wkGi578yeiY/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520397_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">it was another nice day….fisheries had been in the previous afternoon and removed their nets from the top of the spillway – the ones at the bottom were still in place…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-L-lWT4yR-w0/T-pDOiXWcTI/AAAAAAAASvI/dhvPGGDyjpU/s1600-h/Maytrip2012Can20x3992.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Up from the depths" border="0" alt="Up from the depths" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-f5wKLd3eM4w/T-t8qH85k4I/AAAAAAAASvU/u04rb9GMQEs/Maytrip2012Can20x399_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="454"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">as soon as the nets had been removed, a pair of Common Loon moved into the area, one wouldn’t venture right into the tight little bay, but the other one had no concerns about doing so, nor was it at all concerned about me sitting only a few feet away…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eay8stndvDU/T-t8rf412_I/AAAAAAAASvc/S2x573q3dVo/s1600-h/Maytrip2012Can20x4242.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="American Wigeon pair" border="0" alt="American Wigeon pair" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-691yiHbLB-8/T-t8sRvkbcI/AAAAAAAASvk/jQ75Kpx7BA0/Maytrip2012Can20x424_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="453"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">a pair of American Wigeon were also hanging about that area.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-A8dxMfru1D4/T-t8tJv3TrI/AAAAAAAASvs/Q1wzHCvJanQ/s1600-h/Maytrip2012Can35x3602.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="from the far end" border="0" alt="from the far end" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ijqKomeBzCY/T-t8t7PhekI/AAAAAAAASv0/U_5Y9K2AWqI/Maytrip2012Can35x360_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">heading toward the bluff….spotted…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_TlrLK49bFY/T-t8unI3pGI/AAAAAAAASv8/06gmACLHgx0/s1600-h/Maytrip2012Can35x3592.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Male Mountain Bluebird" border="0" alt="Male Mountain Bluebird" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sykaMOrKf3s/T-t8vOw3tSI/AAAAAAAASwE/O74jFRIjwLY/Maytrip2012Can35x359_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="428"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">a Mountain Bluebird on that one lone dead pine tree…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vCLWAuOtMPs/T-t8v6WatwI/AAAAAAAASwM/CxvLSjboDMU/s1600-h/Maytrip2012Can35x3622.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="The marsh behind" border="0" alt="The marsh behind" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YrjFeVzPcQU/T-t8wikpBSI/AAAAAAAASwU/Owho30MA9KE/Maytrip2012Can35x362_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">onto the bluff and looking down into the marsh…could hear Marsh Wren all over the place, as well as Yellow-headed Blackbirds..</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bidKUl-riVA/T-t8xtYW36I/AAAAAAAASwc/4BPTEX_TSUM/s1600-h/Maytrip2012Can35x3682.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Pair of Red-head and a Scaup" border="0" alt="Pair of Red-head and a Scaup" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-p_KwmM8D-v4/T-t8yexhhcI/AAAAAAAASwk/t5pNnCq3K9Q/Maytrip2012Can35x368_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="410"></a> </p> <p></p> <p><font size="3">Besides the inevitable Scaup, there were several pairs of Red Head Ducks (above), a pair of Canvas Back and some Ruddy Ducks as well as American Coot. A Sora was spooked as we walked along but missed getting a picture.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rL7mb5iSpm0/T-t8zOGmOKI/AAAAAAAASws/CkK6DO39v8U/s1600-h/Maytrip2012Can35x3802.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="The Aspen grove" border="0" alt="The Aspen grove" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-M9HJnIA-lVQ/T-t80LX1xkI/AAAAAAAASw0/p7Q3npcv0Io/Maytrip2012Can35x380_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">and finally, into the Aspen Grove, or as I prefer to call it, the ‘bird nursery’…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JYAlLTUj5ks/T-t81LLgSDI/AAAAAAAASw8/A4jU2e9qr4g/s1600-h/SpringTripMay12DSLR1562.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Early Blue Violets" border="0" alt="Early Blue Violets" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NZ1kTS__cuU/T-t82Nl8wVI/AAAAAAAASxE/Wa_4a5tSL70/SpringTripMay12DSLR156_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">should show though that what appears to just be dead grass on the way to the grove, is actually a carpet of Early Blue Violets…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cBh3uhYKvj4/T-t8217lnRI/AAAAAAAASxM/NUoW5rBfpKM/s1600-h/Maytrip2012Can35x3742.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Female Tree Swallow" border="0" alt="Female Tree Swallow" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yRt2cxyCz-4/T-t83iaZROI/AAAAAAAASxU/19AbZ5R0rbQ/Maytrip2012Can35x374_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="433"></a> </p> <p></p> <p><font size="3">and, as usual, the aspens were alive with nesting Tree Swallows, like the female above,</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xQ4IAQyKoa4/T-t84GSJpcI/AAAAAAAASxc/-J_WlP9CRQs/s1600-h/Maytrip2012Can35x3872.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Starling taking food to nest" border="0" alt="Starling taking food to nest" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ao-iHEM1w7c/T-t84jtqmYI/AAAAAAAASxk/I3yIbAQuKCY/Maytrip2012Can35x387_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="430"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">European Starlings…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zFNLWagLuCY/T-t85W-2F_I/AAAAAAAASxs/vcMfeHN34So/s1600-h/Maytrip2012Can35x3932.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="near the nest" border="0" alt="near the nest" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dpSCZYVYLVQ/T-t850a2z6I/AAAAAAAASx0/IA-VxYFgBng/Maytrip2012Can35x393_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="418"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">Northern Flicker…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RZnugpgsozQ/T-t86ZvdfYI/AAAAAAAASx8/ycIKyl2FpPs/s1600-h/Maytrip2012Can35x3792.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Mountain Bluebird" border="0" alt="Mountain Bluebird" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-R6_PDsl80Rw/T-t87A3pJjI/AAAAAAAASyE/XdEYCVqDmSo/Maytrip2012Can35x379_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="419"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">Mountain Bluebird….and who knows what else….not wanting to alarm the nursery any more than necessary we then headed back to the campground.</font></p> <p><font size="3">In the afternoon I wandered off by myself…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lBO8Dy8LWnw/T-t88POfk_I/AAAAAAAASyM/Sxv6X1W8uIY/s1600-h/Maytrip2012Can35x4272.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="The family in the bay" border="0" alt="The family in the bay" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9Ku-tF5Qifw/T-t89KMJ9aI/AAAAAAAASyU/yX0RMRXue_8/Maytrip2012Can35x427_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">headed over to Leighton because it doesn’t matter how many times you visit the same area, there is always something different to see – this picture really shows the dead falls….but then I spotted not one but two families of Canada Geese..</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dZF8pr88tdo/T-t8961aGzI/AAAAAAAASyc/dm3I6rfry8Q/s1600-h/Maytrip2012Can35x4292.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Keeping an eye on me" border="0" alt="Keeping an eye on me" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uyRISsm6jAg/T-t8-u_yWtI/AAAAAAAASyk/5hLhzSgyxSs/Maytrip2012Can35x429_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="426"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">I stood very quietly and this family very cautiously approached…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PDr3K6iweEk/T-t8_ZrUeWI/AAAAAAAASys/j7zrRA1aPCw/s1600-h/Maytrip2012Can20x4062.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Canada Goose family" border="0" alt="Canada Goose family" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HzYjJdxeXyo/T-t9AKxTWMI/AAAAAAAASy0/o7vgCdtxMCU/Maytrip2012Can20x406_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="441"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">and then, deciding that I wasn’t a threat, came ashore only a few feet in front of me.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-U-S8GGnZoAY/T-t9BBp0WJI/AAAAAAAASy8/fbLlfPTDLVA/s1600-h/Maytrip2012Can20x4102.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Flicker nest site" border="0" alt="Flicker nest site" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yXZ05ltBM54/T-t9B18zC3I/AAAAAAAASzE/374oAgcaleI/Maytrip2012Can20x410_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">on the way back from the aspen grove, I had noticed this tree and thought their had to be something nesting in there…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nt_NtzflFbg/T-t9C0ioibI/AAAAAAAASzM/RTl0UzkRuLw/s1600-h/SpringTripMay12DSLR1955.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Female Northern Flicker at nest" border="0" alt="Female Northern Flicker at nest" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-c2leW7kjNDc/T-t9Dh2i5SI/AAAAAAAASzU/CfIX7Y425k4/SpringTripMay12DSLR195_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">so, being by myself, I cautiously approached it and sure enough….another Northern Flicker nest….and now I’ll break off with the rest of the days events in Part 5.</font></p> Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10519628597333512854noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762540566132767959.post-84965109216297296092012-06-26T13:52:00.001-07:002012-06-26T13:52:35.573-07:00Spring Trip 2012 – Tunkwa Lake P.P. – Part 3<p><font size="3">Continuing on with what was May 24th, spent the rest of the day just wandering around in the immediate area of the campground..</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YUfOr40uQ6w/T-ogfwaEEqI/AAAAAAAASqg/-ctoQAFN27U/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520326%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Female Hairy" border="0" alt="Female Hairy" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Szex78-xGcM/T-oghLa3wtI/AAAAAAAASqo/DwfuFVyFNcw/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520326_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="459"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">at one point a female Hairy Woodpecker showed up in the habitat beside our campsite…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-X80ka_IXC2Q/T-ogh-G4vqI/AAAAAAAASqw/7oT3LS0DHug/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520225%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Ruby-crowned Kinglet" border="0" alt="Ruby-crowned Kinglet" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1Sxp3n-OU5k/T-ogioZSjFI/AAAAAAAASq4/3MTsMpqgto4/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520225_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="471"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">Ruby-crowned Kinglets were there too (I’ll have more about Ruby-crowned Kinglets in a bit), notice that the wild roses were just leafing out…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3UxmqgSIaYA/T-ogjMXWJJI/AAAAAAAASrA/e03w9_QZNaM/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520235%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Pair of Buffleheads" border="0" alt="Pair of Buffleheads" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OFthDRt7lYw/T-ogk0fXXcI/AAAAAAAASrI/QiH3w7FMUcU/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520235_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="416"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">although the species of ducks in the bay were mainly Lesser Scaup, a pair of Bufflehead (above) showed up….</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9P_v0jOK2oA/T-oglkQPS9I/AAAAAAAASrQ/XF0_1U91lKc/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520237%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Lesser Scaup and a Barrow's Goldeneye" border="0" alt="Lesser Scaup and a Barrow's Goldeneye" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BrCUUlsZqoE/T-ogmXpPIqI/AAAAAAAASrY/DLPl1lOdoE4/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520237_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="405"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">and a male Barrow’s Goldeneye hung out with the Scaups…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cKPM4XZKopA/T-ognE-9hjI/AAAAAAAASrg/OWgJxTymgWk/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520353%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Ernie and April camped" border="0" alt="Ernie and April camped" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_aDUTtxP38o/T-ogoDyT33I/AAAAAAAASro/_b529zhqzWw/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520353_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">as the sun came out in the afternoon, even April ventured outside…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-curGTlgakUs/T-ogo6L2YqI/AAAAAAAASrw/XYQB3jZsDKw/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520346%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Shooting Stars and Sagebrush Buttercup" border="0" alt="Shooting Stars and Sagebrush Buttercup" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JZduS3zb9v8/T-ogppAc5QI/AAAAAAAASr4/3bcr_f-lxiM/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520346_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="466"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">of course to me Wildflowers are almost as important as the birds….it was early for wildflowers with only a few Sage Brush Buttercups left in shaded areas, and the Shooting Stars just coming out…<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-85IvX-KrCdU/T-ogqHLEigI/AAAAAAAASsA/ts0GzwfZdEA/s1600-h/Spring%252520Trip%252520May%252520%25252712%252520DSLR%252520048%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Flower detail" border="0" alt="Flower detail" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-m8HN786JZuQ/T-ogsFlRYlI/AAAAAAAASsI/ZK99Elmh2_s/Spring%252520Trip%252520May%252520%25252712%252520DSLR%252520048_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="374" height="484"></a> </font></p> <p><font size="3">there was some Yellow Corydalis in an area close to the campsite…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BggRKps_7TQ/T-ogs3hnUbI/AAAAAAAASsQ/KvB9dQiFMus/s1600-h/Spring%252520Trip%252520May%252520%25252712%252520DSLR%252520153%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Cut-leaf Daisies" border="0" alt="Cut-leaf Daisies" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LiLPUvxOJWM/T-ogt47fxwI/AAAAAAAASsY/Z1bFatpa4EM/Spring%252520Trip%252520May%252520%25252712%252520DSLR%252520153_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">and Cut-leaf Daisies in the dryer locations…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xnrbkWj7Kss/T-ogur7s4_I/AAAAAAAASsg/n_Zc6XydUdk/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520277%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Osprey" border="0" alt="Osprey" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_mgIzW1Wrh0/T-ogvNcK0cI/AAAAAAAASso/t4-UG9avPBk/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520277_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="469"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">at one point I wandered over to the spillway where this Osprey was perched…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pa4mseKLVrQ/T-ogv2_lbHI/AAAAAAAASsw/VV_qOL7LUfM/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520275%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Wet Western Tanager" border="0" alt="Wet Western Tanager" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YMTKJCjFzLw/T-ogwi0TbdI/AAAAAAAASs4/OYiQ_0_GV6I/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520275_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">and the same area was alive with Western Tanagers, busy bathing….a male above…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OepGrRF-7H4/T-ogysOc6kI/AAAAAAAAStA/Ki6V453fhMU/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520265%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Female Western Tanager" border="0" alt="Female Western Tanager" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UQ6FPIvqrL4/T-ogzYVePsI/AAAAAAAAStI/B1OEFDGZJCc/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520265_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="441"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">and a female…<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-L4qD3eMgyvg/T-og1KErhnI/AAAAAAAAStQ/XMBCMgWuhi8/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520318%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Common Loon" border="0" alt="Common Loon" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pz0pjoNbhG4/T-og10EGhFI/AAAAAAAAStY/uLtoxZlZTAk/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520318_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="430"></a> </font></p> <p><font size="3">In the evening I went over to stand on the bluff to attempt pictures of the Common Loon that had come into the bay to feed…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LSyKlkqdjnA/T-og30LhrxI/AAAAAAAAStg/3a6IZOmW6eA/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520322%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Yellow-bellied Marmot" border="0" alt="Yellow-bellied Marmot" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-w1BUcQhwA_g/T-og4uVUW1I/AAAAAAAASto/VT_6jESuacE/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520322_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">of course one of the Yellow-bellied Marmots had to come see what I was up too..</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZxtXG9BUcLE/T-og6KhfKZI/AAAAAAAAStw/eqUL_TJpsKg/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520333%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Common Loon" border="0" alt="Common Loon" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tHnXebpEmSo/T-og69-JmGI/AAAAAAAASt4/guxCqiqS_gU/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520333_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="435"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">after wards I walked out onto the spit to attempt some more Loon pictures with the sun behind me…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4a7I43EAkyU/T-og83ZAz-I/AAAAAAAASuA/Vgsg3eyLkNY/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520354%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Male Western Tanager" border="0" alt="Male Western Tanager" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qjanzugIx-o/T-og9vO8iOI/AAAAAAAASuI/gMwXekIWx0c/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520354_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="458"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">Those Western Tanagers, around supper time, moved into the trees around our campsite and proceeded to stay there – I have never seen so many Western Tanagers in one place before!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Qf-7OTr3LC8/T-og_h8pPrI/AAAAAAAASuQ/Hr5NsgguixE/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520350%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Yellow Warbler in the willows" border="0" alt="Yellow Warbler in the willows" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YMTRSo52Bmk/T-ohB1oFTJI/AAAAAAAASuY/sGNEuikTnhs/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520350_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="454"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">before I close off this day….should go back and post this, a Yellow Warbler that I had found near a little pond earlier in the afternoon. There were also Wilson’s Warbler there.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wgLtthEzxio/T-ohCvD1qDI/AAAAAAAASug/w4NK34HWyaE/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520366%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Evening - May 24, 2012" border="0" alt="Evening - May 24, 2012" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ztTsO8NoADM/T-ohDXajDJI/AAAAAAAASuo/CiFdSM3oW1Y/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520366_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">so we’ll bring to a close an absolutely perfect, May 24th day.</font></p> Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10519628597333512854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762540566132767959.post-69626724738589705062012-06-26T13:30:00.001-07:002012-06-26T13:30:42.302-07:00Spring Trip 2012 – Tunkwa Lake P.P. – Part 2<p><font size="3">Woke up on the morning of the 24th to see our only neighbour pulling out….not quite believing our good luck we set about enjoying the day. After a leisurely breakfast we headed out for a walk over to ….</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rpejiM_f3NE/T-oblz_G-BI/AAAAAAAASnM/K4P-Y2Psl0I/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520283%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Leighton" border="0" alt="Leighton" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jBhB72oErS0/T-obmxjOG6I/AAAAAAAASnU/bc4sOjY1CTs/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520283_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">Leighton Lake – notice the nets in the corner there….fisheries had the spillway between Tunkwa and Leighton netted off…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-le9ieA4gXH8/T-obnQWR_oI/AAAAAAAASnc/zbjiwHA59V4/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520174%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Yellow-rump Warbler" border="0" alt="Yellow-rump Warbler" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SUHHBdm7CoM/T-oboKMKOXI/AAAAAAAASnk/6oo2UiLsD30/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520174_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="424"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">There is now lots and lots of dead fall where ever you get away from the campground itself. All those pine beetle killed trees are decaying at the bottom and being blown down but have been allowed to stay where they fall with only the immediate trail cleared…the first open spot you come to was alive with Yellow-rump Warblers…as was most of the park!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-O107ddzTy2I/T-obpNg0yHI/AAAAAAAASns/Dg7r_52bOrs/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520284%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Yellow-rump Warbler" border="0" alt="Yellow-rump Warbler" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SDmfcQJIxpk/T-obqiEveLI/AAAAAAAASn0/wSM_FxgkQZg/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520284_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="397"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">this gives a slight indication ….the trail is actually the grassy area…and there is another warbler…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xSWoHwqhD1k/T-obrfqn9bI/AAAAAAAASn8/oDyMRKBymlc/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520293%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Swallows feeding on the lake" border="0" alt="Swallows feeding on the lake" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yVpAK9LGcU8/T-obsJe1u9I/AAAAAAAASoE/88Ei-jyRrQY/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520293_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="422"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">in the distance we noticed a lot of swallow activity over the lake – we’d noticed this the previous evening over Tunkwa lake as well…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XaoruuJ-bT8/T-obtCw4JcI/AAAAAAAASoM/6EhXvA69lxI/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520180%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Tree swallow tree" border="0" alt="Tree swallow tree" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vVqZUwca5jc/T-obt0tNYQI/AAAAAAAASoU/UUJWcT3WSV4/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520180_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">then we noticed, up ahead, one of those dead pine trees, absolutely alive with Swallows….</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5_8eWit5LEQ/T-obu3aDmpI/AAAAAAAASoc/9I72vXG7Whs/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520197%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Primarily Cliff swallows" border="0" alt="Primarily Cliff swallows" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IbnhYtJPct4/T-obxDRBz4I/AAAAAAAASok/g4pTOhfqlbU/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520197_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">there is a close up of just one small section of the tree – mainly a mix of Tree Swallows and Cliff Swallows although I think there were a few Northern Rough-wing among them as well…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cfxZzo9OnzQ/T-obxvqRm0I/AAAAAAAASos/eiuht_A6BH8/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520302%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Tree Swallows and Cliff Swallows at Tunkwa" border="0" alt="Tree Swallows and Cliff Swallows at Tunkwa" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bMmJ3oi6GFA/T-obykv17yI/AAAAAAAASo0/ntYEzcAEiPM/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520302_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="443"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">it was an amazing sight….any stumps or dead falls in the area were decorated with swallows!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AuKX-00DDko/T-obzdI30gI/AAAAAAAASo8/Oln_jru8FXA/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520310%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Trio of Chipping Sparrows" border="0" alt="Trio of Chipping Sparrows" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PkHm3PxW9yI/T-ob0KCFm0I/AAAAAAAASpE/NzlBmaAvaRg/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520310_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="459"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">in not quite the same numbers and in not quite the same location, other trees were decorated with Chipping Sparrows..</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BbL4VdQJEvA/T-ob0xZKiTI/AAAAAAAASpM/CS9zS4hElPE/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520176%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Chipping Sparrow" border="0" alt="Chipping Sparrow" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cGMn_3bwG2Y/T-ob2TeFrCI/AAAAAAAASpU/J_55n_G1qqc/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520176_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="442"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">there is a more detailed look at one of the Chipping Sparrows…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5JKRdggKqpg/T-ob3wwlxHI/AAAAAAAASpc/XHzLk3tbBFA/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520205%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Calm Lake" border="0" alt="Calm Lake" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lz0-C-sEf6Y/T-ob4k98rlI/AAAAAAAASpk/7EdqzsFn2-c/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520205_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">back at Tunkwa lake it was a calm, but cool and over cast morning…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2RXY-fRfNvE/T-ob5FC_CfI/AAAAAAAASps/qKob_wOC5yk/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520210%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Yellow-headed Blackbird" border="0" alt="Yellow-headed Blackbird" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-g-pWyUXYlXg/T-ob56jufUI/AAAAAAAASp0/1t-4DZ38iXg/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520210_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="431"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">The Yellow-headed Blackbirds were there – it looks to me that some of them weren’t even in full breeding colour yet, or maybe this is just one of last years youngsters and not quite in adult plumage..</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HTIQEws7MZM/T-ob6fDwGmI/AAAAAAAASp8/1CQ7yftHwyg/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520216%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Two year old Bald Eagle" border="0" alt="Two year old Bald Eagle" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KqhVfthhqDo/T-ob68tYJjI/AAAAAAAASqE/QVWqEyQSlJ4/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520216_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="434"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">There were a number of Bald Eagles around…this fellow in first year plumage, must have been from last year, he was often flying with or near the adults, then other times he was completely on his own….it seems early for a bird from this year to be out on its own, and at one point we saw an adult flying with what appeared to be nesting material – although it seems late for eagles to just be nest building…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3p576F8mwRg/T-ob7T8HKfI/AAAAAAAASqM/WoPd1039_To/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520232%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Osprey with a fish" border="0" alt="Osprey with a fish" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IQPk86tVr9o/T-ob78smkfI/AAAAAAAASqU/aKz6yE7QWb8/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520232_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="414"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">of course there were also Osprey and they obviously had youngsters in a nest as they were constantly fishing and then heading off in the same direction…. and I think at this stage I’ll upload this and then continue the day on in part 3…</font></p> Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10519628597333512854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762540566132767959.post-6715252091630362822012-06-25T19:20:00.001-07:002012-06-25T19:20:29.209-07:00Spring Trip 2012 – Tunkwa Lake P.P. – Part 1<p><font size="4">Everyone who follows this blog knows that Tunkwa Lake Provincial Park is our very favorite place to be and therefore I’d better get our ‘spring trip’ to there finished, because in a few days we will be heading back for the 1st summer trip! Usually getting to Tunkwa is a pretty straight forward proposition….</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PIsJjc02ras/T-kb9XKdnoI/AAAAAAAASjI/jNp35_Gw2tE/s1600-h/Maytrip2012Can20x2242.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="a for real cattle drive heading to Tunkwa" border="0" alt="a for real cattle drive heading to Tunkwa" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-agd1nF_oEWU/T-kb-nRxB5I/AAAAAAAASjQ/XZ_qsco6ya4/Maytrip2012Can20x224_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">This time it was a bit complicated by a ‘for real’ cattle drive! We had to back up beyond a cattle guard and sit while this herd was moved…a real treat to see ranchers on horseback and working dogs doing their thing!…</font></p> <p><font size="3">Always the next question when you actually reach the campsite is ‘where do we want to stay’ – of course I have favorite sites for different times of the year and different weather situations – my very favorite site had been commandeered now for this, the 3rd year, by the same people who park there for the entire season (something that actually is now being allowed at this park as a trial)….my 2nd favorite site, close to the water but beside one of the few groves of trees left with lots of undergrowth that attracts birds – is one of the favored sites by most park visitors…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RTcCf_7BwUA/T-kb_V8n4PI/AAAAAAAASjY/W4leKxNS3VY/s1600-h/Maytrip2012Can20x2682.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Evening - Scaup in the bay" border="0" alt="Evening - Scaup in the bay" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_6mupdysj40/T-kcAYVNwrI/AAAAAAAASjg/O7KJzs9WRKM/Maytrip2012Can20x268_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">but, lo and behold, it was free! In fact there was only one other unit parked at this end of the campground and they only stayed over night so the next day which would have been May 24th we had the whole end of the campground entirely to ourselves – just the way I like it!! First thing to notice are all the Lesser Scaup in the little bay!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dE03-VmQBGY/T-kcBCGdimI/AAAAAAAASjo/Jnzvvy-6OMo/s1600-h/Maytrip2012Can20x2302.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Savannah Sparrow singing" border="0" alt="Savannah Sparrow singing" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8gHoqt3oDJE/T-kcB7nGZMI/AAAAAAAASjw/aia8UP7DDl0/Maytrip2012Can20x230_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">as we were setting up this Savannah Sparrow was serenading us from a little pine tree – yes those are bugs but they are chrominids, that don’t bite as opposed to mosquitoes that do.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-m-ldnm_fMRo/T-kcCiMjFiI/AAAAAAAASj4/HDg54Kfq_ko/s1600-h/Maytrip2012Can20x2332.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Dark-eyed Junco" border="0" alt="Dark-eyed Junco" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ixn5Ze-fy5Y/T-kcDGtWCGI/AAAAAAAASkA/k1B4W_4DYqI/Maytrip2012Can20x233_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="464"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">it didn’t take me long to notice a slightly concerned Dark Eyed Junco on the other side of the campsite…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-S4A1Vv1mfP0/T-kcEE4A_HI/AAAAAAAASkI/CJFreBkzITs/s1600-h/Maytrip2012Can20x2722.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Dark-eyed Junco near nest" border="0" alt="Dark-eyed Junco near nest" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-k3SMb3q1jHE/T-kcFJcqVrI/AAAAAAAASkQ/8wngfbbwwTU/Maytrip2012Can20x272_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="464"></a> </p> <p></p> <p><font size="3">the reason became apparent when I noticed there was a nest under that cluster of dried grasses (I sure hope they made it – I pointed it out to the park attendant so at least he wouldn’t weed whack it but it was very close to the road…)</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AUGa8ErkT0g/T-kcGWXA8oI/AAAAAAAASkY/v4tWhIPX3Wg/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520323%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Birdy area by campsite" border="0" alt="Birdy area by campsite" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nZXGNEUWKsw/T-kcHWFJ8ZI/AAAAAAAASkg/gZbnkGseAIk/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520323_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p></p> <p><font size="3">This shows the area immediately behind the chosen campsite, the same sort of habitat continues down the side to the road…so after setting up it was just a case of wandering around and establishing that every thing you expect to be here at this time of the year is in fact here…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GlImV4E4ono/T-kcHyJj6WI/AAAAAAAASko/duyvx5tdxY8/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520143%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Brewer's Blackbird" border="0" alt="Brewer's Blackbird" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HgjH9WM3chs/T-kcIrXFp1I/AAAAAAAASkw/DzYtDbLmnWg/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520143_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="442"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">Brewer’s Blackbird – check! They seemed to be in the midst of nesting and yes, those are more of those chrominids.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-t6nQlnwg5B4/T-kcJibwooI/AAAAAAAASk4/Vj2TSmkR7sc/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520247%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Male Yellow-headed Blackbird" border="0" alt="Male Yellow-headed Blackbird" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-r1FcZye-E7g/T-kcKgqP6gI/AAAAAAAASlA/xSMqftHV3zM/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520247_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="409"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">Yellow-headed Blackbirds – check!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tU6UcTwNNkU/T-kcLYzv0cI/AAAAAAAASlI/Hmy59NjqFrY/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520146%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="American Coot" border="0" alt="American Coot" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iJ5XQQxLvkU/T-kcMdt_s9I/AAAAAAAASlQ/DdcqzassUJo/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520146_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="458"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">American Coot – check!<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yS4PCfxg4fo/T-kcNLDr6lI/AAAAAAAASlY/fuAVc4x_B40/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520267%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Lesser Scaup in the bay" border="0" alt="Lesser Scaup in the bay" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BS890udd4_I/T-kcN7wplEI/AAAAAAAASlg/sCS71RGLpBk/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520267_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </font></p> <p><font size="3">as already mentioned – LOTS of Lesser Scaups…50 to 60 at a time in the little bay..</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-n2WF8HSyyUw/T-kcQWCyluI/AAAAAAAASlo/-ozW7VVCi_o/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520165%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Barrow's Goldeneye" border="0" alt="Barrow's Goldeneye" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sOeav3VuSGc/T-kcRUPdmtI/AAAAAAAASlw/0WYTT83WIuc/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520165_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="431"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">Barrow’s Goldeneye – here a pair but mainly there were just males so I expect most females were nesting – this is a species that nests in cavities in trees…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zKXsU6qQ-DQ/T-kcSOzGZnI/AAAAAAAASl4/yTgCtyq2uBc/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520167%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="calling Killdeer" border="0" alt="calling Killdeer" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUIkAjStdeQla1qPfam-3IdUyouN4s8hU-N8-2hWirltoNHWaXCmaf1BnCwY6NMUArk6r3ijCA4ofNleCwa-LBraw0_D-gcEGn7kB-ontdBwE4Qr72qLrv2LYD9eYKZaKwRLxxnPWYSxi/?imgmax=800" width="644" height="428"></a> </p> <p></p> <p><font size="3">Killdeer – as hysterical as ever!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wpG5EL-m2BI/T-kcTzlq5TI/AAAAAAAASmI/Y5mF-ArtSio/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520147%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="May trip 2012 -Can35x 147" border="0" alt="May trip 2012 -Can35x 147" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3JFrMIJZJEo/T-kcVvE2c9I/AAAAAAAASmQ/_ZpLD_NmFpY/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520147_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">American Robins….most seemed to be in the nesting or feeding young stage…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--k-OkGvb_gg/T-kcWKi9yvI/AAAAAAAASmY/W1AUE5e7gk8/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520150%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Mountain Chickadee" border="0" alt="Mountain Chickadee" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OrksinvMZ_k/T-kcW6Gk1HI/AAAAAAAASmg/TwGjRnJ7M0g/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520150_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="447"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">Up the back where the Great Gray Owls had nested last year, there were only Mountain Chickadee this year. The park attendant thinks that with all the attention the owls drew last year, they’ve found a less busy place to nest this year.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6d5yPK9_lEc/T-kcX6EwUeI/AAAAAAAASmo/2DkqX6GNMZY/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520368%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Geese on the prowl" border="0" alt="Geese on the prowl" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RJd5lcLfJH4/T-kcY8CXvhI/AAAAAAAASmw/UffKSBRCn-0/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520368_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">so that pretty much brings us to the end of the first day. We had noticed that there didn’t seem to be nearly as many Canada Geese as we’d seen here at this time other years, something the park attendant confirmed, however numbers did seem to increase over the few days we were there..</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MZVMMrs-W8c/T-kcZ8O7DBI/AAAAAAAASm4/shAuzfMWBmE/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520279%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="like father, like daughter" border="0" alt="like father, like daughter" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pYzUavWm64g/T-kcaw1VdPI/AAAAAAAASnA/JJ0_v87gA7c/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520279_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="455"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">so we’ll leave today with Ernie and Shantz relaxing in the evening sunshine – for our next trip we’ve bought two more chairs so I’ll get to sit outside as well!</font></p> Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10519628597333512854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762540566132767959.post-80303940784739019382012-06-16T16:04:00.001-07:002012-06-16T16:04:58.103-07:00Spring Trip 2012 – Kentucky Allyene P. P. – Part 2<p><font size="3">One of the nicest features about the campground on Kentucky Lake is the 4 km trail that circles the entire lake.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-q3sHdFk1Rc4/T90Qy9N-HqI/AAAAAAAASVU/pwEdL8bZcm4/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520146%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="The trail along the lake" border="0" alt="The trail along the lake" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0mJLISzznO8/T90Qzm_Iv1I/AAAAAAAASVc/3dAmXIMAJMo/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520146_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">this lake is surrounded by quite thick forest, un like Allyene that is in more open range land.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aa3Mu59RcL0/T90Q0gTBVVI/AAAAAAAASVk/sQYitjZNam4/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520161%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Ernie walking along the trail" border="0" alt="Ernie walking along the trail" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oDdT0wIz6YA/T90Q1ud0ItI/AAAAAAAASVs/xEvVL6-5VMY/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520161_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">The trail can be quite high in some spots, but dips down to lake shore in others….I didn’t do the entire walk this visit, but Ernie and Shantz did…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DHikvQ4yOnc/T90Q2t0iZsI/AAAAAAAASV0/_sq5c1r3QEI/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520148%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Calypso Orchids" border="0" alt="Calypso Orchids" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DzvdnVAWwJc/T90Q3ZPuysI/AAAAAAAASV8/qAqqxk6ShNc/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520148_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="460"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">We did walk about half of it together, and found a number of wildflowers in bloom including these Calypso Orchids</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VDISYIqnCyE/T90Q4TEWhrI/AAAAAAAASWE/IFxI8eVLta0/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520160%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Heart Leaf Arnica" border="0" alt="Heart Leaf Arnica" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bPgR9VQLyhE/T90Q5MTIR4I/AAAAAAAASWM/_ZwgXvMTAFQ/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520160_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="461"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">the very earliest of the Heart-leaf Arnica…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WrQpjYBh_CQ/T90Q51AUr_I/AAAAAAAASWU/R1O2xF4tGA4/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520143%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Hooker's Fairybells closeup" border="0" alt="Hooker's Fairybells closeup" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5hYMe5u-EY8/T90Q6i2vIMI/AAAAAAAASWc/beF7fOTQMYk/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520143_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="452"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">Hooker’s Fairybells….</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dFcah6pCAnQ/T90Q7e1orlI/AAAAAAAASWk/aT-Z-56S-O0/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520156%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Star-flowered Solomon Seal" border="0" alt="Star-flowered Solomon Seal" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FtFnLv1qOqQ/T90Q8UhN2gI/AAAAAAAASWs/9DV4_eodW1E/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520156_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="472"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">and Star-flowered Solomon’s Seal.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sO2rURTvqxs/T90Q9WNC82I/AAAAAAAASW0/5hhXdxOq83I/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520103%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Red-breasted Nuthatch" border="0" alt="Red-breasted Nuthatch" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5psOoCcaQ6A/T90Q-D73fGI/AAAAAAAASW8/K9AeC9rVnys/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520103_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </font></p> <p><font size="3">at one spot on the trail there were a number of Red-breasted Nuthatch….all busy working on nesting sites…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fNFAqX3y3qc/T90Q-zlZwZI/AAAAAAAASXE/Djv-Jn66oJ0/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520110%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Red-breasted Nuthatch" border="0" alt="Red-breasted Nuthatch" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JBrsvesRHtU/T90Q_eEEpvI/AAAAAAAASXM/3pn1UUuE414/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520110_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="461"></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><font size="3">there was another one of them. In the same location there were lots of Yellow-rump Warblers, Chipping Sparrows and Dark Eyed Junco.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1_QE-Rxb8Qk/T90RARr8GBI/AAAAAAAASXU/1UlZJJgNVF8/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520192%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Yellow Warbler" border="0" alt="Yellow Warbler" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0-gK62r2GXs/T90RCMt5eII/AAAAAAAASXc/D7Y6mhekryU/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520192_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="424"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">back at the campsite….one of the Yellow Warblers…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-f5gP8PpGQfY/T90RChm9X7I/AAAAAAAASXk/5tfW9YiVmp0/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520183%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Spotted Sandpiper" border="0" alt="Spotted Sandpiper" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mevYE6vPaTQ/T90RDUqoz3I/AAAAAAAASXs/itdZEZd9d1U/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520183_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="399"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">and almost continually seen on the shore just down from the campsite, were these Spotted Sandpipers…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LZ3vNEm83F0/T90REK9l3HI/AAAAAAAASX0/UriHVXSw2nQ/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520208%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Pair of spotted Sanpiper" border="0" alt="Pair of spotted Sanpiper" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nMApOuaBD7A/T90REnOAH-I/AAAAAAAASX8/WuVkB4sziVE/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520208_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="436"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">they were running around everywhere! Pileated Woodpeckers could be heard, and we caught glimpses of them but never did manage a picture. Just spent the one whole day here before heading to our ‘home away from home’ – Tunkwa Lake, but I shouldn’t go without showing the carpet of Calypso Orchids that was growing right in the campground…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bpGetvPeeq0/T90RFZHKhHI/AAAAAAAASYE/nyOZv__mENk/s1600-h/Spring%252520Trip%252520May%252520%25252712%252520DSLR%252520037%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="a sea of Calypso Orchids" border="0" alt="a sea of Calypso Orchids" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-K2cylKs_zK4/T90RGaUD1bI/AAAAAAAASYM/tKNH0Gy-BUk/Spring%252520Trip%252520May%252520%25252712%252520DSLR%252520037_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">Unfortunately when I went to take this picture, they were in dense shade….but you get the idea – these were just a little way away from the bridge with the welcoming committee in part 1.</font></p> Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10519628597333512854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762540566132767959.post-34632011994135779172012-06-16T15:08:00.001-07:002012-06-16T15:08:28.843-07:00Kentucky/Allyene Provincial Park – Part 1<p><font size="3">There was a time when Kentucky/Allyene Provincial Park, located in the hills to the east of Merritt, was one of our favorite spots to visit….</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1z_TqJ0lXZw/T90Dovn1zVI/AAAAAAAASSw/JWr22S6NDJw/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520165%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Allyene Lake" border="0" alt="Allyene Lake" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ayqghb1RA4I/T90DpXqDLQI/AAAAAAAASS4/S6JgOfDC-tA/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520165_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">There are actually two separate campgrounds in this park. Above, is Allyene Lake and the campground situated it’s southern end. This campground is accessible year round as a road runs right through the middle of it. There was a time when you could also camp down at the far end of the lake. There were only 4 or 5 sites there, not many people knew about them and you often had the place almost to yourself with only the coyotes, open range cattle and the occasional bear for company. That was before someone, in their infinite wisdom, decided that the far end would be a reservation only group site….and that put an end to that! You can still walk the road to the far end, but it only serves to remind you what has been lost.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ikz_daHqNf0/T90DqZtFKoI/AAAAAAAASTA/DKIOHLwSL8g/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520166%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Allyene Lake" border="0" alt="Allyene Lake" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-stvOl71qUvQ/T90DrDtVUQI/AAAAAAAASTI/U8Qs_3XfCHc/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520166_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">here is another view of Allyene lake, from the shoreline. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bqjOqWYo6zk/T90Drz7zPmI/AAAAAAAASTQ/7037Ps1LbuE/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520123%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="3 loons" border="0" alt="3 loons" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-x3Jzgomqpsw/T90DsvR0PdI/AAAAAAAASTY/s65e71YINi0/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520123_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="364"></a> </p> <p></p> <p><font size="3">On the above day, there were 3 Common Loons out on the lake – this is the lake where I saw my first Loon nest and my first baby loon. Also on that day were some male Barrow’s Goldeneye (I think the female were nesting) and a couple of Killdeer.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-P0gdwRuVd9A/T90DtEuWgyI/AAAAAAAASTg/41jbO9cXnFI/s1600-h/Spring%252520Trip%252520May%252520%25252712%252520DSLR%252520039%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Kentucky Lake in the distance" border="0" alt="Kentucky Lake in the distance" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HgaqagulgwE/T90Dt-dMoiI/AAAAAAAASTo/79Iii_Eo7eI/Spring%252520Trip%252520May%252520%25252712%252520DSLR%252520039_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">This is the area that lies between the campground on Allyene Lake (behind us now) and before Kentucky Lake – in the distance. There are a couple of ‘pot hole’ lakes here that are limited for fishing to those under 16 years of age. There were more Barrow’s Goldeneye on these lakes and also a couple of pairs of Canada Geese.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UQgIkUJmRg0/T90DunqKY3I/AAAAAAAASTw/ukgqFKD6lIs/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520130%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="the greeting party again" border="0" alt="the greeting party again" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tPJR8imNxTA/T90DvJPas1I/AAAAAAAAST4/oBNGc6ng7Nk/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520130_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="461"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">and here is the welcoming committee as you near the campsite located on Kentucky Lake. They are, of course, those Columbian Ground Squirrels.</font></p> <p><font size="3"></font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iPDY6kSoDWY/T90Dv2fjOrI/AAAAAAAASUA/L5i8NHQKR-k/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520131%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="The greeting party" border="0" alt="The greeting party" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qvSq7MFmtdo/T90DwhrqKfI/AAAAAAAASUI/Ydjj3vlK_D0/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520131_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">Here is a closer look at a couple of them.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dG9W_P_CQa4/T90DxSqMujI/AAAAAAAASUQ/goEYsqrnX0g/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520191%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="The campsite from the boat launch" border="0" alt="The campsite from the boat launch" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sJQ_s97GKsU/T90DyH-YXTI/AAAAAAAASUY/AIDs0iBBLFI/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520191_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">The most striking feature about Kentucky Lake is it’s colour! This picture is taken from the boat launch…our camper is the first unit you see from the left hand side of the page…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NvvCkSHlpWg/T90Dy7wnbAI/AAAAAAAASUg/YgahVGG-VJM/s1600-h/Spring%252520Trip%252520May%252520%25252712%252520DSLR%252520043%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Camped" border="0" alt="Camped" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uMqjWYHUyzk/T90Dz2Z5x9I/AAAAAAAASUo/GFGBYdeD_u0/Spring%252520Trip%252520May%252520%25252712%252520DSLR%252520043_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="457"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">and there we are, camped. For some reason, a lot of the bushes that divide the campsites have been removed…not sure why but when privacy is valued….not too impressed…being the off season, the campground was quiet so not an issue this trip.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8mueJQeKOaA/T90D0Y6DfmI/AAAAAAAASUw/Ga7e8d-ErhM/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520178%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Female Rufous Hummingbird" border="0" alt="Female Rufous Hummingbird" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9MqDHDCGXZ0/T90D1cPE8oI/AAAAAAAASU4/W3KUEIxG79E/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520178_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="394"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">The bushes that were there played host to Yellow-rump Warblers, Yellow Warblers and lots and lots of Rufous Hummingbirds! Above a female…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-R0zOUBFaXt0/T90D2P-bDwI/AAAAAAAASVA/KxKhCOx-a4I/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520115%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Male Rufous Hummingbird" border="0" alt="Male Rufous Hummingbird" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XJERkv9INHU/T90D27-cDMI/AAAAAAAASVI/ijLhmCa7i_8/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520115_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="433"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">and here a male…and I think we’d better leave the rest of the bird and flower pictures for the next part.</font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10519628597333512854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762540566132767959.post-8787027910297103172012-06-14T17:59:00.001-07:002012-06-14T17:59:04.745-07:00Spring Trip 2012 – Manning Park part 3<p><font size="3">We walked down through the snowy ‘dog leg’ a number of times..</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-m0X0yxUOY6U/T9pguLkoZhI/AAAAAAAASNc/qdbYRgpNCV4/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520057%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Flooded campsite" border="0" alt="Flooded campsite" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aF3qjRYB8Ms/T9pgvVP501I/AAAAAAAASNk/vw7y4jvEvbw/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520057_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">walking down as far as the bridge…at one point Ernie attempted to walk the trail but there was just still too much snow..this area was alive with birds, mainly Robins, Junco, saw some Varied Thrush and</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bj8kx5Meen8/T9pgwM-n5bI/AAAAAAAASNs/68TASD9oZDg/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520055%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Acobatic Gold Crowned Kinglet" border="0" alt="Acobatic Gold Crowned Kinglet" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0NVQTg2SSjI/T9pgwyWpIrI/AAAAAAAASN0/Fqc-Km8qiRc/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520055_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="453"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">lots of those Gold-crowned Kinglets going over the trees. Chestnut-backed Chickadees were down here too…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qxTrebmpsWg/T9pgxnSCJbI/AAAAAAAASN8/miNfhaqYtmo/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520047%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Squirrel" border="0" alt="Squirrel" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lO7qUagF9MA/T9pgyp4HJLI/AAAAAAAASOE/28yqgHJ6blw/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520047_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="460"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">and in the ‘critter’ department – this is where the Douglas Squirrels were hanging out…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cokp_6az4BE/T9pgz082HyI/AAAAAAAASOM/DGtjo7sr-Jk/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520076%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Sentinals on alert" border="0" alt="Sentinals on alert" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Jy6Tx8b4kpE/T9pg1MsCukI/AAAAAAAASOU/Kx76suMBjSk/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520076_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">back up in the campground proper….were more of those Columbian Ground Squirrels…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4fpKQrJgWKk/T9pg1-rox5I/AAAAAAAASOc/kmwgkn7IsJw/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-%252520Olym%252520007%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="aahh, how cute is that!" border="0" alt="aahh, how cute is that!" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FRqKZULrywA/T9pg2h_XiEI/AAAAAAAASOk/sG8xFSr18Ow/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-%252520Olym%252520007_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">along with the inevitable Chipmunks..</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-q1Zenrix2tk/T9pg3f4S2FI/AAAAAAAASOs/1I4v1gWbBKk/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520118%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Chipping Sparrow" border="0" alt="Chipping Sparrow" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WM12iUXlUGY/T9pg4d642AI/AAAAAAAASO0/2kkRtaZ0FtM/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520118_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="454"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">Chipping Sparrows had to be the predominant species – little flocks of them would be seen moving through the low bushes and over the ground…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YQrpwH4dly4/T9pg5TsmE1I/AAAAAAAASO8/AxKWmuK9hXs/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520059%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Chipping Sparrow" border="0" alt="Chipping Sparrow" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OSBtNDm944Q/T9pg6bBwfjI/AAAAAAAASPE/nelKeyfLHdY/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520059_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">here is another one…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WyMwZN7Jdh4/T9pg7caIk5I/AAAAAAAASPM/hex8VWIijos/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520079%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Yellow-rump Warbler" border="0" alt="Yellow-rump Warbler" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Eq0Caijow4M/T9pg8cI9CBI/AAAAAAAASPU/ovBH_OfrSP0/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520079_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">but not to be outdone were the Warblers….here a Yellow-rump – of which there were lots…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-P5jOrW1RKUM/T9pg9TnW75I/AAAAAAAASPc/-al724pqJu0/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520092%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Wilson's Warbler" border="0" alt="Wilson's Warbler" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8fMTUex8pMc/T9pg-SlTr4I/AAAAAAAASPk/FdKD_gS1N8g/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520092_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">and Wilson’s Warblers – can’t tell you how much time I spent chasing these little guys through the bushes until I was finally rewarded with this shot!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-52EzR-eDrZk/T9pg_MqdBcI/AAAAAAAASPs/QMEsQ0HpHYM/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520068%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Townsend's Warbler" border="0" alt="Townsend's Warbler" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-v_23UToT5Yw/T9phMFpxAtI/AAAAAAAASP0/1MoemD8MHwU/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520068_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="440"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">and then, oh joy! Townsend’s Warblers – this is a species I really needed some decent shots of – and now I have them!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VZYWTfnEx88/T9phNNFUh_I/AAAAAAAASP4/5Y6OZth8LE0/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520075%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Townsend's Warbler" border="0" alt="Townsend's Warbler" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6FYBNBd_zHA/T9phOACXz5I/AAAAAAAASP8/xyRV7FsN1Kw/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520075_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="433"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">here is another one…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-z2_ylHBnc94/T9phPJgShMI/AAAAAAAASQM/2J5M8YqunMs/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520055%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Pileated Woodpecker" border="0" alt="Pileated Woodpecker" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-83teaUlW0n0/T9phP-6CF9I/AAAAAAAASQU/2_u9Fd_pKzo/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520055_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="387"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">members of the woodpecker family were around but elusive….there were Northern Flicker, a pair of Sapsucker flew in front of us as we had driven into the campground – never to be seen again, and a pair of Pileated were obviously nesting somewhere – but this was as good as we got…still it was pretty successful bird wise – next we head to a park we hadn’t stayed at for a number of years – that being Kentucky/Allyene – next posting…</font></p> Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10519628597333512854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762540566132767959.post-63806690541914648322012-06-14T15:13:00.001-07:002012-06-14T15:13:46.695-07:00Spring Trip 2012 – Manning Park part 3<p><font size="3">We walked down through the snowy ‘dog leg’ a number of times..</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-m0X0yxUOY6U/T9pguLkoZhI/AAAAAAAASNc/qdbYRgpNCV4/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520057%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Flooded campsite" border="0" alt="Flooded campsite" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aF3qjRYB8Ms/T9pgvVP501I/AAAAAAAASNk/vw7y4jvEvbw/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520057_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">walking down as far as the bridge…at one point Ernie attempted to walk the trail but there was just still too much snow..this area was alive with birds, mainly Robins, Junco, saw some Varied Thrush and</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bj8kx5Meen8/T9pgwM-n5bI/AAAAAAAASNs/68TASD9oZDg/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520055%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Acobatic Gold Crowned Kinglet" border="0" alt="Acobatic Gold Crowned Kinglet" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0NVQTg2SSjI/T9pgwyWpIrI/AAAAAAAASN0/Fqc-Km8qiRc/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520055_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="453"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">lots of those Gold-crowned Kinglets going over the trees. Chestnut-backed Chickadees were down here too…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qxTrebmpsWg/T9pgxnSCJbI/AAAAAAAASN8/miNfhaqYtmo/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520047%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Squirrel" border="0" alt="Squirrel" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lO7qUagF9MA/T9pgyp4HJLI/AAAAAAAASOE/28yqgHJ6blw/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520047_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="460"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">and in the ‘critter’ department – this is where the Douglas Squirrels were hanging out…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cokp_6az4BE/T9pgz082HyI/AAAAAAAASOM/DGtjo7sr-Jk/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520076%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Sentinals on alert" border="0" alt="Sentinals on alert" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Jy6Tx8b4kpE/T9pg1MsCukI/AAAAAAAASOU/Kx76suMBjSk/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520076_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">back up in the campground proper….were more of those Columbian Ground Squirrels…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4fpKQrJgWKk/T9pg1-rox5I/AAAAAAAASOc/kmwgkn7IsJw/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-%252520Olym%252520007%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="aahh, how cute is that!" border="0" alt="aahh, how cute is that!" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FRqKZULrywA/T9pg2h_XiEI/AAAAAAAASOk/sG8xFSr18Ow/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-%252520Olym%252520007_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">along with the inevitable Chipmunks..</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-q1Zenrix2tk/T9pg3f4S2FI/AAAAAAAASOs/1I4v1gWbBKk/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520118%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Chipping Sparrow" border="0" alt="Chipping Sparrow" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WM12iUXlUGY/T9pg4d642AI/AAAAAAAASO0/2kkRtaZ0FtM/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520118_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="454"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">Chipping Sparrows had to be the predominant species – little flocks of them would be seen moving through the low bushes and over the ground…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YQrpwH4dly4/T9pg5TsmE1I/AAAAAAAASO8/AxKWmuK9hXs/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520059%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Chipping Sparrow" border="0" alt="Chipping Sparrow" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OSBtNDm944Q/T9pg6bBwfjI/AAAAAAAASPE/nelKeyfLHdY/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520059_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">here is another one…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WyMwZN7Jdh4/T9pg7caIk5I/AAAAAAAASPM/hex8VWIijos/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520079%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Yellow-rump Warbler" border="0" alt="Yellow-rump Warbler" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Eq0Caijow4M/T9pg8cI9CBI/AAAAAAAASPU/ovBH_OfrSP0/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520079_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">but not to be outdone were the Warblers….here a Yellow-rump – of which there were lots…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-P5jOrW1RKUM/T9pg9TnW75I/AAAAAAAASPc/-al724pqJu0/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520092%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Wilson's Warbler" border="0" alt="Wilson's Warbler" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8fMTUex8pMc/T9pg-SlTr4I/AAAAAAAASPk/FdKD_gS1N8g/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520092_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">and Wilson’s Warblers – can’t tell you how much time I spent chasing these little guys through the bushes until I was finally rewarded with this shot!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-52EzR-eDrZk/T9pg_MqdBcI/AAAAAAAASPs/QMEsQ0HpHYM/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520068%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Townsend's Warbler" border="0" alt="Townsend's Warbler" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-v_23UToT5Yw/T9phMFpxAtI/AAAAAAAASP0/1MoemD8MHwU/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520068_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="440"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">and then, oh joy! Townsend’s Warblers – this is a species I really needed some decent shots of – and now I have them!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VZYWTfnEx88/T9phNNFUh_I/AAAAAAAASP4/5Y6OZth8LE0/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520075%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Townsend's Warbler" border="0" alt="Townsend's Warbler" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6FYBNBd_zHA/T9phOACXz5I/AAAAAAAASP8/xyRV7FsN1Kw/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520075_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="433"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">here is another one…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-z2_ylHBnc94/T9phPJgShMI/AAAAAAAASQM/2J5M8YqunMs/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520055%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Pileated Woodpecker" border="0" alt="Pileated Woodpecker" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-83teaUlW0n0/T9phP-6CF9I/AAAAAAAASQU/2_u9Fd_pKzo/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520055_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="387"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">members of the woodpecker family were around but elusive….there were Northern Flicker, a pair of Sapsucker flew in front of us as we had driven into the campground – never to be seen again, and a pair of Pileated were obviously nesting somewhere – but this was as good as we got…still it was pretty successful bird wise – next we head to a park we hadn’t stayed at for a number of years – that being Kentucky/Allyene – next posting…</font></p> Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10519628597333512854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762540566132767959.post-21703680700992599092012-06-14T15:10:00.001-07:002012-06-14T15:10:09.326-07:00Spring Trip 2012 – Manning Park part 3<p><font size="3">We walked down through the snowy ‘dog leg’ a number of times..</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-m0X0yxUOY6U/T9pguLkoZhI/AAAAAAAASNc/qdbYRgpNCV4/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520057%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Flooded campsite" border="0" alt="Flooded campsite" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aF3qjRYB8Ms/T9pgvVP501I/AAAAAAAASNk/vw7y4jvEvbw/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520057_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">walking down as far as the bridge…at one point Ernie attempted to walk the trail but there was just still too much snow..this area was alive with birds, mainly Robins, Junco, saw some Varied Thrush and</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bj8kx5Meen8/T9pgwM-n5bI/AAAAAAAASNs/68TASD9oZDg/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520055%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Acobatic Gold Crowned Kinglet" border="0" alt="Acobatic Gold Crowned Kinglet" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0NVQTg2SSjI/T9pgwyWpIrI/AAAAAAAASN0/Fqc-Km8qiRc/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520055_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="453"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">lots of those Gold-crowned Kinglets going over the trees. Chestnut-backed Chickadees were down here too…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qxTrebmpsWg/T9pgxnSCJbI/AAAAAAAASN8/miNfhaqYtmo/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520047%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Squirrel" border="0" alt="Squirrel" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lO7qUagF9MA/T9pgyp4HJLI/AAAAAAAASOE/28yqgHJ6blw/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520047_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="460"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">and in the ‘critter’ department – this is where the Douglas Squirrels were hanging out…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cokp_6az4BE/T9pgz082HyI/AAAAAAAASOM/DGtjo7sr-Jk/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520076%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Sentinals on alert" border="0" alt="Sentinals on alert" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Jy6Tx8b4kpE/T9pg1MsCukI/AAAAAAAASOU/Kx76suMBjSk/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520076_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">back up in the campground proper….were more of those Columbian Ground Squirrels…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4fpKQrJgWKk/T9pg1-rox5I/AAAAAAAASOc/kmwgkn7IsJw/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-%252520Olym%252520007%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="aahh, how cute is that!" border="0" alt="aahh, how cute is that!" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FRqKZULrywA/T9pg2h_XiEI/AAAAAAAASOk/sG8xFSr18Ow/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-%252520Olym%252520007_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">along with the inevitable Chipmunks..</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-q1Zenrix2tk/T9pg3f4S2FI/AAAAAAAASOs/1I4v1gWbBKk/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520118%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Chipping Sparrow" border="0" alt="Chipping Sparrow" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WM12iUXlUGY/T9pg4d642AI/AAAAAAAASO0/2kkRtaZ0FtM/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520118_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="454"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">Chipping Sparrows had to be the predominant species – little flocks of them would be seen moving through the low bushes and over the ground…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YQrpwH4dly4/T9pg5TsmE1I/AAAAAAAASO8/AxKWmuK9hXs/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520059%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Chipping Sparrow" border="0" alt="Chipping Sparrow" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OSBtNDm944Q/T9pg6bBwfjI/AAAAAAAASPE/nelKeyfLHdY/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520059_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">here is another one…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WyMwZN7Jdh4/T9pg7caIk5I/AAAAAAAASPM/hex8VWIijos/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520079%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Yellow-rump Warbler" border="0" alt="Yellow-rump Warbler" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Eq0Caijow4M/T9pg8cI9CBI/AAAAAAAASPU/ovBH_OfrSP0/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520079_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">but not to be outdone were the Warblers….here a Yellow-rump – of which there were lots…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-P5jOrW1RKUM/T9pg9TnW75I/AAAAAAAASPc/-al724pqJu0/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520092%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Wilson's Warbler" border="0" alt="Wilson's Warbler" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8fMTUex8pMc/T9pg-SlTr4I/AAAAAAAASPk/FdKD_gS1N8g/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520092_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">and Wilson’s Warblers – can’t tell you how much time I spent chasing these little guys through the bushes until I was finally rewarded with this shot!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-52EzR-eDrZk/T9pg_MqdBcI/AAAAAAAASPs/QMEsQ0HpHYM/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520068%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Townsend's Warbler" border="0" alt="Townsend's Warbler" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-v_23UToT5Yw/T9phMFpxAtI/AAAAAAAASP0/1MoemD8MHwU/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520068_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="440"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">and then, oh joy! Townsend’s Warblers – this is a species I really needed some decent shots of – and now I have them!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VZYWTfnEx88/T9phNNFUh_I/AAAAAAAASP4/5Y6OZth8LE0/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520075%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Townsend's Warbler" border="0" alt="Townsend's Warbler" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6FYBNBd_zHA/T9phOACXz5I/AAAAAAAASP8/xyRV7FsN1Kw/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520075_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="433"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">here is another one…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-z2_ylHBnc94/T9phPJgShMI/AAAAAAAASQM/2J5M8YqunMs/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520055%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Pileated Woodpecker" border="0" alt="Pileated Woodpecker" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-83teaUlW0n0/T9phP-6CF9I/AAAAAAAASQU/2_u9Fd_pKzo/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520055_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="387"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">members of the woodpecker family were around but elusive….there were Northern Flicker, a pair of Sapsucker flew in front of us as we had driven into the campground – never to be seen again, and a pair of Pileated were obviously nesting somewhere – but this was as good as we got…still it was pretty successful bird wise – next we head to a park we hadn’t stayed at for a number of years – that being Kentucky/Allyene – next posting…</font></p> Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10519628597333512854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762540566132767959.post-79971556513217089932012-06-14T14:47:00.001-07:002012-06-14T14:47:46.479-07:00Spring Trip 2012 – Manning Park part 2<p><font size="3">We spent 3 days at Manning Park, the weather cooperated, a little on the cool side, but pleasant enough to sit outside during the day as long as you were dressed for it.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zv1D9QK3YUg/T9pbrFrZnVI/AAAAAAAASKY/RbOhrOgRiUY/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520032%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="April is there too" border="0" alt="April is there too" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hgBq0TUNeAU/T9pbsGs_QhI/AAAAAAAASKg/oCWg1k6htVY/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520032_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="451"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">Here is the whole family enjoying the great outdoors – including the 16 year old Shih Tzu!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9Dp6T8JBUhA/T9pbtBoEYgI/AAAAAAAASKo/HlGS6Xra9Y8/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520050%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Raven buddy" border="0" alt="Raven buddy" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yaNw0Cwhjl4/T9pbuGRX3rI/AAAAAAAASKw/DlezUrkAsSI/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520050_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">it wasn’t long though, until we had company….</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AyLgbbCqWB8/T9pbu5dkWBI/AAAAAAAASK4/6ESz8vssKCo/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Ernies%252520037%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Pair of Raven" border="0" alt="Pair of Raven" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SkKgKGLuxrM/T9pbvkH3PII/AAAAAAAASLA/fwb5w3anlro/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Ernies%252520037_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">This pair of Common Raven moved in and appeared to adopt us as their own!!!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mkuBTGsaTYY/T9pbwdsQsDI/AAAAAAAASLI/_PvFrLTNevU/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520084%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Coming in?" border="0" alt="Coming in?" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-G7V4jLIQgss/T9pbyoIbFCI/AAAAAAAASLQ/-lut9BMZmXk/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520084_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="440"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">even attempting to come right inside…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zSNJAJoLgSE/T9pbzXAYKUI/AAAAAAAASLY/I2jDPeG1abk/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520046%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Shantz' dinner companions" border="0" alt="Shantz' dinner companions" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QDMT_gl79J4/T9pb02c_FHI/AAAAAAAASLg/-MOEdaJOJBU/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520046_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="618" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">and trying to share our dogs dinner – as you can tell she is used to birds!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0j3Pv72f8z4/T9pb17aosCI/AAAAAAAASLo/yotAVXUL4hY/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520031%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Gray Jay" border="0" alt="Gray Jay" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nK9cKfyidR4/T9pb3AQ74AI/AAAAAAAASLw/9h9QGQN3mz0/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520031_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">Not to be out done…the Gray Jay’s joined us too…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3YZ5Bi9Z6NU/T9pb4HmQPgI/AAAAAAAASL4/vIhqWBpLVDI/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Ernies%252520043%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Me and my buddy again" border="0" alt="Me and my buddy again" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tD-R4IZPxhM/T9pb5CiQxMI/AAAAAAAASMA/v_SUGE0s1qE/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Ernies%252520043_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="452"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">Shy they aren’t!!!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Cnp17EfPt_Y/T9pb59PrgfI/AAAAAAAASMI/ekZX3KuaSps/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520062%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Gold-crowned Kinglet with nesting material" border="0" alt="Gold-crowned Kinglet with nesting material" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cCr1Y88UioI/T9pb6g9LdZI/AAAAAAAASMQ/6ZW00GAG5gI/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520062_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">a Gold-crowned Kinglet even joined in the fun…running around right at my feet gathering up our dogs fur as fast as she was loosing it! I was so shocked didn’t have time to focus the camera properly – hence the fuzzy shot!</font></p> <p><font size="3">Of course one of the things we look for when we are traveling are the wild flowers…this early in the season with the snow barely having melted in spots, one really had to look – but they were there…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xx1rFLfEWis/T9pb7DGSH9I/AAAAAAAASMY/24Mpwz9V8l0/s1600-h/Spring%252520Trip%252520May%252520%25252712%252520DSLR%252520028%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Utah Honeysuckle" border="0" alt="Utah Honeysuckle" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GqLxJq5Lr5w/T9pb76uorcI/AAAAAAAASMg/p2RIwDO0H1Y/Spring%252520Trip%252520May%252520%25252712%252520DSLR%252520028_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="452"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">The Utah Honeysuckle was just coming into bloom in the sunniest areas – but there were enough of them that the Rufous Hummingbirds had arrived – this being a favorite early food source. (wasn’t able to get a hummingbird picture here)</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BlmXYlAuy0w/T9pb8iQthMI/AAAAAAAASMo/ogKnZ1STpiY/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520102%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Spring Gold -first flowers" border="0" alt="Spring Gold -first flowers" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FTKiX9PR5NM/T9pb9uMJ3GI/AAAAAAAASMw/yPaRU2xjD7U/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520102_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">Spring Gold was just starting to flower, again in the sunniest locations. The creeping phlox wasn’t quite in bloom yet..</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-N083KeHIdCs/T9pb-IJdm6I/AAAAAAAASM4/KH0vn9EjSjw/s1600-h/Spring%252520Trip%252520May%252520%25252712%252520DSLR%252520030%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Pussy Willows" border="0" alt="Pussy Willows" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6ERSHkuKzOk/T9pb-ub7QhI/AAAAAAAASNA/e8qCmk61Wfs/Spring%252520Trip%252520May%252520%25252712%252520DSLR%252520030_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="445"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">I found these Pussy Willows most attractive though….</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XOP963XWI3Y/T9pb_Q5SoZI/AAAAAAAASNI/FxI5meK-9AQ/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520094%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Yumm" border="0" alt="Yumm" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GSVJa_b6Quo/T9pcATiHQiI/AAAAAAAASNQ/ezsRguV1mis/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520094_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">as did the Chipmunks! By the time our 3 day visit was over, chipmunks had pretty much eaten every pussy willow off of the bushes! and I think that is probably enough for this posting….we’ll cover the rest of the ‘critters’ and birds in part 3</font></p> Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10519628597333512854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762540566132767959.post-86313680729694508692012-06-14T14:08:00.001-07:002012-06-14T14:08:16.317-07:00Spring trip 2012 – Manning Park part 1<p><font size="3">Long before the May long weekend, we made reservations at Coldspring Campground in Manning Provincial Park, but with the long cool spring and the snow pack, we didn’t know until just the night before whether we would actually be able to stay there. We must say that Manning Park was excellent about sharing information with us and had actually telephoned the evening before to say that they had checked and our site was free of snow and we were ‘good to go’…So, it being 7 long months since our last trip we were out of here bright and early in the morning.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AkF_RVQUM6o/T9pSfzbKleI/AAAAAAAASHk/4Y8F2kqsDfY/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520014%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Finally - on our way" border="0" alt="Finally - on our way" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SewRFXUVK4M/T9pSgiQQYNI/AAAAAAAASHs/uSosnHXQAQo/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520014_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">So eager were we that we arrived in the park at 10 in the morning – with the campground not opening until noon, we headed to Lightning Lakes…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-X2vVTWi5IYE/T9pShd81JKI/AAAAAAAASH0/oly6QAperUM/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520021%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Lightning Lakes" border="0" alt="Lightning Lakes" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lZedtuTWa6A/T9pSifqyteI/AAAAAAAASH8/fLYXWv-X2OM/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520021_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">where the lakes were still frozen, although thawing out around the edges.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ST7dXShJ7LQ/T9pSjMRY6eI/AAAAAAAASIE/H-FWIRKUPlU/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520010%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Courting Goldeneyes" border="0" alt="Courting Goldeneyes" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-P9RVLjNP0XA/T9pSj56KXyI/AAAAAAAASIM/o7RiZIQgJQY/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520010_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="440"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">There were several pairs of Barrow’s Goldeneyes going through their preliminary mating rituals. The female of this particular pair was unique in that she had a white ring around each eye – it didn’t appear to be a disease or an injury.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LCF4AFteuqc/T9pSke12jPI/AAAAAAAASIU/m8QIM7r4_04/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520015%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Ground squirrel in the snow" border="0" alt="Ground squirrel in the snow" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zhkpTbPjdyw/T9pSlIraNqI/AAAAAAAASIc/GgZlBiO__WU/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520015_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">The Columbian Ground Squirrels were out in force…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-m-Y4yq2dCUU/T9pSmKSE4-I/AAAAAAAASIk/6fwEIqBkiaY/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520005%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="What you lookin' at?" border="0" alt="What you lookin' at?" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BJJgCC0qZW8/T9pSm0WruLI/AAAAAAAASIs/V9hmFXrzh0Q/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520005_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">Here is another one…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xP7s36yGV1Q/T9pSnvyuR4I/AAAAAAAASI0/qcLn_pYuz34/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520032%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Gray Jay" border="0" alt="Gray Jay" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mzxCHCHAYZs/T9pSopJytCI/AAAAAAAASI8/Ezy7xUfZUE4/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520032_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="431"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">Gray Jay’s of course – happy to see some people – I guess there had been a lull between the time when the place was full of cross country skiers and now…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HrASfTB56po/T9pSpV2kK-I/AAAAAAAASJE/BZwUQ7BGtaM/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520017%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Robins, robins everywhere" border="0" alt="Robins, robins everywhere" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QnxjesIs-ZU/T9pSqN8mkyI/AAAAAAAASJM/JxroGG6I1Cg/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520017_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="431"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">the bare areas were alive with American Robins, and surprisingly, Yellow-rump Warblers…running around on the ground with the robins..</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-u7T7Atiilvk/T9pSqxgidkI/AAAAAAAASJU/Z3I3JxQxp9w/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520002%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Dark-eyed Junco in the snow" border="0" alt="Dark-eyed Junco in the snow" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-C8axxcqpMro/T9pSrekLEnI/AAAAAAAASJc/P31Op4KF8KQ/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520002_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">Dark-eyed Junco are to be expected…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0fHxT1rbXEo/T9pSr3i1NXI/AAAAAAAASJk/h93Dax-0UOk/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520042%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="American Pipit on the snow" border="0" alt="American Pipit on the snow" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lQSkcbRoZ30/T9pSs7JHIeI/AAAAAAAASJs/sYsq0lOT4hI/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can35x%252520042_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="451"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">What wasn’t expected was an American Pipit!! Seemed to only be the one and it was sticking to the lake shore. As noon approached we headed back to the campground….</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0IvvadLAWBs/T9pStu22bUI/AAAAAAAASJ0/lQL3k1QHMNE/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520028%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Campsite and yes that is snow" border="0" alt="Campsite and yes that is snow" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9T3Yi1HEFr4/T9pSumUR28I/AAAAAAAASJ8/GY0H6kmLe6Y/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520028_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">and settled into our spot which turned out to be absolutely perfect – yes, that is a little bit of snow there in the corner.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Yj-e2f4uWbo/T9pSvN0hxmI/AAAAAAAASKE/daOPV_1lqG4/s1600-h/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520052%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="The dog leg at Coldspring" border="0" alt="The dog leg at Coldspring" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pf9_YW5RRHI/T9pSv-BYYdI/AAAAAAAASKM/QOVrvFycGNs/May%252520trip%2525202012%252520-Can20x%252520052_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="3">but nothing like what was still down in the ‘dog leg’ (which of course wasn’t open) and the first corner in the campground where snow was still as deep as the picnic tables were high. After settling in I went exploring….and you’ll see the results in Part 2</font></p> Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10519628597333512854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762540566132767959.post-16192507858237032092012-02-24T11:34:00.001-08:002012-02-24T11:34:40.766-08:00Thanksgiving at Tunkwa 2011<p><font size="4">In real time I am sitting here watching the snow pile up outside….so seems like the ideal time to go back to last Thanksgiving and post some random pictures we took at Tunkwa. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-C6MvyDB9yB8/T0fl93uqAaI/AAAAAAAAQRk/tJIAcJYeb18/s1600-h/ThanksPentex%252520002%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="evening" border="0" alt="evening" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XHvBmgeotLc/T0fl-d8w1FI/AAAAAAAAQRs/7LMZxj8p4Lo/ThanksPentex%252520002_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">I think this pretty much summed up Tunkwa in mid October – this view was out of the back door of the camper…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qFU-EJyI6HM/T0fl_HWb9SI/AAAAAAAAQR0/5hAafrqSDbQ/s1600-h/Thanks.Canon%252520017%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Frosty Morning" border="0" alt="Frosty Morning" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BAHVd6EoXVo/T0fmAGCFJCI/AAAAAAAAQR8/EvvzlwktwTA/Thanks.Canon%252520017_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">We woke to frost one morning….at least we weren’t tenting like some people!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6Kqj8DSzN6w/T0fmBLinoeI/AAAAAAAAQSE/4pkZebcE91E/s1600-h/Thanks.Canon%252520047%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="The bluff" border="0" alt="The bluff" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-j2CYfERNKxo/T0fmB-N5qeI/AAAAAAAAQSM/_d2B2p6U_Xw/Thanks.Canon%252520047_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">and I love this picture of the bluff with fall colour….do you think it is time for them to remove the rest of the dead trees and let the live ones take over?….can’t decide…we’re so used to seeing dead trees here!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XICZ7V5mD4Y/T0fmCiWVUfI/AAAAAAAAQSU/gElMn-44L7I/s1600-h/ThanksPentex%252520074%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Fall at Tunkwa" border="0" alt="Fall at Tunkwa" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BL9IJrINnwY/T0fmDNp6j5I/AAAAAAAAQSc/hVXYirpFFsU/ThanksPentex%252520074_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">the end of a hot dry summer is evident in this picture…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Z2rQ9FVwNy0/T0fmD0AukVI/AAAAAAAAQSk/Y7oYDlETj38/s1600-h/ThanksPentex%252520068%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="The Aspen grove" border="0" alt="The Aspen grove" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VWSiWVhGxFk/T0fmEcVNS2I/AAAAAAAAQSs/qM5UC2eieag/ThanksPentex%252520068_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="323" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">and at the Aspen grove….</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ltRZAxbFd_Q/T0fmEwih7TI/AAAAAAAAQS0/-HvhRa1KAOk/s1600-h/ThanksPentex%252520012%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Mountain Bluebird" border="0" alt="Mountain Bluebird" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-h-ycgGIVC5o/T0fmFVrBPJI/AAAAAAAAQS8/9SosqS4Si4I/ThanksPentex%252520012_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="338" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">Mountain Bluebirds were still there – they are like us – they arrive about Easter time and leave about Thanksgiving….unlike us they get to stay there the whole time in between!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-e4F-1BwEBAY/T0fmF8UP8PI/AAAAAAAAQTE/tGPGx9Ht7ww/s1600-h/ThanksPentex%252520110%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Yellow-rump Warbler" border="0" alt="Yellow-rump Warbler" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-f33X5dtyLTI/T0fmGQpVe9I/AAAAAAAAQTM/T_O-seL_CCA/ThanksPentex%252520110_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="410"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">Yellow-rump Warblers were still there too – they arrive a little later than the bluebirds</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Q-YP3BZZ2aU/T0fmG0q0z4I/AAAAAAAAQTU/K-Pm6aIqXkU/s1600-h/ErnieNikon%252520010%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="snipping snipe" border="0" alt="snipping snipe" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-y0rrWCQQalE/T0fmHn_Q0aI/AAAAAAAAQTc/D92A04olQrM/ErnieNikon%252520010_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="399"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">still some shorebirds around ….like this Wilson’s Snipe</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-I6BDbkyAZpA/T0fmIVQBiZI/AAAAAAAAQTk/y1LSTJqMa_0/s1600-h/Thanks.Canon%252520068%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Four of them" border="0" alt="Four of them" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7ThdY8caJsw/T0fmJerO3WI/AAAAAAAAQTs/imcOcN-47jk/Thanks.Canon%252520068_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="453"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">and these which I’m pretty sure were young Long-billed Dowitcher – they showed up the morning we were leaving…when the weather had turned and it was raining…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Yg7AC4DEHjM/T0fmKbygP-I/AAAAAAAAQT0/0WbYoTak2bU/s1600-h/ThanksPentex%252520046%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Muskrat with lunch" border="0" alt="Muskrat with lunch" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wW5J_lVoTcY/T0fmLHbH7NI/AAAAAAAAQT8/wb3Yp0m1s5k/ThanksPentex%252520046_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="382"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">Muskrats are there year round…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-A0ruJ926qzo/T0fmMCaiISI/AAAAAAAAQUE/58l1OdFkqs4/s1600-h/ThanksPentex%252520085%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Twins" border="0" alt="Twins" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gO8ZIPeyHPM/T0fmNAm61HI/AAAAAAAAQUM/TFR7jY55ndM/ThanksPentex%252520085_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="439"></a> </p> <p></p> <p><font size="4">and the chipmunks were very busy….got some adorable pictures of the little guys…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0Q70Pm5cQ0k/T0fmN1Sz2FI/AAAAAAAAQUU/oYgyHCnEqPk/s1600-h/ThanksPentex%252520089%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Stretching for a seed" border="0" alt="Stretching for a seed" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HbhwKCqOnEU/T0fmOrsN_3I/AAAAAAAAQUc/W-hEcWzxjSI/ThanksPentex%252520089_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="450"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">stretching to get grass seed heads – see that grass is good for something other than getting stuck between dog’s toes…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XYg5NL_GFcM/T0fmP6JXC7I/AAAAAAAAQUk/sFwG-Hdf-e0/s1600-h/ThanksPentex%252520123%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="saying hi" border="0" alt="saying hi" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KQTpSCgh-Bk/T0fmQnrtDhI/AAAAAAAAQUs/rt9hxVEr6EI/ThanksPentex%252520123_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="409"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">Love this picture….</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ItGLQ2JvfxQ/T0fmRPXnVEI/AAAAAAAAQU0/ysvYr_klkDI/s1600-h/ThanksPentex%252520124%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Chipmunk kisses" border="0" alt="Chipmunk kisses" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-F9qhXSdH2F0/T0fmSErDEkI/AAAAAAAAQU8/khcA0dRvbo4/ThanksPentex%252520124_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="390"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">and this one where they seem to be sharing a kiss…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-k2u_Sh0ujOU/T0fmSgJdKJI/AAAAAAAAQVE/HxumUbZK0sw/s1600-h/Thanks.Canon%252520010%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Sunset" border="0" alt="Sunset" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-haadNFDpYfo/T0fmTqd1B4I/AAAAAAAAQVM/MO5KOpcq9DI/Thanks.Canon%252520010_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="415"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">So that will bring our camping year to a close….but not to worry….spring is coming (although you’d never know it today!) and we’ll be back on the road soon!</font></p> Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10519628597333512854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762540566132767959.post-71640898699684856772012-02-22T13:53:00.001-08:002012-02-22T13:53:37.513-08:00Back to the Dempster 2011 – the final installment<p><font size="4">Today we’ll bring this trip to a close. We finished it as we end most trips….with a few days to recoup at our favorite spot….Tunkwa Lake Provincial Park…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IoIHd2MFotc/T0VjajA6s5I/AAAAAAAAQOk/_BRU5CnRWPw/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520351%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="evening glow" border="0" alt="evening glow" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8ohi6ZH2sWU/T0Vjcf9vbsI/AAAAAAAAQOs/PYxabWJnQAw/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520351_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">the heat continued…up into the low 30’s during the day, but thankfully cooled off in the evening once the sun had set… Due partly to the heat and partly to a medical situation that had been escalating throughout this trip didn’t do much but stick pretty close to the campsite….so will just show a few misc. pictures taken during that time….</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FiaMAamc3XE/T0Vjem2mLeI/AAAAAAAAQO0/jTA_o4sYruo/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520341%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Hairy Woodpecker" border="0" alt="Hairy Woodpecker" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-171PCbQ83bA/T0VjgnPsy6I/AAAAAAAAQO8/u_IIW7-Lx0I/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520341_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">the juniper bushes were a constant beehive of activity….here a Hairy Woodpecker…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LXq8fY_D8AI/T0VjhkFO0VI/AAAAAAAAQPE/xGlzaJJeXfU/s1600-h/Pentex%252520699%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Yellow-rump Warbler in Juniper" border="0" alt="Yellow-rump Warbler in Juniper" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gZl5zeDYFiY/T0Vji1u2FAI/AAAAAAAAQPM/BEPF2b1GH3Q/Pentex%252520699_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">and here a Yellow-rump Warbler, of which there were lots…also some young White-crowned Sparrows and Lincoln Sparrows.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4MRnSdyJpSU/T0Vjjl56RgI/AAAAAAAAQPU/UVHi6exHcJ4/s1600-h/Pentex%252520676%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Ruby-crowned Kinglet" border="0" alt="Ruby-crowned Kinglet" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-50YmAup610o/T0VjkUYUNfI/AAAAAAAAQPc/tIgB2kHkn6E/Pentex%252520676_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">Ruby-crowned Kinglets were about in large numbers as well…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VLsQoML0w8I/T0Vjk9KUqvI/AAAAAAAAQPk/P2xCkbFBHE8/s1600-h/Pentex%252520660%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Juvenile Redtail hawk in flight" border="0" alt="Juvenile Redtail hawk in flight" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-orXPUqPJefk/T0VjmDS6F5I/AAAAAAAAQPs/zeaXVGrwGF8/Pentex%252520660_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="436"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">I thought this might be something rare and exciting, but turns out it was a young Red-tail Hawk…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pVWpfhYBwSg/T0Vjm9wF5lI/AAAAAAAAQP0/rqRfhynLFWQ/s1600-h/Pentex%252520681%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Chipmunk" border="0" alt="Chipmunk" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-g14mAgGIZG4/T0Vjof0R-RI/AAAAAAAAQP8/PVMprjGYSAk/Pentex%252520681_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">In the animal department, there were a few Chipmunk around…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hLBD0WsEKfA/T0VjqQyjSxI/AAAAAAAAQQE/dyIO5lXr_dc/s1600-h/Pentex%252520713%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Marmot in the tree" border="0" alt="Marmot in the tree" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lTrBHNUKfxQ/T0VjsaJskdI/AAAAAAAAQQM/SmsTsTV2lL0/Pentex%252520713_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">this Yellow-bellied Marmot was the only one I saw – unusual to be up in a tree…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-U48o3u9qJzc/T0Vjt2eX1uI/AAAAAAAAQQU/BXQOBtv0IRk/s1600-h/Pentex%252520715%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Muskrat" border="0" alt="Muskrat" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AGw0vhnONXI/T0VjvgCHA1I/AAAAAAAAQQc/0h7JKQaXSbU/Pentex%252520715_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="466"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">a muskrat in the water….</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8bi-AOJnftU/T0VjxmrnhLI/AAAAAAAAQQk/-aRq0V6TJLM/s1600-h/Pentex%252520643%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Fall Aster and bug" border="0" alt="Fall Aster and bug" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YPA2NGTR1j4/T0VjytDaxuI/AAAAAAAAQQs/v3ZycSNMPNQ/Pentex%252520643_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="395"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">a few Fall Asters were still in flower, attracting various insects…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iFocN1cuERU/T0VjzKIldCI/AAAAAAAAQQ0/UC-ioeUV3lQ/s1600-h/Pentex%252520726%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Dragonfly" border="0" alt="Dragonfly" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QKF9vWcsh8Y/T0Vjzs0PT0I/AAAAAAAAQQ8/WJsaQM1ADR8/Pentex%252520726_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">saw a few dragonflies…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fZHlKGLbtfQ/T0Vj09LaFUI/AAAAAAAAQRE/3rD61Kzx_RU/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520355%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Moonrise" border="0" alt="Moonrise" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JOtnHhDrTVg/T0Vj1q-WNgI/AAAAAAAAQRM/ELItN33RmLk/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520355_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">but mostly we just looked forward to the moon rising and the air cooling off….</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pu7RGaqny_4/T0Vj2cevIeI/AAAAAAAAQRU/m5NENZKhn1E/s1600-h/Pentex%252520741%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Pentex 741" border="0" alt="Pentex 741" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GKFTme8VbwM/T0Vj23x8z4I/AAAAAAAAQRc/qWBhEKv0MSs/Pentex%252520741_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">as this trip drew to a conclusion.</font></p> <p><font size="4">We would be back to Tunkwa in a few weeks time to finish off the camping season, as we always do, with Thanksgiving at Tunkwa.</font></p> Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10519628597333512854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762540566132767959.post-11741933804810104262012-02-21T15:10:00.001-08:002012-02-21T15:10:35.087-08:00Back to the Dempster 2011 – Part 23<p><font size="4">In real time it is an absolutely horrible miserable February day….so probably a good time to post this miserable section of this trip. If all trips were like this, no one would go on them! Fortunately most trips are far more pleasant!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KOnWJKmvLrc/T0QkOJ3ZDHI/AAAAAAAAQMk/wwiJl2Mc6nk/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520317%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Colourful countryside" border="0" alt="Colourful countryside" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Y-FeErj218w/T0QkPWblQTI/AAAAAAAAQMs/fTKW9JesVQI/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520317_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">Left Buckinghorse River and headed towards Fort St. John – the above picture looks more like a painting than a photograph but shows the flatter terrain as you get into this part of the country. The original plan had been to stay at the Rotary Club RV park in Fort St. John. This is a nice RV park and we’ve stayed there a couple of times before, but since it was only 11 in the morning when we reached Fort St. John and it was already getting hot…and the city seemed like it had doubled in size since we’d been there 2 years before, we decided to carry on to Dawson Creek and the end of the Alaska Highway. </font></p> <p><font size="4">A number of years before we had stayed at Swan Lake Provincial Park, east of Dawson Creek, late in September, so decided to head there. Stopped for some groceries…it was now 28 degrees….and then headed to Swan Lake – only to find the park gates up and a ‘closed for the season’ sign on it!!! Thoroughly fed up we retraced our steps back towards Dawson Creek and turned south towards Tumbler Ridge, somewhere we had never been before. We thought there must be somewhere between Dawson Creek and Tumbler Ridge where we could stay….discovered the whole area was bustling with giant wind farms in the early stages of construction. Found a spot to pull off to give the dogs a break and to feed them since it was now late in the afternoon and hadn’t gotten any cooler. Large signs promoted a community RV park, so headed there, only to discover it was now a construction camp for the large numbers of workers now drawn there between the wind farm project and the mines, both new ones and re-opening ones… It is now about 6 o’clock, we are hungry, hot and tired….so now what? Head towards Chetwynd we guess. There is a supposed to be a provincial park with a campground about half way between the two towns….just start down the hill out of Tumbler Ridge….</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dhIwIHl1P_g/T0QkQNsMsbI/AAAAAAAAQM0/enCnHTHwFe8/s1600-h/Ernies%252520180%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Flatbed Creek - Tumbler Ridge" border="0" alt="Flatbed Creek - Tumbler Ridge" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-L42K-c3jOFo/T0QkRu1kj1I/AAAAAAAAQM8/k6tnSjY7f-I/Ernies%252520180_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">and oh joy! There is a Lion’s club campground beside this Flatbed creek! and it is open!!! in fact it seemed like there were a lot of workers living here too, but there was room and we gratefully pulled in. This is the river where dinosaur tracks were discovered by a couple of little boys not so long ago that started the whole ‘dinosaur’ craze in this town.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bycyt5Z9a7A/T0QkSTyK_oI/AAAAAAAAQNE/K9yVGWWq9ng/s1600-h/Ernies%252520182%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="the creek bottom" border="0" alt="the creek bottom" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JKhq41Nob0c/T0QkTWaxPCI/AAAAAAAAQNM/K5hTEbROnC0/Ernies%252520182_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p></p> <p><font size="4">Ernie took a picture of the ancient river bottom where the tracks were first discovered. We also discovered that it was a good job we hadn’t continued on to the Gwillim Lake provincial park because apparently the bridge to the park had washed out in the spring floods and hadn’t been rebuilt so the park had been closed the entire season!!!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qGSTVYsFb6w/T0QkUI0qP1I/AAAAAAAAQNU/pB9xOUjSOec/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520325%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Bullmoose Marshes" border="0" alt="Bullmoose Marshes" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SRxgiSZeXVg/T0QkU95YkkI/AAAAAAAAQNc/YB0eURYpGLU/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520325_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">When we left the next morning, after going back into town in hopes of going to the Dinosaur Museum (you guessed it – closed for the season)…we found a spot along the highway we could have spent the night….not actually a campground – this is Bullmoose Marshes – a Ducks unlimited spot…</font></p> <p><font size="4">It being another hot day we continued on the Chetwynd and then turned south…only to find we were now in road construction with lengthy delays….some of the construction caused by the massive washouts the area had experienced in the spring, but others ‘just because’….It was another long, hot, frustrating afternoon when we reached….Tudyah Lake Provincial Park and it was actually open!!!! but not exciting and we had planned on staying at Whisker’s Point Provincial Park only a few more kilometers down the road….so headed there – only to find ‘closed for the season’ – so turned around and headed back to Tudyah…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-S4cQzrw_TNc/T0QkV8YfSuI/AAAAAAAAQNk/zh4ODi3C-jk/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520328%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Tudyah Lake Provincial Park campsite" border="0" alt="Tudyah Lake Provincial Park campsite" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sZv5YWyE-q4/T0QkWwII3HI/AAAAAAAAQNs/QAHaJl4RY5I/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520328_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">I think we actually were camped in the day use area but at this point do you think we really cared!!! We were definitely not the only frustrated traveler there that night!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-r03HO0EhmPg/T0QkYg7pT_I/AAAAAAAAQN0/vV2QYiTGwiQ/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520329%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Evening at Tudyah Lake" border="0" alt="Evening at Tudyah Lake" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fD8uny4Bsr8/T0QkZYQOSVI/AAAAAAAAQN8/CMi07R-Xy_8/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520329_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">It was a nice enough little lake….very calm in the late sunshine…</font></p> <p><font size="4">Next day wouldn’t be much better…now determined to get back ‘south’ we got through Prince George and spent another night a Lac la Hache….it was still very hot…and with still a weeks holiday time left, we had pretty much had it with this trip!</font></p> Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10519628597333512854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762540566132767959.post-20163280558460646982012-02-20T14:01:00.001-08:002012-02-20T14:01:32.519-08:00Back to the Dempster 2011 – Part 22<p><font size="4">Having a sort of ‘blah’ day today in ‘real time’, so probably a good time to report on a sort of ‘blah’ section of this trip…in fact the rest of the trip with the exception of the last stop will be sort of ‘blah’…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ClAbTUAj-vo/T0LCY_ls_8I/AAAAAAAAQJE/toyOpkUcgUk/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520304%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="approaching the Peace" border="0" alt="approaching the Peace" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mUKI85gJFd4/T0LCZobvOYI/AAAAAAAAQJM/Tr4fD0c3WIc/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520304_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">We left Summit Lake in the morning, negotiated our way along the highway, through the northern end of the rocky mountains and out the other side…now heading to the Peace River Country….this is the general terrain as we carried on towards Fort Nelson</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2EnTkx6wK_8/T0LCag9EcvI/AAAAAAAAQJU/fMYWRyJ8OxU/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520305%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Vetch and grasses" border="0" alt="Vetch and grasses" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lChBNZ_fJA8/T0LCbkavz9I/AAAAAAAAQJc/40HbBzcxSCQ/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520305_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">took some pictures of the late season grass’s and various types of vetch in flower…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yIf808wF3uQ/T0LCdDiNFVI/AAAAAAAAQJk/Dt8hwE0Rrwg/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520306%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Vetches, clovers and grasses" border="0" alt="Vetches, clovers and grasses" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-h1V1Zi5nZrU/T0LCd-vZ4KI/AAAAAAAAQJs/J8oZ64DnS5c/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520306_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">some others here…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-b1sknUcfnh8/T0LCeZxscjI/AAAAAAAAQJ0/xD1w25-FHN8/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520300%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Viewpoint" border="0" alt="Viewpoint" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ItNn7AB-tDg/T0LCfB7t3lI/AAAAAAAAQJ8/mn4f3JSIuH0/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520300_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="456"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">there was a lookout point just before the town of Fort Nelson…we pulled in, planning on getting out and stretching our legs…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yEdVO8zOmMs/T0LCf4A4ZbI/AAAAAAAAQKE/0BQ8Si9VDOk/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520299%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Uhoh" border="0" alt="Uhoh" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--pWhfBkV6jw/T0LCg48OGRI/AAAAAAAAQKM/5mhqK1SB3u0/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520299_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">when we spotted this guy in the same rest area….</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pmw_ebiKUP8/T0LChunxvkI/AAAAAAAAQKU/0s08arIqyzQ/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520302%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Black Bear" border="0" alt="Black Bear" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-srSgC5ZjJF8/T0LCiS3ekiI/AAAAAAAAQKc/Q-BpTs_gGGg/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520302_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">needless to mention we didn’t get out of the truck…but we did manage to get some of the best Black Bear pictures I’ve ever got!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6ZP2CflNtC4/T0LCjPeCPNI/AAAAAAAAQKk/XdxkKhUTQOg/s1600-h/Pentex%252520625%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="yup! it's bear proof!" border="0" alt="yup! it's bear proof!" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3gD9y9OeAOU/T0LCjyYM3UI/AAAAAAAAQKs/8Z9ZPIrHJ6Q/Pentex%252520625_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">he checked out the ‘bear proof’ garbage containers – yes they really are ‘bear proof’…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sgEuvshIWsk/T0LCkVIkXeI/AAAAAAAAQK0/kIfr355uWJ0/s1600-h/Pentex%252520628%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="or not" border="0" alt="or not" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OFGYJfiNFoU/T0LCk9JYCDI/AAAAAAAAQK8/MXruWLNFF0k/Pentex%252520628_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">and ambled about….thought about our camper for a minute, but then changed his mind…the truck was idling so we would have changed his mind for him if he hadn’t.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mkeprEm9-F0/T0LClhdejDI/AAAAAAAAQLE/6dwIvKPtDo0/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520310%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Young Yellow-bellied Sapsucker" border="0" alt="Young Yellow-bellied Sapsucker" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mUGqB93zwy0/T0LCmWAextI/AAAAAAAAQLM/whUaO3YQefs/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520310_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">continued on to Fort Nelson where there is a dump station at the visitors center. The center is closed ‘off season’ but the dump station was accessible. It was hot and I had the windows down and could hear something ‘tapping’….there is only one lone tree in the middle of the parking area by the dump station and this young Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was on that tree – sort of goes to show you just never know when you’ll see something!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AubEcG_n8y8/T0LCnFIQdAI/AAAAAAAAQLU/cgQlNhf3LxE/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520313%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Buckinghorse River Provincial Park" border="0" alt="Buckinghorse River Provincial Park" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tYwk6570HW8/T0LCnzVSAEI/AAAAAAAAQLc/Gt61tSGrYWU/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520313_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">Pulled into Bucking horse River Provincial Park campground…..</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NlX9xVcDh5U/T0LCoiEkxRI/AAAAAAAAQLk/m1_po9Lwxl8/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520316%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Campground" border="0" alt="Campground" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-P1Vu-JVrZX0/T0LCpjONEGI/AAAAAAAAQLs/oPIHUZfvU2I/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520316_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">and decided to spend the night. This isn’t a very exciting campground but it was open (self serve) and we had the place pretty much to ourselves…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1317D78skIU/T0LCqkTA5UI/AAAAAAAAQL0/zyZqVhzuBc8/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520315%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Gray Jay" border="0" alt="Gray Jay" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-74cBw76wsr0/T0LCr3GkmRI/AAAAAAAAQL8/TdE0Cq60FaY/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520315_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="459"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">there were some Gray Jay’s here that were obviously used to people – mind you there is a very large work camp just the other side of the road from the campground so no doubt they really are used to people.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FpjRoi9zNp8/T0LCscNPKBI/AAAAAAAAQME/i06asC-SGW4/s1600-h/Pentex%252520631%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Buckinghorse River" border="0" alt="Buckinghorse River" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YCWvAr2V2Ww/T0LCtNY58nI/AAAAAAAAQMM/_pTcdwtK2d4/Pentex%252520631_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">this is the river that gives the place it’s name…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2PZfABiT-IQ/T0LCuMua2pI/AAAAAAAAQMU/GTLjkFgN5lE/s1600-h/Pentex%252520634%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Sopalia Berries" border="0" alt="Sopalia Berries" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Fyr8mP2UASY/T0LCu7i8X2I/AAAAAAAAQMc/RgxkrglzJP8/Pentex%252520634_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">only other thing of interest was this Soopollie bush – absolutely covered in berries.</font></p> <p><font size="4">The next day would be the most frustrating and miserable day of the entire trip….and the next not much better so I’ll probably blend the two….</font></p> Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10519628597333512854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762540566132767959.post-52280747855803244802012-02-18T16:33:00.001-08:002012-02-18T16:33:39.930-08:00Back to the Dempster 2011 – Part 21 b<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rKqmFqit97Q/T0BDB5Hhi_I/AAAAAAAAQDU/rXEoDkuzg6U/s1600-h/Pentex%252520623%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="The campsite" border="0" alt="The campsite" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CSvBU7k2ZRo/T0BDCoTjflI/AAAAAAAAQDc/VsBmX3ruiYU/Pentex%252520623_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">Reached Summit Lake Provincial Park by mid-afternoon and got a nice campsite right on the lake. This is a lovely little alpine lake…but as it turns out, this would be the last night it would be open. This is something that makes me furious about B.C. provincial campgrounds….I can understand not having a host at sites in the off season, but must they be gated!!!! Why not just leave them until nature shuts them down. People do travel in September, even way up here and need a place to park….and things weren’t to get much better as we headed south!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PUN8GcOv574/T0BDDU801EI/AAAAAAAAQDk/QhJoHnD6tbI/s1600-h/Pentex%252520608%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Evening" border="0" alt="Evening" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Ji7CBrGRzls/T0BDD9vjJbI/AAAAAAAAQDs/Te6XCh7qz2U/Pentex%252520608_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">I was standing on a foot bridge at the outlet of the lake to get this picture. You can just see the back of our camper and the Alaska highway as it runs along the far shore. There was a steady stream of RV’s heading east along the road, all the long weekenders heading back home to Fort St. John!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5WGgjbVfvhc/T0BDFfljEcI/AAAAAAAAQD0/1a7B9N9hAl0/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520277%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Fall colour along the trail" border="0" alt="Fall colour along the trail" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sooHzsgn4vE/T0BDGX7SXgI/AAAAAAAAQD8/njspsTq8l0c/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520277_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">spent the afternoon wandering along the trail that ran on the far shore of the lake….there were also a network of trails that went up the hill and on to further spots – but wasn’t up to the climb.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qMzO-umyQag/T0BDHlMk_hI/AAAAAAAAQEE/IvqKad5iZh8/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520276%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Creeping Raspberry and Bear Berry" border="0" alt="Creeping Raspberry and Bear Berry" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Go7hu6u5LFw/T0BDIj5lFMI/AAAAAAAAQEM/KuiOeUji0Ow/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520276_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">contented myself with getting other shots…like the above…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-m1H2yF94rqQ/T0BDJeYI8qI/AAAAAAAAQEU/kysxCHDjsmI/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520275%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Creeping Raspberry berry" border="0" alt="Creeping Raspberry berry" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bVrmaeP6Rto/T0BDKcPEDvI/AAAAAAAAQEc/MfIreC-fwBs/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520275_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">and this one showing a Creeping Raspberry ‘raspberry’ – something I’d never seen before!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AH59XwfFstc/T0BDLV6BVHI/AAAAAAAAQEk/yWTXfToRRUc/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520292%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Wild Strawberry berries" border="0" alt="Wild Strawberry berries" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-r90r-36fZBU/T0BDMuHOqKI/AAAAAAAAQEs/vGZmFBm6ulo/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520292_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">there were also Wild Strawberry ‘strawberries’ something you rarely see as someone has usually eaten them!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Z5Ryf7RojR0/T0BDNDXzjOI/AAAAAAAAQE0/gOZNVtktDog/s1600-h/Pentex%252520614%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Fall Colour" border="0" alt="Fall Colour" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-K8IQsFfWrGk/T0BDN1XA-uI/AAAAAAAAQE8/qSGsSmAPR3I/Pentex%252520614_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="323" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">It was just very pretty….</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ivkWSia_S-s/T0BDO_AovmI/AAAAAAAAQFE/mbNoBPsBQCE/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520279%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Creeping Raspberries" border="0" alt="Creeping Raspberries" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3PA9ARu0wh0/T0BDQJzCJFI/AAAAAAAAQFM/7l0u-IvC61Q/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520279_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">Here are some even better ‘raspberries’…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IyD5SM69WLw/T0BDRBcAMvI/AAAAAAAAQFU/nqL6inGvzbU/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520282%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="another late anemone" border="0" alt="another late anemone" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Qs2eVpnMUts/T0BDRxj-PnI/AAAAAAAAQFc/SoRlRSpV1iY/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520282_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">a late flowering anemone – I imagine this hillside is pretty spectacular in spring with wildflowers…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4A3RGI7bC0M/T0BDStkfc3I/AAAAAAAAQFk/w7S42esarYw/s1600-h/Olympus%252520089%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Mighty Fisherman" border="0" alt="Mighty Fisherman" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8E0-LNEtAPo/T0BDTZy0pEI/AAAAAAAAQFs/9wRtC-eYeZk/Olympus%252520089_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">Ernie decided to try his luck at fishing for a bit – didn’t catch anything….</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-l8KKvVLdhyw/T0BDVF_2YZI/AAAAAAAAQF0/DiWkIjK036U/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520291%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Evening shot from bridge" border="0" alt="Evening shot from bridge" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rpQnVZkqfx4/T0BDVu26iJI/AAAAAAAAQF8/GteCyEYSpuo/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520291_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">this was a late evening shot…also from the outlet of the lake..</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5va5zzyzBqE/T0BDWRrk86I/AAAAAAAAQGE/WYlL0siT1uM/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520286%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Lincoln Sparrow" border="0" alt="Lincoln Sparrow" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dSQKbJi9aJ0/T0BDXJ_nJXI/AAAAAAAAQGM/HVhTsXyd9EE/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520286_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">Birds were virtually non-existent…but I did spot this Lincoln’s Sparrow…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0jfS_kWb2hc/T0BDX5NDuCI/AAAAAAAAQGU/TNZY8hIjoWo/s1600-h/Pentex%252520617%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Busy Beaver" border="0" alt="Busy Beaver" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RjM8hI53iF4/T0BDYsmUV2I/AAAAAAAAQGc/xcX_1HAG7DQ/Pentex%252520617_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">and there were obviously some rather industrious Beaver in the area.</font></p> Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10519628597333512854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762540566132767959.post-82319699739040235582012-02-16T16:40:00.001-08:002012-02-16T16:40:13.977-08:00Back to the Dempster 2011 – Part 21 a<p><font size="4">Today would be my day to pick a spot I wanted to stay – and that spot was Summit Lake which is the highest spot on the Alaska highway. We had stopped at this lovely little campground on our previous trip but I had been so mad at the arrogant person who was looking after the park, where we had stopped for lunch and might well have considered staying – if this person hadn’t been so rude – but that is past history…for now we pulled out of Laird Hot Springs, this now being the Monday of the long weekend, and set off on the highway…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VYy6wD2yRSU/Tz2hUS7JnwI/AAAAAAAAP8k/vTsAdqiRdC8/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520255%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="all over the road" border="0" alt="all over the road" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-E6TnvD1NhBg/Tz2hVRLzcBI/AAAAAAAAP8s/Lpg16vXGxIs/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520255_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">it didn’t take very long to run into animals (not literally!) – at almost the same spot where the Wood Bison had been the day before, today there were Stone Sheep…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7kwGzO6Jgiw/Tz2hWlgTm2I/AAAAAAAAP80/4Q9z5zaH000/s1600-h/Pentex%252520549%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Cute or what?" border="0" alt="Cute or what?" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8ewzQttwAjs/Tz2hX-O1YwI/AAAAAAAAP88/TM4r6XEXYFE/Pentex%252520549_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429"></a></p> <p><font size="4">and since this is a species only found in these northern climes, you’ll have to bear with me while I post quite a few pictures – in fact this whole posting is going to be pretty much animals… above one of the young ones…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dDVE9uDfFcI/Tz2hYxUTT2I/AAAAAAAAP9E/onNCgNWIB_4/s1600-h/Pentex%252520550%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="mom and youngster" border="0" alt="mom and youngster" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UEgpAbpZnAw/Tz2haDdRcTI/AAAAAAAAP9M/2G9nZZTBi_Q/Pentex%252520550_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">here with mom….</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SiSbicTVbSA/Tz2haycRpfI/AAAAAAAAP9U/mOxEg2viijo/s1600-h/Pentex%252520551%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Pentex 551" border="0" alt="Pentex 551" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fD5jrzFd9Fk/Tz2hbsIr9CI/AAAAAAAAP9c/GYAdmaBc3nk/Pentex%252520551_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="417"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">they are licking, I assume, salt from the roadway….</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UBpWzIdDmdE/Tz2hccR4huI/AAAAAAAAP9k/Tvepa64fKt8/s1600-h/Pentex%252520562%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Not moving" border="0" alt="Not moving" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aYsSypZcnR4/Tz2hdEA95JI/AAAAAAAAP9s/c3o85XgrvCo/Pentex%252520562_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">this guy was completely relaxed right beside the road…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-g1pnqwAeBJo/Tz2heeH93DI/AAAAAAAAP90/ifTGLN8c3hI/s1600-h/Pentex%252520559%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="On the hillside" border="0" alt="On the hillside" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--d4i3TCup7M/Tz2hfQ9AAlI/AAAAAAAAP98/e9aSPvYB0dg/Pentex%252520559_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">and we’ll leave it with this female and a couple of young ones…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-h909FBKWMZ8/Tz2hgJOLkpI/AAAAAAAAP-A/qwzSRaK1OHM/s1600-h/Pentex%252520573%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Muncho Lake" border="0" alt="Muncho Lake" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-N_Ofb0TR260/Tz2hg8tpsRI/AAAAAAAAP-I/h4LWzWGXjq0/Pentex%252520573_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">stopped at the look out that over looks the north end of Muncho lake – you can just make out a lodge in about the middle of the picture – this place has the distinction of having the highest priced fuel on the entire Alaska Highway – unfortunately we had to ‘top up’…and pay the price!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eU4A_u5zscs/Tz2hhS2mrPI/AAAAAAAAP-Q/ClETtgL_hXc/s1600-h/Pentex%252520564%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Stone Sheep Ewe" border="0" alt="Stone Sheep Ewe" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3Bk-hp8TlsU/Tz2hiTK7qXI/AAAAAAAAP-Y/jFuFUdzAIEI/Pentex%252520564_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="414"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">a bit further along we came across another ewe</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OCDQtmd_VZ0/Tz2hjHedm7I/AAAAAAAAP-g/XoIbtzUwaCI/s1600-h/Pentex%252520565%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Young one" border="0" alt="Young one" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6g1A86aeXAw/Tz2hj59MNCI/AAAAAAAAP-o/gqVb5PDgCJg/Pentex%252520565_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="408"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">and lamb….they were quite happy with us out taking pictures….</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7gsdyD1dAKc/Tz2hkfu23jI/AAAAAAAAP-w/-Z2noXMfgqI/s1600-h/Pentex%252520567%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Stone Sheep" border="0" alt="Stone Sheep" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5gj6bl2MJ0I/Tz2hlUOitgI/AAAAAAAAP-4/YjRNu6EQUx0/Pentex%252520567_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="433"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">but the moment that Ernie went to get Shantz out of her crate – they were off like a shot!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9jfTD1H4PwY/Tz2hmH7FuYI/AAAAAAAAP_A/d2L-SeyUYBk/s1600-h/Pentex%252520568%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Pentex 568" border="0" alt="Pentex 568" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HkteRGWaZds/Tz2hmrSs_aI/AAAAAAAAP_I/-BEy_SA9eOw/Pentex%252520568_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="442"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">there they go! and if he hadn’t had a firm grip on Shantz, she would have been right on their heels – lesson learned! although knowing Ernie, probably not.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Negotiated the narrow winding road along the edge of Muncho Lake and had just reached the far end when…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uOIY2O_ZTe8/Tz2hnyqdaOI/AAAAAAAAP_Q/9Pb3oEZ6hRE/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520265%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Caribou" border="0" alt="Caribou" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vMg_TdBr3bU/Tz2homYTmYI/AAAAAAAAP_c/5k7xgr0Kj1c/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520265_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">Caribou! After hoping to see Caribou while on the Dempster, it would turn out that today would be a ‘Caribou’ day on the Alaska Highway! Of course these are ‘woodland’ caribou but they really don’t look any different from those that live on the tundra.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ug5TMmBEh1I/Tz2hpj1WP_I/AAAAAAAAP_k/MY4B72n9NWc/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520266%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Caribou" border="0" alt="Caribou" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jVczsMAVAIo/Tz2hsJWbjGI/AAAAAAAAP_s/Mp49rDG3gPI/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520266_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="458"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">they too were feeding on minerals at the side of the road…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DBZVGuQh1pE/Tz2htFJg84I/AAAAAAAAP_0/b4dumk-SeWw/s1600-h/Ernies%252520175%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="close" border="0" alt="close" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AM32bfMpNZM/Tz2huYrNWyI/AAAAAAAAP_8/oa9_kwL7dVQ/Ernies%252520175_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">and since you only find these guys in the north…you’ll get a bunch of pictures of them as well!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pKD0MJbAGuQ/Tz2hvBQXcYI/AAAAAAAAQAE/E_fxdRW8LRs/s1600-h/Pentex%252520587%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="at the side of the road" border="0" alt="at the side of the road" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LYIG3ikEQUc/Tz2hwJ7eIWI/AAAAAAAAQAM/uNwDt0q0JAA/Pentex%252520587_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="415"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">quite the set of antlers on this male…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iSQdF7uLYQ4/Tz2hw5HFvtI/AAAAAAAAQAU/arZ-_AR8YWg/s1600-h/Pentex%252520584%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="with a background" border="0" alt="with a background" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pmFJUbKZswM/Tz2hxQdKQyI/AAAAAAAAQAc/0d-Q4IsQmkE/Pentex%252520584_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="323" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">I tried to get a few pictures that looked like they were other than at the side of a road….</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7u25PWN_2TM/Tz2hyZiClgI/AAAAAAAAQAk/t9B6gn5mvEw/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520273%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Folded Mountain" border="0" alt="Folded Mountain" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8D_IbzEP2ns/Tz2hzL4wVZI/AAAAAAAAQAs/nuX_gC42Ies/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520273_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="450"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">continued on….here is ‘Folded Mountain’ – unfortunately the lighting doesn’t show off the rock formation very well…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oJLXuwozvT4/Tz2h0VBCBvI/AAAAAAAAQA0/qsCRvnRk5tk/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520270%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="terribly stressed out caribou" border="0" alt="terribly stressed out caribou" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cF2zfvuix8g/Tz2h1cmOq7I/AAAAAAAAQA8/EA-yZ8TBDl8/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520270_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">we continued to see Caribou along the route. It wasn’t until I downloaded these pictures that I realized how thin and stressed out this poor animal was! Something must have been after it although I didn’t see anything. It was up on a hillside…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gDFAErRpBAM/Tz2h2Lc0WHI/AAAAAAAAQBE/V9fBHQwKUMc/s1600-h/Pentex%252520591%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Scenery along the highway" border="0" alt="Scenery along the highway" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gKEZWC2LMgo/Tz2h2pJu2VI/AAAAAAAAQBM/bdfPJrjG3KI/Pentex%252520591_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">We passed this pretty spot….there had been a number of RV’s parked in I guess a ‘known only to locals’ camping area at the far end of this spot…looked like a great place to do some canoeing….</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bfDpdRScX04/Tz2h3p7zA9I/AAAAAAAAQBU/QPHKdJZSudc/s1600-h/Pentex%252520602%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="part of the herd" border="0" alt="part of the herd" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EwqX2U84VRE/Tz2h5C5fm3I/AAAAAAAAQBc/MzlnWEa5cno/Pentex%252520602_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429"></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><font size="4">and yet more Caribou…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-s9HAprtw33Q/Tz2h5-DUavI/AAAAAAAAQBk/lI_Ef0u-GZI/s1600-h/Pentex%252520597%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Caribou" border="0" alt="Caribou" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-j-U3SumY5Ek/Tz2h6rdWl3I/AAAAAAAAQBs/ZiAJq2SHAu0/Pentex%252520597_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">this being probably one of the better pictures….we would reach our destination of Summit Lake Provincial Park by mid-afternoon, and I’ll save it for part b because this site gets unhappy if you try to upload too many pictures in one posting!</font></p> Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10519628597333512854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762540566132767959.post-88783782112733354852012-02-15T14:22:00.001-08:002012-02-15T14:22:34.621-08:00Back to the Dempster 2011 – Part 20<p><font size="4">Now, on Sunday of the Labor Day long weekend, we would pack up and head back up the Alaska Highway to the campsite at the Liard Hot Springs…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JxUuH5z25Xw/TzwvrUU1WbI/AAAAAAAAP3k/0g_SJoqCCiM/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520227%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Highway? who cares!" border="0" alt="Highway? who cares!" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Qz-P3zDHflM/TzwvsD_s_sI/AAAAAAAAP3s/6YkQ169626o/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520227_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">hadn’t gone very far up the highway when we encountered this herd of Wood Bison….</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-z22KPdtadDQ/Tzwvs_3PWbI/AAAAAAAAP30/zeSYgZMkJb8/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520224%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Bison on the bank" border="0" alt="Bison on the bank" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MiTeCIXPm5M/Tzwvt6UeL7I/AAAAAAAAP38/6TF_zUYP0m8/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520224_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="449"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">so might as well take some time and look at Wood Bison pictures…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WT7uVkGdxSo/Tzwvue1i8_I/AAAAAAAAP4E/EHYdbOuyEiY/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520230%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="walkin' on the road" border="0" alt="walkin' on the road" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HOqH0brR-z4/TzwvvDQ8LvI/AAAAAAAAP4M/uBLfUq-5nYs/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520230_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">why did the bison cross the road? To tie up traffic would be my guess!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-q-1LQGE_m6Q/Tzwvvxs468I/AAAAAAAAP4U/Gi00xXWmhlg/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520231%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="now a young one" border="0" alt="now a young one" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KLFMZJE9pxU/Tzwvwj25qJI/AAAAAAAAP4c/-zJtYz9z0Cs/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520231_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">they learn young…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9hdStVU3x9U/TzwvxpcxnPI/AAAAAAAAP4k/dN8cGql0SJc/s1600-h/Pentex%252520542%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="adult and young one" border="0" alt="adult and young one" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dvCiZAls4Fw/TzwvymzUkmI/AAAAAAAAP4s/pmQd3wrA-yk/Pentex%252520542_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">more of them out this window as well…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_DSqzqRzBAM/TzwvzSkFxqI/AAAAAAAAP40/My10TXkDKJ0/s1600-h/Pentex%252520543%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="little guy" border="0" alt="little guy" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9w9Hmw7J1wY/Tzwv0QhzWUI/AAAAAAAAP48/94d5Dd45_7A/Pentex%252520543_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">kind of cute in a homely way…</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PT4K3nhMXaM/Tzwv1LqnUiI/AAAAAAAAP5E/4enLdIYDMNg/s1600-h/Pentex%252520548%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Pentex 548" border="0" alt="Pentex 548" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-v9EL4TCbB88/Tzwv1_vkcRI/AAAAAAAAP5M/LgOQZ3ojNFc/Pentex%252520548_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="623" height="484"></a></p> <p><font size="4">and this would be the best ‘head shot’ I’d get – look at all the burrs and bits in the fur….needs a good grooming!</font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Wk42LRi1iH4/Tzwv2oRXEVI/AAAAAAAAP5U/moz5o50Iprg/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520233%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Liard Hot Springs" border="0" alt="Liard Hot Springs" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bbl7tk2PoBU/Tzwv3RpzTsI/AAAAAAAAP5c/lsgq_h1nK_8/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520233_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a></p> <p><font size="4">proceeded on to the campground, and true to his word, the park host had saved us a spot. It was even a fairly private spot in this rather packed campground. By now the weather had cleared so we set off for a walk along the boardwalk to the actual hot springs…this is along the way…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hMoBJDpu69w/Tzwv4UkT5wI/AAAAAAAAP5k/vI-rlMZ6NpE/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520235%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Mallards in the reeds" border="0" alt="Mallards in the reeds" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BduDuLXRtdM/Tzwv5w-30PI/AAAAAAAAP5s/7NZcEEAwCNA/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520235_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p></p> <p><font size="4">there were a family of Mallards paddling around in the warm water….</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cBRQpF-DbG0/Tzwv6uOzKDI/AAAAAAAAP50/Hs5Qx3MJlus/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520236%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Mallard in the muck" border="0" alt="Mallard in the muck" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-y5eTRcQR5BE/Tzwv7EnLAnI/AAAAAAAAP58/KlykvOvVHPk/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520236_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">closer look at one of them and the ‘muck’ they were feeding in….</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EuISJl5GNBY/Tzwv8OvtOGI/AAAAAAAAP6E/yMTZq-fmZMU/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520240%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="a drainage area" border="0" alt="a drainage area" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Rs_A8fmbR9s/Tzwv9EY_esI/AAAAAAAAP6M/_UnEBVlLgVw/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520240_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">this spot is a bit ‘off trail’ and behind where the actual hot springs are located…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LX6bwic9V6w/Tzwv-KPXEQI/AAAAAAAAP6U/xQ6NOqFpXCw/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520242%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="The hanging gardens" border="0" alt="The hanging gardens" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Ox3njeeHnag/Tzwv-4SvHUI/AAAAAAAAP6c/UBpqgNaIbnI/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520242_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">the boardwalk now ends at the hanging gardens – not looking terribly ‘garden like’ this time of the year. You used to be able to walk to the upper springs, but that has now been completely blocked off due to a very rare endangered snail that lives in those springs…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HWfkVfnYHxQ/TzwwAEIrZKI/AAAAAAAAP6k/wY31IoMUDbU/s1600-h/Ernies%252520151%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="along the boardwalk" border="0" alt="along the boardwalk" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-u9EkijAHPlo/TzwwBHO3QzI/AAAAAAAAP6s/QasZk710cJ0/Ernies%252520151_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">here is some of the vegetation along the board walk…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tSCXJxhYQck/TzwwB6bP2-I/AAAAAAAAP60/zVrDP5dVp70/s1600-h/Ernies%252520156%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="The hot springs" border="0" alt="The hot springs" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--G0jYtAabPY/TzwwCzh-cRI/AAAAAAAAP68/pfpJ3NmP1qE/Ernies%252520156_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">and a small corner of the hot springs themselves…I really didn’t want a picture of all the occupants of the springs…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xKkcx3aIPqk/TzwwDiThxuI/AAAAAAAAP7E/aVwmfSraaWs/s1600-h/Ernies%252520155%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Black Bear" border="0" alt="Black Bear" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nZIQLsLlTT0/TzwwEhao5eI/AAAAAAAAP7M/EEKAm61bQpY/Ernies%252520155_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">Later, Ernie went back to indulge in a soak in the springs…and found that the signs warning ‘Bear in area’ are there for a reason as this guy was walking along not far from the board walk….</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZfPCHFeeZ0s/TzwwFnBm9SI/AAAAAAAAP7U/xwndkJ0_NHA/s1600-h/Olympus%252520083%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Black Bear up a tree in the campground" border="0" alt="Black Bear up a tree in the campground" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iRIRhwXWUek/TzwwGSbKY6I/AAAAAAAAP7c/unmrDPNuSR4/Olympus%252520083_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">later in the afternoon, either the same, or another bear was in the campground – see it up that tree?</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nrImim4YEhg/TzwwHCgIMOI/AAAAAAAAP7k/JRAY0z1aMXs/s1600-h/Olympus%252520087%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="like father, like daughter...." border="0" alt="like father, like daughter...." src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8Ac0j2m-4Tc/TzwwIMoeDkI/AAAAAAAAP7s/AmaGATvx6Y0/Olympus%252520087_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p></p> <p><font size="4">I like to call this picture ‘like father, like daughter’ – what were they staring at?</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cejbMnYfvoE/TzwwJXa6WYI/AAAAAAAAP70/0yFzGbFFZi8/s1600-h/Olympus%252520084%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Black Bear in a tree" border="0" alt="Black Bear in a tree" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XjDzla-yqQo/TzwwKcf1EGI/AAAAAAAAP78/nkT2pHPQ8TM/Olympus%252520084_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">the bear of course!!</font></p> <p><font size="4">That would pretty much be it for our stay at Laird Hot Springs. The next day we’d be heading to a spot I wanted to stay at….</font></p> Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10519628597333512854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762540566132767959.post-44510182516363489792012-02-14T13:51:00.001-08:002012-02-14T13:51:37.027-08:00Back to the Dempster 2011 – Part 19<p><font size="4">Left Big Creek campground the morning of September 3rd. We were now into the Labor Day weekend but, as it turns out, naively thought that it wouldn’t make a difference ‘up here’.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5HWTMV1TVd0/TzrW-Lzh3VI/AAAAAAAAPx0/Xn7km_F0-9U/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520197%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Watson Lake" border="0" alt="Watson Lake" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TTGAh2_c7mg/TzrW-nRcP1I/AAAAAAAAPx8/PU1sEEhkO4Q/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520197_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">stopped at Watson Lake to dump the holding tanks. There is a nice little park here with a free dumpsite…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XL5UGjj_Lqk/TzrW_XpTOBI/AAAAAAAAPyE/3qVtVPxskKo/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520198%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Red-neck Grebe feeding young - September 3" border="0" alt="Red-neck Grebe feeding young - September 3" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_t8jiPSvjKo/TzrXAB_iziI/AAAAAAAAPyM/afcg8tEZWvc/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520198_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">while Ernie did the dirty work I wandered about and was surprised to see this Red-necked Grebe youngster, still being fed by a parent..</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CEXvfRntcMw/TzrXA61NTnI/AAAAAAAAPyU/tGphGsxGISA/s1600-h/Pentex%252520489%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Fall Colour" border="0" alt="Fall Colour" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ux113e_S1fk/TzrXBussk0I/AAAAAAAAPyc/BcNi72aABSk/Pentex%252520489_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">duties done we were soon back on the highway….that is the Laird River down there…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RSztCQtpdsA/TzrXCBlZhDI/AAAAAAAAPyk/HkwQRcltQBw/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520202%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Nice over view - swans in distance" border="0" alt="Nice over view - swans in distance" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yN0FCFPm4HA/TzrXDNnMkII/AAAAAAAAPys/8qtHph2YG3c/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520202_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">at another spot along the highway we saw a family of Swans way off in the distance…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Up4n5QLBXQA/TzrXELuLmxI/AAAAAAAAPy0/DhU7j11-MI0/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520207%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Canon part 2 207" border="0" alt="Canon part 2 207" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uoi-yv33HEU/TzrXFI_xgwI/AAAAAAAAPy8/PxUtKaG_wNU/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520207_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">we are now back in British Columbia and also back in ‘Bison’ country…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-emg2HUrcRys/TzrXFqbvxKI/AAAAAAAAPzE/DniT9mk5iFU/s1600-h/Pentex%252520494%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Buffalo head" border="0" alt="Buffalo head" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4JgDDM_ui-M/TzrXGS8mkxI/AAAAAAAAPzM/iKpBn8M_HvE/Pentex%252520494_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">here is an up close and personal look at a Wood Bison head….</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vZg91drk-1o/TzrXHKLIHKI/AAAAAAAAPzU/wAe5FH_reVU/s1600-h/Pentex%252520500%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Pentex 500" border="0" alt="Pentex 500" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0luHl_iQzRQ/TzrXHt_uZoI/AAAAAAAAPzc/NOEgcweXEaA/Pentex%252520500_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="323" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">stopped at the Laird River – there is a very small ‘rough and ready’ camping area here…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wnK5mg04Tgw/TzrXITYRlLI/AAAAAAAAPzk/st91EQTOh2w/s1600-h/Nikon%252520226%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Liard River" border="0" alt="Liard River" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--8l7200LxxE/TzrXJHqOZQI/AAAAAAAAPzs/MGudxyFESmQ/Nikon%252520226_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">The river makes an abrupt turn at his point…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1e1pQjTcnvk/TzrXJkiIJeI/AAAAAAAAPz0/80BluB63yyo/s1600-h/Pentex%252520505%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Fall Aster" border="0" alt="Fall Aster" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ljnKioVJEhg/TzrXKGHSr6I/AAAAAAAAPz8/HDurmlfYHN0/Pentex%252520505_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="323" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">These asters were in flower – not sure of the exact variety that they are…</font></p> <p><font size="4">Our plan had been to stay at Laird Hot Springs, however, when we got there the campground was full (remember it was Labor day weekend and this is a campground you can reserve and as we found out – it is a favorite long weekend destination for residents of Fort St. John) so we continued on to Muncho Lake …</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7d4h9LWth0E/TzrXKjgPRpI/AAAAAAAAP0E/93ot5rVbWhc/s1600-h/Pentex%252520511%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="McDonald Campground - Muncho Lake" border="0" alt="McDonald Campground - Muncho Lake" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wts4L01PatQ/TzrXLZAzuzI/AAAAAAAAP0M/bzxUwoQFm20/Pentex%252520511_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">Where we found McDonald Campground on the north end of Muncho Lake to still have some vacancies so we quickly grabbed a spot. I much prefer this campground to Laird…far more scenic and far less busy…but Ernie, for some reason had his heart set on staying at the hot springs…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oTOSPBP6WWc/TzrXL1GuKkI/AAAAAAAAP0U/M9qr-X8_udE/s1600-h/Pentex%252520513%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Muncho Lake in the evening" border="0" alt="Muncho Lake in the evening" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--LRHh2hKpXo/TzrXMgiLkZI/AAAAAAAAP0c/Y61gY6VnGho/Pentex%252520513_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">All of these campsites back right onto the lake. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lNJEnLjdsFM/TzrXNmAwqEI/AAAAAAAAP0k/-gVhnYkpKhs/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520217%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Different perspective" border="0" alt="Different perspective" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dmLs0RGpK0w/TzrXOvVrsNI/AAAAAAAAP0s/0fouw1DrmqE/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520217_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">In spring the wildflowers in this campground are spectacular….now it was time for ‘fall colour’</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ywXtA2pCPSE/TzrXPGid6uI/AAAAAAAAP00/PTVjYMzmQ9o/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520208%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="late flower" border="0" alt="late flower" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eqxqEcxadP8/TzrXP7BT7nI/AAAAAAAAP08/6-GS4tcxQys/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520208_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">found a few late bloomers….</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QcH14mCGC_c/TzrXQiRhzDI/AAAAAAAAP1E/4bKF-A_lR4k/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520214%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Interesting seed head" border="0" alt="Interesting seed head" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-w8LouJ2g0jA/TzrXRQ_ZiHI/AAAAAAAAP1M/I8PaveL2c-g/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520214_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">and some interesting seed heads – I’m not sure what this is a seed head off…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YX07CQUMPfI/TzrXSBQRvoI/AAAAAAAAP1U/QFPQQMufA88/s1600-h/Pentex%252520517%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="interesting vegetation" border="0" alt="interesting vegetation" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Fgu3Y34c_AM/TzrXSs_YpxI/AAAAAAAAP1c/flYx91qSeBE/Pentex%252520517_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="323" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">but they were quite tall as this picture shows…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--cjdCZgWpWo/TzrXTZlfZ5I/AAAAAAAAP1k/HIW1Nj6T8PI/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520219%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="High Bush Cranberry" border="0" alt="High Bush Cranberry" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hVgsbHo8EL8/TzrXUA1BBII/AAAAAAAAP1s/MJYBFviLWoo/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520219_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484"></a><font size="4">The High-bush Cranberry were pretty spectacular…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jVpJkZJVj4o/TzrXUdDbgrI/AAAAAAAAP10/BSJnQZUSLxQ/s1600-h/Pentex%252520514%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Northern Grass of Parnassus" border="0" alt="Northern Grass of Parnassus" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_CVz3lkWsvY/TzrXUwyXFWI/AAAAAAAAP18/TnrDqADnWic/Pentex%252520514_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="428"></a></p> <p><font size="4">and there were some of those Northern Grass of Parnassus here as well.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-klBn7dWJZAs/TzrXVpR7KTI/AAAAAAAAP2E/4E6Yd-cJOJU/s1600-h/Pentex%252520522%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Evening Lake" border="0" alt="Evening Lake" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-M-ybfFmV7Qs/TzrXWKRu_vI/AAAAAAAAP2M/zVvoSeEQcck/Pentex%252520522_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429"></a> </p> <p></p> <p><font size="4">here is an evening shot of the lake…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tb11kMBsYIQ/TzrXWjbETrI/AAAAAAAAP2U/-_da4mJsBag/s1600-h/Pentex%252520526%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Evening" border="0" alt="Evening" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-I5DthzKIFDI/TzrXXS5-oTI/AAAAAAAAP2c/e4r_z8bmD8M/Pentex%252520526_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">and another….if you notice there are some birds just off of those reeds…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-42nRL1Pf3cs/TzrXYBNf7mI/AAAAAAAAP2k/4jBTszXAlcE/s1600-h/Nikon%252520235%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Greater White-fronted Geese" border="0" alt="Greater White-fronted Geese" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-l9YSNBmTcdo/TzrXYoImIcI/AAAAAAAAP2s/T3I_k30GtM8/Nikon%252520235_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">They were Greater White-fronted Geese. They had been on shore when Ernie (who took this picture) had been in the area, but had moved out by the time I got there.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pggNTLn1YXQ/TzrXZErxTUI/AAAAAAAAP20/2nyQBxyNuJw/s1600-h/Pentex%252520535%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Juvenile Bald Eagle" border="0" alt="Juvenile Bald Eagle" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nqsWjGdm5ME/TzrXZ6wQODI/AAAAAAAAP28/D0v09q6_JRE/Pentex%252520535_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="349" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">This juvenile Bald Eagle was also there but it was getting pretty dark for taking pictures by this time. It was about this time that the park manager came to collect fees and when Ernie complained about not being able to get into Liard….the fellow said ‘no problem’ I’ll leave your name at the gate, and save a spot for you…so in the morning we would be retracing our route back to Liard Hot Springs.</font></p> Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10519628597333512854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762540566132767959.post-46336067394325477862012-02-09T19:11:00.001-08:002012-02-09T19:11:07.972-08:00Back to the Dempster 2011 – Part 18<p><font size="4">This won’t be a very exciting posting. It was September 2nd when we left Whitehorse and headed east on the Alaska Highway.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-v0dSf_BSdEc/TzSKZOEeZoI/AAAAAAAAPrE/Tr2y2m9auQs/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520183%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="The countryside" border="0" alt="The countryside" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bvjhVa8kXgo/TzSKaDUR7-I/AAAAAAAAPrM/qkqEntpWlKo/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520183_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">it is a long stretch…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qnEg6nASklg/TzSKbPrEUBI/AAAAAAAAPrU/OnXMf7nY25E/s1600-h/Pentex%252520469%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="The countryside" border="0" alt="The countryside" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_Aym-W9Qs_0/TzSKcVTG05I/AAAAAAAAPrc/lEY4E8s-6HQ/Pentex%252520469_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">stopped at one point along the Alaska Highway – this is the view on one side…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Gfe8_AkSmjk/TzSKcxI7k-I/AAAAAAAAPrk/llcYqPYAOmM/s1600-h/Pentex%252520475%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Moose down there" border="0" alt="Moose down there" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-B5TTVUqIows/TzSKdkphLVI/AAAAAAAAPrs/0ibsBKLcUX8/Pentex%252520475_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="323" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">and on the other a large marsh area….there were a couple of Moose down there…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--YzjSuhDSgw/TzSKeY9b6dI/AAAAAAAAPr0/klLIRg8AmbE/s1600-h/Pentex%252520471%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Moose in the swamp" border="0" alt="Moose in the swamp" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ihAvtenKNFY/TzSKe0QVt6I/AAAAAAAAPr8/DNbgPMYkD9A/Pentex%252520471_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">Like the ones at Gravel Lake – too far away for decent pictures – this was the most moose we’ve seen on anyone trip though…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7KGEq581MUY/TzSKftWga1I/AAAAAAAAPsE/MoRLLzJ3U0s/s1600-h/Pentex%252520465%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Ranchera Falls" border="0" alt="Ranchera Falls" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eIvOv6AvlLk/TzSKgPxc9nI/AAAAAAAAPsM/wCzoOVx-5Kw/Pentex%252520465_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="323" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">Stopped at Rancheria Falls again…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-J02iNSE9pYU/TzSKhPGgTbI/AAAAAAAAPsU/D-OT0cVRiRY/s1600-h/Pentex%252520468%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Mushrooms stored in tree" border="0" alt="Mushrooms stored in tree" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QnSn2_-LwP8/TzSKh9cD2iI/AAAAAAAAPsc/BJPDtyoGUFs/Pentex%252520468_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="323" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">Found this interesting – the squirrels have been storing various mushrooms up in the trees – presumably to dry for a winter food supply…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vSK-PqjHlE8/TzSKi2wroHI/AAAAAAAAPsk/BHhROWxr-vM/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520185%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Smith's Amanita (?)" border="0" alt="Smith's Amanita (?)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4JAol-4aw5o/TzSKj6QjmqI/AAAAAAAAPss/_E1nuBYXm4Q/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520185_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">and speaking of mushrooms there were a lot of these very pretty white ones at the entrance of the trail…not sure of the ID…closest thing I can find are Smith’s Amanita – if that is the case then they are also very poisonous!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BFi1m_JdgeA/TzSKlEMFjBI/AAAAAAAAPs0/ZyztvExj5TA/s1600-h/Olympus%252520076%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Campsite at Big Creek Territorial Campground" border="0" alt="Campsite at Big Creek Territorial Campground" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5FxN429peag/TzSKmfZwX9I/AAAAAAAAPs8/Xb27EITqH4Q/Olympus%252520076_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">Our spot for the night would be at Big Creek Territorial Campground – we had stayed here on our previous trip – although we swore it’s name should have been Big ‘Mosquito’ campground as it was the worst spot for mosquitoes we encountered. Not so this time – bugs simply weren’t an issue this trip. Had we realized at the time that there was another campground not too far down the road near Watson Lake, we would have pushed on – live and learn! As it was we made the best of this rather uninspiring spot.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4KgeMaVBkHE/TzSKnIgqiRI/AAAAAAAAPtE/4TapiCczdwM/s1600-h/Pentex%252520477%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Big Creek" border="0" alt="Big Creek" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-U29HSbI5m1o/TzSKnymQWQI/AAAAAAAAPtM/PSu5tSCPvTk/Pentex%252520477_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">this is ‘Big Creek’….I went for a bit of a walk on the little bit of trail that exists there…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-909yVTVsB5k/TzSKoX3VlmI/AAAAAAAAPtU/xZsWXmqE4qs/s1600-h/Pentex%252520479%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Anemone" border="0" alt="Anemone" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Nk0kuM9o3kI/TzSKo4qt2wI/AAAAAAAAPtc/WSIZDst-LGg/Pentex%252520479_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="338" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">Found this, which appears to be a very late blooming cut-leaf Anemone</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mLWgpA8hax0/TzSKpn4MVjI/AAAAAAAAPtk/egxQykxCv-E/s1600-h/Pentex%252520482%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Red Clover" border="0" alt="Red Clover" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8UiavWKFgzI/TzSKqfNlL7I/AAAAAAAAPts/r5fA7MAPJvU/Pentex%252520482_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="431"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">Was also intrigued by this clover – I’m not sure I’ve ever seen clover quite that colour before!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PTVTqCAWMoc/TzSKqgckf7I/AAAAAAAAPt0/IZ1LaZP1178/s1600-h/Pentex%252520483%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Red Clover" border="0" alt="Red Clover" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MD8dbU6peeg/TzSKredCG5I/AAAAAAAAPt8/Kfuy22yK7Vo/Pentex%252520483_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">Here is a close up of one of the flowers…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zvThxIhUc0E/TzSKsbw5AOI/AAAAAAAAPuE/nGbIrgq1Y8U/s1600-h/Pentex%252520480%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Don't know" border="0" alt="Don't know" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-grf2cKbcoEk/TzSKtl12vQI/AAAAAAAAPuM/o27cywmDEX8/Pentex%252520480_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">there were also these strange fungi that I can’t find in my book…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZdnJGw_GJZA/TzSKuknEITI/AAAAAAAAPuU/7XOvlpROC_Q/s1600-h/Pentex%252520481%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="have no idea" border="0" alt="have no idea" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AYWU5QMDz9I/TzSKvlwOtaI/AAAAAAAAPuc/R6E_DQaLM_0/Pentex%252520481_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">and these, younger versions of the same type I think…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XA5FCv-a8BY/TzSKwsnRmXI/AAAAAAAAPuk/vBcZPqRFCr4/s1600-h/Pentex%252520484%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Lichen of some sort" border="0" alt="Lichen of some sort" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-h6TtoSUyXC0/TzSKxq4nwDI/AAAAAAAAPus/X2Ksh-KDo2Q/Pentex%252520484_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="323" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">and this – a type of lichen I think, but again, I can’t find it in my books…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UuuRnq0hkjU/TzSKyEP1okI/AAAAAAAAPu0/4OxVEKO9xRI/s1600-h/Pentex%252520476%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Colourful fireweed" border="0" alt="Colourful fireweed" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-30w1brd0v9k/TzSKy5BGYhI/AAAAAAAAPu8/hr3RA_XHpNM/Pentex%252520476_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="323" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">Some brilliant flower weed…and that would about do it. The next day would be far more productive in terms of things to photograph!</font></p> Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10519628597333512854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762540566132767959.post-89249790639306643842012-02-08T15:06:00.001-08:002012-02-08T15:06:51.007-08:00Back to the Dempster 2011 – Part 17<p><font size="4">Left Moose Creek Territorial Campground in the morning…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MX3ehGmB9o4/TzL_x7eE07I/AAAAAAAAPmE/1cL1S0jlTMA/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520156%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Sandhills in flight" border="0" alt="Sandhills in flight" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MzwZ1ed9QnA/TzL_yQ2cgFI/AAAAAAAAPmM/GE3TwPsHcLI/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520156_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="430"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">saw a large flock of Sandhill Cranes heading south as we neared Pelly Crossing. Once we reached Carmack’s we had to make the decision of exploring new territory by taking highway #4 to Ross River and then south to Watson Lake, or going back to Whitehorse. We had heard conflicting reports on highway #4…some said it was a great road, comparable to or better than the Dempster, while others said it was awful…unfortunately our choice had been made in the morning by the dogs eyes being worse, and the regulator for the propane tanks acting up off and on all night…Whitehorse it would be.</font></p> <p><font size="4">We later heard from a ‘local’ in Watson Lake that the road from Ross River to Watson Lake was in deplorable condition - the worst he had ever seen – so I guess we made the right decision.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SRuWMNzTvek/TzL_zXZsWlI/AAAAAAAAPmU/6sX6lFjkQ6k/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520160%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Mergansers in the creek" border="0" alt="Mergansers in the creek" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JevZDE9-mcs/TzL_0nciMFI/AAAAAAAAPmY/-PWEuaSo0uU/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520160_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">Stopped at the Tatchun Creek campground for lunch. We had stayed here during our 2009 trip. Were sitting having lunch in the sun when we spotted these Common Mergansers on the creek….</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1-u5EEOeDiw/TzL_1jtIE_I/AAAAAAAAPmg/YrkW2YioL7Y/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520166%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Common Merganser" border="0" alt="Common Merganser" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FPg7ksAPb0k/TzL_2idFjPI/AAAAAAAAPms/MknsW7doWGY/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520166_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">there appeared to be a couple of females with probably a blended family of this years young, not quite ready to fly…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FunApX5GPQY/TzL_3QHQAaI/AAAAAAAAPm0/jr27EP7_35c/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520170%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Mom in the midde" border="0" alt="Mom in the midde" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-B6jMF6fpFe0/TzL_4JCpkfI/AAAAAAAAPm8/_lf_rgmlFRs/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520170_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="417"></a> </p> <p></p> <p><font size="4">you don’t often get this close to Common Mergansers so I’m posting a few pictures – the sun was in the wrong place for really good shots…but the group of them were determined to swim up river which meant going right past us – very cautiously!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YSFrJ0XiARc/TzL_4-4TkiI/AAAAAAAAPnE/s-9jgGB3Loc/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520175%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Mom again" border="0" alt="Mom again" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iX13ewuHl_A/TzL_5vA300I/AAAAAAAAPnM/XslwXbendOg/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520175_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="418"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">here is another look…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XfUGvcHQVQ0/TzL_6S0QWSI/AAAAAAAAPnU/2uhqHb3IwFM/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520177%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="hugging the shore" border="0" alt="hugging the shore" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JcwYba8G2vw/TzL_7Z_ZMVI/AAAAAAAAPnc/vv8MrrI65z0/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520177_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="437"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">and another as they hugged the safety of the far shore as soon as they could reach it…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Hk7KUbcSk9Y/TzL_8DTPfrI/AAAAAAAAPnk/7fugoaKVYCU/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520179%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Shaggy Mane" border="0" alt="Shaggy Mane" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZIVFCRF1QOY/TzL_83I3wqI/AAAAAAAAPns/OMViy7VvyH8/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520179_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">only other item of note here were these Shaggy Mane Mushrooms….</font></p> <p><font size="4">It was a long day but we reached Whitehorse late in the afternoon and headed to the nearest vet clinic. They were booked solid but said they could see us in the morning….so headed out to Wolf Creek Territorial Campground which is just a few kilometers east of the city…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-m1hgXSm2iak/TzL_9lcFNfI/AAAAAAAAPn0/ODBoAJOiCFU/s1600-h/Nikon%252520208%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Yukon River near Whitehorse" border="0" alt="Yukon River near Whitehorse" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mysuBXwhKqY/TzL_-dPXohI/AAAAAAAAPn8/M_qrx5s8_qI/Nikon%252520208_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">In the evening took a walk that over looks the Yukon River… (Ernie took the above picture earlier in the afternoon)</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BJErWK_jnHM/TzL__Pz2twI/AAAAAAAAPoE/gevVJqzmG8s/s1600-h/Pentex%252520461%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Trail along the river" border="0" alt="Trail along the river" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9ECyb5bwhRM/TzL__uktMCI/AAAAAAAAPoM/vwUp0J2FlvE/Pentex%252520461_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429"></a> </p> <p></p> <p><font size="4">This shot shows it is a long way down to the river…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZNGnHDUiCoE/TzMAA3Lf0FI/AAAAAAAAPoU/h6FUSpO3Edw/s1600-h/Pentex%252520462%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="and the other way - looking towards Whitehorse" border="0" alt="and the other way - looking towards Whitehorse" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fwzyUUtoQCw/TzMABW2zD2I/AAAAAAAAPoc/9XebVgDdnDY/Pentex%252520462_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">this is looking back the other way towards Whitehorse…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ET8UOC_ahrM/TzMAB9G42EI/AAAAAAAAPok/gaNIyAn9iG8/s1600-h/Pentex%252520459%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Hairy Woodpecker" border="0" alt="Hairy Woodpecker" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8NyEnhn7JzA/TzMACeb_iiI/AAAAAAAAPos/AQeBa7wmHbY/Pentex%252520459_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="325" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">Only really notable item was this Hairy Woodpecker. Notice how crisp and white it is compared to the ones we are used to here on the coast. Ours are less ‘crisp’ with the white having a yellowish cast.</font></p> <p><font size="4">We would spend the night listening to the ‘tick’ of the propane tanks regulator then next day headed back into Whitehorse to the vet…got the dogs eyes checked and medication for them. Fraser Way RV was almost right next to the vet clinic so we stopped in and the regulator obliged by acting up when the technician came to take a look. They very graciously fit us in and installed a new regulator. Then onto Super Store to stock up on groceries. That pretty much used up the entire day – so back to Wolf Creek where we would spend another night before continuing on.</font></p> Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10519628597333512854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762540566132767959.post-4658152806302342402012-02-07T14:22:00.001-08:002012-02-07T14:22:38.485-08:00Back to the Dempster 2011 – Part 16<p><font size="4">We would leave Dawson City that morning, after doing some shopping…and start heading south…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Vm5pK_R3K2c/TzGj58XEK1I/AAAAAAAAPjE/569QvR4WVgw/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520118%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Gravel Lake" border="0" alt="Gravel Lake" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IVViiRNO4uM/TzGj6rl_E0I/AAAAAAAAPjM/AYRu0zTEYbI/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520118_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">stopped at Gravel Lake for lunch. I spent a futile 15 min. or so chasing a Common Yellowthroat through the bushes – I had been surprised to see them this far north…although after checking my ‘Sibleys’ I found that they do belong even further north during breeding season.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-onzzhh-7z3o/TzGj7SqDUbI/AAAAAAAAPjU/mwT5bfO5u_Y/s1600-h/Nikon%252520178%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Moose at Gravel Lake" border="0" alt="Moose at Gravel Lake" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qFsoWRbxIfU/TzGj85SxSVI/AAAAAAAAPjc/-mi-2juOeZ0/Nikon%252520178_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="470"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">there were a pair of Moose at the far end of the lake – too bad they were so far away as these ones definitely had a good set of antlers…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Fjx0ke2I1HA/TzGj9XlnN7I/AAAAAAAAPjk/wCQnXG7bWzw/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520125%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Moose Creek Territorial Campground" border="0" alt="Moose Creek Territorial Campground" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Rj5BVNiCa2g/TzGj99aTWCI/AAAAAAAAPjs/-Zw4SblCr8U/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520125_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">Pulled into Moose Creek Campground in the early afternoon. It was sunny and warm. We had stopped at this campground on our trip in 2009 – at that time it was very beautiful with flowering lupines' and wild roses – but had also been very buggy. No bugs this time.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-z2hfYdHdlXc/TzGj-vs2PaI/AAAAAAAAPj0/lIYMUpsQgn4/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520128%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Gray Jay" border="0" alt="Gray Jay" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3956EBTQ9hc/TzGj_TrqaKI/AAAAAAAAPj8/fUL-Wycc05E/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520128_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">Gray Jays were here to greet us…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QyEere5Ft5w/TzGkARXhawI/AAAAAAAAPkE/ME83PvYbyow/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520133%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Moose Creek" border="0" alt="Moose Creek" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ouQ5y1vngAQ/TzGkBMv4zvI/AAAAAAAAPkM/VFwqbm4XSCs/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520133_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p></p> <p><font size="4">we took a path that circled back and around…that would be ‘Moose Creek’ down there</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rDuZ8g-OCNg/TzGkB1-mckI/AAAAAAAAPkU/DDlx9btnHjg/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520134%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Blackening Russela - I think" border="0" alt="Blackening Russela - I think" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4wN1uf96OaE/TzGkCg2-m7I/AAAAAAAAPkc/OaeH4IrYbE8/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520134_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">back in ‘mushroom’ country – I think these are ‘Blackening Russela’ growing among the bog cranberry</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qypT59RE-JY/TzGkDWQ9WwI/AAAAAAAAPkk/9L7XuPtsFFM/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520135%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Blackening Russela and Bog Cranberries" border="0" alt="Blackening Russela and Bog Cranberries" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oRuwz-zlFNc/TzGkEGm0VwI/AAAAAAAAPks/pBaHsk5J-YY/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520135_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p><font size="4">here is a ground level shot…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2nz-nwF56aU/TzGkE746JoI/AAAAAAAAPk0/2DjQ8j-r_5w/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520149%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Juvenile Swainson's Thrush" border="0" alt="Juvenile Swainson's Thrush" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Wlu82IIs9n4/TzGkFaQOiXI/AAAAAAAAPk8/sKqgfUowlAc/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520149_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="430"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">there were quite a few young Swainson’s Thrush in the campground..</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gvcW7XkJM6I/TzGkGMMcl5I/AAAAAAAAPlE/Su8wf8yRBgw/s1600-h/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520153%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Swainson's Thrush" border="0" alt="Swainson's Thrush" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hE_DWTfMMQk/TzGkGr9S4BI/AAAAAAAAPlM/GFe27-cyrYU/Canon%252520part%2525202%252520153_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">I amused myself trying to get some decent pictures of them</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Lek9GQ8HoQ0/TzGkHi8jqXI/AAAAAAAAPlU/xHFPqgQpbME/s1600-h/Nikon%252520189%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Red Squirrel eating mushroom" border="0" alt="Red Squirrel eating mushroom" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MXKovffMa3E/TzGkIZiDMBI/AAAAAAAAPlc/jIbpEQuv8MI/Nikon%252520189_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">Ernie went for a walk and found this Red Squirrel eating a mushroom…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EYfy0WYWzmw/TzGkJD3RNsI/AAAAAAAAPlk/8fCfGUujQxA/s1600-h/Nikon%252520199%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Nikon 199" border="0" alt="Nikon 199" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rGuKDadfYQE/TzGkKCmA3aI/AAAAAAAAPls/Nv67andBpLM/Nikon%252520199_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p><font size="4">but his most exciting find was this White-tailed Ptarmigan….of course by the time he got back and told me about it and I got to the spot – it was long gone!</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oLPEGYDkBSA/TzGkKgXRVaI/AAAAAAAAPl0/_B0ncjyT8Uw/s1600-h/Pentex%252520452%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="some fall colour" border="0" alt="some fall colour" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-M5Ywll431wI/TzGkLdfI29I/AAAAAAAAPl8/OEPXlJSgTeg/Pentex%252520452_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="323" height="484"></a></p> <p><font size="4">I had to be content with taking this picture behind our campsite. </font> </p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10519628597333512854noreply@blogger.com0