Autumn Walk

I recognize that I've been neglecting myself lately. While going on walks, or taking hikes, I have not allowed my inner child to explore and look and watch and wait. I realize now how easy it is to forget how to look and see. I need to apologize to myself, and allow the wonder back in.

The changing leaves are wonderfully vibrant this year. With their help in luring me out, I took a walk to capture whatever captured me.

A small hornet's nest on a Hawthorn tree

A bumblebee supping at the flowers of a Goldenrod

Beautiful fall colors along the hiking trail

Part of the reason I went out today was just to enjoy what I could find. But somewhere inside I had the hope of maybe catching a quick view of a snake slithering across the trail, or in the brush off to the side. As I walked, I heard several small animals up in the trees, or down in leaves and grass. Then I heard the sound I was looking for - a soft, constant, rustle of leaves. And there it was, a small Eastern Racer, slowly moving along the side of the trail. 

I followed it, mostly by sound, hoping it would stop in a place where I could get a nice look without scaring it away. Well camouflaged, it did stop. And it took some time to locate it with my camera. 

I did finally find it's cute little head. Every time I moved slightly, the little black tongue would pop out, tasting the air. 

Continuing down the trail, there were more beautiful colors to enjoy.

On my return trip, to my delight, what appeared to be the same snake came into view again and stopped with it's head perfectly framed by surrounding leaves. Immediately after I took this picture it was on it's way again. And so was I.

Avoiding Video Games

School being out as it is for a few more days means the kids are home, and bored, and love playing video games - the really loud, shoot 'em up, killing kind. Well, my little nerves can only take so much of that, so I took another walk along the Jordan River yesterday. Awe. Peace and quite and beauty and some good birds.

A flock of about 10 White-crowned Sparrows. Pretty little birds.

 

Another Kestrel. Probably the same one from the day before.

 

Not birds, but still very pretty to watch.

 

And one I don't often see - a Wilson's Snipe.

 

The snipe making an escape from the camera.

Other birds today included Mourning Doves, a Cooper's Hawk, House Finch, many House Sparrows, Starlings, about 25 Canada Geese, Song Sparrow, Juncos, and others.

Taking walks on winter days is quite peaceful.

Nice Winter Walks

Merry Christmas (a little late in coming) and Happy New Year (right on time).

Last Saturday was the Heber Valley Christmas Bird Count. Our numbers were few - we only had 9 birders covering quite a bit of area. And though we didn't see a lot of birds (48 species total - maybe a record low), we had some good ones, like Tundra Swans, Wood Ducks, Great Horned Owls, and others. But it was a great day. The weather was cold, but clear.

It got me in the mood to get out again. So yesterday I decided to take a little walk along the Jordan River. It was a great, snowy walk.

Snowy Bridge

American Kestrel

American Robin

 

Mallards

Common Goldeneye

Northern Flicker

I think I need to go back out today since I have it off - required furlough from work.

October in the Wasatch Mountains

The weather has been beautiful. We did have some snow early in the month, but that didn't seem to damper the beauty. There is still some great color in them hills.

My job sometimes requires (allows) me to get out on the trails to work on signs, or scout out a route for an upcoming tour. I had that chance a couple of times this past few weeks. I just wanted to share some of the beauty.





I was listening to an NPR broadcast about the need for play in the lives of children. Without it they loose their sense of wonder, curiosity, and imagination. I think that is one reason I love being out in nature - because there is always something wonderful to see or discover. It's okay to let yourself become lost in wonder.

A Nice Walk

Yesterday the weather was perfectly beautiful. There were some clouds, but the temperature was perfect. So to kill a little time between programs, I took a short hike just to see what I could find.

The birds were very active. Especially Spotted Towhees. I got some good looks at a few, others were more elusive. If you click on this picture, you can get a good look at the red eye.

Along the trail, I found a nice bunch of Service Berries.

Mmmm. Don't they look good?

I thought so. And not long after taking this picture, I wished I had more.

My walk ended on a nice note, with this Western Tanager popping up just long enough to get his picture taken.

Photo A Day - July 19

I love this flower - look closely and you will see why it is called Elephant Head.

I believe this is a Monument Plant. It also looks a little like Milkweed.

Photo A Day - July 18

Hungry Wildlife.

A cute little wildflower.

Photo A Day - July 17

A beautiful, bright Indian Paintbrush.

Photo A Day - July 16

This is Lake Marry, up Big Cottonwood Canyon, the destination for our Monday morning hike.

Photo A Day - July 15

Two of our hiking buddies.

Some of the many wildflowers along the trail.

Photo A Day - July 14

I took a hike on Monday with a good friend. I do plenty of hiking for my work, but it's nice sometimes to just go with a friend or the family and not have to worry about teaching or pointing things out, or making sure the group is together, etc.

The next few days I'll have photos from this hike. The mosquitoes were terrible, but the scenery was incredible.



Trying to get the hat on quickly and keep moving to avoid getting carried away by mosquitoes.

Bird Photography Weekly

I'm headed out to do a little BIGBY birding this morning. I mostly just need to get out into that cold sunshine, and take a walk under that beautiful blue sky. It's February, and I'm anxious to see what birds come out to play; to breathe in that crisp air; let the stresses of the week soak out into the sidewalks and pathways. For most people, the weekly stresses begin on Monday. Monday is my respite, and I'm grateful for it.

On another note, today is the beginning of another installment of Bird Photography Weekly. These photos were taken last week looking out the windows of the visitor center.

While watching the many birds at the feeder, including House Finches, Black-capped Chickadees, Pine Siskins, and Juncos, something caught my eye. I pulled out my bins, and zeroed in on one Junco in particular. There was something wrong - it's tail was way too short. Then I realized, its tail length was just fine, it was just pure white.

Partial albino Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon race)

I never did get a picture that I loved, but these will just have to do. It really was quite pretty.

To see other birds this week, click the link below.

Southern California

By this time next week we will be in Disneyland. We have been planning this trip for over three years. In an effort to not use credit at all, we have been saving our loose change, a few tax credits, and tax refunds, and finally we've saved enough to go.

Five people, six days, four parks. Plus food, hotel room, souvenirs, and rental car (so we don't all kill each other being crammed to tightly together). It's a whole lot of money. But if we are wise and prudent, we won't have to put anything on credit. Pretty amazing really, seeing how I've never done a trip of any consequence without having to use credit. The tickets are purchased, the rental is reserved, the room is reserved, the itinerary is set.

A trip to Disneyland isn't exactly one of those relaxing vacations, where you just sit on the beach or at the pool-side the whole time (and I would love a vacation like that), but still I am looking forward to this trip for many reasons.

* Time away from work (no school groups, grants to write or manage, commuting, planning, etc. for ten days!)
* Spending time with people I love
* An adventure - It's been 10 years since I've been to Disneyland.
* New scenery (hoping to see a few new birds)
* A few choice rides I'm looking forward to experiencing
* Sea World for a day
* Universal Studios for a day
* The beach for a couple of days (maybe that's where the relaxation will come in)
* Staying in a hotel (I love staying in hotels)
* The drive (yes, even that excites me. After all, isn't it about the journey?)
* Opportunities for lots of pictures!
* Meeting up with other friends who will be there at the same time, just by coincidence.

And even though it may not be the picture perfect vacation (teenagers do tend to get a bit grumpy), it will be a grand adventure!

Morning Walk

Although I live surrounded by concrete and asphalt, this little valley has some wonderful little natural areas that I very much enjoy exploring and visiting. One of these little gem spots is the Jordan River Parkway. This is a pathway that runs north - south through the valley and will eventually, through communities working together, connect Utah Lake with the Great Salt Lake.

Significant portions of this pathway already line the river, providing access to non-motorized boaters, bikers, walkers, runners, and of course birders and nature lovers.

The last time I ventured forth, I enjoyed watching and listening to a variety of birds, the river slowly meandering along, and the occasional change of color from tans, browns and greens, to fantastic hot pinks!