Utah Vacation

We spent a lovely weekend in Moab, Utah.  On our way out of Colorado we made a brief but entertaining stop at the border.  With the legalization of marijuana there were obvious signs such as this banker bag with over a gram or two of weed inclosed.  I guess as people near the border they are just ditching their supply.

We rolled into Moab with just enough time to grab a bite of lunch and head to Arches National Park.  It was just as stunning as I imagined it to be.  Plus, the light was perfect on the sandstone.  

This park surely knows how to deliver with beauty right off the bat.  We went to the very first Windows section of the park and hiked until dark.  I couldn't wait until morning so we could go back and do some further exploration.

As Edward Abbey says "the sky and the desert dissolve slowly into mystery under the chemistry of twilight." It's certainly a wonderful thing to observe.

Summer Road-trip: South Dakota

With a long weekend ahead we packed up the car and hit to the road north to South Dakota. We traveled the winding hills of green prairie for 5 hours and then we were at camp.  At first light we drove the 5 minutes up to Mount Rushmore.  Surprisingly, we enjoyed the Presidents and the sculptor did a wonderful job of using the natural rock design in creating this one of a kind memorial.

After that we hit the road to explore the Black Hills.  Our only life bird of the trip came next after breakfast where we were given 2 beautiful Red Crossbills.  Then we kept on driving the scenic highways that flow in and out of Custer State Park.

Little Baba Ghanoush had her first experience swimming - the water was frightfully cold but she did well.

The Needles Highways proved to be everything it was hyped up to be.  We went through single lane tunnels, switchbacked by beautiful pinnacles, and enjoyed the scenery.

Some of the tunnels were exceptionally tight but that just added to the mystery.  After a fun day of hiking, driving, and sightseeing we went back to camp and enjoyed a relaxing evening by Grizzly Creek.

Notable birds of Grizzly Creek Campground: Black-headed Grosbeak, Pine Siskins, Violet-green Swallows, Western Tanager, Common Nighthawk, and an Empid flycatcher that gave me quite a show.  I believe it's a Western Wood-Pewee after inspection, please let me know in the comments if you think my little one may be of another variety. 

How to Collar a Florida Panther

Everglades Birding/Camping

November is the month when cool weather finally reaches South Florida.  Andy, Rosana, Emily, Charlie, and I packed up and got ready for our first camping trip of the Fall.  We were prepared and stoked but maybe we didn't realize that even though the weather is nice, the mosquitoes would be out in full force.  Regardless we survived the first night and woke up the next morning to a nice relaxing temperature.  We first headed out to Lucky Hammock and the Annex.  The wind was blowing a little but not enough for the quiet hammocks.  It was strange how little bird activity we found.  Emily did see her lifer Eastern Phoebe and we saw a multitude of Kestrels. 

Next we headed to Anhinga trail.  I couldn't believe how high the water levels were but it resulted in little bird activity or alligators in sight.  We did see a few waders but missed on the Purple Gallinule.

A quick walk through the hammock trail only yielded us a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher.  It was a slow morning but it felt good to be outside and hiking around.

At the Gate 15 mound we had a flock of Blue-winged Teal, a young Bald Eagle, and more waders.  It was a beautiful bright blue day but low on birds.  By this time we were starving and headed back towards Long Pine Key.

Charlie, our every faithful mutt seemed very content in the car and taking short walks at our breaks.  I couldn't believe how well behaved she was while we were gone.  I am sure she took a few naps.

After lunch we headed towards Flamingo.  At Mrazik Pond we had some excitement with a Redhead and a Gadwall mixed in with the teal and coots.

Once at Flamingo we were exhausted so we took a nap near the marina and watched the thousands of Turkey Vultures stream out across the Florida Bay.  It was entertaining and a much needed rest.  Near the amphitheater we found a Western Kingbird on one of the camp grills. 

Down by the shoreline Emily had her lifer American Avocets.  These little dainty birds always delight me.  I love that upturned bill and slender features.  Mixed in were some Willet and a few peeps.

We ended our day with another night camping.  I can't say it was the most pleasant due to all the mosquito/ant bites but for the first camping trip of the season, I thought it was successful.  Many thanks to Andy and Rosana who outdid themselves and brought the BEST camping food EVAH.  Thanks guys!

Dungeon Art

Down in the depths of El Morro were the dungeons.  The dark, damp walls were etched with prisoners names but more impressive was the art left behind.  In this cell, a long narrow stretch of a prison, a captive drew ships on the walls.  They were intricate and beautiful.  I marveled how time seemed to stand still in the confines of this dark fort.  I am sure the dungeons hold many tales that we will never know.

Puerto Rico is full of life and history and beautiful landscapes.  If you have never been I urge you to go and see for yourself. 

San Juan, Puerto Rico

San Juan to me was clean streets and colorful buildings,

flags of our country and of the island,

and vistas that made me think I was in the perfect tropical location.

Even the forts and towers were a mixing of worlds

with some parts built hundreds of years ago and others added during new wars and conflicts.

The people of Puerto Rico were so welcoming and happy.  The old and young could be found flying kites in the crosswinds. I wanted to join them.

And around every corner of San Juan I was dazzled by the architecture, the people, and even in this urban setting, the birds like the Gray Kingbird below that blends perfectly in with the slate gray walls of the castle.

California Day 5: Moro Rock and General Sherman Tree

After the Grove of the Giants we headed to Moro Rock. We took our time climbing up and up and up the many stone steps until we finally reached the peak. Moro Rock is a large granite dome located in the center of Sequoia National Park. It sits at a elevation of 6,725 feet and has a 400-step stairway cut into the rock. It's a steep climb but managable for anyone that is willing to tackle the heights. The guardrails are ample and there are plenty of spots to stop and rest if needed.

From the top you have an amazing aerial view of the park. Looking towards the east you can see the peaks that make out the Great Western Divide (seen above) and looking to the west you can see the Middle Fork Canyon (seen below) which is almost as deep as the Grand Canyon.

After leaving Moro Rock we stopped at the Parker Group, a beautiful stand of sequoias named for the Parker family. These were some of the prettiest trees in the park and Geraldine and took our time weaving in and out of the stand.

Next we took a drive through the Tunnel Log. The 275 ft. tree fell from natural causes in 1937 and the following year a crew cut an 8 by 17 ft. tunnel through the center, making the road passable again.

Next we only had one more important stop before heading back to our campsite and that was to pay a visit to the largest tree on Earth, the General Sherman Tree. This giant sequoia has a height of 275 ft. and a volume of 52,513 cu. ft which makes it the largest known non-colonial tree by volume. The tree is believed to be between 2,300 and 2,700 years old.

When you're walking around all these groves and stands it's hard to pinpoint which tree is bigger than the rest. I loved seeing the General Sherman Tree but I must admit that I didn't find it was any bigger than some of the others we had seen. Regardless it was nice to see and I even digibinned a view of the top of the tree. You will notice that it's been struck by lightning and no longer growing taller, only wider.

After hiking and looking upwards all day at large trees we decided to end the day with a dip in Hume Lake. This a small little lake found in the eastern part of Kings Canyon/Sequoia National Park. It was busy with children laughing and swimming. We retreated to the quiet areas of the waterfall and managed to keep busy with our wading.

It was the end to a perfect day and exactly the kind of adventure I wanted from my vacation. Nothing could be better than checking out the largest organisms on Earth and then retreating to the cool waters of a lake.

California Day 5: Grove of the Giants

If you ever have a chance to see the giant sequoias then you must head to the Grove of the Giants in Sequoia National Park. It's hard to imagine that at one time this meadow was a bubbling little village with houses pocking the landscape around the giant trees. Now the path circles the meadow but the houses and residences of days of old have been removed leaving a large grove of natural beauty.

Geraldine and I took a spin around the loop trail and enjoyed the morning solitude. Only a handful of people walked by giving us the illusion that we were alone with the trees.

This grove is home to some of the largest trees in the whole world. And though I stopped at every angle to snap photos, I still walked away feeling like I didn't capture the grandeur of this stand of trees. Each tree had a different personality, a different shape, a different character. And each of them were special to me in some way, even the ones that had fallen and served as reminders that the circle of life continues.

Any time I meet a new species of plant or tree I am often found touching the surface and feeling the texture. Sequoias have magnificent bark and the sound of the wood seems so hollow that it's hard to imagine that something so fragile to the touch could be standing so large. Often the bark is littered with lichens of every color and shape. I loved the contrast of grees, grays, and oranges.

We were very lucky to have perfect weather. A bright blue sky peaked behind the standing giants as we made our way around the loop.

The sun draped around the canopy and streaked down to the meadow floor. The green meadow was alive with many wildflowers and small shrubs.

This is a very short trail to walk and I recommend it to everyone that happens near the park. Take a stroll, take your time, and soak in the beauty. The Giant Sequoias are something that must be cherished and protected for generations to come.

Tomorrow I'll share with you some photos of Moro Rock and the largest tree on Earth!