tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10345663018420966882024-02-20T19:03:47.821-08:00My Big Year Under ProtestFollow along with my 2016 Adventure doing a Junior Big YearCatroyalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17612473120952458134noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1034566301842096688.post-44399015587573356292016-08-17T13:18:00.002-07:002016-08-17T13:33:02.676-07:00Life is a pod of whales<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWNZQb4Dxx-IGsXlgbTPsHTYDxm9gAytVmOXrdOYM8m0EYPYGRJZaWCgpIx23KAX4hcLUXLn8CZcT1dkdP-QQTGN1aCzO838FIH7yJwYqPoCkPylfK5LPHS7RCgEWmptEhnPlUH6P6g_5n/s1600/DSC_0437+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWNZQb4Dxx-IGsXlgbTPsHTYDxm9gAytVmOXrdOYM8m0EYPYGRJZaWCgpIx23KAX4hcLUXLn8CZcT1dkdP-QQTGN1aCzO838FIH7yJwYqPoCkPylfK5LPHS7RCgEWmptEhnPlUH6P6g_5n/s320/DSC_0437+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
We were in the San Francisco area this last weekend to go on two pelagics and ideally to see some new birds. We did go on two pelagic tours but we saw more whales than birds, which wasn't really an issue for me. I saw 4 species of whale this weekend and 3 species of dolphin so I consider it to be a completely perfect trip. I mean we did miss our plane (which turned out to be a good thing over all), my dad got a weird rash on his fingers that made him lose skin, and I did have to wake up at 4 A.M for a few days but I had fun and saw some amazing animals and met some great people and that is what matters.<br />
<br />
We did see some birds, a black footed albatross and a brown boobie.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJnQTlwM7jo8Bo6jGAQgFTu83FCrAYzIA_sHSOwpBIYBmiW3ZW_14DINsb8ulGv75kH7vGRjTTUgvL5a_9XlhABmEYVaZaq_YNt163YNBSqoeXrWw_0TRUooHYAl3YaRCbD3Vr6V8ZZAB/s1600/DSC_0343+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJnQTlwM7jo8Bo6jGAQgFTu83FCrAYzIA_sHSOwpBIYBmiW3ZW_14DINsb8ulGv75kH7vGRjTTUgvL5a_9XlhABmEYVaZaq_YNt163YNBSqoeXrWw_0TRUooHYAl3YaRCbD3Vr6V8ZZAB/s320/DSC_0343+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxvnQfbjDm2-dIVIZDRvNy8y-t7iVDWHak-k7VjLIODXe6oPpZIVRO9dvlDjqTQ1xuYnmtq-bURhWl0BpGWqQ5etQ3KezWTVkXOf0-3p2ApLtrbL-oTTdudYQXhX_cAUEUUKyTlgYbFyIP/s1600/DSC_0527+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxvnQfbjDm2-dIVIZDRvNy8y-t7iVDWHak-k7VjLIODXe6oPpZIVRO9dvlDjqTQ1xuYnmtq-bURhWl0BpGWqQ5etQ3KezWTVkXOf0-3p2ApLtrbL-oTTdudYQXhX_cAUEUUKyTlgYbFyIP/s320/DSC_0527+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We saw at least a hundred humpback whales.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLiUCTD6VhNAH-MclATKPT7-SRVNDCATZlpgquvgIUbr5hjuCQ9getFR4F9FZPj-5YGtZWVC_N5zXs0egLVBoIRY12z_fVEqXZ_KCO0oAEJSbfJjNzM4V-6shZbNpR9c7i03Z-25YPZvHP/s1600/DSC_0278+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLiUCTD6VhNAH-MclATKPT7-SRVNDCATZlpgquvgIUbr5hjuCQ9getFR4F9FZPj-5YGtZWVC_N5zXs0egLVBoIRY12z_fVEqXZ_KCO0oAEJSbfJjNzM4V-6shZbNpR9c7i03Z-25YPZvHP/s320/DSC_0278+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxIwCAnZuglCOfLB_gtSbt_DYKtQuYZSKFJ9FI6G6PkxRtMvr8mbCwwYa2MRX5pS7PZXeHOirlaWTjPxjJmlknbxk6XZe1fBpaJZ0kT1rvva3fkghIQB9vFCL8Haf2cLVXpnrSRHez3Aux/s1600/DSC_0253+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxIwCAnZuglCOfLB_gtSbt_DYKtQuYZSKFJ9FI6G6PkxRtMvr8mbCwwYa2MRX5pS7PZXeHOirlaWTjPxjJmlknbxk6XZe1fBpaJZ0kT1rvva3fkghIQB9vFCL8Haf2cLVXpnrSRHez3Aux/s320/DSC_0253+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqgkeV0vFjayBqJ8qyWAlqpgWC_qlhyphenhyphen40JHgRPqdFxbW_hrr124BVuXtiA-rYhI6mtYxSJuATavF2XCFY7x66skQUZnj7aokDHEYI_IoL3H2UXDbH09NY9sOGTJTaCLOrswUUlDPuSy25/s1600/DSC_0276+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqgkeV0vFjayBqJ8qyWAlqpgWC_qlhyphenhyphen40JHgRPqdFxbW_hrr124BVuXtiA-rYhI6mtYxSJuATavF2XCFY7x66skQUZnj7aokDHEYI_IoL3H2UXDbH09NY9sOGTJTaCLOrswUUlDPuSy25/s320/DSC_0276+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0lRmu0LUtguVffBD63277Go1JWx7jum00RL_BaD1sUftyWTosHgJnIMxrKqRK9EcOu4__PmUzAc18kb0lMz7yf_rg3uD5NhtB1NEd7Ie6ztG36Cca7XlVRFV2GmJO2S9WshIEGOqIH91Z/s1600/DSC_0393+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0lRmu0LUtguVffBD63277Go1JWx7jum00RL_BaD1sUftyWTosHgJnIMxrKqRK9EcOu4__PmUzAc18kb0lMz7yf_rg3uD5NhtB1NEd7Ie6ztG36Cca7XlVRFV2GmJO2S9WshIEGOqIH91Z/s320/DSC_0393+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkO9drmY7oz17iiLLVWZK1MGS9mi6O4RpJbBi-0qWohRxMql_LY03USJGVhM6raTV0DBgVQtwo0135iJWG9J-ucy0MUnWAs3wyh4H5dQB3iIN-LLzDlcE3TK_UIVMVKGbgtyYTNnc0Gutf/s1600/DSC_0387+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkO9drmY7oz17iiLLVWZK1MGS9mi6O4RpJbBi-0qWohRxMql_LY03USJGVhM6raTV0DBgVQtwo0135iJWG9J-ucy0MUnWAs3wyh4H5dQB3iIN-LLzDlcE3TK_UIVMVKGbgtyYTNnc0Gutf/s320/DSC_0387+%25284%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And last but certainly not least I got to have a great weekend with my dad before he goes off to Alaska.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvbK1Z86oQkv5QQLW0HEBYQZ-FYGuqFYJlkFR6eTVGstaf8P-gJLmqWZFaAwhxWVUrgkDkdGAl61c0_WMPwIayQpNImwzbv33frhCvqsiJWHZRVTovN4uySUvAK6n3Qf8GeVy-K7iufcM/s1600/DSC_0610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvbK1Z86oQkv5QQLW0HEBYQZ-FYGuqFYJlkFR6eTVGstaf8P-gJLmqWZFaAwhxWVUrgkDkdGAl61c0_WMPwIayQpNImwzbv33frhCvqsiJWHZRVTovN4uySUvAK6n3Qf8GeVy-K7iufcM/s320/DSC_0610.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Oh and I got to meet this adorible seal on the pier, if i could have kidnapped it and kept it in my hot tub I would have.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdh3QsNojeUr5OB379dcafuFfxK6J9aUWhP1yl0BkRI-IkoyZSzwh77wW-Aei1-nG0Y2oqrUlXjO0L0Yo8lY8SSuCOVO-osBJ_zGgw-XBvZK3Uqns-cGZE1vpDF-pC_qXCkDOukYWuszHy/s1600/DSC_0931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdh3QsNojeUr5OB379dcafuFfxK6J9aUWhP1yl0BkRI-IkoyZSzwh77wW-Aei1-nG0Y2oqrUlXjO0L0Yo8lY8SSuCOVO-osBJ_zGgw-XBvZK3Uqns-cGZE1vpDF-pC_qXCkDOukYWuszHy/s320/DSC_0931.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
With that cute note I will let you all get back to your lives and I hope you have a great day!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
L</div>
Catroyalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17612473120952458134noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1034566301842096688.post-22011186077840383302016-07-05T18:42:00.000-07:002016-07-05T18:45:10.292-07:00A tern in eventsToday I celebrated the 240th anniversary of my country's independence as well as finding my 500th bird! It was a great day all around, a day of fun, food, family and of course fireworks.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfslC21ykFv1rksu5rOYnCQw8yuls8uCKXoQEP-ngYVVba9XDNpfqzWUdWPJs_6lU-9sE0_w6VzfCgR6-2XyyNdGQoIb4HWjvUnc-PwTFgi5x6l5EaemP8La_yg09_HNRo1LFcfNSjy5GF/s1600/IMG_2332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfslC21ykFv1rksu5rOYnCQw8yuls8uCKXoQEP-ngYVVba9XDNpfqzWUdWPJs_6lU-9sE0_w6VzfCgR6-2XyyNdGQoIb4HWjvUnc-PwTFgi5x6l5EaemP8La_yg09_HNRo1LFcfNSjy5GF/s320/IMG_2332.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Last weekend we went backpacking in the Ruby mountains in Nevada looking for the Himalayan snowcock. We found it and had an amazing trip. Then this weekend we celebrated my mom's birthday and after that we headed to my grandparents for the fourth.<br />
<br />
We all ate lots of good food and became deaf from all the loud fireworks, I got to play in the water with my little cousin and paddle around with my mom in her new canoe, We watched as tens of pontoon boats floated past all decorated to the hilt in red, white and blue. It was a good day.<br />
<br />
After all this normalcy my dad and I went out to Crex meadow to get my 500th bird, a black tern.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnOhQgLKY76BeFqNo-sCmWmNjTfEJ5qIt25FzyIbo6s9OyWH_Y-Z60p8dnjJWB96n-tc083DbkNw58FC9MH49u87uORqi0R3tLfVgJquwBl9gchisQ6pipnMYLsi4QftE8tJ7uQ94HMrBW/s1600/DSC_4406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnOhQgLKY76BeFqNo-sCmWmNjTfEJ5qIt25FzyIbo6s9OyWH_Y-Z60p8dnjJWB96n-tc083DbkNw58FC9MH49u87uORqi0R3tLfVgJquwBl9gchisQ6pipnMYLsi4QftE8tJ7uQ94HMrBW/s320/DSC_4406.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I also got my 501st bird a Virginia rail and my 502nd bird a red-eyed verio. I also saw an adorable family of grebes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHKVeqmsxMErxHkDBYi7uoK-C5Rl7cpH-YyDmvPnYH6A0O_28IGaUx4KZGXG6Ruv7KeDrm9Ki7rHk8gIyEP2R3_MXz5Hn_wD99yQZK8VCGBMiuQnNPG2mduOWT1KZ7j0Ky7CcoNkK3L8eV/s1600/DSC_4363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHKVeqmsxMErxHkDBYi7uoK-C5Rl7cpH-YyDmvPnYH6A0O_28IGaUx4KZGXG6Ruv7KeDrm9Ki7rHk8gIyEP2R3_MXz5Hn_wD99yQZK8VCGBMiuQnNPG2mduOWT1KZ7j0Ky7CcoNkK3L8eV/s320/DSC_4363.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Also a juvenile bald eagle who was sitting on the side of the road.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljp2dL8qpPGcUtMgNdrdLtCfmPuTKv_xgc3LYZMlsZV9xoGdojWKh1PWHbwapalwLA0lxhiCnOsuXVZQM8-esPRc6ehSJfx7oTVsJUcJLtss0WLiZ2guB8Cap4C3j5giSoTp0a5CzhGKU/s1600/DSC_4435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljp2dL8qpPGcUtMgNdrdLtCfmPuTKv_xgc3LYZMlsZV9xoGdojWKh1PWHbwapalwLA0lxhiCnOsuXVZQM8-esPRc6ehSJfx7oTVsJUcJLtss0WLiZ2guB8Cap4C3j5giSoTp0a5CzhGKU/s320/DSC_4435.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I had a great weekend seeing family and birds alike. I am glad I have gotten to see over 500 birds this year, and I am curious to see how many I get by the end of 2016. I wish everyone luck on their own birding lists and hope you all had a great fourth of July!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Love, </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
L</div>
<br />Catroyalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17612473120952458134noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1034566301842096688.post-74753678843819975572016-06-03T07:58:00.000-07:002016-07-05T18:57:48.563-07:00The Island of Misfit Toys<div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">I don't know how many of you have
seen the "Rudolf the red nosed reindeer" movie before but one of the
scenes is where the Rudolf and his friends rescue all the misfit toys from the
Island of Misfit Toys and they give them to the children, this gives the toys meaning and
instills in them their reason for existing. None of the toys were friends
before this and never had they ever imagined leaving their home and
experienced the world and what it means to be alive. These toys are a lot like
the group of us.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">We started out as misfits who had yet to see all that the
world had to offer and left as friends who had a new perspective about the
world in which we live. I may not speak for the other birders on this trip but
I know that I will never be the same after everything I saw and experienced
here in Adak, Alaska. I expected to be happy when it was over but I'm not. I
already miss the wild beauty and the everlasting ocean around the Aleutians. It opened my</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">
eyes to all that the world is. Adak showed me how much humans have negatively affected
our world, however it also showed me that given enough time nature will start
to regrow the parts that we have destroyed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_W2XzgDkVxhHZxd03QPr8BUOQJBrO1CkJ_LbHZGj-TxZgr-vyxFmmMNx35TBu4CMSRGhsWKk_2GaWy8QYqkdKXs45E281bSeu9EWOAD8T9CxuqTv16IJ6t5cifdjmT6uj3FxaEvIN5YV4/s1600/IMG_1622+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_W2XzgDkVxhHZxd03QPr8BUOQJBrO1CkJ_LbHZGj-TxZgr-vyxFmmMNx35TBu4CMSRGhsWKk_2GaWy8QYqkdKXs45E281bSeu9EWOAD8T9CxuqTv16IJ6t5cifdjmT6uj3FxaEvIN5YV4/s320/IMG_1622+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">I can honestly say that the girl who
got on a plane a week ago heading for Adak is not the same girl who leaves it
today. I am not ashamed to say I am crying a bit as I write this because I know
that I am a better and more well-rounded person due to all that I have seen
this week. I am proud of who I am now and slightly ashamed of who I was before.
Someone asked me during this trip if it was still a big year under protest and
that got me thinking. I realized that somewhere during my travels I have really
started to love birding and seeing all these gorgeous places and meeting all
these amazing people. If I had spent this year sitting at home watching Netflix
I would never have changed. I would still be a shell of who I could be. I don't
want to bore you all with my rambling, so I will tell you about the trip that
changed my outlook on life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">I hadn't known what to expect when I
entered the <i>Pük-ük</i> (our boat) and was impressed by the conservation of
space. The boat fit all eleven of us easily with room to move around without
having people invading your personal space all the time. However, being in suck
close proximity with all these strangers allowed us to get to know each other
and we all became friends. I had never met any of them before this trip but
after this week I'm comfortable with all of them. I think it helped with my
interpersonal communication skill too (I need all the help I can get with that)
and helped me to be a little less introverted. That is part of what I meant
before when I said I broke out of my shell.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Since we all slept, ate, breathed in
the same space as one another we learned each other's goals for the trip. Mine
was to see a whale, my dad's was to reach 700 birds, Chris wanted to see a
short-tailed albatross and so on. I think we all got what we wanted out of the
trip. I saw my whale, three actually. They were all orcas who were heralded by
over a hundred birds of all kinds. I missed another whale sighting when I took
a nap and it shows how much we tried to help each other because I awoke to
multiple people yelling "LAUREN! WHALE!" Alas the whale was gone by
the time I got to the deck but it was okay. I saw my orcas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">As for everyone else's goals for the
trek, Chris got a spectacular look at his short-tailed albatross and he got to
almost hold a Whisked auklet in his hand when it got trapped on the boat. I
almost jumped out of my skin when I looked down and BOOM out of nowhere was a
whiskered auklet! It was the cutest little bird I've ever seen and it was no
more than three feet away. It was so close that my camera couldn't take a
picture of it. I can't imagine anyone on the boat could ask for a better view
of the little bird. At first only three of us were there and seeing the auklet
but we didn't want the others to miss out on the once in a lifetime opportunity
to get up front and personal with it and so Chris started yelling for people
saying "WHISKERED AUKLET ON THE BOAT!!" No one heard us though and if
they did the implication of what was being said was lost on them. It was a
relief when (dad) Olaf opened the door to check on me and got Oxsanna, one of the
crew, to come pick up the poor bird. Before she let it free, she kindly showed
it to the birders in the upper deck. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">I realized after she left with the bird
that Blair, one of the other birders, had said he was going to take a break and
was sleeping. Realizing that he was missing the chance to see the auklet I
raced downstairs to where he was dead asleep and woke him. It is things like
that and when people woke me up to see the whale that make a trip like this as
satisfactory as it is. We all look out for each other and work together to see
all the birds we can. Even though most birders keep score so to speak of how
many birds they see it isn't a competition. We all are working together to see
as many birds as possible and that is an amazing thing. Birding is an activity
like none other and I am proud to be a part of it. So in conclusion this is no
longer a "big year under protest" or at least it no longer is in the
way I originally intended. My outlook on this year has forever changed and I am
glad it has.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Here are some of my pictures from
this week in and around Adak, Alaska.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvqtEngiDlKx7wiLKBG9RmgpQWrfmxF3vOdITEwoxoF6o2aw5s-Few4nANsQn28FxVevq87IxGWAPpJLNdJY-r7wpR-RGjiSMVI_qaljPENxuZ0VZThKAf1C3rLimWcl8aORVJaapch26U/s1600/CSC_1066+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvqtEngiDlKx7wiLKBG9RmgpQWrfmxF3vOdITEwoxoF6o2aw5s-Few4nANsQn28FxVevq87IxGWAPpJLNdJY-r7wpR-RGjiSMVI_qaljPENxuZ0VZThKAf1C3rLimWcl8aORVJaapch26U/s320/CSC_1066+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Theses are Layson's albatrosses fighting two northern fulmars for a piece of fish.<br />
<div align="left">
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwA7YnJ_Q3GgCs7999Qq6FCrt1yZjkU0I5Ba5ggAGOXlpHaxcIGxpm8ZIa1EfS7CIaMuMaenHm4-TcucGeIuLoJqNDBsBpk6sSySz4C9ne8B73LPnuq97gOqZBwiDjGjL-7AwqAOwvfIjb/s1600/DSC_0479+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwA7YnJ_Q3GgCs7999Qq6FCrt1yZjkU0I5Ba5ggAGOXlpHaxcIGxpm8ZIa1EfS7CIaMuMaenHm4-TcucGeIuLoJqNDBsBpk6sSySz4C9ne8B73LPnuq97gOqZBwiDjGjL-7AwqAOwvfIjb/s320/DSC_0479+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a short-tailed shearwater <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3xdhzYzitY-3qiXGVW7dWYhR42xn3S67p1Rh9nQhFKUcW1FI326jRJYxr_5TA-VSbyGrm_UoaWrJbuZFyOhCtM-J7ekmedbcpRItH6QQaoiKq_vMl1v7pJplr8mptkvsvse_23oJkRo0l/s1600/CSC_0537+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3xdhzYzitY-3qiXGVW7dWYhR42xn3S67p1Rh9nQhFKUcW1FI326jRJYxr_5TA-VSbyGrm_UoaWrJbuZFyOhCtM-J7ekmedbcpRItH6QQaoiKq_vMl1v7pJplr8mptkvsvse_23oJkRo0l/s320/CSC_0537+%25283%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
A short-tailed albatross<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJOo93G4usWhmeA1GfB7hL52WbUuK9D0C3ckgY2Hy1kzP8H5WSgkYkMTi2xo24w-f11GmkkSZ7FEc5ee7uGnsiCuBiSy_PfBaJFsWRREkFsP-XqCPdY0pB9GEmGH1kGvodwJ1Vo1L_kONs/s1600/IMG_1810+%25282%2529.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJOo93G4usWhmeA1GfB7hL52WbUuK9D0C3ckgY2Hy1kzP8H5WSgkYkMTi2xo24w-f11GmkkSZ7FEc5ee7uGnsiCuBiSy_PfBaJFsWRREkFsP-XqCPdY0pB9GEmGH1kGvodwJ1Vo1L_kONs/s320/IMG_1810+%25282%2529.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
A whiskered auklet that got stranded on the boat<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgByknO22cEl-RFDBvpSHdZn9TdR3OMnyJmaS-tNYSD4X4UXZ26DPyZwg-8zHK_UPO0bu8ws5a282jUoO0fSQTZk6904oqUXTQQcbjSZn-HGF8b20UTWV77-cjQmbyceg6wQQClcGl3PfEy/s1600/CSC_1068+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgByknO22cEl-RFDBvpSHdZn9TdR3OMnyJmaS-tNYSD4X4UXZ26DPyZwg-8zHK_UPO0bu8ws5a282jUoO0fSQTZk6904oqUXTQQcbjSZn-HGF8b20UTWV77-cjQmbyceg6wQQClcGl3PfEy/s320/CSC_1068+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
A very opinionated Stellar sea lion<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCny2ZT02Y-svR-IjCTOUMJ8psl7yjf2v0h9uLx2M46rSlEsdS0Fg0sEY01mdanAvN0YlyGrxspbMvXXVn8-MOJolRJAUK8dxrfs44jwfs5BUyMBtdHCcIcaqyPejRsUbqs-osBs9w34ks/s1600/DSC_0938+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCny2ZT02Y-svR-IjCTOUMJ8psl7yjf2v0h9uLx2M46rSlEsdS0Fg0sEY01mdanAvN0YlyGrxspbMvXXVn8-MOJolRJAUK8dxrfs44jwfs5BUyMBtdHCcIcaqyPejRsUbqs-osBs9w34ks/s320/DSC_0938+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Two adorable sea otters</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikKU8D8dvSkBgkuyYdlDiWZ7p7focyFJ1JRGUxsDuCfeYflG2gIWHzbTpnf8jObqL1nqQzi9VrsPrfi49eVaaQ-JWZiOzlnRKTt8MstS6UYGvyhwCmLQOIq6AnDdV5-CL_5gekUbK6Bp5X/s1600/IMG_1805+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikKU8D8dvSkBgkuyYdlDiWZ7p7focyFJ1JRGUxsDuCfeYflG2gIWHzbTpnf8jObqL1nqQzi9VrsPrfi49eVaaQ-JWZiOzlnRKTt8MstS6UYGvyhwCmLQOIq6AnDdV5-CL_5gekUbK6Bp5X/s320/IMG_1805+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">I realize that I refrained from
writing much about the actual trip but that was intentional. I do not believe
that words could properly tell about the amazing animals and places and about
the untouched beauty of a place like Adak. In my opinion this was an experience
that can only be felt, not retold. I wish you all the best in your personal
adventures and realizations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Love, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">L<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<br />
P.S. I have now seen 446 birds!<br />
<br />
I don't want to make this blog too much longer but I also want to add that my trip to Gamble was spectacular in its own way and an indisputably amazing trip. I saw whales that were practically right next to me, bought ivory from the natives, and saw some really rare and beautiful birds. I wouldn't trade my trip for the world. </div>
Catroyalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17612473120952458134noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1034566301842096688.post-34506992779096450722016-05-26T20:50:00.001-07:002016-05-26T20:50:31.728-07:00Peter Rabbit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUNHmV2_rkEZrEIwze_2hDFPcRqkTBFdr8IDm3386vNRsDX29qsZ1vYoMWLyjj9zZZ0lyF17uOw-F1fpdoage_jBZ2BgB3rBlqLOBInCZswPkoPfjCnAbcP6pEcAMP9iVsnQwGSeD9BCkY/s1600/IMG_0961+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUNHmV2_rkEZrEIwze_2hDFPcRqkTBFdr8IDm3386vNRsDX29qsZ1vYoMWLyjj9zZZ0lyF17uOw-F1fpdoage_jBZ2BgB3rBlqLOBInCZswPkoPfjCnAbcP6pEcAMP9iVsnQwGSeD9BCkY/s320/IMG_0961+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">School is an institution, I will let your imagination determine what kind of institution it is. That said I am sad that
it is over and that I am no longer a sophomore. The most depressing part of school
being over is that I am now getting less sleep and waking up earlier than I
ever did during the last school year, birding is a very demanding hobby. Do not
get me wrong I love seeing all the wildlife and traveling around the USA, but I
am still a teenager and I need sleep. My dad is under the impression that sleep
is for the dead and seeing as I am not dead I don’t need any. I disagree. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">One would think that the last day of school is the time when
you go to someone’s backyard and burn all your books and folders (maybe only
south Dakotans do this) or when you stay up all night celebrating with friends
and sleep in all the next day. I did neither, I technically did stay up late
due to our late night flight but I doubt that counts and I don’t believe that 5
hours of sleep counts as “sleeping in”. However, I think it was worth it. I may
have lost my summer of friends, sleep, fun, and laziness but I gained a summer
of birds, family, new acquaintances, beauty, and adventure. I love all the
places I have seen and all the new people I have met. I had no idea there was so
many great people in this world. The group I went with to see the buff-collared
nightjar are some of those great people.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></o:p></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There was five of us: Thor, Dan, Olaf, Laurens and Lauren
(me), if you look closely at the last two names you will notice how similar
they are. Laurens the guide is none other than my self-proclaimed namesake.
Details such as me just meeting him do not matter. He was such a nice guy and he joked around with me and made fun of my dad with me (making fun of my dad is one of my favorite hobbies). My dad raved about his guiding skills and we all were very confident we would see our target birds. When I met Laurens I
knew that the trip to see the nightjar would be fun regardless of how many
birds we see. It was him that referred to the first rabbit we saw as Peter rabbit. Seeing rabbits, some scarier than others, was a trend for the next day.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The other two people in our group, besides my dad Olaf, were Thor
who is an old friend of my dad and Dan who is an old friend of Thor’s. Both of
them worked in the Canadian school system and I had a good discussion with them
over the problems with American schools. This discussion helped to pass the two
hours while we were crammed into the back Laurens’s car. It was a tight
squeeze. I got another respite from the boredom when our way was blocked by
some very cute cows.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjndst6cICD5WGg1mOcL7E5RFXDh0OKQCndQQ6Ejl8EojHkbHmRT1q0LKZT4-e0UJp27tsPIfQkqrWgwPML_atBzwwzVwhbM4zGKDIbbiyyLDUJSKzI5VgH9DyMN2LeVBdDf_CgMzAO8mFi/s1600/IMG_1146+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjndst6cICD5WGg1mOcL7E5RFXDh0OKQCndQQ6Ejl8EojHkbHmRT1q0LKZT4-e0UJp27tsPIfQkqrWgwPML_atBzwwzVwhbM4zGKDIbbiyyLDUJSKzI5VgH9DyMN2LeVBdDf_CgMzAO8mFi/s320/IMG_1146+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When we were released from the cramped confines of the car I rushed
to the side of the road to spit out my gum which, over the last couple hours,
had turned into a disgusting starchy version of what it had once been. Let’s
just say that I will not be chewing gum for a while (just thinking about it
gives me shivers, so gross). </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The gum incident was weird since in all the years I have been
chewing gum I have never had anything like it happen before. It did put a
slight damper on my mood but soon the hunt for a five-striped sparrow caused
me to lose focus on anything else. We heard the bird for a while but alas we
never saw it. However we did get to see the nightjar. We saw it almost immediately
after we started looking. It was quite lucky. It flew off soon after we
initially saw it and we found it again on the road near our cars or at least we
found something resembling the nightjar. We spent a good piece of time standing
there talking photos of what we later learned to be just a common poorwill,
oops. Unlike most of the group I was not disappointed because I had needed that
bird. So for me it was more of a two for one sale instead of the doppelganger my
dad said it as. It was a cute little bird but since I had decided to not take my
camera on this trip I didn’t get a photo. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The reason I had decided not to bring my camera is that my
neck and back were aching from carrying it and my backpack up a hiking trail
near our bed and breakfast the day before. I had learned my lesson about
carrying a backpack and camera up a mountain and determined that when we went
hiking this morning at Ramsey’s canyon I would forsake my backpack and just
bring my camera. This was a good plan until after I had passed my parents by a
good ten minutes and was very thirsty. I hope you understand how hard of a hike
this was, my phone determined that it was five miles and 19 flights of stairs,
it wasn’t easy. I ending up waiting for my parents on a scenic rise overlooking
the forest and I realized something, I liked hiking. I really liked it. The
burning muscles, crisp mountain air, beautiful views, and the joy at finally
reaching our goal all played a part in my new found appreciation for mountain
hiking.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It did help that we found our target bird much sooner than expected
and we were able to more fully appreciate the hike since the pressure of
finding a code five bird was gone. The bird was a tufted flycatcher and he was
a very photogenic little bird.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZVWBZH9nHqtHw4XoPAfvdJ2Kx1FoGaGluxviP4bWdv0E4Yu-zsY_hJFA9QUp7YI8mrm9OsH2AH49ElqBfW6cEK9GxEMCbC2h5-9jkaVQ1Zdh3uStwJUHM1KDfCyNtdkeSZ31eJlYt5dV/s1600/DSC_0092+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZVWBZH9nHqtHw4XoPAfvdJ2Kx1FoGaGluxviP4bWdv0E4Yu-zsY_hJFA9QUp7YI8mrm9OsH2AH49ElqBfW6cEK9GxEMCbC2h5-9jkaVQ1Zdh3uStwJUHM1KDfCyNtdkeSZ31eJlYt5dV/s320/DSC_0092+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">He was by far the rarest bird of the day but he wasn’t the
only bird. We saw a western tanager:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUmreAVw9mRkLLF-tf58N5pToPhDd3fCimASyv9b-WFEcQ3BsNQnuV3Q1bgpbPMehebHH7a57TyTV8Ip_FeFgWQP_RV1iQG1kik19Grzj7wLc9e4epQEYVw9IPcwuLDNXEELimkGmFKFFQ/s1600/DSC_0177+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUmreAVw9mRkLLF-tf58N5pToPhDd3fCimASyv9b-WFEcQ3BsNQnuV3Q1bgpbPMehebHH7a57TyTV8Ip_FeFgWQP_RV1iQG1kik19Grzj7wLc9e4epQEYVw9IPcwuLDNXEELimkGmFKFFQ/s320/DSC_0177+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Some magnificent hummingbirds:</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRlz6NbtNr4t5VkQXS7QGqxKMxZA__2vGgYR-hOrrdl8aVA92fLu7YIK8VfNBzVofg1ZuiMQiyy1U-W74xQLIQbksISMeA3p8kjvaaICsByXGyKcUWmrDdMUQm9HtVvNHZ4SI32uRhBgPZ/s1600/DSC_0326+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRlz6NbtNr4t5VkQXS7QGqxKMxZA__2vGgYR-hOrrdl8aVA92fLu7YIK8VfNBzVofg1ZuiMQiyy1U-W74xQLIQbksISMeA3p8kjvaaICsByXGyKcUWmrDdMUQm9HtVvNHZ4SI32uRhBgPZ/s320/DSC_0326+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNNgl7tW-FQGrlhKNBvfcf83OKEdfZrR1A17iuV3re-JAiv0O823ggre6D1cpu5h44CanOLLxaBoJEODpGMDx4qWkoiuI44PzrZhI9YnNqicOR6x-lkq3Hiq_3fxW4QUnRbwtUH21031_8/s1600/CSC_0282+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNNgl7tW-FQGrlhKNBvfcf83OKEdfZrR1A17iuV3re-JAiv0O823ggre6D1cpu5h44CanOLLxaBoJEODpGMDx4qWkoiuI44PzrZhI9YnNqicOR6x-lkq3Hiq_3fxW4QUnRbwtUH21031_8/s320/CSC_0282+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And a black chinned hummingbird:</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYFQcuJN67Dl1YXmk2dd8RuhrVhid5KJb70dxnZI6c7-9K890I3PrpQekslEwaPviLybNc2h_3zzSs9rqjdUMZ21M3Y4-mBzhGwApkx_UEtJjHEbu4T678b1rPsJlkh5nGACBt06lKk3Dm/s1600/DSC_0309+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYFQcuJN67Dl1YXmk2dd8RuhrVhid5KJb70dxnZI6c7-9K890I3PrpQekslEwaPviLybNc2h_3zzSs9rqjdUMZ21M3Y4-mBzhGwApkx_UEtJjHEbu4T678b1rPsJlkh5nGACBt06lKk3Dm/s320/DSC_0309+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We also saw some non-birds, including one my dad claims to be
terrified of, although why a grown man would admit to being scared of this adorable
albino bunny I will never know. It is so cute!</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEwEloSw1W0-tg1YagxAcmVHvgDfjWrfLJfhkA_8wkDyMOQUAn3M13ZdmtmWaFJOIiUtaXgfFy7G2g-SbmOrStvQnqJtaALuCQMKPj8ic00n1F0XsRqj8DTrGPLxXSgoqx-5GgTWjKhLi/s1600/DSC_0555+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEwEloSw1W0-tg1YagxAcmVHvgDfjWrfLJfhkA_8wkDyMOQUAn3M13ZdmtmWaFJOIiUtaXgfFy7G2g-SbmOrStvQnqJtaALuCQMKPj8ic00n1F0XsRqj8DTrGPLxXSgoqx-5GgTWjKhLi/s320/DSC_0555+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhydHj8Mv6iyBSD9Dl-_RVBe5v1E1ZcXaeakzaQQnPTcaRodB3vyD3aP1Ar0AVEWqhU54Ax1h78zrnCGnS4MYu_7GwK78D0KRsVDesheFvmFluX6iMsVFzvjp98migprdjJhhjzsSKZ1WZ8/s1600/DSC_0566+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhydHj8Mv6iyBSD9Dl-_RVBe5v1E1ZcXaeakzaQQnPTcaRodB3vyD3aP1Ar0AVEWqhU54Ax1h78zrnCGnS4MYu_7GwK78D0KRsVDesheFvmFluX6iMsVFzvjp98migprdjJhhjzsSKZ1WZ8/s320/DSC_0566+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As you can see I have had a very successful trip thus far, I
met a man who shares my name, found out I love hiking, I got to see a code five
flycatcher, and I got to see my dad freak out over a bunny. It was a good day.
So even though I am missing out on going to parties, hanging out at the lake,
sleeping in and seeing my friends, I get to see all of these beautiful places
and watch all these amazing creatures. I am having a once in a experience that
will mean much more to me in the future than a high school party or sleeping in
all day. I hope you all are enjoying your lives as much as I am.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Love,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">L<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Catroyalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17612473120952458134noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1034566301842096688.post-88736662576670396572016-04-27T17:10:00.002-07:002016-04-27T17:10:51.428-07:00Sweet sixteen<div style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUIZ4LAqNFA7t_POymVXaoAz9jAIDQFntf26Blp5LGJepNmpuTGMMYp17HXmfXq8ATRPq0s-Et-Ii6IRnDLDJTKtCDxtr_SstA7V2sSwXb_97GAfYJOB5LkNGYBPRs2QTH4jU2xwAkffj/s1600/IMG_0670.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUIZ4LAqNFA7t_POymVXaoAz9jAIDQFntf26Blp5LGJepNmpuTGMMYp17HXmfXq8ATRPq0s-Et-Ii6IRnDLDJTKtCDxtr_SstA7V2sSwXb_97GAfYJOB5LkNGYBPRs2QTH4jU2xwAkffj/s320/IMG_0670.PNG" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br /></span>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> I know it's been a while since my last post and, sadly, I don't have much to show for it. In a way I have been taking this month off in preparation for my big Alaska trip at the end of May. Since my dad has been gone on his birding trips I haven't had much ambition to do my own. I did drive around and see some normal South Dakota birds but nothing truly fantastic. So far the big things that I've changed in my life is that I am 16. That was last week and and I got to see family and go to the mall America with my friends and to an art museum with my art class. Just seeing all the art at the museum inspired me to start sketching again which is another of the more notable changes this April.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; min-height: 19px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I the beginning of April my dad had been driving around looking for a yellow headed blackbird. My mom had seen one already by then which bugged him. I hate to say this made me happy, but that would be lying which is wrong. I knew he would get one this summer and so I didn't feel overly bad for enjoying having a bird he didn’t have. He did recently see one of his own down in Texas after I saw mine here in Milbank. I was just driving around with my grandparents looking for an antique store and there was a yellow headed blackbird! I saw two more when I was driving home from my birthday party in the cities. I also saw a Baltimore oriole. Sadly my camera is getting cleaned, so I wasn't able to take any pictures of them.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; min-height: 19px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Before seeing those birds I was inspired to start doing some art of my own at home due to the art trip we did last Thursday. Something about seeing all of these artists paintings and sculptures immortalized forever in the museum inspired me to start drawing on my own. I'm not a big painter, but I love to sketch, and so I have been more and more lately. I started trying to break out of comfort zone by drawing portraits. Last night I attempted to draw my cat who was sitting next to me. She actually held still for about an hour before she got scared by the movie I was watching and left. I think it turned out pretty good for my second cat sketch.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; min-height: 19px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlnMnCsv0phLA40jhe9LlUZQsCfAGv_SCmkHKqKwMQH-oOrMsXe884FJIKQ7ix0zf9rs-BiFzZdmqf1d9p1okoLqwuwWLViXPEwpIA3qYOSqFypqhWsHow4XelLi1cwBfen2lBCgDnx64I/s1600/IMG_0678+%25282%2529.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlnMnCsv0phLA40jhe9LlUZQsCfAGv_SCmkHKqKwMQH-oOrMsXe884FJIKQ7ix0zf9rs-BiFzZdmqf1d9p1okoLqwuwWLViXPEwpIA3qYOSqFypqhWsHow4XelLi1cwBfen2lBCgDnx64I/s320/IMG_0678+%25282%2529.PNG" width="307" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Besides that I've mostly been taking it easy and trying to finish everything before school ends on May 20th. After that I'm in Alaska with my dad till June 10th. While I am excited to go the part of me that loves Netflix, wifi, milk, good food and running water is not as excited as the rest of me. It doesn't help that I'm missing a good piece of my summer. But I know once I get there and see the ocean and all the wild life I will forget about he rest of the world and fall in love with the new places and animals. (As long as I don't get too sea sick that is). I have only been to Alaska once and it wasn't anywhere near where we will be going and i will get to see entirely new birds and other animals while I'm there which will be really amazing. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; min-height: 19px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>My camera will be newly cleaned and so I promise some good pictures when I get back in an area where I can post them. However that is still a good while away and I am not quite sure if I'll go on any trips before then. If not you will have to make due with this and hope my dad takes me chasing some rare bird with him soon. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; min-height: 19px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Thank you for reading and may this blog find you in good health and happiness!</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; min-height: 19px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">L</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br /></span>
</div>
Catroyalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17612473120952458134noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1034566301842096688.post-19833080854600776192016-03-29T18:20:00.001-07:002016-04-24T20:16:26.399-07:00On top of the world<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimgZMkeUqOBCsdmUKN0bb_aef10VIPCHp6Lj8gDdoiuvkyROPtrYtIwykLiYlVmRJp9xwGPeTUCTbKLLwS10-PjC7CqqPICf729VRz5ABmzeKK-H0LrpEkVMksa1Fcgj9ozwzRj9CJaShy/s1600/IMG_0371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimgZMkeUqOBCsdmUKN0bb_aef10VIPCHp6Lj8gDdoiuvkyROPtrYtIwykLiYlVmRJp9xwGPeTUCTbKLLwS10-PjC7CqqPICf729VRz5ABmzeKK-H0LrpEkVMksa1Fcgj9ozwzRj9CJaShy/s320/IMG_0371.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<i><b>"You know you are a real birder if you've ever faked your own death to attract vultures."</b></i><br />
<br />
I know that many of you read my father's blog (badweaherbigyear) and if you have you might remember him pretending to be a disabled camper in order to see a grassquit. While I am not sure how ethical this is or how similar it is in comparison to faking one's own death but it shows his devotion to this big year.<br />
<br />
I am not nearly as hardcore as my dad is, although he will say he is taking it easy, and according to this quote I may not even be a true birder. While that may be true, I am enjoying seeing new birds and amazing places. One such place is Colorado. I had never been to Colorado before this weekend and was amazed by all the mountains. My dad, however, was on a mission. He had gotten to the airport earlier than us and the second we were in his sight he walked away. I found it to be quite rude that we didn't even get a hello or a hug since it had been at least a week since we had last seen him. He had plans for us and greetings had to wait.<br />
<br />
When we finally caught up to my dad at the rental car, a jeep, we packed our stuff and drove (for hours). When we at last reached Silverthorn and started driving around the houses like creepers, looking for birds. I was only slightly concerned about someone calling the cops and helped my dad to find bird feeders around the neighborhood. The neighborhood was located on the side of a mountain overlooking a green valley. It was quite eerie when it started snowing and I saw the contrast between the green valley and the white snow. In this snow we saw a grey-crowned rosy-finch.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBl19dUyonESAQdh3g4b5napxCmT5rxG1nH_TxAe8Jvd0p6lrjOCek4prfqA71AWsNjK2yS42N3hrg4cfHq5FCYy4XhJVkrOuVK4PGo2N6vv0TW9du4XQnmB0K2w48ZlG69cSFq4P3xj0s/s1600/DSC_0190+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBl19dUyonESAQdh3g4b5napxCmT5rxG1nH_TxAe8Jvd0p6lrjOCek4prfqA71AWsNjK2yS42N3hrg4cfHq5FCYy4XhJVkrOuVK4PGo2N6vv0TW9du4XQnmB0K2w48ZlG69cSFq4P3xj0s/s320/DSC_0190+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After seeing all we could at Silverthorn, we left (thankfully not in a cop car) and headed to Gunnison. At this point we had been driving since we left the airport and had yet to get out of the car. So you can imagine my boredom. It got better when we reached the road around which we might find a Gunnison sage-grouse. We looked until dark and all I found was my spirit cow, and yes I said spirit cow. I am sure you have heard of a spirit animal, so the idea of a spirit cow should not be a foreign concept. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisgMEB5m0eKEVN-vad6j1SI78_RsyxSkl_YrpM4NGsR96HIMF_kQKh2lOiLBvhDRAgus69SvbCzpoagz-JHJ5DJMx7yeYUohX4yuu3p7hqG4aamajwC0a7IA4aew0wXR3mCKAFb1BZ7e-f/s1600/DSC_0270+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisgMEB5m0eKEVN-vad6j1SI78_RsyxSkl_YrpM4NGsR96HIMF_kQKh2lOiLBvhDRAgus69SvbCzpoagz-JHJ5DJMx7yeYUohX4yuu3p7hqG4aamajwC0a7IA4aew0wXR3mCKAFb1BZ7e-f/s320/DSC_0270+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span id="goog_1299245977"></span><span id="goog_1299245978"></span><br /></div>
<br />
I created the idea of a spirit cow in order to distract myself from the post-plane exhaustion and to annoy my dad. I have to admit it was a lot of fun.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-BOQUfbX-3mU8S_LWvA421lU_QnsEGzQnPPskrZcDpiSl0USb3pt-4Bcer_yhKpt7n8cqO3NXfBl3Lfo7h2Yye2iIxu5B5Kb52y0O8odl3FH44DxLtj6YOKECrfgerOTb6RgVb9-1owji/s1600/IMG_0159+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-BOQUfbX-3mU8S_LWvA421lU_QnsEGzQnPPskrZcDpiSl0USb3pt-4Bcer_yhKpt7n8cqO3NXfBl3Lfo7h2Yye2iIxu5B5Kb52y0O8odl3FH44DxLtj6YOKECrfgerOTb6RgVb9-1owji/s320/IMG_0159+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The next day we headed back to Gunnison and after much searching we got a bit of good luck when the grouse we were looking for flew over.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFBzDwMerzw2V6zvcvp2RxUPxfv-d21K6DPnHx_WUBFW9smDeBkFLREyQaiCcSMslB70Cqrxs4-T6BZ_enqSIGCA3wB2bWgKzUadodhyfMUr_kd04xadzZd5yxQUS99OrGx1LStAkxSX6O/s1600/DSC_0328+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFBzDwMerzw2V6zvcvp2RxUPxfv-d21K6DPnHx_WUBFW9smDeBkFLREyQaiCcSMslB70Cqrxs4-T6BZ_enqSIGCA3wB2bWgKzUadodhyfMUr_kd04xadzZd5yxQUS99OrGx1LStAkxSX6O/s320/DSC_0328+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Our trip passes in a haze of driving with only the occasional stop every few hours. We eventually stopped at Colorado National Monument and I saw a juniper titmouse.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq4dP67-zjS1PWyBDm1Zm_FufJlG2whEM7BNH-EzETyuYwoD8aLVR0tf-bj72m1axyuWJUjQAaGbS7E4mogcvVBGm-jGMKfPJNaBbw2JlvBmDT_HfOUOAgiHpZi0XhLQ2xmdmnivuLVLqi/s1600/DSC_0442+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq4dP67-zjS1PWyBDm1Zm_FufJlG2whEM7BNH-EzETyuYwoD8aLVR0tf-bj72m1axyuWJUjQAaGbS7E4mogcvVBGm-jGMKfPJNaBbw2JlvBmDT_HfOUOAgiHpZi0XhLQ2xmdmnivuLVLqi/s320/DSC_0442+%25283%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
While in that area we also saw a herd of mule deer.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUnnTqdq0ODX_OpAGOa2aTMDi_iX-60sQuG4EBxm4v1_evBwRGKCxh6CxBkB_IuzcYj37UbKRYdzaL-LVQ-0jybYEtgyoYeO-8PnlOIDN6CSzp0cnZ4dvV2XPfCfa6U6IhgXQWBl8voSVv/s1600/DSC_0381+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUnnTqdq0ODX_OpAGOa2aTMDi_iX-60sQuG4EBxm4v1_evBwRGKCxh6CxBkB_IuzcYj37UbKRYdzaL-LVQ-0jybYEtgyoYeO-8PnlOIDN6CSzp0cnZ4dvV2XPfCfa6U6IhgXQWBl8voSVv/s320/DSC_0381+%25283%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
So far besides the driving it had been an enjoyable and very scenic trip. The part that made me wish for more happened at the top of a mountain in the snow. We were there to see a ptarmigan of some sort which lived in the high altitude. We hiked up a hill and I stood for a moment in the wind. I was on top of the world! However, as I looked out across the snow I saw hundreds of people snowboarding and skiing down the mountain. This caused a craving for my snowboard or even my skis. I missed them so badly as I watched all these other daredevils gliding down the white mountain. My love for the snow and all sports related to it was much greater than my love for birds and even though my dad yelled at me and tried to guilt me for not searching for his ptarmigan, I still sat there on the mountain watching and taking pictures of the boarders and skiers.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0IET-flu7sfnE6lRxH3x2xuU3X950xUIVWjyQx8Tm3Ios3Kg-i_yG3hXDHUbamuZXTY5kgI3BtcNpfMOJB5WvOA1BbcCTjUhY1zFj8WM36A_qwYKpSue04YnG6P-IDuMlh31BRfDIaxBP/s1600/DSC_0109+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0IET-flu7sfnE6lRxH3x2xuU3X950xUIVWjyQx8Tm3Ios3Kg-i_yG3hXDHUbamuZXTY5kgI3BtcNpfMOJB5WvOA1BbcCTjUhY1zFj8WM36A_qwYKpSue04YnG6P-IDuMlh31BRfDIaxBP/s320/DSC_0109+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
If only it was winter, I have told my dad and he reluctantly agreed that after his big year is over it will be his turn to be the follower on our trips. We decided that a ski/snowboard trip in Colorado would be an amazing adventure next year. I hope you all accomplish your dreams for the next year or two. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Love,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
L</div>
<br />Catroyalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17612473120952458134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1034566301842096688.post-10243803969498302012016-03-14T20:04:00.000-07:002016-07-05T18:43:39.108-07:00Phoneless This latest trip was to Tucson, Arizona. We stayed in Miller Canyon which was very beautiful. The one downside of the canyon was that it had no cell reception, but I adjusted and after the first day used my phone just a camera. However this turned out badly since I grew used to using my phone less, I did not notice later when it went missing. The location of my phone is still unknown, but besides that, the trip was one of the most vacation like of any birding trips I have been on this year.<br />
<br />
I got to go on my first hawk watch this weekend. A hawk watch is a strange pastime where people sit in a clearing waiting for a hawk to fly by. I noticed that many people also brought their dogs with them which provided a great source of non hawk related entertainment.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz3ugIhtnT9MWuC1TKYDClAZFM3RKnw86ZGIK4K7UHXUmtgEKVqSbK-hgnZdtQWE_vFWgxRl_pfsppNjSKwsJ4eFDl1YeQwDfec3OtJRFUG0Jl0vtVGcN0JJjPERZV8EUeZBiEgB4poKbT/s1600/DSC_0181+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz3ugIhtnT9MWuC1TKYDClAZFM3RKnw86ZGIK4K7UHXUmtgEKVqSbK-hgnZdtQWE_vFWgxRl_pfsppNjSKwsJ4eFDl1YeQwDfec3OtJRFUG0Jl0vtVGcN0JJjPERZV8EUeZBiEgB4poKbT/s320/DSC_0181+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
This is Joey the dog, she was known by almost everyone at the hawk watch and had the unique skill of being able to jump out from the dog park. I had to laugh as she ran around saying hi to everyone. In addition to seeing Joey the jumping dog I got to see a common black hawk.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsz9Hti30iMEzn_tL4qR04DTYpcjaJqzPFqUmr3ARq_TpMREVSSy505e-5t9BCDF-zkSsvVuomo8sPIktbKxIKhxgGTWVet5qkWAHfrXWMzwXrOgOM6dGLxfuHkOb5RXnxV4Zr1oqajUDE/s1600/DSC_0146+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsz9Hti30iMEzn_tL4qR04DTYpcjaJqzPFqUmr3ARq_TpMREVSSy505e-5t9BCDF-zkSsvVuomo8sPIktbKxIKhxgGTWVet5qkWAHfrXWMzwXrOgOM6dGLxfuHkOb5RXnxV4Zr1oqajUDE/s320/DSC_0146+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The best part of that day was convincing my dad to let us go shopping. We needed presents for my grandmother and great grandmother's birthdays. My dad gave us fifteen minutes to pick something out, but we able to evade my dad for thirty. It was fun and we found some really nice presents. After that we went to see some humming birds and I got three new birds to add to my list.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNLHLtihYis6PJF12VtxwYr7YIMYnJ2aRhfXAE6pV3V7qbPON8ByV9AKE4Sw6_y5UQYJue6A1MnbaIjZsBAE1xvTo-tb8-w__PLkBZaTsuU66RsPZDm6bxQkuUWHAWgPbcBsQ32wFnKBj/s1600/DSC_0332+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNLHLtihYis6PJF12VtxwYr7YIMYnJ2aRhfXAE6pV3V7qbPON8ByV9AKE4Sw6_y5UQYJue6A1MnbaIjZsBAE1xvTo-tb8-w__PLkBZaTsuU66RsPZDm6bxQkuUWHAWgPbcBsQ32wFnKBj/s320/DSC_0332+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Broad billed hummingbirds</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5WBrciY-SnAUKxFtfqyWFykP-xThLaVz10tfGdpHJxjiomjmo7WZjV8ljzhGTxnlhQXxYiFbs26yJtq8opb_Fu3MIU7u_o7UKO73DF5-w8YwNwKF_9AstUmjhjKI5kTHNOI8v-nIGyD0/s1600/DSC_0532+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5WBrciY-SnAUKxFtfqyWFykP-xThLaVz10tfGdpHJxjiomjmo7WZjV8ljzhGTxnlhQXxYiFbs26yJtq8opb_Fu3MIU7u_o7UKO73DF5-w8YwNwKF_9AstUmjhjKI5kTHNOI8v-nIGyD0/s320/DSC_0532+%25283%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOa2ZoQSaIn5eCZKXRUSdw_3ZtbGWifIce0jyj0Y6axF0tx-V5SI3W-ciRRLw4QqX3m2-fuTnD15Aefim16wJfpMPAoGLRMP9e5rMAp9mUgPws5MkTnrymajpTTAWCENx8bFOQQrxlfIz/s1600/DSC_0298+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOa2ZoQSaIn5eCZKXRUSdw_3ZtbGWifIce0jyj0Y6axF0tx-V5SI3W-ciRRLw4QqX3m2-fuTnD15Aefim16wJfpMPAoGLRMP9e5rMAp9mUgPws5MkTnrymajpTTAWCENx8bFOQQrxlfIz/s320/DSC_0298+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Broad tailed hummingbird</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79lo_IYsMLs3z9Z1DRR1iDDywyyeQpZYM6ViYgJitKvUHnzwDLTJAXQBNoJlT6XFsiDbQcJWBiT6LEZTLsFl2wLhaZekKh43OvMeo45TFL4wkwa9Vq0trM5M8i0Fu2zDCtxZDcLSJAQZn/s1600/CSC_0564+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79lo_IYsMLs3z9Z1DRR1iDDywyyeQpZYM6ViYgJitKvUHnzwDLTJAXQBNoJlT6XFsiDbQcJWBiT6LEZTLsFl2wLhaZekKh43OvMeo45TFL4wkwa9Vq0trM5M8i0Fu2zDCtxZDcLSJAQZn/s320/CSC_0564+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Violet crowned hummingbird</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My parents practically had to drag me away from taking pictures of all of the hummingbirds. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It was a lot of fun and I was quite happy on the ride back to our cabin. Later that night we went hiking to see the elusive spotted owls. We saw them and got a great view of the sunset over the canyon.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_H5Mv7V4JZZ7H2n0uflAxmCUU6NadmVsTKxPp2WHnGA5M5ivnuDlRYR-UeTfFNpoFIaKizHy0mZrNaviEEMF3pySqrCSniyQIAioqYfnK6jQKDJYIUsV2fIbPdeFyXaq0vJwGnMZl9zs/s1600/DSC_0356+%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_H5Mv7V4JZZ7H2n0uflAxmCUU6NadmVsTKxPp2WHnGA5M5ivnuDlRYR-UeTfFNpoFIaKizHy0mZrNaviEEMF3pySqrCSniyQIAioqYfnK6jQKDJYIUsV2fIbPdeFyXaq0vJwGnMZl9zs/s320/DSC_0356+%25286%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
One of the people who owned the cabin we were staying at was kind enough to show me a ringed tailed cat. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCfalN5c6zhdZ_I7CMAIN0mgGXPsEoYpDH1sUP6Gi33oWjGbsKRKAYG8XgitvoO0ahWWgSFP4dlrPbE6G6aTtrDlRItkyBgCAAwD6Xmhd9U6yCmk9nQWofXVJx3CN2CzSQpimS0GM7zWYF/s1600/DSC_0392+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCfalN5c6zhdZ_I7CMAIN0mgGXPsEoYpDH1sUP6Gi33oWjGbsKRKAYG8XgitvoO0ahWWgSFP4dlrPbE6G6aTtrDlRItkyBgCAAwD6Xmhd9U6yCmk9nQWofXVJx3CN2CzSQpimS0GM7zWYF/s320/DSC_0392+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The next day we went hiking in the desert and saw a curved billed thrasher and a black tailed gnatcatcher.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDetPXljqj_r8gHiGYRCeZsHvMW1zRmPS4rwFvHemAiSWwn3hCoEK_ksqE-v8ZiDOIjCl7iEjaxZ68m0ZTB_2xw8M0b2UkX0vVruIH6gmkAIuIOmyDVubDdAd_Kv6kv8n2GYFN0SNdhtI/s1600/DSC_0094+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDetPXljqj_r8gHiGYRCeZsHvMW1zRmPS4rwFvHemAiSWwn3hCoEK_ksqE-v8ZiDOIjCl7iEjaxZ68m0ZTB_2xw8M0b2UkX0vVruIH6gmkAIuIOmyDVubDdAd_Kv6kv8n2GYFN0SNdhtI/s320/DSC_0094+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWKdR4JOdEeIsQdcwoaGXdgDspsPrApN6_NRjUf2ihU7ckUMr9Lw-4rp4P7QLEiTWLKQAG55qorzUdjMb_NyALuRPcuzSJi_AyL9oM4joVVm4cMkuQhgngnysXxBHlJ__eXLUy73K-8zX/s1600/DSC_0041+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWKdR4JOdEeIsQdcwoaGXdgDspsPrApN6_NRjUf2ihU7ckUMr9Lw-4rp4P7QLEiTWLKQAG55qorzUdjMb_NyALuRPcuzSJi_AyL9oM4joVVm4cMkuQhgngnysXxBHlJ__eXLUy73K-8zX/s320/DSC_0041+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This blog was mainly just pictures since not much of interest happened this weekend besides losing my phone (potentially while hiking in the desert). I hope you all have a great week</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
L</div>
Catroyalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17612473120952458134noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1034566301842096688.post-11491024204744618932016-02-17T17:13:00.000-08:002016-02-17T18:10:01.022-08:00Snow on the beach<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin1ljza0YvTCmuZlHDg7_Ev3yZBEq315P5uMArab1TNoEojLeJGwYkfvlHor56kNswpki4e8MPqEnzSii9rcMsPasD3gT1Hu5R7cLRDPigWciOO5B_Jhzy4IK7TWrqO5Q9tdt4yYxqFrRt/s1600/DSC_0430+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin1ljza0YvTCmuZlHDg7_Ev3yZBEq315P5uMArab1TNoEojLeJGwYkfvlHor56kNswpki4e8MPqEnzSii9rcMsPasD3gT1Hu5R7cLRDPigWciOO5B_Jhzy4IK7TWrqO5Q9tdt4yYxqFrRt/s320/DSC_0430+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Snow on the beach, it is something that is difficult to
picture. When I first saw it as we were walking along
the water towards the car, I could not figure out what it was. At first I thought
it was ash? Then I looked closer and it was white. I never for a second thought
it was snow. My dad informed me that it was in fact snow when he noticed that I
had stopped following him. Snow on a beach? It is such a strange concept. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our trip did not start at a beach or in the snow. That
happened later. It started on a flooded dirt road somewhere in North Carolina.
Our very pretty but equally impractical Dodge charger had no chance of going
into the water, so we hiked. My dad didn’t want to carry his giant camera all
the way down the road and so he suggested we just take mine, it was very
sneaky. Guess who ended up carrying the camera the entire two miles to the tree
where a red-cockaded woodpecker was? Me. I did this in
my snake boots which are great at defending against snakes and going through
water but….they are terrible to walk in.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs6tAPGBLL26agX6p7P7naYWGmdr16pyJSoITzPdVur3z5gcTaJ9OAE_xrmJ6Fm8HfNsqpe3UA6AzVp-5C5E71kWdkGKH6974rz1xyC5Vcr9_Dq83my2spFqaUoli6jq5Gmg6Y6bCCsB4W/s1600/IMG_0897+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs6tAPGBLL26agX6p7P7naYWGmdr16pyJSoITzPdVur3z5gcTaJ9OAE_xrmJ6Fm8HfNsqpe3UA6AzVp-5C5E71kWdkGKH6974rz1xyC5Vcr9_Dq83my2spFqaUoli6jq5Gmg6Y6bCCsB4W/s320/IMG_0897+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
We saw the bird but I regret getting out of the car to hike
those two miles. My ankles hurt so badly afterwards and I had to strongly
encourage myself to get out of the car when we reached a beach area. It was
quite pretty and there were many new birds for me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzbGBPy1gUXrjEudYXaLDMmJWzDUK8172NprkLCoTraFpPYxYAtr-l9iWLT14J2AHeOsxCKFStvyA8uJ8L-hDqDoeUWUG8V4clyxWA7WxQ1wZynf534EnR7vVd3WTgHnQEbvJeZZ5BbzM6/s1600/DSC_0366+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzbGBPy1gUXrjEudYXaLDMmJWzDUK8172NprkLCoTraFpPYxYAtr-l9iWLT14J2AHeOsxCKFStvyA8uJ8L-hDqDoeUWUG8V4clyxWA7WxQ1wZynf534EnR7vVd3WTgHnQEbvJeZZ5BbzM6/s320/DSC_0366+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ4eJqWjvWXkf2LB90acSTxMM0McLMCrG2tTKUjTP2mLbTtVIkFp7ErTRTLI8wBgwaDkZ3E_ONq3kY15rhzcvLTOvHIk9qBvW692-46q5rN2g17XGY6FSo16xDX98kv2ZRG-lt_ZyDaJBB/s1600/DSC_0375+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ4eJqWjvWXkf2LB90acSTxMM0McLMCrG2tTKUjTP2mLbTtVIkFp7ErTRTLI8wBgwaDkZ3E_ONq3kY15rhzcvLTOvHIk9qBvW692-46q5rN2g17XGY6FSo16xDX98kv2ZRG-lt_ZyDaJBB/s320/DSC_0375+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDMez8z7-gIQfOZWHjJSn4gC2a2_-k7oGbGPWSvaESEjlDDb6N7roky6j8m_yKsNPgf3-htqTl0usMFOF0m55MYTVa2bec0ITV-kl4dVL8i_Qyoi-yEoYGlijuC-JFnkSQbxEqO8K2S9iu/s1600/DSC_0275+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDMez8z7-gIQfOZWHjJSn4gC2a2_-k7oGbGPWSvaESEjlDDb6N7roky6j8m_yKsNPgf3-htqTl0usMFOF0m55MYTVa2bec0ITV-kl4dVL8i_Qyoi-yEoYGlijuC-JFnkSQbxEqO8K2S9iu/s320/DSC_0275+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbp00lT_ZoffJ7HtWsinbLHvib3c1EKEUkFnYNwzn1D33jwcb6xwyGnF9rIOsz3K-nNyhAqs0SK7jQfxR2SBhN-7YvLZc1st6_1vjp_fL2q7KEOlFhM6Qi48DfuV89ROMBXTuBere-buaC/s1600/DSC_0411+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbp00lT_ZoffJ7HtWsinbLHvib3c1EKEUkFnYNwzn1D33jwcb6xwyGnF9rIOsz3K-nNyhAqs0SK7jQfxR2SBhN-7YvLZc1st6_1vjp_fL2q7KEOlFhM6Qi48DfuV89ROMBXTuBere-buaC/s320/DSC_0411+%25283%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
It was neat seeing all of these new birds and walking around in the sand, so much so that i ignored my foot pain and enjoyed being on the beach. It was almost erie walking through the dunes and looking out apon the ocean. We reached the point of the beach and continued back along the rocks. It was beautiful and when it started snowing the area became almost surreal. We came across a lone black scoter who seemed very at home in the snowy waters.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2Z5QIg6fKUVV5RC05M5Oofxc_sZpFPPy6pL6R_R4_1C5ZXqmloAdzycyVDWVK09BV5syrGfrSKu1HXkYrVx2wWFY8FgSgmS693fxRUiXImeVFhRzKPLvkYiD_DXv7D_HMMdoSfx5dqOs/s1600/DSC_0361+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2Z5QIg6fKUVV5RC05M5Oofxc_sZpFPPy6pL6R_R4_1C5ZXqmloAdzycyVDWVK09BV5syrGfrSKu1HXkYrVx2wWFY8FgSgmS693fxRUiXImeVFhRzKPLvkYiD_DXv7D_HMMdoSfx5dqOs/s320/DSC_0361+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On the walk back to the car I picked up shells and fossils. I planned on giving them to my mom as a kind of apology for making her be alone on Valentines day. I felt bad that we left her and also bought her some presents from a tourist shop. Technically my dad paid for them with my guidance. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We had originally come down here in order to go on a pelagic but it was cancelled and pushed back a day. We still went on Sunday but the weather was bad and I got seasick. It was a very miserable trip for me since I didn't feel good and had cold feet (literally). I did get to see a hammerhead shark, a couple of sea turtles, dolphins, and a great skua! Which helped to make up for the long day in the boat. That is all for now, have a great day!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
L</div>
Catroyalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17612473120952458134noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1034566301842096688.post-8610414663285086012016-02-02T17:20:00.001-08:002016-02-02T20:48:33.639-08:00Unexpected Death<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">I was
informed of an unexpected death while on my way to see the ivory gull at
Duluth, Minnesota. The gull had died. This was quite a surprise to me as people
had been feeding the gull and I'm sure they would throw themselves in the way
of a gyrfalcon before they would let it fly off with the rare ivory gull, but
alas the gull is no more. This put a damper on my trip this last weekend but it
all worked out in the end. I did not get to see the gull but I saw nearly every
other bird that we could have seen in the Minnesota area. All except the ruffed
grouse, but I will see that another time.</span><span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
This trip started like all birding trips in my family, very early. We drove and
drove and after hours we reached Aggasiz national wildlife refuge. After
passing by an abandoned house we came across a flock of sharp-tailed grouse. To
be honest I could not see them until they were pointed out to me. I was so
sleepy I could barely see a hand in front of my face but the idea of new birds
helped to wake me up. We were pleasantly surprised when one of the sharp-tailed
grouse turned out to be a prairie chicken. This is a picture of a sharp-tailed
grouse.</span><span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaHNKspoe6s-nT7ImNPIbIYrT1_tsTSzqoBvwElkhXul156N_jweav6ByxrjTteaLehaki-YF9arelyN-NiX_R5mjkg_p8w9FGByrLLYW-OGDDphlbR-c2bNia_1K7h_6LCm4_4g_lZ1YB/s1600/CSC_0318+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaHNKspoe6s-nT7ImNPIbIYrT1_tsTSzqoBvwElkhXul156N_jweav6ByxrjTteaLehaki-YF9arelyN-NiX_R5mjkg_p8w9FGByrLLYW-OGDDphlbR-c2bNia_1K7h_6LCm4_4g_lZ1YB/s320/CSC_0318+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">We
were so pumped up by the two-for-one that we went to find a northern hawk owl.
About a mile from the Canadian border there it was, sitting on the top of
a tree in clear view.</span><span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoJxZNu0L-KN-ZKAdg7_On6_imyAuIRmy_wPLrJLNPqFZ7id9VCme0tuQlz7CsYXCVsbcfs5YbENIdspElBy3K-Tf2aSY1joprI0ho7asBLO1P04RW-TXgRXNl236Y5jYXCjRvhWaiptsB/s1600/CSC_0319+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoJxZNu0L-KN-ZKAdg7_On6_imyAuIRmy_wPLrJLNPqFZ7id9VCme0tuQlz7CsYXCVsbcfs5YbENIdspElBy3K-Tf2aSY1joprI0ho7asBLO1P04RW-TXgRXNl236Y5jYXCjRvhWaiptsB/s320/CSC_0319+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">We
drove around in the hopes of finding a great grey owl, but all we got was
stuck. Yes stuck, I had to get out and push which was a new experience for me.
My dad, ever the gentleman, didn't leave the car. He did let us go out to eat
for lunch at subway since we had seen all the target birds for the day. If any
of you know my dad you will realize how rarely he goes out to eat, he is a
hardcore birder, he does not waste good birding time on food.</span><span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">After
lunch we went through Warroad, and while there we came across a flock of ghost
bohemian waxwings. I call them a ghost group because like an aberration they
vanished into thin air. We drove all over Warroad and never caught sight of
them again. It did not faze me as I had already seen them and at that point I
was carsick and sleepy. I woke up a little bit when we came across a small
group of pine grosbeaks.</span><span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtA2_rFTkqMOJg5jDv8szSIuALjP42AhCVoEO5-U4aXn37VTnCmSIdiLlvk8f4GPXBmedeLIyr2-xQBy09Rn9zpGU0v7zZDLj9GfksobgN9tufP7PPxWC7Kznd5osCDhN611aRv4FmlRta/s1600/CSC_0313+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtA2_rFTkqMOJg5jDv8szSIuALjP42AhCVoEO5-U4aXn37VTnCmSIdiLlvk8f4GPXBmedeLIyr2-xQBy09Rn9zpGU0v7zZDLj9GfksobgN9tufP7PPxWC7Kznd5osCDhN611aRv4FmlRta/s320/CSC_0313+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'times new roman';">
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Sax-Zim
Bog</span></b><span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">: We were on the lookout for a great grey owl and after our
easy find with the hawk owl we were sure we'd find it. Things didn't go quite
as planned. We searched the places where owls had been found previously but we
found no trace of them. I was disappointed. After a few hours of driving we
gave up and went to Marie Lou's feeders to pick up an evening grosbeak. We
found them. We had to make fun of some other birders, however, as they were
scaring the grosbeaks.</span><span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="font-weight: normal;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwdFF89-81vJFRru5AezCNLdalFU62ZiOLxbtN3kZcfDrkmwMF9fLpuZFL_uKMRu-Gz32arg7UA3v8gHE-VyF-X3n7qsXnEMjd7Mb6hT4Gt1wtoHH9fqByTeq7ZU54ALI5jSc6UZwnAcMs/s1600/DSC_0442+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwdFF89-81vJFRru5AezCNLdalFU62ZiOLxbtN3kZcfDrkmwMF9fLpuZFL_uKMRu-Gz32arg7UA3v8gHE-VyF-X3n7qsXnEMjd7Mb6hT4Gt1wtoHH9fqByTeq7ZU54ALI5jSc6UZwnAcMs/s320/DSC_0442+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal;">
<div style="font-family: 'times new roman';">
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">I<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>was rejuvenated somewhat by seeing the
evening grosbeak and so we headed to another feeder to<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>try and see the boreal chickadee.
There was already three cars there when we arrived and by the time we left
there were about eight. I had fun watching my dad talk about his birding
prowess, but the cold got to me and I had to go hide in the car with my dog for
a while. The boreal chickadee did not show right away but we had no lack of birds
to look at since the grey jays were being very photogenic. The boreal chickadee
finally showed after a half hour and was received by a large group of birders
armed with their various types of cameras, one man even had two.</span><span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'times new roman';">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNyFI5RdBM1fzhikHipwVH5ivlmwX3i2nMWaSLetcEMF8x0NMOkARq6gx8jV9SW-qGmDpJrVkFGXuBCtVwwhET3W82X9VcQZdybKwk4bzIRAlYm6HaLJuU0QKkJT-PHtaeu7PuuAGJXJd/s1600/CSC_0600+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNyFI5RdBM1fzhikHipwVH5ivlmwX3i2nMWaSLetcEMF8x0NMOkARq6gx8jV9SW-qGmDpJrVkFGXuBCtVwwhET3W82X9VcQZdybKwk4bzIRAlYm6HaLJuU0QKkJT-PHtaeu7PuuAGJXJd/s320/CSC_0600+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="font-family: 'times new roman';">
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">We
resumed our search for the owl after that but to no avail. It was midafternoon
by the time we gave up and started searching for a black backed woodpecker. My
butt was numb and we had been in that car for over five hours at that point, I
was stir crazy. So I was happy to be able to get out of the car each time we
tried to call a black backed woodpecker. We used my mom's beat pill to call
them but received no response. It was after one of these calls that we heard a
thump on the side of the car, I asked my dad what it was and he responded that
Bridget must have bumped something. Bridget is our dog. We continued driving
and were planning on meeting up with one of my dad's friends when we decided to
stop and call for the woodpecker again. It was then that we realized what the
thump had been, it had been the speaker. On our drive back to where we had
heard the thump, I couldn't help imagining that everyone we had passed might
have picked up the speaker or god forbid run over it, we were lucky though, the
bright red speaker was still there and my mom had one less reason to murder us
when we got home.</span><span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The
day was long and exhausting. I had given up on seeing any new birds and I will
admit I started day dreaming while looking for them. I was not allowed to read
or listen to music so I was insanely bored and my dad and I continuously fought
over the radio. I was shocked and pleased when my dad's friend sent us a
picture of a great grey owl. She had seen it in the opposite side of the bog
however, so we had nearly twenty minutes of driving to get there. My dad put
the pedal to the metal as we sped down the main road, going 100 mph at times.
We made the twenty minute drive in closer to ten, it was both terrifying and
exhilarating at the same time. When we were within sight of his friend's car we
saw a great grey owl.</span><span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: 'times new roman';">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXSbpJufX7gCDpelHTZghgtexPfOwFyWhRE7kU1N1bKykpCAum6PmMCjn4D9yS4eMy0n0O2mEPo42d5G39wU5q6zDAzSMN0CO4JdzvLfESrMdKR7fpmE7j7t3EpwPw9lsw7SjAfZw0m0AZ/s1600/DSC_0665+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXSbpJufX7gCDpelHTZghgtexPfOwFyWhRE7kU1N1bKykpCAum6PmMCjn4D9yS4eMy0n0O2mEPo42d5G39wU5q6zDAzSMN0CO4JdzvLfESrMdKR7fpmE7j7t3EpwPw9lsw7SjAfZw0m0AZ/s320/DSC_0665+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: 'times new roman';">
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">We
were overjoyed and could not be more thankful to Julie, my dad's friend. We
offered to buy her dinner and drove to a diner in Cotton, MN. It was a pleasant
evening and being outside of the car after driving all day was a welcome
change. I stole my dad's food while he was talking to Julie and almost fell
asleep after eating. We still had an hour drive to our hotel after that though.</span><span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The
next day started earlier still as we were meeting a Facebook friend of my dad's
named JG. He was going to help us find the blacked backed woodpecker. He seemed
to be a nice guy and helped us out when our dog spilled my dad's coffee all
over my seat. We offered to give him the dog in exchange for his help, but...he
refused. It was not long after that when I caught a glimpse of something in the
woods and saw the woodpecker. We all shared a group hug as this was my Dad's
400th bird for 2016 and my 237th bird. JG seemed overjoyed to be with us for
this monumental occasion and was even more excited than we were about it.</span><span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">We were
all quite happy as we drove off to Superior to see a snowy owl. The snowy owl
hadn't gotten the memo that we were looking for it, however, so we were unable
to find it. We also could not find the gyrfalcon which may or may not have
eaten the ivory gull. </span><span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">I was
very hungry by then and strong armed my dad into abandoning the search for a
snowy. My dad showed me the place where he claims to have proposed to my mom on
the way to one of his favorite restaurants. I say he claimed because my mom
insists that where he showed me was not in fact where he proposed. That raises
the question if he did not propose to my mom there then who was he proposing
to? </span><span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">During
lunch I had a struggle with the wait staff, they were so prompt and quick that
I could not get more than half of my overly strong tea down before they
refilled it. Which may not be a bad thing but I had had enough tea and wanted
to finish the cup. I never could. The food was good though but my dinner
companion didn't allow for much conversation, he was writing his own blog at
the time. Once I had finished my food I snuck off to look in the tourist shops.
I loved looking at all of the cool glass works in one of the shops and I was
able to hide out there for a half hour before my dad found me. He had wrongly
assumed I'd be in the candy shop, I had hardly given that shop a glance. </span><span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">We
headed back to Superior to try again at finding the snowy owl. It was by a
stroke of luck that a gyrfalcon was sitting on a pole off in the distance. It
was too far for me to get a picture, but I was so relieved that we had found
it. If only the darned snowy would show up then we could leave! It was after
this that my dad started getting superstitious and since we had listened to
exes and ohs right before we had seen the great grey owl, he decided we needed
to listen to it again to find the snowy. I was forced to buy it off ITunes and
we listened to it again and again changing the words as we sang. It did not
work right away, JG had rejoined us with his daughter and a few hours had gone
past when we listened to it a final time before going and picking my mom up
from the airport. This time when we turned around to re-drive the same road
there was a snowy owl sitting on the post we had been driving past for hours.
The song worked! I give total credit for the bird showing up to Elle King. Her
song is my dad's good luck song and maybe mine as well.</span><span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVtIo8CuHP1Xz8a4sWD59Q7WBU4fllhiFMHD1mCaeu3j4l7KCpOEWm1gUVkbFv-AgUCaVzfqsAlBy_UXs0EvhQ8RXo7hG3EUj8w7lQwEyeBz7HCGK2h5nhSgNwt-k3qG7NRuGKSIUJsPTt/s1600/DSC_0843+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVtIo8CuHP1Xz8a4sWD59Q7WBU4fllhiFMHD1mCaeu3j4l7KCpOEWm1gUVkbFv-AgUCaVzfqsAlBy_UXs0EvhQ8RXo7hG3EUj8w7lQwEyeBz7HCGK2h5nhSgNwt-k3qG7NRuGKSIUJsPTt/s320/DSC_0843+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">We
went to pick up my mom after seeing every bird on our list of needed birds.
Life was good and we got celebratory frosties from Wendy's. I had mine with my
dad's french fries, if you haven't eaten milkshakes and french fries than you
are missing out. My dad forgave me for stealing his fries since my salad had
BBQ sauce on it, do not ask why Wendy's decided to ruin my salad I can only
speculate. One of the things I came up with is that the workers got high one
night and decided that BBQ sauce went well on salads-it doesn't. Besides the
nasty salad and car sickness the trip went good. I finished the day with a bird
count of 243. It was a good trip and while I was sad I had not been able to see
the ivory gull, I was happy to have had a good weekend of birding. </span><span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">With
love,</span><span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">L</span><span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Catroyalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17612473120952458134noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1034566301842096688.post-59657013758412791752016-01-20T18:24:00.000-08:002016-01-24T19:16:40.501-08:00Relapse Island<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
It all started at a gas station in Hutchinson, Minnesota, on our way to the airport. In a moment of weakness I bought three packs of gum, justifying it by saying I would give them to friends...my friends never got any.<br />
<br />
Most of the first pack was gone by the time we landed in Orange county, California. All of that first pack and most of the second were gone by the time, an hour and a half later, my dad showed up to take us to the hotel.<br />
<br />
Day 1:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I had become slightly hardened to the life of a birder and didn't complain over being woken up at 5:30 a.m. We left the hotel room armed with backpacks full of rain gear and snack food. We headed downstairs and true to form Jim was sitting there drinking a cup of coffee. Jim is one of my dad's birding companions and was hanging out with us all weekend. My parents left us in the lobby while they went to get the car. While we were waiting, Jim realized he had misplaced his backpack. He ran off to find it and I covered for him. When he came back without having found his backpack in his room, we drove him to the nearby McDonalds where he had eaten breakfast. While waiting for our food to be ready and for Jim to find his backpack, I witnessed a homeless lady hiding her stuff in the bushes. It was with sympathy that we informed Jim of the large number of homeless people walking around. We all came to the conclusion that his backpack was gone for good. `<br />
<br />
We sped off to catch our boat. We got lost trying to find the right pier, but with some help from Siri we made it on time. We said goodbye to my mom at the parking lot and headed off to the boat. <br />
<br />
I was shocked to see giant bags of popcorn next to the boat. I remembered my dad mentioning that popcorn would be used to lure in the birds. He started talking to the other birders and abandoned me. I found Jim and stayed with him since my dad was swapping bird stories with old acquiatances. Jim pointed out a Surf Scoter while we were waiting. The ship sailed off just as the sun crested the tree line and I soon saw all three of the commonly seen gulls.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFDtylg8ltUAof4pdXra0QU-6voL8J-ydplOoSdYjIw8qsm4yDS_2ia_ihLfatZvDJVBpD3-luIdEVQvHQp1Eo_9UEYOPicOeBQigJ2xmdk7QFexJhvjK8QZNfg8oCdMK_7j_SrS_PP5l/s1600/DSC_0125+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFDtylg8ltUAof4pdXra0QU-6voL8J-ydplOoSdYjIw8qsm4yDS_2ia_ihLfatZvDJVBpD3-luIdEVQvHQp1Eo_9UEYOPicOeBQigJ2xmdk7QFexJhvjK8QZNfg8oCdMK_7j_SrS_PP5l/s320/DSC_0125+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Heerman's Gull</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUuzr5qgonavdY4d-FuvKMASsDox-qabfnUKgavBUT8mbxKJiF2ezHqZeu10h0t03yQQKdV9p67iCUNidPRR9GNzPY3XTRu1E767hUiaQQHzndLl1UmcF6hRGAeoaVO3FPN9cTyESWuBsz/s1600/DSC_0037+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUuzr5qgonavdY4d-FuvKMASsDox-qabfnUKgavBUT8mbxKJiF2ezHqZeu10h0t03yQQKdV9p67iCUNidPRR9GNzPY3XTRu1E767hUiaQQHzndLl1UmcF6hRGAeoaVO3FPN9cTyESWuBsz/s320/DSC_0037+%25283%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is most likely a immature Herring Gull</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheOceoJo8ebUEc2NoZIREHoJ38EgrICn0ZvBWaiULhgzI9DBrYKT76UwuqB9VmB17EEU8BPAx9B4QmwkcaZpC4h_s969QItcg83cIigvWuv9hW3WDclkH1wBvaIdGCkt1CW7CebiGqo4xz/s1600/DSC_0024+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheOceoJo8ebUEc2NoZIREHoJ38EgrICn0ZvBWaiULhgzI9DBrYKT76UwuqB9VmB17EEU8BPAx9B4QmwkcaZpC4h_s969QItcg83cIigvWuv9hW3WDclkH1wBvaIdGCkt1CW7CebiGqo4xz/s320/DSC_0024+%25283%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Western Gull</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I don't particulary like terns due to an accident involving a flock of them when I was young, but I took this picture anyway.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFHBB78IELri4GJ0FQcQGUD8aEDOcetxkDj6j0JwJ9yi_Zx_7Fy2v851fAyLpp9yHPau0I4ZK0-FN-KG0AD4mjG_APX7vatDgz5Ta4Cy4p0aK4URf13Mb_aVMwPwf9ogQN_6Dt_iAfCIu0/s1600/DSC_0044+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFHBB78IELri4GJ0FQcQGUD8aEDOcetxkDj6j0JwJ9yi_Zx_7Fy2v851fAyLpp9yHPau0I4ZK0-FN-KG0AD4mjG_APX7vatDgz5Ta4Cy4p0aK4URf13Mb_aVMwPwf9ogQN_6Dt_iAfCIu0/s320/DSC_0044+%25283%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Even though I already saw one I couldn't resist taking pictures of my favorite bird, the Brown Pelican.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92DHLQ5imJZswRI5Apm_Lm9EK35zEMjmfwXF66BO0viQh3XQqeLPlqSERTKSSuhj4yXmnO6IzDE8_gD-gi_tXDQDSZPuxSxjBnz5gYMp0TjVDvHx9eRB-H2vjf1TlCa87g_z88z7B0hUY/s1600/DSC_0034+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92DHLQ5imJZswRI5Apm_Lm9EK35zEMjmfwXF66BO0viQh3XQqeLPlqSERTKSSuhj4yXmnO6IzDE8_gD-gi_tXDQDSZPuxSxjBnz5gYMp0TjVDvHx9eRB-H2vjf1TlCa87g_z88z7B0hUY/s320/DSC_0034+%25283%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I saw many new birds as the day progressed:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7wyUHS3-DaWmkpCUygvwigvIjbEtqCMUbiat_uKc_kso0g7hPcRSCbv7A_MC6UJG5ViqFW8HO90x0msvX5bvKCtdd2TMk54EPhiSfB51DP-8AKiWQOx8gIqyNM-_Uno1GvzuFSQKqyfDy/s1600/CSC_0568+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7wyUHS3-DaWmkpCUygvwigvIjbEtqCMUbiat_uKc_kso0g7hPcRSCbv7A_MC6UJG5ViqFW8HO90x0msvX5bvKCtdd2TMk54EPhiSfB51DP-8AKiWQOx8gIqyNM-_Uno1GvzuFSQKqyfDy/s320/CSC_0568+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Rhinoceros Auklet</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkTA_KKoeB_xzXMeQX6WCSgI1_eUf7VW3MHGlYDV38Rg7AvmqskB6QNl4SVLA39i8QE5tTy6G1SV8pLGVMH7_CH3vhI7MH6LJNbko-xWpv9XmYyr0-5nSLxaEJJaA6H866T-YElDQf8nzb/s1600/DSC_0221+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkTA_KKoeB_xzXMeQX6WCSgI1_eUf7VW3MHGlYDV38Rg7AvmqskB6QNl4SVLA39i8QE5tTy6G1SV8pLGVMH7_CH3vhI7MH6LJNbko-xWpv9XmYyr0-5nSLxaEJJaA6H866T-YElDQf8nzb/s320/DSC_0221+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Common Murre</div>
Mammals too:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFBt83ROl_3z72G40NFKczEsCV-a8PwNTxQz9_epeQqdN0XML8ax94Aldx7G9foyVyNoZCyqAE74kBQ46hGszKwFoXNVZOHigOgGoXLt1xc6Ajm2-IMmpLagDrQl2BU76c6HNOQoT8c_dC/s1600/DSC_0088+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFBt83ROl_3z72G40NFKczEsCV-a8PwNTxQz9_epeQqdN0XML8ax94Aldx7G9foyVyNoZCyqAE74kBQ46hGszKwFoXNVZOHigOgGoXLt1xc6Ajm2-IMmpLagDrQl2BU76c6HNOQoT8c_dC/s320/DSC_0088+%25283%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLyY7F1BsKXy47vIKNrSYMogDK1cMtRVRmoR_m7Q25UzPYjZzzpXHqM7N3bMlrk71H1-MGZ1CEHxxLdsA8szn6p2EyrTjxPxFrm08WMMB3qxO1mQwnFFhUEr3zpi0Bndm6TBxnNsiVT7Vd/s1600/DSC_0408+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLyY7F1BsKXy47vIKNrSYMogDK1cMtRVRmoR_m7Q25UzPYjZzzpXHqM7N3bMlrk71H1-MGZ1CEHxxLdsA8szn6p2EyrTjxPxFrm08WMMB3qxO1mQwnFFhUEr3zpi0Bndm6TBxnNsiVT7Vd/s320/DSC_0408+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjEan9WhGww57Ngi1EQ7kvJy6vcqfJQnDEuKVG_dxsGNVRFySIYEWu3MCf69awgOskwll5KlshRduqQuaIbYq7Qix863VTD-gnV3nfrUst7l4fAfiISqslw_SudzajHmEYc5w6QFxZyFI/s1600/DSC_0134+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjEan9WhGww57Ngi1EQ7kvJy6vcqfJQnDEuKVG_dxsGNVRFySIYEWu3MCf69awgOskwll5KlshRduqQuaIbYq7Qix863VTD-gnV3nfrUst7l4fAfiISqslw_SudzajHmEYc5w6QFxZyFI/s320/DSC_0134+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Grey whale with dolphins</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2JmvdW2z2CPUraVwJsoBy_gJy7ZypfHgfjbNDxaspTdrYV9I6-K6uZltXs_UYDXkgno4IztO7DtjZpOMDEbXceNHoohVO3BDJ9WXk1H5QqpYGFswfoesh8e8zYFlmCw_LwQajDvlEHLyT/s1600/DSC_0915+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
Being on constant look out for birds is exhausting and after a few hours of this I feel asleep. I awoke to people shouting "I see a brown booby!" Not at all how I planned to wake up and on anything other than a birding boat it might have had a different connotation. However, since we were on a birding boat a Brown Booby happened to be the main attraction. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6sRFe5EyeiQEaw0l3T95EFbaFCLlRCUzPWqM9DWosG2pa52fIfamp-TncpT-ZOXoIvVJElcIU2Qzbq6h9fA-F8yww4bTSXs628TtM7zRsNqVvKYGyAdJXZtl5OJvm0ixkRr6LWFafFMX/s1600/CSC_0410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6sRFe5EyeiQEaw0l3T95EFbaFCLlRCUzPWqM9DWosG2pa52fIfamp-TncpT-ZOXoIvVJElcIU2Qzbq6h9fA-F8yww4bTSXs628TtM7zRsNqVvKYGyAdJXZtl5OJvm0ixkRr6LWFafFMX/s320/CSC_0410.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The Brown Boobies were situated right under the burning natural gas from the oil rig.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjkzS3g_CINGCPxCxN4a6zmVynIKsCyFYEaJVpKdgssSfv5YJOaA3GCGN7-MRT7QZOpASBMjKT1sE61N96dl2BLwO5VEI2FldjqiLnqLOKRFr8zmnxPqzuhEPVkjTzz_ztmZ3KKu6IQIDt/s1600/DSC_0352+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjkzS3g_CINGCPxCxN4a6zmVynIKsCyFYEaJVpKdgssSfv5YJOaA3GCGN7-MRT7QZOpASBMjKT1sE61N96dl2BLwO5VEI2FldjqiLnqLOKRFr8zmnxPqzuhEPVkjTzz_ztmZ3KKu6IQIDt/s320/DSC_0352+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The day was long after that, we had all been in the boat over four hours and had seen nearly every species possible on this pelagic cruise. No one minded having the boat head back to port.<br />
<br />
We all agreed to meet up for dinner that evening, and while waiting for my dad, we starting discussing dementia. Jim showed up and added his own story of dementia. As it turned out, his backpack was not in the possession of a homeless person but safely locked in his room.<br />
<br />
Day 2:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpA3fbzOkJv0odpLT66xP85OcQGa39elbPuHceOBMjwwwXZw105Eb3uKSswIPBh5feYh9hPYuS8BRmzj0r5mFQWJUjKJPSek3cVhS97DkGk6Ev__jfzsLRREZGl-kUbYSOHAPmv9zg4Tuz/s1600/IMG_0259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpA3fbzOkJv0odpLT66xP85OcQGa39elbPuHceOBMjwwwXZw105Eb3uKSswIPBh5feYh9hPYuS8BRmzj0r5mFQWJUjKJPSek3cVhS97DkGk6Ev__jfzsLRREZGl-kUbYSOHAPmv9zg4Tuz/s320/IMG_0259.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Much to both my mom's and my joy, the ferry for Catalina did not leave until 9:30 am. After sleeping in and packing snacks, we headed to the ferry. This time, Jim brought his backpack. <br />
The ride over was uneventful except for when I pointed out a Sooty Shearwater which was one of the few birds we had missed the day before.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyufDfaLJhpxLt4E4yWw5VDDQ2GVMufx2rC9RQVeTpkgYhB9Yvid1UAYEBjyIrGlAQtS11pANhdwWrxJCvg8xaPGdzf72k7CyEq580QXSEx0fp0F6w3vJvl4Gp2ln9-5RHosbrXfinLmif/s1600/DSC_0747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyufDfaLJhpxLt4E4yWw5VDDQ2GVMufx2rC9RQVeTpkgYhB9Yvid1UAYEBjyIrGlAQtS11pANhdwWrxJCvg8xaPGdzf72k7CyEq580QXSEx0fp0F6w3vJvl4Gp2ln9-5RHosbrXfinLmif/s320/DSC_0747.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Once at Catalina, we headed to the bike shop where my brother's old roommate was working. He got us set up with mountain bikes and directions to the best places to find Spotted Doves. The ride started ok, but I soon realized how out of shape I was. It was during one of my frequent breaks that I first saw the dove. It was a fleeting view. We made it up to the botanical garden that was situated at the top of the road. My mom being the rule breaker she is, sneaked through the turnstiles and walked right in. My dad and I, who are not quite to that level of rule breaking decided to wait for the attendant to return from lunch. I broke out my gram crackers and we ate some lunch ourselves. Eventually my mom returned, looking slightly miffed at us for waiting. <br />
<br />
Once we got in to the gardens, it was a steep climb up to the top. We didn't see many birds, but we did get to pay our respects to a man who has made my life better but is also responsible for my gum addiction. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2nubIzNuuU96ZiwEA1zWNs1cdZNlryAr-YblpxQliDegVivpV2SRvzRTU6XFqsexwJAAOprhvkE14JUrVWN5n_ozIan_X4SPhk8aBK71IevIeY9z0tESxfkRhYpnwp8Tb5SwCzdUjhjE4/s1600/IMG_0436.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2nubIzNuuU96ZiwEA1zWNs1cdZNlryAr-YblpxQliDegVivpV2SRvzRTU6XFqsexwJAAOprhvkE14JUrVWN5n_ozIan_X4SPhk8aBK71IevIeY9z0tESxfkRhYpnwp8Tb5SwCzdUjhjE4/s320/IMG_0436.PNG" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">William Wrigley Jr.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The ride down the road was far easier and much more fun than the ride up. My mom sped down it like a speed demon and was going fast enough to pass golf carts. I sped down it too but at a much less deadly speed. We met up at a place with a sign calling it the bird park, but when it actually was either a day care or a preschool.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkOSB_6tBw3bM_fTIgOqZM9Q7ntrsP8h203nYYhOakvviB3-GsqKWI81dSXwFBPrnBrfZA5pOXeH9v7BQpGA8uvOwjkTYZ78TsvM3Qu7lDiCmvR7vS6YakVdc3rXkQzBt_te3va23LiMjG/s1600/IMG_0322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkOSB_6tBw3bM_fTIgOqZM9Q7ntrsP8h203nYYhOakvviB3-GsqKWI81dSXwFBPrnBrfZA5pOXeH9v7BQpGA8uvOwjkTYZ78TsvM3Qu7lDiCmvR7vS6YakVdc3rXkQzBt_te3va23LiMjG/s320/IMG_0322.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNrl6vkfreghC7c4NFHG6NmsVfll4cjq_s80HcIKBeo14Pl9MmZaPQwRhn02_fZ6AQakzcZj_dFjH2MeMGEK9DQxSyQnYxo2vOa5BYMpsuwHeN0BcQSIRYsqar8sO9NVHexQGuBY5Hi_dz/s1600/IMG_0317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNrl6vkfreghC7c4NFHG6NmsVfll4cjq_s80HcIKBeo14Pl9MmZaPQwRhn02_fZ6AQakzcZj_dFjH2MeMGEK9DQxSyQnYxo2vOa5BYMpsuwHeN0BcQSIRYsqar8sO9NVHexQGuBY5Hi_dz/s320/IMG_0317.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
We visited some of the other good birding places around the island and got a better view of the dove.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2zCnpG1otonm6rpqqibAcuzJEHelveOE3pNXX5hDQ3rpi0jUW2ciZNeOvXG1gCeRIcbCg9hcg8qBM4PBZiqrKRW7FYU7KC07B76qc6Ugk2W_obcs3dUduWEAZGZ8fT42ODydqbrZHlfx/s1600/CSC_0626+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2zCnpG1otonm6rpqqibAcuzJEHelveOE3pNXX5hDQ3rpi0jUW2ciZNeOvXG1gCeRIcbCg9hcg8qBM4PBZiqrKRW7FYU7KC07B76qc6Ugk2W_obcs3dUduWEAZGZ8fT42ODydqbrZHlfx/s320/CSC_0626+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Also a great look at some hummingbirds.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiXZaYgwQXwXif8d6GMIarfSTADEjw8L1u8QhKFnr4D35TtL1c7JZdS4qB0H02czBEbx01OdABydTF31F0X84wOx4dpjDFh6hlE5pdCW4aEif9u7trbgOgNoDxd_nTOENBzdS5G3eHovZD/s1600/DSC_0888+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiXZaYgwQXwXif8d6GMIarfSTADEjw8L1u8QhKFnr4D35TtL1c7JZdS4qB0H02czBEbx01OdABydTF31F0X84wOx4dpjDFh6hlE5pdCW4aEif9u7trbgOgNoDxd_nTOENBzdS5G3eHovZD/s320/DSC_0888+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Allen's Hummingbird<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb7kX8jO_3ZPh0aWv7vMwe6Hm_SdmPo752znco-XssFmqm0vW3dTsq1Z0E-trdIQK_tEeaqhErXBGoFSVzzCewXY4t9qqXiRgTY-5SO5vgILfRQmOsASx8R8ZdjTYGLS5-RIGINIXiKFkR/s1600/DSC_0714+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb7kX8jO_3ZPh0aWv7vMwe6Hm_SdmPo752znco-XssFmqm0vW3dTsq1Z0E-trdIQK_tEeaqhErXBGoFSVzzCewXY4t9qqXiRgTY-5SO5vgILfRQmOsASx8R8ZdjTYGLS5-RIGINIXiKFkR/s320/DSC_0714+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Anna's Hummingbird<br />
<br />
It was almost time to head back to our ferry when we stopped at Big Olaf's Ice-cream for a snack. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp17SHMRLRJAGBvPQIekEMQEICy5B1G-7GqEkCGbLbK09oXEtoljlgZYLPoo7TeyYmvG3-hb8n2-kdaKBR0B54Q-nAY80acwmjEBYMvvdogGHIeerkZ6YMy_daUQD9zeBp-SJtQGDj0frB/s1600/IMG_0337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp17SHMRLRJAGBvPQIekEMQEICy5B1G-7GqEkCGbLbK09oXEtoljlgZYLPoo7TeyYmvG3-hb8n2-kdaKBR0B54Q-nAY80acwmjEBYMvvdogGHIeerkZ6YMy_daUQD9zeBp-SJtQGDj0frB/s320/IMG_0337.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The ride back was relaxing and I finished my book (Ash by Jaymin Eve and Leia Stone) and sat in the back of the boat watching the sunset. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBz9Esxw0fhlqpE0N_LiV6LRsVmgg0xNOop04c4UIYL1R67g17DPEVcIV7XMjPM_GfI8YpH9RDBH6SnSzkpGd1YPDSiqP9jucc2QoYCpyH7Xp5WG0E-cdMX9piwOOa0krI311_hlROVB37/s1600/IMG_0386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBz9Esxw0fhlqpE0N_LiV6LRsVmgg0xNOop04c4UIYL1R67g17DPEVcIV7XMjPM_GfI8YpH9RDBH6SnSzkpGd1YPDSiqP9jucc2QoYCpyH7Xp5WG0E-cdMX9piwOOa0krI311_hlROVB37/s320/IMG_0386.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Day 3:<br />
<br />
We checked out of our hotel early the next morning and headed off to see a Oak Titmouse. My plane didn't leave until that afternoon so we had plenty of time. It wasn't a long drive to Irvine park, but during that time my dad's self appointed themesong came on, exes and ohs.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxZdfnYw0gW7zn1xDollRkWapXQhg6kuGOanEtzY5rvDgS3ta4oFPBbocuZ7bD7fkT6knyTDDCEe6UpOW7zhQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
We saw our other target bird the Lewis's woodpecker right away.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9SxpH6oFqMzaxE1RPAshCa9wtiZsU2ZNSTsUFJ3AGwJvnjOpJ-CpOwgUxocGtHF26EKFc15YO257ilXoYuWtvJjF2kcEjoFfQrICx9ocNQezVk5AGoUfnGUHDsb71AuPnMfVOlXjXUdb/s1600/DSC_0915+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9SxpH6oFqMzaxE1RPAshCa9wtiZsU2ZNSTsUFJ3AGwJvnjOpJ-CpOwgUxocGtHF26EKFc15YO257ilXoYuWtvJjF2kcEjoFfQrICx9ocNQezVk5AGoUfnGUHDsb71AuPnMfVOlXjXUdb/s320/DSC_0915+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And soon found the Nuttall woodpecker too.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMaJ9523L2yzaDUWn2s2l1ZjUJe5Uo0de5tj2XdI6XPlnksPujw2CPGx_bDVtNwMifC7AVLE8O_R0GQxEUrTk9GPBZ4PMwoaoE7nGUNJkYlnlWX8_h6Mm4BSS8VIOEvAEf0TX2qK_noB84/s1600/DSC_0973+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMaJ9523L2yzaDUWn2s2l1ZjUJe5Uo0de5tj2XdI6XPlnksPujw2CPGx_bDVtNwMifC7AVLE8O_R0GQxEUrTk9GPBZ4PMwoaoE7nGUNJkYlnlWX8_h6Mm4BSS8VIOEvAEf0TX2qK_noB84/s320/DSC_0973+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
After seeing the Nuttall, we wandered around and ended up next to a playground. My mom couldn't resist trying out the mini zipline-like contraption attached to the blog, however as she stepped off she landed wrong and tumbled to the ground. Originally we thought she had broken her ankle but thankfully it was just a bad sprain. When my dad turned around and saw my mom on the ground he had to comment "this is why fifty year olds don't play on playgrounds!'' After making my mom start laughing he helped her to the car and sent me and Jim off to find either some titmice or owls. We found neither. I did see a Western Scrub-jay though which was a year bird for me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6hrpfoMGesyXpcuJXrjxusU2Eg_cQjeHOxkL4pDrlmzttKyI2FtEaf7PqMOcjoMm_5HVs6S7QcmU7vbhBDqI4CU6csf0phSPwy620_qgfsMIJ5cYRMcI6hwQNTwNP6Kk8Ra6anzHr-LAZ/s1600/DSC_1022+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6hrpfoMGesyXpcuJXrjxusU2Eg_cQjeHOxkL4pDrlmzttKyI2FtEaf7PqMOcjoMm_5HVs6S7QcmU7vbhBDqI4CU6csf0phSPwy620_qgfsMIJ5cYRMcI6hwQNTwNP6Kk8Ra6anzHr-LAZ/s320/DSC_1022+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
My dad met up with us then and we trekked around in the woods for a bit and eventually sighted a lone Oak Titmouse sitting atop a tree. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicMivg_lESVU4cG9Pwxedp8JR_YnY4i6WcaArNFr_pWyIrQOo3-DB_hTDWoENk2KJUXPo1HN3l7cU2UBHd9CHTtNx-YuL1EvFNTMCEsBWZmdekMaFbaZoC4xIwb8tGUvJ11gGV_L5RYMLg/s1600/DSC_1035+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicMivg_lESVU4cG9Pwxedp8JR_YnY4i6WcaArNFr_pWyIrQOo3-DB_hTDWoENk2KJUXPo1HN3l7cU2UBHd9CHTtNx-YuL1EvFNTMCEsBWZmdekMaFbaZoC4xIwb8tGUvJ11gGV_L5RYMLg/s320/DSC_1035+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We were contented after that and rejoined my mom. The next destination was the park pond and I got two new species of duck there, the Mallard and Wood ducks.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOjs_ZDlWJLw_TPlSVAvD0acyrBaJz58rSRGlqSI5g7IRYflw7CRhNnDfcDgKG7FAAGYp-g8RlzszQm-QSJhWbAkrgquBQj7atVyLLOFhuSsLs0vLwpOzgNY1kAhrWmG3-Fmmt8iC5IhDE/s1600/DSC_0078+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOjs_ZDlWJLw_TPlSVAvD0acyrBaJz58rSRGlqSI5g7IRYflw7CRhNnDfcDgKG7FAAGYp-g8RlzszQm-QSJhWbAkrgquBQj7atVyLLOFhuSsLs0vLwpOzgNY1kAhrWmG3-Fmmt8iC5IhDE/s320/DSC_0078+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Mallard</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzPPoSaIQrdYcJ6YvwAiOfibj41jmElc-2PmJ5sN0K_hxjWIKEKKod3SGXQKtBIWv6mCgRb3N5fkkDojty4d0k9pHHAT6dwasbfKjpx2DdkhCqVN_1EAfzNu7TlLmvl46wSjjJVVN-G9gh/s1600/DSC_0064+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzPPoSaIQrdYcJ6YvwAiOfibj41jmElc-2PmJ5sN0K_hxjWIKEKKod3SGXQKtBIWv6mCgRb3N5fkkDojty4d0k9pHHAT6dwasbfKjpx2DdkhCqVN_1EAfzNu7TlLmvl46wSjjJVVN-G9gh/s320/DSC_0064+%25283%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Wood Duck</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcfTNdjA8AFVSjID6WTAy478iE-fGuVUZPzGZ_qiS3kA5klbwdX9Xe_uHPR48C5_WTZHOQcuSpHpLPFJXAISdih-efgVfJmJG5PMvd6-6VsR330rH6D4OT7XipCtvRWRm1NEp6kkbObrls/s1600/DSC_0112+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcfTNdjA8AFVSjID6WTAy478iE-fGuVUZPzGZ_qiS3kA5klbwdX9Xe_uHPR48C5_WTZHOQcuSpHpLPFJXAISdih-efgVfJmJG5PMvd6-6VsR330rH6D4OT7XipCtvRWRm1NEp6kkbObrls/s320/DSC_0112+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
That was the last bit of birding before heading off to the airport and once there I said goodbye to my dad. My mom used her suitcase as a makeshift crutch in order to get into the airport, but I knew she wouldn't be able to hobble all the way to our terminal. So I found her a wheelchair and with Jim wheeling our suitcases I pushed her to security. The vast power of the wheelchair allowed us to skip the entire line at security, I have a deep respect for wheelchairs, and allowed us special treatment. Jim left us to eat his peanut butter, which in the airports eyes is a liquid, and so I struggles to push both my mom and our two suitcases, not to mention our backpacks.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaNS8Jgrvm3JymPnQdlTqwj0TZE__7uDtkwejojBz8TKKywu5uXdmJ3Zo4hZ2Ujc-nuhom_yX7j3X7IsLIq2nM2KuO4V2huejMOPn3atbYapllbSEcyEUmjk_OdBKAksWZDVrJ7cXnwCFS/s1600/IMG_0422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaNS8Jgrvm3JymPnQdlTqwj0TZE__7uDtkwejojBz8TKKywu5uXdmJ3Zo4hZ2Ujc-nuhom_yX7j3X7IsLIq2nM2KuO4V2huejMOPn3atbYapllbSEcyEUmjk_OdBKAksWZDVrJ7cXnwCFS/s320/IMG_0422.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
However, we made it to the terminal with plenty of time to spare. My mom wanted to attempt to hobble down the passage to the airplane but I talked her out of it. Our plane was full and we all knew that after first class the fight attendants were going to start mandatorily checking peoples bags. I remembered that only one group of people got to go in front of first class, people who required more time to get down the airway. Both my mom and I got to be the first people on the airplane and I was lucky enough that the Steward wheeled her down and offered to call ahead and have someone waiting to take her to our car. <br />
<br />
So, all in all our trip went well. I got to see new places and see many new birds, 40 to be exact. I also saw two different species of dolphins, one seal, many sea lions, and a grey whale. I relapsed back into my gum addiction but I am taking William Wrigley's memorial as a sign. I am happy to say I don't get sea sick and I am looking forward to all of my future boat trips. I hope everyone reading this had an amazing weekend!<br />
<br />
With love,<br />
<br />
LCatroyalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17612473120952458134noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1034566301842096688.post-90238489405286681452016-01-06T20:06:00.001-08:002016-01-06T20:06:33.254-08:00Is Texas really the place for me?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXrMsCzgVy8bo_Md_6nS7WPEkEueLgPPLsXKDYcl4byVjkdbsZVMiywNEa7yah9OzQhAdJJbpxhIiwKMnCOOmINEvUcVzJzIu5hX4c5VW5NcNKu2fmiEYroAC_K5-L4eGAsIU14_FTPcnF/s1600/IMG_0068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXrMsCzgVy8bo_Md_6nS7WPEkEueLgPPLsXKDYcl4byVjkdbsZVMiywNEa7yah9OzQhAdJJbpxhIiwKMnCOOmINEvUcVzJzIu5hX4c5VW5NcNKu2fmiEYroAC_K5-L4eGAsIU14_FTPcnF/s320/IMG_0068.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Texas did not go as planned. We arrived on Friday, and after six hours of sleep we were in the car and driving to Oliveveros park in Brownsville. We drove around for a while, but when we couldn't find any parrots we decided to walk around. It was cold, about forty degrees, and after about twenty minutes of searching my mom went back to the car. My dad and I kept looking for a while, and eventually we heard squawking from across the park. When we got there we realized why we hadn't seen any parrots before then: they were all in this one tree. There were about a hundred parrots all sitting together squawking their little hearts out, and it was a sight for sore eyes.<br />
<br />
Everything went downhill after that. We reached Frontera Audubon Reserve in the middle of a downpour that lasted until late that night. We went there to see a Crimson-Collared Grosbeak, and we left three hours later miserable and cold. We hadn't seen any sign of the Grosbeak and all we had from our efforts were cold hands and wet feet. In an attempt to get our birding spirit back again my dad drove us to Santa Ana Nature Reserve, where we went looking for a Jaccana. We walked through the park to the places where the bird had been seen before, but we saw no sign of it. Eventually my mom and I were so cold and soaked that we left. We walked to a bird blind over looking on of the ponds, we were able to get out of the rain there and it was sightly warmer. As we were standing there, we happened to look out at the pond and saw a bird fly by with bright yellow wings. It was the Jaccana. My dad had followed behind us, but he was too late to see the bird. He insisted on staying and trying to see it however (he eventually did), and after a little bit my mom started comparing the differences between our situation and that of a homeless person....there weren't many.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEituHIleQUzSx909V_e71rV7A08LHUgkKXrqH6wU8aDtA2n6XoXBgP52N_U9D8tKlwN8Foy9X4YCSGU0sD7ySvDe3lKUGp6lCw8W4qxBZTm9F9Aad0ms6PeBVhr_73dAUuAv11uvs9ZA8hb/s1600/IMG_0045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEituHIleQUzSx909V_e71rV7A08LHUgkKXrqH6wU8aDtA2n6XoXBgP52N_U9D8tKlwN8Foy9X4YCSGU0sD7ySvDe3lKUGp6lCw8W4qxBZTm9F9Aad0ms6PeBVhr_73dAUuAv11uvs9ZA8hb/s320/IMG_0045.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The rain never stopped. It was merciless, I had come prepared for warm weather and sunburns, not cold rain and wet feet. The birds didn't seem to like the weather either since the only large group of birds were water fowl at Shrimp bridge. The rain didn't seem to bother them at least, so we got around ten new species there.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyaRFlEkuFUbfnaNTQY4e-iiCqtlvZd2ZcrW4huG1Nsl53_VS-bUrjZvBCyaKj4xwITBwmxR-R3PhxCueVZOESYhBZvo-Yq2_n_BWvnA8-jGWxm9i7UiCjnyjNOJzmyUD22s2rA-hLIt8c/s1600/DSC_0253+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyaRFlEkuFUbfnaNTQY4e-iiCqtlvZd2ZcrW4huG1Nsl53_VS-bUrjZvBCyaKj4xwITBwmxR-R3PhxCueVZOESYhBZvo-Yq2_n_BWvnA8-jGWxm9i7UiCjnyjNOJzmyUD22s2rA-hLIt8c/s320/DSC_0253+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We headed back to Frontera again in a vain attempt at seeing a Crimson-Collard Grosbeak. We stayed there for another couple hours, without seeing it, but we were fairly certain that we had heard it. The care taker was very sympathetic and offered to let us come back early the next morning for another chance to see it.<br />
<br />
We went to our hotel and for the first time all day we were warm and dry. We used a hair dyer to dry our clothes, and then relaxed by watching "The Longest Ride" which happened to be on TV. It is one of my best friend's and my favorite movie, so seeing it on TV helped to relieve some of the disappointment from the day. After the movie, we headed to Red Lobster to eat, the rain had stopped and we had a pleasant night.<br />
<br />
We were at Frontera again for the third time in two days, hoping that our luck would come back.....it didn't. We did hear the Grosbeak, however, and counted it. While everyone else was waiting for the Grosbeak to make an appearance, I wandered off and started looking around for the other rare bird that had been seen at Frontera. It is a smaller bird with a yellow belly and grayish-blue body that behaves similar to Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, so I kept an eye out for anything small and flighty. I walked away from my dad, who was talking to another birdwatcher at the time, and stood waiting to see some birds. It didn't take long before a large group of assorted birds were scared my way due to my dad's and the other birder's conversation. I was looking for it's yellow belly as I surveyed the birds and sure enough there was something yellow flitting around in the trees. I used my binoculars and identified it as the Tropical Parula. My dad saw me looking at something and came over asking "what are you looking at?'' The bird was gone and the moment was over.<br />
<br />
I was happy that I had at least seen the Parula, and since it wasn't raining the day seemed much better. In some ways the day improved from there, it wasn't raining and we were headed to see one of my favorite birds, the Burrowing Owl. I started to get a little concerned when we couldn't find any and I worried that someone had gotten rid of them. I was relieve when my dad flushed one from it's hiding place, but still a little concerned when that was the only one.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPjkq4Lazf1G47Od5DUjJXuIBYpwrQUUS2bZYMuSCXK2GUeeyVSnIKbezjXnDjsU_e0DGxQ0WS7h8ga0nKi1fITV66tTM_UUL9_2mEKP9SW4dDJfxUDXTQQtadY_N0iJINuofhZTRbnJqp/s1600/CSC_0603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPjkq4Lazf1G47Od5DUjJXuIBYpwrQUUS2bZYMuSCXK2GUeeyVSnIKbezjXnDjsU_e0DGxQ0WS7h8ga0nKi1fITV66tTM_UUL9_2mEKP9SW4dDJfxUDXTQQtadY_N0iJINuofhZTRbnJqp/s320/CSC_0603.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We were then scared off by an opinionated dog in a sweater.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Ptu6gDQVy1SJM5E9P01wwb2rzvGA0oIAniRpv9DZM5BRdSTKawgJ8KPnnSBi8YbCZ0rlej-S3n1g2SXLk-RDxyv8OtFRq-WV7KvXnBZk62DbDEMPlL_08vWEApdKe9XUyTd439h7cZVg/s1600/DSC_0607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Ptu6gDQVy1SJM5E9P01wwb2rzvGA0oIAniRpv9DZM5BRdSTKawgJ8KPnnSBi8YbCZ0rlej-S3n1g2SXLk-RDxyv8OtFRq-WV7KvXnBZk62DbDEMPlL_08vWEApdKe9XUyTd439h7cZVg/s320/DSC_0607.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We birded for the rest of the day, and went to our hotel tired and carsick. I had had my wisdom teeth out the day before Chrismas and after only a week of healing I was supposed to be keeping the pockets (where the teeth had been) clean, which was hard to do when we are driving all day and stopping only for birds. So, they had gotten infected. I as lucky that my mom always packs antibiotics when we go on trips. Sadly, my mom was feeling under the weather herself and she passed out soon after making us a diner of microwavable pasta.<br />
<br />
The next day was the last day in Texas, which was a relief to both my mom and I. She was daydreaming about Dayquill and I even though I had enjoying finding all of these birds, I couldn't help imaging what sleeping in my own bed, having dry feet, and a pain free mouth would feel like.<br />
<br />
The day started off at Max Mendel golf course, where we were hoping to see a Red-billed Pigeon. Once we got there, I couldn't help asking my mom to let me rent a golf cart, they are one of weaknesses. My mom gave in and as soon as we were out of sight of the club house, I was at the wheel and driving.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM2KExEj7vb_qy8ZxBZbnuGo06kiiBevzkp0cJI6cuyQfQXdQf5Cyj32Uk6G5Vi9CEDxxfB4FYDQ3OlwncwqNljMTganwxbwIU7ZvwGDNUlXUIqVr42mr1eM661XHFn01-xfsfi6UrGJjw/s1600/IMG_0078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM2KExEj7vb_qy8ZxBZbnuGo06kiiBevzkp0cJI6cuyQfQXdQf5Cyj32Uk6G5Vi9CEDxxfB4FYDQ3OlwncwqNljMTganwxbwIU7ZvwGDNUlXUIqVr42mr1eM661XHFn01-xfsfi6UrGJjw/s320/IMG_0078.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We didn't see the Red-billed Pigeon, but we made two new friends, Katherine and Raul. They were local birders and gave us advice on where to see the Pigeon later in the year.<br />
<br />
By the time we left the golf course and my beloved golf cart, we we slightly pressed for time. Our plane boarded at three and we still had to find a Roadrunner. We made it to my dad's own personal birding hotspot, Marthena Road, without incident, and drove down it looking for either Roadrunners or Quail. The Quail were nowhere to be found, but near the end of the road we saw this lone Roadrunner, meep meep.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSW3VWsoFdM_QlWqTum47frakrLWHYqVnY2FVtFRcNCPnB7frefN_T6XaYtymM3YFnz-8twu9UT98yZ2eoKp1Q6isfw9E8xNeGrLLzh282wqGdj5QS6uVBftt0P8umPLqKmXea9psaKrAG/s1600/DSC_0826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSW3VWsoFdM_QlWqTum47frakrLWHYqVnY2FVtFRcNCPnB7frefN_T6XaYtymM3YFnz-8twu9UT98yZ2eoKp1Q6isfw9E8xNeGrLLzh282wqGdj5QS6uVBftt0P8umPLqKmXea9psaKrAG/s320/DSC_0826.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Texas was interesting, but I can't say that I'll ever see it the same again. I love South Dakota and I was happy to be home, even if it was two in the morning when we got back. I had hoped that my Big Year would start a little happier, however. I have experienced the worst and survived, so even when I'm sitting in Alaska wishing they had indoor plumbing and something other than cold spam, it will still be able to beat cold rain, an invisible Crimson-colored Grosbeak (which was seen 10 minutes after we left), and infected wisdom teeth.<br />
<br />
Here's to a great 2016!<br />
<br />
LCatroyalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17612473120952458134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1034566301842096688.post-80495742612882357582016-01-03T17:25:00.001-08:002016-01-03T17:25:32.402-08:00Happy New Years!If I had a dollar for every time someone said "happy New Years, baby'' then I would be a very happy fifteen year old.<br />
<br />
We were up at five thirty on New Year's Day,and after a brief stop at Krispy Kreme, we made it to Bark'm and Markham dog park. Once there, my dad had us to spit up and search for the rare Western Spindalis. I walked around the nature trail and I heard chirping. I couldn't see the bird and figured my dad had already found the Spindalis; However, when we all met up, we realized that none of us had found it. So my parents set off together, and I followed behind them. They were chatting and walked right past the tree where I had heard the chirping. I looked at again in the hope of seeing the bird that I had been hearing, and I found it....it was the Western Spindalis. <br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGv3tvszwro_v8tccbODz6ni7oSjs3G9v8TOoqeTggEdRgTaf8hU79Wlihkip5nEv1bRDYBydsSrcUupg4St29B-6c1B1QczlHwhbmlWWmtXo67h4UzzexlWM5AeItPFNpEii-QEzmDGss/s1600/CSC_0378.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGv3tvszwro_v8tccbODz6ni7oSjs3G9v8TOoqeTggEdRgTaf8hU79Wlihkip5nEv1bRDYBydsSrcUupg4St29B-6c1B1QczlHwhbmlWWmtXo67h4UzzexlWM5AeItPFNpEii-QEzmDGss/s320/CSC_0378.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span id="goog_339734445"></span><span id="goog_339734446"></span><br /></div>
<br />
I started trying to get my parents attention, but since I didn't want to scare the bird I didn't dare call out very loudly. They continued talking and it wasntn't until I started flailing my arms and waving that they finally looked at me. I called out that I had found the bird and the only response I got was a disbelieving smirk from my dad. He walked over to me and I pointed to the Spindalis, his disbelief quickly turned into excitement.<br />
<br />
After looking at the Spindalis for a while my dad and I took a walk around the dog park. I found the Spot-breasted Oriole and some Monk Parakeets.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXMaDr_58oV9WaZ6_yMvMEYcVozJzQAtvo10LDWuuIpXBHNlIuhqnCSm7AydBVef8l8ysg_RxtcO7fgmY3T17N4Vrgs-qBMzl1aJ_0eDADsIMEdkM_eEBD7dNNbOXNLSy0BPAK1ShWSKMJ/s1600/DSC_0071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXMaDr_58oV9WaZ6_yMvMEYcVozJzQAtvo10LDWuuIpXBHNlIuhqnCSm7AydBVef8l8ysg_RxtcO7fgmY3T17N4Vrgs-qBMzl1aJ_0eDADsIMEdkM_eEBD7dNNbOXNLSy0BPAK1ShWSKMJ/s320/DSC_0071.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Right away when we entered the Loxahatchee Refuge boat landing and kayak rental stand I saw a Limpkin. It was very tame and allowed me to go right up to it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsnSL_PkLMlxOi3-T32hcqHw9au-dWeRt4z9Mb2Cv5tLBemEtjjQlpjbul3A60XUrF0KV2yfgwLFjY-GTDzZoCwau1MnHyrerkJVMcpsg4n6CjUcIhYYAEnNRQ1esLo2QFv_qUVxavJBGS/s1600/DSC_0091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsnSL_PkLMlxOi3-T32hcqHw9au-dWeRt4z9Mb2Cv5tLBemEtjjQlpjbul3A60XUrF0KV2yfgwLFjY-GTDzZoCwau1MnHyrerkJVMcpsg4n6CjUcIhYYAEnNRQ1esLo2QFv_qUVxavJBGS/s320/DSC_0091.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
While Dad (Olaf) and I were photographing the Limpkin, my mom was looking around the boat landing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4aAzQRhociFOyZspyuAH5b3-qQk-yu-_dqSC4ZGe2ADmhQxlcag6RJPzomT7TC1TBegrpyZkc9rGTBPyvX010tFpjhUhNWIhvZrOms4VaDihgYfoGFnu3YaMg27GPeQsZOiHq8LpzXprE/s1600/DSC_0109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4aAzQRhociFOyZspyuAH5b3-qQk-yu-_dqSC4ZGe2ADmhQxlcag6RJPzomT7TC1TBegrpyZkc9rGTBPyvX010tFpjhUhNWIhvZrOms4VaDihgYfoGFnu3YaMg27GPeQsZOiHq8LpzXprE/s320/DSC_0109.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
She came over to us, pointed at some alligators in the water and commented "I don't think I'm going to rent a kayak."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih39UpyfApAJ8rvMX7vfz7fo-pPofvD-8cODsKgiU1bWuqxR5SxBHH6RMX_P5jtyqihyTpkfgOWfSSiD7RCgyXW3f40yA7FjF7gAyklhhVpMr_PI6GnP3rPk9kzDrr9g86c0Q9K6rrwAXU/s1600/DSC_0142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih39UpyfApAJ8rvMX7vfz7fo-pPofvD-8cODsKgiU1bWuqxR5SxBHH6RMX_P5jtyqihyTpkfgOWfSSiD7RCgyXW3f40yA7FjF7gAyklhhVpMr_PI6GnP3rPk9kzDrr9g86c0Q9K6rrwAXU/s320/DSC_0142.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Once we had looked at all the birds (and alligators) that were at the boat landing, we headed down the trail. One hour, eighty-five degrees, thirteen birds, and no water later, my mom and I abandoned Olaf. We felt better after eating some candy bars and water. Our next destination was Snook Island in Lake Worth.<br />
<br />
Snook Island is a mangrove sanctuary that is rated fitfh best birding hotspot in Florida. It happens to be a favorite haunt of my father's, which was obvious when another birder recognized him. Dad got to meet an admirer and I got to see a brown pelican, which happens to be one of my favorite birds.<br />
<br />
The last place we stopped at was Green Cay. I was unnevered by the sight of a red blotchy colored snake, which may or may not have been poisonous.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7RLqJoVGk-vSjeZAGoahxnfAGaanIcGEZxd9pVjErpDKvw0uzitzf9F_1ccqRkm6PJ6rvAleaU7ChFWGxym8vfULfNvrx0vwPxsLInj0mPjLu70uQmmFVKjfQ9e0rFgWEIPAyJRp6m7LM/s1600/IMG_9977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7RLqJoVGk-vSjeZAGoahxnfAGaanIcGEZxd9pVjErpDKvw0uzitzf9F_1ccqRkm6PJ6rvAleaU7ChFWGxym8vfULfNvrx0vwPxsLInj0mPjLu70uQmmFVKjfQ9e0rFgWEIPAyJRp6m7LM/s320/IMG_9977.jpg" width="311" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
After the possibly poisonous snake I was on high alert and when my mom told us she had found another snake I was ready to get the hell out of there. My dad had other plans, however, and we continued searching for a Purple Gallinule. We found some Purple Swamphens who tricked us into thinking they were the Purple Gallinule we had been searching for. At this point my wet feet were aching and I was hungry, but we continued looking for the bird. We never did see it, but since we clearly heard it, we counted it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsr8XknMGQPW7tW1ObXC-9nWBf5qmQbfzBRpEMNaLxh_gk5jEhMKRedmI3bNFxHzhNCDtG1tUSHjV15lYLGbW-gT1DiFajxu9AJbXjh9f6mr32Gy74PMbgspaQ_K9fORpdzDMCgaY4jZz/s1600/DSC_0257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsr8XknMGQPW7tW1ObXC-9nWBf5qmQbfzBRpEMNaLxh_gk5jEhMKRedmI3bNFxHzhNCDtG1tUSHjV15lYLGbW-gT1DiFajxu9AJbXjh9f6mr32Gy74PMbgspaQ_K9fORpdzDMCgaY4jZz/s320/DSC_0257.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We saw many birds besides the Purple Gallinule and my total added up to 72 different species, 14 turtles, 2 snakes, 4 alligator and 3 very tired birders.<br />
<br />
Our trip to the airport was uneventful, and since we were there two hours early the line for security was short. Although, my container of sea salt looked suspicious and was searched by security (I just got all of my wisdom teeth out and the salt was needed to disinfect my mouth). My dad was quite impatient and walked ahead of us to the gate. He picked out seats that were right next to some outlets and he was planning on working on his blog, but fate had other plans....his computer was gone. He searched around where we were siting and when the computer still couldn't be found he backtracked to security and asked around. It took about an hour for him to return (with the computer), and we soon boarded our plane to Houston, Texas.<br />
<br />
In the spirit of Florida....Happy New Years, Baby!<br />
<br />
L<br />
<br />
<br />Catroyalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17612473120952458134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1034566301842096688.post-76653661978913440222015-12-21T19:41:00.005-08:002015-12-21T19:41:40.813-08:00My Apologies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRnNhB_YdBBXPo3pt3qZtyInreeBfl0yn8qSZ8hnR9-YlsFGTOWtco4xl3R1LGgNY0rVP-Io9LyWPdKIskHNbLEDa-h8vel2-e6kGlZhRew-inlGlJOCCWNLkmkSm09dUiGPYWBWX2hxCQ/s1600/moose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRnNhB_YdBBXPo3pt3qZtyInreeBfl0yn8qSZ8hnR9-YlsFGTOWtco4xl3R1LGgNY0rVP-Io9LyWPdKIskHNbLEDa-h8vel2-e6kGlZhRew-inlGlJOCCWNLkmkSm09dUiGPYWBWX2hxCQ/s320/moose.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
December 21, 2015<br />
<br />
Hello readers! I have been know by many names. The foremost being Lauren, Lena, and Micky (having the last name McDonald can be difficult at times)<br />
<br />
I must warn you that I never intended to write a blog.. it was something that my father, Olaf Danielson, (who sometimes can do a perfect imitation of a dictator) said I had to do. During the next year I will be traveling around the U.S and Canada with him in order to find as many different bird species as possible, or at least that is HIS goal. While I do want to see birds, I also want to see whales, dolphins, mustangs, and various other animals. Maybe I can even see a polar bear before they go extinct. Here is a common loon I photographed in Canada on a family fishing trip in a boat with my dad.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiynWOsaUJwZs7H8lqDtsj7BsZ0yJ_y7olEfG6q3cmK_a4sn3c5qgjU2IiXUvAYuCWQotslMJN_8ltolw7EoQvFp6NHR40r0hTJCVX4ifRv7ikeyaZAuwCdNe349niftu_8NlR9mympqe0F/s1600/loon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiynWOsaUJwZs7H8lqDtsj7BsZ0yJ_y7olEfG6q3cmK_a4sn3c5qgjU2IiXUvAYuCWQotslMJN_8ltolw7EoQvFp6NHR40r0hTJCVX4ifRv7ikeyaZAuwCdNe349niftu_8NlR9mympqe0F/s320/loon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Who knows what can happen in a year. My dad may never want to go birding with me again, and I will probably run screaming at even the mention of a code 5 bird (A really rare bird, I'll explain more later) This is my big year.but it is also my big year under protest. I will make the best of it, but my dad's survival is not guaranteed!<br />
<br />
My one of my goals for this year is to beat the junior big year record, which means I need to see around 500 bird species in the next year. It wont be easy, and I will probably be sick of birds towards the end, but I am going to try. In one weeks time I will be leaving for Florida in order to start my Big Year with the best chance of success. So think of me while you are all having your new year's parties, because I will be in a run down motel somewhere in south Florida eating cold Chinese food and psyching myself up for the next year. While you are attempting to carry out your New Year's resolutions, later on New Year's Day I will be catching a flight to Texas.<br />
<br />
-remember to smile<br />
<br />
L<br />
<br />
Please submit your email above and to the right to follow along with my adventures!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Catroyalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17612473120952458134noreply@blogger.com4