Yellowstone Natl Park - Day 3 - Sept 18

After a hearty breakfast, we loaded all our gear and headed toward the Roosevelt gate and Yellowstone NP. As there was snow the night before we where not sure what roads would be open and what areas of the park we would be able to visit. As it turned out, the southern end of the park was closed - but we could get to our destination for the day - the Canyon Village VC and Falls area.

Canyon Village and surrounding Guide

During the drive to the Canyon Village area, we saw many more Buffalo, a few Pronghorns and several Elk. However our goal for the day was to see the Falls near Artists Point and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. After a stop at the Visitors Center, we proceeded to the access road leading to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Arriving at the parking area around 2pm (it was a 3 hour drive from the house rental)..we found a luckily parking spot (I cannot imagine what this is like in the summer - there where cars, bus, rv's and people everywhere). After parking we proceeded along the trail to view the Falls and canyon. 

As you can see the falls are spectacular. We enjoyed the view, but as clouds where rolling in and snow was beginning to fall...we decided to start our return journey - as only the one road was open and could close at anytime..we would be stuck on the wrong end of the park. 

It was an uneventful return trip and we arrived back at our rental around 6pm for a BBQ dinner and to plan the next days activites.

Attached is a short write up on the Falls

Way back in 1870, a member of the Washburn party, Mr. N.P. Langford described the Lower Falls of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone in this way: “A grander scene than the lower cataract of the Yellowstone was never witnessed by mortal eyes.” That’s a more poetic way to say that the Lower Falls are a must-stop spot on any tour of Yellowstone National Park.

At 308 feet, the Lower Falls is the tallest waterfall in the park. In terms of height alone, it’s more than twice the size of Niagara Falls. The amount of water flowing over the falls varies greatly depending on the season. At peak runoff times in the spring, 63,500 gal/sec flow over the falls, whereas at lower runoff times in the fall, the flow diminishes to 5,000 gal/sec.

You can see them up close by visiting the platform at the Brink of the Lower Falls. Other spots to catch a glimpse of the falls include Red Rock Point, Artist Point, Brink of the Lower Falls Trail, Uncle Tom's Trail, and at various points along the South Rim Trail.

Not all that wander are lost

Yellowstone Natl Park - Day 1 & 2

Although we arrived in the area Saturday, September 16; however, our first full day in Yellowstone was Sunday, September 17.  

Our base was a home we rented in Gardiner, Mt - 8 miles nw of the Roosevelt Gate - the northern entrance to Yellowstone. Our goal for this trip was to see as much wildlife (bison, bear, elk and  hopefully the wolf pack) as we could and after researching the current blogs and travel sites - it seemed the Lamar Valley area was the best place to accomplish this. As you will see - it was quite simply put - overwhelming.

Below are a few link to maps and the official park website....check them out and be sure to look at the webcams.

Yellowstone Map

National Park Service website

We arrived at the North entrance by 6am to begin ur first day n the park....and no sooner had we started when we spotted our first wildlife - five pronghorn grazing in a file near the entrance...this was also our first photo op - with many more to follow:

Pronghorn Natl Park service link

As we proceeded into the park we encountered our first traffic (bison) jam...as a herd of Bison was crossing the highway all traffic stopped until they had all crossed - quite a unique site.

After the bison jam - it was decided that with snow - yes snow - forecast for the coming days - to drive to Old Faithfull - which would be the farthest point from our rental. The drive was specular and we arrived by 11am - toured the visitors center and took our seat waiting the geyser to erupt (as did many other tourists). Sure enough Old Faithful did erupt and we then moved on to the more specular geyser areas.

After seeing Old Faithful, we toured the lower geyser area  - making many spots along the way...this area is not to be missed - the geysers and hot springs where wonderful and the drive beautiful.

It was now after 5pm and we decided to begin our drive home. The drive was uneventful and we again saw Bison, Elk and Pronghorn. We arrived back at the rental home by 9pm...ending a long exciting day in the park - and looking forward to the next few days.

   

SE Arizona Birding Adventure

From August 22nd to the 29th several member of the Quittaphahilla Audubon Society traveled to SE Arizona on a guided birding trip. Here are the hilighights of that trip...I will also be adding a entry for each day of the trip in the near future.

Our guide for the week long trip was Richard Fray and I cannot say enough about Richard's commitment to having everyone in the group view the birds and his overall birding expertise. He led us to all the the hot spots and was willing to stay with us from sun up to sun down (which we did a few days). I would highly recommend Richard for any of your SE Arizona birding trips..here is a link to his website

Richard Fray Birding Guide

For the week we ended up with 159 total species. I am only listin the 'rare' species in this posting and a more detailed daily listing will follow over the next few weeks. The group had several target birds (and I myself had five - Elegant Trogan, Red faced Warbler, Grace's Warbler, Five Stripped Sparrow and Blue Throated Hummingbird.).

Here a few photo of some of the rarer birds was saw taken by Richard Fray

The #1 target species was the Elegant Trogan and we ended seeing both the male and female...more to come on that adventure in a future posting

A pair of Elegant Trogan's - #1 target bird for the trip

Tufted Flycatcher - Carr Canyon is the only place and this is the only bird for the this species in the entire USA - a mega rare species in the USA

Olive Warbler - only p;lace in the USA where you see this species is Carr Canyon - we where lucky to see it

Violet Crowned Hummingbird - only seen in SE Az

Rufous Capped Warbler - only place in USA this species can been observed - mega rare

Grace's Warbler

Swainson's Hawk flying overhead

As you can see we had a very good week...more to follow in the coming weeks. Below is the complete trip list. 

 

Until next time - good birding.

Here's the 159 species list:

Species	Name
Black-bellied	Whistling-Duck
Cinnamon	Teal
Mallard	--
Green-winged	Teal
Ruddy	Duck
Scaled	Quail
Gambel's	Quail
Montezuma	Quail
Wild	Turkey
Brown	Pelican
Great	Blue
Green	Heron
Black	Vulture
Turkey	Vulture
Golden	Eagle
Cooper's	Hawk
Harris's	Hawk
Gray	Hawk
Swainson's	Hawk
Zone-tailed	Hawk
Red-tailed	Hawk
Sora	--
Common	Gallinule
American	Coot
Killdeer	--
Spotted	Sandpiper
Eurasian	Collared-Dove
Inca	Dove
Common	Ground-Dove
White-winged	Dove
Mourning	Dove
Greater	Roadrunner
Barn	Owl
Lesser	Nighthawk
White-throated	Swift
Rivoli's	Hummingbird
Blue-throated	Hummingbird
Lucifer	Hummingbird
Black-chinned	Hummingbird
Anna's	Hummingbird
Costa's	Hummingbird
Broad-tailed	Hummingbird
Rufous	Hummingbird
Broad-billed	Hummingbird
Violet-crowned	Hummingbird
Elegant	Trogon
Acorn	Woodpecker
Gila	Woodpecker
Ladder-backed	Woodpecker
Hairy	Woodpecker
Arizona	Woodpecker
Northern	Flicker
Gilded	Flicker
American	Kestrel
Northern	Beardless-Tyrannulet
Tufted	Flycatcher
Greater	Pewee
Western	Wood-Pewee
Gray	Flycatcher
Pacific-slope	Flycatcher
Pacific-slope/Cordilleran	Flycatcher
Buff-breasted	Flycatcher
Black	Phoebe
Say's	Phoebe
Vermilion	Flycatcher
Dusky-capped	Flycatcher
Ash-throated	Flycatcher
Sulphur-bellied	Flycatcher
Tropical	Kingbird
Cassin's	Kingbird
Thick-billed	Kingbird
Western	Kingbird
Loggerhead	Shrike
Bell's	Vireo
Hutton's	Vireo
Plumbeous	Vireo
Warbling	Vireo
Steller's	Jay
Woodhouse's	Scrub-Jay
Mexican	Jay
Common	Raven
Northern	Rough-winged
Purple	Martin
Barn	Swallow
Cliff	Swallow
Mountain	Chickadee
Bridled	Titmouse
Verdin	--
Bushtit	--
Red-breasted	Nuthatch
White-breasted	Nuthatch
Pygmy	Nuthatch
Brown	Creeper
Rock	Wren
Canyon	Wren
House	Wren
Bewick's	Wren
Cactus	Wren
Blue-gray	Gnatcatcher
Black-tailed	Gnatcatcher
Eastern	Bluebird
Hermit	Thrush
American	Robin
Curve-billed	Thrasher
Bendire's	Thrasher
Crissal	Thrasher
Northern	Mockingbird
European	Starling
Phainopepla	--
Olive	Warbler
Orange-crowned	Warbler
Nashville	Warbler
Virginia's	Warbler
MacGillivray's	Warbler
Common	Yellowthroat
Yellow	Warbler
Yellow-rumped	Warbler
Grace's	Warbler
Black-throated	Gray
Townsend's	Warbler
Hermit	Warbler
Rufous-capped	Warbler
Wilson's	Warbler
Red-faced	Warbler
Painted	Redstart
Rufous-winged	Sparrow
Botteri's	Sparrow
Cassin's	Sparrow
Black-chinned	Sparrow
Brewer's	Sparrow
Black-throated	Sparrow
Five-striped	Sparrow
Lark	Sparrow
Yellow-eyed	Junco
Song	Sparrow
Canyon	Towhee
Abert's	Towhee
Rufous-crowned	Sparrow
Spotted	Towhee
Yellow-breasted	Chat
Hepatic	Tanager
Summer	Tanager
Western	Tanager
Northern	Cardinal
Black-headed	Grosbeak
Blue	Grosbeak
Lazuli	Bunting
Varied	Bunting
Yellow-headed	Blackbird
Eastern	Meadowlark
Hooded	Oriole
Bullock's	Oriole
Red-winged	Blackbird
Brown-headed	Cowbird
Great-tailed	Grackle
House	Finch
Pine	Siskin
Lesser	Goldfinch
House	Sparrow

MCWMA rare visitor follow-up visit

I made a follow-up visit the MCWMA in search fo the Glossy Ibis, White Ibis, Blue Grosbeak and Little Blue Heron that where being reported in the area. Here is quick report.

I arrived at Hopeland Rd ponds at7:30am with no luck on the White Ibis, so I moved on to the next stop where I was meeting some Audubon members.

After meeting up, we proceeded to the ponds where the Glossy Ibis where being seen...sure enough they where still there and giving good looks...one down 3 to go.

Blue Grosbeak

Immature White Ibis

Immature White Ibis

Next target was the Blue Grosbeak and Little Blue Heron. we did not find the LBH..but did find the Blue Grosbeak...and had great looks while it was singing almost the whole time we observed it.

Our next target was the White Ibis....again we arrived at the pond location and after a short search located the bird. An immature White Ibis.

We ended out day with 3 of 4 target species and a total of 41 species...not a bad morning.

Until next time....good birding.

Boy Scout Jamboree 2017 & President Trump's visit

I recently spend 17 days at the 2017 National Boy Scout Jamboree which was held near Mount Hope. WV at the Summit. This is my fifth Jamboree as a volunteer and I have enjoyed every one of them. 

The New River Gorge area of WV is spectacular and the area around the camp is beautiful...and physical demanding...as you had many hills and valleys to cross in the camp and activities area.My tent was in Echo base camp (on of five in the camp) and was reserved for Staff only.

Echo base camp..hone for the next two weeks

As the tents where already setup, I just had to move my gear into tent...but first I had to find it....tent 107-50. after a shortr search found it and set up and rested for the night.

Nice sunset on the lake near campsite

Home sweet home

Well to make a long story short....here are some photo's of the camp area....it was and amazing experience being there.

Entrance to Jambo

Looking out over entrance from treehouse platform

The converse bridge linking A & B camps to main activities area

Stadium and waterfront

View from top of mountain overlooking the camp below.

Base camp C view

Lake front activites area

Sunset from campsite

Paddleboarding area on lakefront

As you can see there was lots to do....too much and too little time.

We also had President Donald Trump visit the site...he spoke for about 30 minutes in front of full house of Scouts and Scouters. we started mobilizing at 2pm for his 6:30pm speech...I arrived at the stadium at 4:15 pm and only had a 2 hour wait...not bad..there was little cloudy cover so it was ok and we had good seats.

President Trump speaking

After the speech - President Trump on the stage

A great time at the Jambo..looking forward to 2021.

Until next time.

Middle Creek Wildlife Area has more rare visitors

As I was reading the daily PABirds rare bird posting...I came across a postiong listing Middle Creek Wildlife Area as having several species of rare birds in the area. As MCWMAZ is one of my favorite birding area - it was immediately interested.

As it turns out, there was a Little Blue Heron, a White Ibis and a piar of Glossy Obis currently on the ponds at the wildlife area. As it as 9pm when I was reading this..I quickly dismissed the idea of chasing' these birds thast night and decided to try for them the morning of August 4.

I arrived at the Hopeland road ponds around 7am in hopes of seeing the White Ibis...but no luck....so I moved onward to the other ponds where the Glossy Ibis and Little Blue Heron where reported. When I arrived a birder was already with a scope and camera set up...I asked if I was at the right place and sure enough...the pair of Glossy Ibis where spotted in the pond...along with several Great Egret. The Ibis where a little to far to get a good image..I will try to get some photo's later in the week and post.

Glossy Ibis

I di not see the Little Blue Heron.....so I moved on the next reported location after about 20 mins. Asd luck would have it, I spooted the Little Blue Heron all by itself in a pond and managed to snap a few photo's...where botht hese bird's are not lifers...they are for county in wiht I life Lebanon, making a nice adition to my overall Pennslyvania and county life birding list.

Not the best images. but it has a grayish bill, and greenish legs....that a pretty distinct.

Little Blue Heron

Little Blue Heron

Not sure why all these rare species are showing up in recently....global warming...or somnething else...I can only guess and enjoy the rare species that do infact show up in our area on a seemingly regular basis.

Until next time...good birding

Another Rare Visitor to Middle Creek Wildlife Area - a Sandhill Crane

After reading a listserv message reporting the sighting of a Sandhill Crane at Middle Creek wildlife Area - I decided to 'chase' this bird. While Sandhill Cranes are not mega rare they are ABA code 3 rare sighting in our area.

I arrived at MCWA around 10:50am - to see aa local birder with his camera out  taking photo's...the Sandhill was not visible at the moment. I pulled in to the location, and questioned him if he had seen the Crane and sure enough it was in the fiedl...but had walked into the tall grass and the head and neck where the only part visible (see below)
 

Sandhill Crane in tall grass

Sandhill Crane..in tall grass when I first arrived

By now there where 6 birders present, and as we chatted something spooked the Sandhill Crane and it flew into the newly planted corn field...giving us exceptional views.

I took photo's and observed the Crane for about 1 hour - and as more birders where arriving - I decided to leave. The last reported Sandhill Crane visit to Middle Creek was in 2014 and that was in the Lebanon County not the Lancasater County side of the area.

I ended my morning at MCWA with 41 species included a Sandhill Crane...a good day for sure.

A beautiful morning a Middle Creek - stop 1

Visitors Center Pond...a wonderful morning for birding

Until next time...good birding.