Saturday, June 30, 2018

A Sighting Of Bigfoot


It was an unbearable hot and humid day. This did not stop me from going out in search of something to take a picture of. I can not believe it. There he was, warning me not to take this path. Hazardous conditions caused this path to be closed. Bigfoot telling me not to enter.

While on vacation, I had run into one of his family member. He had told me where I might get to see other Bigfoot. There are many areas here in Maryland where Bigfoot hides. I just happen to find one today.


He did take the time to show me another hidden treasure. With Bigfoot help, I found a nest with a bird in it. It was hard to identify this little mother hiding, until she flew out onto a tree nearby.




This flycatcher is just too cute. It was a nice surprise. I hope to be able to see her babies soon. Hopefully, Bigfoot will let me know when the big day comes. In the meantime, I will keep searching.

Monday, June 25, 2018

Coyote Sighting


This was the first vacation that we were not able to see any bears or elks. There were many other sightings that brought excitement to our journey. Like, this coyote sighting which had my cousin slamming on the brakes.

We only saw a few coyotes. This vacation seems to be more about the many new bird species that we came across. Along with the birds, we did see several different mammals as well. It seems that we were meant to enjoy more of God's creatures this trip.

Of course, I enjoy any of God's creatures where ever I travel. Even if it is only in my back yard, I am in awe at the diversity of His creations from bugs to plants and animals. I might not ever see a coyote in my back yard. That is okay with me. Getting to see a coyote sighting on vacation is all I need. 

Sunday, June 24, 2018

Finally A Chipmunk


Everyone who knows me, knows that while on vacation, I have to get at least one picture of a chipmunk. The one place that I have not been able to get a shot of this elusive creature is, in the state of Maryland. Well, finally, I got my chipmunk.

After church, I made my way to Harford Glen. I had already enjoyed some good sightings today as I made my way to some of my favorite stompimg grounds before church. For the first time, I saw a doe with her two fawns drinking at the marsh. I was trying to get a picture of a goldfinch, when I notice the first fawn. I could not get any pictures, but, it was cool.

Then, I went to the ponds with the fountains. There was much activity there. I saw an indigo bunting upon entering the road leading to the ponds. There were several geese, ducks and terns. It was a treat watching the terns dive for their meals. Again no real shots to show you.

Getting the picture of the chipmunk was a complete surprise to me. I was watching a squirrel eating some nuts, when I notice a smaller critter helping himself to the same nuts. At first, I thought it was a baby squirrel. It was not until I look through the lens of my camera, that I notice that he had stripes.

I knew right away that I was seeing a chipmunk. He did not see me as he stuffed his cheeks with as many nuts that he could carry. It was not until he turned around to leave, that he notice me and stop dead in his track. So I just kept taking pictures. Finally, a chipmunk. 

Friday, June 22, 2018

Mom, I Am Hungry


This grackle seems to be yelling to his mom, "I am hungry." She has already given him some type of morsel just a few minutes earlier. Afterward, she proceeded to fly to the other baby only to be follow by the first one. This fellow seems to be demanding more food. A mother's work is never done.


For the past few days, I have been watching the different birds families at my two favorite places. At Harford Glen, I watched the swallows going in and out of the bird house, while the babies peeked out waiting for their next meal.


A short distance away, another box had a baby wren peering out looking for its mom to satisfy his hunger. I waited, but she did not show up. I was hoping to get a shot of her going in and out of the bird box.


In one of the tree at the Mariner was a nest with eggs. I have been checking on it before I went away three weeks ago for vacation. Yesterday, I found that it got flooded and the babies never hatched. This made me sad. I took a spoon and scooped out the eggs.

Next month, I will be doing a bird walk for the park. I want to show who ever comes these eggs. There is so much to learn about these birds. I am looking forward to sharing what I have found out so far. In the mean time, I will enjoy the birds yelling at their moms saying, "Mom, I am hungry."

Tuesday, June 12, 2018

Clark's Grebe Feeding Time


Today as we heading to Elko, Nevada, we pulled off to check out some birds in a lake in a nature park. It was the sight of the white pelicans that drew us to the site. Upon a closer inspection we saw birds that were new to us all. What we were seeing were Clark's Grebes.

My cousin was able to catch one with the baby on her back. This was something that we had talk about earlier in our vacation. Getting a shot of a fowl with her baby riding along was on her bucket list. God blessed her wishes.


It was interesting watching the mother teach the young one some fishing lessons. This was a treat. This whole vacation was and is a treat. If it was not for my cousin planning it and letting us come along, I would be missing out on so much.


There is so much to see in this great world. Each day brings about new wonders. Getting to see the Clark's Grebe feeding her young one made this day perfect, thanks to my cousins and God blessing this whole vacation.

Monday, June 11, 2018

Cool, California

My brother is so cool, he lives in Cool, California. It had been a blast watching all that goes on around his property. He built this tin man from scrap metal he collected. He has a great imagination.

Here he is feeding his horses. It was fun watching the German Shepard racing after the horses nipping at their tails. This was the morning routine for both my brother, his wife and the dogs.

They have a small coupe of chickens as well. They are too young to lay eggs though. But, in time they will and there will be fresh eggs to cook in the morning.


Today, before we left to head to Lake Tahoe on our next journey, they had their friend who will be taking care of the property, come over with her dog and a surprise guess, a tortoise. Here he is enjoying some fresh lettuce.

There were many cool things to see at his place. Beside the tame animals, there were many sightings of birds and a deer. It was fun and the time lasted way too short. I just do not get to spend time with my brother like I would love too. These pass few days , I will cherish. 

Sunday, June 10, 2018

Bigfoot Big Trees


As we made our rounds sight seeing Yosemite National Park and the Sequoias National Park, we were surprise to see a legend. Never in my wildest dream did I think that I would see this giant. But there he was, Bigfoot.

I had to make my way to him. This was an once in a life time opportunity. As I gain his trust, he whispered in my ear the locations of bigfoots. When I get back home, do not be surprise if I start posted some of my Bigfoot sighting.


He was not the only thing big in the park. The sequoias were giant as well. These trees were a sight to behold. They were massive. Here is my cousin showing how big one of the trees were and this was a small one compared to some of the other trees we came across.

We even found one that you could go through. It was not at a place where you could drive a car through, but a hole you could walk though.
Here is my brother and his wife standing next to this hugh tree. 
The giants in these parks were breath taking. Yet, seeing a bigfoot was the high light of my day. I can not wait to see what sightings I might get to share, when I get home.


I thank and gave Bigfoot a goodbye kiss as we parted company. I will miss that furry fellow, but, I will never forget the giants we all got to enjoy.

Friday, June 8, 2018

Coach Ride


It was a beautiful day for a coach ride. Just five dollars a person was all it took to enjoy a once around the grounds of this historical site in Yosemite Park. We were the first for the day. As we waited to get on board, the driver had to pick who was to ride up front with him. Kathy was the chosen one.


We spent the days checking out water falls, the tall trees and many of the other sites in one small part of this great forest. We have been blessed with great weather through out this vacation.


I have enjoyed so much spending time with my cousins, my brother and his wife. They make it so much fun with their joking around and their willingness to enjoy new things, like this coach ride.

It is always an adventure each day as we travel from place to place. I look forward to each day.

Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Death Valley

Talk about hot, the temperature reached 120 degree the second day we spent in Death Valley. The average temperature ran over 100 each day we spent there. We did very little sight seeing during the middle of the day, like reaching the area where we were over 200 feet below sea level.


There were not much life to capture on film. There were a few lizards and some birds. Even they were not really out during the heat of the day. This hawk made a brief showing.


We did stop by the Devils Golf Course. Of course, it was not a place that Don could do any sort of golfing. It was a cool place to visit, I mean a hot place to visit.

We were never more happy to leave a tourist attraction. Yes, it was a dry heat. But we left understanding why this place is called Death Valley

Tuesday, June 5, 2018

Zion Big Horn Sheep


This big horn sheep was our blessing this past Friday. As we enter Zion National Park, we wondered if we would see the big horn sheeps. The last time we went there years ago, we did not see any signs of them.

Before we even got too far into the park, Don shouted out, "Sheep!" My cousin had to do some fancy maneuver to get the car turned around so we could go back and get pictures. Through out the whole trip, we are stopping on a dime, making lots of u-turns or backing the car up just to get the shot.


This was like hitting the jack pot. Even if we did not see any sheep, the park was worth driving through. The scenery was breath taking. The colors, patterns and textures made it look like a piece of art work.


The sheep just added just a little touch of class to a already one of God's wonders. It was a great Friday.

Friday, June 1, 2018

Buffalo Thursday.


The north rim of the Grand Canyon lives the timber bison. We were so excited to see the herd as we drove around. it was so cute when this baby bison made his way to the mother and started feeding off of her.


The herd was pretty large. The one thing we did notice was, that they were much smaller then the buffalo at Yellowstone. There antlers were shorter too. The fur seems to be quite different as well.


Among the buffalo were deer as well. These were different than the deer we are use to seeing as well. There were more of these guys roaming around that the bison. We were sure that we would hit one before the ride was through. Thankfully we did not, due to Donnie's driving skills.


The most usual sight we came across, was the Kaibab squirrel. Marge had sent me a link about these squirrel before vacation, hoping we would get to see one, and one we did. He ran across the road and up the tree before we could get any good shots off. This was the best that I got.

So, buffalo Thursday turned out just as exciting as this past week. Each day brings new and cool things to see, and we are only in our first week. I am not sure how much more I can take. LOL.

Lizzard Wednesday


Through out the day, while checking out more ruin at the Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, we kept coming across lizards after lizards. It started off with this cool lizard on the petrified log, as we were leaving.


This cool dude was just showing off for us as we passed on by. Just look at the cool colors on him. He wanted us to keep taking his picture. As soon as we found another one lower on the ruins, he climbed over to that lizard and made all kinds of gestures to get us to pay attention to him.


We made it to several other places only to see Little lizards everywhere, like these two that are below.



Of course, being in the desert might have something to do with these sightings. I sure did enjoy the lizard Wednesday.