tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76926511064290467602024-03-12T23:31:21.617-07:00Not As The Crow FliesThoughts upon travel, nature, and photography with meanders, occasional diversions, and flights of fancy.Not As The Crow Flieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13644314427275682180noreply@blogger.comBlogger221125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692651106429046760.post-74610809030560636552018-02-10T09:24:00.004-08:002018-02-10T09:26:20.089-08:00Netherlands: Staying in Towers and Hiking with Horses<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L45kuIjII1w/Wn8qzOOjfJI/AAAAAAAANV8/MrohQEPNIX4cAXsb2nRNKp444pA5QzKpQCLcBGAs/s1600/Kaszas_Netherlands_BrownStallion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="689" data-original-width="919" height="478" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L45kuIjII1w/Wn8qzOOjfJI/AAAAAAAANV8/MrohQEPNIX4cAXsb2nRNKp444pA5QzKpQCLcBGAs/s640/Kaszas_Netherlands_BrownStallion.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Konik stallion.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
So I've been busy both photographing wild things and writing for other outlets (not this blog). You can read about most of my adventures photographing the amazing Konik horses of The Netherlands' <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oostvaardersplassen" target="_blank">Oostvardersplassen</a> in this article I wrote for <a href="http://equitrekking.com./">Equitrekking.com</a>:<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="http://www.equitrekking.com/articles/entry/photographing-wild-konik-horses-in-the-netherlands/" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="694" height="317" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0K8D2SMSEDA/Wn8gVA9PDeI/AAAAAAAANVs/m7V4cR-XdPAwjOwKeIHbTzif5_evl6dXwCLcBGAs/s320/Equitrekking-Kaszas-Konik-Netherlands.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.equitrekking.com/articles/entry/photographing-wild-konik-horses-in-the-netherlands/" target="_blank"><span id="goog_1167246006">Photographing Konik Horses in The Netherlands</span><span id="goog_1167246007"></span></a></div>
<br />
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZgIOWmsUANM/Wg43SPt-ESI/AAAAAAAAMlw/IR3IyXZtE4k2zE8FeTegGap_o0Adw3pzQCLcBGAs/s1600/Kaszas_LelystadTower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZgIOWmsUANM/Wg43SPt-ESI/AAAAAAAAMlw/IR3IyXZtE4k2zE8FeTegGap_o0Adw3pzQCLcBGAs/s640/Kaszas_LelystadTower.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/16040021" target="_blank">tower mentioned in the article</a> that I stayed in. The pond was busy early in the morning with herons and mallards going about the things herons and mallards do as soon as the sun comes up.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
I had such an amazing time photographing these amazing horses in the Oostvaadersplassen. But I also headed out to photograph them in another location. I drove east to the <a href="https://www.holland.com/global/tourism/holland-stories/land-of-water/national-park-de-biesbosch-1.htm" target="_blank">Nationaal Park de Biesbosch</a>. This is a gorgeous drive. And a gorgeous park. There are a few Konik horses here too, used for wetlands management. I wish I had had more time as this is a park worth wandering at leisure over the course of days. Again I passed herds of Barnacle geese and Wood Pigeons, but also \sheep, cows, and domestic horses. But it was meeting the Konik horses in the shade of a small grove of trees that was really magic.<br />
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DXdO0rKUVKs/Wg43RgRRdPI/AAAAAAAAMlo/S0QN4zPIm6ILfhgc7N8TiRXovJM4QZr4gCLcBGAs/s1600/Kaszas_Beisbosch_ForestStallion1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="429" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DXdO0rKUVKs/Wg43RgRRdPI/AAAAAAAAMlo/S0QN4zPIm6ILfhgc7N8TiRXovJM4QZr4gCLcBGAs/s640/Kaszas_Beisbosch_ForestStallion1.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Konik stallion staring at me through the trees.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
All too soon it was time to leave and go back to Basel, Switzerland. I'll be back though. This princess needs her tower and the Konik horses are in need of more photographing.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Other views of the Oostvaardersplassen:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AFupNTT1jxA/Wg43Rt8j5zI/AAAAAAAAMlk/-fAblbTeNu0WqpbVycH3M006OIrlvBeRACLcBGAs/s1600/Kaszas-Netherlands_snail1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AFupNTT1jxA/Wg43Rt8j5zI/AAAAAAAAMlk/-fAblbTeNu0WqpbVycH3M006OIrlvBeRACLcBGAs/s640/Kaszas-Netherlands_snail1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Terrestrial snail showing off its acrobatic skills.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XkSFDtCO_aY/Wg43VisiO8I/AAAAAAAAMmY/LOtkA11PdageKc6ZC0z9CYccdF1K7K_dgCLcBGAs/s1600/Kaszas_Oostvardersplassen_canal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XkSFDtCO_aY/Wg43VisiO8I/AAAAAAAAMmY/LOtkA11PdageKc6ZC0z9CYccdF1K7K_dgCLcBGAs/s640/Kaszas_Oostvardersplassen_canal.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking over a canal.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Ph0aq5kylI/Wg43UV2WswI/AAAAAAAAMmI/AVQArVMw2oQWiereg7MxV-tIGp9fyOA0gCLcBGAs/s1600/Kaszas_Netherlands_Greylag_Reeds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Ph0aq5kylI/Wg43UV2WswI/AAAAAAAAMmI/AVQArVMw2oQWiereg7MxV-tIGp9fyOA0gCLcBGAs/s640/Kaszas_Netherlands_Greylag_Reeds.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greylag geese in the reeds.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div>
<b>Views of the the Nationaal Park de Biesbosch:</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M5M-SR2Ooo8/Wg43SOzbkHI/AAAAAAAAMls/kpQa-qKMmB0NAj7TaPUV5ErD__YTlKPagCLcBGAs/s1600/Kaszas_DSC_2699.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M5M-SR2Ooo8/Wg43SOzbkHI/AAAAAAAAMls/kpQa-qKMmB0NAj7TaPUV5ErD__YTlKPagCLcBGAs/s640/Kaszas_DSC_2699.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Farm. Nationaal Park de Biesbosch.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pteYpoSUqII/Wg43QEy7ZfI/AAAAAAAAMlI/4xVsUTS6tagoT2OhohKJ0tiNDlpAvQzCACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_2717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pteYpoSUqII/Wg43QEy7ZfI/AAAAAAAAMlI/4xVsUTS6tagoT2OhohKJ0tiNDlpAvQzCACLcBGAs/s640/DSC_2717.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A land of water. The beautiful Nationaal Park de Biesbosch.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Npm44shYkWM/Wg43Qly2kqI/AAAAAAAAMlQ/bsaFnzrbQ2ENYK06S4_pGIPX3Rjgt7cPQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_2740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Npm44shYkWM/Wg43Qly2kqI/AAAAAAAAMlQ/bsaFnzrbQ2ENYK06S4_pGIPX3Rjgt7cPQCLcBGAs/s640/DSC_2740.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And it wouldn't be The Netherlands without a windmill.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Not As The Crow Flieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13644314427275682180noreply@blogger.com0Netherlands52.132633 5.291265999999950547.144659 -5.0358825000000493 57.120607 15.61841449999995tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692651106429046760.post-28358876420285720442017-09-04T17:15:00.000-07:002017-09-04T17:15:05.137-07:00One Day in Luzern, Switzerland<br />
I arrived in Luzern on a Saturday morning in late March. It was Easter season and the farmer's market was fully of flowers and decorations. Fresh vegetables, eggs, pasta and dried sausage were also to be had. Here, as you walk the markets and streets you are walking through <a href="http://lucerne.all-about-switzerland.info/lucerne-history.html" target="_blank">hundreds of years of history</a>.<br />
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KpMeGGjoOS0/Wa3m509MEPI/AAAAAAAAMZc/gT2a7_CXbO0NgLyPsoFHHrutPR-TExLUwCLcBGAs/s1600/Untitled_Panorama2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="661" data-original-width="1600" height="264" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KpMeGGjoOS0/Wa3m509MEPI/AAAAAAAAMZc/gT2a7_CXbO0NgLyPsoFHHrutPR-TExLUwCLcBGAs/s640/Untitled_Panorama2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chapel Bridge, Luzern</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Luzern sits on the shores of Lake Luzern where the River Reuss meets the lake. It is the most populous city in central Switzerland. Mount Pilatus and Mount Rigi stand sigil over the city and its population of near 82,000.<br />
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jhw9c4e_J4U/Wa3msCA5bOI/AAAAAAAAMXs/cO4O6OM_BnYJ0cuxQdEifDyh2L5F3CoSwCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_1028.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1004" data-original-width="1504" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jhw9c4e_J4U/Wa3msCA5bOI/AAAAAAAAMXs/cO4O6OM_BnYJ0cuxQdEifDyh2L5F3CoSwCLcBGAs/s640/DSC_1028.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spring</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zeH-q7EutZI/Wa3msYxlJ2I/AAAAAAAAMXw/F0T34rAkviAndoF1dh_1SeHdhMQTNRwcACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_1036.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="910" data-original-width="1365" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zeH-q7EutZI/Wa3msYxlJ2I/AAAAAAAAMXw/F0T34rAkviAndoF1dh_1SeHdhMQTNRwcACLcBGAs/s640/DSC_1036.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh pasta, cheese, and dried sausage.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mn2I_c2ECs0/Wa3mvm-qLxI/AAAAAAAAMYI/u4smuzlk2sUxGzhFN-FISpStnt-Z0wgxQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_1329.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="930" data-original-width="1395" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mn2I_c2ECs0/Wa3mvm-qLxI/AAAAAAAAMYI/u4smuzlk2sUxGzhFN-FISpStnt-Z0wgxQCLcBGAs/s640/DSC_1329.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of these is now hanging in my house.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
There's a ton to see and do in the Lucern region. I only had a day or I would have taken advantage of going up into the Alps. Instead I wandered the town and took a leisurely boat trip on the lake.<br />
<br />
I dropped my stuff at <a href="https://www.thetouristhotel.ch/en" target="_blank">The Tourist Hotel</a>, where I'd spend the night, I wandered the neighborhood around the hotel. It sits right near one of the access points to the Museggmauer (<a href="https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-us/musegg-wall-luzern.html" target="_blank">Musegg wall</a>), a 14th century series of ramparts and towers. It was closed for the season but still interesting to wander by.<br />
<br />
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SwRODA03YLI/Wa3mxPMMSFI/AAAAAAAAMYU/K24yGDy_iiob6GZ2XmnpIlgeYv8UWShVgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_1672.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1493" height="454" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SwRODA03YLI/Wa3mxPMMSFI/AAAAAAAAMYU/K24yGDy_iiob6GZ2XmnpIlgeYv8UWShVgCLcBGAs/s640/DSC_1672.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Musegg Wall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ez0BmNsHZTk/Wa3mxqndVqI/AAAAAAAAMYY/CavtP8pQpBAD2Z368_1F6FYmmf__2HeMQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_1678.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ez0BmNsHZTk/Wa3mxqndVqI/AAAAAAAAMYY/CavtP8pQpBAD2Z368_1F6FYmmf__2HeMQCLcBGAs/s640/DSC_1678.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wandering</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I then headed down into the Aldstadt (Old Town) to investigate the medieval architecture. As I wandered I saw a wonderful sign that said "Sweet Milky Tea". That's all I needed to get me to head into the <a href="http://www.camellia-tea-house.ch/index.cfm?nav=567,1247&SID=1&DID=9" target="_blank">Queen Camilla Tea House</a>. I literally had a bowl of that sweet, milky tea. It was accompanied by an osterfladen, or traditional easter cake, filled with apricot jam, and a green tea cookie.<br />
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8oCzcKS-rDU/Wa3myLcnuBI/AAAAAAAAMYc/HQ9Dusc40FoH3b96jTeFEt3m2IvEPGGVwCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_1706.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8oCzcKS-rDU/Wa3myLcnuBI/AAAAAAAAMYc/HQ9Dusc40FoH3b96jTeFEt3m2IvEPGGVwCLcBGAs/s640/DSC_1706.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of the Old Town</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UjzPpiOgu60/Wa3m0IVvdwI/AAAAAAAAMYs/8xxFJXfEPlUeXokUhQzqZyAnvlSk57VMACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_1756.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="425" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UjzPpiOgu60/Wa3m0IVvdwI/AAAAAAAAMYs/8xxFJXfEPlUeXokUhQzqZyAnvlSk57VMACLcBGAs/s640/DSC_1756.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying a beautiful day in March</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2g9f2IyypSo/Wa3m1Dj6-dI/AAAAAAAAMY0/iPPuyoj2Nbo57lA342zxyfO8PLuqo-soQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_1776.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="955" data-original-width="1194" height="510" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2g9f2IyypSo/Wa3m1Dj6-dI/AAAAAAAAMY0/iPPuyoj2Nbo57lA342zxyfO8PLuqo-soQCLcBGAs/s640/DSC_1776.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A better look at the Wasserturm</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Fortified with caffeine and sugar investigated the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kapellbr%C3%BCcke" target="_blank">Kapellbrucke</a> (Chapel Bridge). It is the oldest covered bridge in Europe, dating back to the 1300s. The tower, the Wasserturm, predates the bridge. Through the centuries it was used as a prison and a municipal archive. Now it is...a gift shop. The interior paintings date back to the 1600s though most are now recreations as the bridge partially burned down in 1993.<br />
<br />
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ie6k_nKwpyw/Wa3mytMt1YI/AAAAAAAAMYg/8a-bFmuYOEo9neXXYjurj_cHy6FYF8QoACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_1712.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ie6k_nKwpyw/Wa3mytMt1YI/AAAAAAAAMYg/8a-bFmuYOEo9neXXYjurj_cHy6FYF8QoACLcBGAs/s640/DSC_1712.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Discovering the birds. I'd also watch horned grebes swimming underwater here. The water is very clear.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4Ukg2m9NNfU/Wa3mzJ7RCaI/AAAAAAAAMYk/wejukpqgBcMeBnfUolUKSy8-iiyUl1DpgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_1725.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="955" data-original-width="1432" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4Ukg2m9NNfU/Wa3mzJ7RCaI/AAAAAAAAMYk/wejukpqgBcMeBnfUolUKSy8-iiyUl1DpgCLcBGAs/s640/DSC_1725.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here there be dragons</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Then I discovered the birds. There were swans, coots, mallards, pochards, horned grebes, and greylag geese everywhere on the river and lake. I spent a lot of time photographing them.<br />
<br />
I also spent a lot of time wondering why there were so many bicycles thrown into the river.<br />
<br />
I then took a nice cruise around part of lake Luzern, marveling at the mountains, and just enjoying a beautiful day in Switzerland.<br />
<br />
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9ExJ-Lgx8ZM/Wa3m3IVk0GI/AAAAAAAAMZE/pNl9TUHKZBMQEo0ZC7ZGFG3EO1LfMvFqACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_1850.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="980" data-original-width="1470" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9ExJ-Lgx8ZM/Wa3m3IVk0GI/AAAAAAAAMZE/pNl9TUHKZBMQEo0ZC7ZGFG3EO1LfMvFqACLcBGAs/s640/DSC_1850.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Out on the lake.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ioo3aeD3aQk/Wa3m3jsi_xI/AAAAAAAAMZI/xLbFit6ss-0QoZ0SYvZCU1C9GXAObCFVwCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_1898.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1265" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ioo3aeD3aQk/Wa3m3jsi_xI/AAAAAAAAMZI/xLbFit6ss-0QoZ0SYvZCU1C9GXAObCFVwCLcBGAs/s640/DSC_1898.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A hint of mountains.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-INhKsGZJG6Q/Wa3m4B3xQiI/AAAAAAAAMZM/WMFmSM0SZjIoUv7rULgaCQIqSyCBzE7PwCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_1949.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-INhKsGZJG6Q/Wa3m4B3xQiI/AAAAAAAAMZM/WMFmSM0SZjIoUv7rULgaCQIqSyCBzE7PwCLcBGAs/s640/DSC_1949.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lake in the late afternoon.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />Not As The Crow Flieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13644314427275682180noreply@blogger.com0Lucerne, Switzerland47.050168199999987 8.309307200000034846.963623199999986 8.1479457000000348 47.136713199999988 8.4706687000000347tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692651106429046760.post-17572496210047237062017-08-18T15:43:00.000-07:002017-08-18T16:03:15.222-07:00Basel, Switzerland: Wandering in Search of Wild Things<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SRJLPa1x3tg/WZdpDwHYhSI/AAAAAAAAMWI/QWGQELDOuBU703QKqbA3XaXvCqxskmXaACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0891-Recovered.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SRJLPa1x3tg/WZdpDwHYhSI/AAAAAAAAMWI/QWGQELDOuBU703QKqbA3XaXvCqxskmXaACLcBGAs/s640/DSC_0891-Recovered.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_stork" target="_blank">White Stork</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
This past March I found myself in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basel" target="_blank">Basel, Switzerland</a> again. I think this is my sixth trip to Basel. And for once it wasn't raining.<br />
<br />
My destination my first day was <a href="http://www.erlen-verein.ch/" target="_blank">Tierpark Lange Erlen</a> (a zoo) and the miles of wanderwegs beyond it that skirt the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiese" target="_blank">Wiese Rive</a>r and meander through the woods and fields all the way out past the <a href="https://www.fondationbeyeler.ch/en/" target="_blank">Fondation Beyeler</a> (a fantastic art museum). Out here you can find white storks, gray herons, robins, tits, kites (the bird of prey), jays, carrion crows, magpies, a couple of different kinds of woodpeckers, many kinds of duck, and if you look closely along rocks in the Wiese River, dippers. When it rains the Roman Snails (escargot) and slugs emerge and they are equally interesting. You can also walk past cows with bells on them, neat gardens and fruit trees, and forest floors covered in spring flowers. You'll also find red squirrels, the cool European kind with the big ear tufts.<br />
<br />
To do this take the #6 Tram toward the German train station (Badischer Bahnhof). At the train station transfer to the #36 bus and get off at the Lange Erlen stop. I've done this trip in reverse as well and taken the #6 Tram to Fondation Beyeler and then wandered onto the wanderwegs and walked back to Tierpark Lange Erlen along the trail on the backs of the Wiese River.<br />
<br />
It was nesting season for the white storks and gray herons. They nest in the zoo. They aren't part of the zoo but just happen to find it a nice place to set up a rookery. The storks were busy still doing renovations on their nests. They were also busy making new storks. Ahem.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table 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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NsP2REsJotI/WZdpEtxpQ4I/AAAAAAAAMWM/7im1woQ-sDA7bLFNTAeq--fXpmLloL2pACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NsP2REsJotI/WZdpEtxpQ4I/AAAAAAAAMWM/7im1woQ-sDA7bLFNTAeq--fXpmLloL2pACLcBGAs/s640/DSC_0904.jpg" width="640" /></i></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The biggest of the stork nests. They are also located in the surrounding trees. Interestingly, there's a symbiotic relationship with European House Sparrows here. The sparrows nest the underneath part of the stork nest. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5dXMhjm2ZAA/WZdpBXk7FqI/AAAAAAAAMVg/UND4hOu-vRkXTqGsTzH94dfgibyH7NaXACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5dXMhjm2ZAA/WZdpBXk7FqI/AAAAAAAAMVg/UND4hOu-vRkXTqGsTzH94dfgibyH7NaXACLcBGAs/s640/DSC_0274.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little nest maintenance going on.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nbvYk168oTs/WZdpDidd6_I/AAAAAAAAMWE/_eTnZ9-lYYcIBZNnlvbalADs4rIho2eVACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="494" data-original-width="659" height="478" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nbvYk168oTs/WZdpDidd6_I/AAAAAAAAMWE/_eTnZ9-lYYcIBZNnlvbalADs4rIho2eVACLcBGAs/s640/DSC_0833.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where new storks come from.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Also, the resident elk decided to go insane.<br />
<br />
I have history with these elk. I once watched a carrion crow land on one and pluck some of its tawny butt hair out for nesting material. The elk looked nonplussed to say the least.<br />
<br />
But back to the insane elk. They were running around chasing each other and head butting each other with great enthusiasm. Then they all pig piled into their water hole and much splashing and watery head butting ensued. This was followed by another round of running around like mad and head butting each other. And then another pig pile into the water hole. It was still going on when I left.<br />
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QHDuIKtTNKg/WZdpDIrUmwI/AAAAAAAAMWA/44AmnfqzOFwqrlHKzGtKpg22YGI6J-teQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QHDuIKtTNKg/WZdpDIrUmwI/AAAAAAAAMWA/44AmnfqzOFwqrlHKzGtKpg22YGI6J-teQCLcBGAs/s640/DSC_0668.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elk making a bit of a splash.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I spent a nice morning wandering the forest, looking at flowers, and investigating bird life in and around some small ponds.<br />
<br />
Then it was time for a long mid-day nap.<br />
<br />
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xDCQVIJr-pQ/WZdpCWBih_I/AAAAAAAAMV4/d31OZXKAdsQ3dJ7mPztahxqcCv9kCDhhQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xDCQVIJr-pQ/WZdpCWBih_I/AAAAAAAAMV4/d31OZXKAdsQ3dJ7mPztahxqcCv9kCDhhQCLcBGAs/s640/DSC_0538.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A mallard mirrored in the pond in the forest.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IzxWEiVwyWA/WZdpBaJ767I/AAAAAAAAMVo/zDK1_wCrd8ERi8PT3Sscon73L3stTOoNgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="757" data-original-width="1135" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IzxWEiVwyWA/WZdpBaJ767I/AAAAAAAAMVo/zDK1_wCrd8ERi8PT3Sscon73L3stTOoNgCLcBGAs/s640/DSC_0348.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tufted duck</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bXR00MEaEGg/WZdpBh_0_0I/AAAAAAAAMVs/z-D_yi1Z1fcJoHVFyn5jGyF2bNpwNmpPwCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="621" data-original-width="621" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bXR00MEaEGg/WZdpBh_0_0I/AAAAAAAAMVs/z-D_yi1Z1fcJoHVFyn5jGyF2bNpwNmpPwCLcBGAs/s400/DSC_0442.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue tit hawking for insects.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YmEuFWx3XyA/WZdpBvQ83jI/AAAAAAAAMVw/SJp7bzX4HxM9lEECLGB1hrDwST23AoVvQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0460-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="689" data-original-width="689" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YmEuFWx3XyA/WZdpBvQ83jI/AAAAAAAAMVw/SJp7bzX4HxM9lEECLGB1hrDwST23AoVvQCLcBGAs/s400/DSC_0460-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood Pigeon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-izrzl7Vo83s/WZdpByVMJII/AAAAAAAAMV0/NEs3RcK7j2YZewlswmRICUkJBcnwd9gpACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-izrzl7Vo83s/WZdpByVMJII/AAAAAAAAMV0/NEs3RcK7j2YZewlswmRICUkJBcnwd9gpACLcBGAs/s640/DSC_0489.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The forest floor in bloom. Let me know what flowers these are if you know.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vcAr9dFJp6A/WZdpCvWAZTI/AAAAAAAAMV8/BwM4H79jy_Y1_OcM4U1569r5MYycvOriwCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vcAr9dFJp6A/WZdpCvWAZTI/AAAAAAAAMV8/BwM4H79jy_Y1_OcM4U1569r5MYycvOriwCLcBGAs/s640/DSC_0571.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red squirrel. I think its a boy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Not As The Crow Flieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13644314427275682180noreply@blogger.com0Basel, Switzerland47.5595986 7.588576099999954747.473868100000004 7.4272145999999548 47.6453291 7.7499375999999547tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692651106429046760.post-57192174469256187652017-06-22T16:45:00.001-07:002017-06-22T16:49:27.513-07:00Four Days in Northeastern Nevada<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yw4zhH7uSiQ/WUcKikiYZkI/AAAAAAAAMRg/sEZ8rohZ7QQvj-QUU_aS8_dKELA_rYiHQCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_4268.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1154" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yw4zhH7uSiQ/WUcKikiYZkI/AAAAAAAAMRg/sEZ8rohZ7QQvj-QUU_aS8_dKELA_rYiHQCEwYBhgL/s640/DSC_4268.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This beautiful bachelor stallion was very accepting of our wish to photograph him. He was one of the most beautiful movers I've ever seen in horsedom. His trot was gorgeous. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
The mission was to photograph horses in the snow. The mission was accomplished. What I wasn't prepared for was the absolute beauty of of this part of Utah. This is the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steptoe_Valley" target="_blank">Steptoe Valley</a>. This valley, bookended by the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schell_Creek_Range" target="_blank">Schell Creek</a>, the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cherry_Creek_Range" target="_blank">Cherry Creek</a>, and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egan_Range" target="_blank">Egan mountain</a> ranges, is high desert. The colors of the its glorious wintry landscape turned every vista into an epic painting.<br />
<br />
This area is remote. I was with two other <a href="http://www.larajoy.us/" target="_blank">photographers</a>. <a href="http://www.lovewildhorses.org/wild-horse-photographer-jeanne-bencich-nations.html" target="_blank">One lives in the valley</a>. The nearest place to stay was in <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g45938-Ely_Nevada-Vacations.html" target="_blank">Ely, Nevada</a>, and even that is an hour from the horse range. Ely is equidistant from Salt Lake City or Las Vegas. We came in through Salt Lake City, driving past the <a href="https://utah.com/bonneville-salt-flats" target="_blank">Bonneville Salt Flats</a> and then through <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Wendover,_Nevada" target="_blank">Wendover</a> and up into heights shrouded in fog. Driving south down Route 93, as soon as the fog cleared, there were horses. Three horses. A family band. The stallion missing part of his tail. I dubbed him Short Tail. Locals probably have a different name for him but Short Tail he shall always be in my mind.<br />
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZpUwa6IbIyw/WUcKiNFXCMI/AAAAAAAAMRg/RSOVd1kcXhEflQsquratb4JvSx3lOfqwwCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_0701.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="745" data-original-width="1117" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZpUwa6IbIyw/WUcKiNFXCMI/AAAAAAAAMRg/RSOVd1kcXhEflQsquratb4JvSx3lOfqwwCEwYBhgL/s640/DSC_0701.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: black;">Looking south down route 93</span><u><br /></u></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KqoEh6gBueE/WUcKiJdaXiI/AAAAAAAAMRg/3nLpYYqpFR0VR2UqjEpFMINkFoePVlxQACEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_0743.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="798" data-original-width="1197" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KqoEh6gBueE/WUcKiJdaXiI/AAAAAAAAMRg/3nLpYYqpFR0VR2UqjEpFMINkFoePVlxQACEwYBhgL/s640/DSC_0743.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sky here is too beautiful.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
We would spend four days photographing the horses of the Antelope/Antelope Valley and the Triple B Complexes (Bureau of Land Management, BLM, Horse Management Areas or HMAs). These were hardy and healthy horses with plenty of forage. And they were wild. So very wild. A friend says that if you get a good photograph of these horses you really have earned it. That is the absolute truth.<br />
<br />
It was amazing to watch herd and band dynamics. And also listen to them. You could hear stallions snorting warnings to their bands, their calls echoing across the valley. You could hear the thunder of hooves through snow. You could hear the quiet munching and ripping of bunch grass.<br />
<br />
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ylesqnga4_M/WUcKmJg_7nI/AAAAAAAAMRg/weE0bfFwErMustXePTj07n9zHSVHhiCagCEwYBhgL/s1600/Kaszas_Nevada_TheWildStallionofWinter2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1080" height="425" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ylesqnga4_M/WUcKmJg_7nI/AAAAAAAAMRg/weE0bfFwErMustXePTj07n9zHSVHhiCagCEwYBhgL/s640/Kaszas_Nevada_TheWildStallionofWinter2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The colors of the winter landscape and a stallion that fits it ever so perfectly.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I learned something fundamental about my photography here. It was the first time the my love of painting, which predates my photography by many years, finally incorporated itself into my photography. This was because of the incredible landscape. The colors were just astounding and I started playing with them as much as I could in my camera. I can't wait to see what evolution happens as this fusion progresses within my brain. And I strongly suggest anyone working in one medium of art, take up an other medium. Amazing things can happen. You'll start to see differently and manipulate that medium differently and that is a good thing.<br />
<br />
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xc5m2GrEyX4/WUcKiXrqJbI/AAAAAAAAMRg/ucnbepEWiB0JENB6zhJLesCKmwK8cfk3gCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_0927.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="777" data-original-width="1166" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xc5m2GrEyX4/WUcKiXrqJbI/AAAAAAAAMRg/ucnbepEWiB0JENB6zhJLesCKmwK8cfk3gCEwYBhgL/s640/DSC_0927.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horses aren't the only large groups of animals you will encounter in the Steptoe Valley. We would see several groups of pronghorn over the course of four days.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
The other thing I learned is how to deal with condensation. If you go from 15 degrees Fahrenheit and covered in snow into a warm vehicle, guess what happens to your lens? It's going to fog up. I knew this was going to happen one day. Thankfully your dashboard heater will fix this issue fairly quickly.<br />
<br />
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cDgJmq4Fl3w/WUcKiPhH4zI/AAAAAAAAMRg/N9NYIC25ROEYR7WPlFPrO4g8Yofy1kVAQCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_0831.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="798" data-original-width="1197" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cDgJmq4Fl3w/WUcKiPhH4zI/AAAAAAAAMRg/N9NYIC25ROEYR7WPlFPrO4g8Yofy1kVAQCEwYBhgL/s640/DSC_0831.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cherry_Creek,_Nevada" target="_blank">Cherry Creek, Nevada</a>. This is a historic mining town is mostly abandoned, though a very people are still eking out a living here. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I wish that these horses were safe. But they are not. I worry about them. There had been a round up just a week before we were there. These horses live under the ever present threat of being rounded up and removed from this beautiful land to make room for sheep, cattle, oil, and mining. But the sad fact is that the horses on public lands barely make an impact on the land compared to domestic animals, oil and mining. Yet, they will lose their freedom due to misinformation spewed by corporate and government interests, through greed, and through willful ignorance. That a primary symbol of American freedom is having its freedom taken away is a crime. To learn more <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJxIwnzbPZY" target="_blank">watch this</a>. We can do better. There are reasonable solutions for all. If only the various factions threatening the lives of these horses would listen. <br />
<br />
<br />
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GWCK1mGNz6o/WUcKiYz1KCI/AAAAAAAAMRg/UID7L1LbU6MW08U9Gn73AJ8bNevRsc-mwCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_1214.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GWCK1mGNz6o/WUcKiYz1KCI/AAAAAAAAMRg/UID7L1LbU6MW08U9Gn73AJ8bNevRsc-mwCEwYBhgL/s640/DSC_1214.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bachelor band that we would dub "The Band of Brothers" strolling down into the valley.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3grIOd2YwW8/WUcKmg0cTHI/AAAAAAAAMRg/vTdXDZZD8Z4QcUHFt3twTkWPXNXOqwTjwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Kaszas_Nevada_ThreeStallionsStaring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="741" data-original-width="1112" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3grIOd2YwW8/WUcKmg0cTHI/AAAAAAAAMRg/vTdXDZZD8Z4QcUHFt3twTkWPXNXOqwTjwCEwYBhgL/s640/Kaszas_Nevada_ThreeStallionsStaring.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think of these three as Snip, Little Snip, and Blaze. Snip, I think, at some point decided we were supposed to be part of the band. He seemed to let the other boys know the paparazzi were okay.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rKlEBX6x7k4/WUcKmb2cXPI/AAAAAAAAMRg/kSt1k562Jws0GoaZLlD8K4r2F_BQv11MwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Kaszas_Nevada_ThreeBoys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rKlEBX6x7k4/WUcKmb2cXPI/AAAAAAAAMRg/kSt1k562Jws0GoaZLlD8K4r2F_BQv11MwCEwYBhgL/s640/Kaszas_Nevada_ThreeBoys.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More members of the boy band.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gUX4-te2RlY/WUcKlIC5hyI/AAAAAAAAMRg/SQc9Rs7cGuUFR4yoiGrnXyt5V1nnUGsBgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Kaszas_Nevada_StallioninASeaofGrass2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gUX4-te2RlY/WUcKlIC5hyI/AAAAAAAAMRg/SQc9Rs7cGuUFR4yoiGrnXyt5V1nnUGsBgCEwYBhgL/s640/Kaszas_Nevada_StallioninASeaofGrass2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The colors were just perfect.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YhWcmdFaIII/WUcKiXyN95I/AAAAAAAAMRg/xw66UOQJ3ZIzjryZwC2J5asDTwRxApGogCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_3923.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="761" data-original-width="1142" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YhWcmdFaIII/WUcKiXyN95I/AAAAAAAAMRg/xw66UOQJ3ZIzjryZwC2J5asDTwRxApGogCEwYBhgL/s640/DSC_3923.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bit of a conversation.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SjEeZzACds0/WUcKj7vyd0I/AAAAAAAAMRg/IJyMVRPHplUy9_LT5n_Pq_Pf6wNubBeHgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Kaszas_Nevada_BlackStallionProfile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SjEeZzACds0/WUcKj7vyd0I/AAAAAAAAMRg/IJyMVRPHplUy9_LT5n_Pq_Pf6wNubBeHgCEwYBhgL/s640/Kaszas_Nevada_BlackStallionProfile.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snip.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qnsCHhKcnvQ/WUcKjUtJf8I/AAAAAAAAMRg/EUZbnebXKR0ujzKmyYSyIPVDZwxrkFjDQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Kaszas_Nevada_BachelorintheGrass.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qnsCHhKcnvQ/WUcKjUtJf8I/AAAAAAAAMRg/EUZbnebXKR0ujzKmyYSyIPVDZwxrkFjDQCEwYBhgL/s640/Kaszas_Nevada_BachelorintheGrass.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The watchers being watched.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gn4bHvtNH5Y/WUcKlhCXeZI/AAAAAAAAMRg/Nznk8MC26asZvRhoaS90Q_Nf5flT0XOgQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Kaszas_Nevada_TheSnowStorm.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="679" data-original-width="1018" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gn4bHvtNH5Y/WUcKlhCXeZI/AAAAAAAAMRg/Nznk8MC26asZvRhoaS90Q_Nf5flT0XOgQCEwYBhgL/s640/Kaszas_Nevada_TheSnowStorm.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the storm.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DUR_ZEkzu4o/WUcKlfUpZpI/AAAAAAAAMRg/DQeqZI2sNfspo_lOt0XrU_fy6ISgdiA1wCEwYBhgL/s1600/Kaszas_Nevada_TheRun.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1162" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DUR_ZEkzu4o/WUcKlfUpZpI/AAAAAAAAMRg/DQeqZI2sNfspo_lOt0XrU_fy6ISgdiA1wCEwYBhgL/s640/Kaszas_Nevada_TheRun.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think there must have been a wild horse meeting called in the hills because that's where they all decided to head all at once.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1IU6SL_TdKY/WUcKi5RDTWI/AAAAAAAAMRg/_VM5s1VKetUQ_7ZYWIiJ9HYWrfMMzngsgCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_5224.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1IU6SL_TdKY/WUcKi5RDTWI/AAAAAAAAMRg/_VM5s1VKetUQ_7ZYWIiJ9HYWrfMMzngsgCEwYBhgL/s640/DSC_5224.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading into the hills.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FtBE56XdiDk/WUcKkSSfrkI/AAAAAAAAMRg/_kJuLI6Wa8clBv6E1pGwRxXFKeXeoWOIACEwYBhgL/s1600/Kaszas_Nevada_LeadMareWhite.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="1080" height="358" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FtBE56XdiDk/WUcKkSSfrkI/AAAAAAAAMRg/_kJuLI6Wa8clBv6E1pGwRxXFKeXeoWOIACEwYBhgL/s640/Kaszas_Nevada_LeadMareWhite.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lead Mare White. In the storm again.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Not As The Crow Flieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13644314427275682180noreply@blogger.com4Cherry Creek, NV 89301, USA39.9004891 -114.8858602999999914.378454600000001 -156.1944543 65.4225236 -73.577266299999991tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692651106429046760.post-91292122119797503552017-04-30T07:43:00.000-07:002017-06-16T15:26:24.742-07:00Arizona: The Salt River Wild Horses<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GOcHAtfzqI8/WQXsvPtigMI/AAAAAAAAMLg/YcPx-A10g7AyzfoL_4Yw603ZaGXktFJmgCLcB/s1600/KaszasSaltRiver_ReflectedThree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GOcHAtfzqI8/WQXsvPtigMI/AAAAAAAAMLg/YcPx-A10g7AyzfoL_4Yw603ZaGXktFJmgCLcB/s640/KaszasSaltRiver_ReflectedThree.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Salt River Wild Horses</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Just northeast of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesa,_Arizona" target="_blank">Mesa</a> and north of <a href="https://www.ajcity.net/" target="_blank">Apache Junction</a>, within the boundaries of <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/tonto/" target="_blank">Tonto National Forest</a>, in the desert and among saguaro cactus, on the steep slopes of rocky buttes and in and along the Salt River, stride wild horses. They are beloved of locals and are watched over by an amazing group of <a href="http://saltriverwildhorsemanagementgroup.org/" target="_blank">volunteers</a>. They are unique in that they graze in the river on eel grass. You can sit on the river banks watching and listening to the horses slurping, splashing, and blowing bubbles as they snorkel for seaweed.<br />
<br />
People kayak or tube, following the current, floating right by them. Fly fisherman cast their lines in a rhythmic dance overseen by the horses. And the horses live out their lives in this land of contrasts, living an almost aquatic life and, at the same time, traversing the dry geographical edges of the Sonoran desert.<br />
<br />
But all this isn't why I fell in love with them. I fell in love with them the first time I looked into a wild bachelor stallion's eyes. It is these horse's eyes that make them so very special to me. There is such depth of soul in their big, soft doe eyes. Such gentleness. And just a little bit of, and just enough of, the wild.<br />
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fuj2JU9_JlA/WQXstHduhNI/AAAAAAAAMJs/hBXR2GKzjUUvVUmmKe3BcVxo3Iezo_awQCLcB/s1600/DSC_4695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fuj2JU9_JlA/WQXstHduhNI/AAAAAAAAMJs/hBXR2GKzjUUvVUmmKe3BcVxo3Iezo_awQCLcB/s640/DSC_4695.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grazing on eel grass</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="http://www.larajoy.us/" target="_blank">Traveler Eleven</a> and I spent four days photographing these amazing animals. Our strategy was to drive along the North Bush Highway looking off into the distance for horses in the desert, or clear horse trails with fresh "leavings", or just looking for horses hanging out in the river. There are many turn offs for various recreation areas where access to trails or the river provide ample access to the river. We would do what I coined the Salt River Sand Slog along the river banks, sometimes upwards of two miles, to get to areas where we could observe the horses in serene surroundings. Or we wandered in into forest or along desert trails watching horses appear and disappear in the shadows like magical well-meaning wraiths. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w39VO3UtM7A/WQXsud0neJI/AAAAAAAAMK8/xifg-uP5dhMxiXjAiIjGHytTtZ7fmqGqQCLcB/s1600/DSC_9018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w39VO3UtM7A/WQXsud0neJI/AAAAAAAAMK8/xifg-uP5dhMxiXjAiIjGHytTtZ7fmqGqQCLcB/s640/DSC_9018.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-drz4EycGOfQ/WQXstYLdsdI/AAAAAAAAMJ4/DaBLBOHkP2MSV_Y-L0P15RharaaVbDOfwCLcB/s1600/DSC_4786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-drz4EycGOfQ/WQXstYLdsdI/AAAAAAAAMJ4/DaBLBOHkP2MSV_Y-L0P15RharaaVbDOfwCLcB/s640/DSC_4786.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CBdvRAgdIuE/WQXstIcIK5I/AAAAAAAAMJw/JPK0JRzlxywF9AB0wBo8gqztYWpVmoGtQCLcB/s1600/DSC_5254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CBdvRAgdIuE/WQXstIcIK5I/AAAAAAAAMJw/JPK0JRzlxywF9AB0wBo8gqztYWpVmoGtQCLcB/s640/DSC_5254.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
We went out at dawn and in the late afternoon when the light was best. Each evening we were treated to a show as the sun went down lighting the horses perfectly as they grazed in the river.<br />
<br />
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eD0YaCN7slY/WQXstt3qk3I/AAAAAAAAMKM/x10meX6rTjEMZdS6MmMYxghfrnhySSSIwCLcB/s1600/DSC_6034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eD0YaCN7slY/WQXstt3qk3I/AAAAAAAAMKM/x10meX6rTjEMZdS6MmMYxghfrnhySSSIwCLcB/s640/DSC_6034.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evening on the Salt River.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
A long zoom lens, like an 80-400, 200-500, or 100-400, an extender, and a wide angle lens will be your best friends here. A long lens is essential as you don't want to get too close to the horses for their safety and yours. Having a camera that can handle low light levels well is also a good piece of equipment to have. The wide angle lens will let you show the amazing environment that these horses call home. Come prepared for heat and bugs. Wear long pants and good hiking boots. Take plenty of water with you. Expect also to have to duck through fences. Look out for the local foliage as most of it comes armed with huge thorns. Watch out for snakes and biting ants. And if you are a giant klutz like me, watch out for ground squirrel and rabbit holes.<br />
<br />
A long lens will also help you capture the amazing bird life on the river. Eagles zoomed over our heads with some regularity. Heron, egrets, coots, and other wading birds were constant companions on the river banks. Roadrunners and a myriad of small birds like warblers, Great-tailed grackles, quail, flycatchers, and <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Phainopepla/id" target="_blank">phainopeplas</a> will also want attention from your camera lens.<br />
<br />
One of your greatest resources for a successful photo outing here is just striking up conversations with locals. The volunteers and local photographers can guide you well.<br />
<br />
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LNDM8FixP3U/WQXstqvXpVI/AAAAAAAAMKQ/GdcnaGOub8EZKWMQCh_Lb117ddmhMb5VwCLcB/s1600/DSC_6245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LNDM8FixP3U/WQXstqvXpVI/AAAAAAAAMKQ/GdcnaGOub8EZKWMQCh_Lb117ddmhMb5VwCLcB/s640/DSC_6245.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early morning in the desert. This was one of three bachelor stallions we encountered. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rRhwfmGhXWQ/WQXstzKYo_I/AAAAAAAAMKY/k4K5a-vH-Dgele8mTq0HvruimGhDsNeLgCLcB/s1600/DSC_6320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rRhwfmGhXWQ/WQXstzKYo_I/AAAAAAAAMKY/k4K5a-vH-Dgele8mTq0HvruimGhDsNeLgCLcB/s640/DSC_6320.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zfHMl6G-pr4/WQX0L1KGUvI/AAAAAAAAMME/9LW46Cj2jTc3eVp6Eut9ZYHGH5elRjSkACLcB/s1600/DSC_4546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zfHMl6G-pr4/WQX0L1KGUvI/AAAAAAAAMME/9LW46Cj2jTc3eVp6Eut9ZYHGH5elRjSkACLcB/s640/DSC_4546.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uvgKMhGGOLE/WQXzigHv99I/AAAAAAAAML8/qg9XYUnTXWo3x8tBCNkB_FatpCd4qXVNQCLcB/s640/DSC_6401.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
We had other interesting encounters as well. Cattle also spend time in the river and some cross over. There was a bull haunting the woods near Coon Bluff when we were there. And on Halloween evening we stumbled across a woman in Renaissance dress taking photos of herself in what the locals call the enchanted forest. It was a perfect Halloween celebration.<br />
<br />
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4RXeJJXrIGs/WQXsvLWnAqI/AAAAAAAAMLc/ca0Bl-ZxRwcguo7zd0Pet2gX4tlAklwJQCLcB/s1600/DSC_9737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4RXeJJXrIGs/WQXsvLWnAqI/AAAAAAAAMLc/ca0Bl-ZxRwcguo7zd0Pet2gX4tlAklwJQCLcB/s640/DSC_9737.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Do watch for horses as you drive along the roads.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
You'll want to try to stay at the <a href="http://www.saguarolakeranch.com/" target="_blank">Saguaro Lake Ranch</a> as it is located very close to where you'll want to start searching for horses. They have great accommodations, either inn rooms or cabins down near the river. They will feed you a hearty breakfast. You can also arrange dinner there as well. Hiking, tubing, and horseback riding are all options they can arrange or direct you to. And there's nothing like sitting outside your cabin at night and having an absolute horde of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peccary" target="_blank">javelina</a> scoot by you as you drink a glass of wine. They are hands down some of the cutest animals I've ever seen.<br />
<br />
We also at lunch at the <a href="http://www.saguarolakemarina.com/menu.html" target="_blank">Lakeshore Restaurant </a>at the Saguaro Lake Marina. This was a nice place to get a bite to eat and get out of the mid-day sun. Guard your french fries and sugar packets as the local population of <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great-tailed_Grackle/id" target="_blank">Great-tailed Grackle</a>s like to steal them.<br />
<br />
I cannot wait to return to the river and its horses.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hKGngvogTUo/WQXstTAYdyI/AAAAAAAAMJ8/aPwdL-r9Kh0ylkNul7GB0n_yNayWBM2awCLcB/s1600/DSC_5460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hKGngvogTUo/WQXstTAYdyI/AAAAAAAAMJ8/aPwdL-r9Kh0ylkNul7GB0n_yNayWBM2awCLcB/s640/DSC_5460.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A band stallion sights a rival. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JQY6gyxcTkU/WQXstLciySI/AAAAAAAAMJ0/dCxIFBuMV_4fXK6ormJVtaIUB6uyNTP7QCLcB/s1600/DSC_5406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JQY6gyxcTkU/WQXstLciySI/AAAAAAAAMJ0/dCxIFBuMV_4fXK6ormJVtaIUB6uyNTP7QCLcB/s640/DSC_5406.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Band stallion.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i1U_x7wv274/WQX7mJPuYXI/AAAAAAAAMMU/9knyMd-O4nYTpxZlw5E_ZWgRGsajLvRswCLcB/s1600/DSC_9520.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i1U_x7wv274/WQX7mJPuYXI/AAAAAAAAMMU/9knyMd-O4nYTpxZlw5E_ZWgRGsajLvRswCLcB/s640/DSC_9520.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FX9AhzLWbFM/WQXst8cQRKI/AAAAAAAAMKg/RfrfY4nAWL48YUWvtjrjjUzEztOLXP27ACLcB/s1600/DSC_6669.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FX9AhzLWbFM/WQXst8cQRKI/AAAAAAAAMKg/RfrfY4nAWL48YUWvtjrjjUzEztOLXP27ACLcB/s640/DSC_6669.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Late fall is burr season. Horses and humans end up decorated with them. There is a sad association with this image. This was the band last year that lost a foal. The foal was shot dead and two other horses were wounded by some idiot with a gun. The killer has not been caught. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y-UGuqHoyFk/WQXsuD5pSPI/AAAAAAAAMKs/DbMTKpVOF9MfE6nGPszU6IZ0WCUpUPGMgCLcB/s1600/DSC_7873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y-UGuqHoyFk/WQXsuD5pSPI/AAAAAAAAMKs/DbMTKpVOF9MfE6nGPszU6IZ0WCUpUPGMgCLcB/s640/DSC_7873.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This strawberry roan mare took my breath away in the late evening sun.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4omyQyG2OZc/WQXzdvd-h4I/AAAAAAAAML4/Q7Bzgz-JmAUGVI3tHU7wqO15yM4fKlPIgCLcB/s1600/DSC_8559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4omyQyG2OZc/WQXzdvd-h4I/AAAAAAAAML4/Q7Bzgz-JmAUGVI3tHU7wqO15yM4fKlPIgCLcB/s640/DSC_8559.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A stallion and his colt.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TyGbE29NlqM/WQXsunwhLbI/AAAAAAAAMLA/KrjTTzkRyt0AMWUhnNB7n-8FMHJBH6VcACLcB/s1600/DSC_9101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TyGbE29NlqM/WQXsunwhLbI/AAAAAAAAMLA/KrjTTzkRyt0AMWUhnNB7n-8FMHJBH6VcACLcB/s640/DSC_9101.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b>Next stop: The wild horses of northeastern Nevada</b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/pjkaszas/" target="_blank">See my latest photos on Instagram</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
**********************************************************************<br />
<br />
Wild horses need our help. Here are some things you can do:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fnvBRGxnFT8/WURaUEmJOUI/AAAAAAAAMPM/hWyGdEBs3TMaVqm7topRUMjThfwZkbbbACLcBGAs/s1600/19264784_1576006269107914_425990346_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="644" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fnvBRGxnFT8/WURaUEmJOUI/AAAAAAAAMPM/hWyGdEBs3TMaVqm7topRUMjThfwZkbbbACLcBGAs/s1600/19264784_1576006269107914_425990346_n.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Not As The Crow Flieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13644314427275682180noreply@blogger.com2Tonto National Forest, Arizona, USA33.9319665 -111.27502448.4099320000000013 -152.5836184 59.454001000000005 -69.966430400000007tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692651106429046760.post-85736863894320986052017-04-17T17:37:00.005-07:002017-04-17T17:37:34.884-07:00Arizona: Ghost Towns and Vortexes<br />
This may be the most depressing blog post I've ever written. I had a bit of a disaster with corrupt files and a back up drive that failed. The only images that exist from this day are in this post that means a whole three photos. An entire day documented and its gone. I can only say that some day I will do this drive again because it was a lot of fun. You will have to use your imagination to envision what I'm describing if you have not been to this area.<br />
<br />
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VSwFlDnVdsA/WPVfcie1_KI/AAAAAAAAMIA/RTWcpCSB_OskfuQMH_pNB1b39g2Bf5hxQCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_DSC_8913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VSwFlDnVdsA/WPVfcie1_KI/AAAAAAAAMIA/RTWcpCSB_OskfuQMH_pNB1b39g2Bf5hxQCLcB/s640/Kaszas_DSC_8913.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Rock Country near Sedona. On the Bell Rock Trail.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
I arrived in Phoenix, Arizona in the middle of the night. It was late October. I had fled a snow storm on the East Coast, which was the reason for my extremely late arrival. I was staying in an Airbnb property in Fountain Hills. This was a very nice property and it introduced me to something I didn't know existed: garages big enough to fit a bus sized RV (caravan). The apartment I stayed in sat right on top of this garage. It was a really BIG garage.<br />
<br />
I drove to Fountain Hills in the dark. I saw numerous coyote and rabbits running through suburbia. I got the impression of giant cacti but nothing concrete as to what saguaro cacti actually looked like in their natural habitat but I could tell they were out there. Lurking.<br />
<br />
So I awoke, far later than I intended, and discovered I was in saguaro cacti heaven. There were C<a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Cactus_Wren/id" target="_blank">actus wrens</a>, C<a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Curve-billed_Thrasher/id" target="_blank">urved-billed thrashers</a>, <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Aberts_Towhee/id" target="_blank">Albert's towhees</a>, <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Verdin/id" target="_blank">Verdins</a>, and <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Gila_Woodpecker/id" target="_blank">Gila woodpeckers</a> all over the small wild area around the property. There were flowers and butterflies. It was hotter than hell and it was only 8 am. It would reach 95 degrees Fahrenheit. And of course, I had to explore.<br />
<br />
My first destination was <a href="http://www.azjerome.com/jerome/" target="_blank">Jerome, Arizona</a>. Why? Because there is a restaurant there called the <a href="http://thehauntedhamburger.com/" target="_blank">Haunted Hamburger</a>. Seriously, that was the only reason I chose to drive two hours to this town. But what a town it turned out to be! It's an old mining town perched precariously on the sides of a mountain. It's a really interesting place to explore, just know that you'll be driving and parking on some seriously steep slopes. And you'll be walking up steep stairs on those same slopes. It isn't called America's most vertical town for nothing. It is also claims to be America's largest ghost town. The view from just about anywhere in town is incredible.<br />
<br />
The Haunted Hamburger turned out to be lots of fun. It is allegedly haunted. I loved slightly creepy decor and the mind bending decision to put a book case in the ceiling of the main dining room, just to keep you slightly off balance. And, of course, I took tons of photos of this place...that didn't survive. Sigh.<br />
<br />
The next stop on my whirlwind, circular tour was Sedona, Arizona. My specific destination was Bell Rock, deep in the <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3806979.pdf" target="_blank">red rock country of Coconino National Forest</a>. Had I gotten an earlier start I would have hiked more in this area but I decided that I only had time for one hike and that was to one of the famous<a href="https://redrockscenicbyway.com/vortex.html" target="_blank"> Sedona area vortexes</a>. The vortexes, allegedly, are areas of positive energy and certain <a href="http://www.lovesedona.com/01.htm" target="_blank">balancing energies are associated with different vortexes</a>. Bell Rock is purportedly extremely powerful. All I know is this: I felt great circumnavigating this area. And I was having extreme elbow pain that had been making photography extremely difficult for the past year. And after my hike at Bell Rock, over the course of the next day or so the pain dissipated.<br />
<br />
I then headed south again through <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/tonto/" target="_blank">Tonto National Forest</a>. I drove through towns called Strawberry and Pine on my way to Payson. And then I headed southwest back toward Fountain Hills. This is amazingly beautiful country. The red rocks and the cacti disappear and you are in amazing forest and can see across hills and rock formations in the distance. On Highway 87 I had the most amazing confluence of late afternoon light and saguaro cactus. I pulled over and took photos that were stunning. Imagine deep blue sky, purple clouds, and low golden light hitting the green of cacti and their thorns.<br />
<br />
Sigh.<br />
<br />
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ECDP-WFFits/WPVep4Hj9tI/AAAAAAAAMH4/Gn2J58GlNXkCSVXpXhUlDj0JIpQ93tGLwCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_DSC_3854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ECDP-WFFits/WPVep4Hj9tI/AAAAAAAAMH4/Gn2J58GlNXkCSVXpXhUlDj0JIpQ93tGLwCLcB/s640/Kaszas_DSC_3854.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hairstreak of some sort.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZwEStjaJTnQ/WPVfcrAx-9I/AAAAAAAAMH8/D4mqs1HajxI2A7xOlNdxYqOzeRWM3HL0wCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_DSC_3854_queen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZwEStjaJTnQ/WPVfcrAx-9I/AAAAAAAAMH8/D4mqs1HajxI2A7xOlNdxYqOzeRWM3HL0wCLcB/s640/Kaszas_DSC_3854_queen.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_(butterfly)" target="_blank">Queen Butterfly</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
Next: The Wild Horses of the Lower Salt River<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Not As The Crow Flieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13644314427275682180noreply@blogger.com2Jerome, AZ 86331, USA34.7489107 -112.113771634.7358637 -112.1339416 34.7619577 -112.09360160000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692651106429046760.post-13982180029489513982017-03-11T15:59:00.006-08:002017-03-11T15:59:37.200-08:00Vancouver Island: Victoria, Old Friends, and a Poem<br />
This was my last day on Vancouver Island. I hate last days.<br />
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hr0U09Pp2Nk/WMSOGfC59hI/AAAAAAAAMEM/BFACNohnE6olPb11ajzTwz2sTYHRjqnjQCLcB/s1600/DSC_8161.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hr0U09Pp2Nk/WMSOGfC59hI/AAAAAAAAMEM/BFACNohnE6olPb11ajzTwz2sTYHRjqnjQCLcB/s640/DSC_8161.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><i>My old buddy Pal<span style="color: #0000ee;">adin. <span style="color: #0000ee;">I think he's 2<span style="color: #0000ee;">5 in this photo.</span></span></span></i><u><br /></u></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Travelers Six and Twelve took me to a nearby farm in Duncan to visit two old friends: Paladin and Panzer, two horses whom I've had long acquaintance with, especially Paladin. He and I had our adventures years ago during riding lessons. He's a noble soul who taught me a lot.<br />
<br />
<br />
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aoXaj5N_iOA/WMSOGX2_c8I/AAAAAAAAMEU/kvBUHlYQStEGOkySuBzcjH3DvNE6NhE6ACLcB/s1600/DSC_8180.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aoXaj5N_iOA/WMSOGX2_c8I/AAAAAAAAMEU/kvBUHlYQStEGOkySuBzcjH3DvNE6NhE6ACLcB/s640/DSC_8180.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The harbor and the Empress Hotel. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
We then drove to Victoria and had lunch at the <a href="http://www.fairmont.com/empress-victoria/" target="_blank">Empress Hotel</a>. We ate outside overlooking the harbor area. Have their homemade lemonade. It is made with honey from resident hotel bees.<br />
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/--xi7nwHbKVE/WMSOGsDrCPI/AAAAAAAAMEk/rPvkAv8ulaQr50RLUteV3NQYlJ568-k6gCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_lemonaid.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--xi7nwHbKVE/WMSOGsDrCPI/AAAAAAAAMEk/rPvkAv8ulaQr50RLUteV3NQYlJ568-k6gCLcB/s400/Kaszas_lemonaid.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><u><span style="color: #0000ee;">Lemon<span style="color: #0000ee;">ade made with honey from resident hotel bees</span><span style="color: #0000ee;">.</span></span></u></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
Then we went back in time to the last Ice Age and learned all we could about mammoths at the <a href="http://www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/" target="_blank">Royal BC Museum</a>. This is a great museum. It would take more than a few hours to fully explore all their collections though.<br />
<br />
Then it was time to get back on the ferry and go back to Seattle and fly back home. On the ferry I had a wonderful time listening to two elderly English ladies seated behind me as they planned who was going to carry which bits of the amazing amount of liquor they bought in the onboard duty-free shop. They also proceeded to down two bottles of wine. They were kind of awesome.<br />
<br />
The world gave me an amazing send off from this trip in the form of one of the most spectacular sunsets I've ever seen.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>The Island</b><br />
I have been in other worlds<br />
far away among the branches,<br />
walking the wet forest floor<br />
and wandering webs of rain water.<br />
It is alive here. Full of<br />
spirits. Trees here are<br />
universes. In the sun and the shade<br />
the bears stride<br />
strong with secrets and smart.<br />
The rivers are their realm.<br />
But the wolves own the beach.<br />
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vD7ZMyIYsJs/WMSOGtYzWWI/AAAAAAAAMEc/sSvvei0J2U4YeuG-ctsH_DkKbSud7liZwCLcB/s1600/DSC_8562.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vD7ZMyIYsJs/WMSOGtYzWWI/AAAAAAAAMEc/sSvvei0J2U4YeuG-ctsH_DkKbSud7liZwCLcB/s640/DSC_8562.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This is how Vancouver Island said goodbye to me.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Not As The Crow Flieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13644314427275682180noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692651106429046760.post-62685593968287779642017-01-29T16:22:00.000-08:002017-01-29T17:05:01.335-08:00Vancouver Island: Black Bears!<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sK_t_u2b92s/WI6EAW-lYVI/AAAAAAAAMAw/9Jkrhp4geaE4IB0jR9iQmgYw8AsB1QJBACLcB/s1600/DSC_3593.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sK_t_u2b92s/WI6EAW-lYVI/AAAAAAAAMAw/9Jkrhp4geaE4IB0jR9iQmgYw8AsB1QJBACLcB/s640/DSC_3593.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The big old male black bear.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
This morning I returned to Thornton Creek Fishery and spent as much time as I could photographing an old male black bear and a little female with two cubs. I wish I had had much more time here. I shall return. I fell in love with these bears.<br />
<br />
When I first got there the old male, who in coloration is a mottled brown and cinnamon, was basically taking a nap in the underbrush on the river bank. He would occasionally lift his head to check out the fish situation in the river but otherwise wasn't doing much but lazing about. There is a waterfall farther down the river and occasionally you could see a salmon jump but the old black bear wasn't interested in that. Perhaps he was already full and was just devoting all his energy to digesting his meal. He eventually moved into the middle of the river, ever so slowly, and went up into the woods.<br />
<br />
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gd9KQOur76w/WI6D-ivJpdI/AAAAAAAAMAE/q-I_pVSoeiMV195xVkciCjGVtES5-tizwCLcB/s1600/DSC_2911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gd9KQOur76w/WI6D-ivJpdI/AAAAAAAAMAE/q-I_pVSoeiMV195xVkciCjGVtES5-tizwCLcB/s640/DSC_2911.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Just resting among the ferns.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0jGOYoiJ8IQ/WI6D_EUWvHI/AAAAAAAAMAM/ZuJUUDzLBOki97LEvFowTrKqXRgwfJSTQCLcB/s1600/DSC_3056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0jGOYoiJ8IQ/WI6D_EUWvHI/AAAAAAAAMAM/ZuJUUDzLBOki97LEvFowTrKqXRgwfJSTQCLcB/s640/DSC_3056.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The big male finally on the move. What amazing coloring he has.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
As soon as the old male left, out darted the little female black bear. She is recognizable by a bad scar on her face. Out she ran and right behind her followed her two cubs. She went right for the deep water near the waterfall where the salmon jumped. She entered the deep water, the cubs scrambled all over her. It looked like they were playing but then suddenly her head ducked under water and up she pulled a salmon half her size. In one amazing motion she was out of the water, cubs clinging to her, salmon locked in her jaws, and up the embankment she went into the woods. I could see occasional movement as the cubs got ahold of the fish but otherwise they were hidden in the thick forest.<br />
<br />
<br />
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-85Hzm2veXwU/WI6D_ScQ49I/AAAAAAAAMAU/yJ1DbpnauiI_WxGmTXYVv3MEphXd2fG7ACLcB/s1600/DSC_3289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-85Hzm2veXwU/WI6D_ScQ49I/AAAAAAAAMAU/yJ1DbpnauiI_WxGmTXYVv3MEphXd2fG7ACLcB/s640/DSC_3289.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mama bear. You can see just a hint of the scar on the right side of her face near her eye.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_A6kRmLG__I/WI6D_hp315I/AAAAAAAAMAY/uzm7sSU8LxMA-kNc50Zi0Pn9NpiSbEMSACLcB/s1600/DSC_3247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_A6kRmLG__I/WI6D_hp315I/AAAAAAAAMAY/uzm7sSU8LxMA-kNc50Zi0Pn9NpiSbEMSACLcB/s640/DSC_3247.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The cubs.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uj-Ozh72BGg/WI6D_tZCFKI/AAAAAAAAMAc/1V-n2WeqUikAvnwDBXB8eezqjwoYukzGwCLcB/s1600/DSC_3318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uj-Ozh72BGg/WI6D_tZCFKI/AAAAAAAAMAc/1V-n2WeqUikAvnwDBXB8eezqjwoYukzGwCLcB/s640/DSC_3318.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Making their way up the river.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PycLrBfzBv0/WI6D_6xqrdI/AAAAAAAAMAg/pQ82B52Ul3AXWb5zWjFirh_GKl2HYFpXACLcB/s1600/DSC_3367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PycLrBfzBv0/WI6D_6xqrdI/AAAAAAAAMAg/pQ82B52Ul3AXWb5zWjFirh_GKl2HYFpXACLcB/s640/DSC_3367.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Into the deep pool they go. You can see the waterfall in the background.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kXw-3YfhUy0/WI6D_zJlKkI/AAAAAAAAMAk/2us-hdN4krwCFcJ360YejhoUlZdVme_LwCLcB/s1600/DSC_3428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kXw-3YfhUy0/WI6D_zJlKkI/AAAAAAAAMAk/2us-hdN4krwCFcJ360YejhoUlZdVme_LwCLcB/s640/DSC_3428.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Still paddling around the deep end. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6_8NwWqpEKo/WI6EAOAxcFI/AAAAAAAAMAo/52mRa1mZoekM_vrff6W6vGEzI0FT-LF6ACLcB/s1600/DSC_3484.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6_8NwWqpEKo/WI6EAOAxcFI/AAAAAAAAMAo/52mRa1mZoekM_vrff6W6vGEzI0FT-LF6ACLcB/s640/DSC_3484.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>And then suddenly mama bear surges out of the water with a huge fish!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YdwWFgKt9Sk/WI6EAGRCDbI/AAAAAAAAMAs/WxeXsJpHmjQNoI13Id7LVUKnjVzHgorJgCLcB/s1600/DSC_3486.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YdwWFgKt9Sk/WI6EAGRCDbI/AAAAAAAAMAs/WxeXsJpHmjQNoI13Id7LVUKnjVzHgorJgCLcB/s640/DSC_3486.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>That is one big fish.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Then the old male appeared again. He was peeing on the side of the river when mama bear came flying down the river bank to confront him and warn him off her cubs and their meal. He hadn't even made a move in their direction. But he got a good telling off from mama bear, who was less than half his size. His only reaction was to look completely chagrined. I mean he was in the middle of peeing after all and suddenly he was confronted by a whirling black ball of serious attitude. Of course things could have gone much differently. Thankfully, they didn't. The old male slowly made his way into the river. He took a leisurely dip in the deep pool and then made his way to the opposite side of the river and up into the woods. That was my last sight of him.<br />
<br />
I briefly saw mama bear again as she scaled a log and then went into the underbrush, probably leading her cubs back down the river to the shore.<br />
<br />
It was a perfect morning.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MhR1hSJuUsw/WI6EAY5qfoI/AAAAAAAAMA0/br_Fa94-E2AQ71n4fXOnng7ICZSIIgvowCLcB/s1600/DSC_3608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MhR1hSJuUsw/WI6EAY5qfoI/AAAAAAAAMA0/br_Fa94-E2AQ71n4fXOnng7ICZSIIgvowCLcB/s640/DSC_3608.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>One last look at fierce mama bear.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Not As The Crow Flieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13644314427275682180noreply@blogger.com0Ucluelet, BC, Canada48.9415997 -125.5463445000000348.899881199999996 -125.62702550000003 48.9833182 -125.46566350000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692651106429046760.post-81872331774029084562017-01-09T16:27:00.001-08:002017-01-09T16:27:55.418-08:00Vancouver Island: Pacific Rim National Park and Ucluelet<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qqLCTrVlMPE/WGf2J6jCMII/AAAAAAAAL6A/sEXOZ_-GSjMpcOBs3ZZKvlDQwzhMPQ49gCLcB/s1600/DSC_7302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qqLCTrVlMPE/WGf2J6jCMII/AAAAAAAAL6A/sEXOZ_-GSjMpcOBs3ZZKvlDQwzhMPQ49gCLcB/s640/DSC_7302.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Chesterman Beach</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
My first morning in <a href="http://www.tourismtofino.com/" target="_blank">Tofino</a> was rainy and so I enjoyed some much needed rest. That afternoon I took black bear cruise but didn't see any bears at all. Even so it was a beautiful cruise. And I had a burrito from Tacofino for dinner again. They really are that good. Then I watched surfers and kite surfers on Chesterman Beach. I could do this everyday, all day, forever.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DC4ENTQCC3U/WGf2J9fOiGI/AAAAAAAAL6E/S6LYlDI898kdjw2ma6sFVbIw2yBzKfubQCLcB/s1600/DSC_7327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DC4ENTQCC3U/WGf2J9fOiGI/AAAAAAAAL6E/S6LYlDI898kdjw2ma6sFVbIw2yBzKfubQCLcB/s640/DSC_7327.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ESMB51LRd3A/WGf2KC2KVKI/AAAAAAAAL6Q/KJ-CLzyRDrsaZZ76bTRfyb1ydcyLRYESACLcB/s1600/DSC_7432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ESMB51LRd3A/WGf2KC2KVKI/AAAAAAAAL6Q/KJ-CLzyRDrsaZZ76bTRfyb1ydcyLRYESACLcB/s640/DSC_7432.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gic-6nzmiUM/WGf2KK6INpI/AAAAAAAAL6M/9vlwVNJ9btAmDlV-hUe00VhkvAhY-iL1ACLcB/s1600/DSC_7548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gic-6nzmiUM/WGf2KK6INpI/AAAAAAAAL6M/9vlwVNJ9btAmDlV-hUe00VhkvAhY-iL1ACLcB/s640/DSC_7548.jpg" width="640" /></a><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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qoYrSZNYd-4/WGf2Kbe7NLI/AAAAAAAAL6U/uUjhAlejR0cL_F3UzBeyGfVJLBkRPKSqgCLcB/s1600/DSC_7580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qoYrSZNYd-4/WGf2Kbe7NLI/AAAAAAAAL6U/uUjhAlejR0cL_F3UzBeyGfVJLBkRPKSqgCLcB/s640/DSC_7580.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Tofino Harbor</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z0f17QkD68s/WGf2KW-gLdI/AAAAAAAAL6Y/EjCIGU7Vm44CgzM_CctYcFw4uxUY0vYygCLcB/s1600/DSC_7608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z0f17QkD68s/WGf2KW-gLdI/AAAAAAAAL6Y/EjCIGU7Vm44CgzM_CctYcFw4uxUY0vYygCLcB/s640/DSC_7608.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lOG_cuRpIJ4/WGf2Jf_vTKI/AAAAAAAAL5g/rFK5NF7d72seNK0Ll53l-z-LBPx9kSzPwCLcB/s1600/ChestermanKaszas_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lOG_cuRpIJ4/WGf2Jf_vTKI/AAAAAAAAL5g/rFK5NF7d72seNK0Ll53l-z-LBPx9kSzPwCLcB/s640/ChestermanKaszas_1.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VlUYJmopD5g/WGf2KgKsh9I/AAAAAAAAL6g/A3kDiyXeoN4grT64_wIzPmxrAVr-XuFegCLcB/s1600/DSC_7658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VlUYJmopD5g/WGf2KgKsh9I/AAAAAAAAL6g/A3kDiyXeoN4grT64_wIzPmxrAVr-XuFegCLcB/s640/DSC_7658.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
My second morning in Tofino found me exploring <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Rim_National_Park_Reserve#Long_Beach" target="_blank">Long Beach</a><span id="goog_1022164937"></span><span id="goog_1022164938"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a> in Pacific Rim National Park, just a short drive down the road from Tofino. The world was enshrouded by fog and the miles of beach before me were invisible. Crows to walked the beach with me. And a bald eagle circled for a while. And there were wolf tracks. Yes, wolf tracks. I followed those but saw no evidence of the maker of said tracks.<br />
<br />
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2t9w0A8wkA0/WGf2KiqL7wI/AAAAAAAAL6k/m5ub1pHBMC0HFarAFNipOI_G2LEimkplACLcB/s1600/DSC_7724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2t9w0A8wkA0/WGf2KiqL7wI/AAAAAAAAL6k/m5ub1pHBMC0HFarAFNipOI_G2LEimkplACLcB/s640/DSC_7724.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Long Beach</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xz14Tl7MFGk/WGf2K7Uvq7I/AAAAAAAAL6o/EVNw-egsGY86SfbBzF-A7GhgxqO4wPwhQCLcB/s1600/DSC_7779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xz14Tl7MFGk/WGf2K7Uvq7I/AAAAAAAAL6o/EVNw-egsGY86SfbBzF-A7GhgxqO4wPwhQCLcB/s640/DSC_7779.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Wolf track. It's about the size of an extra small human hand.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Travelers Six and Twelve joined me. We headed to <a href="http://ucluelet.ca/" target="_blank">Ucluelet</a>, south of Pacific Rim National Park. Where sand beaches dominate the northern part of this area, Ucluelet is all jagged, wild rocky coast. It was raining which, given that we are in a rainforest, wasn't a surprise. We hiked the <a href="http://www.wildpacifictrail.com/lighthouse.html" target="_blank">Lighthouse Loop</a> part of the Wild Pacific Trail. This is a pleasant hike even in the rain. It was fun watching the waves slam into rock and set kelp reeling in whirlpools of turbulence. I also photographed more banana slugs, one that was almost a foot long.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jQaP0FyDMZ8/WGf2MvFreRI/AAAAAAAAL74/Sb61nakIlI4AdITgilm2-Ajb-c0IBceCACLcB/s1600/signsKaszas_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jQaP0FyDMZ8/WGf2MvFreRI/AAAAAAAAL74/Sb61nakIlI4AdITgilm2-Ajb-c0IBceCACLcB/s640/signsKaszas_1.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rHIGGO-Ugpk/WGf2MSHuotI/AAAAAAAAL7o/vtR2OnUwbPYFiPUM1YaYt86fUMq6gLbZQCLcB/s1600/UcluletKaszas_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rHIGGO-Ugpk/WGf2MSHuotI/AAAAAAAAL7o/vtR2OnUwbPYFiPUM1YaYt86fUMq6gLbZQCLcB/s640/UcluletKaszas_1.jpg" width="640" /></a><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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TDTxd1lbMMU/WGf2LZnxIfI/AAAAAAAAL68/uzb3hzdkMtktYxn-xeJdvsqHdxDCDk7FgCLcB/s1600/DSC_7849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TDTxd1lbMMU/WGf2LZnxIfI/AAAAAAAAL68/uzb3hzdkMtktYxn-xeJdvsqHdxDCDk7FgCLcB/s640/DSC_7849.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This banana slug was almost a foot long.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
We had dinner at <a href="http://www.blackrockresort.com/fetch-home" target="_blank">Fetch at the Black Rock Resort</a> in Ucluelet. The food is very good and the view of the rocky shore fabulous but wear bug repellent. There are mosquitos in the dining room. I got eaten alive by them while trying to eat my own dinner.<br />
<br />
The next morning we hiked the <a href="https://www.tofinohiking.com/hikes/rainforest-trail/" target="_blank">Rainforest Trail</a>. It was raining again, or perhaps the forest was just dripping madly from previous precipitation (it is hard to tell) and this mostly boardwalk and wooden stairs hike was slippery but still beautiful. And there were more slugs. A lot more.<br />
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xqc8xxrF8_s/WGf2Msw0vpI/AAAAAAAAL78/4q-KTk-cKMU1KG03JC4FV9xo70TftR0jQCLcB/s1600/slugsKaszas_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xqc8xxrF8_s/WGf2Msw0vpI/AAAAAAAAL78/4q-KTk-cKMU1KG03JC4FV9xo70TftR0jQCLcB/s640/slugsKaszas_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Banana slugs. These are between 4 to 7 inches long.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
We had lunch at <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g154942-d1778548-Reviews-Tacofino_Cantina-Tofino_Clayoquot_Sound_Vancouver_Island_British_Columbia.html" target="_blank">Tacofino</a>. Really, I can't get enough of this place. In fact, I want to go back right now and have a carnitas burrito.<br />
<br />
I bid adieu to Travelers Six and Twelve for the moment. I headed out to the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ThorntonCreekHatchery/" target="_blank">Thornton Creek Hatchery</a>. This is a place run by volunteers (please leave them a $10 or $20 tip) where you can see and photograph black bears. It's well known to locals. Ask one for directions. Check the hatchery's website for hours. The road is gated for your protection and only open certain hours. I missed seeing a mother and two cubs up close by minutes. I did finally get to see them far out in the tidal zone flipping rocks over looking for crustaceans. This was a wonderful sight.<br />
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7hRca9Tt8uo/WGf2Jlbr2uI/AAAAAAAAL5w/q1mzWyiKRDcF7yxisgkhGzZ9Dhb-t6YWwCLcB/s1600/DSC_2526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7hRca9Tt8uo/WGf2Jlbr2uI/AAAAAAAAL5w/q1mzWyiKRDcF7yxisgkhGzZ9Dhb-t6YWwCLcB/s640/DSC_2526.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mama bear with two cubs foraging for crustaceans. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KWo5L0nj0QY/WGf2JvbxflI/AAAAAAAAL50/xPZHd4HpPAchFWK93KCunDcLJVvp60teACLcB/s1600/DSC_2688.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KWo5L0nj0QY/WGf2JvbxflI/AAAAAAAAL50/xPZHd4HpPAchFWK93KCunDcLJVvp60teACLcB/s640/DSC_2688.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Both the bears and the heron seemed a little perplexed by this encounter.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
In the evening the tide had gone out far enough on <a href="http://www.tourismtofino.com/tofino-beaches" target="_blank">Chesterman Beach</a> that I could explore tide pools. I watched acorn and goose barnacles feeding, baby dungeness crabs skitter along the bottom of the pools, and tiny sculpin dart from hiding place to hiding place under rocks.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SNJRdeQ6ncU/WGf2MQmESuI/AAAAAAAAL7w/aQ60rXmCvjgfwS7Ww8bBFL2nW6-zBY6PQCLcB/s1600/barnaclesKaszas_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SNJRdeQ6ncU/WGf2MQmESuI/AAAAAAAAL7w/aQ60rXmCvjgfwS7Ww8bBFL2nW6-zBY6PQCLcB/s640/barnaclesKaszas_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3Y-CdO3H07Y/WGf2MgAS5II/AAAAAAAAL70/gKuyMYzJHpUXRsnG9VMgiPh7TPe4uEVawCLcB/s1600/crbsculpinKaszas_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3Y-CdO3H07Y/WGf2MgAS5II/AAAAAAAAL70/gKuyMYzJHpUXRsnG9VMgiPh7TPe4uEVawCLcB/s640/crbsculpinKaszas_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hu3CVAGR7hU/WGf2J0pHajI/AAAAAAAAL58/9nN76T-3Fg4-o2jJdDE1_48o5KBWbTYfwCLcB/s1600/DSC_7289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hu3CVAGR7hU/WGf2J0pHajI/AAAAAAAAL58/9nN76T-3Fg4-o2jJdDE1_48o5KBWbTYfwCLcB/s640/DSC_7289.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Not As The Crow Flieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13644314427275682180noreply@blogger.com0Tofino, BC, Canada49.1529842 -125.9066184000000149.0698612 -126.06797990000001 49.2361072 -125.74525690000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692651106429046760.post-60977885244717454072017-01-04T19:56:00.001-08:002017-01-04T19:56:43.446-08:00Vancouver Island: Goats on a Roof and Cathedral Grove<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GaI1juNweeQ/WGfGXnD4dmI/AAAAAAAAL4A/pyKagE-Oyo0cl-3BkNHiHz4JkdojRMNyQCLcB/s1600/DSC_6905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GaI1juNweeQ/WGfGXnD4dmI/AAAAAAAAL4A/pyKagE-Oyo0cl-3BkNHiHz4JkdojRMNyQCLcB/s640/DSC_6905.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Tree tops, Cathedral Grove</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
On my way from Campbell River to Tofino, which means driving east to west across Vancouver Island, I made several stops of significance.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NNEO2008KSI/WGfGZdh6PoI/AAAAAAAAL4k/NF2yYEohTtk1UwzEs15IUc3FIpl5-Rs4ACLcB/s1600/GoatsonRoof_Kaszas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NNEO2008KSI/WGfGZdh6PoI/AAAAAAAAL4k/NF2yYEohTtk1UwzEs15IUc3FIpl5-Rs4ACLcB/s640/GoatsonRoof_Kaszas.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Su51zkMeOxo/WGfGW_ZNuzI/AAAAAAAAL3o/Fx-wx0I2CRkblUMcfryRH9oAUbnQNCrjQCLcB/s1600/DSC_6770.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Su51zkMeOxo/WGfGW_ZNuzI/AAAAAAAAL3o/Fx-wx0I2CRkblUMcfryRH9oAUbnQNCrjQCLcB/s640/DSC_6770.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
The first was the <a href="https://www.oldcountrymarket.com/history.php" target="_blank">Coombs Old Country Market </a>in Coombs, BC. Why? Because they have goats on their roof. Seriously. There are goats living on the roof of the market's sod roof. The goats are well worth visiting as is the market. It's a great place to get provisions and housewares. The market also has a great bakery and deli.<br />
<br />
The second stop was <a href="http://www.cathedralgrove.eu/text/01-Cathedral-Grove-1.htm" target="_blank">Cathedral Grove</a>. Cathedral Grove is a protected area showcasing an old growth Douglas fir ecosystem. The oldest trees are nearly 800 years old and stand around 250 feet high. The forest is dark. The trees are tall. And there is such an abundance of life within its tall trucks and high branches. Spend a lot of time here.<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q9cYtPIIaKo/WGfGXS1ZJMI/AAAAAAAAL34/Sm-9aH0vCoMxLEXCpKm5Surz1EWBu_noQCLcB/s1600/DSC_6845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q9cYtPIIaKo/WGfGXS1ZJMI/AAAAAAAAL34/Sm-9aH0vCoMxLEXCpKm5Surz1EWBu_noQCLcB/s640/DSC_6845.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A nearly 800 year old tree.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BvDu-uIscGE/WGfGWA1nfbI/AAAAAAAAL3A/fooeMx5ogAgNfStFCUJSX7PNbj_dpxmWQCLcB/s1600/DSC_1688.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BvDu-uIscGE/WGfGWA1nfbI/AAAAAAAAL3A/fooeMx5ogAgNfStFCUJSX7PNbj_dpxmWQCLcB/s640/DSC_1688.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Look closely and you can see steam rising from the forest floor.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KGelA_y6G0E/WGfGWf_wXXI/AAAAAAAAL3U/n113QFClQNAMGN14dv_GT5esKwITztlSQCLcB/s1600/DSC_1793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KGelA_y6G0E/WGfGWf_wXXI/AAAAAAAAL3U/n113QFClQNAMGN14dv_GT5esKwITztlSQCLcB/s640/DSC_1793.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Pacific_Wren/id?gclid=Cj0KEQiAy53DBRCo4en29Zvcla0BEiQAVIDcc4qbkiLL9pS8rP1wsedSx_5Vli-plJwwYxb8092ZrRgaAnv08P8HAQ" target="_blank">Pacific Wren</a>. This tiny bird has a really loud voice. It's calls echo through the forest. You will also hear r<a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-breasted_Sapsucker/id?gclid=Cj0KEQiAy53DBRCo4en29Zvcla0BEiQAVIDcc42_RU0t6y81vhmZIIeXHdvqVv38E8bqzBA6A4z_fGoaAlvl8P8HAQ" target="_blank">ed-breasted sapsuckers </a>tapping away at tree trunks as you walk along.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OCGl8HwbPhA/WGfGZULcMyI/AAAAAAAAL4g/RHBC3b9-aa43pI--NxWHorqCdg4uRIuuACLcB/s1600/Forest1_kaszas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OCGl8HwbPhA/WGfGZULcMyI/AAAAAAAAL4g/RHBC3b9-aa43pI--NxWHorqCdg4uRIuuACLcB/s640/Forest1_kaszas.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iXiUKin3cIo/WGfGZZcmhVI/AAAAAAAAL4o/nGKjhY49JSwS6GRxpcQm3wDEW5JooQqqgCLcB/s1600/ForestSpider_kaszas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iXiUKin3cIo/WGfGZZcmhVI/AAAAAAAAL4o/nGKjhY49JSwS6GRxpcQm3wDEW5JooQqqgCLcB/s640/ForestSpider_kaszas.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QSnyEou2EKQ/WGfGWjj7JyI/AAAAAAAAL3c/wikJmElKa0QqP34qc7ljKJ7w7HMJyqn0QCLcB/s1600/DSC_1895.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QSnyEou2EKQ/WGfGWjj7JyI/AAAAAAAAL3c/wikJmElKa0QqP34qc7ljKJ7w7HMJyqn0QCLcB/s640/DSC_1895.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MZdYbiXjsXs/WGfGXtuCdpI/AAAAAAAAL4E/z0AgsMGDbqIE8j5Xf4zFbJzDYbEBnxoUwCLcB/s1600/DSC_6936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MZdYbiXjsXs/WGfGXtuCdpI/AAAAAAAAL4E/z0AgsMGDbqIE8j5Xf4zFbJzDYbEBnxoUwCLcB/s640/DSC_6936.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I also stopped to clamber over rocks lining the shores of the Kennedy River.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Finally I reached the west coast and <a href="http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/bc/pacificrim/visit.aspx" target="_blank">Pacific Rim National Park</a>. I think I stopped at every beach in the park on my way to <a href="http://www.tourismtofino.com/" target="_blank">Tofino</a>. Oh how I needed sand and beach and waves. I saw my first and only <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gray_whale" target="_blank">gray whales</a> off shore near Wickaninnish Beach. I explored beach detritus and drift wood. I inhaled salt tinged air, listened to crows calling, and watched mist and clouds roll in. I was happy.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YCjNH4XhwWU/WGfGXzhMXyI/AAAAAAAAL4Q/fC2u39-8Ed061YzhoEnDKLfPw-3SRLZEQCLcB/s1600/DSC_6963.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YCjNH4XhwWU/WGfGXzhMXyI/AAAAAAAAL4Q/fC2u39-8Ed061YzhoEnDKLfPw-3SRLZEQCLcB/s640/DSC_6963.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j0dpsAvWpsQ/WGfGWFxqS_I/AAAAAAAAL28/r7-ZEARWhfI-fwRndxFly3EqIunkljRlACLcB/s1600/BeachThings_kaszas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j0dpsAvWpsQ/WGfGWFxqS_I/AAAAAAAAL28/r7-ZEARWhfI-fwRndxFly3EqIunkljRlACLcB/s640/BeachThings_kaszas.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0_H92kJFe_4/WGfGXx4GkXI/AAAAAAAAL4Y/yMi1fIgC_8ki1wju-Rw_cY9xVUB2bFfewCLcB/s1600/DSC_7166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0_H92kJFe_4/WGfGXx4GkXI/AAAAAAAAL4Y/yMi1fIgC_8ki1wju-Rw_cY9xVUB2bFfewCLcB/s640/DSC_7166.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I ended the day by stopping at <a href="http://www.tourismtofino.com/beaches-grocery" target="_blank">one of the world's tiniest grocery stores</a> and picked up dinner at <a href="https://www.tacofino.com/location/tofino-original-truck" target="_blank">Tacofino</a>, which is really really really good. Then I made it to my lodgings for the next four days: <a href="http://pacificcoastretreats.com/cedar-shack-cabin/" target="_blank">The Cedar Shack</a>. Then I walked out to <a href="http://www.tourismtofino.com/tofino-beaches" target="_blank">Chesterman Beach</a> and watched surfers battling waves as daylight disappeared.<br />
<br />
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6V042m0jC3k/WGfLVzV9EdI/AAAAAAAAL48/mc4p8RzgCfUVGJ54r7lwvOnoNbVYvwtsgCLcB/s1600/DSC_7604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6V042m0jC3k/WGfLVzV9EdI/AAAAAAAAL48/mc4p8RzgCfUVGJ54r7lwvOnoNbVYvwtsgCLcB/s640/DSC_7604.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The original Tacofino truck. </i></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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-egW4Y-_zciQ/WGfLVoMMF0I/AAAAAAAAL44/0DqhFbtcIJw5ke7j04qH-SwQ9eGXRM3NACLcB/s1600/DSC_7590.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-egW4Y-_zciQ/WGfLVoMMF0I/AAAAAAAAL44/0DqhFbtcIJw5ke7j04qH-SwQ9eGXRM3NACLcB/s640/DSC_7590.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Northwestern crows like fish tacos too!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jLZrj-y11QI/WGfMxgK7XgI/AAAAAAAAL5M/GlBIqXEVl_8iI2Pg5p6zq26-K3dqU5xxACLcB/s1600/DSC_7200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jLZrj-y11QI/WGfMxgK7XgI/AAAAAAAAL5M/GlBIqXEVl_8iI2Pg5p6zq26-K3dqU5xxACLcB/s640/DSC_7200.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Day's end on Chesterman Beach</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Not As The Crow Flieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13644314427275682180noreply@blogger.com2Tofino, BC, Canada49.1529842 -125.9066184000000149.0698612 -126.06797990000001 49.2361072 -125.74525690000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692651106429046760.post-21471149034024703642016-12-30T13:38:00.001-08:002016-12-30T13:38:43.991-08:00British Columbia: Grizzly Bears...need I say more?<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9X4CQ5mOKTo/WGbQNGunq8I/AAAAAAAAL1w/k76s7KiuK4kY2fb97--TzdGR-ME904wMgCLcB/s1600/DSC_0767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9X4CQ5mOKTo/WGbQNGunq8I/AAAAAAAAL1w/k76s7KiuK4kY2fb97--TzdGR-ME904wMgCLcB/s640/DSC_0767.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The first <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grizzly_bear" target="_blank">grizzly bear</a> we encountered. The grizzly is a subspecies of brown bear and gets its name from the lighter, silvery tips on its fur. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>See more photos on<a href="https://www.instagram.com/pjkaszas/" target="_blank"> Instagram</a>.</b></div>
<br />
<br />
The entire reason for me being in Campbell River was to go on <a href="http://www.adventurewhalewatching.com/" target="_blank">Discovery Marine Safaris</a> Grizzly Bear tour. This is a grand day adventure. If you are a serious photographer its not going to give you much time for shots but if you only have day its a great choice.<br />
<br />
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tGsjtkHx5qM/WGbQObicUTI/AAAAAAAAL2g/3B3T4FdmZ6cqRaGCwfHW0-AYuf1KiOXfACLcB/s1600/DSC_6436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tGsjtkHx5qM/WGbQObicUTI/AAAAAAAAL2g/3B3T4FdmZ6cqRaGCwfHW0-AYuf1KiOXfACLcB/s640/DSC_6436.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>An adult orca and baby just off the coast of Campbell River, BC.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Grizzly bears do not live on Vancouver Island. You have to go to the mainland of British Columbia to see them. It's a two hour cruise up to Orford Bay to Holmalco First Nations land to see the bears.<br />
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v7Flz15jrS0/WGbQObyLl3I/AAAAAAAAL2c/2fgDGuB_eV83t58F2GczaFXGm87g7k6vgCLcB/s1600/DSC_6572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v7Flz15jrS0/WGbQObyLl3I/AAAAAAAAL2c/2fgDGuB_eV83t58F2GczaFXGm87g7k6vgCLcB/s640/DSC_6572.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mainland British Columbia. One of these ways leads to Orford Bay.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
As we boarded the boat I made friends with a very nice couple from England, a young couple from France, and two women from Vancouver Island, one who has scuba dived all over the world. If you ever need to break the ice with folks just pull a six pound Nikon 200-500 mm lens out of your backpack and then try not to lose your balance while standing on the deck of a swaying boat. It is a surefire instant conversation starter.<br />
<br />
On the way out of Campbell River we observed a pod of orcas moving through the area. They were moving fast. Then we cruised at quite clip northeast past Quadra and Stewart Islands. I braved the cold wind on the bow watching water birds and passing mountains.<br />
<br />
Lunch is provided and the rules of proper behavior once we reached grizzly country were explained to us. We had to remain silent, walk no farther than a shoulder's width from the next person, move as quietly as possible, and if our guides told us to move we had to move that second. We had six guides to help us find bears and keep us safe.<br />
<br />
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0sy6RQyMhEE/WGbQOvva1zI/AAAAAAAAL2o/ewtr4np0PI8W06OtbnetHj2GRf7oPRObQCLcB/s1600/DSC_6610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0sy6RQyMhEE/WGbQOvva1zI/AAAAAAAAL2o/ewtr4np0PI8W06OtbnetHj2GRf7oPRObQCLcB/s640/DSC_6610.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Waiting for a bear to appear. You can see the dark outlines of salmon in the water.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--RY1w0TurgU/WGbQNQWaBZI/AAAAAAAAL18/nm7TotGhSVcCDRZFwjPKcfzSNssIUDfMwCLcB/s640/DSC_1003.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A salmon skipping up the shallows.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--RY1w0TurgU/WGbQNQWaBZI/AAAAAAAAL18/nm7TotGhSVcCDRZFwjPKcfzSNssIUDfMwCLcB/s1600/DSC_1003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></a><br /><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--RY1w0TurgU/WGbQNQWaBZI/AAAAAAAAL18/nm7TotGhSVcCDRZFwjPKcfzSNssIUDfMwCLcB/s1600/DSC_1003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></a>
<br />
<br />
We reached Orford Bay. We were now on Holmalco ancestral lands where one of the greatest concentrations of grizzlies in British Columbia are found. There were two vehicles waiting for us. I ended up in the smaller van with just five passengers plus our three guides. One was the boat captain. As luck would have it our guides seemed the better at finding bears. We drove between two rivers, one glacier fed and the other spring fed. Eagles and gulls circled the area. Salmon were just beginning to swim up river. It was a remarkably beautiful afternoon. In all we would see seven bears. One a small female. Another one of the biggest bears the boat's captain had ever seen. This bear can slowly down the river and then went up the opposite bank. You could hear his progress through the bushes as branches and underbrush crunched and snapped as he moved closer to us. Crunch....crunch...crunch.<br />
<br />
It was a glorious day.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ehCc2-584mo/WGbQNYOxRJI/AAAAAAAAL14/DoZexyCLsO4wBNp6fpANF5ePPb7oeKUcwCLcB/s1600/DSC_0962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ehCc2-584mo/WGbQNYOxRJI/AAAAAAAAL14/DoZexyCLsO4wBNp6fpANF5ePPb7oeKUcwCLcB/s640/DSC_0962.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The biggest bear we saw. He happily made his way down the river then crunched his way through the bushes. Then he appeared in this nice sunny grassy area on the opposite bank were he proceeded to sit and give himself a good scratch on on ear with a hind foot. Bears are amazingly flexible. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2yfJZxHahE0/WGbQNkz4ZpI/AAAAAAAAL2I/g60FDF8uv2Qr6KbWHU5IMG9VHmvtJyHOwCLcB/s1600/DSC_1168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2yfJZxHahE0/WGbQNkz4ZpI/AAAAAAAAL2I/g60FDF8uv2Qr6KbWHU5IMG9VHmvtJyHOwCLcB/s640/DSC_1168.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Watching, listening and taking in the scents in the area.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X_Q3VfcftWI/WGbQN848W_I/AAAAAAAAL2Q/nOVWWtNtC2QntrgdHIJVoJGNWKFr0i94QCLcB/s1600/DSC_1437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X_Q3VfcftWI/WGbQN848W_I/AAAAAAAAL2Q/nOVWWtNtC2QntrgdHIJVoJGNWKFr0i94QCLcB/s640/DSC_1437.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>About to grab a salmon. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m8j3gg6UNX4/WGbQOElOoWI/AAAAAAAAL2Y/GEnjyztArgIwPuCRPf9guFL1IFDDme8ZQCLcB/s1600/DSC_1646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m8j3gg6UNX4/WGbQOElOoWI/AAAAAAAAL2Y/GEnjyztArgIwPuCRPf9guFL1IFDDme8ZQCLcB/s640/DSC_1646.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This was the last bear we saw. They own this land. We are just temporary visitors. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4uYw7H7wpqU/WGbQOr9tyII/AAAAAAAAL2s/H5mEoraayUYg5uR89jvvLKE44Jo-qM2DQCLcB/s1600/DSC_6642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4uYw7H7wpqU/WGbQOr9tyII/AAAAAAAAL2s/H5mEoraayUYg5uR89jvvLKE44Jo-qM2DQCLcB/s640/DSC_6642.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>On the way back we saw hundreds and hundreds of gulls in flight over one of the many very serious rapids that characterize the channels around the islands in this area. When the captain tells you to hold on do it. It's a rough ride. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Next stop: Goats on a Roof???</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<br />Not As The Crow Flieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13644314427275682180noreply@blogger.com6Orford Bay 4, Comox-Strathcona J, BC V0P, Canada50.5989339 -124.8406696000000150.578776399999995 -124.88101010000001 50.6190914 -124.80032910000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692651106429046760.post-7892808584786246942016-12-27T13:35:00.000-08:002016-12-27T13:38:13.371-08:00Vancouver Island: The Pacific Marine Route & Campbell River<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><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JvYq7FQ-TjE/WGJ2dAgmtRI/AAAAAAAALzs/EepqW415_oQnYMZZW8vpCkW8SG9cJuxyQCLcB/s1600/DSC_0584.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JvYq7FQ-TjE/WGJ2dAgmtRI/AAAAAAAALzs/EepqW415_oQnYMZZW8vpCkW8SG9cJuxyQCLcB/s640/DSC_0584.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><i>The wild west coast of Vancouver Island</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>The Pacific Marine Route</b><br />
<br />
This day Travelers Six and Twelve and I headed out to drive part of the <a href="http://www.hellobc.com/driving-routes/19/pacific-marine-circle-route.aspx" target="_blank">Pacific Marine Route</a>. This is a scenic drive that takes you lets you view various part of the Juan de Fuca, Haro, and Georgia Straights, allows you to visit Juan de Fuca Regional Park, and see impossibly tall old growth trees, numerous ridiculously large slugs, and the occasional surfer and maybe a whale or two.<br />
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4UpCSPPI1mg/WGJ2eglUDkI/AAAAAAAAL0c/namLmFr4gFAagtt01WbGuutf65hBd1H1wCLcB/s1600/TomisKaszas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4UpCSPPI1mg/WGJ2eglUDkI/AAAAAAAAL0c/namLmFr4gFAagtt01WbGuutf65hBd1H1wCLcB/s640/TomisKaszas.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The fare at Tomi's Home Cooking, Port Renfrew</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
We headed toward <a href="http://www.town.lakecowichan.bc.ca/" target="_blank">Lake Cowichan</a> and then through the mountains to the west coast and <a href="http://www.portrenfrew.com/" target="_blank">Port Renfrew</a>. In Port Renfrew we had lunch at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Tomis-Home-Cookin-299260230108496/" target="_blank">Tomi's Home Cooking</a>. This place is GOOD. Their were burgers the size a giant pumpkins. And there were cookies the size of human heads. The mushroom soup was great. The service was excellent. And they have free wifi.<br />
<br />
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/---zd3KuPfKE/WGJ2d93FHNI/AAAAAAAAL0A/L7zIr0aIsCEgEct40nncRqvsd55YnbZGwCLcB/s1600/DSC_6193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/---zd3KuPfKE/WGJ2d93FHNI/AAAAAAAAL0A/L7zIr0aIsCEgEct40nncRqvsd55YnbZGwCLcB/s640/DSC_6193.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Heading down the trail through temperate rain forest.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tadFGOV67Is/WGJ2c6Df6QI/AAAAAAAALzc/BspwT7u8vY0CcjrMKYyPf1CYfPMnbYVbQCLcB/s1600/BotanicalBeachKaszas_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tadFGOV67Is/WGJ2c6Df6QI/AAAAAAAALzc/BspwT7u8vY0CcjrMKYyPf1CYfPMnbYVbQCLcB/s640/BotanicalBeachKaszas_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Left, Kelp detail, Right: pits in stone made by sea urchins</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9bF3xUzPIjU/WGJ2dPJlhrI/AAAAAAAALzo/5F9McW6rggcYT2TsY7bj07NxaH9EVDkagCLcB/s1600/DSC_6040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9bF3xUzPIjU/WGJ2dPJlhrI/AAAAAAAALzo/5F9McW6rggcYT2TsY7bj07NxaH9EVDkagCLcB/s640/DSC_6040.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Botanical Beach</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9bF3xUzPIjU/WGJ2dPJlhrI/AAAAAAAALzo/5F9McW6rggcYT2TsY7bj07NxaH9EVDkagCLcB/s1600/DSC_6040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></a><br />
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9bF3xUzPIjU/WGJ2dPJlhrI/AAAAAAAALzo/5F9McW6rggcYT2TsY7bj07NxaH9EVDkagCLcB/s1600/DSC_6040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></a>
<br />
We then headed into <a href="http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/juan_de_fuca/" target="_blank">Juan de Fuca National Park</a> and to beautiful <a href="http://www.portrenfrew.com/botbeach.htm" target="_blank">Botanical Beach</a>, famous for its tide pools. We hiked through ever dripping rain forest and I got my first look at banana slugs. Then we sat on driftwood and watched the waves roll in and the light far out to sea shift through offshore rain storms. A blue heron perched on a bed of kelp far offshore and many harlequin ducks slipped through the surf closer to shore.<br />
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jrFq3nNsgLY/WGJ2c4cY6WI/AAAAAAAALzg/PyQgHWfYw18bhD0Kxo0YT2PsvwGlPgcRgCLcB/s1600/DSC_0521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jrFq3nNsgLY/WGJ2c4cY6WI/AAAAAAAALzg/PyQgHWfYw18bhD0Kxo0YT2PsvwGlPgcRgCLcB/s640/DSC_0521.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Blue heron standing on kelp</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-as6XtChUfY8/WGJ2c9SiP3I/AAAAAAAALzk/4g1QD3h26BUWIZ2pxQhzxqtIM7SS-Df_QCLcB/s1600/DSC_0456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-as6XtChUfY8/WGJ2c9SiP3I/AAAAAAAALzk/4g1QD3h26BUWIZ2pxQhzxqtIM7SS-Df_QCLcB/s640/DSC_0456.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Banana Slug</i></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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BPlx3qwCvO4/WGJ2d-QG7FI/AAAAAAAALz4/M4xzWJruJaoXFtYm6mrghiQ0cxfJ3sJIQCLcB/s1600/DSC_6181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><i><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BPlx3qwCvO4/WGJ2d-QG7FI/AAAAAAAALz4/M4xzWJruJaoXFtYm6mrghiQ0cxfJ3sJIQCLcB/s640/DSC_6181.jpg" width="426" /></i></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A tree growing in a circle, Juan De Fuca Trail</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1d0lDQGFyis/WGJ2hMC5Z9I/AAAAAAAAL0k/VR7UaOuw6M8kwfR6lL7SkGMkQGsY3GdnACLcB/s1600/WildWestCoast_VI.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1d0lDQGFyis/WGJ2hMC5Z9I/AAAAAAAAL0k/VR7UaOuw6M8kwfR6lL7SkGMkQGsY3GdnACLcB/s640/WildWestCoast_VI.gif" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Click to play movie.</b></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Then Traveler Twelve and I almost explored <a href="http://www.explorevancouverisland.com/China_Beach_Vancouver_Island_BC.htm" target="_blank">China Beach</a>. The old growth forest down to the beach is awe inspiring and I saw more of the amazing, oversized slugs that love the rainforests of the west coast of North America.<br />
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wWJsHvp5DDg/WGJ2eJs6tBI/AAAAAAAAL0E/2rDo0am854cv8En9tZ1vNZky68pYRBDLACLcB/s1600/DSC_6198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wWJsHvp5DDg/WGJ2eJs6tBI/AAAAAAAAL0E/2rDo0am854cv8En9tZ1vNZky68pYRBDLACLcB/s640/DSC_6198.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Traveler Twelve providing scale to the surroundings.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GwcdBUpXP8U/WGJ2eKFI57I/AAAAAAAAL0I/lgoEeUDUywIy-0Lc_ZpwsTwkB6g_VwL7wCLcB/s1600/DSC_6201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GwcdBUpXP8U/WGJ2eKFI57I/AAAAAAAAL0I/lgoEeUDUywIy-0Lc_ZpwsTwkB6g_VwL7wCLcB/s640/DSC_6201.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The temperate rainforest of the Pacific Northwest are dominated by Western Hemlock, Western Red Cedar, and Sitka Spruce.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
We stopped briefly in <a href="http://www.hellobc.com/sooke.aspx" target="_blank">Sooke</a> to watch surfers and sea birds play in the waves though we were subjected to the most amazing bombardment of bugs I've ever experienced.<br />
<br />
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dwP2hGKTQa8/WGJ8gAxxjxI/AAAAAAAAL08/cB15_R8TOY438kMfrQrMOSomNpE7S42HwCLcB/s1600/DSC_6209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dwP2hGKTQa8/WGJ8gAxxjxI/AAAAAAAAL08/cB15_R8TOY438kMfrQrMOSomNpE7S42HwCLcB/s640/DSC_6209.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Surfing near Sooke</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<b>Campbell River</b><br />
<br />
Traveler Twelve made pancakes in the morning. Then Traveler Six and I drove north along the east coast of the island to the town of Campbell River. We were staying at <a href="http://www.brownsbayresort.com/" target="_blank">Brown's Bay Resort</a> in one of their floating suites. This is really a cabin with a couple of apartments located in the middle of dock. It was one of the more unique and interesting places I've stayed. There's also a floating restaurant next door that is well worth going to.<br />
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yh_Qdc5Ik6Q/WGJ2eYM9R7I/AAAAAAAAL0Y/Z0r1pJm6XDYv5fjwCsFuBDv11gjuVitDgCLcB/s1600/DSC_6394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yh_Qdc5Ik6Q/WGJ2eYM9R7I/AAAAAAAAL0Y/Z0r1pJm6XDYv5fjwCsFuBDv11gjuVitDgCLcB/s640/DSC_6394.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Floating Suite at Brown's Bay. If you get motion sick you may want to find other accomodations but Traveler Six and I very much enjoyed the experience. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We explored the town a bit and visited the rather very interesting <a href="http://www.crmuseum.ca/" target="_blank">Museum of Campbell River</a>. Back at the floating suite we watched ships passing by.<br />
<br />
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uq0_nocvXRo/WGJ8gOUAh2I/AAAAAAAAL04/EScwP79L7Lge4m5uRu-Hu_NP0IfrmolxwCLcB/s1600/DSC_6319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uq0_nocvXRo/WGJ8gOUAh2I/AAAAAAAAL04/EScwP79L7Lge4m5uRu-Hu_NP0IfrmolxwCLcB/s640/DSC_6319.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Campbell River Pier</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJDWc8wzPQk/WGJ2eQitsmI/AAAAAAAAL0U/s_mhrfAuny0AKNe0oyXvUE65iydXENrYACLcB/s1600/DSC_6385.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJDWc8wzPQk/WGJ2eQitsmI/AAAAAAAAL0U/s_mhrfAuny0AKNe0oyXvUE65iydXENrYACLcB/s640/DSC_6385.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Brown's Bay at night.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Next Stop: GRIZZLY BEARS!!!</b></div>
<span style="background-color: #e6e5e5; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="background-color: #e6e5e5; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #e6e5e5; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #e6e5e5; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #e6e5e5; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #e6e5e5; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #e6e5e5; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #e6e5e5; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span>Not As The Crow Flieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13644314427275682180noreply@blogger.com1Port Renfrew, BC V0S, Canada48.552966 -124.4222990000000123.030931499999998 -165.730893 74.0750005 -83.11370500000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692651106429046760.post-66050461777407315762016-12-26T15:07:00.001-08:002016-12-27T05:41:26.860-08:00Seattle to Vancouver Island<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mGgpEqz06Oc/WGGa9eVG_NI/AAAAAAAALxQ/FGwiWEsZkr0KGkDi4fpgCLDNmWnukfgmgCLcB/s1600/DSC_5922.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mGgpEqz06Oc/WGGa9eVG_NI/AAAAAAAALxQ/FGwiWEsZkr0KGkDi4fpgCLDNmWnukfgmgCLcB/s640/DSC_5922.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cruising to Vancouver Island</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
The famous Seattle rain arrived this morning. It poured on me as I made my way to Pier 69 to take the <a href="http://www.clippervacations.com/" target="_blank">Victoria Clipper</a> ferry to Victoria, British Columbia.<br />
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gJZUxIU8vhU/WGGa9B2uzcI/AAAAAAAALxI/h-dS4kWIwOIwOdBtM_4QqRt2OahxQtYAACLcB/s1600/DSC_5864.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gJZUxIU8vhU/WGGa9B2uzcI/AAAAAAAALxI/h-dS4kWIwOIwOdBtM_4QqRt2OahxQtYAACLcB/s640/DSC_5864.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Boarding the ferry</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
The ferry takes about three hours to go from Seattle to Victoria. It also has paid table service for food and beverages, much like an airplane. I enjoyed the ferry trip very much. I am sure that it is a breathtaking voyage filled with beautiful sea and mountain vistas, but this morning the world was enshrouded in fog. I did brave going out on the upper deck and got whipped by wind and rain to take a few photos in the one break in the clouds where mountains peaked through.<br />
<br />
As we came into Victoria I caught glimpses of people heading out on whale watches braving the rain and rough seas. Then I saw the famous Empress Hotel as we pulled into the ferry terminal.<br />
<br />
You have to go through customs when you reach Victoria, of course. The amount of camera equipment I was carrying seemed to confound the Canadian customs officials. Then I finally made it out of the ferry terminal and Traveler Six and Traveler Twelve were there to greet me. They were a very welcome site. There is nothing like seeing old friends in new places.<br />
<br />
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Oc3qFCCoMbA/WGJvXcYHiTI/AAAAAAAALzM/26gYd0rwZXwMu7qJtbjJ_tWW400jZhyEgCLcB/s1600/MARKETKaszas_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Oc3qFCCoMbA/WGJvXcYHiTI/AAAAAAAALzM/26gYd0rwZXwMu7qJtbjJ_tWW400jZhyEgCLcB/s640/MARKETKaszas_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Farmer's Market, Duncan, British Columbia</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
We got in their big red Suburban and drove through Victoria. I caught glimpses of things but its all a blur. Before I knew it we were in Duncan, BC and walking through a very nice farmer's market where I saw the biggest cabbage and cauliflower I've ever seen and then saw fuzzy mushrooms that resembled tribbles from Star Trek. As I was in a farmer's market I did have to sample the wares, of course. I had some very nice chicken rice soup and some homemade kimchi. Traveler Six bought various things with which to make dinner. Then we had lunch at <a href="http://www.theoldfirehouse.ca/" target="_blank">The Old Firehouse Wine & Cocktail Bar</a>. The food here is really good. I had a pork belly taco with avocado and kimchi. Apparently, the theme of the day was kimchi....<br />
<br />
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kRYbgZpWrT0/WGGa9k19jOI/AAAAAAAALxg/20H0a8OUVywQKpVU-mntCggVuyyzJclKgCLcB/s1600/DSC_5979.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kRYbgZpWrT0/WGGa9k19jOI/AAAAAAAALxg/20H0a8OUVywQKpVU-mntCggVuyyzJclKgCLcB/s640/DSC_5979.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Annas_Hummingbird/id" target="_blank"><i>Male Anna's Hummingbird</i></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Then it was a short drive to Crofton, BC and up Maple Mountain to Traveler Six and Twelve's house, which stands perched overlooking Salt Spring Island. We investigated their garden. The resident Anna's hummingbirds were busy feeding from their feeder and then zooming off into the far trees. Then we walked up part of the mountain to see the view from even higher. On the way up the incredibly steep slope I saw my first and only glimpse of a common wall lizard, an invasive species.<br />
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CvsZFIxkdZw/WGGa9vMblnI/AAAAAAAALxk/c_e_bIIJrGAJ33AdCOTBHQMpRFyHQEfOgCLcB/s1600/DSC_5982.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CvsZFIxkdZw/WGGa9vMblnI/AAAAAAAALxk/c_e_bIIJrGAJ33AdCOTBHQMpRFyHQEfOgCLcB/s640/DSC_5982.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Common Wall Lizard</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
The next day Traveler Six took me on a tour of the local area. This is part of the <a href="http://www.tourismcowichan.com/" target="_blank">Cowichan Valley</a>. It is a beautiful area with rolling hills, farms, and wineries.<br />
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/--9nKSQzj784/WGGa86MoOcI/AAAAAAAALw8/CvKEcXNVIT47xT9e9Y_BpTmY29x7gxNswCLcB/s1600/DSC_0372.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--9nKSQzj784/WGGa86MoOcI/AAAAAAAALw8/CvKEcXNVIT47xT9e9Y_BpTmY29x7gxNswCLcB/s640/DSC_0372.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Spectacled Owl</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dbg-RldSumw/WGGa-2OxANI/AAAAAAAALyc/tKG6YNU0GG8vsLHkgQEQdBtjkmoJUvXfgCLcB/s1600/raptorsKaszas_1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dbg-RldSumw/WGGa-2OxANI/AAAAAAAALyc/tKG6YNU0GG8vsLHkgQEQdBtjkmoJUvXfgCLcB/s640/raptorsKaszas_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Left: Barred Owl, Right: Peregrine Falcon</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
We stopped at <a href="http://the-raptors.com/" target="_blank">The Raptor Center</a> in Duncan. We walked in and were greeted by a Spectacled Owl. Actually, we were greeted by the person at the ticket counter who just happened to have a Spectacled Owl keeping her company. We wandered the grounds looking at various raptor species and then watched the flying demonstration. Like with Traveler Two in Scotland, Traveler Six and I got bonked in the heads by a Barred Owl flying between us. They also had a magnificent Turkey Vulture as well. We also met a peregrine falcon who is part of the center's program to help scare birds away from airports. They send in the peregrine to clear the area of other birds and keep planes safe from collisions. Also interesting was seeing Saker Falcons in flight. These were some of the birds used earliest in European falconry. They were also training a young hawk who refused to behave until they went and got the woman who'd been manning the ticket desk. Apparently, the hawk prefers her because she, the hawk, immediately flew to her favored human.<br />
<br />
<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;"><i><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qtwM5QMC0Ww/WGGa9zvlCaI/AAAAAAAALxo/t7-FGfUpw8YgZQTMtPhFqEKpQ2X2Zsj-QCLcB/s1600/DSC_5998.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qtwM5QMC0Ww/WGGa9zvlCaI/AAAAAAAALxo/t7-FGfUpw8YgZQTMtPhFqEKpQ2X2Zsj-QCLcB/s640/DSC_5998.jpg" width="640" /></a></i></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Saison Market Vinyard</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
We then headed to <a href="http://www.saisonmarket.ca/" target="_blank">Saison Market Vineyard</a> for lunch. They have an amazing French bakery there. We had quiche and lemonade. The vineyard was just touched by the fall colors when we were there. Small grapes hung heavy on the leaves of the vines.<br />
<br />
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DKhD2AsqCY4/WGGa9-bPTgI/AAAAAAAALxs/EUo9xrUiY6ouOvjKKmNwvwnllm9HkHmKACLcB/s1600/DSC_5999.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DKhD2AsqCY4/WGGa9-bPTgI/AAAAAAAALxs/EUo9xrUiY6ouOvjKKmNwvwnllm9HkHmKACLcB/s640/DSC_5999.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Tea Farm</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
We explored the area some more and then went to <a href="http://www.teafarm.ca/" target="_blank">The Tea Farm</a>. This is a lovely little place that has devoted itself to growing organic tea. Not something you generally associate with the Northwest Coast of North America! There is a wide variety of organic tea from around the world for sale along with the Tea Farm's home grown tea that has just become available. They also sell really lovely pottery. You can sit and have tea and small homemade sweets. We had a pot of Assam with tea biscuits out in their lovely garden area. And I literally mean tea biscuits as they had black tea leaves in them. They were served with jam and clotted cream. I enjoyed mine quite a bit.<br />
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W8xcmnV2__Y/WGGa990i9aI/AAAAAAAALxw/_sC7AYxiZBs7L57BT7o4OV2SG336oZRYwCLcB/s1600/DSC_6003.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W8xcmnV2__Y/WGGa990i9aI/AAAAAAAALxw/_sC7AYxiZBs7L57BT7o4OV2SG336oZRYwCLcB/s640/DSC_6003.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A friendly spider hanging in the garden.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ESteBffxk6c/WGGgoScGfgI/AAAAAAAALy0/ZhAw0pXTbJchEpLBUB7ryErnA67OUq3jgCLcB/s1600/DSC_6010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ESteBffxk6c/WGGgoScGfgI/AAAAAAAALy0/ZhAw0pXTbJchEpLBUB7ryErnA67OUq3jgCLcB/s640/DSC_6010.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Assam tea and beautiful pottery</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
On the way back to Traveler Six's house I caught a brief glimpse of the tiny black tailed deer that live on the island.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Not As The Crow Flieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13644314427275682180noreply@blogger.com0Duncan, BC, Canada48.7786908 -123.7079416000000348.7577643 -123.74828210000003 48.7996173 -123.66760110000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692651106429046760.post-72727265495885936762016-12-05T19:32:00.001-08:002016-12-05T19:33:16.882-08:00Seattle: Piroshky, Plumbing Problems, and...Star Trek?<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0eFZRLCGVE4/WEYqHKlS3fI/AAAAAAAALrk/7rLHy8fZ0l4RiLzbCkYL8ulkuZgnecZWwCLcB/s1600/DSC_5571.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0eFZRLCGVE4/WEYqHKlS3fI/AAAAAAAALrk/7rLHy8fZ0l4RiLzbCkYL8ulkuZgnecZWwCLcB/s640/DSC_5571.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The flower market.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
First thing in the morning I walked to Pike Place Market. I have a long history of eating my way through farmer's and public markets. I wasn't going to miss out on another opportunity. I arrived just as flower sellers, artisans, and other vendors were setting up for the day. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p2XnYnoKgm4/WEYgM2UDYxI/AAAAAAAALpk/ahZOid4lD1cORYIpDLZ7-vG88TGCGyNqACLcB/s1600/DSC_5759.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p2XnYnoKgm4/WEYgM2UDYxI/AAAAAAAALpk/ahZOid4lD1cORYIpDLZ7-vG88TGCGyNqACLcB/s640/DSC_5759.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aZNHAEiOru4/WEYgJlwwXyI/AAAAAAAALo4/vrRK5CB4ImIin0rx9Hufy5DxfllCnxp-wCLcB/s1600/DSC_5584.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aZNHAEiOru4/WEYgJlwwXyI/AAAAAAAALo4/vrRK5CB4ImIin0rx9Hufy5DxfllCnxp-wCLcB/s640/DSC_5584.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_WkUX5NUElQ/WEYkq63XyeI/AAAAAAAALrY/X-rOWoK0xM0JxG4T48gA2VOnNEVbsIGGACLcB/s1600/fishies.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_WkUX5NUElQ/WEYkq63XyeI/AAAAAAAALrY/X-rOWoK0xM0JxG4T48gA2VOnNEVbsIGGACLcB/s640/fishies.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5a50m8YZqPc/WEYkio3h9xI/AAAAAAAALqM/lxw11R843bkYLZhqxyVMnigM3bophVNqgCLcB/s1600/DSC_5687.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5a50m8YZqPc/WEYkio3h9xI/AAAAAAAALqM/lxw11R843bkYLZhqxyVMnigM3bophVNqgCLcB/s640/DSC_5687.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
This is home to the famous Pike Place Fish Market where they throw fish. I saw fish being thrown. I saw ice being tossed. I saw something that looked like it crawled from the deepest depths of the ocean get wrapped up, sold, and taken away apparently to be eaten. To get over the sight of this I walked directly to the <a href="http://i%20was%20there%20just%20as%20flower%20sellers,%20artisans,%20and%20other%20vendors%20were%20just%20setting%20up%20for%20the%20day./" target="_blank">Daily Dozen Doughnuts Company</a> and bought a half dozen maple bacon donuts. (Anyone who read about my adventures in South Dakota knows my history with maple donuts)<br />
<br />
A half dozen at Daily Dozen equals eight by the way. That was a nice surprise. The doughnuts were divine and disappeared down my gullet in record time. They give them to you in a brown paper bag that just adds to the whole idea that you are indulging in something completely sinful. They are diabolically delicious!<br />
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4WBMvkyETPY/WEYgJ9XNldI/AAAAAAAALpA/X3SZedoRlOcQEiRIj5mqCrhfHPaQCV2cQCLcB/s1600/DSC_5594.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4WBMvkyETPY/WEYgJ9XNldI/AAAAAAAALpA/X3SZedoRlOcQEiRIj5mqCrhfHPaQCV2cQCLcB/s640/DSC_5594.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The donuts!!!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7blHf9YX8Nk/WEYqJAdTYDI/AAAAAAAALro/ZISugYsW_6Mj8uE_ddqcQmdYnJKnBo7LwCLcB/s1600/DSC_5592.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7blHf9YX8Nk/WEYqJAdTYDI/AAAAAAAALro/ZISugYsW_6Mj8uE_ddqcQmdYnJKnBo7LwCLcB/s400/DSC_5592.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Yes, bacon makes everything better. Maple bacon donuts.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cHqCTT63GD0/WEYgKFYzw4I/AAAAAAAALpE/aBtmPY108CIzjnZA8ewNxvy78REb0q05ACLcB/s1600/DSC_5599.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cHqCTT63GD0/WEYgKFYzw4I/AAAAAAAALpE/aBtmPY108CIzjnZA8ewNxvy78REb0q05ACLcB/s640/DSC_5599.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>These guys great you when you add milk or cream to your coffee.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I wandered some more. Photographed things and people. Sampled cheese curds and seasonal apples. And then I entered <a href="https://piroshkybakery.com/" target="_blank">Piroshky Piroshky! </a>I had a potato, mushroom, onion, and dill piroshky. This was a pillow of light, buttery, doughy heaven.<br />
<br />
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KsZfQxfF3j4/WEYkfD-WtrI/AAAAAAAALqI/irFQinsaNsMahDBCezaC1WNhEp2cByk6QCLcB/s1600/DSC_5649.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KsZfQxfF3j4/WEYkfD-WtrI/AAAAAAAALqI/irFQinsaNsMahDBCezaC1WNhEp2cByk6QCLcB/s640/DSC_5649.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Piroshky being born.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lb9yBrrPoQg/WEYgKJq8uKI/AAAAAAAALpI/S8sLXxhHTSMaBBWCd90_qtBLtpyP2S9wgCLcB/s1600/DSC_5657.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lb9yBrrPoQg/WEYgKJq8uKI/AAAAAAAALpI/S8sLXxhHTSMaBBWCd90_qtBLtpyP2S9wgCLcB/s640/DSC_5657.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I dream of eating more of these.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
The sun came out again around noon.<br />
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2e8q988TCCo/WEYgLAkZD5I/AAAAAAAALpU/8FLh7ABC9ZE8vB_iq7J_8R6BtpVKxuK0QCLcB/s1600/DSC_5729.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2e8q988TCCo/WEYgLAkZD5I/AAAAAAAALpU/8FLh7ABC9ZE8vB_iq7J_8R6BtpVKxuK0QCLcB/s640/DSC_5729.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Pioneer Square</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I wandered my way down to <a href="http://www.pioneersquare.org/" target="_blank">Pioneer Square</a>. This is the oldest section of Seattle. I got a ticket for <a href="http://www.undergroundtour.com/" target="_blank">Bill Speidel's Underground Tour</a>. This tour takes you down below the streets to where the original Seattle was built in the late 1800's, when the city was the final stop for outfitting adventurers seeking gold in Alaska, as well as a huge center for logging operations. This tour was a lot of fun and provided a ton of information about the history of Seattle. Seattle was built in a tidal zone. This soon became a huge problem as the area flooded regularly... as in with every tide. And it especially caused issues with plumbing and the installation of the first sewer system. Let's just say exploding toilets are not a myth. Many of the original wooden buildings of Seattle burned in 1889. People began rebuilding in stone soon after but then city officials decided to raise the streets 15 feet above the tidal zone. So for a time buildings were built with entryways on their second floors in preparation for this. So, using land from the surrounding cliffs, the roads were raised but not the sidewalks. At least not at first. One would have to cross the street using ladders. Then finally the old sidewalks were covered over creating a whole underground system of passageways in Pioneer Square. Today you can get a glimpse of this hidden world.<br />
<br />
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B9VeL095SGk/WEYko1DuZzI/AAAAAAAALqY/RnoklZH2TIUHtsbnQMCGCO6PIfU-3K3SQCLcB/s1600/DSC_5731.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B9VeL095SGk/WEYko1DuZzI/AAAAAAAALqY/RnoklZH2TIUHtsbnQMCGCO6PIfU-3K3SQCLcB/s640/DSC_5731.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Any tour that begins in an alley filled with garbage has to be good right?</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dgSSaPQ65SA/WEYgMVbgEpI/AAAAAAAALpY/STwdCozqcmsDcEM-K5sUTu6VmxVgFf_iQCLcB/s1600/DSC_5733.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dgSSaPQ65SA/WEYgMVbgEpI/AAAAAAAALpY/STwdCozqcmsDcEM-K5sUTu6VmxVgFf_iQCLcB/s640/DSC_5733.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Wandering the Underground</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-15SrH1Q5Ifw/WEYkpMaBFpI/AAAAAAAALqk/ivCchwJc6MIoCJ8BDFCcWoTM2vEhxepCgCLcB/s1600/DSC_5737.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-15SrH1Q5Ifw/WEYkpMaBFpI/AAAAAAAALqk/ivCchwJc6MIoCJ8BDFCcWoTM2vEhxepCgCLcB/s640/DSC_5737.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Possibly one of the problematic toilets.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v2C2Rk21AKQ/WEYgMSCG6GI/AAAAAAAALpc/h3gvcVtSEmsbmL8IZrTzjdiO-W_pPdSKgCLcB/s1600/DSC_5741.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v2C2Rk21AKQ/WEYgMSCG6GI/AAAAAAAALpc/h3gvcVtSEmsbmL8IZrTzjdiO-W_pPdSKgCLcB/s640/DSC_5741.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>As you wander Pioneer Square you will see these beautiful purple inlays in the sidewalk. What are they?</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lG64dxzr-kg/WEYkpcw2zJI/AAAAAAAALqs/rxFHr8uRs-wANGAHjd7JVf57s9WwPg4xACLcB/s1600/DSC_5754.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lG64dxzr-kg/WEYkpcw2zJI/AAAAAAAALqs/rxFHr8uRs-wANGAHjd7JVf57s9WwPg4xACLcB/s640/DSC_5754.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Those purple inlays are actually the light source for the original sidewalks that became underground passageways when the streets where raised 15 feet. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
After emerging from the depths of 1880s Seattle I walked back up to Pike Place. I bought two flavors of yogurt at <a href="http://www.ellenos.com/" target="_blank">Ellono's Greek Yogurt.</a> I got rhubarb and peach. This yogurt is dairy fat heaven. Then I picked up some barbecue to go from <a href="http://pikespit.com/" target="_blank">Pike's Pit Barb-B-Cue</a>. <br />
<br />
I walked/slogged up an incredibly steep hill in search of the <a href="http://www.seattlemonorail.com/" target="_blank">monorail</a> (also built for the 1962 World's Fair). I stumbled upon a <a href="http://standwithstandingrock.net/" target="_blank">Standing with Standing Rock</a>/No DAPL rally. This was fantastic. I have been a supporter of this protest for months. Some of the speakers had just got back from canoeing to North Dakota.<br />
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-84Cbb4bDw9M/WEYkp3tCqYI/AAAAAAAALq0/7DmhxKyQDYIxF5r-rBrq_KZUXsgZCq9ywCLcB/s1600/DSC_5773.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-84Cbb4bDw9M/WEYkp3tCqYI/AAAAAAAALq0/7DmhxKyQDYIxF5r-rBrq_KZUXsgZCq9ywCLcB/s640/DSC_5773.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Water Protectors.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
After showing my support for the water protectors fighting the pipeline that threatens their sacred land, I finally found the monorail and took it back to Seattle Center. It's kind of neat how the <a href="http://www.empmuseum.org/" target="_blank">EMP museum </a>was built around the tracks of the monorail.<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xorj4cg1f6U/WEYqOUv3ShI/AAAAAAAALrs/0tO1XiKm9jAtcDH_k_BtMxVqvMCsircCgCLcB/s1600/DSC_5783.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xorj4cg1f6U/WEYqOUv3ShI/AAAAAAAALrs/0tO1XiKm9jAtcDH_k_BtMxVqvMCsircCgCLcB/s640/DSC_5783.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Monorail</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I took a tea break and sat on the couch in my hotel room. I watched the long line of people snaking their way up to the elevators of the Space Needle. Watched the elevators go up and down for a while. Fully caffeinated I headed across the street to the EMP museum. The is the Experience Music Project museum, a museum fully devoted to pop culture. Its a fantastic museum full of some of my favorite things. There was huge Star Trek exhibition going on. That was my first stop. They had the original bridge of the Enterprise. It was fascinating to find out what George Takei (Sulu) and Walter Koenig (Chekov) were really staring at when they were sitting in their seats and punching buttons. There were some fun interactive things to do. I think I may still be a Borg from participating in one of them.<br />
<br />
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BUs0ZZ_TZUQ/WEYrQ8qAVmI/AAAAAAAALr0/GY5q3dqyAtkMNPhRjYBSca1DGICm9dpHACLcB/s1600/DSC_5828_trek.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BUs0ZZ_TZUQ/WEYrQ8qAVmI/AAAAAAAALr0/GY5q3dqyAtkMNPhRjYBSca1DGICm9dpHACLcB/s640/DSC_5828_trek.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Overview of the exhibition. Can you name which Enterprise that is?</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DDk-hPfNO7E/WEYkqb_FVwI/AAAAAAAALrI/x-vCjrpG_QgpkgpNp-DKcvhX4RttKfEHwCLcB/s1600/DSC_5813.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DDk-hPfNO7E/WEYkqb_FVwI/AAAAAAAALrI/x-vCjrpG_QgpkgpNp-DKcvhX4RttKfEHwCLcB/s640/DSC_5813.jpg" width="640" /></a><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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fe1PMEzIhvo/WEYrVuM0hcI/AAAAAAAALr4/3ueBOSUoSxMxSb8faS1NDIaBbuWVyMqtgCLcB/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fe1PMEzIhvo/WEYrVuM0hcI/AAAAAAAALr4/3ueBOSUoSxMxSb8faS1NDIaBbuWVyMqtgCLcB/s640/Untitled-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Details of the original bridge. Now you know what Chekov was looking at. Also TV history is being made in the background of the bottom left shot. Do you know that scene's significance?</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I explored the Jimi Hendrix and Nirvana exhibitions. And then it was into the Sci-Fi and Fantasy exhibits. This was so much fun. I saw an original <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalek" target="_blank">Dalek</a> and Cyberman from Dr. Who. They had <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Number_Six_(Battlestar_Galactica)" target="_blank">Number Six's red dress</a> from Battlestar Galactica. And finally, they had the original <a href="http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Greedo" target="_blank">Greedo</a> mask from Star Wars!<br />
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4E8yKmILe7k/WEYgPTTELiI/AAAAAAAALp4/6iQVO5FOxVgi6JeD2vQFsfqCrf27nnw3wCLcB/s1600/DalekDress.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4E8yKmILe7k/WEYgPTTELiI/AAAAAAAALp4/6iQVO5FOxVgi6JeD2vQFsfqCrf27nnw3wCLcB/s640/DalekDress.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A Dalek. I was surprised it was made of wood! And Number Six's dress. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
My geek/nerd fangirl heart was beside itself with joy.<br />
<br />
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kIcn1eX5Vu4/WEYgOt69AZI/AAAAAAAALp0/-yK-YTfV_xAKI04qYyE6BbzSW6DrU0cKgCLcB/s1600/DSC_5849.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kIcn1eX5Vu4/WEYgOt69AZI/AAAAAAAALp0/-yK-YTfV_xAKI04qYyE6BbzSW6DrU0cKgCLcB/s640/DSC_5849.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Greedo. With hands like that I think we can figure out who shot first.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Not As The Crow Flieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13644314427275682180noreply@blogger.com0Seattle, WA, USA47.6062095 -122.332070847.2636695 -122.9775178 47.9487495 -121.68662379999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692651106429046760.post-84120586961879914702016-12-04T17:43:00.000-08:002016-12-04T17:43:34.060-08:00Seattle: Glass Gardens and the Space Needle<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XIcISmi3fPE/WETCt3h508I/AAAAAAAALoU/9VymrxmK9-YZBCd7GwicYzOs49Cf49dfwCLcB/s1600/DSC_5511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XIcISmi3fPE/WETCt3h508I/AAAAAAAALoU/9VymrxmK9-YZBCd7GwicYzOs49Cf49dfwCLcB/s640/DSC_5511.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Seattle with Mount Rainier in the distance (right).</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I flew out of Boston before the sun was up. Hours later, there I looked out the airplane window to stare at volcanoes and amazing mountain vistas. Then I was in Seattle.<br />
<br />
I took a shuttle to my hotel. I was packed in like a sardine with folks on their way to an Alaskan cruise. The driver immediately pegged me as not one about to depart upon a giant floating hotel to Alaska and gave me great advice about all kinds of amazing places to do street photography in Seattle. I wrote it all down and on some other trip I'll do it. I didn't end up doing any of it because I only had a day and a half and he gave me enough info for a week's trip. I was dog tired before I even began the trip and decided to just give in to being a tourist instead of a traveler.<br />
<br />
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NWXHnOVnXhw/WETCrFrfy7I/AAAAAAAALnk/p_SP7sIz4psPSwYCMtxK3GHBtFtY7ZyFgCLcB/s1600/DSC_5388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><i><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NWXHnOVnXhw/WETCrFrfy7I/AAAAAAAALnk/p_SP7sIz4psPSwYCMtxK3GHBtFtY7ZyFgCLcB/s640/DSC_5388.jpg" width="425" /></i></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Space Needle</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
The travel gods were with me because my <a href="https://seattledowntown.house.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html" target="_blank">hote</a>l, in Seattle Center, ended up being right next to the Space Needle and they gave me a room with a window filled with the view of the it and the Dale Chihuly Museum. I spent my first hour in Seattle proper laying on the couch watching the elevators go up and down the Needle as I tried to summon the energy to actually do something (people don't realize that for someone who travels all the time, and is out hiking and photographing things all the time, I actually suffer from chronic fatigue). The sun emerged from clouds. I pulled myself off the couch and walked across the street and entered a dream land of glass work.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.chihuly.com/learn" target="_blank">Dale Chihuly</a> is one of my favorite artists. I am in awe of his skill with glass. He is a master of glasswork and using it to tell fanciful tales in color and light. <a href="https://www.chihulygardenandglass.com/" target="_blank">Chihuly Garden and Glass</a> is wonderland of masterworks. I think I walked around with my a jaw on the ground most of the time.<br />
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h9MNhLxR4LU/WETCrLZ-n8I/AAAAAAAALno/OFrhkI7O7O058lu53DrXZRuVzw0piBZmgCLcB/s1600/DSC_5398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h9MNhLxR4LU/WETCrLZ-n8I/AAAAAAAALno/OFrhkI7O7O058lu53DrXZRuVzw0piBZmgCLcB/s640/DSC_5398.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Dale Chihuly's baskets</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
First you encounter his baskets. These are early works based on the shapes and colors of Northwest Coast Indian basketry. They are subtle and beautiful. Then the next room you drop into the sea. His octopuses are delightful, playful, and a bit Cthulu-esque. Then you walk under the glass ceiling, every inch of which is a new discovery and a mind-bending riot of color like swimming along a coral reef upside down. The next room, the flower garden gallery, must be walked in circles and explored from every perspective. Then there are the hanging sculptures. My favorite is the red one. It is made of tubes of glass resembling red devil's tongues, winding snakes, or the licks of flame. You plunge from there to the white work, so delicate, then into his bowls that play with amazing color changing transparencies. Walk on. Walk into the Glass House and its glass flowers. Look up. Look around. Let awe fill you. And then wander into the garden with a million little wonders hiding among flowers and trees. This is environmental art done right. It all works. It looks as if the Earth is sprouted blown glass grass and blooming blown glass flowers. It is alien and familiar. As all art should be.<br />
<br />
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hqX5e3xDMrQ/WETCrBtjKBI/AAAAAAAALns/r-ijx_gpN2EQdD28FqIDkJhJenuhBIKLwCLcB/s1600/DSC_5402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hqX5e3xDMrQ/WETCrBtjKBI/AAAAAAAALns/r-ijx_gpN2EQdD28FqIDkJhJenuhBIKLwCLcB/s640/DSC_5402.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Dale Chihuly's Sea Life</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PQnsMUXWfWA/WETCrqsg21I/AAAAAAAALn0/msma3uK3z_QMuqVxHyaoNHO0_-zcbclWgCLcB/s1600/DSC_5407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PQnsMUXWfWA/WETCrqsg21I/AAAAAAAALn0/msma3uK3z_QMuqVxHyaoNHO0_-zcbclWgCLcB/s640/DSC_5407.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A glass octopus. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kcnW1pjx9z0/WETCr5FiFYI/AAAAAAAALn4/zZMTdMrCi7Qq5Kv3jbgOern6XZK4DPMowCLcB/s1600/DSC_5419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kcnW1pjx9z0/WETCr5FiFYI/AAAAAAAALn4/zZMTdMrCi7Qq5Kv3jbgOern6XZK4DPMowCLcB/s640/DSC_5419.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A garden of glass.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ugqGkjkZcqs/WETCsDwbarI/AAAAAAAALoA/5B29MRo6v34Lx9n2nV655LEPceS609FMwCLcB/s1600/DSC_5427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ugqGkjkZcqs/WETCsDwbarI/AAAAAAAALoA/5B29MRo6v34Lx9n2nV655LEPceS609FMwCLcB/s640/DSC_5427.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Dale Chihuly designed the glass house these glass flowers inhabit.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-txmSG8IkN4I/WETCsJBd94I/AAAAAAAALn8/wfgszQErM-Qda9fUAA1E4j6eGHCi2IqbACLcB/s1600/DSC_5434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-txmSG8IkN4I/WETCsJBd94I/AAAAAAAALn8/wfgszQErM-Qda9fUAA1E4j6eGHCi2IqbACLcB/s640/DSC_5434.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Detail of the glass flowers</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Q4fM3AFgb8/WETCsXHl-HI/AAAAAAAALoE/wq_gxd0YAJ0ecRf-vsMQag3NDXzfpXiagCLcB/s1600/DSC_5445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Q4fM3AFgb8/WETCsXHl-HI/AAAAAAAALoE/wq_gxd0YAJ0ecRf-vsMQag3NDXzfpXiagCLcB/s640/DSC_5445.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The outdoor garden. I could have wandered here for days.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I didn't want to leave but eventually hunger sent me in search of a very late lunch. I had mediocre Mexican food. Then I walked next door and stood in the very long line to go to the observation tower of the <a href="https://www.spaceneedle.com/home/" target="_blank">Space Needle</a>. The Space Needle was built for the 1962 World's Fair. It is 605 feet tall. It was built just as the space race set us on the path to landing on the moon. It was a look toward the future. Today, it gives you a look at the views of Seattle and the mountains around it. The best part of the view is seeing Mount Rainier looming just over Seattle's shoulder to the southeast.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0XFiOBNcARY/WETCs1GOl2I/AAAAAAAALoI/n20mj-is19Qt7I-YGGwWtU0e9c4AH0ImACLcB/s1600/DSC_5483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0XFiOBNcARY/WETCs1GOl2I/AAAAAAAALoI/n20mj-is19Qt7I-YGGwWtU0e9c4AH0ImACLcB/s640/DSC_5483.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The end of my day.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ifxlw2ZSLqI/WETDQI7jbJI/AAAAAAAALoY/webWM2GY3y0hyAA9CVVVVM9kVp1693LiwCLcB/s1600/DSC_5858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ifxlw2ZSLqI/WETDQI7jbJI/AAAAAAAALoY/webWM2GY3y0hyAA9CVVVVM9kVp1693LiwCLcB/s640/DSC_5858.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Not everything is perfect in this American city, like most cities. This was the view that greeted me below where the Space Needle looms. If I had a week in Seattle I would have explored its contradictions more.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Not As The Crow Flieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13644314427275682180noreply@blogger.com0Seattle, WA, USA47.6062095 -122.332070847.2636695 -122.9775178 47.9487495 -121.68662379999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692651106429046760.post-39395736808462141592016-11-23T11:43:00.004-08:002016-11-24T07:15:46.428-08:00Cape Cod: Duck, Osprey, Seal<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n9r6BSHnkfY/WDXsCjjfozI/AAAAAAAALlY/MHlvsFkkpho0CYZUroTfppEN5BdppW7pwCLcB/s1600/DSC_9668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n9r6BSHnkfY/WDXsCjjfozI/AAAAAAAALlY/MHlvsFkkpho0CYZUroTfppEN5BdppW7pwCLcB/s640/DSC_9668.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Seals coming out of the surf, Monomoy Island, Cape Cod, Massachusetts</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I live near Cape Cod, Massachusetts. It's a wonderful place that I usually visit multiple times throughout the year. This year I only visited once. I'm going to have to correct that error. I miss my wild Atlantic views, investigating the various denizens of tide pools, and watching seals surf the waves. Sigh.<br />
<br />
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nHxv100Bem0/WDXsAez5ZwI/AAAAAAAALlE/ear9xSQGmXUFdOv7aa7B02c-rlndlzVUwCLcB/s1600/DSC_9365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nHxv100Bem0/WDXsAez5ZwI/AAAAAAAALlE/ear9xSQGmXUFdOv7aa7B02c-rlndlzVUwCLcB/s640/DSC_9365.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sea birds are plentiful all year round on this barrier island system.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I did spend two days on the Cape in August. Now, if you've never been to Cape Cod you should know that during July and August the traffic is terrible and getting over either bridge that will get you across the Cape Cod Canal (the Sagamore or Bourne) may be the single most significant test of patience you will ever face in your life. I tend to prefer the Cape in Spring, Autumn and Winter because of this. But even at the height of summer tourist season it is a great place to visit. I highly recommend the various Mass Audubon properties like <a href="http://www.massaudubon.org/get-outdoors/wildlife-sanctuaries/wellfleet-bay" target="_blank">Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sactuary</a>, <a href="http://www.massaudubon.org/get-outdoors/wildlife-sanctuaries/long-pasture" target="_blank">Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary</a>, hiking the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/caco/planyourvisit/upload/GreatIIslandseparationsfinal.pdf" target="_blank">Great Island Trail</a> in Wellfleet, Skaket Beach, exploring the sand dunes near Provincetown, and t<a href="https://www.nps.gov/caco/planyourvisit/guide-to-trails.htm" target="_blank">he Cape Cod National Seashore.</a><br />
<br />
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oyaoAEjANjM/WDXr9TXZ7DI/AAAAAAAALkw/hGRYyeY6dlcue55W21EcJflmbtt_9WqJACLcB/s1600/DSC_4824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oyaoAEjANjM/WDXr9TXZ7DI/AAAAAAAALkw/hGRYyeY6dlcue55W21EcJflmbtt_9WqJACLcB/s640/DSC_4824.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Swimming with ducks at Long Pond, Harwich, Massachusetts</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
The first day I was there friends and I went to <a href="http://capecodtidings.com/harwich-freshwater-beaches/long-pond-beach-harwich-ma/" target="_blank">Long Pond</a> in Harwich to float in the water and escape heat of the 90 degree weather we were having. Why go to a fresh water lake in the middle of some of the most beautiful beaches in New England? The water temperature is warmer, we could find parking, and...well...there are no sharks to worry about. You do have to share the beach with some friendly Mallards though.<br />
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DhwHd8rAuzY/WDXsE1FgNDI/AAAAAAAALlk/GjmT6EkXwfg9QnFSeJAy_8tMl28GH2exQCLcB/s1600/KaszasDucklingsCape_4834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DhwHd8rAuzY/WDXsE1FgNDI/AAAAAAAALlk/GjmT6EkXwfg9QnFSeJAy_8tMl28GH2exQCLcB/s640/KaszasDucklingsCape_4834.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Baby Mallards on a mission and swimming in formation.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
The next day found us out on the water in search of seals. This is my third trip with <a href="http://www.monomoysealcruise.com/" target="_blank">Monomoy Island Excursions</a>. They take you through Wychmere Harbor in Harwich Port to see osprey and then out to the waters off Monomoy Island, a barrier island south of Chatham, Massachusetts. Monomoy is also a <a href="https://www.fws.gov/refuge/monomoy/" target="_blank">national wildlife refuge</a>. Most of the time you'll end up staying within the confines of Nantucket Harbor but if the tide is right the boat can slip through a gap in the barrier island system and take you into the Atlantic side of Monomoy Island.<br />
<br />
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kri7akQNrCo/WDXr9H9_o7I/AAAAAAAALks/kvR5QYpTLyA1ukY12KP1I7NNhTNHCTB2wCLcB/s1600/DSC_8859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kri7akQNrCo/WDXr9H9_o7I/AAAAAAAALks/kvR5QYpTLyA1ukY12KP1I7NNhTNHCTB2wCLcB/s640/DSC_8859.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The ospreys of Wychmere Harbor had four babies this year. One of the parents is in the foreground and has just dropped off a fresh fish to be enjoyed by all.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8_8R2Ey_EQI/WDXr92Mk-0I/AAAAAAAALk4/Gf1ksX9KspYZ_cRreMuMRUi-lMB9dmprQCLcB/s1600/DSC_8878.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8_8R2Ey_EQI/WDXr92Mk-0I/AAAAAAAALk4/Gf1ksX9KspYZ_cRreMuMRUi-lMB9dmprQCLcB/s640/DSC_8878.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This is the other parent of the four young ospreys demonstrating...um...the force at which previous meals can be evacuated from its system. Ahem.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
The Atlantic side is wilder in terms of surf but you see just as many seals. There were many young seals at this time, most congregated either just off shore or playing in a whirlpool of waves a bit farther out.<br />
<br />
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gJNwWSls6CM/WDXsFQTS4EI/AAAAAAAALlo/Kj35TrHeeA0IoKiKSlWTeMdBMiVYvcS6gCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_SealCapeCod_9760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gJNwWSls6CM/WDXsFQTS4EI/AAAAAAAALlo/Kj35TrHeeA0IoKiKSlWTeMdBMiVYvcS6gCLcB/s640/Kaszas_SealCapeCod_9760.jpg" width="640" /></i></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mostly gray seals here. The two in the middle seem to be having a bit of a discussion. Actually the seals were making the most amazingly eerie sound at this time, calling like selkies to each other across the sandbar.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Most of the seals you will see are Harbor and Gray seals. You can tell Gray seals by their long faces. Harbor seals have much shorter, more doglike faces. The seals also bring special guests with them -- Great White Sharks. I have yet to see a shark in person but I'm hoping someday I will...from a good distance.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g1HFiL2T6KU/WDXsD-itPBI/AAAAAAAALlg/wITGUgtR7aYBStY2cAKsatY1lNbUlktQwCLcB/s1600/DSC_9885.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g1HFiL2T6KU/WDXsD-itPBI/AAAAAAAALlg/wITGUgtR7aYBStY2cAKsatY1lNbUlktQwCLcB/s640/DSC_9885.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Young gray seal coming out of the surf.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="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://2.bp.blogspot.com/--EtQ2sS3E8A/WDXsDwfZIhI/AAAAAAAALlc/vJqIxfL66JEd2qf1XKEcm2NULji1lTKGwCLcB/s1600/DSC_9871.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--EtQ2sS3E8A/WDXsDwfZIhI/AAAAAAAALlc/vJqIxfL66JEd2qf1XKEcm2NULji1lTKGwCLcB/s640/DSC_9871.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Some of the seals demonstrating how flexible they are. But really, there is something very sad here. The seal on the left has some sort of fishing net wrapped around its neck and it looks like its skin is trying to grow over it. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x_mbkjm7Izk/WDXr7tOP2CI/AAAAAAAALko/bDPrpBOl9L8b_GqRA8hug-tpKmBBIa-AQCLcB/s1600/DSC_0030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x_mbkjm7Izk/WDXr7tOP2CI/AAAAAAAALko/bDPrpBOl9L8b_GqRA8hug-tpKmBBIa-AQCLcB/s640/DSC_0030.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A young gray seal investigating our boat.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7SAIA1-mf4g/WDXr_puNfEI/AAAAAAAALlA/fS1oW7bmKegsuXrm2CdltR-CvzgjvovHwCLcB/s1600/DSC_9161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7SAIA1-mf4g/WDXr_puNfEI/AAAAAAAALlA/fS1oW7bmKegsuXrm2CdltR-CvzgjvovHwCLcB/s640/DSC_9161.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This is an adult gray seal. What they don't tell you about seal watching is that its the seals that will watch you.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/pjkaszas/" target="_blank">View more photos on Instagram</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Next stop: Seattle and Vancouver Island</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />Not As The Crow Flieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13644314427275682180noreply@blogger.com2Chatham, MA, USA41.6820897 -69.95976639999997841.4922037 -70.282489899999973 41.8719757 -69.637042899999983tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692651106429046760.post-72181381742752363532016-10-09T17:28:00.002-07:002016-10-09T17:52:52.888-07:00Utah: Antelope Island<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AVdf4l8oPCE/V9Xe5zvakrI/AAAAAAAALZU/Nz7JqZKuwZIyiYKFefwA7dI-4wg05FZLwCLcB/s1600/Untitled_Panorama1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AVdf4l8oPCE/V9Xe5zvakrI/AAAAAAAALZU/Nz7JqZKuwZIyiYKFefwA7dI-4wg05FZLwCLcB/s640/Untitled_Panorama1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Standing on Antelope Island. Across the salt flats Salt Lake City in the distance on the left.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Antelope Island is the largest island in the Great Salt Lake. The lake itself is the remnant of Lake Bonneville, a prehistoric lake that covered much of this part of Utah. The lake is highly saline thanks to having no outlet. All that lives within the lake is algae, brine shrimp, and brine flies.<br />
<br />
To reach Antelope Island you drive over a very long causeway from Syracuse/Layton, northern suburbs of Salt Lake City. As you drive brine flies will hit your windshield like a hard rain and turn any car that isn't black the color of dead flies. This may sound horrible but you will be too busy gawking at the hundreds of birds in the shallows and on the salt flats to care. As I drove gulls, avocets, and black-legged stilts feasted near the shore.<br />
<br />
Human history on the island goes back over 6000 years. The island got its name from John C. Fremont and Kit Carson, the first explorers of European ancestry to investigate the island, who observed pronghorn grazing on the island's fine grasslands.<br />
<br />
Pronghorn aren't the only animals you will encounter here. It's a bird migration paradise. I would see squadrons of white pelicans circling the island's heights along with White-face Ibis heading toward water. Red-tailed hawks, harriers, and kestrels hunted the grasslands from the height of the sky. Western meadowlarks, lark sparrows, Brewer's blackbirds, cowbirds, willets, phalaropes, grebes, collared doves, robins all made appearances. A chukar posed on a rock on the side of the road seemingly just for me. I caught a brief glimpse of a burrowing owl and spent time with a mother Great Horned Owl and her three offspring. Near them lurked a nighthawk sleeping away the day waiting for dusk to fall. Lizards skittered across rocks and a black snake slithered across the road. A pheasant and mule deer enjoyed wandering through the same bunch of bushes and disappeared into the shadows at the same time.<br />
<br />
This is a lot for a day's sightings you'd thing but nothing comes close to the most marvelous buffalo jam I and <a href="http://www.larajoy.us/" target="_blank">Traveler Eleven</a>, a fellow photographer, experienced. The buffalo were grazing in the grass on a slope above us but soon moved en masse to the salt flats. We, still in our car, were right in the middle of this short migration. Young bulls bounced heads mock fighting and baby buffalo gamboled by trying to keep up with their mothers, whose heavy strength was awe inspiring. Clouds of flies swirled around them all like a living storm cloud. A short while later we saw a coyote on the prowl. I would see another coyote later that afternoon. We saw desert cottontails, hares, and pronghorn, one with a massive lump on its neck, some sort of growth.<br />
<br />
In the hot dry landscape life abounds.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2wgvnr75sq4/V9XeqG98bnI/AAAAAAAALXE/48LohuojYcQD6-FXL_6cm7utbais1B5AgCLcB/s1600/DSC_1868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2wgvnr75sq4/V9XeqG98bnI/AAAAAAAALXE/48LohuojYcQD6-FXL_6cm7utbais1B5AgCLcB/s640/DSC_1868.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Looking at the lake and the salt flats.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/--SkAnyC18pg/V9XeqplBCQI/AAAAAAAALXQ/6mNWNgrNLa8OSFISRSb-_ZP_l2-lhCLxgCLcB/s1600/DSC_6262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--SkAnyC18pg/V9XeqplBCQI/AAAAAAAALXQ/6mNWNgrNLa8OSFISRSb-_ZP_l2-lhCLxgCLcB/s640/DSC_6262.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This is a rather impressive bull enjoying the afternoon sun. If you look closely you can see the cloud of flies around his head. Also, it was while reviewing photos of this bull that I discovered that buffalo's tongues are bi-colored and they are long enough to reach up the buffalo's nostril. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MvJMtkPV9zs/V9XgVDt93ZI/AAAAAAAALZg/6q5WlLjIxJ4CmU8vbgo8KY1XDDFvlnomACLcB/s1600/DSC_6724.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MvJMtkPV9zs/V9XgVDt93ZI/AAAAAAAALZg/6q5WlLjIxJ4CmU8vbgo8KY1XDDFvlnomACLcB/s640/DSC_6724.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A younger bison again showing the plague of flies they contend with.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HAm4JP8BkVk/V9XerLQUWPI/AAAAAAAALXc/UtIVxAjbP3ckIxyMVXPgllFPAmyiGvsvQCLcB/s1600/DSC_6415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HAm4JP8BkVk/V9XerLQUWPI/AAAAAAAALXc/UtIVxAjbP3ckIxyMVXPgllFPAmyiGvsvQCLcB/s640/DSC_6415.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Western Meadowlark. I love meadowlarks. I wish the Eastern Meadowlark was as visible in its old ranges as the Western is but habitat loss has put them in very serious danger.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FT0OtWA-3rg/V9XgVB0eKVI/AAAAAAAALZk/iWjvim3G6ZEmzKZ2NM5R6YuhTv-mVk2VwCLcB/s1600/DSC_6514.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FT0OtWA-3rg/V9XgVB0eKVI/AAAAAAAALZk/iWjvim3G6ZEmzKZ2NM5R6YuhTv-mVk2VwCLcB/s640/DSC_6514.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>My first and only (so far) look at a <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Chukar/id" target="_blank">chukar</a>. This is an invasive species.</i><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X4hB31bNQbU/V9XerQp_btI/AAAAAAAALXg/IAkcEbEDmtEa4MW4hSd0Avp4bSZRg1bWQCLcB/s1600/DSC_6638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X4hB31bNQbU/V9XerQp_btI/AAAAAAAALXg/IAkcEbEDmtEa4MW4hSd0Avp4bSZRg1bWQCLcB/s640/DSC_6638.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Right before the best buffalo jam in the world began.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PbL64KpyDhI/V9XerwpIJAI/AAAAAAAALXk/qWhuiWWwl-cJ_zRdvxUkkHuKmZGte5ynACLcB/s1600/DSC_6740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PbL64KpyDhI/V9XerwpIJAI/AAAAAAAALXk/qWhuiWWwl-cJ_zRdvxUkkHuKmZGte5ynACLcB/s640/DSC_6740.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A young buffalo.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bn77Z-R40Lo/V9Xesu1wWRI/AAAAAAAALXo/i1XmA-_k_KMfVpBhqmU4HZQ0a5Zua9s8ACLcB/s1600/DSC_6767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bn77Z-R40Lo/V9Xesu1wWRI/AAAAAAAALXo/i1XmA-_k_KMfVpBhqmU4HZQ0a5Zua9s8ACLcB/s640/DSC_6767.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The buffalo begin to move.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PtWeB4pDfaA/V9XetPp9FWI/AAAAAAAALXs/rvhO3ZWzCfg3R77svP_aUDLZy6y_agyeACLcB/s1600/DSC_6801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PtWeB4pDfaA/V9XetPp9FWI/AAAAAAAALXs/rvhO3ZWzCfg3R77svP_aUDLZy6y_agyeACLcB/s640/DSC_6801.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>More baby buffalo.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rSrMgTrbKdI/V9XetuZEB9I/AAAAAAAALXw/R-XbNWSYyVMYi6eOmc0YWJCZRv1LlMVoACLcB/s1600/DSC_6923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rSrMgTrbKdI/V9XetuZEB9I/AAAAAAAALXw/R-XbNWSYyVMYi6eOmc0YWJCZRv1LlMVoACLcB/s640/DSC_6923.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A Willet calling for its mate.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qnrJugWp-fk/V9Xet7hPd7I/AAAAAAAALX0/LdbUW9FVZWwRLJfd0RsQJ190ZGBSJDZ1QCLcB/s1600/DSC_6940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qnrJugWp-fk/V9Xet7hPd7I/AAAAAAAALX0/LdbUW9FVZWwRLJfd0RsQJ190ZGBSJDZ1QCLcB/s640/DSC_6940.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The infamous brine flies. There are thousands and thousands and thousands...</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pbu-bYR8qNg/V9XeuIprpwI/AAAAAAAALX4/zuYN4NMvlZQXyy0ui_uaSoFuL1Gn2t99wCLcB/s1600/DSC_6948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pbu-bYR8qNg/V9XeuIprpwI/AAAAAAAALX4/zuYN4NMvlZQXyy0ui_uaSoFuL1Gn2t99wCLcB/s640/DSC_6948.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Brine shrimp.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1LKkk_PhLcs/V9XeyfTs3CI/AAAAAAAALYc/IRc02_0qEKI57oVAY08n4OjbQWu6V7L0wCLcB/s1600/DSC_7658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1LKkk_PhLcs/V9XeyfTs3CI/AAAAAAAALYc/IRc02_0qEKI57oVAY08n4OjbQWu6V7L0wCLcB/s640/DSC_7658.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Female Great Horned Owl looking down on me.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G0nF_Yvl5hA/V9XevF6ej-I/AAAAAAAALYA/vP_y32S1S5MngfUbIWAP9C62ZhyhqCTmACLcB/s1600/DSC_7275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G0nF_Yvl5hA/V9XevF6ej-I/AAAAAAAALYA/vP_y32S1S5MngfUbIWAP9C62ZhyhqCTmACLcB/s640/DSC_7275.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>One of the three offspring.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gd0js3rqDLw/V9XevnmE7wI/AAAAAAAALYE/2J3aFZGG8_g3Sc5sMrQpRW5aEOX5zkgUACLcB/s1600/DSC_7298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gd0js3rqDLw/V9XevnmE7wI/AAAAAAAALYE/2J3aFZGG8_g3Sc5sMrQpRW5aEOX5zkgUACLcB/s640/DSC_7298.jpg" width="640" /></i></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Another juvenile Great Horned Owl.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZIrjdphrv3w/V9XexF6cjnI/AAAAAAAALYQ/XiCGbsZAK3MUt8YAhPPavk5fqumBvKfDACLcB/s1600/DSC_7396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZIrjdphrv3w/V9XexF6cjnI/AAAAAAAALYQ/XiCGbsZAK3MUt8YAhPPavk5fqumBvKfDACLcB/s640/DSC_7396.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>And yet another of the juvenile Great Horned Owls.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TyblddHGsEY/V9Xeyv6OECI/AAAAAAAALYg/frcHVRL-VXYka6j_iz4ta2aI5vXVDM3SwCLcB/s1600/DSC_7741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TyblddHGsEY/V9Xeyv6OECI/AAAAAAAALYg/frcHVRL-VXYka6j_iz4ta2aI5vXVDM3SwCLcB/s640/DSC_7741.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A nighthawk napping its way through the day.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WCGWeNZHmfE/V9Xe2I3-o8I/AAAAAAAALY8/P7kR3t_KwNQJwJE6xrsxM1h6LvTX-WlFwCLcB/s1600/DSC_8127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WCGWeNZHmfE/V9Xe2I3-o8I/AAAAAAAALY8/P7kR3t_KwNQJwJE6xrsxM1h6LvTX-WlFwCLcB/s640/DSC_8127.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Coyote.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pEICTFNEkqU/V9Xe3u0kZAI/AAAAAAAALZE/J6tASq_7D_cYtEzeN0oIxinScfOc4bZWwCLcB/s1600/DSC_8170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pEICTFNEkqU/V9Xe3u0kZAI/AAAAAAAALZE/J6tASq_7D_cYtEzeN0oIxinScfOc4bZWwCLcB/s640/DSC_8170.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Coyote again.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7ak7LAt7s5o/V9XeqdVuHZI/AAAAAAAALXI/6Bq0sf2-K9g5hE0gWWPR3zC351mYsiG1wCLcB/s1600/DSC_1932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7ak7LAt7s5o/V9XeqdVuHZI/AAAAAAAALXI/6Bq0sf2-K9g5hE0gWWPR3zC351mYsiG1wCLcB/s640/DSC_1932.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A last look at the island before leaving Utah for the time being.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Not As The Crow Flieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13644314427275682180noreply@blogger.com0Antelope Island, Utah, USA40.958084799999988 -112.2145570999999840.766209799999984 -112.53728059999997 41.149959799999991 -111.89183359999998tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692651106429046760.post-81751427082075554162016-09-11T15:29:00.002-07:002017-06-16T15:28:45.313-07:00The Lords of Dust and Light<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4OlK2KOyvzM/V9SVlYb-kLI/AAAAAAAALWY/8M21BPa3xwMxdTg9-qZB2t_MIUdCs-90QCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_LordsofDustLight_27.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4OlK2KOyvzM/V9SVlYb-kLI/AAAAAAAALWY/8M21BPa3xwMxdTg9-qZB2t_MIUdCs-90QCLcB/s640/Kaszas_LordsofDustLight_27.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Lord of Light and Dust</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Light is the photographer's medium. We chase the light, we play with light, we manipulate light, we capture light. It is the foundation of our magic. In the desert I fell in love with dust and how it diffuses and spreads and wraps objects in ethereal light. The horses in the Great Basin Desert kicked up dust and changed the light, warping it, wrapping it around themselves, and shedding it in long trails. They became the Lords of Dust and Light.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>See more on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/pjkaszas/" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div>
<br />
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CPvkwnFPC2k/V9SVk6YZh4I/AAAAAAAALWA/GX5BkjNEeNQ8KBbk9mNYUY_XkkBmDlMgACLcB/s1600/Kaszas_LordsofDustLight_1_bw.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CPvkwnFPC2k/V9SVk6YZh4I/AAAAAAAALWA/GX5BkjNEeNQ8KBbk9mNYUY_XkkBmDlMgACLcB/s640/Kaszas_LordsofDustLight_1_bw.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The dust cloud.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kvN5CL2X0zg/V9SWrGWBt0I/AAAAAAAALWs/2TFYTUqKFxsrkAZklF5T8O1sdswpMTcLgCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_LordsofDustLight_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kvN5CL2X0zg/V9SWrGWBt0I/AAAAAAAALWs/2TFYTUqKFxsrkAZklF5T8O1sdswpMTcLgCLcB/s640/Kaszas_LordsofDustLight_4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The posture.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cj3pSUjDqJA/V9SVltr6ZCI/AAAAAAAALWg/j0Oa3ImJi-cjyEIsQ3Do_Y9Cu0eiVYMQwCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_LordsofDustLight_3_bw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="510" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cj3pSUjDqJA/V9SVltr6ZCI/AAAAAAAALWg/j0Oa3ImJi-cjyEIsQ3Do_Y9Cu0eiVYMQwCLcB/s640/Kaszas_LordsofDustLight_3_bw.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The challenge.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pI4z-fYrCrs/V9SVkg5ff_I/AAAAAAAALV0/aomO5Za5YuU_0De24q5St369pdSIZqyKgCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_LordsofDustLight_17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pI4z-fYrCrs/V9SVkg5ff_I/AAAAAAAALV0/aomO5Za5YuU_0De24q5St369pdSIZqyKgCLcB/s640/Kaszas_LordsofDustLight_17.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The chase.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FM9Vj70ntvk/V9SVkp4uyoI/AAAAAAAALV8/G1VnSEHq3Dw9EUZgsjVjzjhKfCMtrkZqACLcB/s1600/Kaszas_LordsofDustLight_19.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FM9Vj70ntvk/V9SVkp4uyoI/AAAAAAAALV8/G1VnSEHq3Dw9EUZgsjVjzjhKfCMtrkZqACLcB/s640/Kaszas_LordsofDustLight_19.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The skid.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-puUDzD1t0bE/V9SVkcuSm4I/AAAAAAAALVw/GPNUnhSAvBUDxmJe0L_XyupwIH5U3g-lgCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_LordsofDustLight_10.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-puUDzD1t0bE/V9SVkcuSm4I/AAAAAAAALVw/GPNUnhSAvBUDxmJe0L_XyupwIH5U3g-lgCLcB/s640/Kaszas_LordsofDustLight_10.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The getaway.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DMhXUoaxxF4/V9SVkj6kDAI/AAAAAAAALV4/DPNr1wa5G7QQG3rDNkrgXOOQvJHUjWWWQCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_LordsofDustLight_18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DMhXUoaxxF4/V9SVkj6kDAI/AAAAAAAALV4/DPNr1wa5G7QQG3rDNkrgXOOQvJHUjWWWQCLcB/s640/Kaszas_LordsofDustLight_18.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The standoff.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ivyC3xl3qVU/V9SVk18LN9I/AAAAAAAALWE/ataU_MITaPQIH8qhaMApuUVGcsBEUx12ACLcB/s1600/Kaszas_LordsofDustLight_20.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ivyC3xl3qVU/V9SVk18LN9I/AAAAAAAALWE/ataU_MITaPQIH8qhaMApuUVGcsBEUx12ACLcB/s640/Kaszas_LordsofDustLight_20.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The magnificence. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fcmZ8PTczKU/V9SVlEDmyQI/AAAAAAAALWM/OSukPCLeM5wUroqg4g6MoHS2jGP4O6sIQCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_LordsofDustLight_23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fcmZ8PTczKU/V9SVlEDmyQI/AAAAAAAALWM/OSukPCLeM5wUroqg4g6MoHS2jGP4O6sIQCLcB/s640/Kaszas_LordsofDustLight_23.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The clash.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uRDHAKOQFxg/V9SVlUF7BfI/AAAAAAAALWU/Q4ZxLlHeYn0yxbwzYyq7vp51IbElbyfbACLcB/s1600/Kaszas_LordsofDustLight_26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uRDHAKOQFxg/V9SVlUF7BfI/AAAAAAAALWU/Q4ZxLlHeYn0yxbwzYyq7vp51IbElbyfbACLcB/s640/Kaszas_LordsofDustLight_26.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The kick.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4tEivvdgObQ/V9SVlIL6CJI/AAAAAAAALWI/byV2YFvOiM4soEXalBdzrIr96whz0OLEQCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_LordsofDustLight_21.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4tEivvdgObQ/V9SVlIL6CJI/AAAAAAAALWI/byV2YFvOiM4soEXalBdzrIr96whz0OLEQCLcB/s640/Kaszas_LordsofDustLight_21.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The win.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TFSO8Jz9dq0/V9SVl4LY5NI/AAAAAAAALWk/ohOshbPEIKo90gUAVHvRGe0rWpc7-PkFwCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_LordsofDustLight_bw-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TFSO8Jz9dq0/V9SVl4LY5NI/AAAAAAAALWk/ohOshbPEIKo90gUAVHvRGe0rWpc7-PkFwCLcB/s640/Kaszas_LordsofDustLight_bw-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The king.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_UyiRepSVuc/V9SVkYgvK3I/AAAAAAAALVo/R5XZEWn5hbwdRqaETGKj1qCmoM3xL-n3gCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_LordsofDustLight_13.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_UyiRepSVuc/V9SVkYgvK3I/AAAAAAAALVo/R5XZEWn5hbwdRqaETGKj1qCmoM3xL-n3gCLcB/s640/Kaszas_LordsofDustLight_13.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The calm.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
*************************</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Wild horses need our help. Here are some ways you can:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fnvBRGxnFT8/WURaUEmJOUI/AAAAAAAAMPM/hWyGdEBs3TMaVqm7topRUMjThfwZkbbbACLcBGAs/s1600/19264784_1576006269107914_425990346_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="644" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fnvBRGxnFT8/WURaUEmJOUI/AAAAAAAAMPM/hWyGdEBs3TMaVqm7topRUMjThfwZkbbbACLcBGAs/s1600/19264784_1576006269107914_425990346_n.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Not As The Crow Flieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13644314427275682180noreply@blogger.com3Dugway, UT 84022, USA40.221053200000007 -112.744409740.17256170000001 -112.8250907 40.269544700000004 -112.66372870000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692651106429046760.post-40796689279917347702016-09-10T15:30:00.000-07:002016-09-10T15:44:24.818-07:00Utah Great Basin Desert/Onaqui HMA: Quiet Time<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8v9QUHg8GWc/V9SE2pdroLI/AAAAAAAALVI/mIz4DnzL4RwAJFRK9Qgq3cPihskY4OXCwCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_QuietTime_5.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8v9QUHg8GWc/V9SE2pdroLI/AAAAAAAALVI/mIz4DnzL4RwAJFRK9Qgq3cPihskY4OXCwCLcB/s640/Kaszas_QuietTime_5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Feeling the wind.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I'm still trying to figure out how I want to photograph horses. It's not about the technical aspects of the photography but the art of it, the story I want to tell. Spending four days on the Onaqui HMA gave me a clue to the direction I wanted to head. Is it the quiet moments? Is it the ferociousness of battling stallions? Is how light plays on the coats of horses and alights them in a myriad of reflected colors? Is it their quiet dignity or the sometimes hilarious interactions that I'm seeking to immortalize? I haven't answered these questions yet.<br />
<br />
I know I must document the lives of these amazing beings. I fear for their freedom. I fear that we are doing ourselves such a disservice to our heritage and country in the way we mismanage our caretaking responsibilities toward these horses. The good news this week was that the plans in Oregon to <a href="http://www.thecloudfoundation.org/news/press-releases/591-lawsuits-public-outrage-public-outrage-halt-dangerous-blm-wild-horse-sterilization-experiments" target="_blank">conduct experimental sterilization research </a>on mares have been cancelled. The bad news this week is that the BLM may have lost its mind. Now <a href="http://returntofreedom.org/2016/09/09/defend-captive-wild-horses-and-burros-from-euthanasia/" target="_blank">44,000 horses held in BLM holding facilites are now being recommended for euthanization</a> in a misguided attempt to get more money for the BLM from the federal government. We look at mustangs as a symbol of freedom and independence. They are part of our shared cultural history. We name cars and sports teams after them. We admire their beauty, strength, and spirit. Yet we take everything we admire about them away, and are now playing financial Russian roulette with their lives. It is time that a humane and reasonable, scientifically sound and financially sensible plan be made for the management of all wild horses, those still free and those in holding facilities. Speak out, be civil, and demand some sense be brought to bare on this issue: whbadvisoryboard@blm.gov.<br />
<br />
Below are some of the more quiet, poignant moments I witnessed this past spring. Enjoy.<br />
You can view more photos on<a href="https://www.instagram.com/pjkaszas/" target="_blank"> Instagram @pjkaszas</a>.<br />
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S-E5PGqu7O4/V9SC0vh6cQI/AAAAAAAALUM/cFxEpEDrIAIfXRwUyKW0YtL3BGpdsgEuQCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_HerdBlueArea3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S-E5PGqu7O4/V9SC0vh6cQI/AAAAAAAALUM/cFxEpEDrIAIfXRwUyKW0YtL3BGpdsgEuQCLcB/s640/Kaszas_HerdBlueArea3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><i>Various bands spread out ac<span style="color: #0000ee;">ros<span style="color: #0000ee;">s <span style="color: #0000ee;">the valley floor.</span></span></span></i><u><br /></u></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QcmET1l3icE/V9SE2UuOuAI/AAAAAAAALVE/p9c1Mv-dTOgtL_03Df0ZKHb_3Wq1ZsjZQCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_QuietTime_3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QcmET1l3icE/V9SE2UuOuAI/AAAAAAAALVE/p9c1Mv-dTOgtL_03Df0ZKHb_3Wq1ZsjZQCLcB/s640/Kaszas_QuietTime_3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Nap time</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AdGsEIVvcjc/V9SC0zyH9QI/AAAAAAAALUU/0jhosaAFR-49HwJJl2LjjT6c0CnOz4n9wCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_QuietTime_20_OneEarStallion.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AdGsEIVvcjc/V9SC0zyH9QI/AAAAAAAALUU/0jhosaAFR-49HwJJl2LjjT6c0CnOz4n9wCLcB/s640/Kaszas_QuietTime_20_OneEarStallion.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A very good looking family group. The one-eared palomino stallion is very distinctive. He lost the ear in a fight with another stallion.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bAD2OGQgQUA/V9SC1KKPFWI/AAAAAAAALUY/gwKo3zMjWlkXgigm3t8mfuDYRHPmfSjTgCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_QuietTime_20_OneEarStallion_wakeup.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bAD2OGQgQUA/V9SC1KKPFWI/AAAAAAAALUY/gwKo3zMjWlkXgigm3t8mfuDYRHPmfSjTgCLcB/s640/Kaszas_QuietTime_20_OneEarStallion_wakeup.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Someone wants Mom to get up so they can nurse.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hQsgRRXQqsE/V9SEr-BGSaI/AAAAAAAALU8/ijO5Y73YctEftRiNJH7jDiGnwOtuf3VaACLcB/s1600/DSC_1597.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hQsgRRXQqsE/V9SEr-BGSaI/AAAAAAAALU8/ijO5Y73YctEftRiNJH7jDiGnwOtuf3VaACLcB/s640/DSC_1597.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The "main" Onaqui herd. The color of this grass I found difficult in certain lights when photographing horses of certain colors. It added a weird color cast I wasn't happy with.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AmMD8uO31Mk/V9SC2I_z-gI/AAAAAAAALUs/2m4pUCAe8kEh3aiORg646toLnbV7kiqwACLcB/s1600/Kaszas_QuietTime_motherDaughter.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AmMD8uO31Mk/V9SC2I_z-gI/AAAAAAAALUs/2m4pUCAe8kEh3aiORg646toLnbV7kiqwACLcB/s640/Kaszas_QuietTime_motherDaughter.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mother and daughter. Their relatively new stallion in the background.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GmJLb0wdJDw/V9SC1vefQKI/AAAAAAAALUk/LXHQX0VYZmkTkl5FED9ZLBSX62J9LzkqACLcB/s1600/Kaszas_QuietTime_TheLick.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GmJLb0wdJDw/V9SC1vefQKI/AAAAAAAALUk/LXHQX0VYZmkTkl5FED9ZLBSX62J9LzkqACLcB/s640/Kaszas_QuietTime_TheLick.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Same yearling filly as above. Yes, she has a heart on the left side of her chest.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IHzLc7ocwvU/V9SC0ITkbdI/AAAAAAAALUA/XJamHhl8VEscN29MqkYg5H8r3ifYg4TEgCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_Bachelors2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IHzLc7ocwvU/V9SC0ITkbdI/AAAAAAAALUA/XJamHhl8VEscN29MqkYg5H8r3ifYg4TEgCLcB/s640/Kaszas_Bachelors2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Boys being boys. The two bachelor stallions on the left I really liked. Their coloring is spectacular as their personalities.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Juw7-D9Pfuc/V9SFB4Fp_RI/AAAAAAAALVM/LULhqUcG20Y-bxWebdBr-bwFvAKKHgxdACLcB/s1600/Kaszas_StallionGrayMares.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Juw7-D9Pfuc/V9SFB4Fp_RI/AAAAAAAALVM/LULhqUcG20Y-bxWebdBr-bwFvAKKHgxdACLcB/s640/Kaszas_StallionGrayMares.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This stallion really likes his gray mares. I tried over and over to get a photo showing off the glowing gold coloration but just as he struck the perfect pose he started to pee and that was just too much Photoshop for me to get rid of.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="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;"><i><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cqzohHy9rHU/V9SC1WTeopI/AAAAAAAALUc/6A0-uU6oouoqoORatzCPxgLtEgo28o5OQCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_QuietTime_Friends1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cqzohHy9rHU/V9SC1WTeopI/AAAAAAAALUc/6A0-uU6oouoqoORatzCPxgLtEgo28o5OQCLcB/s640/Kaszas_QuietTime_Friends1.jpg" width="640" /></a></i></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Bachelors and friends. The stallion in the rear I found striking. Watch my instagram (@pjkaszas)</i><i> account for him.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xylBXkzdfYc/V9SC1lVrDyI/AAAAAAAALUg/occo-xU3K7wmDJiBdp2x6p2z8Mu9dQ3-QCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_QuietTime_OldMan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xylBXkzdfYc/V9SC1lVrDyI/AAAAAAAALUg/occo-xU3K7wmDJiBdp2x6p2z8Mu9dQ3-QCLcB/s640/Kaszas_QuietTime_OldMan.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Old Man (aka Gandalf). An old and magnificent bachelor stallion. You can't miss him and that mane.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Not As The Crow Flieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13644314427275682180noreply@blogger.com0Dugway, UT 84022, USA40.221053200000007 -112.744409740.17256170000001 -112.8250907 40.269544700000004 -112.66372870000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692651106429046760.post-73114525161696323542016-09-07T18:31:00.000-07:002016-09-07T19:22:03.193-07:00Utah Great Basin Desert/Onaqui HMA: The Young Ones<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yrqXBsD4gPM/V9C3eulPPXI/AAAAAAAALTA/pgEOA7zA3yAFfN1ntGUpRQFVXG66u4TSgCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_YoungOnes_1_buckskin_baby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yrqXBsD4gPM/V9C3eulPPXI/AAAAAAAALTA/pgEOA7zA3yAFfN1ntGUpRQFVXG66u4TSgCLcB/s640/Kaszas_YoungOnes_1_buckskin_baby.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A new arrival</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Spending time with wild horses can be magical, serene, exciting, and nerve wracking. In a way, watching bands interact is like watching one of the best soap operas on the planet. There is love, heartbreak, intrigue, betrayal, happiness, sadness, joy, fun, peace and tragedy. Today I'm focusing on happier things.<br />
<br />
The larger group of the Onaqui horses is a bit unusual in how closely all the bands stick together. I don't know why this is. Then there are other bands that are a little less "herd bound". Again, I have no explanation for their behavior either. But this June they had something in common: it was baby time!<br />
<br />
The first morning I was out there a gray mare gave birth shortly before my arrival. When I got there the exhausted looking mare still had blood stains on her legs and a tiny baby laying in front of her. I and other photographers waited patiently for that little baby to raise its head, find its legs, and nurse. And the tiny one finally did. I would then get to see it come to the water hole for the first time. And I would see that marvelous grey mare defend that baby from "nosy neighbor" horses by giving might double barreled kicks warning them off. And for four days I got to see that little horse find its way in the big wide world within the confines of that big large herd of horses.<br />
<br />
Each day I was out there a baby was born overnight. One was particularly special. Me and other photographers had taken note of a particularly pregnant buckskin mare one early evening as she literally waddled to water. I've never seen a horse waddle but apparently they can. She may have been starting to have contractions even then. And sure enough, the next morning there she was accompanied by a very robust looking baby. And most unusually, because horses will defend their babies and their families with all their hearts and keep anything, especially strange humans and predators, away from those babies, this mare "presented" the baby to us. She walked in a great circle around us, always at a safe distance from us, and then stopped dead, in just the right spot, so that we could take photos of her new baby. Even her stallion was okay with what she was doing and showed no distress or apprehension of this impromptu family parade. We just stood there observing and admiring each other until she felt we had suitably paid tribute to her accomplishment and away she led them.<br />
<br />
Animals never cease to amaze me. And its these moments of connection that are what my photography is all about.<br />
<br />
See more photos on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/pjkaszas/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>.<br />
<div style="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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qQS7qEnt_xc/V9C3e4SsA7I/AAAAAAAALTI/jtMiTR3xhBoBWeV9_KNoutzRW0Kmf4poQCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_YoungOnes_2_buckskin_baby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qQS7qEnt_xc/V9C3e4SsA7I/AAAAAAAALTI/jtMiTR3xhBoBWeV9_KNoutzRW0Kmf4poQCLcB/s640/Kaszas_YoungOnes_2_buckskin_baby.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Our first look at the buckskin mare's new baby (on the left). Her colt from a previous year is right behind them.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b9il1pYKzbo/V9C3fFcdbCI/AAAAAAAALTM/zYjlvtWkrz8UQB-wMnd-m2jmwZCLVhjKgCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_YoungOnes_3_buckskin_baby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b9il1pYKzbo/V9C3fFcdbCI/AAAAAAAALTM/zYjlvtWkrz8UQB-wMnd-m2jmwZCLVhjKgCLcB/s640/Kaszas_YoungOnes_3_buckskin_baby.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Coming to show off that baby.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KXA5KwrIK1o/V9C3fJx4pXI/AAAAAAAALTQ/v2h7uGbdwJIVEuMJEvLEXNUh5r8aCflNACLcB/s1600/Kaszas_YoungOnes_4_buckskin_baby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KXA5KwrIK1o/V9C3fJx4pXI/AAAAAAAALTQ/v2h7uGbdwJIVEuMJEvLEXNUh5r8aCflNACLcB/s640/Kaszas_YoungOnes_4_buckskin_baby.jpg" width="626" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Proud mama. It looks like I was close to the horses here but I was using a 200-500mm lens.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DwvBM4jfTV4/V9C3dsE64eI/AAAAAAAALS4/RcFRXphW6RwJ3lGZhZEpAM-dICavIggTACLcB/s1600/Kaszas_JustBorn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DwvBM4jfTV4/V9C3dsE64eI/AAAAAAAALS4/RcFRXphW6RwJ3lGZhZEpAM-dICavIggTACLcB/s640/Kaszas_JustBorn.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The gray mare with her new baby and a fellow band mare watching over the very new arrival.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G2pEcKsBazo/V9C3fitaWnI/AAAAAAAALTY/JTIf9VImt08k_ucO6qBpC9w_yqE3cuEFACLcB/s1600/Kaszas_YoungOnes_BrownHorseBaby3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G2pEcKsBazo/V9C3fitaWnI/AAAAAAAALTY/JTIf9VImt08k_ucO6qBpC9w_yqE3cuEFACLcB/s640/Kaszas_YoungOnes_BrownHorseBaby3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Another new arrival. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TK5PofFJjtY/V9C3ews8BCI/AAAAAAAALTE/ywcQGvI7vxQhbsTTlnezZLZJgWyEVry3ACLcB/s1600/Kaszas_YoungOnes_1_Brown_mare.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TK5PofFJjtY/V9C3ews8BCI/AAAAAAAALTE/ywcQGvI7vxQhbsTTlnezZLZJgWyEVry3ACLcB/s640/Kaszas_YoungOnes_1_Brown_mare.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Same foal from the photo above already navigating its way through the water hole like a pro.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3qdOjGLuzaU/V9C3faofRFI/AAAAAAAALTU/aPAMH_K2W5UzyYsxJjHkA19DaYGV9LfOgCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_YoungOnes_5_Mom_baby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3qdOjGLuzaU/V9C3faofRFI/AAAAAAAALTU/aPAMH_K2W5UzyYsxJjHkA19DaYGV9LfOgCLcB/s640/Kaszas_YoungOnes_5_Mom_baby.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Standing with mom.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UH5BOofhxVs/V9C3foCuKWI/AAAAAAAALTc/0TqC3zvxiPAGHHDAF4cIFSBzGST5zsJ4wCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_YoungOnes_Dad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UH5BOofhxVs/V9C3foCuKWI/AAAAAAAALTc/0TqC3zvxiPAGHHDAF4cIFSBzGST5zsJ4wCLcB/s640/Kaszas_YoungOnes_Dad.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>And now having a conversation with dad. Here the foal makes signs of submission by opening and closing its mouth. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LMls05wFxE8/V9C3f2JGEdI/AAAAAAAALTg/9sjwy715NGwr23CkbsznOx_vsyVni0W5gCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_YoungOnes_FamilyPaint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LMls05wFxE8/V9C3f2JGEdI/AAAAAAAALTg/9sjwy715NGwr23CkbsznOx_vsyVni0W5gCLcB/s640/Kaszas_YoungOnes_FamilyPaint.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Another interesting family unit. I'm wondering if this foal is going to have half blue eyes as seen in at least one other horse in this herd. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cjBSLHY9esM/V9C3fxjan7I/AAAAAAAALTk/8BgyVKXSDqAuhOnWOJKLPfzkaTzBQrQKACLcB/s1600/Kaszas_YoungOnes_Friends.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cjBSLHY9esM/V9C3fxjan7I/AAAAAAAALTk/8BgyVKXSDqAuhOnWOJKLPfzkaTzBQrQKACLcB/s640/Kaszas_YoungOnes_Friends.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Born the same year, at different times, but still friends. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6YJ9ykViUHo/V9C3drHuunI/AAAAAAAALS8/4yEC9qJzN1oCAUbhb06vzAabOWQCQDB5gCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_ComingUpTheHill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6YJ9ykViUHo/V9C3drHuunI/AAAAAAAALS8/4yEC9qJzN1oCAUbhb06vzAabOWQCQDB5gCLcB/s640/Kaszas_ComingUpTheHill.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>There are two mares here with two young ones. Trotting into the water hole. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZAX97GsgP6U/V9C3dlucHlI/AAAAAAAALS0/XGlH-lVwZ7gaT36pieyWvspBm6M7jK8_gCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_YoungOnes_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZAX97GsgP6U/V9C3dlucHlI/AAAAAAAALS0/XGlH-lVwZ7gaT36pieyWvspBm6M7jK8_gCLcB/s640/Kaszas_YoungOnes_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Young ones playing around and practicing for later in life.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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;">
<br /></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;">
<br /></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;">
<br /></div>
Not As The Crow Flieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13644314427275682180noreply@blogger.com0Dugway, UT 84022, USA40.221053200000007 -112.744409740.17256170000001 -112.8250907 40.269544700000004 -112.66372870000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692651106429046760.post-18740384696515198472016-09-04T17:48:00.001-07:002016-09-04T17:48:17.828-07:00Utah Great Basin Desert/Onaqui HMA: At the Water Hole<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WQELBqVJ2n0/V8y6ky6eJrI/AAAAAAAALQA/sZSWvtIIk8U5Ugk1scb_85Dgwxooglw6wCLcB/s1600/KASZAS_AtTheWaterHole_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WQELBqVJ2n0/V8y6ky6eJrI/AAAAAAAALQA/sZSWvtIIk8U5Ugk1scb_85Dgwxooglw6wCLcB/s640/KASZAS_AtTheWaterHole_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Wild horses of the Great Basin Desert in Utah after visiting one of the two water holes in use this past June.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
After I left Idaho, I spent four days photographing wild horses in the Great Basin Desert of Utah on the <a href="http://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/salt_lake/wild_horses___burros/onaqui_mountains_hma.html" target="_blank">Onaqui HMA</a> (Herd Management Area).<br />
<br />
I stayed in Tooele, Utah. Tooele is pronounced Too-illuh. Tooele is located south west of Salt Lake City. It is also located about 45 minutes to an hour to the horse range. My introduction to Tooele was stopping in the local large chain grocery store where a woman walked in and started screaming at her ex-boyfriend/husband and threatening to kill him for taking all her stuff in storage. The screaming and threats went of for quite sometime and spilled over into the parking lot when the manager of the store kicked both individuals involved in the argument out of the store. Then I went to my hotel, which was just okay, and realized that I had landed in the kingdom of fast food restaurants as that was what was visible as far as the eye could see. There is a good Thai restaurant and good Mexican restaurant if you look hard enough (I can't remember their names though).<br />
<br />
To get out to the horse range you drive west toward Dugway. When you reach the intersection with Skull Valley Road, turn left after the church. This will now be a dirt road. Drive until you hit the Pony Express Road and keep going heading in the general direction of the Simpson Springs Pony Express station. Keep your eye out. Drive slowly. Keep your vehicle on marked roads. Don't harass the horses. Do not use drones. Don't get that close to the horses. Do not get near mares with newborns or between stallions and their harem/young or interfere with horses trying to get to water. These ARE wild animals. Remember you are in the desert. Bring water. Wear a hat. Watch out for gopher holes. Watch out for snakes. Watch out for snakes in gopher holes. Follow these rules and you'll be treated to one of the most amazing experiences you'll ever have. But know that these horses live a tenuous existence here. At any time the decision for a round up could come and some of these magnificent animals will no longer live free. Think about that as you look at these photos. Think about it as you visit their world, if you are so lucky.<br />
<br />
Below are photos taken as the horses came to water. It is fascinating to watch the horses come into a water hole. Some signal is given and they all come all at once. And just as quickly another signal, one this human can't interpret, is given and the horses move on to graze, to nap, to play, to just be a horse.<br />
<br />
When I was there at the beginning of June there were two main watering holes being used by two different groups of horses. The vegetation around the two areas was very different in color and it caused either a red or more neutral color cast. I much preferred the light down near the second watering hole as it was bluer and more diffuse.<br />
<br />
To see more photos visit my<a href="https://www.instagram.com/pjkaszas/" target="_blank"> Instagram</a> account.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>THE FIRST WATER HOLE</b></div>
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yopeLW1-_OI/V8y6nh498mI/AAAAAAAALQ4/4w4t_DX8eUgfQ_bSrjxXFA1PcdYL_SlUwCLcB/s1600/KASZAS_ComingInForWater_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yopeLW1-_OI/V8y6nh498mI/AAAAAAAALQ4/4w4t_DX8eUgfQ_bSrjxXFA1PcdYL_SlUwCLcB/s640/KASZAS_ComingInForWater_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Coming in to water in the early morning.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tqKWgNNcpnI/V8y6jR6ZFoI/AAAAAAAALPk/D7GE6DxFJHgu3MaB-gtQi9pK2-pC-wNhgCLcB/s1600/KASZAS_AtTheWaterHole_13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tqKWgNNcpnI/V8y6jR6ZFoI/AAAAAAAALPk/D7GE6DxFJHgu3MaB-gtQi9pK2-pC-wNhgCLcB/s640/KASZAS_AtTheWaterHole_13.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A closer look at the herd on the move.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7-_Pge3vaeQ/V8y6ku3fwKI/AAAAAAAALP4/J5iT33IaO-80-z7CaTr5XHKFKZKok5b4ACLcB/s1600/KASZAS_AtTheWaterHole_17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7-_Pge3vaeQ/V8y6ku3fwKI/AAAAAAAALP4/J5iT33IaO-80-z7CaTr5XHKFKZKok5b4ACLcB/s640/KASZAS_AtTheWaterHole_17.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Gathering around the water hole. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w5ARtuOh0qQ/V8y6jAO7B4I/AAAAAAAALPc/KZfEIB8QlhIFAiw59MCPd0O6VDKkKCImACLcB/s1600/KASZAS_AtTheWaterHole_10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w5ARtuOh0qQ/V8y6jAO7B4I/AAAAAAAALPc/KZfEIB8QlhIFAiw59MCPd0O6VDKkKCImACLcB/s640/KASZAS_AtTheWaterHole_10.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A very sunny morning. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NfQFEiTSuM4/V8y6jC4nuqI/AAAAAAAALPg/jZfiSBWxY1o21wjLBPr27GRdcGjDQnSMACLcB/s1600/KASZAS_AtTheWaterHole_12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NfQFEiTSuM4/V8y6jC4nuqI/AAAAAAAALPg/jZfiSBWxY1o21wjLBPr27GRdcGjDQnSMACLcB/s640/KASZAS_AtTheWaterHole_12.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Yes, its early.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>THE SECOND WATER HOLE</b></div>
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mhj2e1X6en4/V8y6ifM9YVI/AAAAAAAALPQ/SDmIbiJlOl4Abc68wr_N0fZ5CtL6hJPoACLcB/s1600/DSC_0566.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mhj2e1X6en4/V8y6ifM9YVI/AAAAAAAALPQ/SDmIbiJlOl4Abc68wr_N0fZ5CtL6hJPoACLcB/s640/DSC_0566.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>One band contemplating water. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Glkc_7Dhoc/V8y6i6FnamI/AAAAAAAALPY/3b7BQSuj8_s3Cu-OYSEULYXl8e5zax8pQCLcB/s1600/KASZAS_AtTheWaterHole_11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Glkc_7Dhoc/V8y6i6FnamI/AAAAAAAALPY/3b7BQSuj8_s3Cu-OYSEULYXl8e5zax8pQCLcB/s640/KASZAS_AtTheWaterHole_11.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>And in they come kicking up dust.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fy4sgDvHFa0/V8y6l5IVO_I/AAAAAAAALQU/rrSzdPAPlkIEwBSwrCE0ndq6DDDzT7sHgCLcB/s1600/KASZAS_AtTheWaterHole_24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fy4sgDvHFa0/V8y6l5IVO_I/AAAAAAAALQU/rrSzdPAPlkIEwBSwrCE0ndq6DDDzT7sHgCLcB/s640/KASZAS_AtTheWaterHole_24.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Surveying the area before taking the plunge. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M1IKSltlY5o/V8y6mtr0nYI/AAAAAAAALQo/78sOWGAlioAlCmHRs25MPe2hFWIkxl-xgCLcB/s1600/KASZAS_AtTheWaterHole_30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M1IKSltlY5o/V8y6mtr0nYI/AAAAAAAALQo/78sOWGAlioAlCmHRs25MPe2hFWIkxl-xgCLcB/s640/KASZAS_AtTheWaterHole_30.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>And in they go. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5mMUeFMzu8k/V8y6iVWc32I/AAAAAAAALPU/RlSH3bjGonsQECT6giDFDq5gcijF4C0cwCLcB/s1600/KASZAS_AtTheWaterHole_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5mMUeFMzu8k/V8y6iVWc32I/AAAAAAAALPU/RlSH3bjGonsQECT6giDFDq5gcijF4C0cwCLcB/s640/KASZAS_AtTheWaterHole_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This good looking band was really interesting to watch. The darker buckskin mare in the back is very very pregnant. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AWDL1RZKNNE/V8y6nL2o-SI/AAAAAAAALQw/-NeyoN1AZ6AK0GN5hffQRs-nCOMOzkP0ACLcB/s1600/KASZAS_AtTheWaterHole_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AWDL1RZKNNE/V8y6nL2o-SI/AAAAAAAALQw/-NeyoN1AZ6AK0GN5hffQRs-nCOMOzkP0ACLcB/s640/KASZAS_AtTheWaterHole_6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The brown foal belongs to the gray mare.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MAt4ywahiJU/V8y6k4g-1YI/AAAAAAAALP8/oULaz4XxMFUutzJeC4IDdAw4ieD4p94egCLcB/s1600/KASZAS_AtTheWaterHole_19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MAt4ywahiJU/V8y6k4g-1YI/AAAAAAAALP8/oULaz4XxMFUutzJeC4IDdAw4ieD4p94egCLcB/s640/KASZAS_AtTheWaterHole_19.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A closer look at that brown foal.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rRL1ZVuMPnY/V8y6mZBY7mI/AAAAAAAALQg/JL7BbvJIXoAB8OItq6jOzv55JZT-vo31gCLcB/s1600/KASZAS_AtTheWaterHole_27_Cremello.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rRL1ZVuMPnY/V8y6mZBY7mI/AAAAAAAALQg/JL7BbvJIXoAB8OItq6jOzv55JZT-vo31gCLcB/s640/KASZAS_AtTheWaterHole_27_Cremello.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>It's amazing how much the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cream_gene" target="_blank">cremello</a> bachelor in the background matches his surroundings. This is one of the "Cremello Brothers" known to this area. This one was pretty beat up. You can see wounds on his chest. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lJw4Sj3j2qE/V8y6mOLr8aI/AAAAAAAALQc/eg3aGEM2TMIv5n1NL6Veuk4UcKYaGFz_gCLcB/s1600/KASZAS_AtTheWaterHole_26_Cremello.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lJw4Sj3j2qE/V8y6mOLr8aI/AAAAAAAALQc/eg3aGEM2TMIv5n1NL6Veuk4UcKYaGFz_gCLcB/s640/KASZAS_AtTheWaterHole_26_Cremello.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A closer look at the cremello's sky blue eyes. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jfx6dntn-vg/V8y6m3TWPXI/AAAAAAAALQk/IcDvxq47PIsDf-S3bfwapF2Bh07GiTM5gCLcB/s1600/KASZAS_AtTheWaterHole_31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jfx6dntn-vg/V8y6m3TWPXI/AAAAAAAALQk/IcDvxq47PIsDf-S3bfwapF2Bh07GiTM5gCLcB/s640/KASZAS_AtTheWaterHole_31.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Rolling in the mud of the water hole creates great decorations on some of the horses.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Not As The Crow Flieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13644314427275682180noreply@blogger.com0Dugway, UT 84022, USA40.221053200000007 -112.744409740.17256170000001 -112.8250907 40.269544700000004 -112.66372870000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692651106429046760.post-20159022211202747102016-08-04T18:52:00.001-07:002016-08-04T18:52:47.683-07:00Idaho: City of Rocks National Reserve and Castle Rocks State Park<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mivjLWR3bOA/V6O80JAwdoI/AAAAAAAALG8/Oi2uZR2eBJU59PvYkefWj_fPcQoGKPDXACLcB/s1600/Kaszas_minidoka-0268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mivjLWR3bOA/V6O80JAwdoI/AAAAAAAALG8/Oi2uZR2eBJU59PvYkefWj_fPcQoGKPDXACLcB/s640/Kaszas_minidoka-0268.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The view from Circle Creek Overlook</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
The drive from Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Almo,_Idaho" target="_blank">Almo, Idaho</a> is a beautiful one. This is gorgeous country. My photos do no justice to how amazingly beautiful it actually is. It is also spectacularly interesting from a geological point of view. After driving through flat farmland into rolling hills you end up in a magical land of crazy granite formations.<br />
<br />
What brought me to such a remote spot as Almo, Idaho you ask? A friend told me I would really like it. Because Almo is where you find <a href="https://www.nps.gov/ciro/index.htm" target="_blank">City of Rocks National Reserve</a> and <a href="https://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/parks/castle-rocks" target="_blank">Castle Rocks State Park</a>. This place is heaven for rock climbers, hikers, birders, and photographers.<br />
<br />
More than 750 animal and plant species call this area home. Humans have called this area for thousands of years. Starting in the 1840's City of Rocks became one of the main points on the California Trail, where wagon trains of settlers passed through in their thousands.<br />
<br />
Here you can clamber over rocks, search for lizards sunning themselves on granite, and walk straight through American history.<br />
<br />
I stayed at the <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/10390625" target="_blank">City of Rocks Retreat</a>, a beautiful little apartment on a small farm right next to the entrance to the reserve. It doesn't get much more convenient than this. The farm has two very friendly dogs, one a small herding mix of some kind and one a huge Anatolian Shepard. The Anatolian Shepard was a huge love bug. We had a good time hanging out. There were also several cats. And there are very interesting goats and many chickens. <br />
<br />
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5meuDAhEitE/V6Po_IHKvEI/AAAAAAAALKE/HhrSjgIb8CYDBNXLDjWkzKx02_ks8NSFQCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_minidoka-7370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5meuDAhEitE/V6Po_IHKvEI/AAAAAAAALKE/HhrSjgIb8CYDBNXLDjWkzKx02_ks8NSFQCLcB/s400/Kaszas_minidoka-7370.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gentle giant of an Anatolian Shepard.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PFeJr4MyZug/V6PoHa7AfLI/AAAAAAAALJ4/qA9iAfAXYg8llBWBuLTC4mt0tZh9SnELgCEw/s1600/Kaszas_minidoka-7362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PFeJr4MyZug/V6PoHa7AfLI/AAAAAAAALJ4/qA9iAfAXYg8llBWBuLTC4mt0tZh9SnELgCEw/s400/Kaszas_minidoka-7362.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>One of the farm cats looking very intense and incredibly orange in the morning sun.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AjfI7C_yvOs/V6PpqjrkiOI/AAAAAAAALKM/-6wXCfmbDWQHzFSqEv-f5S_Tpwezs2SjgCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_minidoka-7315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AjfI7C_yvOs/V6PpqjrkiOI/AAAAAAAALKM/-6wXCfmbDWQHzFSqEv-f5S_Tpwezs2SjgCLcB/s400/Kaszas_minidoka-7315.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>One of the many goats.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I spent the afternoon and early evening exploring locations on the "main" road in the reserve leading to such interesting places like Treasure Rock, Elephant Rock, Parking Lot Rock, and Bread Loaves. All of these places are fascinating granite formations. I picked up dinner at <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g60774-d2150016-Reviews-Rock_City_Mercantile-Almo_Idaho.html" target="_blank">Rock City Mercantile</a>, also conveniently located at the end of the road that leads directly to the reserve. Then I drove out Route 825E. This dirt road afforded amazing views and some interesting encounters with free ranging cows. Who were standing in the middle of the road blocking the way to anywhere. <br />
<br />
The next morning I took a drive out Twin Sisters Road, which leads to the Twin Sisters formation. This is almost the exact route that was part of the California Trail. Imagine sitting in a Prairie Schooner driving your oxen and all your worldly possessions through the pass.<br />
<br />
Then I drove out to Castle Rocks State Park. This too was stunningly beautiful with granite spires growing out of groves of pinyon pine, fields of iris leading the way to snow covered hills, spotted towhees singing from the tops of trees, and ravens patrolling the blue skies. I wished I had more time. Someday I shall wander back because I'm not done here.<br />
<br />
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1-83irS11YU/V6O80K2-lmI/AAAAAAAALHA/WZeNkgQ8svEQ1EqHaW_4oanfk9MxtIzkgCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_minidoka-0195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1-83irS11YU/V6O80K2-lmI/AAAAAAAALHA/WZeNkgQ8svEQ1EqHaW_4oanfk9MxtIzkgCLcB/s640/Kaszas_minidoka-0195.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Wandering down a trail within the City of Rocks.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tvD8ly9Uk9Y/V6O8ycNHPXI/AAAAAAAALGo/xxQCrKPfjQ8IE92g4-booTuy89-G-2oMwCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_minidoka-0125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tvD8ly9Uk9Y/V6O8ycNHPXI/AAAAAAAALGo/xxQCrKPfjQ8IE92g4-booTuy89-G-2oMwCLcB/s640/Kaszas_minidoka-0125.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Another view of City of Rocks. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NLjw6CIz3Ls/V6O8yfwRABI/AAAAAAAALGk/lbTC_u3bAIoGN8miNEc1OzlmvIxptHNjACLcB/s1600/Kaszas_minidoka-0164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NLjw6CIz3Ls/V6O8yfwRABI/AAAAAAAALGk/lbTC_u3bAIoGN8miNEc1OzlmvIxptHNjACLcB/s640/Kaszas_minidoka-0164.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Exploring the weathered granite formations.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WfWG_GGHppU/V6O8yUVTA2I/AAAAAAAALGs/X_CzD2Y5xWsMRekw1bXZsgV2tTZl2TySQCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_minidoka-0167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WfWG_GGHppU/V6O8yUVTA2I/AAAAAAAALGs/X_CzD2Y5xWsMRekw1bXZsgV2tTZl2TySQCLcB/s640/Kaszas_minidoka-0167.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Window in the rock formations.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wB8mHCk6aWo/V6O8zV1MB1I/AAAAAAAALG0/KXOI_V5FlnsUtkrXTB9NLccnp8OxcgqjACLcB/s1600/Kaszas_minidoka-0174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wB8mHCk6aWo/V6O8zV1MB1I/AAAAAAAALG0/KXOI_V5FlnsUtkrXTB9NLccnp8OxcgqjACLcB/s640/Kaszas_minidoka-0174.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Another view through the Window.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U8u0sNGTAr8/V6O801asW4I/AAAAAAAALHI/2WxOCABDKLcIoNR5pqvk8k94Ee5u3zPbQCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_minidoka-0315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U8u0sNGTAr8/V6O801asW4I/AAAAAAAALHI/2WxOCABDKLcIoNR5pqvk8k94Ee5u3zPbQCLcB/s640/Kaszas_minidoka-0315.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>An unexpected find: an entire coyote skeleton. I suspect it was hit by a vehicle and then picked clean by the many scavengers in the park.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u9JU1xdMMxQ/V6PoG7KtgEI/AAAAAAAALJw/28Ewlbjhk48oCFWlRA1GCk-Bf8R7S8g1ACLcB/s1600/Kaszas_minidoka-0138.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u9JU1xdMMxQ/V6PoG7KtgEI/AAAAAAAALJw/28Ewlbjhk48oCFWlRA1GCk-Bf8R7S8g1ACLcB/s640/Kaszas_minidoka-0138.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Common Sage Brush Lizard</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/--pi9XGSkY2c/V6O807g6iNI/AAAAAAAALHE/-coNa0VZZoEZkFq1a4p7nadKHIdHMqwwgCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_minidoka-0330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--pi9XGSkY2c/V6O807g6iNI/AAAAAAAALHE/-coNa0VZZoEZkFq1a4p7nadKHIdHMqwwgCLcB/s640/Kaszas_minidoka-0330.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Out route 825E.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7syyHClz5qE/V6O812z6W7I/AAAAAAAALHY/_5Sj6gPbGBEVAzVwVJ97wPIOq9Vi_E3swCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_minidoka-0368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7syyHClz5qE/V6O812z6W7I/AAAAAAAALHY/_5Sj6gPbGBEVAzVwVJ97wPIOq9Vi_E3swCLcB/s640/Kaszas_minidoka-0368.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Also out route 825E.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b_tZA9hGUhg/V6O837oDVsI/AAAAAAAALIM/wmJkIT_Gw6INm5-vw7rrc279nyx3NsksACLcB/s1600/Kaszas_minidoka-7351.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b_tZA9hGUhg/V6O837oDVsI/AAAAAAAALIM/wmJkIT_Gw6INm5-vw7rrc279nyx3NsksACLcB/s640/Kaszas_minidoka-7351.jpg" width="638" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The cow guarding the area near a cattle grate.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0ItbVEo33s/V6O81216UxI/AAAAAAAALHU/laSLpGvcNw8H7d5TljRkgoOVH8akUGOqwCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_minidoka-0378.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0ItbVEo33s/V6O81216UxI/AAAAAAAALHU/laSLpGvcNw8H7d5TljRkgoOVH8akUGOqwCLcB/s640/Kaszas_minidoka-0378.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Possibly the above cows well marked calf.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VtsYHx5Cjo0/V6PoGZdJVcI/AAAAAAAALJk/LXEN_22LkLkaeyu_hK0yTQr-DkGNshEzwCLcB/s1600/DSC_0403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VtsYHx5Cjo0/V6PoGZdJVcI/AAAAAAAALJk/LXEN_22LkLkaeyu_hK0yTQr-DkGNshEzwCLcB/s640/DSC_0403.jpg" width="436" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This is on City of Rocks Rd. in the reserve. This was a great birding spot. Red-shafted Northern Flickers had a nest hole in the tree, mountain bluebirds were nesting in the wall of the structure, and house wrens were building a nest nearby. Also a Belding's Ground Squirrel was happily munching away in the grass right near the tree.</i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i> </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y0DNO7PE40w/V6PoHWT-51I/AAAAAAAALJ0/3xWmlQrLjHQUW7GO1rW5iWaXP_e9WtB6gCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_minidoka-7401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y0DNO7PE40w/V6PoHWT-51I/AAAAAAAALJ0/3xWmlQrLjHQUW7GO1rW5iWaXP_e9WtB6gCLcB/s640/Kaszas_minidoka-7401.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A little bit of sky falling to earth. A mountain bluebird with breakfast for its young.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VIPjRyB70Jw/V6O831mHu5I/AAAAAAAALIA/qo1PJm1mwe8j0189wXP1uEFbaZWt_gcpwCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_minidoka-7543.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VIPjRyB70Jw/V6O831mHu5I/AAAAAAAALIA/qo1PJm1mwe8j0189wXP1uEFbaZWt_gcpwCLcB/s640/Kaszas_minidoka-7543.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>More breakfast for its young.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xypKGeals3Y/V6PoHlubIfI/AAAAAAAALJ8/Xpj0jusU4PA7GwixyFl8Qk2fllVbrsXLwCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_minidoka-7584%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xypKGeals3Y/V6PoHlubIfI/AAAAAAAALJ8/Xpj0jusU4PA7GwixyFl8Qk2fllVbrsXLwCLcB/s640/Kaszas_minidoka-7584%2Bcopy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>House Wren with feather of a much larger bird. Probably using it for nesting material. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cPDHI47J9KA/V6Ptdm--2rI/AAAAAAAALKY/xVjvgEtV23cWYme7DYjdyK3ikKsjxPyCQCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_minidoka-7608.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cPDHI47J9KA/V6Ptdm--2rI/AAAAAAAALKY/xVjvgEtV23cWYme7DYjdyK3ikKsjxPyCQCLcB/s640/Kaszas_minidoka-7608.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Belding's Ground Squirrel</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sMnHfep1JyI/V6PoG7hg5AI/AAAAAAAALJs/9Qx-AFTLefIHZuVzrZOjfyDB2bAknJb5QCLcB/s1600/DSC_0427.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sMnHfep1JyI/V6PoG7hg5AI/AAAAAAAALJs/9Qx-AFTLefIHZuVzrZOjfyDB2bAknJb5QCLcB/s640/DSC_0427.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Twin Sisters formation. Here is where the California Trail went through the pass.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mL3JTdQ85pQ/V6O84dVFvpI/AAAAAAAALIY/Mjo6diKg5ukZPLPDUjE3aLhTDI-CHhyaACLcB/s1600/Kaszas_minidoka-7661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mL3JTdQ85pQ/V6O84dVFvpI/AAAAAAAALIY/Mjo6diKg5ukZPLPDUjE3aLhTDI-CHhyaACLcB/s640/Kaszas_minidoka-7661.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Turkey vulture and magpie having a dead hare for breakfast.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5voGH9HXnfw/V6O84pql4KI/AAAAAAAALIg/pJsS1kr27IUUaEyh7LQJOAW3U75X5CzoACLcB/s1600/Kaszas_minidoka-8042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5voGH9HXnfw/V6O84pql4KI/AAAAAAAALIg/pJsS1kr27IUUaEyh7LQJOAW3U75X5CzoACLcB/s640/Kaszas_minidoka-8042.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Turkey vulture.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wvi3MYis8a0/V6O85BrWw_I/AAAAAAAALI8/ozvFGFa963ws4I1PUJiwLx9mwMa5AL_GwCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_minidoka-8214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wvi3MYis8a0/V6O85BrWw_I/AAAAAAAALI8/ozvFGFa963ws4I1PUJiwLx9mwMa5AL_GwCLcB/s640/Kaszas_minidoka-8214.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Turkey vultures can be seen perched like this often in the morning. They are warming themselves up in the sun.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G6hiMaeWp1g/V6O85TJpIBI/AAAAAAAALJE/CIIdD3QtQO8wkt1ZGLID_0l1eg7aqJ_BgCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_minidoka-8457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G6hiMaeWp1g/V6O85TJpIBI/AAAAAAAALJE/CIIdD3QtQO8wkt1ZGLID_0l1eg7aqJ_BgCLcB/s640/Kaszas_minidoka-8457.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I made a pit stop at the Visitor's Center where Cassin's Finches and Pine Siskins (not pictured) were feasting at the feeders.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BrE30zGblUk/V6O83t-byJI/AAAAAAAALH0/APbnBjrMVYcFmLLf5809C9cbRe3mCyK9wCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_minidoka-0492.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BrE30zGblUk/V6O83t-byJI/AAAAAAAALH0/APbnBjrMVYcFmLLf5809C9cbRe3mCyK9wCLcB/s640/Kaszas_minidoka-0492.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Castle Rocks State Park. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eaukLVZFOpo/V6O83Z0tVgI/AAAAAAAALHs/KFoWxoLYC68AETMyglvumguTgX2THSDKwCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_minidoka-0523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eaukLVZFOpo/V6O83Z0tVgI/AAAAAAAALHs/KFoWxoLYC68AETMyglvumguTgX2THSDKwCLcB/s640/Kaszas_minidoka-0523.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Hiking into Castle Rocks.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DqJW2pxiuu4/V6O85UYHe1I/AAAAAAAALJM/L3GUTmLdLGUgU9CSed04ikqAmnSke_5cQCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_minidoka-8643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DqJW2pxiuu4/V6O85UYHe1I/AAAAAAAALJM/L3GUTmLdLGUgU9CSed04ikqAmnSke_5cQCLcB/s640/Kaszas_minidoka-8643.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Male spotted towhee</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TwF2i5OSWJQ/V6O854wUP1I/AAAAAAAALJQ/NsE6AooBmQYGH1y5z_97RoAFChfSTIeqgCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_minidoka-8650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TwF2i5OSWJQ/V6O854wUP1I/AAAAAAAALJQ/NsE6AooBmQYGH1y5z_97RoAFChfSTIeqgCLcB/s640/Kaszas_minidoka-8650.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I don't know what this bird is. Let me know if you do.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f-SanG_tL_c/V6O83GDQ4rI/AAAAAAAALHo/oZr6yT_tP2gEmuugG3HbE4aVZRh5411twCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_minidoka-0520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f-SanG_tL_c/V6O83GDQ4rI/AAAAAAAALHo/oZr6yT_tP2gEmuugG3HbE4aVZRh5411twCLcB/s640/Kaszas_minidoka-0520.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Bumble bee on an Arrowleaf Balsamroot. Bears like to eat this. Humans can use most of it for food and medicine as well. It's part of the sunflower family.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Not As The Crow Flieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13644314427275682180noreply@blogger.com0City of Rocks National Reserve, Malta, ID 83342, USA42.0774026 -113.7037796999999816.5553681 -155.01237369999998 67.5994371 -72.395185699999985tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692651106429046760.post-50282119066231935102016-07-28T17:47:00.001-07:002016-07-28T17:47:09.724-07:00Idaho: Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-su6h_qD-zxg/V5qjsLmcV1I/AAAAAAAALFQ/AJlr2UavAcw-8314FFjrA6Q9rMp_SP7yQCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_minidoka-6319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-su6h_qD-zxg/V5qjsLmcV1I/AAAAAAAALFQ/AJlr2UavAcw-8314FFjrA6Q9rMp_SP7yQCLcB/s640/Kaszas_minidoka-6319.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>White pelicans on the hunt.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Early in the morning Traveler Thirteen and I parted ways in West Yellowstone, Montana and I headed southwest into Idaho. On the way out of town I had close encounters with mule deer and a misguided yellow-bellied marmot who couldn't decide which direction it wanted to go once it hit the middle of the road. Luckily all mammals involved were unharmed.<br />
<br />
I headed down Route 20 to Route 15 to Route 86 to exit 15 (Raft River exit). My destination: <a href="https://www.fws.gov/refuge/minidoka/" target="_blank">Minidoka National Wildlife Refug</a>e where <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_White_Pelican/id" target="_blank">white pelicans</a> nest in their hundreds on the islands in the Snake River and Lake Walcott. I was on a white pelican quest. Why? I had no idea until about two years ago that there were freshwater pelicans in the US. I have no idea how I missed this in all my research into birds and bird behavior over the years. I can't explain this gap in my knowledge at all.<br />
<br />
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-58GbrTFjQP0/V5qjuYHDrQI/AAAAAAAALFg/bgct35mav9sbJZ3GH5oqBVcG7GZd8tvogCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_minidoka-7009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-58GbrTFjQP0/V5qjuYHDrQI/AAAAAAAALFg/bgct35mav9sbJZ3GH5oqBVcG7GZd8tvogCLcB/s640/Kaszas_minidoka-7009.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Pelicans are magnificent in the air.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Once off the exit I traveled up Old Route 30. This was a fascinating drive through farmland where water from irrigation machines threw rainbows by their hundreds into the air. I had to dodge gopher snakes sunning themselves on the road. I must have passed at least fifteen. I lost count at some point. Then you have to take a right onto 400 E and then find 300 N and you will eventually find the refuge. There are signs. Be warned that your phone or GPS will get you hopelessly lost on all the small numbered roads in this area if you let them. Eventually, I did find the Minidoka Dam, which was fairly interesting, and the refuge.<br />
<br />
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H0ytvQ1fBlo/V5qjuW95YMI/AAAAAAAALFk/fJhY9IktSaEwPOx_KXp-LPsXR84WYltbwCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_minidoka-6707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H0ytvQ1fBlo/V5qjuW95YMI/AAAAAAAALFk/fJhY9IktSaEwPOx_KXp-LPsXR84WYltbwCLcB/s640/Kaszas_minidoka-6707.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Overview of the pelicans on the river with swallows zooming around.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I also found hundreds of white pelicans. In one area of the river they were bobbing down the rapids like little boats and then congregating just off the rapids and paddling back up toward them, probably herding the fish, and then dramatically diving their beaks and heads into the water and violently scooping up rather large fish up. Then they'd fly back up the river and bob down the rapids again to repeat the whole process. Joining them on the hunt were double crested cormorants while in the air all around them hundreds upon hundreds of swallows swooped after insects.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XNgPyDiY5mo/V5qjpS9wJDI/AAAAAAAALEw/mbLncl7DkIEl6CvgEbDxv-WVE48V175wQCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_minidoka-5990.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XNgPyDiY5mo/V5qjpS9wJDI/AAAAAAAALEw/mbLncl7DkIEl6CvgEbDxv-WVE48V175wQCLcB/s640/Kaszas_minidoka-5990.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Flying and fishing.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oKlB9__jLU0/V5qjqMO7K8I/AAAAAAAALE0/mQUU2jCcg4Ul5hJsd5XfSa6ZRPr9sgZJgCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_minidoka-6041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oKlB9__jLU0/V5qjqMO7K8I/AAAAAAAALE0/mQUU2jCcg4Ul5hJsd5XfSa6ZRPr9sgZJgCLcB/s640/Kaszas_minidoka-6041.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Working together to herd fish into the shallows.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JbfIZb6gQjs/V5qjsQVyM5I/AAAAAAAALFU/-5B5QyULui4PKzhayVCxnzTiLpLLoJpxwCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_minidoka-6313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JbfIZb6gQjs/V5qjsQVyM5I/AAAAAAAALFU/-5B5QyULui4PKzhayVCxnzTiLpLLoJpxwCLcB/s640/Kaszas_minidoka-6313.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Coming in for a water landing.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yDsVkGbN4dw/V5qkSjVQ0LI/AAAAAAAALFw/HGW-mmrIIEsEo3jbxZ1l6AK7sYU0LN3jQCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_minidoka-6553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yDsVkGbN4dw/V5qkSjVQ0LI/AAAAAAAALFw/HGW-mmrIIEsEo3jbxZ1l6AK7sYU0LN3jQCLcB/s640/Kaszas_minidoka-6553.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Nailing the landing.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_wYlM1rx9dg/V5qjtFIJz4I/AAAAAAAALFY/ifCino44OOIrA9logMrtwXDEm3fzTK6jQCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_minidoka-6321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_wYlM1rx9dg/V5qjtFIJz4I/AAAAAAAALFY/ifCino44OOIrA9logMrtwXDEm3fzTK6jQCLcB/s640/Kaszas_minidoka-6321.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Fishing on the edge of the rapids.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O_KHQFoks10/V5qjwG3H6QI/AAAAAAAALFs/p4ReExDbVhw6W_rxUbQZF-urrAXcTF8swCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_minidoka-7233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O_KHQFoks10/V5qjwG3H6QI/AAAAAAAALFs/p4ReExDbVhw6W_rxUbQZF-urrAXcTF8swCLcB/s640/Kaszas_minidoka-7233.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Fish jumping just in front of a pelican landing in the water.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TbkDtqEL87Q/V5qmLCNBUbI/AAAAAAAALGA/1vLPUyecUPEj79M8EKncFJP4QbqqQhgzwCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_minidoka-6645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TbkDtqEL87Q/V5qmLCNBUbI/AAAAAAAALGA/1vLPUyecUPEj79M8EKncFJP4QbqqQhgzwCLcB/s640/Kaszas_minidoka-6645.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Success.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Not As The Crow Flieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13644314427275682180noreply@blogger.com4Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge, American Falls, ID 83211, USA42.668003 -113.3873201999999817.1459685 -154.69591419999998 68.1900375 -72.078726199999977tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692651106429046760.post-87253263193619661332016-07-23T16:28:00.004-07:002016-07-23T16:46:02.464-07:00Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4gBwBVBAEMw/V5P8Ma8hMNI/AAAAAAAALBs/ag9BygblZtESoRw38NYcM49RxZorbGg7ACLcB/s1600/Kaszas_redrocklake-9933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4gBwBVBAEMw/V5P8Ma8hMNI/AAAAAAAALBs/ag9BygblZtESoRw38NYcM49RxZorbGg7ACLcB/s640/Kaszas_redrocklake-9933.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>One of the few original homesteads you can see abandoned throughout the valley. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Red_Rock_Lakes/" target="_blank">Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge</a> is located in the mostly undeveloped Centennial Valley near the headwaters of the Missouri River. The 55,775 acre refuge provides essential habitat for many birds, mammals, fish, and a variety of plants. Most importantly, it provides much needed breeding grounds for the endangered Trumpeter Swan.<br />
<br />
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tp6kfRjyk74/V5P8LZGvp7I/AAAAAAAALBY/ENJ49Ezqe2EXi5RiiLKIrkPP6T--nAVowCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_redrocklake-5558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tp6kfRjyk74/V5P8LZGvp7I/AAAAAAAALBY/ENJ49Ezqe2EXi5RiiLKIrkPP6T--nAVowCLcB/s640/Kaszas_redrocklake-5558.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Trumpeter Swans. Once nearly hunted to extinction they are slowly making a comeback but habitat loss is a problem.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<br />
Getting to the refuge from West Yellowstone requires driving nearly 35 miles on "improved" dirt roads, though we spend most of the time dodging huge holes. There are no services any where near the refuge so bring what you need in with you. There are two small campgrounds, though one was mostly underwater while Traveler Thirteen and I were there. <br />
<br />
<br />
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-12RxuO4OW5A/V5P8MRyqfDI/AAAAAAAALBo/FWMNLH9banQ2HFQfBBas4ZrP7yvWw3sHQCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_redrocklake-9915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-12RxuO4OW5A/V5P8MRyqfDI/AAAAAAAALBo/FWMNLH9banQ2HFQfBBas4ZrP7yvWw3sHQCLcB/s640/Kaszas_redrocklake-9915.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>One of the many bodies of water you can find in the refuge.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
It is beautiful and serene here. There are not many official trails here. Visitors are encouraged to use the game trails for hiking and exploration. And the 16,500 acres of lakes and marshes provide their own show with the sheer amount of bird life either nesting or as a stop over on seasonal migration.<br />
<br />
We saw trumpeter swans, yellow-headed black birds, red-winged black birds, coots, willets, eared grebes, Franklin's gulls, American avocets, Wigeons, Cinnamon Teals, marsh wrens, red-tailed hawks, cormorants, and a huge great blue heron rookery. We also saw mule deer, elk, and pronghorn.<br />
<br />
<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;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rvny5nxk1wo/V5P_rlnwXkI/AAAAAAAALC8/B_61I2Bf_-wiltgfc65H22Q7UiZp1A_bACLcB/s640/Kaszas_redrocklake-5367.jpg" width="640" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Wyoming Ground Squirrel</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We entered from the east and left from the western entrance. We drove west then south to Spencer, Idaho where the Spencer Opal Mines are located. We ate lunch in their cafe. Then we took the <a href="https://visitidaho.org/things-to-do/scenic-byways-backcountry-drives/lost-gold-trails-loop/" target="_blank">"Lost Gold Scenic Drive"</a> back toward Island Park and then back to West Yellowstone.<br />
<br />
<br />
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5gcYvURNr1E/V5P_rc6eHEI/AAAAAAAALDI/X1gYMMw2p-EAFmgTdwWnzowENceGNwwgQCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_redrocklake-5352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5gcYvURNr1E/V5P_rc6eHEI/AAAAAAAALDI/X1gYMMw2p-EAFmgTdwWnzowENceGNwwgQCLcB/s640/Kaszas_redrocklake-5352.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sandhill Crane</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jEfpv0UxdKM/V5P_sr_OrPI/AAAAAAAALDc/xoPX2BnQwV8ieqqA7LVNodAKG1a5NNbuQCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_redrocklake-5722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jEfpv0UxdKM/V5P_sr_OrPI/AAAAAAAALDc/xoPX2BnQwV8ieqqA7LVNodAKG1a5NNbuQCLcB/s640/Kaszas_redrocklake-5722.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Red-tailed Hawk</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pJRqUMDRIIo/V5P_rTrs-NI/AAAAAAAALC4/yDW-aoqPiRAAY8oSRLtroxWJ3tduUGWfACLcB/s1600/Kaszas_redrocklake-5534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pJRqUMDRIIo/V5P_rTrs-NI/AAAAAAAALC4/yDW-aoqPiRAAY8oSRLtroxWJ3tduUGWfACLcB/s640/Kaszas_redrocklake-5534.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Heron rookery. Those dark things are heron.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZGa3VTdkrT8/V5P8LUNys_I/AAAAAAAALBQ/5cEKbHmExwUwCVdvTFOwnllgAGBDKG-1wCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_redrocklake-5538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZGa3VTdkrT8/V5P8LUNys_I/AAAAAAAALBQ/5cEKbHmExwUwCVdvTFOwnllgAGBDKG-1wCLcB/s640/Kaszas_redrocklake-5538.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>American Avocets</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NtcKcFrFSaI/V5QBoro6jZI/AAAAAAAALD8/ZB81KS_QEvUZjQjW5rSIgz54G61OLbXYACLcB/s1600/Kaszas_redrocklake-5673.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NtcKcFrFSaI/V5QBoro6jZI/AAAAAAAALD8/ZB81KS_QEvUZjQjW5rSIgz54G61OLbXYACLcB/s640/Kaszas_redrocklake-5673.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Yellow-headed black bird</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1OAP7fh-8HQ/V5P8MyJbDUI/AAAAAAAALBw/YUw2IxzZI3ADM9Nxb9AXxq3q3f5yCWUoQCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_redrocklake-9934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1OAP7fh-8HQ/V5P8MyJbDUI/AAAAAAAALBw/YUw2IxzZI3ADM9Nxb9AXxq3q3f5yCWUoQCLcB/s640/Kaszas_redrocklake-9934.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Driving. All those dark smudges are dead bugs on the windshield.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Not As The Crow Flieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13644314427275682180noreply@blogger.com0Lakeview, MT 59758, USA44.8046484 -111.2407832999999844.7994184 -111.25086829999998 44.809878399999995 -111.23069829999997tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692651106429046760.post-75214979509414603402016-07-20T17:53:00.000-07:002016-07-20T18:01:35.512-07:00Montana: Hell's-A-Roarin' Horse Drive<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cIEYT_B34Eg/V4wXCCw78ZI/AAAAAAAAK-4/5afFHYIHBBst9KvqlpOyVLqgnIDW79xswCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_HorseDrive-8881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cIEYT_B34Eg/V4wXCCw78ZI/AAAAAAAAK-4/5afFHYIHBBst9KvqlpOyVLqgnIDW79xswCLcB/s640/Kaszas_HorseDrive-8881.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Getting ready at the rodeo grounds.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Every Memorial Day weekend in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gardiner,_Montana" target="_blank">Gardiner, Montana</a>, Hell's-A-Roarin' Outfitters and the town of Gardiner put the annual Hell's-A-Roarin' Horse Drive. This day you can see upwards of 200 horses and mules driven through the town of Gardiner, from the rodeo grounds then up into the mountains along Jardine Road to Hell's-A-Roarin' Ranch, a well known area outfitter (leader of hunting and fishing expeditions in the Yellowstone area).<br />
<br />
The day also includes a BBQ dinner, cowboy poetry readings, live music and dancing and a silent auction. I have never figured out who they were raising money for, though.<br />
<br />
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mXznS6JhaFs/V4wXBjT-X3I/AAAAAAAAK-w/TjbqMw0qgvIZLpzO-HJqZXkRWtuJWqSFwCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_HorseDrive-8864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mXznS6JhaFs/V4wXBjT-X3I/AAAAAAAAK-w/TjbqMw0qgvIZLpzO-HJqZXkRWtuJWqSFwCLcB/s640/Kaszas_HorseDrive-8864.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Love a nice riding mule.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Traveler Thirteen and I went up to Jardine Road to check out the area and figure out where we wanted to park later and took a short hike on a trail that leads back to Yellowstone, crossing Bear Creek. We then went into Gardiner itself. We ate lunch at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/WildWestCorral/" target="_blank">Wild West Corral</a>, which is the second place in two days I've eaten at called Wild West.<br />
<br />
After refueling our stomachs we headed to the rodeo grounds. On the way we came upon a white-tailed deer doe with twin fauns that were standing in the incredibly small front yard of the house next to the Post Office. The doe jumped the fence surrounding the yard and wandered through the Post Office parking lot. Eventually her fauns figured out how to jump the fence and sauntered after her. It was a strange sight in the middle of the day in a busy area of town.<br />
<br />
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EL2j8gnoqbU/V4wXBlLW--I/AAAAAAAAK-s/xmLcEjgPcZgCl0nnYfFPoLR6HBy6pu_FwCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_HorseDrive-8851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EL2j8gnoqbU/V4wXBlLW--I/AAAAAAAAK-s/xmLcEjgPcZgCl0nnYfFPoLR6HBy6pu_FwCLcB/s640/Kaszas_HorseDrive-8851.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Do you get the idea there's some sort of stand off going on here? </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
When we got to the rodeo grounds we checked out the horses and mules. One mule in particular, a Mr. Mule with very dainty hooves, took a liking to me. He gave me and Thirteen a good looking over and decided I should be feeding him treats. I didn't have anything for him. Despite some encouragement one of the riders to leave us alone Mr. Mule didn't want to. I swear had I had a horse trailer with me I'd have bought him right there and then. We approved of each other. It was with great reluctance that I left him standing forlornly at the gate, watching us walk away from him. Or perhaps I was the one who walked away forlorn at the prospect of leaving my new soul mate.<br />
<br />
We headed back up into the hills above town to find a good spot along Jardine Road to photograph the horses and mules coming up into the hills, which also put us in place to be able to get to the area where they rest the horses and mules before taking them the final miles to the ranch.<br />
<br />
Soon outriders were seen coming up over the hills and then the clatter of hooves and there they were around 150 equines trotting up the road. It was quite a sight. And the best part was Mr. Mule recognized us. He made a beeline for us and then began grazing right where we stood. He got hustled farther up the hill pretty quickly though.<br />
<br />
<br />
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DJHM0aptGug/V4wXCJBwFiI/AAAAAAAAK-8/zcdZ4i6o6585MgEzGfk6sxCxFWftVyHKQCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_HorseDrive-8901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DJHM0aptGug/V4wXCJBwFiI/AAAAAAAAK-8/zcdZ4i6o6585MgEzGfk6sxCxFWftVyHKQCLcB/s640/Kaszas_HorseDrive-8901.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Outriders coming up over the hill.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-__mpsPCEiI8/V4wXCs5g3sI/AAAAAAAAK_I/WtSCK0QwTC49jhiIKRmYNW8oTi-l2VJfgCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_HorseDrive-8935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-__mpsPCEiI8/V4wXCs5g3sI/AAAAAAAAK_I/WtSCK0QwTC49jhiIKRmYNW8oTi-l2VJfgCLcB/s640/Kaszas_HorseDrive-8935.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Leading the way.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b6TdzyohjNU/V4wXC8_0AII/AAAAAAAAK_M/U4Y6aa2t5uQ-HKQiYAx2_UKHJREwCflZQCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_HorseDrive-8951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b6TdzyohjNU/V4wXC8_0AII/AAAAAAAAK_M/U4Y6aa2t5uQ-HKQiYAx2_UKHJREwCflZQCLcB/s640/Kaszas_HorseDrive-8951.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>And here they come!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3liVx102B-E/V4wXDDdr5pI/AAAAAAAAK_U/kVAGb177a3o0SWzhghUAYx0F6f188CL3ACLcB/s1600/Kaszas_HorseDrive-9000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3liVx102B-E/V4wXDDdr5pI/AAAAAAAAK_U/kVAGb177a3o0SWzhghUAYx0F6f188CL3ACLcB/s640/Kaszas_HorseDrive-9000.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>And there he is. Mr. Mule. The bay looking over toward where we were standing.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KLAlp4STmxA/V4wXD6kV1SI/AAAAAAAAK_c/UHQyDaZcv5g0-N_Cqn7_8ne-38r3I84XQCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_HorseDrive-9028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KLAlp4STmxA/V4wXD6kV1SI/AAAAAAAAK_c/UHQyDaZcv5g0-N_Cqn7_8ne-38r3I84XQCLcB/s640/Kaszas_HorseDrive-9028.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The rear guard.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NyHB0hhFWX4/V4wXEFJ7SVI/AAAAAAAAK_g/8wEQ85X3qlM1vKnkcd9fzm4vkKQhkKOKgCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_HorseDrive-9061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NyHB0hhFWX4/V4wXEFJ7SVI/AAAAAAAAK_g/8wEQ85X3qlM1vKnkcd9fzm4vkKQhkKOKgCLcB/s640/Kaszas_HorseDrive-9061.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Catching up to the rest of the crowd.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
We followed them up the hill to the wide field where they rested. The mules and horses milling about and rolling happily in the grass. Soon it was time for them to head farther into the mountains. Now, I'm not 100% positive that it was Mr. Mule who made a break for it, but a mule who looked suspiciously like him, with the same dainty little hooves, led a merry chase in the opposite direction from where he was supposed to go. I swear we made eye contact, this mule with a mind of his own and I. He had three riders after him. The rest of the herd disappeared into the hills. Rebel Mr. Mule exerted himself just enough to stay out of rope range and would graze, with one eye and ear on his pursuers, mocking their efforts. They finally got him with a bucket of grain and lead rope gently draped over his neck. They led him to a trailer. As Thirteen pointed out: that mule was no fool. He got a meal and a ride up the rest of the way to the ranch.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gZixcWSHvXo/V4wXGpJhA3I/AAAAAAAAK_4/JY8CEj0i3NYTasGKEQHK6xPRNZveu5_awCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_HorseDrive-9497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gZixcWSHvXo/V4wXGpJhA3I/AAAAAAAAK_4/JY8CEj0i3NYTasGKEQHK6xPRNZveu5_awCLcB/s640/Kaszas_HorseDrive-9497.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The view from where many of the photographers were hanging out.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TFag_ebyHLI/V4wXFgyxANI/AAAAAAAAK_s/X1UxnXIySq8di0ucyfcKsP5EhpGdEPu3QCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_HorseDrive-9205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TFag_ebyHLI/V4wXFgyxANI/AAAAAAAAK_s/X1UxnXIySq8di0ucyfcKsP5EhpGdEPu3QCLcB/s640/Kaszas_HorseDrive-9205.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Rest stop.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JOMoQPYRK1A/V4wXF37KrYI/AAAAAAAAK_w/b6D-nFOBnQkcNWJc3xMjNE_n1ITescziACLcB/s1600/Kaszas_HorseDrive-9338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JOMoQPYRK1A/V4wXF37KrYI/AAAAAAAAK_w/b6D-nFOBnQkcNWJc3xMjNE_n1ITescziACLcB/s640/Kaszas_HorseDrive-9338.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cowboys come in all sizes.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YSv26byQvc0/V4wXGQap3UI/AAAAAAAAK_0/7nhrbychNNIZMkvEdt2v7QMt6ejZiapiwCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_HorseDrive-9450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YSv26byQvc0/V4wXGQap3UI/AAAAAAAAK_0/7nhrbychNNIZMkvEdt2v7QMt6ejZiapiwCLcB/s640/Kaszas_HorseDrive-9450.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A horse of a different color getting a different perspective on the proceedings (on right).</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qZQWYCmzETU/V4wXHPBcz3I/AAAAAAAAK_8/eKGyZkITnegs_iXsjoq67OQEvtVPANMsQCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_HorseDrive-9512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qZQWYCmzETU/V4wXHPBcz3I/AAAAAAAAK_8/eKGyZkITnegs_iXsjoq67OQEvtVPANMsQCLcB/s640/Kaszas_HorseDrive-9512.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>While the horses and mules rested the humans socialized. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g2vUc37YiFU/V4wXIAIjXsI/AAAAAAAALAE/Njsrct5ZK_4kltlo6uwDUoQ10dElgGx5wCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_HorseDrive-9623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g2vUc37YiFU/V4wXIAIjXsI/AAAAAAAALAE/Njsrct5ZK_4kltlo6uwDUoQ10dElgGx5wCLcB/s640/Kaszas_HorseDrive-9623.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Heading out again.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U_Tl6myhttw/V4wXIeQSsjI/AAAAAAAALAI/PBbH-AHjMjwgLsJ-Sl9u8x245n3e3j2qgCLcB/s1600/Kaszas_HorseDrive-9804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U_Tl6myhttw/V4wXIeQSsjI/AAAAAAAALAI/PBbH-AHjMjwgLsJ-Sl9u8x245n3e3j2qgCLcB/s640/Kaszas_HorseDrive-9804.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The rebel.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Not As The Crow Flieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13644314427275682180noreply@blogger.com1Gardiner, MT 59030, USA45.0318802 -110.705766344.987007700000007 -110.78644729999999 45.0767527 -110.6250853