Back at Beckley Creek Park

After a day of slaving over a hot laptop to catch up on many emails and other computer tasks I've put off for many weeks, my Fitbit showed only 1,700 steps for the day. Oh my, that will not do! This morning a report came through the KY Birdlist that a Sora had been sighted at Beckley Creek Park, so that became our destination for our daily walk. The sun is setting much earlier now, but the temperature was perfect.

At the Grand Allee wetlands, we searched the edge of the lake which was filled with lily pads and duck weed. The mutt ducks swam around laughing at their own jokes. A single Pie Billed Grebe dove down into the weeds. But we saw no Sora.

The fall offers many sightings not found in the other months. This small entirely black wooly worm scurried across the gravel path. It must feel like I would when hiking over a pile of boulders. Ouch! What do they say about wooly worms and the weather? Folklore says that thin brown bands on the woolly worms means a harsh winter is coming, wider brown banded woolly worms mean a mild winter,  nearly black woolly worms means a severe winter is coming, and finally the very light brown or white woolly worms mean a snowy winter according to the folklore. I just saw a projection on the Weather Channel today that we may have heavy snowfall this winter. Brr.

Jimson Weed

Datura stramonium, known by the common names Jimson weed or Devil's snare, is a plant in the nightshade family. It is believed to have originated in Mexico, but has now become naturalized in many other regions. In America it is called the 'Devil's Apple,' from its dangerous qualities and the remarkable effects that follow its administration. When the first settlers arrived in Virginia, some ate the leaves of this plant and experienced such strange and unpleasant effects that the colonists (so we are told) gave it this name by which it is still known in the United States. It is also known very commonly there by the name of 'Jamestown (or Jimson) Weed,' derived probably from its having been first observed in the neighborhood of that old settlement in Virginia.  Also known as Thornapple, in early times, it was considered an aid to the incantation of witches, and during the time of the witch and wizard mania in England, it was unlucky for anyone to grow it in his garden. 

aka Thornapple

It is considered highly poisonous, but parts are used for medicinal purposes. Browsing animals as a rule refuse to eat Thornapple, being repelled by its disagreeable odour and nauseous taste, so that its presence is not really dangerous to any of our domestic cattle. Among human beings the greater number of accidents have occurred among children, who have eaten the halfripe seeds which have a sweetish taste.

Red Sumac is a joy in the autumn, both the leaves and the tiny red berries. Sumacs look edible and toxic at the same time, and with good reason: They’re in a family that has plants we eat and plants that can make you ill. The seeds of the sumac have tannic acid in them. Putting the berries in boiling water will release the tannic acid. It can make a tea but it can quickly become too bitter to drink. To make an ade, use one to two cup of berries per quart of water. I prefer two cups and less water.  The “bobs” of berries can be cut off and dried for later use.

Jewelweed

When you are out in the field and find you have been exposed to poison ivy, oak, or stinging nettle you can reach for the jewelweed plant and slice the stem, then rub its juicy inside on exposed parts. This will promptly ease irritation and usually prevents breakout for most people. Hummingbirds love to drink from the small orange or yellow flowers.

aka Touch Me Not

When the seed pods are ripe, the slightest touch will make them explode. The pod itself curls up providing an the power to spread the seeds for next year.

When we walked at Beckley last time, we saw large "flocks" of Monarch butterflies on migration to Mexico. The majority of Monarchs have passed through, but one or two fluttered tiredly across the fields. This guy landed in the grass, then moved a few feet away to feast on a pile of dog poo. Ah, all those good minerals! This may give it the strength to continue his journey south. Good luck your majesty!

Beckley Butterflies

 

Golden Meadow

 It was a beautiful morning, not too hot, so we decided to walk at Beckley Creek Park. What a great decision that was! Everything was golden. All the gold wildflowers were blooming, under the clear blue sky.

Orange Jewelweed

 Along Floyd's Fork we saw both orange and yellow jewelweed blooming in the shade.

Lobelia

 Occasionally, a little spot of blue or purple poked its head up through the gold flowers.

Monarch Butterfly

But the most amazing thing we saw were the scores of Monarch butterflies, landing on golden flowers, or dancing in circles with each other. The Monarch numbers have been so small because of chemicals, then the big snow storm in Mexico at the wintering location. I haven't seen more than a few all summer, despite the milkweed we planted.

Monarch Caterpillar

We found one little Monarch Caterpillar painfully crawling across the gravel, in the hot sunshine. Following the box turtle rule, we gently picked him up and moved him to the grass in the direction he was crawling. 

Monarch in flight

When a Monarch lands on a flower, it instantly folds its wings, while it takes a sip of nectar. No matter how many burst shots I took, I could not get one with it's wings open. I was getting dizzy turning in circles as I tried to find and focus on flying Monarchs. Yep, getting a shot of one in flight would be serendipity. Look carefully. Do you see a Monarch in flight in this shot?

Monarch

Spotted Silver Skipper

Hackberry Emperor

Buckeye Butterfly

Actually, I saw more different kinds of butterflies today, than I have seen in many years. This Buckeye is the first in at least 4 years.

10 Years Blogging

 

Sneezeweed

 I can't believe it! I have been blogging, off and on, for over TEN YEARS! Sometimes I get lucky and my photos are really good, and other times, they are a bit fuzzy, but they are a record of some cool bird I saw today. I always say that one of God's greatest gifts is the gift of forgetfulness.  Just imagine what your life would be like if you remembered every single thing you had ever seen or done. You wouldn't have time to see or do anything new! Photographs, and this blog, help me remember the good times, while the rest slips away.

Blackburnian Warbler

I started birding about the same time. In fact, I wanted to use the blog to help prove which birds I had actually seen. This morning, I joined the Beckham Bird Club on our annual Breakfast with the Birds outing. We went to Turkey Run, one of the newly opened areas of the The Parklands. This year we started our Green Breakfast, with everyone bringing their own eating and drinking utensils so we didn't have to throw anything away. Going out with a group of experienced birders is always a benefit to me. On my own, I may hear birds, recognize the song but not be able to find the bird in the trees. Or I see it, do not recognize the song and am left in great frustration. This morning, I kept saying, "How in the world did he see that bird?"

Blackburnian Warbler

Warblers are my great nemesis. Today, Pat, Jane and Rob found Blackburnian, Hooded, Black and White Warblers, and maybe some others I don't remember. Sigh.

Scarlet Tanager Female

Then, of course, there are the juvenile and females that don't look like what I expect, since I always picture the male featured in the field guide. Yes, indeedy, you need to learn the females, juveniles, and males in winter plumage, along with the trees they might be perched in.

Do you see a bird?

We kept hearing White-eyed Vireos calling to each other as we walked down the trail, but they are skulkers and dart quickly from tree to tree to avoid being seen. Rob is our expert on bird calls. We finally found this one and I actually saw it in binoculars. Birders have to be patient, and my friends are always willing to work with any birder who hasn't seen the current attraction.

White-eyed Vireo

I always say that bird photography is an act of faith. You have to find the bird with binocs, then find it in your camera lens, then focus and click, all before it moves to the next branch. Well, 3 out of 4 isn't bad. This guy is a little out of focus, but it's the first photo I've ever taken of a White-eyed Vireo, so I'm content. I like to learn mnemonics to help me remember a call. Found Spit and see if I care. Spit! and Quick, give me a rain check! for this one.

Turkey Vulture

The Turkey Vulture is one of my favorite birds because it's large enough to be easily seen, and doesn't hide in the tree branches, but flies right out in the open for good photographs!

Ripe Persimmons

Of course, if the birds aren't cooperating, I always like to take photos of the plants. They, at least, aren't going to fly away!

Aspens on the Trail

On our last full day of exploration, we decided to head up to Summit Lake, having seen an article praising its beauty. The road turned to dirt quickly, and as we went higher and higher, the rocks and ruts got bigger an bigger. Even though we had a Jeep that could handle it, when we saw the sign saying "4 more miles to Summit Lake," we decided to turn around and head back down to Dry Lake. A passing Forest Service ranger told us where to find the trailhead, and we strolled between the aspens, into the soft loam under the conifer forest, then out into areas of exposed rocks. This trail had more variety of habitat than any we have seen this week. But it was not at all marked so you knew where to go.

Fire-fighting Helicopter

The views were wonderful, as always. A large helicopter made several trips overhead, and we later learned that it was fighting a forest fire in nearby Wyoming.

All week, we have seen hundreds of thousands of dead pine trees, victims of the pine bark beetle and it's deathly fungus. Sometimes the patterns drilled by the beetles are very beautiful. People in town are taking the holey wood and making furniture with it.

We crossed over several clear creeks, tumbling down to the Yampa River below. Under the spruce trees, the ground was so soft and loamy it felt like you were sinking into marshmallows.

Dusky Grouse

Finally found our one and only life bird for the trip - a Dusky Grouse. They look like big brown chickens, and are reputed to be the dumbest bird around. They stand still and think they are invisible!

Mountain Chickadee

Red-tailed Hawk Soaring Overhead

 Other birds were a little harder to find. Both Black-capped and Mountain Chickadees flicked around in the conifers, joined by little Red-breasted Nuthatches. All three chirp and cheep, but stay in the shadows and inner branches.

Bracken Jungle

We haven't seen many ferns in these mountains, but found ourselves pushing through 5 foot tall brackens today. They covered the trail, grabbing at our feet. We needed machetes, but only had hiking sticks to cut our way out.

Black and White Moth

Ah, here's a different little butterfly, I thought. When going through the photos in the evening, I found it had feathery little antennae - the sign of a moth, rather than a butterfly.

Colorado Summer

With the help of some experienced hikers, we finally returned to the car. Thank Goodness! Did you know that your cell phone can give your exact coordinates and elevation, as well as compass directions? I'll always remember the beautiful Colorado blue skies!

Rabbit Ears - Wildflower Wonderland

Rabbit Ears

This morning we got on the road early to drive to Rabbit Ears Pass on US 40. The remnants of an old volcanic plug, the peak resembles less of its namesake than in the past due to gradual erosion. Several years ago portions of the east tower fell, causing the peak to look even less like rabbit ears. That said, the peak is still very recognizable and is a very popular destination in the area in Routt National Forest.

Somewhat unusual, the highway over Rabbit Ears Pass has a gently rolling character in the vicinity of the summit. After crossing the Divide westbound, the road dips briefly and then reaches its highest point (about 9520 ft) before descending gently to the west summit (9400 ft) and then dropping steeply (7%) toward Steamboat Springs.

Hiking sticks in hand, along with binocs, camera, and water bottles, we started up the trail. Other hikers included people with dogs, a few horseback riders or mountain bikers, and families with children of all ages. One family allowed their children to climb barefooted! The ascent was easy for the first few miles, but a hiker said that it got steep at the end, climbing to 10,400 feet more or less.

The farther we climbed, the more beautiful the views became...

Dead Pine Trees

...except for the areas with fallen pine trees, killed by the pine bark beetle. The Forest Service does a good job keeping the trail itself cleared from obstructions when the trees fall, but they will be doing this for some time to come. The good thing was seeing all the young spruce trees growing in the newly available sunshine.

But the best part was all the fantastic, gorgeous wildflowers growing in profusion everywhere we went. It's so hard to get the real feel for the large meadows full of color with just a camera, and believe me, I really tried hard, taking over 300 photos today alone! I bought a Colorado Wildflower guide (over 400 pages), and still can't find all the flowers we saw in the book. Here are some of my favorites.

Colorado Blue Columbine

Larkspur

Prickly Rose

Red Paintbrush and Lupine

North Side View from Rabbit Ears

Since I had to stop every few minutes for a photo, or to catch my breath in the high elevation, it took us almost 3 hours to climb about 3.75 miles to the top. Thank goodness we had those hiking sticks or I wouldn't have made much of it! The wind picked up as the day progressed, blowing dust devils across the rocks and into our faces.

Volcanic Rock

The rocks at the top are volcanic and full of little gas holes. The non-volcanic rocks that surrounded the "ears" for millennia have worn away, much like Devil's Tower in NE Wyoming. Several other places below the pass have volcanic outcroppings as well.

View from top of Rabbit Ears

The view from the top was incredible. (I seem to have trouble coming up with appropriate adjectives for this trip without repeating myself!) But dark clouds gathered in the west, and we knew we must start down to avoid getting caught in the rain.

Threatening Skies

There hasn't been any measurable rain in Steamboat Springs in July, but you never know when those purple clouds will let loose. You can watch the rain fall miles away, and not know if it will come to you or not. At one point on the downward trail, we were passed by a Jeep on the way up. What wimps! If you can't walk even part of the trail, you won't enjoy getting banged around inside a Jeep across the rocks and ruts any more! And even a Jeep won't be able to make it up the steepest part at the top! We made it back to our car in time, and ate lunch at nearby Dumont Lake in a very light rain. Now I know why hiking boots are usually tan - you should have seen all the dust I had to wash off in the shower when we got home!