Tuesday, December 14, 2004
Gray Kingbird in PA! ~ December 13, 2004
Larry Lewis found a new state bird, a Gray Kingbird, at the Shamrock Christmas Tree Farm in Pomeroy, Chester County. After a few hours of searching, several other birders and I got great looks at it.
Gray Kingbird near Pomeroy, Chester County. Note the thick bill, pale breast, forked tail, and dark mask through the eye. This bird represents the 1st documented record for Pennsylvania!
Saturday, October 23, 2004
Cackling Geese at Green Pond ~ October 22, 2004
Several Cackling Geese were present among several hundred Canada Geese at Green Pond. These birds were of the "Richardson's" race, which were recently split from Canada Goose. Although it is uncommon, "Richardson's" is the form of Cackling Goose that we expect to see in our area.
Some of the identification points for the "Richardson's" race of Cackling Goose include:
1) Much smaller size compared to Canada Goose, appearing closer to the size of a Mallard.
2) Usually much grayer or paler than Canada Goose, appearing silvery.
3) Bill is very short and stubby compared to that of Canada Goose.
4) Head appears 'blocky' with a steep, vertical forehead above the bill.
5) Back and wing feathers have broad, pale fringing, causing it to look more 'scalloped' than Canada Goose.
Cackling Goose at Green Pond in Northampton County. Note the small size, gray or silvery back, and small bill compared to the surrounding Canada Geese.
Cackling Goose at Green Pond in Northampton County. Note the small size, gray or silvery back, small bill, and 'blocky' head with steep forehead compared to the surrounding Canada Geese.
Cackling Goose at Green Pond in Northampton County. Note the small size, gray or silvery back, small bill, and steep forehead compared to the surrounding Canada Geese.
Cackling Goose at Green Pond in Northampton County. Note the small size, small bill, and 'blocky' head with steep forehead compared to the surrounding Canada Geese.
Cackling Goose at Green Pond in Northampton County. Note the small size, small bill, and 'blocky' head with steep forehead compared to the surrounding Canada Geese.
Cackling Goose at Green Pond in Northampton County. Note the small bill and 'blocky' head with steep forehead compared to the surrounding Canada Geese.
Some of the identification points for the "Richardson's" race of Cackling Goose include:
1) Much smaller size compared to Canada Goose, appearing closer to the size of a Mallard.
2) Usually much grayer or paler than Canada Goose, appearing silvery.
3) Bill is very short and stubby compared to that of Canada Goose.
4) Head appears 'blocky' with a steep, vertical forehead above the bill.
5) Back and wing feathers have broad, pale fringing, causing it to look more 'scalloped' than Canada Goose.
Friday, September 24, 2004
Head-scratching Find at the Koch Property ~ September 21, 2004
I called up Arlene Koch and asked her permission to walk her property later that day. She told me that she would not be home then, but that it was fine for me to bird there. I was seeing the usual, expected birds as I walked the fields near the barn. Then, I noticed a bird in a tree with a few American Goldfinches that made me scratch my head. The head pattern was black and white, somewhat reminiscent of a chickadee, but it had a bright orange bill. I took some photos of it and sent the roll of film in for processing. I eventually got the slides back and went through my guides. Nothing came close, so I figured it wasn't a North American bird. I sent the photos out to a few other birders, and Nick Pulcinella came through with the answer. The bird was a Pin-tailed Whydah, which meant it was most likely an escaped cage bird. Here are the poor photos that I got of it.
With more exploration, I figured out that the bird was a young male, so it didn't have the long tail streamers of the adult. Still, it was a surprising find.
With more exploration, I figured out that the bird was a young male, so it didn't have the long tail streamers of the adult. Still, it was a surprising find.
Friday, September 17, 2004
Buff-breasted Sandpiper in Northampton County! ~ September 16, 2004
On the 13th, Dan Altif found a Buff-breasted Sandpiper at the Hanoverville Road retention ponds. I went over and snapped a few photos of this new county bird for me.
Buff-breasted Sandpiper at the Hanoverville Road retention ponds in Northampton County. Note the dark eye on the small, buffy, 'dove-like' head, the short bill, the feathers' white edges, and the paler underparts toward the tail. This bird represents the 2nd Northampton County record.
Buff-breasted Sandpiper at the Hanoverville Road retention ponds in Northampton County. Note the dark 'comma' at the wrist of the otherwise white underwings. This bird represents the 2nd Northampton County record.
Another unusual bird, a Baird's Sandpiper was also present. Here's a long-range photo of that bird.
Baird's Sandpiper at the Hanoverville Road retention ponds in Northampton County. Note the buffy breast, the scaly-looking back, and the long wingtip extension.
Another unusual bird, a Baird's Sandpiper was also present. Here's a long-range photo of that bird.
Sunday, August 29, 2004
Glacier, Grand Teton, and Yellowstone National Parks ~ August 21-22, 2004
August 21, 2004
A little after 6 PM, JoAnn and I took a flight from Allentown to Cincinnati, switched planes, and then flew to Billings, Montana. We got there late at night, got our rental car, and stayed in a Billings motel.
August 22, 2004
We started the 6+ hours drive to Glacier National Park by taking Route 3 up to Route 12 west, where we saw Black-billed Magpies along the road. This was a sightseeing trip, not a birding trip, but the magpies were really obvious. We took Route 191 up to Route 87 and headed west towards Great Falls and I-15. Between the towns of Stanford and Geyser, I stopped to take a photo of the vast, open terrain.
We picked up I-15 and exited onto Route 2, where we went through Cut Bank and picked up Route 89. After passing through Kiowa, I took this photo of the highway winding its way towards St. Mary, which is located on the eastern edge of Glacier National Park.
We checked into our St. Mary motel and found out that there had been a landslide across the Going-to-the-Sun Road, so the road was only open up to Logan Pass. That would put a major kink in our plans.
A little after 6 PM, JoAnn and I took a flight from Allentown to Cincinnati, switched planes, and then flew to Billings, Montana. We got there late at night, got our rental car, and stayed in a Billings motel.
August 22, 2004
We started the 6+ hours drive to Glacier National Park by taking Route 3 up to Route 12 west, where we saw Black-billed Magpies along the road. This was a sightseeing trip, not a birding trip, but the magpies were really obvious. We took Route 191 up to Route 87 and headed west towards Great Falls and I-15. Between the towns of Stanford and Geyser, I stopped to take a photo of the vast, open terrain.
We picked up I-15 and exited onto Route 2, where we went through Cut Bank and picked up Route 89. After passing through Kiowa, I took this photo of the highway winding its way towards St. Mary, which is located on the eastern edge of Glacier National Park.
We checked into our St. Mary motel and found out that there had been a landslide across the Going-to-the-Sun Road, so the road was only open up to Logan Pass. That would put a major kink in our plans.
Glacier, Grand Teton, and Yellowstone National Parks ~ August 23, 2004
We headed into Glacier National Park on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. The road followed Saint Mary Lake and then continued its climb up into the mountains. The clouds hid many of the taller peaks and there were occasional showers. Eventually, we reached Logan Pass. We hiked up the Hidden Lake Nature Trail.
Despite the dreary conditions, there still were amazing views as we worked our way out the trail.
The Hidden Lake Overlook did not disappoint, revealing a superb view of Hidden Lake itself.
Just below the overlook was this Mountain Goat.
When we got back to the Visitor Center, we found a few Bighorn Sheep behind it.
Since we couldn't continue down the western side of the road due to the landslide, we slowly worked our way back down the eastern side, stopping for photos along the way.
The tunnel (just left of the red tour car) between Siyeh Bend and Logan Pass in Glacier National Park, Montana.
Siyeh Bend below Logan Pass in Glacier National Park, Montana.
We parked and hiked up the St. Mary Falls Trail to Saint Mary Falls.
The Saint Mary Falls Trail in Glacier National Park, Montana.
About halfway down to the town of St. Mary, we checked out Saint Mary Lake.
Saint Mary Lake in Glacier National Park, Montana. To get a perspective on the size of the mountains, note the fairly large, white boat in the lake coming out of "The Narrows" in the bottom two photos.
We left the park and headed north for nearby Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta, Canada. The drizzly weather continued as we crossed into the province of Alberta.
Waterton Lakes National Park also contains an impressive display of mountains, although sections of them were obscured by the low cloud ceiling.
The Prince of Wales Hotel at Upper Waterton Lake in Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta, Canada.
We returned to the U.S. and spent our second night in St. Mary, Montana.
Despite the dreary conditions, there still were amazing views as we worked our way out the trail.
The Hidden Lake Overlook did not disappoint, revealing a superb view of Hidden Lake itself.
Just below the overlook was this Mountain Goat.
When we got back to the Visitor Center, we found a few Bighorn Sheep behind it.
Since we couldn't continue down the western side of the road due to the landslide, we slowly worked our way back down the eastern side, stopping for photos along the way.
We parked and hiked up the St. Mary Falls Trail to Saint Mary Falls.
About halfway down to the town of St. Mary, we checked out Saint Mary Lake.
We left the park and headed north for nearby Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta, Canada. The drizzly weather continued as we crossed into the province of Alberta.
Waterton Lakes National Park also contains an impressive display of mountains, although sections of them were obscured by the low cloud ceiling.
We returned to the U.S. and spent our second night in St. Mary, Montana.
Glacier, Grand Teton, and Yellowstone National Parks ~ August 24, 2004
Due to the landslide, we had to make a 2-hour detour around to the town of West Glacier by way of Routes 89 and 2 to get us to the western end of the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Our early start allowed me to get these sunrise photos.
We eventually got to the western edge of the park and headed up the Going-to-the-Sun Road.
After a stop at the Lake McDonald Lodge, we continued on up to the "Trail of the Cedars" Nature Trail. Because of the humidity in this area, the cedars grow to heights of 100 feet and diameters of up to 7 feet. Some of the trees in this area are more than 500 years old.
JoAnn standing next to one of the large Red Cedars along the Trail of the Cedars Nature Trail in Glacier National Park, Montana.
Going-to-the-Sun Road above the Trail of the Cedars in Glacier National Park, Montana.
We followed the road to "The Loop" at Crystal Point, where it was blocked off beyond that point. By now, we were once again getting up into the low clouds, so the views were short-ranged. Adding the fact that we couldn't access the rest of the area between Crystal Point and Logan Pass was even more of a bummer. We left the park impressed, but also depressed, since we didn't get to take in the whole experience.
We left the park and started the 8-hour drive south to Driggs, Idaho. We passed by Flathead Lake, stopped to eat in Missoula, and took I-90 to I-15, west of Butte. We followed I-15 south into Idaho and down to Sage Junction, then went east on Route 33 to Driggs where we spent the night.
We eventually got to the western edge of the park and headed up the Going-to-the-Sun Road.
After a stop at the Lake McDonald Lodge, we continued on up to the "Trail of the Cedars" Nature Trail. Because of the humidity in this area, the cedars grow to heights of 100 feet and diameters of up to 7 feet. Some of the trees in this area are more than 500 years old.
We followed the road to "The Loop" at Crystal Point, where it was blocked off beyond that point. By now, we were once again getting up into the low clouds, so the views were short-ranged. Adding the fact that we couldn't access the rest of the area between Crystal Point and Logan Pass was even more of a bummer. We left the park impressed, but also depressed, since we didn't get to take in the whole experience.
We left the park and started the 8-hour drive south to Driggs, Idaho. We passed by Flathead Lake, stopped to eat in Missoula, and took I-90 to I-15, west of Butte. We followed I-15 south into Idaho and down to Sage Junction, then went east on Route 33 to Driggs where we spent the night.
Glacier, Grand Teton, and Yellowstone National Parks ~ August 25, 2004
From the town of Driggs, Idaho, we headed south and east into Wyoming, traveling up and over the mountains and down into Jackson. We then turned north and stopped at Grand Teton National Park. Unfortunately, it was another dismal day and the low rain clouds blocked almost all of the Tetons. We checked out the Visitor Center and then continued north to Yellowstone National Park. It was too early to check into our room near Old Faithful, so we headed up the Grand Loop Road towards Mammoth Hot Springs.
The Lower Geyser Basin was the first area we visited. We saw Elk and Bison along Firehole Lake Drive.
White Dome Geyser, also along the drive, was the first geyser we stopped at.
White Dome Geyser along Firehole Lake Drive in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.
We visited the nearby Fountain Paint Pots and Leather Pool.
Leather Pool in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.
South of Mammoth Hot Springs, the Grand Loop Road meandered through Golden Gate Canyon.
At Mammoth Hot Springs, we walked the boardwalks to check out all of the travertine formations.
We also drove the Upper Terrace Loop Drive there.
After getting some lunch in Mammoth, we retraced our route back towards Old Faithful Lodge. The skies were not looking good in our direction of travel.
A turn onto Firehole Canyon Road took us over to Firehole Falls.
Farther down the Grand Loop Road, we found the road partly-covered with hail after a departing storm.
The skies continued to look unfavorable as we approached the Lower Geyser Basin.
We checked into our bungalow near the Old Faithful Lodge and then waited until "Old Faithful" erupted.
We then took the boardwalk out through most of the Upper Geyser Basin and spent the rest of the day checking out the many different geysers found there.
Beehive Geyser with the Old Faithful Inn in the background in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.
Daisy Geyser in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.
Grand Geyser in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.
Grotto Geyser in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.
Giant Geyser in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.
Morning Glory Pool in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.
The Lower Geyser Basin was the first area we visited. We saw Elk and Bison along Firehole Lake Drive.
White Dome Geyser, also along the drive, was the first geyser we stopped at.
We visited the nearby Fountain Paint Pots and Leather Pool.
South of Mammoth Hot Springs, the Grand Loop Road meandered through Golden Gate Canyon.
At Mammoth Hot Springs, we walked the boardwalks to check out all of the travertine formations.
We also drove the Upper Terrace Loop Drive there.
After getting some lunch in Mammoth, we retraced our route back towards Old Faithful Lodge. The skies were not looking good in our direction of travel.
A turn onto Firehole Canyon Road took us over to Firehole Falls.
Farther down the Grand Loop Road, we found the road partly-covered with hail after a departing storm.
The skies continued to look unfavorable as we approached the Lower Geyser Basin.
We checked into our bungalow near the Old Faithful Lodge and then waited until "Old Faithful" erupted.
We then took the boardwalk out through most of the Upper Geyser Basin and spent the rest of the day checking out the many different geysers found there.
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