Blue Jay and Branches

Walked down to the Creek and over across to the Deer House picnic tables and sat awhile and watched it snow...got a little clip of Coyote and some pics of a little bird too far away...continued over to the Post Office and sat awhile at 10 and watched it snow!...got some pics of Blue Jay there...this one...later at work I heard reports of Bobcat and even Coop!...all I can do is try again tomorrow!...snowed almost all day!

Icecycles

Didn't get out!...and shoulda as it was sunny and blue...I wanted to be rested up for work...and warm...the cold outings were getting to me!...so I stayed curled up until work time...this pic from yesterday...tried to get a close pic with an umbrella assist from a friend...but Woodpecker flew off...Coyote tracks by the cabin...clouded up again tonight.

Warbler? (Ruby Crowned Kinglet!)

Managed to get to Creek's End at Dusk...this little one was on the ice...couldn't get close...skis really get in the way!...but make it easier just to get around!...walked to and back from the Post Office earlier..then sat at the computer trying to make a Bobcat movie...but with daylight and snow failing I thought to go out...and worth it to see this little bird!...more snow fell all day...so I dont know what happened to "clearing weather"!...came right back from Creek's End...tired and light fading...took some postcards out in Cook's earlier...another beautiful snow day!

Ducks

There were two Ducks at Creek's End when I finally got there...one morning effort was turned around and back to bed for a nap!...and they immediately flew off down to Half Stump....I sorta plodded along...even crossed over to Half Stump Island...in pursuit...this all on the cross country skis...made it over to Ozone Sands and my glasses were fogging up so was trying to fix this by putting on my sunglasses...which promptly fogged up too!...but I had caught up with the Ducks and got this one long distant pic...tried to get closer but they flew right off again...surprising they are so sensitive...usually the Ducks paddle about oblivious to my paddling!!...continued on out all the way to Swinging Bridge in the fading light...North Dome and Half Dome and completely snow covered Cloud's Rest turning pink....when I got back to Cabin my fiberfill coat was soaked...and my knit hat...I'm putting out a lot of moisture and the water reppellant hooded top just held it all in...was warm though....fiberfill is like that...even if wet and damp it will insulate...oh, was very happy to get out!...clearing a bit the next few days weather report says...it snowed heavy sometimes today....this storm hasn't put down as much snow as the first in the Valley...probably a lot more higher up...more rain though...a bird...sounds like a raptor of some sort..or maybe a Flicker!...was in the middle of the road attracting attention...but this a report as I was over at the Post Office. Postcard pics are Sentinel at Creek's End and the Snowcone at the base of Upper Falls...the latter makes a nice clip...I dont usually like telephoto postcard pics...but I like this one...the scale of the tree on the right sorta dawns on the viewer and makes them realize how big the Falls are and the Snowcone....kinda wish I had a few adventurer friends to go with to things like the Snowcone!...there were snowshoe tracks at Creek's End...and Cross Country tracks out in Sentinel Meadow (Leidig)...and very fresh...surprised I didn't happen on them!...dont know where the skiers were going so late...trail headed out to Three Brothers.

Ouzel on Rock

Pic and clip from a week or so ago....rained and now and then slushy snow fall...sometimes furious!...all day and last night...didn't get out but tomorrow and will be able to walkabout!

Bobcat on the Road

Didn't get out...sunny out...snow melting fast...pic from archive.

Bear Visit

Well...I'm still missing work with no walkabout...though this evening the prickly skin is going away it seems....what's helped may be getting hopping mad when the snow clearing crew piled a mountain of snow on the side of my cabin...snow thumping against the wall woke me up!...somewhat comical to see me in blue thermals, winter coat, and sock less boots, flapping my arms and jawing with the skip loader! trying to be heard...hazard of living next to the parking lot in paradise....Bear visited just before dawn...footprints right outside the door...left the same path as before...wish I could have got pic...pic of Squirrel taken on way back from Last Chance...with telephoto and flash...and it's in better focus than same without...which is something to know next time I'm framing Owl in the twilight...didn't think flash would influence at that distance but it does...and by a lot....wonderful snow scenes this morning but quickly "MacArthur Park" melted...lot's of critter tracks on bike path out front too...Coyote's mostly....but I think I saw Bobcat's...Bobcat report over at Huff...some left out from the frequent sightings finally saw Bobcat...it is a great charm and delight for city dwellers like myself to see a real wild animal in...well...sorta of a still wild place!...clear now but more snow coming.

Verticle Creek

More than two days off work with illness, and I need a doctor's note, so I thought to go the Clinic this morning....which was gorgeous...and was tempted to walk over there...but thought better and went back to the cabin after reporting in...and just lay about...did finally go to clinic tonight so, with note in hand, I can stay home tomorrow...Doctor thinks the Bobcat's are too skinny!...not sure what's wrong...a virus...temperature is down but my skin is prickly...so I must still be a little feverish...I've had this before a long time ago while taking SCUBA lessons...I was so desperate not to miss classes...it was a semester long course...and I was in the water when I should have been resting in bed...reminds me of now...want to be out and about...but I'll stay....big sneeze!..put in my burrow....the enlargements I pinned up...one of Coop...from chest up..is reallyreally cool.

Just poked the camera out the door for the pic...oh....the parking lot would make a fine meadow!!...it snowed lightly all day and into the night...and cold.

Rest Day

Took the day off from work to try and shake the cold....heard report of Bobcat across the street...and over in the Village Bobcat put on a show clambering up a tree and capturing a squirrel....and Coop was sighted on the Owl Tree...which the top broke off since I last took the little Owl pic there...lemesee if I can find that...insomuch I didn't get out today!...brb....nope...but let me get something!...brb...well...I did find it after all...I think Owl is turned around...which is what I've read Owls do when sleeping....that pic with the 3x...the reason for the 12x with teleconverter!..it sorta snowed all day....and cold.

Stop 10 Deer

Well, I made a repeat journey to the Post Office...and got my enlargements....Does, Fawns, and an Antlered Buck were at the Bus stop...so I got some pics...cold and wintery...nothing like a cold to add to grey skies!

Young Red Shoulder Hawk

Oh, I have a cold...and all day in bed...except my Bobcat enlargement was at the Post Office...so I got out...rode the Bus over...to pick it up...but it's Martin Luther King Day!...and Post Office closed...so I went to the store to get something to take home to eat and drink...and my friend at the cash register couldn't get it to work...so I lost the Bus back which was pulled up outside!...oh..it would be foolish to walk back in the cold...and it's cold today!...but I started out...and got to the Visitor Center and saw two tourists sighting on the Young Hawk...so Providence helped out!...and I got a pic for today...I'm going to call this Hawk, Martin!...dont know what I'll do tomorrow...hopefully fever will break...ended longest stretch I haven't been sick with cold and such...went back to store and caught Bus...but got out Lower Falls and walked the Bridge Detour route....needed air!..just miserable...

Smaller Bobcat

Started the walk at Ozone Sands...across the Merced some photogs were sighting on something...thought it was Hawk...but they were taking pics of reflections...they couldn't speak English...Japanese I think...and I flapped my arms to indicate if maybe they were seeing Hawk....continued to Owl Log and then further along the Merced to Cook's and the Deer House...and across the Road where I saw photogs at Lower Falls stop sighting on something...Bobcat of course...and a new one...I've heard of at least four that are about...one a baby....this one is smaller....and thinner...than the one I've taken pics and clips of...took lots of pics and clips with the other photogs until Bobcat moved off...I went ahead towards the Village where I thought Bobcat might go and waited...in a short while Bobcat came walking along and settled under a tree...where I picked up after pics...time for work...at the detour Creek Bridge I got a good clip of Does and Fawns walking along past tourists and then down into the Creek...cold with some clouds...packing pebble snowed a little tonight but now it's clear with almost full moon...next days should be winterey again!...Oh...saw Coyote running after something there by the Creek.

Two Blue Jays

I took the pic and clip over at the Grove beside the road to the Deer House...lot of the birds there...woodpeckers and jays today...went to Creek's end...then across...after guiding some snowshoers who were crossing...a rarity...as my tracks are about the only ones there!...and past the Carp in the Carp Pool...they never move!...and out along Cook's and to this Grove...where it's nice to sit in spite of being beside the road....Wild Thing re visited Last Chance...spent the evening snoozing right in the middle of things...right where I work in fact..tucked up under cabinetry...woke up and discovered the alluring food trail into the trap door cage...where a successful capture was made...and which I got to see and make a grainy video with the 3x...I'd post it but people and place are in it...I find it charming that this Spotted Skunk somehow found my 'spot'..where I often stand and work!...the capture was fortunate...they'll take Wild Thing far enough away for release and no more trouble will come...blue and sunny and still cold...lots of icy places on the Deer House road and path...like walking on an lumpy ice rink!...fun to see the Spotted Skunk!

Coop a RedShouldered Hawk?

Well, it was brought to my attention that Coop is a Red Shouldered Hawk, and too the juvenile Hawk I've called a Red Tail is a Red Shouldered Hawk also. I double checked with some friends, and bought Peterson's Guide to Hawks to double check them, and then went online searching Buteo elegans to double check me!...and I found a pic of a Hawk that looks just like Coop and is called a Red Shouldered Hawk....now I'm not sure what Zeke is!...and I've thought about this all day!...went to the Post Office, and the Visitor Bookstore for the Hawk book...then walked back through Cook's and across the Creek behind the Deer House...saw just one Deer out in Cook's...tried to get a pic of a Grey Squirrel way high in the branches...but..I haven't even downloaded them...didn't give myself enough time...sleepy!...tomorrow I'll try again...sunny and blue but still very cold and lots of ice.

Upside Down

Went to the Post Office and picked up the Ray Harm print of a Cooper's Hawk I got from ebay, and too an enlargement I got of Coop, the one where Coop is crouching...they were too big to carry during a walkabout...so rode back to the Cabin...and then with what remaining time I had went to Owl Log and sat awhile..then crossed the Creek and went along the paths to Lower Falls Bus Stop...just before there I saw a lot Blue Jays in the grove of trees near the road...a kinda island of trees between the Deer House road and bike path...and set up and waited...could hear a Flicker nearby...but illusive as usual!...overhead Woodpeckers were about...and I got this pic....I can feel a change in things...like there's more winter and snow ahead...but the day was sunny and blue..still cold...and felt like renewal was in things...the way the birds were...just everything...report of Coyotes howling...another sound returned!...so cold the Creek seems to have gone down a bit!...water locking up as ice...there MUST be an underground river or something as more water is coming over the Falls than is streaming at Creek's end where I step over the Creek...it's kinda mysterious!!...I joked that there's a big bathtub drain at the base of Lower Falls!

Bobcat at Sign Post

Got off the Bus at the Post Office and saw two tourists leaning over with their cameras pointed into the trees...oh...what have they seen?...and it was Bobcat!...another merry chase..in one part Bobcat went from the the front of the Little Library...an old stone house...and to the back...and to pursue I went through the front door of the library and out the back!...to the astonishment of my friend the librarian!....all the clips were handheld...and pics long distance...Bobcat settled down and I went to the Post Office...looked on the way back but Bobcat went off somewhere...Bus Driver thinks Bobcat lives in the rock fall and talus near Sentinel Bridge...which may be so...Bobcat has a routine walk that seems to originate in the South Walls....saw two Bucks by the Schoolyard...and took a clip of the wind swaying the Pines and Cedars at the Deerhouse...crossed the Creek and back to the Cabin...didn't make it to Owl Log or Creek's End...first time for that in weeks....sunny and Spring like...could have been a day in early March....last year I think I saw my first Butterfly of the New Year in January.

Three Brothers

Cross country skied and walked from noon to sunset...skied out along the Merced all the way out to El Cap...where I got clip of Three Bucks....they're all I saw all day!...the forest is very quiet critter wise...they like the meadows...and the facilities...oh..did watch Raven sitting on the table watching me eat a muffin with coffee!...Raven really wanted the muffin!...got a ride back from another photog who was on the El Cap bridge taking pics of rainbow on Horsetail Falls...it's about three and a half miles from the Creek to El Cap...when I got back I hurried down to the Creek for dusk...but no Owl...took pic of moon reflected in the Tiki Outlet Pond...report of Bobcat behind the Post Office yesterday...and a Redtail stealing a Sharpshinned prey...a Stellar Jay...gotta wonder if the Sharpshinned was Coop!...maybe heard Owl when I got back after dinner...and I figured out how to upload a video without taking forever and looking too grainy!...Three Brothers was right behind me when I was taking the clip...soon as I thought to title the clip I got goosebumps...it's a neat clip!

Raven Take Off

Made a morning walkabout..then did it again on the cross country skis in the late evening...the snow is crunchy...and I didn't see many critters...a glimpse of Hawk from the Deer House Picnic Tables...Antlered Buck on the way to the Post Office....and finally Ravens way over by Swinging Bridge...where I took this pic...nice day though and enjoyed the sights...no owl...sunny and even too warm in the morning...but later a light overcast and cooler...glimpsed Coyote trotting on the bike path by the Cabin...report of Bobcat looking in the Visitor Center windows...hmmph...wrong places wrong times for me today!!...bit like going 0 for 4 at the plate!!...but Ravens are neat and I got some good clips.

Bobcat Walk

Well, the Chargers were driving while I was gearing up...and scored!...tied the game seven seven...and I had to decide to watch the game with a few hundred million other eyes...or go for the walk...kind of a no brainer...but I was tempted...got to the Tiki Outlet Pond and thought to take another icefrost pic...but caught glimpse of Bobcat strolling in Owl Woods...started following and taking hand held clips...Bobcat followed the same identical route used before...across the Creek, behind the Deer House and over to Cook's and then across the road to Lower Falls...I had time so was able to follow along the paths all the way over to where the boardwalk begins through Cook's passed the Elm...this was a long stroll!...got Deer in the clips too...Antlered Buck looking and looking at Bobcat...and Young Antlered Buck..which I haven't seen in awhile...actually goes after Bobcat...they were all on the Bike Path...and this all happened right in front of two tourists...tourists are in and out of all the clips...and on the soundtrack...Bobcat pretty much strolled down the main drag from the Creek to the Village!...Bobcat settled down for nap when I picked up and walked home to get ready for work...there was Spotted Skunk in a corner all day at Last Chance..got to see Skunk after closing when Skunk was carefully persuaded to walk out the entry doors!...should have went home at lunch and got the camera...shoulda shoulda!...very very pretty critter... Deer Mice tonight are making a ruckous in the cabin...sunny and blue...but cold nites are freezing solid the day melted snow...very slippery!...heard Hawk overhead at Lower Falls.

Antlers

Touched base at Owl Log...logs really...sort of an old log jam...found a dry spot and sat awhile then crossed the Creek over to Cook's and walked the bike path and over to the Deer House picnic tables...had a seat..and finally saw Antlered Buck over on the road to the Deer House pawing the ground for food...I could have gone around in front but stayed put and just took a couple pics...this one cropped in when Buck raised up...heard Hawk call once...and a bird or squirrel or something calling but couldn't find it...it was a new sound...cloudy then sorta sunny...snow is getting slushy.

Ice Crystals

Dont know what happend...wrote up the post...try again!...Wore the Boots on the walkabout today..followed my own snowshoe tracks...which made it easier...made it easier for Deer too as Deer tracks were in the Snowshoe tracks...two days ago Coyote tracks were in my day old cross country ski tracks...so the critters look for good footing in the snow too!...saw Coyote at Ozone Sands at the end of the walkabout...and again at Creek's End...I made a big loop...Creek's End over to Chapel and Cooper's Meadow and around back to Creek's End...Hawk reported over at the Rooms being harrassed by Ravens...cold and blue.

Snow Duck

Saw this duck at Creek's End...didn't see it until it bobbed up out of the water after a dive!...it's feathers have the same coloration as the Duck of a couple days ago...but the head is entirely different...walked to Creek's End on the snowshoes....thought they would be better than just snow boots...and wanted to walk rather than ski so I could hold the tripod on my shoulder... like I do...but the shoes aren't much of an improvement in the soft deep snow...where they help is on slippery icy slopes...took clip of junco at The Great Turf...crossed the Creek out to Cook's..where I took the shoes off at the bike path!..and walked on back passed Lower Falls...Duck was all I really saw...cloudy.... the light dim making for 'noisy' pic...weather forecast says sunny days ahead...I like the snow...but the critters will be about more in fair weather.

Snow Blue Jay

On the bus ride to the Post Office, Coyote crossed the road at the Creek Bridge...heard tell of two Bobcats...and I walked back through Cook's and out Lodgepole Point...where I got this pic of Blue Jay...took a couple Creek postcard pics...and that was it for today!...crossed the Creek and back to the Cabin...this short walk was tiring as I had to trudge through the thick snow!....not too cold...and kinda cloudy...got a Ray Harm print of a Cooper's Hawk with one foot under the chest feathers...just like my pic of Coop!..from ebay...payment reason for the Post Office trip!

Hawk & Duck

I cant remember the Duck's name at the moment!...and this after another photog identified it...saw two Hawks today...the first was Coop!...I had just come upon the Duck over at the Tourist Beach...which I'll re-name here the Ozone Sands!...and I got out of my cross country skis to get closer...and thought to use a tree on the bank as cover...but Coop was there...for cover...and I startled Coop to fly off ahead to another tree....the Duck was new...so I let Coop wait...and got a clip and pic of the Duck...ah...but Coop flew to another tree further off...so I lost a good pic...with the snow and all...for the Duck...and maybe saved the Duck...or ruined Coop's lunch!...I continued on the loop to Swinging Bridge and all the way back to Cook's Meadow...there I'm on the south side of the Merced and I see a photog sighting on Zeke...or another Redtail...got a pic and little clip...but way far away...saw Broken Antleer Buck twice out in Cook's...last pic of day again...one Doe with him...saw Broken twice because I made the big loop twice!...a wonderful day with snow falling...and the photog turned up at Creek's End...takes critter pics too...and we swapped some critter pic stories!....met up back at the Duck...where there were some Brown Creepers...all fuzzy pics..but one good clip...Bobcat seen at the Post Office...photog saw Bear of yesterday tracks by the Rooms...says there's Rabbit tracks about...dont know but these are the ones I think are Grey Squirrels!...when it wasn't snowing...and it was big flakes snow!...it was cloudy...the Falls and Domes behind the clouds or barely seen...which is neat...wore me out...but tomorrow I'll do it all again as it's really cool to be able to cross country ski the walkabout!

Three Pics

I saw the Broken Antleer Buck towards the end of the walkabout...which was actually a ski about...as the ski wax worked and I made it out to Swinging Bridge and then all the way through Cooper's and the Chapel Meadow to Cook's Meadow...where the pic is from...in the morning I got the pic on a walk to the Post Office of Coyote...another Coyote Hop clip!...and Junco on the ice was at Duck Harbor at the beginning of the skiing in the afternoon...the snow was great...soft and smooth...it's not very often that the Valley has enough good snow to cross country...just a few days during a winter... heard Hawk...and found yellow snow at the corner of the Cabin this morning...Bear payed a visit...tried to follow the tracks...taking clips...but lost them...until at the end of the morning walk when I found them over at Lower Falls stop all about the Tiki Cans...then I found them again at the Lower Falls meadow path...wish I could have found Bear!...blue and cool...with a few late clouds for a sunset over the Cathedrals...guess Bear was telling me whose backyard it really is!!

Postcard Day

Top pic is from yesterday...Zeke on the limbless tree....and the bottom one is Creek's End..I was able to hop across today... I made the long loop...lots of snow for the Valley...I dont know...eight inches I guess...in the morning before it melts it's just gorgeous everywhere... oh...the

Elm on the news with Half Dome in the back...Cook's Meadow...a hop out pic!...quiet weather tomorrow...and I dont know what to plan!!...Badger usually lures me to the slopes and cross country trails...but the snow in the Valley is unique...I'll get some wax on those skis and see how far I get!!...saw Blue Jay hidden in some snowy branches...heard Hawk way over on the snowy Glacier Wall...and the little invisible birds peeping....and Ouzel...got a nice clip of Ouzel in the snow and ice bound dark water.

Creek's End Hawk

Got an early start on the walk...went over to Lower Falls first...to make sure I could believe what I was hearing last night!...made the loop there and came out by Cook's.... and then back across the Upper Creek...which is so different!...to the Rooms and Last Chance for breakfast...using the umbrella and keeping the hood adapter on the 12x works...back at the Cabin I picked up the tripod and went down to the Merced...what can I call this area?...the Tourists' Beach I guess for now...and went along the Merced to Creek's End...there I framed and took three pics...first Lodgepole Point...then across to Half Dome through the trees...then Sentinel...when I took the middle one I thought...wait a minute..there's something there...and it was Hawk!...Zeke I believe...how often I've looked over the Merced through these trees of late at the sun setting on Half Dome wishing for Hawk or Owl to land in those trees!...got some nice clips...and pics too...though too far away for detail...thought to post a few of them...in fact the whole walkabout!...but this still from the video will do...saw Coyote at Lower Falls...and Doe and Fawn...the Chapel Minister shoveling snow from the Chapel steps...lots of postcard pics...another Coyote across the Merced going up Lodgepole Point...earlier at Creek's End the walk was detoured as...I cant get across the Creek!...one log block I tried to step on wobbles...and I gave it up...all the ponds now are joined...at that point I backtracked and went on the big loop over Swinging Bridge...hoped to see Coop....it was on that leg that I got the Chapel pic and the second Coyote...I was getting tired...and was grateful to finally sit on the picnic bench at the Deer House and rest...I was able to cross the Creek behind the Deer House by Duck Harbor...and I took a final clip of the Bridge from the Twin Fallen Trees...a long walk!...three and a half hours!....very few people about...the rain yesterday sent many down the hill...but it was wonderful today...and will be again tomorrow!

Oh...there's a little pond of slush and icy water under Owl Log now...hmmph...dont know where I'm gonna sit...and not being able to cross at Creek's End is going to make a lot of long walkabouts!!

Rain Heron

It was raining this morning...and after breakfast I thought to just curl up back in bed...but I had an hour before getting ready for work...and I haven't missed a touch base at Owl Log since the snow fall...so off I went with umbrella and the 3x...at Owl Log I took a little clip...pan of Creek's end over to Sentinel...and I think Heron was standing right across the Merced...too grainy to see in clip...but when I put the camera away and started to leave Heron flew by and landed by the Carp Pool...the Carp seem content to spend the whole winter there!...so I paddled up Lodgepole Point...sighting Heron through the trees...hoping to get close...finally I had to flop on my stomach in the slushy snow...and got the best I could get with the 3x...this a crop from pic...I might have to get one of the small point and shoots that fit in waterproof cases!...camera was cold or something...things would stop working like the zoom!...but it got something inspight of being soaked...I started to pick up and walk away but one eye was blurry...and after some thought...I had been sighting through raindrops on the view finder and condensation on my glasses...realized I'd lost a lens from my glasses!....so I had to flop in the snow again..and luckily it was there....back at the Cabin the Deer were in the backyard right next to the Bus...it's been raining all day...and now slushy snow.

Oh!...FORGOT TO ADD...THE FALLS ARE BACK...I CAN HEAR THEM!

Incense Cedar

Backing up pics is taking up the time tonight!....so this pic of Coop is from Xmas Eve...took only two pics today...one of little worm tracks in an old cedar limb on the ground and the other just of Creek's End...got to talking on the Bus on way back from Post Office and missed the Creek's stop...skipped shower two days now to get to Owl Log!...smelly cat...smelly cat...anyway...lemego see if I can find what those woodpeckers yesterday were eating...here's a link...all about the Sierra Incense Cedar...

http://www.na.fs.fed.us/pubs/silvics_manual/Volume_1/libocedrus/decurrens.htm

Where the woodpeckers peeled off the bark there is like little white splotches..the limbs were healthy...an old one broken off on the ground had the worm tracks.

There are birding blogs, as I've found...and there are bug blogs...as I've found...

Somekinda storm is coming...the Cedar was creeking when I came home tonight...I didn't see anything on the walk...Bobtail seen over at A....and another way over at El Cap...that's too far away...and another Heron sighting.

Cedar Woodpeckers

Walked through the Creek to the Village...overdue book and late Xmas card....and came back over the Boardwalk through Cook's Meadow...and Hawk...again!...flew up from the Old Woodpecker Tree and perched in The Cedar...dropped the mail and tried to set up...but Hawk...Zeke...flew to the Giant Ponderosa by Chapel Bridge...I was under the Cedar and heard calling and wood pecking and got clip of these two White Headed Woodpeckers working in the lower branches of The Cedar....in looking at the clips tonight it's interesting what they do...they peel off bark and then go after something...a larva?....in those white areas...I gathered up the mail and picked up and went out to Owl Log...tied my shoes...and found what look to be Bobcat tracks...taking pic of these I looked up and saw Zeke in the leafless trees that frame Half Dome...flew off before I could get pic...took the Tiki Temple road back and got clip of Coyote....kinda cloudy...kinda cool...kinda blue too!....during break at work I saw through the windows the Young Redtail Hawk perch in a pine...Look!...clearly I've gone mad...as I got up out of my seat and went to the window to see better!....this Hawk has been showing up at the Rooms....some concern that it's not well like the one in the Summer....a small skunk reported at Last Chance...Bobcat seen at the Indian Village....I need to go back and look at that branch the Woodpeckers were on. Oh...the big bird of last evening is likely the Heron as Heron was reported by the Creek a couple days ago.

New Year's Day

When I first got to the Creek I saw Bobcat on the other side just behind the Deer House Garage...Bobcat sat there a long while and I took clips and pics...finally Bobcat started walking and went out towards Cook's Meadow....I picked up and followed and lost sight but Bobcat surprised me coming out from behind a pine right in front...I set the tripod down...took the camera off and got a close clip with pics...this one...and took clip of Bobcat going up the road and them make a right into the Oaks and Pines right across from Lower Falls...cool clips but didn't get any really good pics...Bobcat settled down in the Bracken Ferns again and went to sleep...I tried to circle around but couldn't find Bobcat again and didn't want to wake Bobcat up...meanwhile...Hawk flew over and was over by the Chapel Footbridge...I caught up with Hawk over by Pine Grove past the Woodpecker Tree...got clips and pics...Hawk flew off finally and I picked up only to see a photog on his knees taking a pic of one of those little pines!...I had to take a pic and introduced myself and told him and his friend if I had their address I'd send it!...neither of us had a pencil...I have to start carrying a little journal and writing materials along!...went up the boardwalk and took pics and clips of Blue Birds...got something to eat later at Owl Log in the village and on the way back heard Flicker's call like right in my ear...they can be loud!...and I craned my neck looking at the trees...but then I remembered they like to be on the ground...and I looked down and Flicker was right at my feet!...I kinda amazed the tourists who were watching!...pics are all blurry...Flicker is always moving...someday I want to get a good pic as Flicker is colorful...back at Cook's, Hawk landed in the Elm..got clip and pic...then I circled around to see if Bobcat might still be napping...and saw Hawk's shadow...and overhead Hawk landed atop the Cedar...and was taking in the view of Half Dome...this is very cool as I've seen Owl do this twice....went over to Chapel Meadow and Cooper's Meadow...but couldn't find Coop...sun was fading and I went around back over the Footbridge to Owl Log...ate the food I got at the Village...I was hungry!...and a family showed up enjoying the views...and I picked up and left them the best seat in the Valley there at Creek's End for seeing the sun set on Half Dome...now with leaves gone it is!....was on way back to Cabin...too early I thought as I had wanted to wait for Owl...but the Deer were parading around the Fall's restored meadow...got clip of them going past the view of the Lower Falls...tourist about...I followed them...lost them...then had tourist point them out to me...they were beside the road causing a Deer Jam and tourists were in amongst them trying to get pics and clips and even offering them acorns...I dont take clips of the tourists...but did this time from aways off....even warmer today, sunny and blue...a lucky day to see Bobcat, Hawk, Bluebird, and Flicker...got clip of Robin at Creek's end...and Ouzel...and the clip of Hawk on the Cedar with Half Dome in back...that's special!...I call the Redtail, Zeke, now...it looks to be the same Hawk I first got pics of at the Tiki Temple Outlet Pipe....and..and I may have seen an Eagle...at last light a large bird with long wings...thought it might be Heron but didn't have the long beak...flew over in the fading light... it was just a glimpse!!...but it looked like the bird I saw up in Tuolumne...the way it flew I mean.