Young Merganser

Went for a short walk and the Grosbeaks were right behind the Cabin....walked to the Creek for a short stay while doing laundry....and taking naps!....lingering cold exacerbated by the smoke... and odors from the neighbors making my eyes sting...sometimes I wonder how I get through things!...in the evening went out to Two Top with a pizza....sat awhile...then over to Swinging Bridge...there's a 'slough' there too on the South Shore...took clip of Cowbird feeding...goes with the Grosbeaks...but wanted time for the Merganser...I was about at CAD Beach and saw the Young Merganser in the distance...just thought to get a pic...left tripod up on the bank...then thought to do a clip!...I dont know if the little Merganser was lost or just feeling frisky!....but it paddled right up the Merced towards..and past me...this all hand held...really neat clip...one of those remarkable things I see hereabouts!...saw lots of Brown Creepers at this Slough...and Sandpipers...most of Chapel Meadow and Two Top are Blue Grass...not much Milkweed or Parsnips...it's interesting to consider the two in contrast with Cook's..which didn't have a proscribed burn last Fall...I'll have to go look at Stoneman Meadow tomorrow...that was burned in 2003....a fine walkabout of the Big Loop...miss Hawk...didn't hear Owl...it was sunny smokey and hot...missed Tuolumne...but the Merganser clip a good replacement!...cant be in two places at once!!

Sunrise

Well...I got over to Two Top for a Sunrise pic...forgot the bug spray!...so made a quick out... and back by Creek's End....two Mallard families were in the grasses where I got the pics of the Merganserlings...and Merganser made a solo landing off Ozone Beach...same spot I first saw her that day last winter!....sky was clear and cool but it went back to sunny warm and smokey...set a personal record today for sneezes I'm sure!....heard a great Bear report...friend was on walkabout by El Cap and a 'two' year old jumped into the Merced for a swim....'swam for like a hundred yards...hopped out on a log..and dove back in!...having a great time...wish you were there with your camera!'...me too!!...tomorrow up to Tuolumne if I feel better than my sneezy coughing sleep debt present condition!

Oh...another Mallard family was in the Slough..."lots of Ducks around"...the response after one of my Duck reports!...pant legs got wet walking through the dewy grasses....at the start heard...ha... ha....ha. ha.... haha...no not laughing...almost like an Owl...and this right near Rooms for Rent...

Two Top Pine Deer

Well...I put together the Two Top Pine Deer clips...and tried to upload them...but it's too long I guess....I'll try again here...it's a really neat clip....


right now it's four am and the smoke in the air is keeping me awake!...after weeks of coughing with the cold and bronchitis...now this!...went to the store for laundry soap and hopped off the bus at Lower Falls...went to the Creek behind the Deer House...which has accumulated all the picnic benches I think from one of the campgrounds!....put the sandals on and waded about...think I got a pic and clip of an Oriole...a female....was going to put it up..but got so involved with the Deer!...a "small blond bear" was out in Cook's the evening before...contentedly feeding amongst the Parsnips and Milkweed...would have like to have been there...but was at work....

Yesterday, Edie told me an interesting thing about Two Top Pine...a bit of John Muir legend and lore...Two Top is called the John Muir Tree...and is said to be the one he climbed in the famous wind storm story!...that's really cool...and if I can ever get this clip up....it will be a background thought that will really give it poignancy!....there's no way to prove it is really the tree...but I have a strong suspicion it is....as from this location one can see all Four Things...Cathedrals...Falls....Half Dome...and Sentinel...Muir being Muir would have clambered up it for the view!....in the clip I background the Deer with all Four...you know..thing to do here is take clips and pics of family and friends with one of the icons in the background!

If I can ever get myself together...I'll get a hold of Front Page and build the web page of my own I've always wanted...with that I think I can put up clips however long I want...and at good resolution too...

A book I ordered through amazon has arrived...The Natural History of Vacant Lots....will do a review...it's part of my mulling over the difference in finding critters higher up and hereabouts....and everywhere really....ah...best I not go into it this time of morning!..

will surf about awhile...then out to Two Top to get those morning pics and clips I missed at Solstice time!

Pic is the alpine glow on Clouds Rest...comes towards the end of the Deer clip....

Well....I figured out the blogger accepts 100 M....about ten minutes...the Deer clip is 170 M!.....I can only think to put it up in sections..part one...part two...from three to eight of them!...sometime!

Owl Back In Owl Woods

It's really hard to see much in this mpeg clip...and the pic isn't much better!...after telling a photog friend riding back from a Canon walk on the bus...all about the Canon walk!...I said..."I gotta go down to the Creek and...do what I do..."....I get a little overwhelmed walking about with a lot of other photogs!...even if Canon did lend me a D$4o with a 7o to 3oo mm to take pics with....which they must have anticipated would be wonderful insomuch as they request all rights to them!....one I took of Flicker in the Apple Tree next to the Woodpecker Tree may indeed be a keeper!...wont know until they email them back somehow...I actually got another Flicker pic..one was high up in the Artist Grove inside a dead tree looking out its hole!....can go back for that one....I pointed out the flower pattern in the sawn log...and the guides...who are all very bright!...figured it was where the tree had branches...that could be...got kindof a neat pic of Tanager right against Ponderosa Bark on a small branch...that one cropped might be good too!...and at Butterfly Flat took a bunch of a California Sister...and tried to get the Woodpeckers in flight at the Woodpecker tree...the lens got a boost from the card somehow...and I was out like 450 mm...and I must admit I would have liked to have had that camera along when I found Owl...which I found behind the Tiki Temples by hearing the ruckus of the Blue Jays....but the 12x does fine!...been awhile since I've gone from tree to tree to tree!....and in daylight no less!...just wish Owl had looked down between the forked limbs...all I've got is a couple odd pics of one big owl eye and a lot of feathers!...animal planet has a show on PurrrfectPredators...which is good!!..and doggone if the Canon guide didn't see Bobcat yesterday...eating a squirrel right in front of the booth!...and then going over to a Ground Squirrels burrow mound and cornering a piping Ground Squirrel...hmmph!...sunnywarmandstillsmokey.

"Do what I do"..??....well....fly about I'd say...from tree to tree to tree...but with hardly the grace of Hawk and Owl!

Piping Sandpiper

Went out to Two Top Pine Meadow...to look for Ducklings!...found a Sandpiper and Butterflies....on the way back found the Ducklings!...Four Merganserlings...and they were right at Ozone Beach...in fact I set up right where I lost the Teleconverter trying to get that Merganser clip!...didn't post all the clip...starts out they are all in a little grassy inlet...Merganser isn't perturbed at all by all the Rafts....got a bit perturbed at me when I got ahead of them and startled her walking above on the bank...quack...quack quack quack...and she paddled out into the Merced with Four behind...so there are Two Merganser families...have to keep a look out for Nine...Butterfly looks to be a Buckeye...first time I've seen this one....got some bug pics too...and flowers...Mergansers are at the end of the Sandpiper clip...sunnywarm..a little breezey..and smokey...oh...just noticed...that's Two Top Pine just to the left of the Falls!...foreground is dark because I had to expose...how to put it...for the Sky's brightness...this is done by holding the shutter half way down while pointed at the area one wants to expose for...only way I could get the Falls without 'blocking' out....focus works this way too...makes for some interesting pics...kinda like this one...

Curious Marmot

I spent like twenty minutes taking pics and clips of Marmot atop a fallen tree with the roots splayed out...where they go in and out!...and another sawed off fallen tree nearby...with a round hole in the middle...that they go in and out!...and Marmot spent a lot of time on the top soaking up the sun....I had time to eat a croissant and drink an apple juice...all I had for dinner as I didn't pack very well!....and when I went back to filming... Marmot just up and came off the log over to me...I got a little confused...as I do!...when a critter gets so close I cant keep it centered and focused!...that's the teleconverter... that I removed so I could pan back... resting on the ground and the object of Marmot's curiosity...along with my pack behind me with another chocolate croissant!...Marmot continued past me over to this huge old Ponderosa...or Sugar Pine...and it has this round hole right at the bottom...where another Marmot poked its head out...they are just really neat critters!...to show whole clips would be too long!...

Female Black-Headed Grosbeak

I think it's a Female...might be young Male!...I went over to the Post Office..picked up the Two Top Deer pic...very cool!...then out to LodgePole Point..after dodging the Canon Camera tours out in Cook's!...which looks really over grown with the Parsnips and Milkweed!....Creek's End was crowded with rafts!...so meandered over to the Deer House..got the Phoebe clip...and the Grosbeak clip at the Twin Cedars...and checked on Robin's Nest in the Backyard...she's feeding the baby Robins....I figured out a feature on the 12x I wasn't sure how to use...there's a macro feature..and what seems to happen is that I push the flower icon button down while in manual...and I just move the camera right up next to whatever I'm shooting..and I get a close up!...I have no idea how this happens...but I'm starting using it...flower is an example...have another with bugs...forgot to post it up...in fact I've gotten too many pics and clips last few days!...the moving pen writes!...really want to put up the Two Top Deer clip...and I put up some of the Marmot clips...Curious Marmot....the Marmot clips were actually plotted out...as I saw the roots of the fallen tree where they live two years ago...and went right to it when I got to May Lake...and they were there...I found some of their other homes...oh...I'll have to make a collection of Marmot Homes!....remind me of Hobbit dwellings with their round doors!...sunnywarm...and smokey!

Blue Grouse

Went up to Tuolumne and May Lake for my weekend....lots of pics and clips...my favorites the Blue Grouse...and another Marmot clip....post that one up maybe tomorrow...saw some new birds...have to go to the book for their names...oh...when I was doing the Marmot clips I heard a Bandtail Pidgeon way up in the tree tops...didn't expect they'd be so high up!....sunny and warm but the sky all hazy from the smoke from the fires in the Central Valley...too many things to write up...and show pics and clips!....felt good to put the Backpack on again...and things went okay...legs and wind I mean!...so on my weekends now for the summer I'll be out and about in Tuolumne....report of Bald Eagle on Mammoth Mountain...a somber note was a road killed Deer right beside the beginning of the trail that goes up the Old Tioga road...saw lots of Deer...even one resting under the Perfect Dogwood by the Cabin when I came back....being patient with all the tourists taking pics!...think one can hear the mosquitoes in the Blue Grouse clip...I was under attack!...and the poor Grouse too!

California Hairstreak

Got the Hairstreak pic and clip on the way to breakfast....after breakfast went out to Two Top...see if the Merganserlings might be about!....they were over in the Slough...along with two other Mallard families...one looked to be Six and almost grown up...got pics and clips of all...trying to keep up with Merganser I waded through the Slough to a sand spit...this all just downstream from Swinging Bridge...lots of rafts about...sunk in the mud up to my knees!...dissappointed...couldn't get ahead of them like I wanted...and dont know where they paddled off too...I waded over to the bridge...found a Robin bathing...and heard a snake up on the bank...it's with some reluctance I go looking for snakes!....but caught a glimpse...and a shiver!...of this one...looked to be a Racer...got a Sandpiper clip earlier at Two Top...I had gone further out in the Meadow...working around through the Pines that were scorched by the control burn....this to get on the other side of the Pond....dont know how much longer it will be wet....the Merganserlings seem to get along fine in the Merced...which has big slow areas now....dont expect I'll see them again 'till Wednesday...want to go to Tuolumne...for Hawks and Picketpins!!..sunnywarmblue...with a little wind....really nice tonight...Raccoon was cleaning up the patio tables at Last Chance!

Merganserlings

Well...I woke up in the middle of the night with a stomach ache....so thought to sleep in...missed the Solstice Sunrise....but when I did wake up I felt okay...and after breakfast went over to the Post Office on the Bus....had everything with so walked back through Cook's...took pic of the clouds over Half Dome...they would gather over the Valley during the day and eventually rained a little!....went out to Creek's End...and waded across...on a determined way to Two Top Pine Meadow...I felt a bit remiss...not going there before sunrise!....and I wanted to see if Seven or Six were there...when I got there tourists were about Two Top...and I had to wait...and wait...time to work was pressing....but finally I paddled out there....the pond levels are falling...saw some Bear tracks....and then caught a glimpse of Merganser!....thought I was seeing things doing the clip...there's Nine little Mergansers!...very cool...

Merganser

Rafts at Creek's End...so I angled past...over the Diversion Channel...and when I got to the Merced bank...Merganser was right there!...wouldn't have gotten pics or clip but for the 12x being around my neck...usually it's tucked away safe in the shoulder bag...I'd been trying to take pic of Flicker...and just had left it out until I could find a place to sit and put my sandals on...which I did after this pic and clip...closest I've been!...to Merganser...one of my favorite critters!....waded across Creek's End....and over to Butterfly Flat...the mud shore by Chapel Bridge!...and got a close up clip of California Sister...wished for yesterday!....and an okay one of a Skipper...paddled over to the Lily pad Pond...and Six almost grown up ducklings were there....paddling about!...very neat...didn't see their Mom...while there heard report of more Ducklings 'by the Bridge'...think they meant Swinging Bridge...as I'd been sitting by Chapel Bridge and didn't see any Ducks...went back though to check...not enough time to go to Swinging Bridge...went back of the Deer House to wade across the Creek at the Cedars...and there was another raft there!...hmmph...anyway...it was a nice walk...and got good clips of the Butterflies and Ducklings...sunnywarmblue..with a few clouds out beyond Half Dome...bet Tuolumne had thunder showers...the Ducklings could be 'Six'...and maybe the reported ones 'Seven'!...Oh...tomorrow is the Solsitice...once I went up to Glacier with a friend...most times just out to Cook's...but tomorrow I think I'll go out to Two Top Pine Meadow...I'm getting an enlargement of the Deer with the Trunk of Two Top...I really really like that pic...

California Sister

I see a lot of these California Sisters...kinda cool that it almost does a pirouette in the clip!....and wish I could have gotten closer!....went to the Creek and waded over to the Deer House...lots of clanking and banging at the Tiki Temple..so didn't go down to Creek's End...sat awhile in Flicker Grove...got a pic of a plant like a Snow Plant...I think the warm afternoon air makes all the Critters find a cool spot and nap!....crossed the road over to the Creek Delta....which is kinda neat now...with all the little Creeks...and lots of Azaleas (these might be Rhododendrons...got to check!...well...they are one and the same!)....did a lot of wading...Bobcat's Apple Tree has little apples...wish I had panned up to the Falls or at least lost Arrow when I did those pics and clips...they are right above the Apple Tree....sunnywarmandblue...Terri Garr is very brave girl! (Letterman is on)

Twotop Pine Deer

Pics and clip from yesterday...after breakfast went to the Creek and out on the Cedars...Deer was by Weee Bridge....but just wouldn't pose!....got pics anyway...sat awhile...Humming Bird and another Bird with yellow underfeathers...and kinda streaked chest...tiny...but both too far away...and backlit...got a good clip of Baby Ground Squirrel on way to Post Office...lots of tourists....peeked through the giant Canon lens...I dont understand point and shoot millimeters and dslr millimeters...oh...but I think now I know the difference between my little long lens and this one....it framed more...a bigger scene...it wasn't a zoom and was said to be five hundred mm....looks like it could go on the railing of the pier...ten cents a view...when I looked through I could see a large bird flying by the top of the Falls...but too brief...maybe Friday I'll go on their walkabout...sunnywarmandblue....it'll take awhile to edit the Twotop Pine Deer clips...put pic up to show the colors...

Fern Bobcat

I got some really neat pics and clips today...and missed some too!...first clip was a caterpillar crawling up the curb out front...I panned up when the Shuttle came by...panned back...the caterpillar keeps going and and disappears over the curb!...being me I picked it up and took it out to the backyard and found a place to set it down...out of traffic!...out in the Creek...and I mean in the Creek..I wore the sandals and my lightweight hiking pants that dry quick..I waded up and down looking for critters...Tanager...Warbler...Young Robin...Bandtails...but Downy wasn't home...which is what I was hoping for....earlier on the walk to the Post Office Bobcat popped up in the Ferns of the Oak Grove...between the scenes Bobcat crossed the path right in front of another photog...who must have gotten good pics...and was grateful I shouted at him...Heads Up!...and pointed...he was within five feet...and hadn't seen Bobcat!....I thought to forgo an evening walkabout...to watch the Lakers and Celtics...well...that was over before the Half!...so I gathered things together and went out to Two Top Pine Meadow....and I got like eight minutes of clips of three Deer...Two Does and I'm thinking a Yearling...and the clips are really really cool...and I'll have to figure out how to post them up...haven't done one that long...the caterpillar too!...the Canon folk were in the Park...last night with a show over at Last Chance...speaker had a weird way of putting subject in the very corner of the frame...and I didn't think much of it...but I took a clip of a Grey Squirrel on the bike path where the Squirrel runs forward and backward...and I didn't try to follow...and doggone if it didn't go all the way to the upper corner..sit up...then come running back...oh...I'll have to post that one too!...the Frogs out in Cook's are quiet now...but they're there!...I've figured out how to find them...take a flash pic...then review it looking for glowing little eyes reflecting the flash!...they were there but too far out...the Deer kept me out after sunset...and I took some time exposures..one with Cow Parsnip flowers with Falls in background...an impossible almost pic to take in daylight...and then right at the Hutchings swath to the Falls...I took a Moonbow pic of Upper Falls...gotta post these up too!...I like how they look like old tinted postcards.....sunnybluewarm...some golden light in the morning from a control burn....the cool water in the Creek was really refreshing.

Upper Creek

I hopped on the Hiker's Bus...and hopped off at the Tioga Y. Creek trail head...and paddled back to the Valley...about twelve miles...too much to post...and some will go over in Tree in the Door....I dont see much on these long hikes!...oh I mean there's plenty of scenery...but critter wise...in comparison with the Valley...and I want to sort that out...it'll take a few days to figure out what the butterflies and bug are...I need a good insects of the sierra book...I think I have the fungus right...sunnywarmandblue...I got dehydrated...and when back took an orange juice down to the Creek....gee I was happy to be in the familiar Creek environment!....a young Buck was eating at the Twin Cedars...got a blurry pic in the fading light...broke a a fallen dry branch trying to find a spot to set up...Buck looked up!....blurry pics can become knockdown drawings or paintings...want to save this one for such later work!

Checkered White

After Breakfast went out to Creek's End...sandals and lightweight hiking pants...and waded across Creek's End!...not nearly as cold as it was....checked in on the Phoebes....oh...the nest in the Broadleaf Maple is a Robin...at least the head and bill in the new pics look Robinish!....took more pics and a clip of the Phoebes....oh...when I started out I got the pics and clips of the White....Bandtails tried to fool me into thinking they were Owl at the Deer House...then waded out at Twin Cedars...but Downy wasn't home...or was curled up!....took pics and clips anyway out in the Creek...did that at Creek's End too....sunny and blue and warm...Bear report out at Swinging Bridge...week old Bobcat report at Lower Falls stop...water somehow finds its way out of the tripod legs!

1234567

Went out to Two Top Pine Meadow...see if Seven were about...and found them right off...sat for awhile by the slough on the Rock Pile...checked for snakes!...Rattler report up by Illouette Falls...then went over and sat awhile at Whiteheaded Woopeckers' Home...think they were in there...but didn't show...sitting there I noticed a nice composition pic of the Falls...which were windblown today...then I crossed Chapel Bridge and right on the shoreline were Butterflies trying to find...if I have this right from my reading...calcium...or minerals of some sort in the mud....about five different kinds were there...and got clips and pics that I have to sort through....the Family that showed me where the Bear was showed up....and I showed them the Butterflies...they all had cameras....expensive DSLRs...but they looked to know how to use them...even the youngsters....that's good to see...most photogs I see are old folks...seldom...if ever!..young people out taking pics...picked up from the Butterflies and went over to the Air Test Hut...check the nest...and for goodness sake!...they're looks to be three grown up 'baby' Black Phoebies....how could I miss them!...I've often looked at this nest...which looks to made by mud daubers...continued out to Lodgpole Point.... and Merganser was out on Owl Log again!...that's it...tomorrow shorts and sandals...plan on doing some wading....sunnybluewarm...and a breeze!....got clips and pics of another little Butterfly in the rush to get back before work...like saw maybe four new ones I haven't seen before.....Oh!...I didn't see Six...studied the whole area too....and the pond and slough might last another week...the Creek has quiet water...maybe they'll all move up there...that would be cool!

Fern Bear

Went out thru the Backyard to the Creek...spent sometime sitting on the Cedars...and watching the Downys...if I come at Downy's Home from the opposite bank...and wear my sandals..and wade out into the Creek...I should be able to get a head on view...walked thru Cook's....Cow Parsnips blooming...Milkweed is big now...when at the Post Office a friend showed me a pic on their cell phone they just took over at the Ahwahnee Meadow...and off I went...and got lucky...Bear was still there...I couldn't get a clear pic...dappled light and all the grasses and ferns were a problem...wish I could have stayed longer...but had to pick up for work...lot of people on the path...Bear was only like twenty yards from road...and unperturbed by us....so everyone got good pics...and memories!...sunny blue and warmer.

Bird Nest

Well, I slept like a stone up until almost noon!...mountain air....a little time to go down to the Creek...there's an old fig tree in the Backyard...and I'm kicking myself for not just sitting under it for a few hours...as every kinda bird has been to it to snack on the little round figs...I think they're figs!...and now they're nearly gone....nearby I found this nest in a Maple...didn't think anyone was home..but on close inspection I think I can see the top of some bird and it's bill..I'm guessing Woodpecker...tomorrow I'll go check...Downy is still peeping away at the Creek...at the Bluff I saw the Merganser paddling right next to one of the rafts with a family in it and trying to come up the Creek...they turned about...and Merganser followed...I ran out to the Diversion Channel...and almost got wonderful pic of Merganser standing on Owl Log...but missed a photo all together...at the start got a nice butterfly pick....sunny and blue and a little windy.

Woodpecker Home

Went out to the Bluff...and I heard what sounded like a baby bird up the Creek aways near the Twin Fallen Cedars...picked up...the Butterflies wouldn't alight!...and went to find the sound maker....Downy Woodpeckers were about again...same trees as before...and beepbeepbeep...sounded like it was across the Creek...but then when I got to the Twin Trees...I sorta echo located it to an old tree...and caught a glimpse of this Downy...had to take my socks and boots off..wade out into the Merced...(check that...the Creek!...for goodnes sake...nice that google blog lets you go back and edit...not a feature of groups!)...wanted to get around for a straight on pic..instead of this profile...but would have been up to my waist!...lucky as it was as Downy took notice of me and I couldn't get any closer...Downy's Dwelling might be the best in the Valley...as the tree leans over the Creek...the Creek...Wee Bridge...the Falls...the Blue Sky......are all reflected in Downy's eye...sunny and blue and warmer today...very pretty..wind tossing the Falls....

Marmots

Hopped off the Hiker's Bus to join the Marmot photogs....going to be one of my favorite clips...got a tent for the night in the Meadows...and then walked over to the Grill for lunch...but didnt have time... off to the East End on the Shuttle that only at noon three and five goes out there...enough time to go up to Gaylor Lake...which is frozen across....then on back to the Grill for dinner...and was hungry and worn out!...napped until dusk at the Tent...then out for evening pics...just some Deer...lots of Deer about...got back after sunset...cleaned up...and curled up under the blankets...it was a bit cold...and got a lot colder...should have made a fire in the wood stove...but was too tired!...and thought I'd stay warm...but was on the edge of teeth chattering all night...and didn't sleep much..got up around nine and rode the shuttle over to the Grill for breakfast...looked at my watch...enough time for Elizabeth...so went up the trail to Elizabeth Lake...think I saw a Hawk in the thick woods...but no pic...was pretty tired when I got to the streams...which are all high and require wading...and I was wooped and not much time left to catch the Bus back to the Valley...so headed back...snacked a bit back at the Meadows waiting...wind was blowing...and much cooler than the day before..a real Tuolumne Day!...addenda: Oh...one of the narrating voices is the bus driver...who is very knowledgable and the Bus Ride comes with narration...probably the best Bus Tour anyone is likely to take...the "pushup" comment refered to a small black lizard a few feet from the Marmot in the final bit...cleary the old one at the beginning was adverse to upward exertion period! The friend I walked about with on Sunday, took pics of these same Marmots!...and too of a Bear along Chapel Wall...and this after I told them where to look!...just need to tell myself where to look!...

Falls Butterfly

The little bird is a Black Phoebe I think....a little time after Breakfast to walk out to the Creek...and on way back stopped off at the Azaleas in the Backyard to get this clip of the Swallowtail....pretty nice Backyard!....sunny and blue!

Mountain Garter Snake

Got up for early Breakfast...then off to Creek's End....there a Buck and Doe were cavorting on the far bank of the Merced..got a nice clip....wanted to get more...but to get ahead of them from my side.... as they went into the Aspen Row...I had to wade the Diversion Channel...which is a little bit full again...the water is up again...even higher yesterday...found a log a bit past Half Stump...and sat and tried to dry my feet waiting for the Deer...but they didn't show again...it had been my thought to go back to the Cabin to curl up...but I continued on the Counterclockwise Loop....thinking I might not see Six and Seven for awhile if I'm off to Tuolumne....and out in Two Top Meadow I found them both...and the Violet Green Swallows...and...this little Garter Snake!....I had to use my shadow to make the 12x have a good exposure....once I got a clip and pic...I picked up and went over the Rock Pile...just as I got there I heard a dry slither...another Garter Snake!...and larger...before I could set up it went under the rock...I found an old stick...like Fennel...and rattled it around a bit in the faint hope Garter Snake would come out...I dont go so far as to overturn things...and from the looks of it Garter Snake put on it's game face!...and poked it's head out....another pic and clip!....I picked up and went to Swinging Bridge...with the new caution that the Rockpile is an ideal Snake Home....at the Bridge a photog friend appeared as if by magic....they were here in the winter...and were here for the weekend...so we had a nice walk along the Chapel Road and out to Lodgepole Point...chased Butterflies...and the Illusive Bird...got a pic of some bird I might not have...check tomorrow...I'm wooped...it was a long morning and long day at work!....and wet feet for four hours is not a good thing!...but a worthwhile walkabout!...and another blue sunny gorgeous day!

Falls from Swinging Bridge

Actually, it's almost from Ayer's Stump....done during one of the art classes my second summer...I didn't get out today...hmmph....but I need the rest to knockout the bronchitis in my chest...if I wanna go anywhere Monday!...warm and sunny...and blue...I thought to put some Sheep on the Benches...still could...chip them out with an xacto knife...like Winslow Homer did highlights...each spot I did a painting is in my memory...which makes the walkabouts nostalgic...

Hairy Woodpecker

Clip and pic is from last year at this time...I took a lot of clips before I knew how to post clips!...so...if one from the same season from last year looks interesting, I'll post it up...plus it gives me material for days I dont see much...like today!...went out to the Bluff....three Tiger Swallow Tails...oh...in the Backyard was a Grosbeak pair...but only got very blurry pic...crossed over Creek on the Twin Fallen Cedars...at the Deer House were the Artists...I used to do that...sit in a folding chair with my watercolors on my lap...doing another Half Dome...it's all right...but I'd rather roam about with the 12x...plenty of time to sit after sundown...went out to Coot's Pond...since Coot seems to be gone...call it Polliwog Pond!...still no legs...then went over to Flicker Grove...which is very pretty now with the Bracken Ferns...then looped back to the Cabin...sigh...just didnt' see much!....I dug up what looks to be a Hairy Woodpecker...I added another pic to yesterdays Downy post...so one can compare...sunny warm some clouds...pleasant...sometimes days like these hereabouts string out for a long time...lots of Daydreams about Monday..as I think the Hiker's Bus will be going up to Tuolumne....

Downy Woodpecker

Had an hour or so before work after breakfast...and went to the Bluff...maybe see a Butterfly....but it was kinda cool and breezy and cloud shadowy...after awhile it warmed up and a pale and a bright, Swallowtail came along...but didn't alight....picked up and walked up the Creek aways...found a Columbine...then three of these little Downy Woodpeckers were playing in the Alder Trees...and I tried and tried to get a pic and clip...all handheld...afraid if I took time to set up they'd be gone!...an often dilemma!...finally I got the lighting closer with Manual...and got a little clip...so a clip and pic!...I have one of these from last Spring...I think it's the same Woodpecker...havtacheck...got a pic yesterday...blurry still from clip...of a female Blackheaded Grosbeak...when I started out this Noah Project...to get one pic of each species hereabouts...I forgot I'd need two!...as males and females often look very different!...this may seem obvious...but it adds a complication to the pic and clip taking!...too...I'm finding I'm not satisfied to just get any pic...blurry or otherwise...I want one of each that I can enlarge....good light...good focus...needless to say this is all gonna take awhile!...and then there's the clips!....a little portfolio book with dvd would be kinda cool for each one.

California Tortoiseshell

The Caterpillar I think belongs to some kinda moth...haven't been able to i d it yet....took these pics over in the Fen....which is very lush right now...and has a new walkpath...pedaled about in the afternoon...too hot earlier in the day....nice in the evening...a few clouds...and a little breeze....