Tuolumne Junco

Took the Hikers' Bus to Tuolumne....saw Five Bears on the way...first by El Cap...looked to be 46(Fir Bear)...one red ear tag..clip..then another large Bear before Crane Flat...just a glimpse in clip....and Mama Bear with Brown and Black Cubs again, just before Crane Flat..clip...clips for sometime...and Bears from the Hikers' Bus Collection!!...started to rain when we arrived at the Store...everyone putting on rain gear...lucky I took along coat and pants...had Breakfast at the Tables...a favorite spot to watch the passing scene!...didn't know quite where to go...so just went along the Road towards the Tents, and at the Ranger Station cut over to the Tuolumne....thought there might be a Use Trail thereabout along the River...and there is...wanted to go to Two Bridges...but the long ride on the crowded Bus...every seat taken!!...kinda wore me out...so I made a slow walk along the River back to the Store...Junco clip...nice Doe clip...Doe wading the River..for sometime...Mountain Chickadee with call...Black Capped Sparrow(no, White Crowned!) pic....think that's what it is....for sometime...and triedtried for more Picket Pin clips...sat a long while at the Lembert Dome Meadow, at the River edge where the Use Trail is...but didn't do well...the Pins were scurrying about too quick!...the Rain stopped during the walk...and the Mosquitoes immediately started!....cloudy with smoke from fires...lightning strike started control burns...warm...walking in the rain in Tuolumne always a wonder....back at the Cabin, went right to sleep...and missed a late evening walk...hmmph...weekends too short!!

Blog of the Day (talked with new friend, Rosemary, from Last Chance, on Bus!)

http://www.thecityedition.com/Pages/Archive/2009/Yosemite_Trekker.html

oh!...the Flowers arent blooming yet in the Meadow...just very green...and a few flowers......along the Road from the Valley they're starting...

Owls and Sandpiper

Shuttled over to Siberia for Breakfast....clip of the Baby Robins...on the way back, hopped off at Lower Falls...and when I reached the inner Creek Bridge, going under were Mama Mallard and Seven...then Mama Mallard and Three...a parade!...clips for sometime...I followed them up the Creek...and it took me to Robin on the Nest...pic and clip...wandered about the Delta a bit...and glimpsed...and heard Tanager...some neat clips and pics of both Male and Female...another little bird too...and Grosbeak...following Tanagers took me back to Robin on the Nest...all I had was the monopod and 20x....used the monopod as a pole, and lifted the camera above Robin...viewing through the LCD fold out screen...that works!...look forward to taking clips of the Baby Robins when they hatch...met with Brown Creeper...clip...all these clips and pics for sometime!...had lunch at the Cabin...hot dog and nachos...watched tv a bit...and then a nap...didn't go to sleep last night until 4am!....woke up around six thirty pm...and geared up...Doe in the Backyard resting...Foxgloves growing along the Swath..pics...got to the Creek and there was a Rainbow forming over Glacier....day wasn't as hot as expected...and some Thunderclouds came in...no rain though...hurried to Creek's End to maybe get pic of Rainbow over Half Dome...clambering out to Owl Log, startled Woodpecker, which began scolding me...think it's one I dont see often...very neat clip of it going into it's Nesting Hole...this took awhile...and I may have missed Rainbow...seems today a lot was going on on either side of me!!....Sandpiper on the Channel sand...pics and clips...and then...then I thought to look for Owl...moving up the Channel, I wasn't having much luck, but one of the Fledgelings flew up from the grasses...'only one..'...I thought...and looked to the grasses for the second...and Fledgling was perched on an old fallen tree...clip I took here is of some concern...looks like Owl has a wound just above its beak...was being bedeviled by flies...mosquitoes too...maybe nothing...as I located Mama Owl in the grasses too (long clip), and the bugs were all about her face also...both Fledgelings flew off towards Creek's End...following took me back to Sandpiper, who was piping loudly!...(I suspected Owl was close by, I had just taken the clip of the two Fledglings together on the branch, Sandpiper curious!...they appeared while recoding Mama...see clip up!...but I got so lucky sighting on Sandpiper with the digi, that I didn't think to look for Owl)..when I left off recording Sandpiper...Owl flew right over my head back the way I just came...seems today I was back and forth!...I walked along the Channel...sand easier to walk on...and both Fledgelings were back in the grasses..a low spot...all I could see was the tip of their heads!...dont know what they were about...grainy clip with the 20x of them flying up to the Trees...I tracked them a bit from Tree to Tree...sometimes the clips have the Falls as backdrop...very cool...but light was very tough...one perched a long while up a larger Ponderosa...turned away from me...scanning behind me, I glimpsed Mama flying, and she perched on another fallen tree...a beautiful pose...and long clip..and again with back to me...this all the while Fledgling was in the Ponderosa...I wanted to work around for better view of Fledgling...and wanted to maybe get clip of Mama lifting off....and the card filled up on the 3x!!...by the time I made room, both had flown off...but I could hear Fledgelings!...they've begun to sreeech a little...got one last clip of Fledgling...porthole and dark..but with feathers kinda glowing...very neat...and recorded their calls with the 20x...even one last flight clip with the 20x in the last bit of light..this right by the Path...last I saw of Owl, Owl soared off disturbed by some tourists walking right below on the Path!....oh..all these clips and pics for sometime too!....the digi scope made the clips and pics possible...I have pics and clips with the other two cameras...but just cant get close with them...there was always like sixty or seventy yards between me and Owl...Sandpiper was aways too..this to say, the digiscope is a new tool in a photogs kit bag!!....sunny hot blue with some over cast..which helped!....heard account of Doe with Two Fawns while at Siberia in the morning...today was so much fun, I might just do it all over again tomorrow!!...but Toulumne beckons..

Fledgeling's Flight

Clip is from yesterday....pic too...one Fledgling flew off while I was doing stills with the mini digi....expecting the second to follow, I handheld the 20x while the mini digi was recording too...so have the two versions...ingenious, I know, but it's why I carry so many cameras!...and to be right, I should have had the 20x on the monopod, or even the small backpacking tripod...I may even, next time, have the old 3x behind a second scope!...that would be three cameras!...the old 3x video is very grainy...so not likely...but it's a thought to have another 3x with avi clip capablility...

Paddled out to the Creek Delta after sleeping in...took along orange juice and coffee cake...thought to look for the Brown Creepers, but glimpsed a Robin or Flicker settle on a tree, and disappear!...when I got close, found Robin sitting on nest...got pics and clips of both Mama and Papa Robin...hope to add to them with more visits...Nest is very well located for pics and clips...eggs dont look to be hatched...report (Edie's) of hatched Robin babies under the eves of the old Siberia Post Office...recently refurbished!...thought to go to Toulumne tomorrow, but the record heat today makes me curious to see how the critters hereabout fare....so will walkabout hereabout tomorrow!....sunny hot blue..a few whiffy clouds...and slight breeze...clip of Fledgling Redwing...and found the maker of a giant burrow mound, I think, and it's Ground Squirrel...or Squirrels...it's that big!...will post that up too, and maybe will have more to add...this in Flicker Grove where I've been sitting to watch the Flickers' Nest...checked again today, but no Flickers...heard them calling okay, over by the Deer House...not enough time to searchabout for all that's about!!...oh!...Mama Mallard with Two paddled by while I was sitting by the Creek munching coffee cake...it's a very pretty little clip...for sometime...when Owls aren't on stage...oh!...have that too...Ground Squirrel on the Stage in Siberia...a curious clip...for sometime...Hi Hoa!..(see newest Follower)....I like your web page...thanks for the visit!

Blog of the Day (a mustsee!!)
http://www.nps.gov/yose/photosmultimedia/ynn6-maps.htm

the Chinese contemplated maps...brb...well...what I had in mind was a magazine article about old Chinese maps, and how the emperors would contemplate them...found this when studying out the Yangtze Patrol..and the Yangtze...Creek's End, by the way, is pinpointed by wiki..brb..37°44′33″N 119°35′41″W / 37.74243°N 119.59461°W / 37.74243; -119.59461)....dont know but I might make a geo position T-shirt!!

Summer in Owl Woods

Shuttled over to the Village...laundry soap...geared up when I got back, and paddled out to the location my friend said they saw Owl....wasn't having any luck, but then heard one scolding Blue Jay...didn't think much chance, but then heard a bunch of scolding Robins...and found Owl low on a Pine...very sunlit...pics and clip...and while setting up the mini digi...Owl flew to a Cottonwood...couldn't tell if Owl was one of the Fledglings....but when I got the

Cottonwood in view, the other Fledgling flew over to who was indeed it's sibling!...very happy to see them....their attention was on Mama Owl...located her too!....I was able to get a whole lot of clips and distant pics...for sometime...will put up slow motion of Mama Owl's flight..and another of one of the Fledglings flying......just dont have time tonight!...sunny hot blue with a summer warm breeze...desert like tonight...air so different tonight, in fact, it makes me feel a little bit uneasy...report of Great Grey Owl in Wawona...this report from another good friend who is going through some travail...was hat less on the bus, and when I inquired why, learned he was spur less, and belt less too...a Horse Rider on the way down the hill...things are very tough here sometime...sirocco winds blow....

quote

Friday March 1st
Fourth & fifth drafts of Advice to Storytellers. Went over checks of section of Emmie1 with Laura: took it to Karl with the fourth chapter of Antigua.
Went with Laura a walk to Lluchalcari came back in car. Return of Sirocco.
Water put into deposito 2 from Canfusimain [sic: C'an Fusimañ] stream.
Motor taken down after another test: pump trouble probably.
Read Henry Chapin's Leifsaga3 & Colony's Brook of Leaves4 sent me unprovoked.
Sirocco made work impossible.
At the Hotel at Lluchalcari was a woman, author of Warning to Wantons5 – Mary Mitchell6 – who looked XScientist. On the way home from the village I said to Laura: "Do you think X–Sc ience 7 is making progress in US America[RG] these days?" She said "X–Sc nce is progress ;&in America it[RG] does not make progress: it is progress."

from Diary of Robert Graves, 1935-39

http://graves.uvic.ca/xbrowse.xq?&collection=%2Fdb%2Fgraves%2Fentries&type=diaryentry&start=1&search_text=-1&n=1935-03-01

unquote

well..that's an odd spur...but of much interest to me!....once in a while will read a page from this!!....oh!...and this....first time I've heard Graves reading aloud!...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSvBC1C-6DA&feature=channel_page

someone must show me how to snag clips!! Graves is reading Sirocco at Deya...

oh!!...and a baby Gilbert's Skink on the doorsill of the Post Office...clip and pic...and two Juncos making clip clip clip clip sounds...maybe babies...and report of Bear at Chuchbowl two days ago...'laying down, chin resting on a boulder, watching'....(pics look best if enlarged...mouseoverclick)

Tree to Tree with Dee Dee Deedlee Dee

Shuttled over to the Post Office...photog magazine came...shuttled back and hopped off at Lower Falls...and had a seat by the Oak Snag...read the magazine, and occasionally looked up to see if Flickers were still there...but I think they're gone too...all the baby Blue Jays are gone at the ImpossiblePossible Nest...did see one early this morning...a few more than me are concerned..and have been looking about the bushes and likely hiding places...I think they're all there..somewhere...anyway...picked up from the Snag Oak, and over across the inner Creek Bridge glimpsed Mama Brown Creeper feeding her baby...triedtried for pics and clip...it's a challenge...what happens: having seen Creeper, I approach the Tree...all the while, Creeper is ascending....and by the time I get there, is too high....so I waitwait...Creeper flutters down to another Tree...and I approach the Tree...so it goes!!...add the heavy shade which throws the auto focus all out of whack...and it's a challenge...finally, I was just leaning against one Tree, and the Baby Creeper landed right across on the Ponderosa...that's how it usually happens to get any kind of pic or clip of Brown Creeper...they're just suddenly there right in front!!...no dee dee deedlee dee on the clips...no sharp focus in the pic either!!!...but they were singing and making little high pitched peeps....I'll go back tomorrow and try again..after I get up early and look for Owl!...friend reports seeing Owl the last two evenings...'on the same tree'...out in Owl Woods...the reporter delighted to see Owl...and Edie reports Doe giving birth to two Fawns over in Siberia(no camera!)...have to work that into the walk tomorrow too!!....sunny hot blue...magazine had an interesting contest...brb...
http://www.kodak.com/global/en/professional/products/films/ektar/US_disneyPromo.jhtml?pq-path=14887&CID=go&idhbx=ektarexperience

That's a long link!...anyway...Kodak and Disney have partnered to make a contest...odds of winning are irrelevant!...what's neat, is that Disney has a Wild Animal theme park of some sort...brb...
quote
Home to more than 1,700 animals from 250 species and sprawling across 500 acres of lush landscape, Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park is the largest animal-themed park in the world!
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/animal-kingdom/
unquote

dont know, but rumor has it they're looking to add to the acreage hereabout!

sunny hot blue...hereabout...humidity not a problem!

Angry Blue Jays

Paddled over to Siberia to visit a friend...but they weren't home...remembered I wanted to buy new hiking boots....store there sells them.....easier time of it this time...and nice boots with a mid ankle....like to have support around my ankles when carrying a pack...shuttled back as far as Lower Falls..hopped off...and set up the mini digi in the Deer House Oaks..clips of Flickers in the Snag Oak...and broken off trees are called 'snags'...confirmed this with Ranger that happened by....Ranger knew about Flicker's nest too...and another...the Acorn Woodpeckers' by the Artist's Grove...that I know of!....that Snag is called a 'granary'...acorns stored there.....it was a long walk to Siberia in the heat...and quiet...tried to locate the Bullock Oriole baby...which is right overhead where I set up for the Flickers...but too high and too many leaves...picked up...made ready for work..and when I got to Last Chance, there was all kinds of commotion from Blue Jays...earlier at Breakfast I got clip of two remaining babies hopping about the umbrella ribs...for sometime.....the other three were gone...those two were still under the umbrella in the afternoon...but one of the others showed up and was stranded on the cement...this one eventually was coaxed into a bush...and a Ranger came and moved the whole umbrella onto the Lawn....where it is tonight...and when I got off work I peeked up under it...two of the little Jays asleep....actually, they're not so little...with their fluffy feathers, they actually look larger than their parents....I dont know how the others have fared...Raven was a target of Blue Jays' wrath too...in the clip, it's not an egg, but one of those little margarine cups..clearly a word like 'omnivorous' needs to invented...one that includes all manner of trash...which Raven appears to relish!.....sunny hot blue with puff clouds and just a little breeze....the Blue Jays clip is handheld with the 3x....their scolding made everyone tense...tense enough for assorted Last Chance managers to call Ranger for help!

Blog of the Day

http://10000birds.com/

Blue Jays And Mallards

No walkabout today, Blue Jays clip from break time at work...Mallards from the other day out in Two Top Pine Meadow....spent the morning making furtive (wrong word, with-no-confidence...timorous!!!)calls to find garages to work on the Bus...in Sacramento...where I've located an engine supplier...everyone at lunch so no one to talk to ...which put me in a funk...in searching about I did find a place in San Francisco that rents Buses...expensive though....sunny hot blue...report of Voles scurrying about at Housekeeping at night...

Vernal And Nevada and Blue Jays' Nest

Well..I slept in...thinking to just give everything a rest for the Day!....but after late Breakfast...and after some discussion with my hiking friend....and after taking clips and pics of the ImpossiblePossibleNest....we hiked up to Nevada Falls!!!....and it was a fine day...quiet critter wise...though did see clip of White Headed Woodpecker feeding its babies....this from trekkers to Half Dome..and nest was up thataways...sunny hot..and I thought too hot...but the Spray from Vernal was refreshing on the Mist Trail...and some breeze....took some pics of the Waterwheel just above Emerald Pool to echo the Dragon Painter movie...but have to do this again, as I look like, as I'm sitting in profile, that I'm trying to drink the Merced!...well...tomorrow I might rest a bit before work...like sleep!...but it doesn't seem likely....

Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds are from yesterday morning....I wasn't up for the Dawn Chorus..but did get out before sunlight found the Valley floor...went out to Two Top Pine Meadow....pics...and the Hummingbirds clip....made the BigLoop counterclockwise...and then had Breakfast at Last Chance...ImpossibleNest pic..and clip I deleted by accident!..hmmph...and then curled up...woke up with an hour and a half before work, gathered things together and went over to Flicker Grove...found a log to sit on and set up the digi....waitedwaited...pics of Bullock's Oriole and Young high in an Oak...waitedwaited...and got some good clips when Mama Flicker came about...saw Flickers again today on the Canon walk!...and had the 70 t0 400mm L Lens....walk was almost over and we were at Lower Falls...and I towed everyone across the road to see the Flickers...and Mama obliged...coming by right when a few of us got there...a nice walk...but the lens is too heavy...my hand cramped up!...back to the Cabin for a nap...and then unboxed the boxes...so, some progress towards harmony and order in the Cabin!...but still a long way to go!...paddled out and made the BigLoop clockwise at sundown....one Buck by the Broken Cottonwood in Two Top...clip..a very short clip...mosquitoes!...okay if I keep moving...but I'm swarmed if stopped in a meadow....sunny hot blue today...and yesterday....light breeze....quiet walks...dont know where all the Ducks and Deer are....oh!...a small tragedy of sorts!...Bear tore open the Blue Bird Post at Chapel Bridge (second Post with the Woodpecker Holes...Bear hole now!)....could have been vandals...but dont like to think on that...may have been nest inside...whitewash all that's left...

Solstice Flicker

Bluebirds and Flicker

Little bolts that tighten things keep falling off the new digi bracket...noticed another one missing when gearing up...so...walked over to the Village to buy bolts!...stop at the Post Office too...picked up the Bike and peddled back out through Bobcat Meadow...Acorn Woodpecker flew into hole in snag Pine at the Artist's Grove...pic...and to the Deer House....did I say it was crowded!!!...sheesh...thought to find a little quiet back at the Creek...and thought to check on the Air Shed Nest..and two young Black Phoebes were there!...very cool..pic for sometime...bookend pics for yesteryear's pics...crossed over Chapel Bridge and out along the Merced....maybe find Owl....and heard Sandpiper...pics and clips for sometime...and while engaged with Sandpiper, I noticed Bluebird disappear into a Snag Aspen...found the hole and went up and tapped on the Snag...friend showed me how to do that to see if Woodpecker is home...Bluebird didn't come out...Bluebird was right above my head!...and annoyed...I backed up...and set up...and waitedwaited for Bluebird to go in the hole!...a long time!..work time coming and I turned the camera off...and of course...Bluebird flew in the hole....so I set up again...and Bluebird obliged...and it's Mate too!...neat clip...picked up...and retrieved the Bike and back past the Deer House...and almost to the Road, high over head in the Oaks, I heard little peep peep peeps....looked up and there was Flicker feeding it's babies...veryverycool....pics with the new camera...and a short clip...wasn't time to stay and wait for Flicker to return...but tomorrow I'll go back, and set up the digi...and will hopefully get close clips and pics of Flicker with the little Flickers...it's been a remarkable day, Nest wise...started out with pics of the ImpossiblePossible Bluejays' Nest...then Acorn Woodpecker in the Snag...suspect a nest there....then Black Phoebes..and then Bluebirds and then Flicker!!....dont know but just a bit ago I was lamenting not being able to find Nests!!...trick is to listen for the Peep Peeps, and look for Fluttering Forays by the parents!!....sunny blue hot light breeze...it's a get in the Park free weekend...and very nearly made it a stay in Cabin day!...but very glad I got out and about...the Flicker Nest...for those hereabout...is just a bit across the Road from Lower Falls shuttle stop...on the right of the Path a bit before the Muir Redwood...and high up in Oak Snag....a fine walk!!...while doing the Post...Bear got into the Trash Can....overstuffed again...thought to get pic...but it's kinda scary to open the Door when bangetybanging is outside!!....just before work, clip of Grey Squirrel on roof...for sometime....

Grosbeaks

Pics and clips from when the Fig Tree had Figs...I think it's a Fig Tree....didn't get out today...thought after Breakfast to go through the boxes...sort things...a daunting task...and I curled up 'till work time...the boxes for sometime....tomorrow I want to go on the Canon walk..... report the walkers happened on a Gopher.... and I need to gather things for an overnight hike to Tuolumne...I just dont know when I can get to the boxes!...this routine I'm in has acquired a kind of momentum....hard to set it aside...feel remiss that no walkabout today!..sunny hot blue...did, of course, walk to work and back....Blue Jays and Nestlings looked to be doing okay....oh!!...and the Summer Solstice is Sunday....and I thought to do another transit that day...so up before Dawn then...and likely early tomorrow too....

Butterfly Flat

Shuttled over to the Post Office...picked up a Kodak Gallery print on wood...particle board of some sort...eleven by fourteen and coated with a gloss protective covering....pic is one of the Fledgelings...it's very cool and very neat...like it so much I sent off for another one of both Fledglings..this time cropped to eleven by fourteen...so I'll see if my cropping matches theirs...it's one of those circumstances where they choose the crop to fit the manufacturing process...44 dollars with shipping...they have a print to canvas service now too...wish they would do simple postcards...anyway...on the Shuttle ride back, driver said Bear was in the A. Meadow...so geared up and peddled back....but no luck...left the Bike in the Village...and walked out to Bobcat Meadow...pic of the Azaleas and Falls...and the one across the Meadow (caught Raven in flight..tiny spot right in middle!)....thought to see if the Butterflies were at Butterfly Flat...and they were!..pics and clips...best is in HD, but too much to post up...sunny hot blue...report of Turkey Vulture on ground in the Suburbs...after Squirrel carcass...clip at night of the Blue Jay babies...Mama wasn't on the Nest... dont know, but hope, that Mama and Papa Jay will stay with the effort...used the headlamp to do the clip...for sometime...oh...report of Merganser 'dancing' on Table Rock...this way down the Merced at 120 turn off...

Picket Pin

Clip is from Monday's day trip to Tuolumne....yesterday, I didn't get out...at least for a walkabout....did get out of the Valley...in late afternoon, a friend drove me on down to Merced....it was just a 'getaway' drive for them...Valley fever sets in, and one has to go to town, or somewhere...if one has the means!!... I wanted desperately to get some bookshelves and other things to deal with the dishevelment...which is still in the boxes!...which...well...I was asked if I liked the new carpet...and related that I do, but haven't seen it for the boxes!!...so, I persuaded my friend to take me along...I ride very rarely in cars over the time I've been in the Valley...and it's nerve racking...no one, including most of my chauffeurs, wants to go the speed limit...(related, two new Speed Kills Bears signs...one by the Chapel..another by Crane Flat)....saw maybe one Hawk on the way down...gliding over golden hills on still wings....got home around eleven...and went right to sleep....it's like two hundred miles there and back!...and I slept all the way to work time today....so no walkabout today either!!....did take pics today and yesterday of the ImpossiblePossible nest...for sometime...candid clip today of photog trying to take a pic of the Little Blue Jays...it's not easy...it would be fun to put a web cam on the Nest....at the Zoo, it's not unusual to see everyone peering, and trying to find critters...but at the Umbrella Table on the Patio..it's charming...sunny hot blue with some puff clouds....

Seven Bears

Got up at Dawn...the Chorus in full voice...and put my levis, still wet from the other day, in the laundry...then curled up...woke up...put levis in the dryer..and back to sleep.. woke up with just thirty minutes left before the Hiker's Bus would leave....almostalmost went back to sleep again...but managed to get everything together...and while waiting for Bus on a bench, Blue Jay was posing in the Morning Light...but flew off before I had camera ready...and then I saw the Ground Squirrel...pic...and I really like the pic...I was fooling around with the Tuolumne pics...putting them into Grey Scale...and thought to do the same with the Squirrel...I reallyreally like the pic!...anyway...it was fine day trip up to the Meadows...saw four Bears on the way up...three by Crane Flat...one at White Wolf...and on the way back saw the Mama Bear and Cubs just before Crane Flat...and at Crane Flat the big Cinnamon Bear was still there still...and one of the Blond Bears...the other Blond may have been there too...all in all, we saw nine Bears from the Bus if one counts the repeats!...Marmot at Olmstead Point...and another on the Road to Soda Springs...here and there saw like twenty Deer in the Meadows...managed after much effort to get a digi clip of Picket Pin...for sometime...a few bird pics...Junco, Sparrow, Rosy Finch(no, Cassin's Finch...it has a Rosy Head!..but I inagine the Rosy Finch is a rare sighting in Tuolumne, but maybe not..common, book says, on East Side)...and the Cloud pics....Clouds really set off the Peaks...I made a loop from the Tuolumne Bridge along the Dirt Road to 1915 Bridge...a spur there up the Dirt Road further...and out the Meadow to the Road...couldn't go direct to the Store...Use Trail too wet...I made almost the same identical walkabout I did last year on the first trip up to the Meadows!...a bookend...thought to see if I could get a Tent and stay the night...but it looked to be a storm coming...and I was so sleepy!!....so was glad to come back to the Valley...thought I saw the Young Owls from the Bus going by Chapel Meadow...and hopped on the Bike at the Cabin, and peddled back to looksee...I dont know where they are now...hmmph...hungry and had dinner...vegi burger...levis have shrunk..or something...and went to sleep..cloudy cool breezey...and mosquitoesmosquitoesmosquitoes....take a head net...a body net!...and every mosquito repellent known to Man!!...some blurry pics of Mama Blue Jay feeding the Babies while waitingfor the Bus too..for sometime...Hi Jeannette...thanks for visiting!...the desktop with Windows Vista isn't showing the Followers icons...on the Laptop XP they're okay...I get a little lost with these things sometimes!....I think I have recollection in order now!...Robin was first Follower hereabout...and Jeannette most recent...and what I need to do is make a Followers' blogs link page...from there I can open sites..and back and forth with back and forward arrows...it's difficult to drill down into the menus that open with the icons!...and I'll have to make an active blogs page..and one for the sleepy ones..

Blog of the Day

http://breadonthewater.blogspot.com/

Flickers And Blue Jay Nest

Paddled out through Owl Woods...and along the Merced to Creek's End...sat awhile by the Emerald Pool...nice new long log beached by the Great Turf...which has shrunk a bit from the high water....log will be a good place to sit...Great Turf Log!.....water is still up...but dropping fast day to day....on the way back, happened on one Flicker...and that one joined up with another...and they did their dance...and long enough for me to set up the digi!...pics and clips...Blue Jays clip taken at the ImpossiblePossible Nest...apparently, if Baby Blue Jays hear a 'chirp' , they will reflexively raise their heads and open their mouths...think I saw this happen with the Baby Ouzels too....sunny warm blue with breeze...beautiful day...hopefully tomorrow, Hikers' Bus to Tuolumne!!...charming to see the Tourists taking pics of the Blue Jays...whole families on tip toes...wish they wouldn't use their camera's flash though!!....oh!...Hi Robin..and Ruby...like the hat...

Blog of the Day

http://theeasternslope.blogspot.com/

I need to post up how to read the blog...there's tricks...like clicking on pics to enlarge them...and another is to click on a month of posts, and the whole month will open, and one can scroll through...otherwise one is stuck going one by one post...for sometime!!

Young Owl

Clip is from the Monday Owls...that's almost two weeks ago!...June's going by quick......Shuttled over to the Post Office...and back to Lower Falls...and from there made the same walkabout as yesterday...with an added visit to Creek's End..and it was quiet..and it rained a bit...didn't look to take many pics, trying to keep the camera dry...clip of Junco making a new call...sat awhile out in Two Top Pine Meadow...Violet Green Swallows about...but no Ducklings...cool grey clouds sprinkles to rain...oh...pic of Mama Blue Jay on her Nest...for sometime...

Blue Jays And Bobcat

After Breakfast, I took a pic and clip of the Blue Jays in the ImpossiblePossible Nest...Tourists were impressed...there's like five of the little ones...but I could see the pic was blurry....shuttled back and forth to the Post Office...and hopped off again to try for another pic and clip...this time using my headlamp to cast some light on the Babies...and that worked...for the clip...the headlamp put out just enough light...pics were still blurry...though I can see all five in them...pic up is still from clip...geared up back at the Cabin for an effort to find Bear...went out the Rocky Slope, and just before Upper Falls trail, glimpsed Bobcat!...left the tripod standing on the trail, in front of some bewildered tourists, who I shushed with a finger to my lips!...and I hurried ahead...way this happens is Bobcat is up the slope paralleling the trail...and if I can get ahead, I can get a face on pic....and it almost worked perfectly!...I ran ahead, angled up the slope...hardly had begun to wait...and I heard one last 'beep' from Ground Squirrel...Bobcat was behind the bushes a few feet in front of me...and proudly walked by with its catch...I tried to keep up...and got one final pic of Bobcat going up some steps on the Upper Falls trail...Blue Jays scolding in pursuit...I thought to follow..but the tripod again!...I had to go back and retrieve it...continued out past Camp 4...and over to Two Top Pine Meadow...location of last Bear report...and meandered over to the Merced...could hear Sandpipers piping....and located them...a male and female were courting, I think...clips of them chasing about on the shore beaches...for sometime...thought to maybe find the Ducklings and Merganserlings..but no luck...back at the Cabin checked the Fig Tree...Robins...and I think a Douglas Squirrel was there, but no pic...figs are almost gone...which is disappointing...last year there were lots of different birds...only have a few of them this time...very cool to see the Baby Blue Jays...will try for some more pics and clips...everyone is!...and an unexpected surprise to see Bobcat!!....sunny warm kinda overcast blue and the breeze...

Hop to Hop to Hop

Shuttled over to the Village and Post Office...walked back..out to Bobcat Meadow...along the Merced...by the Leaning Snag Cottonwoods...saw the Frog...hophophop...crossed over Chapel Bridge and out through the Meadow to CAD Beach, over to the Road and to Swinging Bridge...really wanted to find the Merganserlings...and tried at the Rock Wall out in Two Top...but quiet..the walks of late are just...quiet...maybe it's the coolness and breeze...wind tends to keep the Birds perched and hidden or something...as for the rest, everyone is seeing the Three Cubs...report of them out in Two Top this evening playing...really dont know what it takes to persuade someone to carry a little digital camera...computer or no..I've offered to download and put pics on disc...and they lamentlamentandlament they didn't have a camera...hmmph...anyway, I finished up the Outside Loop at the Fig Tree...clip of Grey Squirrel, and female Grosbeak....will try to put the Fig Tree pics and clips up all together...just missed a small yellow bird..Oriole of Tanager...not sure...sunny warm with the puff clouds a little darker underneath today...and a strong breeze...a take-my-hat-off-going-over-Swinging-Bridge Breeze!!
Blog of the Day...(jealous as it has Mama Bear with Two Cubs up Tree...)
http://baselineshots.blogspot.com/2009/06/yosemite-day-1-drizzle-and-rain.html

Creek Delta Merganser

Shuttled over to the Post Office...walked back through the Oak Grove...Ground Squirrel piping..clip...I was kinda sleepy, and at the upstream Creek Footbridge (Rocking Log) I just sat down on one of the
Bridge Posts in the sunlight....Creek's always pretty...after a bit, I thought I heard Merganser quacking...their quack is a little coarser than Mallards'...but couldn't locate...until Merganser surfaced right below me...clips and pics...I followed up the Creek...finally lost Merganser in the Upper Creek Delta...I walked about a bit, then sat in the sun...sleepy!...found some long legged flying bugs mating...pics...and Caterpillars...one on my hand!...didn't know what was tickling me...little green thing...clips...for sometime..and a blog devoted just to the Bugs!..as some of the pics and clips are very cool, but I often leave them out..being 'just' Bugs!...Flickers came by..and were startled off by two tourists...thought I had a spot to myself!...the Delta is still kinda wild...and difficult to walk across with the water high...(it's gone down a lot!)....I sat here..then there...and caught a glimpse of Merganser, a good long way from the Bridge...clips and pics...I'd post up all of them..the ones with Merganser swimming are always cool...but too long to post...if not for Merganser, the Bugs would have been the 'broadpost'...sunny warm blue light breeze and a few puffy clouds...report of two Bears playing at Happy Isles...same time frame as when I was there yesterday...hmmph..I think Blue Jay is feeding her babies in the Umbrella Nest...try for pic tomorrow...

Flowers And Insects

First thing I do, last few days, is go back and check the Fig Tree...the Figs are beginning to ripen, and they'll attract Birds....did that this morning, but no luck, and then went to Breakfast, but before I sat down, realized I'd forgotten the binocs on the Cement Block...so back I went..which was okay...had my croissant, orange juice, and coffee sitting by the Creek at the Swath....Merganser came by flying furiously Upcreek...otherwise very quiet...picked up, and looked for Merganser by the Creek Footbridges, but no luck...and continued out to Bobcat Meadow...and caught the Shuttle at Sentinel Stop...hopped off at Happy Isles...Pony Path isn't too crowded, and walked out that way...took the Bee pics and clips, and some Lizard pics and clips...sat awhile by the Boulder...the Ouzel nest is gone...likely fallen off that Boulder...pics and clip of flying insect catching Black Birds...for sometime...Brewer's, I think...back at the Snack Stand, got lunch..hotdog cookie gator aid...and sat awhile by the Fen...thought to go up to Sierra Point...but...just too much gear with!...walked through the Fen, and made a left turn to explore the Use Trail there that goes along the Scree under Glacier Point...lots of growth skirting the Fen...Trail ran into avalanche knocked down Aspens...took the Reed pic thereabout...found a pile of trash, and wish I'd brought a plastic trash bag...next time...I kinda was hoping for an overview of the Fen...would like to just perch and watch thereabout some evening...I might be able to do that keeping further up slope amongst the Trees...anyway...a quiet excursion...back to Happy Isles again, and took the Trail on the West side of the Merced to Clark Bridge...Bee pic amongst the Lupine just before the Campground...took the Shuttle back to the Village...picked up dinner...egg salad sandwich, chips, and another orange juice, and went to the Long Fallen Ponderosa at the Artist's Grove, and gazed out over the greengreen Meadow contemplating if I'd see anything today!...picked up and went to Creek's End, and looped back over Chapel Bridge...out through the Meadow to Swinging Bridge...had in mind the Violet Green Swallows all day, and thought to find them in the evening by the Broken Cottonwood in Two Top Pine Meadow...and they were there...approaching the Cottonwood I frightened Mama Merganser with her Merganserlings...they were hidden in the grasses, and in the little stream where stones are layed for crossing...what a racket!...she was really upset..and with the little ones hurrying to catch up, she swam out into the Slough....glad to see the Mergansers...there were two Mallards with their Ducklings too...pics and clips...one port hole clip of the young Mallards all on a log very cool...for sometime...set up the digi and took lots of Violet Green Swallow pics and clips...they roost there in the Aspens...I was surrounded by them swooping and diving...Sentinel for a backdrop...very cool...just one clip posted up...others for sometime...picked up, and went back the way I came all the way to Chapel Bridge...clip of Moth...third one in three years!...dont see them often...last clip a Deer by the Merced near the Bridge..a young Buck...it was a long afternoon walkabout...and very quiet...sunny warm with a few rain shower clouds that didn't shower!...

Phoebe And Owl

After a late afternoon nap...(it was rainy out)...I paddled out to Bobcat Meadow...and while going by the Deer House, I heard Blue Jays sounding the alarm...Owl was right there by the Deer House up in the Oaks...tried for pics and clips...but Owl was behind a branch, and before I could angle around, flew off back towards the Creek...I thought to follow, but Black Phoebes were atop the Air Shed...so, set up the digiscope... and Phoebe pics and clips...these scope pics the closest I have of Phoebes at the Shed, where I often see them this time of year...there's a Nest under one corner, but I didn't check it for Babies...picked up, and went out to Lodgepole Point to look for Owl...at the Point, and across Creek's End, I heard one Blue Jay scolding, and thanks to that, found Owl...pic and clip...(and this time Owl is on a Ponderosa Branch!)...watched Owl for a good long while...very cool to be at Creek's End...and thought how Owl was right above where I was standing when I heard Owl hoo hooing in the distance towards Chapel Bridge, and waded the Creek to go looksee...this back in Feb.... and how I found Owl in the Cottonwood....oh...a lot I've seen at Creek's End, though there are many times when it is quiet, and most would think that is how it always is!....picked up, and went back and crossed the Bridge...thought maybe to find the Fledglings on the far side of the Merced...when I was opposite from Creek's End, I could still hear Blue Jay, and sighted Owl again...posed on a lower branch, but was too slow with the digi.. did see Owl through the binocs fly across Creek's End, and up along the Point...Owl was taking me Tree to Tree!....on the Path again by the Deer House, I saw Owl go to a tall Ponderosa, near the Muir Redwood...dim pic of scene with Falls....tried to set up again, and Owl went to an Oak...from the Path thereabout, I could hear Robins raising the alarm...dim clip of Owl silhouetted...Owl flew off again, back way I came to the several branched giant Ponderosa near the Bridge...I followed...and then Owl flew across the Merced..and lost to sight in the fading light and dark Trees....oh...I forgot to post up the Half Dome pic from Lodgpole Point...in fact, there's a lot of 'imagination pic' to go with this...Imagination pics and clips are ones often blurry...underexposed...but still valuable as they tell a lot!....the aftenoon Clouds came in again with rain, and one rolling Thunder clap...I made a mid aftenoon paddle to, and shuttle back, to and from the Post Office!...it's so crowded mid day, so I just had lunch, and curled up...more reports of Bear...usually around campgrounds and cars parked...best to walkabout in the early morning and late evening...collided with the Canon walkers, all peering through their borrowed cameras and lenses with puzzlement, on the Boardwalk by the Oak Branch Arching Over Half Dome...Wed. I'd like to join them and try one of those red ring lenses!!

Violet Green Swallows And Owl

Paddled out to Creek's End...then along the Merced...Aspen toppeled over at Ozone Beach...shore erosion....on the Path near Swinging Bridge, I was intent on sighting a Blue Bird, and heard approaching bicycle wheels...so tried to hurry...then a voice...'Did you get it fixed yet!' 'Geezzzz lueezz!, You scared the bird!'...it was the previous owner of the Bus....and this conversation has gone on for awhile.....'I found some parts, I'll bring them by...'....'It's going to take more than a few parts!'....so it goes...I went on out to Two Top Pine Meadow at the Rocks near the Broken Cottonwood...and just sat awhile....the Violet Greens were flying by and flying by..and I waitedwaited...and they perched!...three times!...and twice I caught them flying off and onto the branches...pics of Song Sparrow, Redwing, and Female Redwing too...the Broken Cottonwood is far enough, and by itself enough, in the Meadow, to be a kinda magnet for the little birds...oh...at the Path, the Lovely Rockclimber peddled by on their bike too...with their giant bouldering pad...and said sweetly, as always, 'hi david'....and then ring ring with the little handlebar bell to warn the meandering tourists...sunny warm blue with a fine breeze...Owl is sitting on a Cottonwood branch..miss labled Ponderosa...clip is from the Monday group...and still more of those for sometime!...Hikers' Bus begins going to Tuolumne next week...where I'll begin going too on my days off!!

Blue Jay On Nest

Paddled over to the Post Office...no mail!...shuttled back to the Cabin...forgot the tripod attachment for the camera bases...and scope...retrieved them and went out to Creek's End...quiet and a June Gloomy kinda day...sat awhile at Creek's End...listened to and watched Downy Woodpecker...too low light for pic......and while sitting on the shore sand heard one hoo hoo from Owl...I just cant ever find Owl there at Creek's End...leastwise with only one hoo hoo to go on!....few day old report of California Tortoise Backs (butterflies) blooming at the Merced Grove...saw this myself out the Bus' front window when I went to Merced...oh...did get clip of Chickadee by Creek Footbridge...lots of tourists for a rainy cloudy day...and rescue going on at Half Dome late evening...dont know details...Blue Jay is still on her nest...
Web site of the Day (all about Grinnell)
http://mvz.berkeley.edu/Grinnell/index.html

Merganser On Owl Log

Paddled over to the Post Office...shuttled back to Lower Falls...and hopped off to walk out into Bobcat Meadow...Half Dome shrouded in the rain clouds...neat pics and clip..forgot to post up!...for sometime...crossed over Chapel Bridge and out along the Merced...opposite Creek's End took some more scenics of the Falls...and surprised to notice Merganser on Owl Log..had the mini scope along and set it up...pics and clips...very difficult light...white Log blocks out...there was a good pic there with tangle of old branches and dark and light...but I couldn't figure out how to get it!...I need a 3x with a manual mode so I can do the f stop and focus...picked up, and back at the Cabin realized I'd forgotten my Camel Back...tried to run back to get it...but it was a slow..and intermittent jog!...I run sometimes to catch the Shuttle...and even occasionally break into a trot coming down a trail...that mostly just to break the tedium...but I really haven't gone out and run for a long time...I used to run all the time playing basketball and baseball...and riding my bike to0 up and down the hills from Rainbow to Temecula...the long up hikes I do...but it's like I'm using my lungs in a different fashion than when I run...I huff and puff for hours hiking...but running is more intense and shorter time wise...anywayanyway...I'll have to get some running shoes....feels good to run... made it to work on time...cloudy cool with some sprinkles towards the walkrun's end!...the Canon people are going to be back in a week or so...they set up a booth by the Visitor Center...and loan out cameras and lenses for their guided walks...recommended!!...the Museum is doing the Obata show again... it's good....but I'd hoped for something new...and not about climbers!!...dont know where the Owls are again...check Owl Woods tomorrow...

Owl And Blue Jays

Pic and clip from Monday....today, paddled over to the Post Office...sunny blue breezy....retrieved the Bike and peddled over to Chapel Bridge...walked out in the Meadow for a bit...quiet....but very pretty...weather report warns of storm coming in the early morning...at work, took pic of the PossibleImpossible Nest...Blue Jay is sitting on her eggs in one of the umbrellas...tourists stand on chairs for looksee and pics...thought to get pic myself..and clip..but didn't need chair...clip went okay, but I thought I had turned off the flash..but didn't...and flash lit up Blue Jay with pic...Blue Jay stayed stoicly quiet...twice..as I made the same error a second time!...did finally get natural light pic...for sometime...report of Mama Bear with two very small Cubs over in Siberia...took some more Flower pics...and another Mushroom...oh..and a clip of some odd swimming things in the Lily Pad Pond...haven't downloaded yet...