Cool Ducks

Before I had the Bus towed to Mariposa, it ran well enough to puttputt about the Valley, and I haven't tried to run it since it was towed back, so thought this morning to start it up...turns over okay, but no start, so opened the engine hatch to looksee...and the engine is all apart on top!...mechanic didn't put it back togther...hmmph...well, this sets one to talking to oneself....so I geared up and went out to the Delta....sat awhile in a sunny spot away from the water...listening for peeps...but quiet...and after awhileawhile, thought to move near the water...maybe Ducks or Mergansers...and after a long sit...which was pleasant and soothing in the shade!..what with the heat and smoke...Mama Mallard with Ducklings came sailing under the fallen Cedar (Ponderosa!)....very coolcool Ducks!....hot sunny smokey and orange!....report of Blond Bear with black feet...this from my Owl reporter...and in nearly the same place as Owl...this a couple days ago....report of small Pigeon like bird with band on one foot...this in Village, I think...not a real accurate report!...YARTS driver said the fire has reached the River....brb...

http://www.goldrushcam.com/2009/mariposa%20news/mariposa_news%20294.htm

brb...well...I cant confirm the bus drivers report...but search turned up an Aussie's take:
http://victorperton.blogspot.com/2009/07/yosemite-wildfires-today.html

and not so different than mine!....I'm a nervous Nelly every time I see smoke on the horizon...and I have pic of the beginning smoke plume over the Cathedrals from way back during the early June thunderstorms....

YARTS by the way, has started the Mammoth shuttle...leaves Valley at five pm to Mammoth at Visitor Center shuttle stop...leaves Mammoth by McDonalds at seven am to Valley...these times approximate recollections!...but it, and the Hikers' Bus are very cool services...

Happy Fourth!!!!

oh!..I was wondering about how the water beads up on Ducks' feathers....the 'beads' are often very large..have some pics of this...will post up tomorrow!