Shuttled over to the Post Office...paddled back to Bobcat Meadow....as I rounded the Path through the Artist's Grove, sighted Hawk, Cedar, perched in the Appletree just past the Woodpecker Tree....some quick pics, just the new camera with, and then tried to decide what to do...I could go from Pine to Pine to the Woodpecker Tree, and stay hidden.... I'd lose sight, but I did try to Indian Sneak, and just when I peeked out from the Second Pine, Cedar flew to the Ground, and caught Gopher.... no chance for pics...Cedar flew up to an Alder near the Appletree by the Merced....got some faraway pics...and flight pics as Cedar flew across the River to a Tall Ponderosa...more pics....Blue Jay was scolding, and I crossed Sentinel Bridge for a looksee, maybe another Hawk....Blue Jay's calls must have been for Cedar....could see Cedar perched through the Pines...some last pics...and then made the Outside Loop...quiet...some scenic pics of Falls and Two Top Pine Meadow....wish I'd had the digi with for Cedar!...and too, I should have gone back to the Tree area, and observed Cedar with the walk time remaining....sprinkle showers, sometime clearing, with clouds about the Rims...cool...while I was reviewing the pics during break at work, I showed them to a friend who said Hawks used to often be seen, "Pergrines too"....this awhile back, friend has worked here a long time....and it's a report by someone who wasn't likely looking for Hawk like I have been, more by someone like everyone hereabout who might just notice....which reminds me of yesterday, when Cedar was calling--no one looked around to see....and Cedar's call was loud!...but it was like Cedar didn't register (to have some effect, make some impression)....poor Gopher looked pretty sad being ferried across the River, fast in Cedar's claws....
quote
Our experienc with the Harlequins met an end on the
afternoon of May 9. We were in the tent when we heard the loud
dear call-note of the male bird. When we got to the river-bank
both birds were coming down stream. The female came and ate
at the feeding tray while the male stood guard a few' feet away.
After eating the female worked along the edge of the stream among
the stones and roots. The male kept close to her, alert and nervous
all the while uttering his low chatty notes, his sole idea being
apparently to guard the female. The female ate again at the tray,
bathed and dove a number of times and then both birds started to
drift down stream on the swift current. When about one hundred
yards below' camp they rose from the water and flew down
stream. They were last seen going under the Sentinel Bridge.
AN ADVENTURE WITH A PAIR OF HARLEQUIN DUCKS IN THE YOSEMITE VALLEY (DjVu PDF)CHARLES W. MICHAEL, ENID MICHAEL , 14-23
The Auk archive:
unquote
The Michaels were good at telling where in the Valley they saw critters...this tale about two Harlequin Ducks in the Spring of 1921 in the vicinity of Sentinel Bridge...where I was today viewing Cedar--charming!!
and the page that comes up when 'yosemite' is put in the search box!
wonderful!!
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