Thursday, April 28, 2011

Part One. A Hike on the West Side of the Vermilon River, along the Abanboned RR Track. A Post to Skywatch.

A Few Clouds, But Generally Bright


Now these Cumulus are building and Darkening.


Starting off it was a bright day with a few clouds, but as the day went on the clouds built up and darkened, a hint of the next few days when we actually had a rain storm warning. But we're going to continue because we've got cabin fever, and a fair distance to cover along side the west side of the river on the abandoned rail track.


The upper river.

Our Crow.


Male Purple Finch


Female Hairy Woodpecker


We were not about to leave without a fairwell to our crow. By the way the river scene is from the upper river just indicating the lack of ice. We won't be going that way today. We'll cut across an active track and use a RR maintenance road which is always good for something and sometimes a bear. This time we got the Purple Finch and the female Hairy Woodpecker, not a bad beginning. After them the trail went quiet and I thought bear, but Boom didn't pick up a scent at all.

Canada Geese In Flight


Geese in Flight





As the river was coming in sight these Canada Geese came tearing in honking all the time. 
Sparrow


Sparrow


Sparrow
 There were lots of Sparrows around. I think the one above may be an immature White-crown, while the one in the reeds, and the branches are Song Sparrows. If I'm wrong, some one will correct us.


Sparrow




Preening Ring-bill


Still Preening


Tree Fungus
The River Ring-billed Gulls are always active, and the tree fungus is a really interesting looking one.
A Post to Skywatch Friday @ http://skyley.blogspot.com/  I'll post Part 2 to Camera Critters and Scenic Sunday.


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57 comments:

  1. Buttons ThoughtsApril 28, 2011 at 5:57 AM

    Great shots I love tree fungus it is an art in itself. You are lucky to live where you do. B

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  2. TexWisGirlApril 28, 2011 at 7:41 AM

    i just always adore your crow guide. what a beauty! and i love sparrows of all kinds. :)

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  3. KarenApril 28, 2011 at 8:05 AM

    I know that cabin fever feeling! Gorgeous skies Gary, and a great hike, thanks for sharing.

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  4. Sylvia KApril 28, 2011 at 8:16 AM

    Ah, yes! I can relate to cabin fever as well! Thanks for the hike! Your photos are superb as always! Love the shots of the birds, they are so beautiful! Always lovely clouds and skies! Hope you and Boomer have a great weekend, Gary!

    Sylvia

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  5. AnonymousApril 28, 2011 at 11:42 AM

    Beautiful skies and wildlife. I love the fat little Crow and the many Sparrows.
    Thanks for taking us all along with you and Boomer on this walk!

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  6. Martha ZApril 28, 2011 at 11:44 AM

    That was a good hike for wildlife viewing even if you didn't see a bear.

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  7. Pearl MapleApril 28, 2011 at 11:59 AM

    Great collection of photos from your hike, the wildlife is beautiful. Thanks for sharing with SWF.

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  8. jocoApril 28, 2011 at 12:00 PM

    What riches today, Gary.
    Terrific skies, that wonderful water scene and plenty of birds.( Lucky you! You know what I'm on about :-)
    You had a great outing.
    1jo.co

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  9. eileeninmdApril 28, 2011 at 12:49 PM

    Gorgeous skies and birds. Happy skywatching!

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  10. EG CameraGirlApril 28, 2011 at 1:02 PM

    I'm glad there was no bear. :) Great shots of the birds.

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  11. Hilke BrederApril 28, 2011 at 1:20 PM

    Nice shots, Gary, particularly of the preening gull. The aparrow with the rusty crown,the eye stripe and the plain chest is an American Tree Sparrow. The bicolored bill is a dead giveaway.

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  12. Photo CacheApril 28, 2011 at 1:28 PM

    you go on wonderful trails. you see and capture a lot of pretty birds.

    http://ewok1993.wordpress.com

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  13. EcoRoverApril 28, 2011 at 2:20 PM

    Bet Crow thinks you're its people.

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  14. DawnApril 28, 2011 at 2:41 PM

    You have the most amazing hikes. I am inspired to travel your way!
    Sweet sparrow.

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  15. Diane AZApril 28, 2011 at 2:41 PM

    Gorgeous skies and birds! I especially love the purple finch and sparrows.

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  16. B i r g i t t aApril 28, 2011 at 3:02 PM

    This was a lovely walk and my favourite bird here is the red headed sparrow.
    Which one is Boom's favourite?

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  17. Malgorzata IngstadApril 28, 2011 at 3:26 PM

    Hello Garry - I promise you that this stupid shopping cart is going to dissapear from this place. Thank you for your kind comment. Your many birds and skyes and even fungus are amazing. Among birds I choose sparrow. But where is Boomer?

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  18. Adam TiltApril 28, 2011 at 3:48 PM

    Great photos Gary. Really like that Sparrow.

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  19. Maude LynnApril 28, 2011 at 4:04 PM

    What a beautiful shot of the woodpecker!

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  20. JoyfulApril 28, 2011 at 11:25 PM

    I love your photos; especially the little finch.

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  21. AlApril 28, 2011 at 11:51 PM

    Great shots. Those skies look like they could have been taken from an airplane. And of course the birds are nice to see!

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  22. FjällripanApril 29, 2011 at 12:22 AM

    Really beautiful pictures! Nice to see the bird taking a bath :)

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  23. AnonymousApril 29, 2011 at 4:05 AM

    No ice? Is spring finally there? Lovely blue skies!

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  24. nonizamboniApril 29, 2011 at 5:05 AM

    Really nice hike along the tracks--thanks for taking us along. Your bird captures are a delight, including your Crow [some of my favorite feathered friends]. Lovely day from start to finish.
    Happy weekend!

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  25. UnknownApril 29, 2011 at 5:54 AM

    Really lucky Buttons!!

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  26. UnknownApril 29, 2011 at 5:55 AM

    Boomer now has it that only one crow is on the property at a time, texwisgirl.

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  27. UnknownApril 29, 2011 at 5:55 AM

    Thanks Karen!!

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  28. UnknownApril 29, 2011 at 5:56 AM

    Thanks Sylvia!!

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  29. UnknownApril 29, 2011 at 5:57 AM

    Thanks ubberhund and you're welcome anytime.

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  30. UnknownApril 29, 2011 at 5:58 AM

    We've been looking for them Martha.

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  31. UnknownApril 29, 2011 at 5:59 AM

    Thanks joco and I read your views of blogging. Very good.

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  32. UnknownApril 29, 2011 at 6:00 AM

    But we're looking for some EGW.

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  33. UnknownApril 29, 2011 at 6:00 AM

    Thanks Hilke for the ID.

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  34. UnknownApril 29, 2011 at 6:01 AM

    That's true PC.

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  35. UnknownApril 29, 2011 at 6:02 AM

    He does EcoRover. But Boom has restricted visits to one crow at a time.

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  36. UnknownApril 29, 2011 at 6:02 AM

    See you soon Dawn.

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  37. UnknownApril 29, 2011 at 6:03 AM

    Thanks DianeAZ.

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  38. UnknownApril 29, 2011 at 6:04 AM

    Boom is really that partial, Birgitta.

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  39. UnknownApril 29, 2011 at 6:05 AM

    Look, at the next post Marias.

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  40. UnknownApril 29, 2011 at 6:05 AM

    Thanks Adam and they are attractive.

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  41. UnknownApril 29, 2011 at 6:06 AM

    Thanks Mama Zen.

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  42. UnknownApril 29, 2011 at 6:06 AM

    It took a lot of shots to get that Finch Joyful.

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  43. UnknownApril 29, 2011 at 6:07 AM

    Just from the ground Al.

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  44. UnknownApril 29, 2011 at 6:08 AM

    Thanks Fjallripan and welcome to the blog.

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  45. UnknownApril 29, 2011 at 6:09 AM

    No,ladyfi, we had snow last night and this morning. For ice see the next post.

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  46. UnknownApril 29, 2011 at 6:10 AM

    Thanks nonizamboni.

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  47. UnknownApril 29, 2011 at 6:19 AM

    Thanks Pearl Maple.

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  48. Betty ManousosApril 29, 2011 at 6:49 AM

    your photography is really stunning!
    i've always been in awe of your photography skills.

    happy weekend!
    (popping over to your site via Dianne AZ'.)

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  49. GuyApril 29, 2011 at 6:52 AM

    Hi Gary

    Great shots of the geese and inmature sparrow. The preening gull is a treat, I always like to see the water droplets fly. Hi to Boomer.

    Guy

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  50. UnknownApril 29, 2011 at 1:37 PM

    Thanks Betty, but the equipment and the wildlife do most of the work.

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  51. UnknownApril 29, 2011 at 1:38 PM

    I like action shots too Guy!!

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  52. NatureFootstepApril 29, 2011 at 2:10 PM

    nice shots of the gull. :)
    You have lots of nice birds where you live.

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  53. UnknownApril 30, 2011 at 10:51 AM

    Thanks NatureFootstep

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  54. forgetmenotApril 30, 2011 at 1:55 PM

    Beautiful skies and all the photos of the birds are excellent. You have some great country to take photos of. Mickie :)

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  55. UnknownApril 30, 2011 at 2:00 PM

    Thanks Mickie!!

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  56. MaryApril 30, 2011 at 4:24 PM

    I love all of your bird shots. Makes me want to get outside and get some decent photos!

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  57. UnknownMay 2, 2011 at 5:07 AM

    Thanks Mary.

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