Earthwatcher

Similar But Different Birds

November 11, 2018 by Earthwatcher, posted in Bird Photography, Birds, Photography, Waterfowl

A couple of weeks ago, I went to photograph sandhill cranes. While there, I saw what I thought was Canada Geese. They seemed a bit unusual though, they were darker in color and instead of a handful, there were hundreds. I took a few images and thought little more about them. I stopped to talk to a person that led a tour I once took. I mentioned the geese. He told me they were not Canada Geese, they were Cackling Geese. I knew that several years ago, the powers that classify birds, split Canada Geese into 2 separate species: Canada and Cackling. All I ever knew was that the cackling geese were smaller. This person told me that there were other indicators: most have a white ring at the base of their dark neck and their call is more of a cackle than the honk of the Canada Goose; thus their name. So, it was a great experience. I learned something that will help me in the future. By the way, this was the Aleutian subspecies migrating to California’s central Valley from Alaska. They’ll start their trip back in January.

Please click on caption to see higher resolution image.

Cackling Goose, Aleutian Subspecies — Cackling Goose

In November and December, the chinook or king salmon migrate from the ocean into the American River. The salmon breed and die. So, along with the salmon, the population of gulls and Turkey Vultures rise greatly. I assumed that what we see are California Gulls. After all, a gull is a gull. What I learned is we also get Herring Gulls. Both are white with a gray mantle, back and wing feathers. The California Gull is a noticeably darker gray, the Herring Gull is medium gray. The California Gull has yellow legs, dark eyes and a black spot on his bill; sometimes there is both a black and red spot. The Herring Gull has pink legs, yellow eyes and a red spot on his bill. Some of those colors change with the winter molt. I understand we also get the ring billed gull but I haven’t seen one.

Finally, I added 2 other birds for interest. I caught a great egret fishing. I also caught a sleeping great horned owl.

These and other images are available to purchase on my website: www.earthwatcher.us or by contacting larry@earthwatcher.us

Autumn In The Eastern Sierra

November 7, 2018 by Earthwatcher, posted in Autumn, Eastern Sierra, Fujifilm Cameras, Photography

Scene from McGee Creek Rd — Scene from McGee Creek Road

A few weeks ago, we took a trip to the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada, along route 395 from the junction of Rt 89 to Bishop, CA. Generally, we wanted to enjoy the autumn foliage. But we also wanted to explore Buttermilk County, the area along Buttermilk Road near Bishop. We did all of that and managed to include a drive into McGee Creek Canyon. The rabbitbrush was in bloom. Aspens and other trees were displaying the finest golds and oranges. It was a wonderful trip into the mountains.

Note: Please click on see images at higher resolution.

Aspens Below Dunderburg Mountain — Aspens Below Dunderberg Mountain

Stormy Sunrise from Mt Morrison Rd — Stormy Sunrise from Mt Morrison Road

Scene from Buttermilk Rd - P4 — Scene from Buttermilk Road – P4

Scene from Buttermilk Rd - P1 — Scene from Buttermilk Rd – P1

These and other images are available to purchase on my website www.earthwatcher.us or by contacting larry@earthwatcher.us

Sandhill Cranes Are Back

November 3, 2018 by Earthwatcher, posted in Bird Photography, Birds, Pacific Flyway, Photography, Wildlife

Sandhill Cranes populate much of the North America. But here, around Sacramento, we live along the Pacific Flyway; one of the primary migratory paths for birds heading to their wintering spot. One of the treats is that we attract large numbers of Sandhill Cranes who spend their nights in flooded rice fields and their days foraging in fields of cut grasses and grains.

Note: Please click on caption to see images at higher resolution.

Juvenile Sandhill Crame in Flight — Juvenile Sandhill Cranes in Flight

Note: These and other images are available to purchase on my website, www.earthwatcher.us or by contacting larry@earthwatcher.us.

Some Wildlife from Recent Trips

October 28, 2018 by Earthwatcher, posted in Bird Photography, Birds, Death Valley, Earthwatcher, Fujifilm Cameras, Photography, raptor, Wildlife, Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park

Here is a few shots of some wildlife we saw travelling through various places. The locations are listed with each image.

We hadn’t seen any bears in the wild for several years. Then, on one trip, we saw 2. Unfortunately, the one that got away, was a cinnamon colored one. Maybe someday I’ll be able to photograph one of those.

The tufa in Mono Lake are beautiful themselves but we got a rare treat – an osprey on its nest on top of a tufa.

Note: Click on caption to see image at higher resolution.

Tuolumne Grove Giant Sequoias, Yosemite National Park, CA; SEP 2018 — Western Gray Squirrel, Yosemite National Park

Least Chipmunk, Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, CA

American Red Squirrel, Grand Tetons National Park

Turkey Vultures in the Desert, Death Valley National Park

Note: These and other images are available to purchase on my website: www.earthwatcher.us or by contacting larry@earthwatcher.us

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

October 21, 2018 by Earthwatcher, posted in landscape, Photography, river, Yellowstone National Park

The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is another one of Yellowstone National Park’s iconic features. The steep, rugged canyon is cut through volcanic rocks that are colored by deposits of iron. It is being cut by the Yellowstone river which, in other parts of the park, seem calm and serene. But, in the canyon, it is a raging torrent. It tumbles down over Upper Yellowstone Falls (109’) then, after a short distance, tumbles over Lower Yellowstone Falls (308’). After the falls, the river flows its way alongside fumaroles and over cascades as it winds its way through the canyon.

Most of these images are from a recent trip. But I decided to include 3 from previous trips to give you some other perspectives of the canyon. They are Bottom of Lower Yellowstone Falls with rainbow like color, The Beam, a unique winter phenomenon and Lower Yellowstone Falls in Winter by the Light of the Full Moon.

Regards,

Larry

Note: Click on caption to see image at higher resolution

Lower Yellowstone Falls in WInter by Light of the Full Moon — Lower Yellowstone Falls in Winter by Full Moon Light

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone - P5 — Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone – P6

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone - P4 — Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone – P4

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Yellowstone National Park; SEP 2018 — Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone – P8

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone - P2 — Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone – P2

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone - P1 — Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone – P1

Canyon Bright – “The Beam” at Yellowstone Canyon

20180907-Yellowstone-066-On1Efx-Web — Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone – P7

Notr: These and other images are available to purchase at my website: www.earthwatcher.us or by contacting larry@earthwatcher.us

Grand Prismatic Spring

October 3, 2018 by Earthwatcher, posted in Earthwatcher, Fujifilm Cameras, Geyser, Grand Prismatic Spring, Hot Spring, landscape, Photography, Yellowstone National Park

The Grand Prismatic Spring is another of Yellowstone’s iconic hydrothermal features. It is the one that looks like a big orange and blue eye. The spring sits along the Firehole River in the general area of the Upper Geyser Basin where Old Faithful resides. It produces a constant flow of water that flows into and heats the Firehole River. To me, the Firehole River is the most fascinating of Yellowstone’s rivers. It flows from Madison Lake, on the continental divide, 21 miles to the Gibbon River at Madison Junction. What fascinates me, is that it travels through the Upper Geyser Basin, where Old Faithful is located, and past the Grand Prismatic Spring. Those and other hydrothermal features dump their water into the Firehole. This raises the temperature 9-18 degrees Fahrenheit.

The pool filled by the Grand Prismatic Spring is very shallow. It is colored by the brown. orange and yellow bacteria and algae that grow in its pool. The sun highlights its colored features and the water reflects the blue of the sky. Steam rising from the spring adds mystery to the landscape. Though you can appreciate the spring by just giving it a cursory walk-by, paying attention to the details and seeing how the light seems to make them change provides a breathtaking experience.

Here is a link to an image that shows the spring in totality: https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/photo/grand-prismatic-spring-close-up-royalty-free-image/136952950; I don’t have one of my own to share.

Note: Click on caption to see higher resolution image.

Edge of Excelsior Geyser -P2 — Edge of Excelsior Geyser – P2

Overflow Into the Firehole River - P2 — Overflow Into The Firehole River – P2

Note: These and other images are available to purchase on my website: www.earthwatcher.us or by contacting larry@earthwatcher.us.

Bryce Canyon

September 30, 2018 by Earthwatcher, posted in Bryce Canyon, Earthwatcher, Fujifilm Cameras, hoodoo, landscape, landscape images, landscape photos, left brained, Photography, sunrise, sunset, water cycle

Bryce Canyon, in Utah, is stunningly beautiful; especially at sunrise and sunset. It should be on your bucket list. You can enjoy it any time of day but, I recommend being there in the morning, before the sun creeps over the distant mountains and as the sun sets in the evening. The colors saturate, the whites appear almost translucent at hose times and it will take your breath away. If you can, walk the trails that take you below the base and look at the hoodoos face on.

As I looked over the landscape, my thoughts turned to the ancient cities from fantasy and action adventures. Perhaps drawing from Petra in southern Jordan. I can imagine temples and palaces constructed from the hoodoos. I see “impregnable” walls being breached by the barbarians outside. It’s a fun connection.

For me, the process of how the land became to look as it does, enhances its beauty. In this case, water channels away the softer soil, forming the hoodoos. The freeze-thaw cycle sculpts the hoodoos by breaking off chunks. The wind helps sculpt too, but, to a lesser degree. What is left are acres of an orange and cream landscape filled with spectacular hoodoos and the erosional hills and valleys at their base.

I can’t wait to go back. Only this time, I am going to allow a day to hike and see what other treasures I uncover. I wonder what it would like in snow.

Note: Please click on caption to see higher resolution images.

These and other images are available to purchase at my website www.earthwatcher.us or by contacting larry@earthwatcher.us

Yellowstone Wildlife

September 28, 2018 by Earthwatcher, posted in Birds, Fujifilm Cameras, Photography, Wildlife, Yellowstone National Park

Scene from Swan Lake Flats, Yellowstone National Park; SEP 2018

Yellowstone is known as much for its wildlife as its great geologic features. North America’s apex predators, the wolf, grizzly bear and the mountain lion all roam Yellowstone’s wild lands along side the bison, elk, moose, deer and other prey species. Sadly, many of the species we had hoped to see didn’t show and a few were too far away to get a good picture. But we did see some and what we saw was amazing.

In this post, you’ll see the pica, a relative of the rabbit that lives in higher altitude rock fields. You’ll see the pronghorn which is related to but is not an antelope and the mountain goat which is not a goat but, an antelope. Finally, the American Dipper; the only North American song bird that feeds underwater in stream beds.

The Swainson’s hawks we taken not far outside of Idaho Falls, ID on the last leg of our journey to Yellowstone.

I hope you enjoy these images.

Regards,

Larry

Note: Please click on caption to see higher resolution image.

Yellowstone National Park, West Entrance Road; SEP 2018 — Bison Fording a Stream

Lamar Valley, Yellowstone National Park; SEP 2018 — Pronghorn Buck

Trumpeter Swan's at Sunrise — Trumpeter Swans at Sunrise

Note: These and other images are available to purchase on my website: www.earthwatcher.us or by contacting larry@earthwatcher.us.

Geysers, Hot Springs and Mudpots

September 23, 2018 by Earthwatcher, posted in Geyser, Hot Spring, Photography, Yellowstone National Park

Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park; SEP 2018 — Grotto Geyser, Yellowstone National Park; SEP 2018

Yellowstone is full of hydro-thermal (Hot Water) features; features created when groundwater is heated by Yellowstone’s magma chamber and pushed up to the surface. The geyser, Old Faithful, is the iconic feature of Yellowstone. But that is just one of many. Near Old Faithful is the Grand Prismatic Spring and Morning Glory Pool; 2 famous hot springs. The travertine terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs are constantly under creation as the underlying hot spring bubbles up through a deposit of limestone. The Mud Volcano area has its bubbling mudpots and hot springs. Fumaroles that vent only steam abound.

The interesting thing is that all these features work the same way. A hot spring has a crack or “pipe” that travels underground to the surface. As water is heated, it expands and gets pushed upward. If the pipe has a constriction, it slows the water’s upward movement until enough pressure builds so that the water explodes out of the ground as a geyser. If there is no constriction, the water runs continuously. If there is a depression, the water creates a pool. If the hot spring doesn’t have a lot of water, it soaks the ground instead of forming a pool. If there is just enough water, it creates pool of bubbling mud. If the amount of water is very small, it forms a fumarole and vents only steam.

Hot springs encourage the growth of bacteria and algae that form mats on the beds of their pools and streams. These mats come in array of colors that make these springs breathtakingly beautiful. Mammoth Hot Springs, whose water flows through limestone, deposits calcium carbonate as the water evaporates forming huge terraces of travertine. In some parts, chemical impurities stain the terraces with beautiful color.

These hydro-thermal features of Yellowstone are a wonder to behold.

Note: Click on caption to see higher resolution image.

Travertine Terrace with Water – Mammoth Hot Springs

Life in a Mud Pot — Ecosystem of a Mudpot – Mud Volcano Area

Wildflowers, Dead Tree and Travertine – Orange Spring Mound, Mammoth Hot Springs

Fumarole Along Grand Loop Road — Fumaroles Along Grand Loop Road

Sizzling Basin, Mud Volcano Area, Yellowstone National Park; SEP 2018 — Mudpot – Mud Volcano Area

Mini Forest in a Mini Hot Spring Delta, Mud Volcano Area

Mammoth Hot Spring, Yellowstone Natonal Park; SEP 2018 — Travertine Terrace – Mammoth Hot Springs

Beryl Spring - Hot Spring and Fumarole — Beryl Spring – Hot Spring and Fumarole – Grand Loop Road

These and oter images are available at my website: www.earthwatcher.us or by contacting larry@earthwatcher.us.

A Day at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge

September 1, 2018 by Earthwatcher, posted in Birds, Fujifilm Cameras, Okefenokee National WIldlife Refuge, Photography, rator, Reptile

Edge of the Prarie — Edge of the Prairie

Commonly known as the Okefenokee Swamp, it is located near Folkston, GA – near the Georgia-Florida border. Though most people consider it a swamp, it is really a peat bog. A bog is a wetland underlain with peat, dead plant material that forms a woody, brown, fibrous blanket. Most of us know it from the peat moss we buy in garden stores. It is home to a wide variety of wildlife that live among the forest of balled cypress trees covered with Spanish Moss and the prairie, a tannin rich pond whose dark brown water is covered by water lilies and other plants.
The Okefenokee is not fed by any river or stream. It is a natural basin that is filled by rainfall on the pond and runoff from the surrounding terrain. Though it is only fed by rainwater, the pond maintains an average depth of 2 – 2 ½ feet of water. Twenty Five percent of its water drains to the Atlantic Ocean via the St Mary’s River. The remaining 75% drains to the Gulf of Mexico via the Suwanee River of “Way Down Upon the Suwanee River” fame.
During the late 1800’s it was heavily logged for its rot resistant cypress wood. The main canal through the swamp was an attempt to drain the bog to the east for purposes of transporting lumber. The canal was dug by hand but was not completed because it wasn’t deemed possible to dig through the natural berm on the east side of the basin.
Native Americans occupied the area surrounding the swamp between 500AD and 1840 when the Seminole tribe was driven off. There is record of Spanish settlement between 1625 and 1640. In 1937, the federal government purchased the Okefenokee and created the Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge. The facilities were first developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps between 1937 and 1941.

Note: Click on caption to see image at larger size and higher resolution.