tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-139716472024-03-07T12:37:23.887-06:00Mary Ann's ViewMary Ann Meltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13268106721956389627noreply@blogger.comBlogger874125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13971647.post-13156838882430063512021-07-05T12:15:00.000-05:002021-07-05T12:15:27.243-05:00Modoc National Wildlife Refuge<div class="wp-block-jetpack-tiled-gallery aligncenter is-style-rectangular"><div class="tiled-gallery__gallery"><div class="tiled-gallery__row"><div class="tiled-gallery__col" style="flex-basis: 100%;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Henry and I have found that visiting national wildlife refuges along our journeys enhances our experiences. I am actively searching for nearby refuges along our route. US HWY 395 goes right by Modoc National Wildlife Refuge and our first looks were from the highway. A friendly police officer told us about the refuge roads. The next couple of hours were spent driving, stopping, and photographing refuge inhabitants. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Modoc Refuge is 7021 acres with wetland, reservoir, riparian, sagebrush-steppe, and cropland habitats. It is both a migration and staging area for wetland birds during migration and a nesting area for ducks, geese, sandhill cranes, and several species of marsh birds.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The land was owned by the Dorris family from 1870 acquired ruing the U.S. Homestead Act. In the 1930's they created a reservoir to provide water storage for their ranch. The family operated the land for 90 years when it was acquired by the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission in 1959 and became a National Wildlife Refuge to manage, protect, and produce migratory waterfowl. Originally 5,360 acres, more land was acquired over time to reach the current 7021 acres. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Highlights were the Marsh Wren at its nest and the Virginia Rails. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Much of my photography these days is documentary work - how many of the species I see can I document - even if they are far away. I am currently using a Canon Powershot SX540 with its 1200mm optical zoom. Eventually I hope to replace my Nikon P900. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-92D8pNeTtP_jEUG6-0eGQYGWq0sfIt_8He8SnwlJIYRx2uBwZHnfNq2lYcjMRUR4i7tSmoLq_3q5Ypfz4A2N3n9KpWDFR8PXMhmNcXnS6_ymu7WTC7KPL0dAIVPrKbeYhCK/s1000/IMG_8188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-92D8pNeTtP_jEUG6-0eGQYGWq0sfIt_8He8SnwlJIYRx2uBwZHnfNq2lYcjMRUR4i7tSmoLq_3q5Ypfz4A2N3n9KpWDFR8PXMhmNcXnS6_ymu7WTC7KPL0dAIVPrKbeYhCK/w400-h300/IMG_8188.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Western Pond Turtle</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwBlOnPvMVXdmoMAGKAoJY1832nvoaYrvSsSKrgeQY5azp5hz56fInRahPnYuxJWSxnq4_sj1Jl3ctGoH1AeWwf0HB0BsEy1zrnDQ_BQkiBqiXfPAw3Ht88jXA8zwx3vwe1uRS/s1000/IMG_8236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwBlOnPvMVXdmoMAGKAoJY1832nvoaYrvSsSKrgeQY5azp5hz56fInRahPnYuxJWSxnq4_sj1Jl3ctGoH1AeWwf0HB0BsEy1zrnDQ_BQkiBqiXfPAw3Ht88jXA8zwx3vwe1uRS/w400-h300/IMG_8236.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Virginia Rail, another life bird for me</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyXQkx2ne3UpvEv-0P6G3Epj9AISHO1SD4J3HxIwSCpesLIalABxaXnYM3r54hN-xi-j6SQkoMPGFMQhyphenhyphen-F5vWk96C4jI0YzM8U2dFaeoJG7xwm3itPZX8GRQWSwzyMK4UZA0k/s1000/IMG_8250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyXQkx2ne3UpvEv-0P6G3Epj9AISHO1SD4J3HxIwSCpesLIalABxaXnYM3r54hN-xi-j6SQkoMPGFMQhyphenhyphen-F5vWk96C4jI0YzM8U2dFaeoJG7xwm3itPZX8GRQWSwzyMK4UZA0k/w400-h300/IMG_8250.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marsh wren with her nest</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgibPhJ0NQRXQAYZkoGCHxMqYfyJKQJefMNdisz6JmltV0dnLZD7sM4g9uPlXXYRY3cQlROGUQloACQFNff7qnyd7fxcfPdFjiLzlxbYW-7SAXv8dpsiyj0_SmreNo4yB19tW78/s1000/IMG_8304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgibPhJ0NQRXQAYZkoGCHxMqYfyJKQJefMNdisz6JmltV0dnLZD7sM4g9uPlXXYRY3cQlROGUQloACQFNff7qnyd7fxcfPdFjiLzlxbYW-7SAXv8dpsiyj0_SmreNo4yB19tW78/w400-h300/IMG_8304.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canada goose and goslings</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil9mxKkFHqYpB3r5V4dmNB0hoy0hhmUADUAybe7VN6k86nF3axqp4s19OsgBGWopgnmpVqpa-y41iieqowuf9nayztO4sN8Jr8dFSo7sE-2regasC0YD8wl9W333nnBn9KRbda/s1000/IMG_8313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil9mxKkFHqYpB3r5V4dmNB0hoy0hhmUADUAybe7VN6k86nF3axqp4s19OsgBGWopgnmpVqpa-y41iieqowuf9nayztO4sN8Jr8dFSo7sE-2regasC0YD8wl9W333nnBn9KRbda/w400-h300/IMG_8313.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Canada Goose Family</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhESwpBFUq3cbYOm24SuDONWh1h8WGJwReFiIG14hIDqtQzrAZnzq-S1FTQxD5bGmwlnONHAtZhox6YaUNQjsYCW7iU0mtP73SOIcPFdnqd5L0v9PwN32uMPgX405sI4al86_KC/s1000/IMG_8315a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhESwpBFUq3cbYOm24SuDONWh1h8WGJwReFiIG14hIDqtQzrAZnzq-S1FTQxD5bGmwlnONHAtZhox6YaUNQjsYCW7iU0mtP73SOIcPFdnqd5L0v9PwN32uMPgX405sI4al86_KC/w400-h300/IMG_8315a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">America Avocet</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHnHeP6xuGrL3eYU-ko02_85x8Y3iSAWk8pId-LVgT8x56etgKf0Ac1HmBhJ9lu6Jn6FB06kgvkt3Cw8_V7YRXjUeHsKxqozPosYI26VDZ3C_DdlFvHRZvMXqeHiFmpi3XkJK6/s1000/IMG_8321a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHnHeP6xuGrL3eYU-ko02_85x8Y3iSAWk8pId-LVgT8x56etgKf0Ac1HmBhJ9lu6Jn6FB06kgvkt3Cw8_V7YRXjUeHsKxqozPosYI26VDZ3C_DdlFvHRZvMXqeHiFmpi3XkJK6/w400-h300/IMG_8321a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Coot</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ_ruNQunPkBtuCXdG2IU4mB046VUbSxdDScW-tUPcSN4xatOEoQCf3it-06ZlbCOs7_y1dj5z-cP8QfCPOOXwfjjWvragZNX0tKQR3U2m7y8EJjR99rtLv4jzEo2QWdYY-VUo/s1000/IMG_8328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ_ruNQunPkBtuCXdG2IU4mB046VUbSxdDScW-tUPcSN4xatOEoQCf3it-06ZlbCOs7_y1dj5z-cP8QfCPOOXwfjjWvragZNX0tKQR3U2m7y8EJjR99rtLv4jzEo2QWdYY-VUo/w400-h300/IMG_8328.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-billed Magpie</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIdWfuqd8joMsSAyc1c67Ieur5t1HAFDCKru2aBrgTLTWQOgqQofbsOZp0YtF7m1b_v5e0MjpN08F4TqI3arnTUoX2DEWhZZg6Te1Arr9hAvQyTXH53youaIuCL5DjMDEcpZeF/s1000/IMG_8336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIdWfuqd8joMsSAyc1c67Ieur5t1HAFDCKru2aBrgTLTWQOgqQofbsOZp0YtF7m1b_v5e0MjpN08F4TqI3arnTUoX2DEWhZZg6Te1Arr9hAvQyTXH53youaIuCL5DjMDEcpZeF/w400-h300/IMG_8336.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. & Mrs. Northern Shoveler</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpusls-BjjD_8hTAksSZM1OAJ2tNvsGeOjlPOPrnjLd8h-ipK73h0paGYHPuAv51Aieh0Dsgn5TWEYRfctyqRdsiCTcD6cLju-fODFoRSjjfWlx0p3C9qFcKY1B1gFGHpQN25a/s1000/IMG_8339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpusls-BjjD_8hTAksSZM1OAJ2tNvsGeOjlPOPrnjLd8h-ipK73h0paGYHPuAv51Aieh0Dsgn5TWEYRfctyqRdsiCTcD6cLju-fODFoRSjjfWlx0p3C9qFcKY1B1gFGHpQN25a/w400-h300/IMG_8339.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. & Mrs. Mallard</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Un9_ZNO1EatC2Hmp6dISYweQ4j4C1YJ7EFtPlFgbPIYXsQkwHGpZtmnvKmaPq9o0L5eeNtL-4OGTbNA8sK_9jPPklP11vrqvNFV3bFfHQrnvslfESOEX9uiyaoo6dYohI2VU/s1000/IMG_8346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Un9_ZNO1EatC2Hmp6dISYweQ4j4C1YJ7EFtPlFgbPIYXsQkwHGpZtmnvKmaPq9o0L5eeNtL-4OGTbNA8sK_9jPPklP11vrqvNFV3bFfHQrnvslfESOEX9uiyaoo6dYohI2VU/w400-h300/IMG_8346.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-winged Blackbird</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6eEWJU_doAkoP7JypAG-rHC0x25ZPBoDIlWzqbHKjWMvXXe-OJXcVPwkbNpfIw_6P5MeZSZOoIsn-UCY3Q_kGa9gRKYvARMnmHRErwq9LCK2mDuy0Cn3ZRsb32JvKi9JX-zdP/s1000/IMG_8349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6eEWJU_doAkoP7JypAG-rHC0x25ZPBoDIlWzqbHKjWMvXXe-OJXcVPwkbNpfIw_6P5MeZSZOoIsn-UCY3Q_kGa9gRKYvARMnmHRErwq9LCK2mDuy0Cn3ZRsb32JvKi9JX-zdP/w400-h300/IMG_8349.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. & Mrs. Gadwall</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPrOJY_hYSC4iWmlPkY831rGVlT37WIo6MUeSPoTgWHD556y3UrPh0pvCXdDWHHJ9O-nUgOew_y8EIifRGIXsvsfQP5IgKK-J_NDhgeXKq2xh62MJCdfGgPAjyoOyyYRYF5p2m/s1000/IMG_8355a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPrOJY_hYSC4iWmlPkY831rGVlT37WIo6MUeSPoTgWHD556y3UrPh0pvCXdDWHHJ9O-nUgOew_y8EIifRGIXsvsfQP5IgKK-J_NDhgeXKq2xh62MJCdfGgPAjyoOyyYRYF5p2m/w400-h300/IMG_8355a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cinnamon Teal</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkfqHjH3_fXX6LbXyNzL5G2TLDjfNGyZiQOyGW8SVEzI3Y4j5M6KDjpPK9_Gf9G5R3HhWQXKRtiezh3EJ6ra31wu3AmTqhOXWKA0DwPwAe49Wl430qzqntd8vxlJ9VY6ccBzG4/s1000/IMG_8356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkfqHjH3_fXX6LbXyNzL5G2TLDjfNGyZiQOyGW8SVEzI3Y4j5M6KDjpPK9_Gf9G5R3HhWQXKRtiezh3EJ6ra31wu3AmTqhOXWKA0DwPwAe49Wl430qzqntd8vxlJ9VY6ccBzG4/w400-h300/IMG_8356.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ring-necked Duci</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKxrdIe5qExMegbIg97t9LIHefkkR8yceGQ4xZ9z2TMuS2kxR6r5u2NWMgyOY9fuNqhy7Id4KB3bF0jUh4tPr8KtAG1ZLjy7qt2kOj3IPdh5WKIrxkbA_EvZ_WE0HSrxieEbyP/s1000/IMG_8381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKxrdIe5qExMegbIg97t9LIHefkkR8yceGQ4xZ9z2TMuS2kxR6r5u2NWMgyOY9fuNqhy7Id4KB3bF0jUh4tPr8KtAG1ZLjy7qt2kOj3IPdh5WKIrxkbA_EvZ_WE0HSrxieEbyP/w400-h300/IMG_8381.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pied-bill Grebe</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZiCY7Qefrb9d3mx_9_NGd1b5jcZmW8JrLiyXHgGdkma7t3ofL7zr5Tj9UJzYzhPPvisLIsby64XDCUAGVjVCGCco-sala8Er7Eu0_1V7TRu_VO6i8KymWW05T5-CL5flsZTuM/s1000/IMG_8406fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZiCY7Qefrb9d3mx_9_NGd1b5jcZmW8JrLiyXHgGdkma7t3ofL7zr5Tj9UJzYzhPPvisLIsby64XDCUAGVjVCGCco-sala8Er7Eu0_1V7TRu_VO6i8KymWW05T5-CL5flsZTuM/w400-h300/IMG_8406fb.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wilson's Phalaropes</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ek3tBHjva1rYMxKhyphenhyphengZcb81Oyqs-R3Ubwvx4-H4_Obtzd-Gy9J2G8W5lMwVaxui2xbGa6dYku0-pSomwSVXN-XUJ-u7UiEv-OEpZuNd_WUZkLLWkz5AkE2Rn1CWZ1x_M3yb8/s1000/IMG_8422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ek3tBHjva1rYMxKhyphenhyphengZcb81Oyqs-R3Ubwvx4-H4_Obtzd-Gy9J2G8W5lMwVaxui2xbGa6dYku0-pSomwSVXN-XUJ-u7UiEv-OEpZuNd_WUZkLLWkz5AkE2Rn1CWZ1x_M3yb8/w400-h300/IMG_8422.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sandhill Crane</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJD2ZeTE-BLq_3E2QNDWfvG1jYZX6yKa3BsGQ7yG_rCMViiNAG_UaQR5Lt0k9-iZ5CQmSG7CwKw5aQF3o2c8QxzznjEFEz14qFhz-FG5WB6tTUtY4M3QWKgeV2h5bXycGfSQ4d/s1000/IMG_8417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJD2ZeTE-BLq_3E2QNDWfvG1jYZX6yKa3BsGQ7yG_rCMViiNAG_UaQR5Lt0k9-iZ5CQmSG7CwKw5aQF3o2c8QxzznjEFEz14qFhz-FG5WB6tTUtY4M3QWKgeV2h5bXycGfSQ4d/w300-h400/IMG_8417.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lupines</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMnUfCMvQ5hPxY0OXoiWpHeWeahKePeNvy9OuBJvRfn8YyjD5ZwL30kqA8fX-CJ9WGZulEdVTeNwm4d9TLMzX53BowqtnlGWR3gvM8GM5Sg8k-Ky9rse8vmo2_47ucYRalAk9-/s1000/IMG_8191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMnUfCMvQ5hPxY0OXoiWpHeWeahKePeNvy9OuBJvRfn8YyjD5ZwL30kqA8fX-CJ9WGZulEdVTeNwm4d9TLMzX53BowqtnlGWR3gvM8GM5Sg8k-Ky9rse8vmo2_47ucYRalAk9-/w400-h300/IMG_8191.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild Teasel</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><figure class="tiled-gallery__item"><br /></figure></div></div></div></div>
<!--/wp:jetpack/tiled-gallery-->Mary Ann Meltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13268106721956389627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13971647.post-44926682175540829032021-07-04T09:00:00.001-05:002021-07-04T09:00:00.198-05:00The Animals at Mono Lake - June 8, 2021<p>There were not a lot of birds at Mono Lake - other times of year have many more nesting birds. But I had never seen a Violet Green Swallow . . . I think that there were also two different kinds of Canada Geese - one may be a subspecies Lesser Canada Goose - shorter neck. <br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjR4JhvkCNbKJvtjSA05B1AxEW0q8A3vSwvDKPNLYxnPyzbeH1gPJwr_CFMoxyRA1T79Lzx1IDs5DHjInPKaTm9P4OrJb6AHevXhgQN_WxUwcxZfIphOjEqbLdSD5-QgCeTgj7/s1024/IMG_8057in.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjR4JhvkCNbKJvtjSA05B1AxEW0q8A3vSwvDKPNLYxnPyzbeH1gPJwr_CFMoxyRA1T79Lzx1IDs5DHjInPKaTm9P4OrJb6AHevXhgQN_WxUwcxZfIphOjEqbLdSD5-QgCeTgj7/s320/IMG_8057in.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Violet Green Swallow, A Life Bird for me!</td></tr></tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAdVa6cz6rYOSJQRK7o6uT21ckpssp6Z3MMZ1MAiMCO4Fm-BaDSw8T5zP63Gr4GoHXz1D_bfubp-6Mgm-yFP4KTjRbcpWVklXskbs5d3los3afQXuUUnIZBdXu4ww9671sLjb8/s1024/IMG_8137in.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAdVa6cz6rYOSJQRK7o6uT21ckpssp6Z3MMZ1MAiMCO4Fm-BaDSw8T5zP63Gr4GoHXz1D_bfubp-6Mgm-yFP4KTjRbcpWVklXskbs5d3los3afQXuUUnIZBdXu4ww9671sLjb8/s320/IMG_8137in.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Brewer's Blackbird</td></tr></tbody></table></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJeUsMwWHV0U-YGO_7Ic4yQlV4KLS8BQ-89LkzEsmrGCYexE_kFPAcbb4I56bBAX1dqM0JdpYs9mJm-hsvD4-cerrA5eNFzS3h-Z8SZ9Ucqczsp905QCq7t5IlgB1FN8gGLUD/s1024/IMG_8083in.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJeUsMwWHV0U-YGO_7Ic4yQlV4KLS8BQ-89LkzEsmrGCYexE_kFPAcbb4I56bBAX1dqM0JdpYs9mJm-hsvD4-cerrA5eNFzS3h-Z8SZ9Ucqczsp905QCq7t5IlgB1FN8gGLUD/s320/IMG_8083in.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canada Geese</td></tr></tbody></table></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGoP8ovVd7gIhz_PWxONyr77nBxfJ01aqLy56qxnwfd6AFM2cu8jlkYYZLqd1kq9C94p-GlTNOFuWN2cLc4Wmmgb79Jwk0xM6JQTZI9A7G6t2Ob9HX0MVuQWwtLNi1505mUVNN/s1024/IMG_8077in.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGoP8ovVd7gIhz_PWxONyr77nBxfJ01aqLy56qxnwfd6AFM2cu8jlkYYZLqd1kq9C94p-GlTNOFuWN2cLc4Wmmgb79Jwk0xM6JQTZI9A7G6t2Ob9HX0MVuQWwtLNi1505mUVNN/s320/IMG_8077in.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canada Geese</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSjTHkEmJTEFcw5zyK3_Mksca0EioXu3RpuBvAZJHwfeFqGRqReHuKmH21OQf9f2RkPlJHpYyGnKVrEORwEtLuCO1lK58ZxYbvu0xBiLmfvJMicDBIG7EM2yY874qpwhph9cvA/s1024/IMG_8142in.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSjTHkEmJTEFcw5zyK3_Mksca0EioXu3RpuBvAZJHwfeFqGRqReHuKmH21OQf9f2RkPlJHpYyGnKVrEORwEtLuCO1lK58ZxYbvu0xBiLmfvJMicDBIG7EM2yY874qpwhph9cvA/s320/IMG_8142in.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nesting Osprey</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3E8nuAVpV9R6uvf9T2O3nC-QnxgE8Hr6rGISF_1-K2ZaIpUaJu2n6j1d27RIe9rWwI_-_Jve0r0vs2GKYMNgFvv0AA1V7koqFkfMZSLJl3tYc2WQ65Cix26XhGLTtDI0dTUNp/s1024/IMG_8082in.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3E8nuAVpV9R6uvf9T2O3nC-QnxgE8Hr6rGISF_1-K2ZaIpUaJu2n6j1d27RIe9rWwI_-_Jve0r0vs2GKYMNgFvv0AA1V7koqFkfMZSLJl3tYc2WQ65Cix26XhGLTtDI0dTUNp/s320/IMG_8082in.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">California Gull</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ZQE5m8MJJoXZsVbxzsJCERphHvYqOocZusdPKZx0_aZ8ORAF7bJhykuYCSw2XLGZtqMmaJARd2xBSFKxdDcOZYH1eGlFwgCSQVcrCb6yjPmleDHuszKVpChxp1Exwxq5eEzW/s1024/IMG_8128ijn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ZQE5m8MJJoXZsVbxzsJCERphHvYqOocZusdPKZx0_aZ8ORAF7bJhykuYCSw2XLGZtqMmaJARd2xBSFKxdDcOZYH1eGlFwgCSQVcrCb6yjPmleDHuszKVpChxp1Exwxq5eEzW/s320/IMG_8128ijn.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Sagebrush Lizard</td></tr></tbody></table>Mary Ann Meltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13268106721956389627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13971647.post-35948625360257051682021-07-03T21:50:00.002-05:002021-07-03T21:50:50.300-05:00Mono Lake<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGPnsnC1pbuPV9h3uggN5u3Xp5M9ufriwjXHu0QeqUnhxK4TL_hpE5s-M9Vx834ceJti_Qow1bvwQI8mPAvOtc6eANeg7KSiNVjVUh5YhS0W9Yo_kG5_2pmMBgloJxCesOYTR/s1000/IMG_8051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGPnsnC1pbuPV9h3uggN5u3Xp5M9ufriwjXHu0QeqUnhxK4TL_hpE5s-M9Vx834ceJti_Qow1bvwQI8mPAvOtc6eANeg7KSiNVjVUh5YhS0W9Yo_kG5_2pmMBgloJxCesOYTR/w640-h480/IMG_8051.jpg" width="640" /></a>Mono Lake has always called to me because of the interesting features that surround the lake. I think I saw it briefly in passing in 2004 or so. It was on my list if we were going to drive up HWY 395. I was hoping for sunrise or sunset, but the drive did not work out for that. In retrospect, I think sunrise would offer better photographic opportunities because the sun sets in the west behind mountains not allowing that golden, magical light. </p><p>It was later in the afternoon, but not “magic light” time, when Henry and I headed down the walking trail to the lake’s edge. In some ways I wish I had taken the Canon 5D MKII and tripod, but since the light was still harsh, I only carried my phone and my field camera. The Tufa Towers are incredibly photogenic even when the lighting is not ideal. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD3UPnDjoVjM6pwxxSuv2DqZbuYdsOwZYKXuM1vKD99TieZafT0oJ8hwIvr2VRh8MdKg76gxyvJLJ2Xy37SwyrfbGTwSXhhax9_5p40ytjumnzD4bRIYnplcVQ3Q4qQBUYpHcj/s1000/IMG_7957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD3UPnDjoVjM6pwxxSuv2DqZbuYdsOwZYKXuM1vKD99TieZafT0oJ8hwIvr2VRh8MdKg76gxyvJLJ2Xy37SwyrfbGTwSXhhax9_5p40ytjumnzD4bRIYnplcVQ3Q4qQBUYpHcj/w400-h300/IMG_7957.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Mono Lake is known for its unusual formations: Tufa Towers. This formations grow underwater as freshwater springs with calcium react with the lake water that is rich in carbonates forming calcium carbonate which is limestone. The calcium carbonate precipitates out and over centuries the tufa towers grow. <p></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvgzkYBqbq5CI1v9gR-zIs7AwGLxAm_h44MyK1ciBkMrckiX9CH9-P4ZaI4fKDYMUKZg2KSNi5VcQUz7eGxx04PuTj9gb1Y2h-EUZgG_u950mwQgggcwRv7hIoyJ8vM_uLB3b/s1000/IMG_8028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvgzkYBqbq5CI1v9gR-zIs7AwGLxAm_h44MyK1ciBkMrckiX9CH9-P4ZaI4fKDYMUKZg2KSNi5VcQUz7eGxx04PuTj9gb1Y2h-EUZgG_u950mwQgggcwRv7hIoyJ8vM_uLB3b/w400-h300/IMG_8028.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p><br /></p><p>Today the lake level at Mono Lake is much lower than in the past because Los Angeles drew water from the tributary streams beginning in 1941. The water level got so low that the lake's salinity was too high for the life forms in it. The dry lake bed had natural toxins that were stirred up by dust storms. California gulls needed higher water to be able to succesful nesting. When we were there, the lake was not at its desired level, but it is higher now than it was when they made the decision to quit transferring water from the streams. </p><p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_tTzDzXKqP-oF7BH1Rit5WfYcX6vG9TlnFO9khfU1AMmxtAQd2-pDeuzPPYntzfTqBoTI3wcSnVmB3PJyA2b2t9NrzM5OqD4OFn2p1xSESTR_JF1LRvG915VldeeeBM7elrBm/s1000/IMG_8155fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_tTzDzXKqP-oF7BH1Rit5WfYcX6vG9TlnFO9khfU1AMmxtAQd2-pDeuzPPYntzfTqBoTI3wcSnVmB3PJyA2b2t9NrzM5OqD4OFn2p1xSESTR_JF1LRvG915VldeeeBM7elrBm/w400-h300/IMG_8155fb.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p><br /></p><p>Mono Lake has not natural outlet, so the water is salty, 2-3 times saltier than the ocean. It has no fish, but it has brine shrimp and alkali flies which feed the migratory birds each year. I did try to photograph the tiny shrimp and flies, but I don't see any in the photos. The lake itself had interesting patterns with white foam on the waves. </p><p></p><p><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi9PU8vesYrvZbjB2TQt3pn1w_QUhVCc_cW7M49PTQIkImkY2xQepeOiVVPPWU3jEcWzZy8JxDnUdx31QXwBdecyaOYaMjKhD8QTbRvqc_ugJCo3LkaAZ73jKd8_znq-AG6HEK/s1000/IMG_8029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi9PU8vesYrvZbjB2TQt3pn1w_QUhVCc_cW7M49PTQIkImkY2xQepeOiVVPPWU3jEcWzZy8JxDnUdx31QXwBdecyaOYaMjKhD8QTbRvqc_ugJCo3LkaAZ73jKd8_znq-AG6HEK/w640-h480/IMG_8029.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;">The birds at Mono Lake deserve their own post But as we left, there were flowers that called to be documented:</span></p><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijWnAz6g36Kh5ZpmRoE5QPOxkWOTIYCrIXyR09ons2VKcAptwxJRAqLUezLHyYT1TK_00LY4iZlnk9BpG0JtLwJlro2p01IfD7pYedxwV4lzK-gOV8GlwYeeEBWq11gW-6pIFU/s1024/IMG_9063fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijWnAz6g36Kh5ZpmRoE5QPOxkWOTIYCrIXyR09ons2VKcAptwxJRAqLUezLHyYT1TK_00LY4iZlnk9BpG0JtLwJlro2p01IfD7pYedxwV4lzK-gOV8GlwYeeEBWq11gW-6pIFU/w300-h400/IMG_9063fb.jpg" width="300" /></a><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;">Freemont's Phacelia</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-AxQeMfHg09IhKFkgfsYicU03UE8_1U7V9baOs6sd5UA5LRID-wbru1uJIarlLLPCGt8YEs11SwnwJJykzqXMys3osvvN4TH73d-VuVRgrh1PyYdwImkMdLlsdhFr-_2wbpC/s1024/IMG_9071fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-AxQeMfHg09IhKFkgfsYicU03UE8_1U7V9baOs6sd5UA5LRID-wbru1uJIarlLLPCGt8YEs11SwnwJJykzqXMys3osvvN4TH73d-VuVRgrh1PyYdwImkMdLlsdhFr-_2wbpC/w300-h400/IMG_9071fb.jpg" width="300" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Bigelow's Monkeyflower</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And here we are . . . <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFN3f0TCfyrtJoTDgeYg-DPTJ8r3r8Aj3RU6oURHJbPCGxdf0aGanJ_S1AL6_8l3Uv0f8YU4LkEvAjmWsZ1KL9hLlQsnNB_gd0pdZlh8dXb2LP7MYlj5gS-IFqW4_M6r0B2lL2/s1000/IMG_9064fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFN3f0TCfyrtJoTDgeYg-DPTJ8r3r8Aj3RU6oURHJbPCGxdf0aGanJ_S1AL6_8l3Uv0f8YU4LkEvAjmWsZ1KL9hLlQsnNB_gd0pdZlh8dXb2LP7MYlj5gS-IFqW4_M6r0B2lL2/w400-h300/IMG_9064fb.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSQOejJSLHCle_7VV_987f6F-ea_WWsOJMzZImpLDpX6_eKrU-l39zqK2dIA1nrjz5zyjUAFkn5jFY9UgeNAIVtOOQeDnXiM1kOJ2CCDkQQNOQbddnfs0rQgNMxGkovdPrIYVG/s1000/IMG_0323fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSQOejJSLHCle_7VV_987f6F-ea_WWsOJMzZImpLDpX6_eKrU-l39zqK2dIA1nrjz5zyjUAFkn5jFY9UgeNAIVtOOQeDnXiM1kOJ2CCDkQQNOQbddnfs0rQgNMxGkovdPrIYVG/w400-h300/IMG_0323fb.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhadgTow4O-7PMwRA0IweXFkEBoaIYDdJ4YCRtBWLG4tngN0w8uM-zjzApd2fpJos1WZp6iKfh7DUCb4kTMwHS9ZflaqVNGmV0_eUqJ-Kc0friyC6wpC4CycYKn6Gy4ia47ulKe/s1000/IMG_0302FB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhadgTow4O-7PMwRA0IweXFkEBoaIYDdJ4YCRtBWLG4tngN0w8uM-zjzApd2fpJos1WZp6iKfh7DUCb4kTMwHS9ZflaqVNGmV0_eUqJ-Kc0friyC6wpC4CycYKn6Gy4ia47ulKe/w400-h300/IMG_0302FB.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p></div></div>Mary Ann Meltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13268106721956389627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13971647.post-77963446721977312712021-06-30T14:14:00.005-05:002021-06-30T14:20:54.330-05:00Manzanar National Historic Site<div class="separator"><div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator"><div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator"><div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"> On my first longer visit to Death Valley, a chance encounter with another visitor introduced me to Manzanar. We were not going to be on that road again for a long time, so as we were traveling north on US HWY 395, I was determined to stop and see Manzanar. When I was growing up and going through high school, by the time we got to May we were just barely getting to World War II and maybe the Korean War. Knowing that now kids have 50 more years of US history to cover in one year makes me know that it is hard to cover everything. Regardless, in my high school and college history classes, no mention was ever made of the US Japanese internment camps like Manzanar. he lady that told me about her visit talked about the gardens and what remained and how the Japanese there tried to make something beautiful and that one could still see their efforts so many years later. </div><p>My visit was during the afternoon on a day with wind warnings. Stepping out of the car, the sand whipped and stung my face and skin blown by the strong winds. It reminded me of Texas Panhandle winds that you had to lean into to walk. It was a warm day in the desert. </p><p>Manzanar sits in the desert with the Sierra Nevada mountain range close on one side. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE1JgEtzR-kcFAtlyrYVuOMRNJRV7fr2YtmXhbCRkGtdnltO2-Np3a6lPOfuKWaTObWBpYHVCnrRtenBuTFDiKsMdXQYJJGkIiL1Y-Tba7L0mvaTZ2rCDF728cREGms1T2Jdpa/s2048/IMG_9030.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE1JgEtzR-kcFAtlyrYVuOMRNJRV7fr2YtmXhbCRkGtdnltO2-Np3a6lPOfuKWaTObWBpYHVCnrRtenBuTFDiKsMdXQYJJGkIiL1Y-Tba7L0mvaTZ2rCDF728cREGms1T2Jdpa/w640-h480/IMG_9030.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>For those of you like me that have not heard about places like Manzanar, the bombing of Pearl Harbor started the United States involvement in World War II. We had Japanese people that were already living in the United States. Many were citizens with jobs, businesses, families, etc. Many owned property. Beginning shortly after Pearl Harbor in 1942, more than 110, 000 men, women, and children were ordered to leave their homes and were detained in ten remote, military-styled camps. 10,000 Japanese Americans spent their time during World War II at Manzanar. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWbqSOzmlAZBLtJc-5Iz2D9bYA518OWDclfnb9B3e9BX7ifG_-ho6eMcHVyhYxp5SLbpElR21CBO5skWhzuYBXRKA_8AR1OdzW123_65p8XGYPhFc5LkB_lzwXCWWCt2f6qnvf/s1000/IMG_9057.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWbqSOzmlAZBLtJc-5Iz2D9bYA518OWDclfnb9B3e9BX7ifG_-ho6eMcHVyhYxp5SLbpElR21CBO5skWhzuYBXRKA_8AR1OdzW123_65p8XGYPhFc5LkB_lzwXCWWCt2f6qnvf/w400-h300/IMG_9057.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>The visitor center was closed, being renovated and painted. The visitor center has a film available on YouTube. I just finished watching it: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Spo1Khmp2U4">Remembering Manzanar</a> This documentary has interviews from people who were there. <p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_YJsdtNXuYsL1IjJjI8kZVnR33dycpHHXzUGi725wBruNhm2DUV29RvIivJgg4R0EB5rLW5PqD_kq3I3yGh6uOpCEP5IjIIWxAiH3eJ_cbS6cVghFQ50LT-aSrSoVDTwiJyY/s1000/IMG_9035.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_YJsdtNXuYsL1IjJjI8kZVnR33dycpHHXzUGi725wBruNhm2DUV29RvIivJgg4R0EB5rLW5PqD_kq3I3yGh6uOpCEP5IjIIWxAiH3eJ_cbS6cVghFQ50LT-aSrSoVDTwiJyY/s320/IMG_9035.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCI2It4Jt1-SkgNEHQQxwepywpoUJTl5pZbUUV0ATk6QKvPlEtcW7EFdWE0DEYDUxb9Y2tqlFTor_FaX1KyQhG1L9gAcC-5pFvM-DmbTl2ClDWIC8lLqzeZ14UpkmSST5wQp1Q/s1000/IMG_9034.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCI2It4Jt1-SkgNEHQQxwepywpoUJTl5pZbUUV0ATk6QKvPlEtcW7EFdWE0DEYDUxb9Y2tqlFTor_FaX1KyQhG1L9gAcC-5pFvM-DmbTl2ClDWIC8lLqzeZ14UpkmSST5wQp1Q/s320/IMG_9034.jpg" width="320" /></a> </p><p><br /></p><p>COVID restriction notices were posted on each doorway. Only one family group at a time was supposed to enter the buildings and masks were required. It was not a busy time at Manzanar when we visited. There were only a few other people, but at the end of my visit a busload of teenagers showed up. They began playing basketball. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>I did not make it to some of the remains of the beautiful gardens they created, but I did go in all the restored buildings. Most of the buildings are gone with only the foundations and the walkways remaining. </p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxCSv792Cu7P3-Uu7qUtsbQRUvDhDJIN5JuS27K4lmIaa73eUgMlRKExXWACgyVr-gw4zm25XvV9EoH_fUNDT5ruX5QFcnN4buZ47edNJU14-AQ-eOZgQsintoA-Np4p5dHZFm/s1000/IMG_9036.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxCSv792Cu7P3-Uu7qUtsbQRUvDhDJIN5JuS27K4lmIaa73eUgMlRKExXWACgyVr-gw4zm25XvV9EoH_fUNDT5ruX5QFcnN4buZ47edNJU14-AQ-eOZgQsintoA-Np4p5dHZFm/w480-h640/IMG_9036.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There was no privacy for using the bathroom or for showering.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdazV23Z_ubD8CEmhHghG-RVimSFVtqymymqrF9p91-TM5n0AghhjEcDzbqMOwBDUnPylBGY77bzFjdvjIts8yEKhEhP-yMtK71dTn3H7aedDisa2n37zhFwNrE3HSByvGUeOp/s1000/IMG_9037.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdazV23Z_ubD8CEmhHghG-RVimSFVtqymymqrF9p91-TM5n0AghhjEcDzbqMOwBDUnPylBGY77bzFjdvjIts8yEKhEhP-yMtK71dTn3H7aedDisa2n37zhFwNrE3HSByvGUeOp/w400-h300/IMG_9037.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUF333asYF6yUpZO8BybVQu8EZRGV_4pssXmi-YMD8QlM1zdpJs69UpL8gOF2fx6mTL1xqPz-_KfGKMSNZdX7nRF0FZ1BHQPsnLzfHh8iYEPkoLHji5awuzFYSwBdF_oDtPqh/s1000/IMG_9040.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="492" data-original-width="1000" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUF333asYF6yUpZO8BybVQu8EZRGV_4pssXmi-YMD8QlM1zdpJs69UpL8gOF2fx6mTL1xqPz-_KfGKMSNZdX7nRF0FZ1BHQPsnLzfHh8iYEPkoLHji5awuzFYSwBdF_oDtPqh/w400-h196/IMG_9040.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFO4oepXOMOd8Vk0kGMaJsprTXoQqSACr8sbenfg2Q4-Bk4KmOb1zLFWbFyfDYI6DfYs2k-9wSLpXvJ7KBH7cMz46V3rhBLADsR6CrwfYKW3Z_pgoHl1VBtzs9mFGWasDwT2X/s1000/IMG_9042.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFO4oepXOMOd8Vk0kGMaJsprTXoQqSACr8sbenfg2Q4-Bk4KmOb1zLFWbFyfDYI6DfYs2k-9wSLpXvJ7KBH7cMz46V3rhBLADsR6CrwfYKW3Z_pgoHl1VBtzs9mFGWasDwT2X/s320/IMG_9042.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Manzanar means "apple orchard." They grew much of their own food and they prepared food to serve this large number of people. <p></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4k-hSG0qyBz7XqCvgkSW1U-cr25sVJjLE_EgPrQoJ6xdvSM4zKUFxw0cWsPHyhOxlDkAI3nmEpbHredZampeox4K2dSWjN36tsjM-tQWFYB-M1Zc6zUAmdkt-YFPk8tExYeYS/s1000/IMG_9043.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4k-hSG0qyBz7XqCvgkSW1U-cr25sVJjLE_EgPrQoJ6xdvSM4zKUFxw0cWsPHyhOxlDkAI3nmEpbHredZampeox4K2dSWjN36tsjM-tQWFYB-M1Zc6zUAmdkt-YFPk8tExYeYS/s320/IMG_9043.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3JoarOWiiYfhJfTFUVVm8whqQLeQWrcZMtA0Ys2eeE1rMc2FzTGayrdaKSPXezJeEtzJYR-DKTUcvxroK6LuK6egXG-1uOXGPE5IjQL9S4eiNICTMUcckCQYHmfaGJpwSCHv/s1000/IMG_9044.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3JoarOWiiYfhJfTFUVVm8whqQLeQWrcZMtA0Ys2eeE1rMc2FzTGayrdaKSPXezJeEtzJYR-DKTUcvxroK6LuK6egXG-1uOXGPE5IjQL9S4eiNICTMUcckCQYHmfaGJpwSCHv/s320/IMG_9044.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4pFipbj88VM8FSsOUyrrtp4quuzOHShPBQe7utfstNfS7rD72GhFkHjMrIdMPTTRNgfZHn-0v8V2cXHCtpR_G1flcangiAwf-wr-Hot53oTAHapvvPT6cog7OXgcJk8klGu9X/s1000/IMG_9046.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4pFipbj88VM8FSsOUyrrtp4quuzOHShPBQe7utfstNfS7rD72GhFkHjMrIdMPTTRNgfZHn-0v8V2cXHCtpR_G1flcangiAwf-wr-Hot53oTAHapvvPT6cog7OXgcJk8klGu9X/s320/IMG_9046.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLbKdPYbC7R8NFVZYlWAu5OTOKYq0EfEXffZUvSWJ_NDoJ2r-iBfftDCAhZ2y2dS0iEbrJV5DN0dap1-z31cI9e-ScA70whqPgxps-k2xxY0V7XIRQl4PjYuo9yHnmoY7ZFzt7/s1000/IMG_9049.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLbKdPYbC7R8NFVZYlWAu5OTOKYq0EfEXffZUvSWJ_NDoJ2r-iBfftDCAhZ2y2dS0iEbrJV5DN0dap1-z31cI9e-ScA70whqPgxps-k2xxY0V7XIRQl4PjYuo9yHnmoY7ZFzt7/s320/IMG_9049.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgad4VLd2wVTfFOGfsULP9YKdrH4HKAriXM7m3Frbq-O71Vpw48eaBj6lAhQU63MdA1oOnFZb2QIKOmF47I6h5qBOBT1HVvoC-P4X-873cJnJO93tKqjoxgGgfUtMIM9vrl5YYO/s1000/IMG_9050.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgad4VLd2wVTfFOGfsULP9YKdrH4HKAriXM7m3Frbq-O71Vpw48eaBj6lAhQU63MdA1oOnFZb2QIKOmF47I6h5qBOBT1HVvoC-P4X-873cJnJO93tKqjoxgGgfUtMIM9vrl5YYO/w400-h300/IMG_9050.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><br /></span><span style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><br /></span><span style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><br /></span><span style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><br /></span><span style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><br /></span><span style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><br /></span><span style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><br /></span>Most of the buildings are gone. But the sidewalks and paving stones are left. I did not see a path to where the remnants of the decorative gardens remain. The desert is not kind to plants.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJwrHjumD0BAb2nLKV3pg73f6ngJzihycu7cSjI_sQstxau6rTdvXtuAEqgpIL6JFjlfBuUoROT191t2fx_HtDzv3wtWTSpaW2oYGZyDob3zLNmCVbuztHFSXndUOWBOB2kFB/s1000/IMG_9052.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJwrHjumD0BAb2nLKV3pg73f6ngJzihycu7cSjI_sQstxau6rTdvXtuAEqgpIL6JFjlfBuUoROT191t2fx_HtDzv3wtWTSpaW2oYGZyDob3zLNmCVbuztHFSXndUOWBOB2kFB/s320/IMG_9052.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSpRdmFGEwGSnVsICgdSg8Q3nAJ2CKJBLY3soxHCaTr9tLOS57TdxsoL6EPfI1APhCMKn6voGxO0ZxOrt2Z8dfnCgZicnBSmxy55s-uw8g3Fpv05vGGEfb3YmoX4ILeTX2TCif/s1000/IMG_8731fb.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSpRdmFGEwGSnVsICgdSg8Q3nAJ2CKJBLY3soxHCaTr9tLOS57TdxsoL6EPfI1APhCMKn6voGxO0ZxOrt2Z8dfnCgZicnBSmxy55s-uw8g3Fpv05vGGEfb3YmoX4ILeTX2TCif/s320/IMG_8731fb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The next day we drove by the Tule Lake National Monument. It was late and closed. It has a different story to tell. This is where George Takei of Star Trek fame spent his World War II childhood. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div> <img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicuiHsJYBh7dzw3-B9gsKOZsRX2Z-sKv9PkGfgzYPtImJvbWEj9iKWvTaZn3atYik5MaIp4B809SKFrxdX7FowHbI5p8Ldg287gxB7G9NO-QZgLcOIqnSsI9BHs4L6mqNGH1lD/s320/IMG_8733FB.jpg" style="text-align: center;" width="320" /><br />Mary Ann Meltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13268106721956389627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13971647.post-9571451879930904712021-06-29T11:48:00.003-05:002021-06-29T11:48:30.464-05:00Drive days - Arizona, California 395<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTzXwJdaUi0fIeFVWJOXdaUrLmU359h6rsCMkedhTYVyNr3sI9w4MR9BpPdPmUc7jhmrs7XFYNgvQAAqqQ50Vh7O8VYxJTnTNoqVGWhPEIIQ-HscMWhPhFySzrtHBt2YjqJQre/s2048/IMG_8987.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTzXwJdaUi0fIeFVWJOXdaUrLmU359h6rsCMkedhTYVyNr3sI9w4MR9BpPdPmUc7jhmrs7XFYNgvQAAqqQ50Vh7O8VYxJTnTNoqVGWhPEIIQ-HscMWhPhFySzrtHBt2YjqJQre/w400-h300/IMG_8987.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p>Road trips offer many opportunities for shooting photos out the window. Memory pictures . . . Near Wilcox, Arizona was this HUGE dust devil. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifM4pHanYoMiX9pQyLCq64P-nyCTdiKrLewgRVoKrpQDeCZ-U6PZYhN3U2UH-VkrvbPz8ok6wzkld5pcL7wJMO7VEkxBWGJXWYnwitJB5FZntgnhoIW_0yCeGMY0M70lWcfPIr/s2048/IMG_8998.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifM4pHanYoMiX9pQyLCq64P-nyCTdiKrLewgRVoKrpQDeCZ-U6PZYhN3U2UH-VkrvbPz8ok6wzkld5pcL7wJMO7VEkxBWGJXWYnwitJB5FZntgnhoIW_0yCeGMY0M70lWcfPIr/w400-h300/IMG_8998.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyNdJnab5IdAvDDr_JHmDwRWPyIEUnKSEgXtPTplluI9fGdfXRgguExy5telqQ492w6e9XuuJRPF77jNqUWFZ86wh4GDxmiQJY7gGZGTxRuInIB6hfoV-q-4srHf3TCneBIu2i/s2048/IMG_9003.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>The differences between the Chihuahuan Desert, the Sonoran Desert and the Mojave Desert are striking. The Mohave has less plant life and more bare ground. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>We spent much of our time in Arizona along the interstate. But we also drove up along the Colorado River near Lake Havasu. I remember stopping to take photos along the Colorado River, but I am not finding them. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyNdJnab5IdAvDDr_JHmDwRWPyIEUnKSEgXtPTplluI9fGdfXRgguExy5telqQ492w6e9XuuJRPF77jNqUWFZ86wh4GDxmiQJY7gGZGTxRuInIB6hfoV-q-4srHf3TCneBIu2i/s2048/IMG_9003.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyNdJnab5IdAvDDr_JHmDwRWPyIEUnKSEgXtPTplluI9fGdfXRgguExy5telqQ492w6e9XuuJRPF77jNqUWFZ86wh4GDxmiQJY7gGZGTxRuInIB6hfoV-q-4srHf3TCneBIu2i/w400-h300/IMG_9003.HEIC" width="400" /></a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>This is near Needles, California. <p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4PTEtm9lmd0CQ4mNGr-TB3Rug1l08jRg9Qv3eq1diTLr8bzFIYcLOPaVPyIomiPTs-Q6NG5uqENUvHxXSaNfIyFTY8CR5ib6I7Uv1SemR3aWdECoal2-M2pXIoAaLMgEmViwv/s2048/IMG_9007.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4PTEtm9lmd0CQ4mNGr-TB3Rug1l08jRg9Qv3eq1diTLr8bzFIYcLOPaVPyIomiPTs-Q6NG5uqENUvHxXSaNfIyFTY8CR5ib6I7Uv1SemR3aWdECoal2-M2pXIoAaLMgEmViwv/w300-h400/IMG_9007.HEIC" width="300" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Sunset was gorgeous that night. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzPK56kh9gBdjb7snK2leg3yahamNiqbIaQXe0QEltQ6bMVuh5VIxc6kDvnxeuuXbDzqja9xqj9q7y2nDwmaW7Gd47fHEzD_WicvVBxRE9tGFU_t0qzMmx6FmADiEz7mmO9Bzw/s2048/IMG_7926bl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzPK56kh9gBdjb7snK2leg3yahamNiqbIaQXe0QEltQ6bMVuh5VIxc6kDvnxeuuXbDzqja9xqj9q7y2nDwmaW7Gd47fHEzD_WicvVBxRE9tGFU_t0qzMmx6FmADiEz7mmO9Bzw/w400-h300/IMG_7926bl.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The southern part of US 395 through California goes through volcanoes and lava fields. </p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Next stops along HWY 395 are Mono Lake and Manzanar. Both worthy of their own post.</p>Mary Ann Meltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13268106721956389627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13971647.post-34154560728995735142021-06-28T23:14:00.000-05:002021-06-28T23:14:05.680-05:00Paton Center for Hummingbirds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>For years I had known that southern Arizona south of Tucson was a place to see hummingbirds. We try to do something fun each day of our trips, so when I saw how close we were going to be to the<a href="https://tucsonaudubon.org/go-birding/tucson-audubons-paton-center-for-hummingbirds/" target="_blank"> Paton Center for Hummingbirds</a>, we decided to take a detour. There was certainly the possibility for life birds there. For my non birder friends, a life bird is a bird species that you have never seen before. There are hummingbird species in this most southern part of Arizona that can be seen no where else in the United States. I had an evening and a morning. When I entered the property, I knew it was going to be glorious. It reminded me of Salineno in south Texas - feeding stations, water stations, and chairs for comfortable viewing. This was originally owned by Wally and Marion Paton. They opened their yard for birders beginning in 1973. The property is now managed by the Tuscon Audubon. </p><p>I did not wander much that evening, so I did not see some other parts until the next morning. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ubOONBhQO9WuqShL70uGVJ8RiGnPhn87nGOuVPOhMpAa8n9hHpH8VED-sTpYmFaWdF80VrVOjJRtESXFwPYqjzH5437u1XWGgz17SO0F-i9aOIh7s5zsMiZne-IQPeS4JfEX/s720/IMG_7543in.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="576" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ubOONBhQO9WuqShL70uGVJ8RiGnPhn87nGOuVPOhMpAa8n9hHpH8VED-sTpYmFaWdF80VrVOjJRtESXFwPYqjzH5437u1XWGgz17SO0F-i9aOIh7s5zsMiZne-IQPeS4JfEX/w320-h400/IMG_7543in.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>That evening the most common hummingbird was the Broad-billed Hummingbird. While I HAD seen it at the Tucson Desert Museum in a hummingbird house, I had never seen it in the wild! The males are really striking with their bluish purple throat and red bil<p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Lt2tRC2EN1h4MvIVmetm5uCQWFlcP5IlXhl0V55iwMuPPRIihhyJxFGM1tS3DbhvYXoR4w5b6huH0elqaxBk03SBxnAyqQyKFj2uF_4i_0JgdGtKksDcQMoMOmFn9-0pgK9F/s720/IMG_7276in.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="576" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Lt2tRC2EN1h4MvIVmetm5uCQWFlcP5IlXhl0V55iwMuPPRIihhyJxFGM1tS3DbhvYXoR4w5b6huH0elqaxBk03SBxnAyqQyKFj2uF_4i_0JgdGtKksDcQMoMOmFn9-0pgK9F/w320-h400/IMG_7276in.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Other birds seen that evening were White-winged doves, Ladder-backed Woodpecker family, Lesser Goldfinch and Blue Grosbeak.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfTgnX3t6mNq1wHzzT91MMOLyPjjQe1On65XcoDxG8WSv0B-DschGZetj6hA733Lj1YkrMK0_kMrc2zwgaGGtH74wN8Z3CRc77Ll6Jvzt_hIvD8kr8K5QFRQhTryeJvwxPD7zZ/s720/IMG_7486in.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="720" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfTgnX3t6mNq1wHzzT91MMOLyPjjQe1On65XcoDxG8WSv0B-DschGZetj6hA733Lj1YkrMK0_kMrc2zwgaGGtH74wN8Z3CRc77Ll6Jvzt_hIvD8kr8K5QFRQhTryeJvwxPD7zZ/s320/IMG_7486in.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Costa's Hummingbird was another delight.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>We drove to Nogales to spend the night. There IS a hotel in Patagonia, but we were trying to mimimize our expenses so Nogales was significantly cheaper. The hotel in Patagonia looks great, perhaps I can stay there another time when I come back to spend more days at the Paton Center.</p><p>The next morning I set about exploring the trails. WOW! There is a big hummingbird/butterfly garden. I saw my first Butterfly Weed Milkweed in bloom. There was a small pond with a mulberry tree that the birds were coming in to eat the mulberries. I spent at least an hour on the bench there watching a hummingbird feeder and the other birds coming in. </p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9w-EkQsN_JP-rOcMAVgmpRom4EGyH5JB-o70FxwuMDbBj3290CGmPSTgfofLSBbqq1LZYdkqqaF_y5YvI0J7SmLs5fwswRNu6NRnrExtDA11gJylHCVmFnDu4OzDfu5HmKEm/s720/IMG_7904fb.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="576" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9w-EkQsN_JP-rOcMAVgmpRom4EGyH5JB-o70FxwuMDbBj3290CGmPSTgfofLSBbqq1LZYdkqqaF_y5YvI0J7SmLs5fwswRNu6NRnrExtDA11gJylHCVmFnDu4OzDfu5HmKEm/w320-h400/IMG_7904fb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Then I moved farther along the trail towards the residence. A lovely covered seating area with all sorts of feeders: hummingbird feeders, seed feeders, oranges, etc. Another birder and I started chatting. Hummingbirds seen Black-chinned hummingbird, Rivoli Hummingbird (Magnificent), Violet-crowned Hummingbird, and lots of Broad-billed hummingbirds. At one point I thought we might have had White-eared Hummingbird, but iNaturalist did not confirm it. <p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU-_fygxf-4SiLyceu_iau_i4mO6dpIjD3FW_PMCZ5-gPVzt88UnVGwUPeFpUua9klSohnck2ef1e1afvQNL8PSBw49Q4136lhNnAn3sGxP3GLWIf5YiJq6CWBtoJahSIpzWkr/s720/IMG_7648fb.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="576" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU-_fygxf-4SiLyceu_iau_i4mO6dpIjD3FW_PMCZ5-gPVzt88UnVGwUPeFpUua9klSohnck2ef1e1afvQNL8PSBw49Q4136lhNnAn3sGxP3GLWIf5YiJq6CWBtoJahSIpzWkr/w320-h400/IMG_7648fb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Violet Crowned hummingbirds were the third life birds for me at this place. </p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0uVtqPjo_dAo2dsknJjjImR61J-EfftytQ-bnzlca6KEiwYj8iEPE5c6AMOn28a4bbR3LYIto8mBbyV-zLAlC3m0BhVFju6DWXLNLglLB1aiExH7GL3LrRj0xPF1x4fXUfOLA/s2048/IMG_7789.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1638" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0uVtqPjo_dAo2dsknJjjImR61J-EfftytQ-bnzlca6KEiwYj8iEPE5c6AMOn28a4bbR3LYIto8mBbyV-zLAlC3m0BhVFju6DWXLNLglLB1aiExH7GL3LrRj0xPF1x4fXUfOLA/s320/IMG_7789.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The last hummingbird species I saw there is the one that is my summer guest: the Black-chinnned Hummingbird </p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p></p><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;">Another bird showed up and gave me a good look but NOT a photo was the Yellow breasted chat. I think I had seen it during the City Nature Challenge in Austin, but not a good looks wee. So this was also a life bird. Albert’s Towhee was a new bird species for me, as was the Brown-crested Flycatcher. There were Pine Siskin - not as exciting this year because I had so many at my house during the irruption. In addition there were Gambel’s qual, White-winged doves, a woodpecker, (probably Gila), Phainopepla, House finches (eating oranges), Scott’s Oriole, Black-headed Grosbeak, and Blue Grosbeak.</span></p><p>This is really only a 2 day drive from where I live. I hope to go back. </p><p>Side note - a week or so later their Facebook page noted that they had to take down their feeders temporarily because of bear sightings. So glad I was there while the feeders were going. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Mary Ann Meltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13268106721956389627noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13971647.post-40733829762995789922021-06-26T11:33:00.000-05:002021-06-26T11:33:15.249-05:00Franklin Mountains State Park<div class="separator"><p style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></p></div><div class="separator"><p style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></p></div><div class="separator"></div><div class="separator"></div><div class="separator"></div><div style="text-align: left;">We made it to El Paso the first day’s drive. I have been wanting to bird there for a long time, so we stopped at the Franklin Mountains State Park that morning. The Franklin Mountains are surrounded by the city of El Paso and I think the entire park is within the city limits. Before the park was created, developers were eyeing the land for residential development. A group formed to “Save the Franklin Mountains.” They were successful in getting a state park created and saving a special habit and beautiful area. We saw joggers running in the cool of the desert morning. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The park has a bird blind and feeding station. I spent maybe an hour at the feeding station. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwuqP6dDGtXU5GdoWOCgfUj6VQWXJB6CUxqQqpPENJmJ8yhOEcC43mvNS4aXp70RJCEgL58AdWaJwbFagQQrc70IXKhP1MrF7TVzdlCQ8AecWMKJAJVTy5fWmwWvFdhAh9cf2/s1298/IMG_8980.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="974" data-original-width="1298" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwuqP6dDGtXU5GdoWOCgfUj6VQWXJB6CUxqQqpPENJmJ8yhOEcC43mvNS4aXp70RJCEgL58AdWaJwbFagQQrc70IXKhP1MrF7TVzdlCQ8AecWMKJAJVTy5fWmwWvFdhAh9cf2/w640-h480/IMG_8980.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></p><p></p><p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMyp9BN6dYdCONAP78fgK54lR2NsMnFDqD6S2kBLjDsfkzVpL97Ly5C13BxFD4u8oApZ4_77hbI1OnVeMfbDSY0TQDjAuckd75LO77l4oxC2wMDklP8tYKx4C0s00N0gC-M81o/s1280/IMG_7153.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMyp9BN6dYdCONAP78fgK54lR2NsMnFDqD6S2kBLjDsfkzVpL97Ly5C13BxFD4u8oApZ4_77hbI1OnVeMfbDSY0TQDjAuckd75LO77l4oxC2wMDklP8tYKx4C0s00N0gC-M81o/w400-h300/IMG_7153.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>I loved getting close looks at Scaled Quail coming in both to the feeders and the water feature. </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1638" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRxdO7niYqFcp1uI2-ZHgRhAcD8rDbpylO1Icj9mcgatl-i_pCB6QJmafnLM0RMcgOq9Jy5QD14YBhTb7SWtTAOpA36mikH-qszFqyASe3ALV-y9lAaw-kzmqrGu9D-5bhK5ja/w400-h320/IMG_7151+copy.jpg" style="text-align: center;" width="400" /><span style="text-align: left;"></span></div></blockquote><p> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>There were White-winged Doves</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6uS8P2u1-MozuLJdDASp0-hIeGVvgWpE1olwtkO2fsVNcD-ZXsvgLJQRMJbgkUVhui_4UqDstA32HxR2_stWxQq_lDTsm1tnFXmuSTo9nNk6lb_zmGgnszR8O9M6paRFZYjOy/s1280/IMG_7102.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6uS8P2u1-MozuLJdDASp0-hIeGVvgWpE1olwtkO2fsVNcD-ZXsvgLJQRMJbgkUVhui_4UqDstA32HxR2_stWxQq_lDTsm1tnFXmuSTo9nNk6lb_zmGgnszR8O9M6paRFZYjOy/w400-h300/IMG_7102.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>and Mourning Doves. </p><div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1J6Su9s6_JJNdhTF92-GlMYYmbcURpNRdFx8Um5JTvc9CsZNICGSoQLYg2fC-0b3rJREM3MnBa4Ysw4Cm0Oz57CTPs-ozg5uWfLzkR2lnurzc5dh5-nlChCqPrk5bqK-KBYHx/s1280/IMG_7030.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1J6Su9s6_JJNdhTF92-GlMYYmbcURpNRdFx8Um5JTvc9CsZNICGSoQLYg2fC-0b3rJREM3MnBa4Ysw4Cm0Oz57CTPs-ozg5uWfLzkR2lnurzc5dh5-nlChCqPrk5bqK-KBYHx/w400-h300/IMG_7030.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p>There were LOTS of House Finches - with several of the color variations. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5j4wsKU8UTchltXhL9ojcpNCbhNCGiw3MEVSeqAnj8KUXKrkPc82R6140AJL58Yt02haByD1pTNcJZ3y9AvO-b3ahTBQkQDWG1A506zMtqtHZXMjh4TJ4KyY9bAyR1HSDBh4H/s2048/IMG_7136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1638" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5j4wsKU8UTchltXhL9ojcpNCbhNCGiw3MEVSeqAnj8KUXKrkPc82R6140AJL58Yt02haByD1pTNcJZ3y9AvO-b3ahTBQkQDWG1A506zMtqtHZXMjh4TJ4KyY9bAyR1HSDBh4H/s320/IMG_7136.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p>Black-chinned hummingbirds visited the feeder that was close to the blind. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Dzd3rf0fbcsOjJiLINlmfMiEewnGTgobGRcaqUUg89olgykTM6gQEx1UBvYhQ-iT0n_4sBA0NXrKdZ8kSZCQncvCJZRQJlsNS7Fqs_pedfPJdA44XiNb6Vs6MyIv21Wfx07_/s1280/IMG_7128.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Dzd3rf0fbcsOjJiLINlmfMiEewnGTgobGRcaqUUg89olgykTM6gQEx1UBvYhQ-iT0n_4sBA0NXrKdZ8kSZCQncvCJZRQJlsNS7Fqs_pedfPJdA44XiNb6Vs6MyIv21Wfx07_/w400-h300/IMG_7128.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I had a Northern Mockingbird <p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgltUryHOgvltethiV5siWfO5hhSNnHL-l6kOf87Ls2899inQKwdyU-IcfVaAKKdwcesH1wEImd2QPb1UoI4QnD-UKUw086AJ2GeMfiLyEA34sezQUNn4Kr57sQzvhyphenhyphenT2HrS7_/s1280/IMG_7220.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgltUryHOgvltethiV5siWfO5hhSNnHL-l6kOf87Ls2899inQKwdyU-IcfVaAKKdwcesH1wEImd2QPb1UoI4QnD-UKUw086AJ2GeMfiLyEA34sezQUNn4Kr57sQzvhyphenhyphenT2HrS7_/w400-h300/IMG_7220.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>and a Western Kingbird visit. </p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqc-Byyn6wuKJqIfZnwySHfZIQO8U-2YkORKMEni1AqRqLwjLpEwxv7iGG7C5YA1jFnL55FoN1m9SX5qEKEE9A3dLdfIiOjv5bMNMiwoiCmUVFsSwMKgAyqSnDr83z2XU_C46x/s1280/IMG_7086in.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqc-Byyn6wuKJqIfZnwySHfZIQO8U-2YkORKMEni1AqRqLwjLpEwxv7iGG7C5YA1jFnL55FoN1m9SX5qEKEE9A3dLdfIiOjv5bMNMiwoiCmUVFsSwMKgAyqSnDr83z2XU_C46x/w400-h320/IMG_7086in.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>And an oriole came to visit, probably Scott's Oriole. <br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubURGbm5MJsBKIX-anvZG8cXdq2fY1ZFOjnw63xjIGGG-HMTfC2qjWbi3NR8T9gwpjPqoNDtx5tpTV6gPdUycf10J7xsT1OIQiLOCLslv6St24j-s-85dN7c0i3ALymyRXSOp/s1280/IMG_7255.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubURGbm5MJsBKIX-anvZG8cXdq2fY1ZFOjnw63xjIGGG-HMTfC2qjWbi3NR8T9gwpjPqoNDtx5tpTV6gPdUycf10J7xsT1OIQiLOCLslv6St24j-s-85dN7c0i3ALymyRXSOp/w400-h300/IMG_7255.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p>At the Visitor Center there was a bird nesting in the eaves of the porch, a closer look and photographs showed it to be Say’s Phoebe. <br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>And then there were the small mammals:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7828jcHlif-6y58p09CeVUM0N0JqUS_oGZo4XCrCsOM5BDNBZzoQCMDMoBlQ1UlC9R-N0BUL5rPkf-H_DWLgo8KcntEqNnu6ERd6Oi9KBy0Ru2ciGiVXcfmN9U9iaWpOjdlb2/s1280/IMG_7109.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7828jcHlif-6y58p09CeVUM0N0JqUS_oGZo4XCrCsOM5BDNBZzoQCMDMoBlQ1UlC9R-N0BUL5rPkf-H_DWLgo8KcntEqNnu6ERd6Oi9KBy0Ru2ciGiVXcfmN9U9iaWpOjdlb2/w400-h300/IMG_7109.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Texas Antelope squirrel <br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo0OiW89zOdUeuU5BKnMl-W8Whmd9sMYSH1ZkaTrMmsVcPzNbj54bT44ZAe92F8dEwbnsMNkuRZqC3LjO9aiMAx-3e2ee862myQZcSq6xuC-PwhzL6SOo0-evbq4bmk36cf_6O/s1280/IMG_7025.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo0OiW89zOdUeuU5BKnMl-W8Whmd9sMYSH1ZkaTrMmsVcPzNbj54bT44ZAe92F8dEwbnsMNkuRZqC3LjO9aiMAx-3e2ee862myQZcSq6xuC-PwhzL6SOo0-evbq4bmk36cf_6O/w400-h300/IMG_7025.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;">Rock squirrels, adults and juveniles </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I look forward to returning to the Franklin Mountains during different seasons. </div></div>Mary Ann Meltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13268106721956389627noreply@blogger.com0Franklin Mountains, El Paso, TX 79904, USA31.9028821 -106.49387733.5926482638211539 -141.6501273 60.213115936178845 -71.3376273tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13971647.post-68729189216714992542021-06-18T15:35:00.002-05:002021-06-18T15:35:39.273-05:0050th Anniversary Trip<p> We left Saturday, June 5th for a road trip celebrating our 50 years of adventures. Our days on the road are very full . . . So . . . Blogging about things will occur later. I am currently in Idaho on a make miles day - so I will start making my blog posts about the trips and then add photos later. </p><p><br /></p>Mary Ann Meltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13268106721956389627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13971647.post-22836474788633194832021-02-02T10:00:00.010-06:002021-02-02T10:00:01.388-06:00Fully Aware<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Because I have spent so much time outside this past year, I have gotten very aware of my surroundings. I am always looking for birds, insects, spiders, clouds . . . whatever the day may bring. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have also been attending virtually a birding festival: <a href="https://fortheloveofbirdsfestival.com/for-the-love-of-birds-festival-registrationa">For the Love of Birds Festival</a>. There are three days of "bird sits." I have watched one of them so far. The focus was on being fully aware of your surroundings, the sights, the sounds, the colors, etc and looking all around you. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy-0I_5gXKLnYiXyODyaY47FHQbF8xfWqGhdyxpGJ1xAAKaHBky8Dmq7doGCHwmawku2MrRHme0maE1NPd4RTw1pMkKbKhG6SV5kUfVtmPyW_qkz8LqwDPuzvwcJskjALHJ1w3/s920/DSCN4373in.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="920" data-original-width="736" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy-0I_5gXKLnYiXyODyaY47FHQbF8xfWqGhdyxpGJ1xAAKaHBky8Dmq7doGCHwmawku2MrRHme0maE1NPd4RTw1pMkKbKhG6SV5kUfVtmPyW_qkz8LqwDPuzvwcJskjALHJ1w3/w379-h474/DSCN4373in.jpg" width="379" /></a>I eat my meals outside whenever I can. Yesterday, I sat down to eat my lunch and watch my birds. As I was surveying the sky around me, I saw something very interesting. It was a swarm of tiny white insects. The night before I had seen something similar above my head near the pond. Those had been brown and I knew they were gnats, also called midges. Today, these were white and glistened in the sun. My camera was ready, but I was doubtful I would get pictures. How was my camera going to focus on something so tiny? But, I have learned to be disciplined with my photography. Take the shot regardless and hope. Checking the screen, I had something in some of the shots. When I magnified some of them in the camera, I became even more hopeful. So I kept adjusting the amount of zoom and hoping it would focus and I took a number of shots. Once again I checked my images. There were some that WERE picking up detail, enough to see it was definitely small winged insects, most likely midges. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicLsmXifcnqmCjzlUkMMvjlHQPIbP9-XXjeRnP5V0wZctfV7NbIaYs_1-AmP2HGgAJIXQj8YEtBCVa7FuAUTseTjVCXKh719bj1xetRzA1Zn2G6fghKfbc6OntyJNM-mZwZ7W8/s920/DSCN4384a.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="920" data-original-width="736" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicLsmXifcnqmCjzlUkMMvjlHQPIbP9-XXjeRnP5V0wZctfV7NbIaYs_1-AmP2HGgAJIXQj8YEtBCVa7FuAUTseTjVCXKh719bj1xetRzA1Zn2G6fghKfbc6OntyJNM-mZwZ7W8/s320/DSCN4384a.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So . . . When I came in and looked on the computer, yes, I had something. Probably not enough to identify to species level, but enough to post a few places and get some ideas. The first place I went was to the Facebook page: Entomology. I got confirmation that yes, these are Chironomidae, midges. And I learned that this was a mating swarm that occurs in warm sunlight. OK, it was bright sunlight today, but not so warm. They will also move to be above your head, called hilltopping, which indeed they were doing about 8-10 feet above me. The midges from the night before had also done that but close to me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrpZ1mCvyIds10FpL3R3ZSDR_-ODyu0vwxdDeUtSUILGVyONuf9XE9AwhjDdgFU6D_mwiejVlSH8OB11EDe4ts60NVNnpQZJrIBJrJdXRadIN8RJ42ewZHXxS8ADpoDxi9bG5g/s920/DSCN4393in.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="920" data-original-width="736" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrpZ1mCvyIds10FpL3R3ZSDR_-ODyu0vwxdDeUtSUILGVyONuf9XE9AwhjDdgFU6D_mwiejVlSH8OB11EDe4ts60NVNnpQZJrIBJrJdXRadIN8RJ42ewZHXxS8ADpoDxi9bG5g/w409-h371/DSCN4393in.jpg" width="409" /></a></div><br /><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>This was the most detailed image I got. Beautiful, dainty, and amazing. These were high enough above me that if I had not been in the habit of being observant, I might have missed them. And my practice of attempting to capture what I see with the camera gave me something new to marvel.<p></p>Mary Ann Meltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13268106721956389627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13971647.post-75264333429246976272021-02-01T13:13:00.004-06:002021-02-01T13:13:34.875-06:00Meditation: Life's Blinders <p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-JCM1AF1YaybKdJGNBkHLZ_StZmatIad2gjiCGID8l7jH2b4c0Qqs6QUbQj1ZywundSp3AmqstgGKx5tjgg7NBZ0TVBF4OQfaC5X3YFexPDwyktK8wO2SV648jptXxJf8Y1o/s768/IMG_6001.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="576" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-JCM1AF1YaybKdJGNBkHLZ_StZmatIad2gjiCGID8l7jH2b4c0Qqs6QUbQj1ZywundSp3AmqstgGKx5tjgg7NBZ0TVBF4OQfaC5X3YFexPDwyktK8wO2SV648jptXxJf8Y1o/w227-h303/IMG_6001.jpg" width="227" /></a></div>I go outside almost every day to spend time in nature and spend time soaking in my surroundings, reading Bible, praying, meditating, and observing the nature (usually birds) around me. This morning was cold. <div><br /><p></p><p>While it was in the 50's, I knew I needed more than just my wool sweater, so I grabbed this jacket with hood, and I immediately put the hood over my head to conserve body heat. </p><p>I immediately discovered that it was strongly affecting my peripheral vision. I could not detect the movement or moving shadows that help me notice the birds around me and above me. Even pulling it back a little still left me without the full range of vision I am accustomed to. I knew I was missing things. I was not getting the full view of the world around me this morning. It bothered me. </p><p><br /></p><p>As is often the case, my mind immediately thought about how this applies to other parts of my life. We all have things that are "blinders," that hinder us from seeing the full picture in our world. </p><p>The first thing that came to my mind was <b>news sources</b>. It is so easy to read our daily news sources that support our own political beliefs. But, that may blind us in seeing why other people see things differently. It may also prevent us from seeing important news that our favorite sources may not report. I have worked over the last several years to have a Facebook feed that does show me news articles both from "main stream media," from more liberal news pages, and from conservative news sources. I also look at Facebook pages from Christian newspapers, Christian writers, and my Christian friends.</p><p>What else can we have blind spots about? </p><p>We can be blind about our <b>personal strengths and weaknesses</b>. Throughout my life it has been easy for me to dwell on my weaknesses and my failures without giving equal time for my strengths and my victories. </p><p>We can be blind about <b>sins </b>in our life. We all have the things that we know that we need to do better in our walk with God. But, I suspect that we also all have sin in our hearts that are hidden from our own sight. The pschological concept of the Johari Window (https://www.habitsforwellbeing.com/johari-window-we-dont-know-what-we-dont-know/) has 4 "windows."</p><p>1. Known to self</p><p>2. Known to others</p><p>3. Not know to self</p><p>4. Not known to others</p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Conclusion:</span></b> My time spent outdoors in observation, reflection, and meditation helps me be more aware of some of these things. My time reading inspirational and scientific things to develop understanding of how my intellectual and spiritual self works also helps me be less blind. My time on Facebook where I truly look at what other people think and why, where I read news articles that both support my beliefs and but also look at news that may not support my belief. I have to be careful to study and discern whether the news sources I read accurately portray what is going on in the world around me so I can reduce my blind spots. This is very difficult right now. It is why I read my news from a wide variety of sources. It is why I analyze my news sources here: https://www.adfontesmedia.com This is their methodology and why I trust their analysis: https://www.adfontesmedia.com/how-ad-fontes-ranks-news-sources/</p><p>What blindspots are there in your life? </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p><p><br /></p></div>Mary Ann Meltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13268106721956389627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13971647.post-11265879332400948282021-01-28T11:49:00.001-06:002021-01-28T11:53:22.525-06:00Be Still and Know I am God . . . Nature Meditations<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg31GnIAHaf9B5h0sVFz3cnJY-RADNnGb_KLfCHTDWQZa5fqWa49om_Uas2RVSDwWwxpjiEXQNCmZz64gV4fjcsrlK6DTXtb0W-y7JFt8dDNJRFbekPPxovunXfKMkpbdFUMZ7T/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="829" data-original-width="1106" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg31GnIAHaf9B5h0sVFz3cnJY-RADNnGb_KLfCHTDWQZa5fqWa49om_Uas2RVSDwWwxpjiEXQNCmZz64gV4fjcsrlK6DTXtb0W-y7JFt8dDNJRFbekPPxovunXfKMkpbdFUMZ7T/w470-h354/DSCN2543bl.jpg" width="470" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p> In today's modern world, we are always "busy." Productivity is highly valued. Sitting quietly and seemingly doing nothing can feel like a waste of time. <p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>From scripture:</p><p>Exodus 14:14 "The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still."</p><p>Nehemiah 8:11 "Be still for this is a holy day."</p><p>Psalm 37:7 "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him."</p><p>Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God."</p><p>The dictionary definition of still is "deep silence and calm." Another dictionary adds the word "tranquil." Other definitions: "Not moving or in motion. Free from disturbance, agitation, or commotion."</p><p>A couple of years ago I was introduced to the concept of "forest bathing." No . . . this is NOT taking a bath in the forest, rather it is a methodology of being still and fully aware of your surroundings. It is a process of slowing down and becoming emersed in God's natural environment. It is taking time to tune in to the smells, textures, tastes and sounds around us. Nature sounds, the scents of the flowers, the sight of sunlight hitting the hillsides, the fresh smell of rain, and the sounds of morning birdsong affect our body in positive ways. They comfort us and reduce our stress and our worries. For me, it gives me a sense of joy. It also helps us relax. More importantly it helps us to think more clearly. Time spent emerged in the nature that God created restores our inner tranquility, gives us energy, washes our weariness away, and rejuvenates us for our other daiy tasks. </p><p>I also find that when I take the time to do this type of meditation, that I often receive life lessons from the experience, insight that is very useful. </p><p>I will be doing a series of posts with some examples. </p><p>For today, I encourage you to find a place near you to go spend time outside. It could be your backyard, it could be your local park. Perhaps there is a creek or river near you. The first time you do this it may seem difficult, but practice doing this. Once you have found your place, sit or stand quietly for 10 or 15 minutes. Notice what is around you. Notice the breeze on your face, the clouds moving above you, the water ripples, the textures, the natural sounds around you, and any scent on the air. Resist thinking about all the things that you need to do or the problems that you will face later in the day. Keep your mind centered on the nature around you. It may be difficult for you at first. I believe that this is a mental and spiritual discipline that will be very rewarding for you as you practice it. </p><br /><p></p>Mary Ann Meltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13268106721956389627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13971647.post-53206822128706100202020-08-20T23:19:00.007-05:002020-08-20T23:20:06.249-05:00Interesting Ruby -Throated Hummingbird with Orange Gorget<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2i7dvxtk1lcyXB5k4SfefJJM2OD_Zue9lPYSptETUKhnCsCsighy3G6k-hF0WRIIkOeCZf15DZgq0pv39AdjlpW-_2g0kcFOckJJkBXduC0P4u0zNFaXnvjtNkRwUH2gwRkrs/s1656/DSCN7723bl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="1656" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2i7dvxtk1lcyXB5k4SfefJJM2OD_Zue9lPYSptETUKhnCsCsighy3G6k-hF0WRIIkOeCZf15DZgq0pv39AdjlpW-_2g0kcFOckJJkBXduC0P4u0zNFaXnvjtNkRwUH2gwRkrs/s640/DSCN7723bl.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>A few days ago I noticed this unusual hummingbird visiting my feeders. The common hummer at my house is the black chinned hummingbird, but this is definitely NOT a black chinned. The next most common one is ruby throated. As I rummaged through my bird apps and web photos of ruby throated, I uploaded to iNaturalist and someone confirmed it as Ruby throated. <p></p><p><br /></p><p>But this is SUCH a different color than what I expect from a ruby throat. So I sent photos to an expert comparing several hummingbirds that have been at my feeder this summer. He asked for more photos. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuxQYJ1Ztzw9Mk2LAIgkE91kMboPMDYQB65YDoVceYOYp_OflsarkfFWT6nEZ27E2da8P0lm7AtxUCirFcDoj2fQfupTVsjOzEFw9GRE5Jin4WDm3QOofWvVNw32OnDRsmFvYm/s1656/DSCN7316fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="1656" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuxQYJ1Ztzw9Mk2LAIgkE91kMboPMDYQB65YDoVceYOYp_OflsarkfFWT6nEZ27E2da8P0lm7AtxUCirFcDoj2fQfupTVsjOzEFw9GRE5Jin4WDm3QOofWvVNw32OnDRsmFvYm/s640/DSCN7316fb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The fork tail is an indicator for ruby throated as opposed to broad-tailed which would be rare bird for my location. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihfBL8yHL6Q7qhLDMR4Hb197dFhaCvEuuhaH1Y2odY4OKuYiHHoT_yloUsoQE2ZPdePV4OrUJGSChTo2XnwRTVZc0fpDDjyC-g3OjpQpy33CXvhwFBzDnU4xIUZTF58dMdCb91/s1656/DSCN7337bl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="1656" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihfBL8yHL6Q7qhLDMR4Hb197dFhaCvEuuhaH1Y2odY4OKuYiHHoT_yloUsoQE2ZPdePV4OrUJGSChTo2XnwRTVZc0fpDDjyC-g3OjpQpy33CXvhwFBzDnU4xIUZTF58dMdCb91/s640/DSCN7337bl.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am currently trying to use the internet to learn more about my interesting hummer. </div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p>Mary Ann Meltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13268106721956389627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13971647.post-74237637269626266622020-03-27T12:39:00.001-05:002020-03-27T12:39:32.959-05:00Praying for COVID-19Long ago I learned a concept of praying the scriptures. In times of stress I find the Psalms to be meaningful. I have also experienced when reading one of the One Year Bibles that has a Psalm and a Proverb reading every day, that many times the reading for the day has words of encouragement that are especially relevant for what I am experiencing. <br />
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My reading today was Psalm 69.<br />
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I also write my prayers during my morning time. My prayer for today, using Psalm 69:<br />
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Dear God,<br />
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Save me for the virus seems to be approaching.<br />
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All around we seem to be sinking in the mire of infection. As a nation we have not found a foothold. We are approaching deep water with overwhelming floods of sick people. Our medical personnel are crying for help.<br />
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It seems that we have people trying to destroy us with lies.<br />
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Father, you know how foolish we are. We can not hide our sins from you.<br />
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Father I keep praying to you to have mercy on us.<br />
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Please answer our prayers with your sure salvation from this disease.<br />
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Rescue us from the mire of this infection. Let the measures we are attempting keep us from seeking further.<br />
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Pull us from these deep waters. As individuals, don’t let this viral flood overwhelm us or deep waters swallow us, or the pit of death devour us. <br />
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Answer these prayers, Lord, for I know your unfailing love is wonderful.<br />
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Take care of us, for I know your mercy is plentiful.<br />
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Come and redeem us, free us from this virus.<br />
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In Jesus name,<br />
AmenMary Ann Meltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13268106721956389627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13971647.post-30866264938996386982020-03-21T08:04:00.004-05:002020-03-21T08:04:49.537-05:00Thinking about how to deal with this difficult time<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDeZrDYDPRsdMjsz4kyMXhLlK8AZjHmYrm33k4368rLoo1r43OLJVKggBjg9EsPFZFTfMSE2bkybC95P0IQbKfZhD2cv3KgzMWD1d-NyGA-yv_GqQdYK-llTfZXA2qovABmhMX/s1600/IMG_9287bl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDeZrDYDPRsdMjsz4kyMXhLlK8AZjHmYrm33k4368rLoo1r43OLJVKggBjg9EsPFZFTfMSE2bkybC95P0IQbKfZhD2cv3KgzMWD1d-NyGA-yv_GqQdYK-llTfZXA2qovABmhMX/s320/IMG_9287bl.jpg" width="256" /></a>It feels like things have changed in a heartbeat. From an active life where I was always on the go, I am now choosing to stay at home for an indefinite period of time. I am a realist, I think this time of social distancing will be measured in months, not weeks. From regular contact with my grandson, I may not see him in person for months. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzgzbk-_jmE6PO-pk-MSX_7WiUQImeKd7mhr25euqUe9mOBTmaSPFUCxx3m6oSOBLsKFzv21se_8srv8riAJaRL11pLwGHNYNBPPSws4-sFBdmPsnhtWlcjIwAda2CW1a6CMEw/s1600/IMG_9294bl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="800" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzgzbk-_jmE6PO-pk-MSX_7WiUQImeKd7mhr25euqUe9mOBTmaSPFUCxx3m6oSOBLsKFzv21se_8srv8riAJaRL11pLwGHNYNBPPSws4-sFBdmPsnhtWlcjIwAda2CW1a6CMEw/s200/IMG_9294bl.jpg" width="160" /></a>But I believe that God had done some preparation for me. Back in January I got back into a morning time with God pattern. This time of Bible study, reflection, journaling, coffee and breakfast help me start my day with the reminder that in the midst of the unknown, the chaos of an unfathomable disease, the drastic changes to every day living, the separation from vital social interaction and the monetary uncertainties, that God IS still in control. In so very many places, the Bible says "Do not be afraid." "Do not be anxious." <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCUYNB48Ob_TEPm9O8J8AY95iIkWOFBA0Fp9VT-SQfr27GEiVCru5r_z9u65-hHn3bD0Q0B4iswlVBGyLSop2ByK1erH4yqjjjHT_Rtn-eKP-LO2bkdaU4VwEOxdYtrCBJah4/s1600/IMG_9323bl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1000" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCUYNB48Ob_TEPm9O8J8AY95iIkWOFBA0Fp9VT-SQfr27GEiVCru5r_z9u65-hHn3bD0Q0B4iswlVBGyLSop2ByK1erH4yqjjjHT_Rtn-eKP-LO2bkdaU4VwEOxdYtrCBJah4/s200/IMG_9323bl.jpg" width="200" /></a>So my game plan is to look outside every day for something joyful and blessed. It is spring in Central Texas. The flowers are beginning their glorious bloom. We had blessed rain yesterday. The butterflies and birds are going about their daily activities.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFLlf9fW5MrTrdbV-VEFq4BaJY6fUAKVX8WGdzNHft5JFtObf292ZlUHqhbZ7nQzjE0UZnTJ8TA4FtqE2milCmQtMuWZddZpyHGFOCcL-VacJ16sbZ7q_yro0OWUddEnCuUyP/s1600/IMG_9320bl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1000" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFLlf9fW5MrTrdbV-VEFq4BaJY6fUAKVX8WGdzNHft5JFtObf292ZlUHqhbZ7nQzjE0UZnTJ8TA4FtqE2milCmQtMuWZddZpyHGFOCcL-VacJ16sbZ7q_yro0OWUddEnCuUyP/s200/IMG_9320bl.jpg" width="200" /></a>I will also be working at home on projects that have been neglected such as going through my photographs and making submissions, writing articles and making submissions, go through the house and trying to get rid of 30 some odd years of accumulated belongings.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIn805gEoQYp_7TAhGlpQ37Lmck1wj3YNGXz36vNvIktjL23C9M1zJ-GX-Yq-NS3bq60iLn_RzwzasipugEYgKazkEEKpRO6cKdI9R8xWXg3wlo6F24ypbYy95DairNQoq080n/s1600/IMG_9334bl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1000" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIn805gEoQYp_7TAhGlpQ37Lmck1wj3YNGXz36vNvIktjL23C9M1zJ-GX-Yq-NS3bq60iLn_RzwzasipugEYgKazkEEKpRO6cKdI9R8xWXg3wlo6F24ypbYy95DairNQoq080n/s200/IMG_9334bl.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
Please join me in finding positive ways to spend your time during this unexpected change in our lives. Be mindful of the beauty that surrounds you. While you can't ignore the bad news, the number of cases that will surely rise catastrophically, the difficulties in getting your needed supplies, you can make choices to direct your focus on what is GOOD around you. You can be grateful for what you have rather than focusing on what you have not right now. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjWCVOcPqHfRJdq0ZfpUkRoh6rW4peFg3F53_p9ULvoEAqyAGTDiJ0luTOPrX3kw_8qgsqgEQrGdJ3S6Rzc1yyMEM3pKetT4f7sRoYh2dqV9s6imUuT8lafiw7GlCCndwreFx/s1600/IMG_9306bl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="800" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjWCVOcPqHfRJdq0ZfpUkRoh6rW4peFg3F53_p9ULvoEAqyAGTDiJ0luTOPrX3kw_8qgsqgEQrGdJ3S6Rzc1yyMEM3pKetT4f7sRoYh2dqV9s6imUuT8lafiw7GlCCndwreFx/s200/IMG_9306bl.jpg" width="160" /></a>And please, don't forget to spend time meditating with the God of creation. For me, it will be His peace that passeth understanding that will help me weather the trials that are coming our way. <br />
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Grace and peace to you! May you find a special blessing every day to give you hope during this dark time.<br />
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Mary Ann Meltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13268106721956389627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13971647.post-67057930839380815692020-02-18T08:43:00.001-06:002020-02-18T08:43:10.365-06:00God’s Glory In my Bible reading yesterday, I read about the glory of God filling the Tabernacle. I wondered what that would have been like to experience first hand. I tried to imagine what that meant, because I don’t think that I see and experience the glory of God in the same way today. <br />
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So I went and looked up the word: glory.<br />
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From Merriam Webster’s online dictionary: <br />
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<b>Definition of glory </b><br />
1a : praise, honor, or distinction extended by common consent : RENOWN<br />
b : worshipful praise, honor, and thanksgiving
giving glory to God<br />
2a : something that secures praise or renown
the glory of a brilliant career
b : a distinguished quality or asset
The glory of the city is its Gothic cathedral.<br />
3a : a state of great gratification or exaltation
When she's acting she's in her glory.
b : a height of prosperity or achievement
ancient Rome in its glory<br />
4a(1) : great beauty and splendor : MAGNIFICENCE
… the glory that was Greece and the grandeur that was Rome.
— E. A. Poe<br />
(2) : something marked by beauty or resplendence
a perfect glory of a day
b : the splendor and beatific happiness of heaven
broadly : ETERNITY<br />
5 : a ring or spot of light: such as
a : AUREOLE<br />
b : a halo appearing around the shadow of an object<br />
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I think the Israelites experienced God’s great beauty, splendor, and resplendence as well as his distinguishing qualities in such a way that led them to worshipful praise, honor and thanksgiving. <br />
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I am not sure even after thinking about it that I can really grasp what it would be like to experience the glory of God the way the Israelites did.<br />
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I think in today’s world, believers know that God is always with them, but we don’t always see it as clearly as described in Exodus. We don’t necessarily experience His glory in our daily lives as the Israelites did as they saw the cloud surrounding the Tabernacle during the day and the pillar of fire at night. How would it change our lives if we mediated on God’s glory, his incredible power, and sought His glory on a daily basis. Would it change how we treat the people around us? Would it change how we viewed the divisions, the hatred, the animosity that surrounds us in the difficult times we are experiencing? In the search for God’s glory and in the search for what God’s view would be, would it change our hearts, words, and actions? <br />
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As for me, I am hoping I can put thinking about God’s glory into my daily thoughts about God and my relationship with him.Mary Ann Meltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13268106721956389627noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13971647.post-44530872841449170902020-01-29T08:00:00.000-06:002020-01-29T08:00:03.390-06:00The Difference a Year Makes<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifxGTvCfe5XpD6bfoFyfeIT0WLUkxlJImRk0gQPmrlVXpjZwMsB099n8EnBMN_6CU8Qyzeet88S2-DGlt6wAwwa0DVyMS7oK7A9cMjJxMApsq3A5UQrjXAFRSOqSBE93G141QM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2020-01-28+at+10.23.16+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1156" data-original-width="1156" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifxGTvCfe5XpD6bfoFyfeIT0WLUkxlJImRk0gQPmrlVXpjZwMsB099n8EnBMN_6CU8Qyzeet88S2-DGlt6wAwwa0DVyMS7oK7A9cMjJxMApsq3A5UQrjXAFRSOqSBE93G141QM/s320/Screen+Shot+2020-01-28+at+10.23.16+PM.png" width="320" /></a><br />
Last January I took an Amtrak train ride with my grandson from Austin to Taylor. I could walk and get where I wanted, but walking and standing were endurance tests. If I walked longer distances, I had to "pause" regularly. If I really wanted to get somewhere, I got there, but sometimes it was just plain hard.This photo shows what I looked like then.<br />
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During the February Laredo Bird Festival, a common comment to me was: "Knee? It will be so much better when you replace it." So, I decided it was finally time. Surgery was scheduled at the end of April. At a visit to my sleep doctor, I commented that I usually followed doctor's instructions . . . but weight was the exception. He said, "I have a solution for that." With some skepticism I started his diet program about a month before the surgery. I felt like I would recover from the surgery much faster if I got some of the weight off. I started losing immediately.<br />
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Surgery day came. Recovery included using a walker to get where I wanted to go. But . . . I got out and started doing short walks on smooth pavement with the walker. I still had to pause. After graduating from the walker, I walked the road by my house. The first time, I just went down to one end and back, pausing a few times there and back. A little while later, I managed to walk to the main road and back, still with those little strategic pauses. <br />
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As the months passed, my walks got longer and stronger. By Thanksgiving, my grandson and I took the long loops at the Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary. It was a 4 mile day! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguweeEZ7c5CXRdQ1__KWksJlNPVxlK-yrkQWvqODAfpHwWT9Y_jmHFhy36HqS607Sw53YJuzgfXVFbasQPAUypa4qA9QIWwwGYVRLlKvRxD9YGVCpqavk_PKob38Z9SLBV37Ye/s1600/IMG_4872b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="920" data-original-width="736" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguweeEZ7c5CXRdQ1__KWksJlNPVxlK-yrkQWvqODAfpHwWT9Y_jmHFhy36HqS607Sw53YJuzgfXVFbasQPAUypa4qA9QIWwwGYVRLlKvRxD9YGVCpqavk_PKob38Z9SLBV37Ye/s320/IMG_4872b.jpg" width="256" /></a><br />
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Yesterday I took one of the longer loops at Berry Springs Park Preserve with my grandson. He says I walk faster now. Today I walked the road in front of my house. I started at my house, went up the driveway, up to the main road, down to the end of the road, back to my driveway. No pauses. What a victory I felt! Then I went down to the pond and retrieved my game camera card. It is so nice to be able to get around the property easily again.<br />
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I lost weight in 2005, 2006. I am now 30 pounds lighter than I was then.<br />
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This photo was taken by my grandson at a nearby park in the fall. I am still working on better fitness and more weight loss. I am so grateful to be where I am.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg8sOW9j9tQP_fnTrVEq4rvjT8H_f0-_j-AlY76_gLp95kLUrZUNERrJMwQ2s0fhNy_L8mllbqDMCne1Xtz7MbpZnpW1bZSa4F6csHLMBtGhjkciQHXMU20b43GFr1tZIJsoCl/s1600/IMG_4872b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>Mary Ann Meltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13268106721956389627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13971647.post-19423632663724548152016-11-07T08:52:00.000-06:002016-11-08T10:31:58.360-06:00Sabal Palms Sanctuary . . . the feeder<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 12px;">At the bird feeder by the old visitor center, listening to the last rain drops hitting the leaves and palms. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 12px;">Watching the water drops hitting the leaves and causing them to flutter. Seeing the reflections of the green tree leaves in the reflections on the dark deck. Feeling the gentle cool breeze. Hearing the quiet voices of a group of birders who drop by but don't stay. As I wonder if any birds will visit the feeders on this wet day, I hear a bird calling. Chachalacas pass by with their loud cackling call. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBEjIfld5sMwUZCACzJ2j_CbT0Zy6NZFYhxk2XDijwrH3JYe7vAcwTpeCDgLh1Jm7_itYZsFFzFWEAcb3zMAC8ZarAbkX4OMQrsMK0dDCawnjaVR_xHx1Tz9c2McsePbKgmEtq/s1600/IMG_0360bl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBEjIfld5sMwUZCACzJ2j_CbT0Zy6NZFYhxk2XDijwrH3JYe7vAcwTpeCDgLh1Jm7_itYZsFFzFWEAcb3zMAC8ZarAbkX4OMQrsMK0dDCawnjaVR_xHx1Tz9c2McsePbKgmEtq/s400/IMG_0360bl.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 12px;">The forest is thick and green around this old visitor center. It is quiet now - only the sound of the occasional rain drop. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLDFgxNrSoCBc99zgG0tkM-sSCfRmyjX_m_cdbKScpuTy6WEGgv761Cxb9BYxb9A_o4gXsNJC4KoIAGRFiRQFHCWTK0HM6iK8VB-BRpL0ovWcmQfqG-IPpDWrT0y0yS3fBYf5/s1600/IMG_0353bl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLDFgxNrSoCBc99zgG0tkM-sSCfRmyjX_m_cdbKScpuTy6WEGgv761Cxb9BYxb9A_o4gXsNJC4KoIAGRFiRQFHCWTK0HM6iK8VB-BRpL0ovWcmQfqG-IPpDWrT0y0yS3fBYf5/s400/IMG_0353bl.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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The Green Jay arrives. </div>
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<span style="font-size: 12px;">Buff bellied on feeder.</span></div>
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When I mention to a visitor one appeared - a female. </div>
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Shortly a male arrived - giving me ample time to study him but not to photograph. </div>
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Maybe he will come back.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKcC3VwvE-Jkhetlqbl2JkIQ2wpzIdSPB1ChRPwSZP6VpJMMfpTdyHR2SvU86f6k-8eWmx-qILwo39YSx5_OeDVvEFsvAOMsdynbVeFX4DIiEi-Uglj6JvaPPg4PMYzkC5I1hI/s1600/IMG_0357bl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKcC3VwvE-Jkhetlqbl2JkIQ2wpzIdSPB1ChRPwSZP6VpJMMfpTdyHR2SvU86f6k-8eWmx-qILwo39YSx5_OeDVvEFsvAOMsdynbVeFX4DIiEi-Uglj6JvaPPg4PMYzkC5I1hI/s400/IMG_0357bl.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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2 white tipped doves silently arrive. </div>
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Now 3 white tipped doves are at the feeder. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrdBHlAhK8nKIz5NFW-UwWYfdwYBxqULBDTEB2PLrMXlvY5ZCEAZIQNkaa7H9UhlXttbtda_52Tr8oNtKbdfdEcDPXyzDSiyPzSWrCcPV3JQZtR3Z9Aj-9Gmf4uaFm_0iKJhq/s1600/IMG_0359bl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrdBHlAhK8nKIz5NFW-UwWYfdwYBxqULBDTEB2PLrMXlvY5ZCEAZIQNkaa7H9UhlXttbtda_52Tr8oNtKbdfdEcDPXyzDSiyPzSWrCcPV3JQZtR3Z9Aj-9Gmf4uaFm_0iKJhq/s400/IMG_0359bl.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Buff bellied hummingbird came back allowing photo opportunity </div>
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Now there are 4 doves. </div>
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Green jays come in disturbing the white tipped doves</div>
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Now 4 green jays but my cough scares the doves off but the green jays quickly return. </div>
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It has been the quiet of nature but in the distance is the rumble of machinery - the bass of a car radio's beats in the distance. </div>
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Hoping for an oriole to drop by . . .</div>
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The dove wings whir as they fly off. </div>
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The rumble of thunder precedes the next group of people with their footsteps and quiet voices. </div>
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They pass on by for the trails. </div>
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I have a nice quiet place to weather the storm and a raincoat to keep my equipment dry. <span style="font-size: 12px;">But I would prefer that it not rain on my hiking friends. </span></div>
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I wonder, "Will a Cooper's hawk come fly over the feeder this time as it did the last scattering the birds?"(Sadly, it didn't.)</div>
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A loud group of chachalacas passes noisily by out of sight.</div>
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10 white tipped doves whir away as they are startled by my cough. </div>
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White tipped doves melodically coo behind me. </div>
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The buff bellied briefly returns. </div>
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Jays come in but the white tipped soon reclaim the feeder. </div>
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The water drops dripping from the leaves are a calming sound. </div>
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As I see movement in the low vegetation and hope for olive sparrow but so far it is always white tipped dove.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3WKmNTtD1XTmrBgkKXpF0Qblbeqob0WtFlKAsHlR25c_RGHH2cThafjGbjWE9Kn0mqMN2RgmJvprluSdBIq3-J_YIPTj_FNeYPNgwA5u7-WPtZ7z8oGgmgUQRbG179YjHJZCy/s1600/IMG_0363bl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3WKmNTtD1XTmrBgkKXpF0Qblbeqob0WtFlKAsHlR25c_RGHH2cThafjGbjWE9Kn0mqMN2RgmJvprluSdBIq3-J_YIPTj_FNeYPNgwA5u7-WPtZ7z8oGgmgUQRbG179YjHJZCy/s400/IMG_0363bl.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The buff bellied comes in briefly.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12px;">A soft high call note signals the presence of another small bird. </span></div>
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Only one chirp. Will it call again, will it reveal itself or will it be just the one note that told of its presence without revealing the identity?</div>
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After 4 days of birding, I am soaking in the quiet peace so far r<span style="font-size: 12px;">emoved from the ugly election hoopla. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikDJGNBo53Sj2KGqSu8hZPEFJnP_DTw1n9XXSrkGcIXc6_BSitFKtXA9i18Mt1VJaYDihZr835jYaj2ILY5M1TBy7RIxqJleIi4YMY-vCmD0eH6nSrXxEyk6rgO9vJuSFFemfG/s1600/IMG_0366bl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikDJGNBo53Sj2KGqSu8hZPEFJnP_DTw1n9XXSrkGcIXc6_BSitFKtXA9i18Mt1VJaYDihZr835jYaj2ILY5M1TBy7RIxqJleIi4YMY-vCmD0eH6nSrXxEyk6rgO9vJuSFFemfG/s400/IMG_0366bl.jpg" width="266" /></a><span style="font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12px;">A group of chachalaca come silently one by one to the feeder. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12px;">The 5 chachalaca have control of the feeder. </span></div>
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2 Black crested titmice arrive but can't compete with the chachalaca. </div>
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Green jays and doves wait for the chachalaca to leave.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12px;">More human voices. They don't come close as they walk by on their trail. </span></div>
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The chachalacas are finishing their meal and the green jays return. </div>
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<span style="font-size: 12px;">Human voices scatter the birds but a brave few remain at the feeder. </span></div>
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People stop and we quietly visit sharing stories,</div>
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A couple of small birds possibly orange crowned warblers tease us but stay out of sight refusing to reveal their identity.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEins5rNQZYVWovHXir6j5pxhuXp4u11R7mvZ6ii4H1GgT6vTC2LOhUBvI5E6-N1UiMDfen7kq7J4DZLRxNKrCcvfcC0Z3tIlel4_TP5M9K8FzCFm1keaRx75qP3iylu6NXmL6GN/s1600/IMG_0371bl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEins5rNQZYVWovHXir6j5pxhuXp4u11R7mvZ6ii4H1GgT6vTC2LOhUBvI5E6-N1UiMDfen7kq7J4DZLRxNKrCcvfcC0Z3tIlel4_TP5M9K8FzCFm1keaRx75qP3iylu6NXmL6GN/s400/IMG_0371bl.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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A cottontail rabbit comes through grazing on the vegetation. </div>
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They tell me the trails are slippery confirming the wisdom of enjoying the feeder station </div>
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Loving watching the green jay's yellow tail display in flight. </div>
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Mourning dove arrives. </div>
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I move over to sit on the wet wooden seats and I am rewarded by a better view and photograph of the buff bellied hummingbird. </div>
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Time to go . . . I enjoyed this peaceful, restful interlude in one of my favorite places in the Rio Grande Valley.<br />
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Mary Ann Meltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13268106721956389627noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13971647.post-81411737208329139552015-09-05T10:48:00.000-05:002015-09-05T10:48:16.698-05:00International Peace Gardens<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The International Peace Gardens straddle the border between the United States and Canada between North Dakota and Manitoba.<br />
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It was dedicated in 1932: TO GOD IN HIS GLORY, we two nations dedicate this garden and pledge ourselves that as long as men shall live, we will not take up arms against one another.<br />
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The Civilian Conservation Corps did most of the early construction.<br />
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There are 2300 acres to explore. We started our exploration on the Canadian side which is forested with water features and more natural in nature, taking the loop twice during our visit. In some ways I preferred the wild areas with the trees and birds. However, the formal gardens are beautiful and I enjoyed walking around to see everything.<br />
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We saw an immature northern flicker as well as adult northern flickers. We tried to stop for every bird and I enjoyed seeing birds near our picnic table at lunchtime.<br />
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Around the formal garden ponds there were many Northern Leopard Frogs.
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The Interpretive Center and Conservatory had a good gift shop, restaurant as well as cactus and succulents from around the world.
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The formal gardens were a delight to explore. I talked to someone who visits every year. He told me the plantings are unique every year. He also told me that the Peace Towers in the background of the first photo have deteriorated and will be removed at some point.<br />
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I could not leave without stopping to photograph the floral clock. We spent half our day here and considered it well spent.</div>
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<br />Mary Ann Meltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13268106721956389627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13971647.post-11088488505441765912015-08-28T00:24:00.001-05:002015-08-28T00:24:29.635-05:00Coming in to Breckenridge . . .The MemoriesWe left the Salt Lake City area today on the last part of our adventure. As we drove through the desert sage areas and mountains around Steamboat Springs, my mind kept thinking about all the things we could do in the one day we have in Breckenridge. I was thinking about things we have done on other trips.<br />
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Rent a bike and take the trails down to Frisco and ride the bus back.<br />
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Go over Boreas Pass.<br />
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Go to Mount Evans and photograph the mountain goats and mountain sheep.<br />
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Ride the train in Georgetown (we have never done that.)<br />
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Take one of the lifts to the top of the mountain and walk the trails back to town.<br />
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Visit the Breckenridge Recreation Center.<br />
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In addition I had been thinking about the things we could do in Colorado "on the way home."<br />
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Swing by Rocky Mountain National Park going over Trail Ridge.<br />
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Swing by Silverton.<br />
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Go to the Malt Shop in Pagosa Springs.<br />
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Visit Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs being there at sunrise or sunset.<br />
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I walked through a wonderful garden of memories as I thought about things we "could" do, but also realizing that we are due to arrive home on Sunday back in Hutto. These memories of all these delightful things were done on trips where we were here a week or more. But remembering things we've done in this area in the past made me grateful for all we have been able to do over the years.Mary Ann Meltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13268106721956389627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13971647.post-69568260543113939252015-08-22T10:45:00.000-05:002015-08-22T10:45:01.063-05:00The 2015 Adventure Begins: #North DakotaFrom Saturday, August 8<br />
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After all the last minute tasks were completed . . . house sitter arranged, Gambler care arranged, to do lists mostly done, I got off on Friday to join Henry in Minneapolis to head west. Our first target was to explore parts of North Dakota. We made it to Fargo last night. This morning we headed to explore some of their official "scenic byways." Here is a link to their official information <a href="http://www.parkrec.nd.gov/byways/attachments/byway_brochure.pdf" target="_blank">Scenic Byways and Backways Information Guide.</a> The first one we chose was the Rendevous Region Scenic Backway. <br />
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First stop was Icelandic State Park. The Pioneer Heritage Center has a lovely visitor center and several restored buildings from the homesteading era.<br />
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This church was beautiful. I wish it had been open to see the inside.<br />
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I've been paying more attention to native grasses the last couple of years. I loved this exhibit in the Pioneer Heritage Center showing how deep the roots are in prairie grasses.<br />
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One of my goals for this trip has been to get more exercise and lose more weight. There were several hiking trails. I took the one through the forest. I saw a strange woodpecker. I wish that I had gotten a photo because I thought it was an American Three-toed woodpecker. I use BirdLog to enter my bird lists to keep records of what I see and my life list. Whenever you get a "square" next to your bird, you know you may be in trouble with your identification. The kindly ebird reviewer told me there were NO records for that species in North Dakota. I still think the bird I saw matches the description, but I will be content with hoping to see that species another place.<br />
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The next part of the Rendevous Region Scenic byway was a little more challenging. It started off on a dirt road that said "Dead End." After looping the highway a couple of times we took the road and it WAS the correct turn. The route us through the countryside through wooded areas and sunflower fields. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj92fKWYibRE4sJIbH-oXfPRetRFcwU-NDOkCLU_bqsr2Q72wL8CeJEhz4a-UUvZJZgUO-zNo5s1j9_PrTq3H6QZSTFRKKsjLfKalzgfllNQs5hJg_OyqmSvtwab4sXOChLkvT9/s1600/IMG_5402bl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj92fKWYibRE4sJIbH-oXfPRetRFcwU-NDOkCLU_bqsr2Q72wL8CeJEhz4a-UUvZJZgUO-zNo5s1j9_PrTq3H6QZSTFRKKsjLfKalzgfllNQs5hJg_OyqmSvtwab4sXOChLkvT9/s400/IMG_5402bl.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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The road also led us past several areas that were filled with antique cars. I wonder what the story is behind the cars. Do they let photographers visit? <br />
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For future travelers, I would suggest getting a good route written down before trying this section of the back way. It was beautiful, but it was easy to miss the signs for the turns. This <a href="http://www.nd.gov/gis/apps/HubExplorer/#extent=-10886923.42058,6238653.93293,-10882953.47242,6241190.68681&layers=All_Transportation:24,25,26&basemap=Map" target="_blank">North Dakota Map</a> will show the names of the roads when you zoom in. Cellphone signal comes in and out, so I would recommend writing down the road names while you have strong cell signal. The dirt roads were easily passable even with my low ground clearance car. Here is more information about other things to see and do on the <a href="http://walhalland.org/byway.php" target="_blank">Rendevous Region Scenic Byway. </a> </div>
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The section between Walhalla and Vang was beautiful. The Tetrault Woods State Forest overlook was well worth the stop.<br />
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This overlook over the Pembina Gorge had lovely metal sculpture decorations and a lovely place to sit and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. </div>
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Henry propped his iPhone on one of the rails to get a shot of the two of us using an app on his iPhone.<br />
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Mary Ann Meltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13268106721956389627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13971647.post-34764143500936935142015-08-21T00:09:00.004-05:002015-08-21T00:09:57.085-05:00#Sasquan Day 2We've been traveling and on the go for almost 2 weeks now. I checked the morning schedule and allowed myself to catch some more zzzz's before heading over to the con.<br />
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The next 5 hours were back to back interesting panels. I started with <b>Stories of the Spokane Tribe </b>told by James "Jimbo" Seyler. Stories of from the Spokane tribe about how the land forms in the area were formed, stories of "coyote." An interesting look at one tribe's stories.<br />
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Going in an entirely different direction I went to "<b>What is New in Astronomy?</b>" Dr. David Clements from the physics department of the Imperical College in London was the moderator. Other panelists were interesting and well informed as well. I learned about the latest research on asteroids - how most are not solid rock but rather rubble held together with ice. When two of these bump into each other, they often merge in strange shapes. It was interesting that there has been a probe studying Comet P-67. For more info look at the <a href="http://techcrunch.com/2015/02/17/rosetta-gets-close-up-photos-of-comet-p67/" target="_blank">pictures from the probe. </a> Another topic was dark energy and dark matter. Fascinating stuff.<br />
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Next panel was <b>Medieval Science and Technology </b>with a different set of interesting, knowledgeable panelists. Guy Consolmagno is a Jesuit brother who is living in Italy as an astronomer and planetary scientist at the Vatican Observatory. Jo Walton is an amazing writer who uses medieval themes in her writing. Bradford Lyau is a trained historian and science fiction writer. Lots of interesting concepts were bounced around. Sometimes we look at a story or movie and think the technology is wrong for the time period when actually it is correct. Mentioning the poverty and poor living conditions during the Middle Ages, it was noted that many of these people were living amid the ruins of Rome's technology knowing they could not recreate it. How frustrating and defeating that would be. It made me think of all the technology we rely on in our day to day lives. What would happen if all of that disappeared for some reason? Another interesting piece of information was that many of the beautiful cathedrals in Florence were built in a time of desperation. The churches and the women who became nuns were acts of faith for God to deliver them from the perils around them at the time.<br />
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Next came a reading from author Connie Willis. I've read some of her books and I've heard her at other science fiction conventions. An enjoyable time listening to her read an excerpt from her book that will come out next year.<br />
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Another change of pace came next with the panel, <b>The Art and Science of Spaceships.</b> Shape, art, artificial gravity, and possible sizes were part of the discussion. But also intriguing thoughts about what it would be like to put together a mission to another star that might involve people living on the spaceship for 1000 years. Would they want to leave when they reached the new planet? How would their culture change? <br />
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After this panel I went outside by the river, partly to have a snack, but partly because being outside is peaceful and feeds part of my soul. I needed a break after 5 hours of sitting in rooms with no windows.<br />
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One of the things I like about going to Science Fiction Conventions are the ways my mind is challenged while I am there. Today's panels were very different from one another and I learned things and felt like my mind was being expanded and challenged with new information.<br />
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Later, I joined Henry and we went to eat at Anthony's Home Port, which overlooks the beautiful waterfalls in Spokane. A good day!<br />
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<br />Mary Ann Meltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13268106721956389627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13971647.post-49345975729491393272015-08-20T10:51:00.001-05:002015-08-20T10:51:30.824-05:00Getting started at #Sasquan World Science Fiction ConventionWorldcons are big events with many things going on at the same time. I have found it best to plan out what I am most interested in and sometimes plan efficiency in which meeting rooms minimize walking. The first thing I do is get the convention guide and start marking it up, highlighting topics and speakers I am interested in hearing. Frequently, there are multiple things at the same time. Marking them with a highlighter makes it easier to find the things I most want to do quickly.<br />
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My first day I went to panels on Comfort Reading, Hard SF Movies: Rare but not extinct, and the Opening Ceremonies. Opening Ceremonies got a late start and ended late so I missed the other panel I wanted to see: Accounts from the history of the Spokane Tribe. </div>
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It is good seeing so many ages here from small babies, elementary aged kids, college aged, right up to people in their 70's and 80's. </div>
<br />Mary Ann Meltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13268106721956389627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13971647.post-8558172863270684102015-08-17T13:00:00.002-05:002015-08-17T13:00:57.781-05:00Yellowstone's wolves<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9TGJ7-8iaQkEAgOKGazvu3GXSARNglxWIm_datFKw_l6ZQlFIktmJMqrbRoAQaGYgL7zAXUQ9F0nexiwO3xOOkAcIyEtlbLzhrfO4tro4egIBf6GY_hbT5uubj30jRP9-nWti/s1600/IMG_5676Bl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9TGJ7-8iaQkEAgOKGazvu3GXSARNglxWIm_datFKw_l6ZQlFIktmJMqrbRoAQaGYgL7zAXUQ9F0nexiwO3xOOkAcIyEtlbLzhrfO4tro4egIBf6GY_hbT5uubj30jRP9-nWti/s640/IMG_5676Bl.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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We have chosen for our last two visits to stay at the northeast corner of the park at Silver Gate, Montana. The Grizzly Lodge is less than a mile from the entrance to the park and about a 30 minute drive to the wolf viewing area between the Yellowstone Institute and Pebble Creek Campground. This area usually has an active wolf pack where wolves can be seen. To see the wolves, one must be at this location near sunrise. In other years there were wolf watchers there at sunset, we did not see that this year. We got up 3 of our 4 mornings to attempt to see the wolves and were successful twice. The middle morning, the pups were seen by folks near us, but the one dropped out of sight before I saw it.<br />
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However, where you look for the wolves changes every time we visit. The best way to see the wolves is to look for the group of people all standing together with scopes. This year the group was down in the valley looking up onto the northern grassy sage covered slopes. While my walking is better, I still have mobility issues and decided not to go down there. I set up my chair and scope on the side of the parking area where they were looking and waited. <br />
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Shortly, they turned their scopes a different direction. I rushed down to the other end of the parking lot and sure enough, there were the wolves, five of them. Using my Canon Powershot SX50 with its 1200 mm zoom I was able to capture these images. Most wolf sightings are distant, with the wolves appearing as small moving specks on the hillside.<br />
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Here is my first view of the wolf ascending the slope. The black wolves are easier to spot than the gray ones.<br />
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This shot captures two more . . .<br />
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I like the running shot.<br />
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Here it is cropped closer:<br />
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<span style="text-align: left;">It is hard to explain the marvel that catching a glimpse of wolves in the wild invokes. For me part of the joy is that even when you get up to be there at sunrise, you may or may not get to see them. So when you do, it feels like such a blessing. In other visits I got to witness the morning reunion of the pack - such a joyful, playful event. I could hear the howls and yips. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Even when the wolves don't show, the upper Lamar Valley is a tranquil and beautiful place to spend the first hours of the day. It is a great way to start the day!</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D13971647%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D855817286327068410&media=https%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-5_KAxqPaimA%2FVdIYLlqPmPI%2FAAAAAAAADBw%2Fned42TCnjTY%2Fs640%2FIMG_5677Bl.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=VD9MzpiqYzNJ&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 2190px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D13971647%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D855817286327068410&media=https%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-5_KAxqPaimA%2FVdIYLlqPmPI%2FAAAAAAAADBw%2Fned42TCnjTY%2Fs640%2FIMG_5677Bl.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=VD9MzpiqYzNJ&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 2190px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Mary Ann Meltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13268106721956389627noreply@blogger.com1Lamar Valley, Yellowstone National Park, Northeast Entrance Road, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190, USA44.8684621 -110.1745892000000119.346427600000002 -151.4831832 70.3904966 -68.865995200000015tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13971647.post-34443578679986379052015-08-10T13:08:00.000-05:002015-08-22T10:46:03.067-05:00Sully's Hill National Game Preserve<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Monday, August 10</div>
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After spending the night at Devil's Lake, we chose a route to visit National Wildlife Refuges as we explored North Dakota. </div>
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We arrived at <a href="http://www.fws.gov/refuge/sullys_hill_national_game_preserve/" target="_blank">Sully's Hill National Game Preserve </a> early in the morning, while it was still cool. Growing up in the Texas Panhandle, prairie dogs always delight me with their activities. </div>
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Sully's Hill's bison are being managed to conserve their genetic diversity.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-tQI9Gyyzk7dPzAlDoTBxZIxKXtVSfHTi6wBuSioFpm8yAoqJMwtvRCDQl5RD3trmdENjFSCYbnJD1NiKwmzp5pAI9SSI7tp0tx19Ns8I89Cfu6oh-q6e2kGSfMgzFLAQu4bP/s1600/_D7A3149FB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-tQI9Gyyzk7dPzAlDoTBxZIxKXtVSfHTi6wBuSioFpm8yAoqJMwtvRCDQl5RD3trmdENjFSCYbnJD1NiKwmzp5pAI9SSI7tp0tx19Ns8I89Cfu6oh-q6e2kGSfMgzFLAQu4bP/s640/_D7A3149FB.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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There was a beautiful wooded nature trail that seemed filled with singing birds. There were a number of yellow warblers. The trail led to a vista over the lake where there were white pelicans in the distance. I saw 12 species of birds within the preserve.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2_5SzsPjELt1jGCusttJ2IHj7HDdE3bMryFO5gTANts8Y19QR0-v2bqzDimjwUTm7h1c2qV8Rq52QQDdPrxD-rb9T6k6sGsiAEgreo0M7US07Gi8m5cqiBukRON3JFgat_G50/s1600/IMG_5525FB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2_5SzsPjELt1jGCusttJ2IHj7HDdE3bMryFO5gTANts8Y19QR0-v2bqzDimjwUTm7h1c2qV8Rq52QQDdPrxD-rb9T6k6sGsiAEgreo0M7US07Gi8m5cqiBukRON3JFgat_G50/s640/IMG_5525FB.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Some birds I photograph to be able to identify later. I was most pleased to identify this one finally as an American Redstart, a life bird for me. The <a href="http://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/" target="_blank">Merlin bird App</a> was very helpful in this identification process.<br />
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A thirteen lined ground squirrel was also out and about. He ran right past me at one point.<br />
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Sully's Hill was created as a National Park under Theodore Roosevelt in 1904. During the Great Depression it was transferred to Fish and Wildlife Service. Interestingly it is one of seven National parks to be be disbanded. Some were turned into National Monuments or merged with other national parks. One, Mackinak National Park, became a state park.<br />
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D13971647%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D3444357867998637905%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dallposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dallposts%3BpostNum%3D2%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-USRiaIZ2f0U%2FVcn6iAmXMBI%2FAAAAAAAADAk%2FGYtHwK_94As%2Fs640%2FIMG_5525FB.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=VD9MzpiqYzNJ&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 1548px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D13971647%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D3444357867998637905%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dallposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dallposts%3BpostNum%3D2%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-USRiaIZ2f0U%2FVcn6iAmXMBI%2FAAAAAAAADAk%2FGYtHwK_94As%2Fs640%2FIMG_5525FB.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=VD9MzpiqYzNJ&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 1548px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Mary Ann Meltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13268106721956389627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13971647.post-59386508685147176962015-03-29T23:59:00.000-05:002015-03-29T23:59:01.492-05:00Desert Rainbows<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Rainbows always fascinate me. They are beautiful, ephemeral, and not something I see every day. When I am lucky enough to see a rainbow, I try to take time to enjoy it and appreciate it. As a Christian, a rainbow always reminds me of God's promise to Noah that He would never destroy the earth by flood again. </div>
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The science of rainbows are that it takes rain and sun to create a rainbow. In the desert, rain events are few and far between, so a rainbow is even more special in the desert. </div>
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In my last trip, I was at Big Bend during several rain events. During the first one, the rain was in the middle of the afternoon when the sun was still high in the sky. The location of a rainbow is related to the sun angle. I was at the bottom of the valley when I saw the rain and sunshine. I knew that I had to get up higher in order to see the rainbow. I was with a photographer friend. When we got to the top and started looking for the rainbow, she saw it first. But it was against the hillside not high in the sky due to the sun angle - much as I had expected. I knew we would be looking down on the rainbow because of how high in the sky the sun was. I rushed to photograph it and thought that I had missed it. </div>
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When I began working the photos from the trip, I realized that I had actually captured a double rainbow. One is barely visible against the hillside and the other in the sky. </div>
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As we drove back to where the bluebonnets were, I saw another rainbow barely peaking over the canyon wall.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqRv2WkE41pCwvxWHH4_m4ncvftbAODqi64CNe0I10IqMqlFSZeuIAf0-s2cjCsi-ClDfEZCTlHks9qvAZRpSVsmHzMBBiwpawaDUdZEGGtHWXIoMh_45PYf1_YG5ZIF_dvGFp/s1600/_D7A8814bl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqRv2WkE41pCwvxWHH4_m4ncvftbAODqi64CNe0I10IqMqlFSZeuIAf0-s2cjCsi-ClDfEZCTlHks9qvAZRpSVsmHzMBBiwpawaDUdZEGGtHWXIoMh_45PYf1_YG5ZIF_dvGFp/s1600/_D7A8814bl.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
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On a different day, the sun and rain again appeared together. This time the sun was lower in the sky and I knew we needed to get down lower to see it. Sure enough, a rainbow next to Casa Grande. <br />
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As a photographer, I get a sense of urgency when I know a rainbow is possible. I can hardly wait to get the chance to photograph it, so when I see one is possible and I'm in the wrong place, you can imagine me bouncing in my seat in anticipation and hope that I will get there in time to capture it. </div>
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Rainbow photography tips:</div>
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1. Learn the sun angle - so you know whether or not you need a taller vantage point or a lower vantage point to see the rainbow.</div>
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2. Use a circular polarizer filter. It will brighten the rainbow or make it totally disappear depending upon how it is turned.</div>
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3. Bracket your exposure so you have a better chance to get the most vibrant colors. </div>
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4. When possible, try to find a location near you with an optimal composition.</div>
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5. Take time to enjoy the rainbow in the short time it is visible. </div>
<br />Mary Ann Meltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13268106721956389627noreply@blogger.com1