Chasing Birds and Fall Colors

The month of October is the time to look for shades of yellow, gold, orange and red on the leaves of autumn’s trees. In the middle of October, the color on the south fork Kern River began to change and now nearing the end of the month it continues with a mix of yellow, gold and green. The aspen die off across the west has made it hard to find many displays of red, gold and green Quaking Aspen, but I did find some along south Bishop Creek on the way to South Lake above Bishop in mid October.
Just yesterday, the color gold was the dominant color along Trout Creek on the Kern Plateau, where I went to chase a Black-backed Woodpecker. Found the bird and a Northern Goshawk. A fun day!

Nature Ali’s Grand Adventure – Quartzite, AZ to Weldon, CA – Day 30, July 19th.

Waking around 4 a.m. I reentered California as dawn began to break and then drove across the Mojave Desert to meet up with my friend Ellen in Fontana before driving over the Cajon Pass to home.

Nature Ali’s Grand Adventure – Ramsey Canyon to Quartzite, AZ – Day 29, July 18th.

I headed toward Miller Canyon and Beatty’s to see all the wonderful hummingbirds that were reported there as well as the Brown-backed Solitaire that had been seen two days earlier. All of the sanctuaries in the canyons and private yards charge $5 to access them… but it didn’t seem excessive because I was expecting it in advance.

Nature Ali’s Grand Adventure – Ramsey Canyon Sanctuary – Day 28, July 17th.

Ramsey Canyon Sanctuary didn’t open until 8 a.m. so I patiently waited to take a hike up the canyon. Breakfast was to be served at 9 a.m. so I luxuriated for several hours wandering around the lodge.

Nature Ali’s Grand Adventure – Anthony, NM to Hereford, AZ – Day 27, July 16th.

I awoke in the morning and immediately called Triple-A. I could have changed the tire myself, but figured I had just upgraded to AAA Premier and thought why not have someone with all of the tools change the tire instead of me getting dirtier while on the road.

Nature Ali’s Grand Adventure – Carlsbad Caverns National Park to Anthony, NM – Day 26, July 15th.

I awoke as light was just revealing the landscape of plowed fields I was parked near. Immediately drove back into Carlsbad Caverns National Park, where I would have to wait until 8 a.m. before I could begin the exploration of the caverns.

Nature Ali’s Grand Adventure – west of Houston, TX to Carlsbad, NM – Day 25, July 14th.

Morning in rest stops is interesting. The car that was parked next to you all night is replaced by a van, the driver in the SUV peers out through the foggy windshield with one sleepy eye realizing that she has been seen.

Nature Ali’s Grand Adventure – Atchafalaya, LA to west of Houston, TX – Day 24, July 13th.

Woke up to watch the sunrise in Atchafalaya, Louisiana as thousands upon thousands of blackbirds streamed from the south towards the north; filling the sky. A Barn Swallow was busy feeding her four young that appear to be about to fledge.

Nature Ali’s Grand Adventure – Panama City, FL to Atchafalaya, LA – Day 23, July 12th.

I woke up a 5 a.m. to a great cup of coffee that my brother made enjoying some more great conversation before we both had to leave. I went over to Gulf Coast Community College to bird a bit while the weather was still cool (there is no such thing as cool here – just not as hot… muggy applies to all times of day).

Nature Ali’s Grand Adventure – Gainesville to Panama City, FL – Day 22, July 11th.

I left Gainesville hoping to make some distance but alas, wanting to revisit St. Marks Wildlife Refuge, progress was shorter than hoped. I was amazed at how many Swallow-tailed Kites I saw along the road to St. Marks. What a beautiful bird!