Yesterday we went up into the mountains to look and listen for birds calling at the higher elevations. It was a beautiful day to get out and about, and we needed the change in scenery.
Before we headed to the mountains, we stopped by a very large Aspen grove near a swamp to listen for Least Flycatchers and Veery, and Wilson’s Snipe. We saw three Snipe cross the road just as we left, right after I had suggested stopping by the river to listen for Snipe diving. Dan’s comment was, “Why would we do that? There’s a perfectly good swamp right there,” pointing across the road, and then three Snipe came zooming right in front of our car, hot on each other’s tail. Yep, it was a perfectly good swamp, alright.
Since we were skunked on finding the other two species, we will have to drive down south next weekend to listen to Veery singing.
In a field of weeds, where we parked the car to listen for those three species of birds were all these Wild Blue Flax. And yes, they can be used to make linen thread after a long process. I think I'd rather just admire the beautiful flowers and buy linen thread if I ever need it for a weaving project.
The mountain passes near here have some really nice forest roads for strolling. The sounds and smells remind us of Glacier National Park, which is not a great surprise since this is the same basic ecosystem, just without the larger Brown bears. Black bears are thick around here, just no grizzlies.
Speaking of Blackies, a very large one came down our driveway this morning and stopped in his/her tracks when Terry screamed at it. Our ears are still ringing and she’s keeping a beady eye out the window in case the bear returns.
Tall spruce trees, larch, aspen, and fir provide a lot of habitat for birds.
Thrushes sing up in these woods, and their ethereal haunting melodies are soothing to our ears and mental well-being. Strolling along, listening and looking for birds, and smelling the sweet clear cool air made for a very restoring walk.
Tucked in the shadows, a wild orchid called a Ladyslipper.
Even slight changes in altitude around here gives a new variety of bird songs to listen to. Around our house we hear Varied Thrush in the early spring as they migrate through, but they don’t stick around. Up in the mountain pass, we hear Hermit Thrush, Varied Thrush, and Swainson’s Thrushs, all singing. Winter Wrens add their liquid warble to the mix. It is just an amazing collection of sounds.
A break in the trees shows the surrounding hills and treetops.
A steep drop off does provide a nice view.
Closer to view are rocks, and trees and more flowers, including a new one we hadn’t seen on our own property, probably because the plant requires more moisture than we have.
Ballhead Waterleaf. What an appropriate name. This little flower seemed to be quite popular with bees, and I assume it would also be popular with hummingbirds.
One of the many small seasonal waterfalls next to the trail we were on.
Small waterfalls provide perfect habitat for Stream Violets, like this one.
Moss and grass, and some tiny flowers, all growing on a granite outcrop.
Sunshine illuminating golden moss on a downed log. The moss almost glowed.
Another sunbeam falling on a feathery pale green Larch branch. Their soft needles are such a beautiful green color and they turn golden in the fall, before falling to carpet the ground. An odd conifer, to be sure.
An evergreen, Oregon Grape in bloom. Their dark blue berries will contrast with their waxy sharp leaves.
Indian Paintbrush. These range in color from this dark red to a pale orange.
Spring Beauties are still blooming up high in the mountains.
We stopped by a small spring fed pond/swamp to listen for songs, and heard frogs, much to our delight. Also, Painted Turtles were swimming around with their heads out of the water, and Water Skimmers were skimming along. Then we heard a very weird bird sound. It sounded like a goose, in some of the tones, but a less likely place for a goose would be hard to imagine. Then it sounded almost like an owl, but not quite. The only thing that seemed likely was what it turned out to be. A female Wood Duck! She was either talking to her babies, trying to coax them to do something, or she was complaining loudly and bitterly to herself that she was stuck on a nest in the middle of a swamp. For whatever reason, she didn’t shut up but we couldn’t see her in the tangled branches surrounding the pond.
Cedar trees grow up there, in that part of the woods. I love cedars! I wish we could plant them on our place but it is simply too dry, so I think we will plant some Junipers instead, a dry climate cedar with fragrant berries.
Babies are being born or hatched all over the place now. We have baby Juncos in the yard, and we saw three brand new fawns, including one that was still a little wobbly in the back legs.
Summer Solstice is fast approaching. A change in season is coming. I love it here.
