Over two hundred years ago today, on October 14, 1805, Lewis & Clark with the Corps of Discovery were battling the rapids of the Clearwater River. One of their dugouts struck a rock and overturned. They lost some of their trade goods, a precious commodity that paid for food, labor, information, and services along their journey. They still had two more days to go before reaching the mighty Columbia River. They would be the first white men to ever see it east of the Cascade Mountains. They were however not done with rapids; they still would have the dangerous Celilo Falls to deal with.
Monday, October 14, 2024
Sunday, October 13, 2024
Short Walks for Big Day
Yesterday was October Big Day, a Global Day of Bird Counting by eBird. If you are a reader of this blog, you know that I have been suffering from debilitating back and hip pain that affects my standing and walking. And you will remember that I had some spinal injections to decrease the pain. That helped for the first day, but since then I have had to continue to take a great number of pills to maintain any level of comfort. The bottom line is that our bird walking milage has dropped to a minimum. So, to participate in eBird's October Big Day, we put together a trip to the coast that had three stops with "short" walks.
Thursday, October 10, 2024
Thursday's Bird Watch!
I enjoy watching Acorn Woodpeckers, they always have something going on in their lives. They also can be very chatty. In this case there seems to be a dispute between a mother and her child. I suspect the juvenile male on the right is demanding to be fed by the female, presumably his mother, on the left. I love her stubborn look in her effort to ignore his demands. This photo was taken in Ballston County Park on September 28th.
Sunday, October 6, 2024
Sheridan South Side Park
Our birding experience started out yesterday at Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge, but the fog was so bad we gave up and headed west for some clear skies and sunshine. We found both by driving west on Highway 22 and made a stop at Buell County Park on Mill Creek. Our best bird there was hearing a Great Horned Owl. Jeanette put together a lunch from supplies in the van, and we sat at a picnic table hoping to hear the owl again, which we did not. On a whim we drove over to check out Sheridan South Side Park and Fishing Pond. Here we were astonished to find the former pot-holed mud and gravel parking lot was completely replaced by a brand-new asphalt lot with striped parking and a restroom. Also, a new asphalt trail completely circles the pond, replacing the former muddy path. These are major improvements and will certainly bring us back this fall and winter to watch and photograph waterfowl.
Thursday, October 3, 2024
Thursday's Bird Watch !
Wednesday, October 2, 2024
Pain Progress
Yesterday afternoon I was finally able to receive a procedure of injections from the Salem Pain and Spine Specialist. I came home in a fog. After eating dinner and watching the news, I went to bed and saw the start of the Vice Presidents debate. I saw the candidates shake hands, the interviewers introduced, and then I guess it was lights out. At midnight I woke up to take a pee and took a pill more less out of habit. Back in bed I realized I could turn over without pain. I lay there the rest of the night thinking of all the trips we could take in the van and trails we could explore to seek out birds. It was as though my brain was again awake and enthused to embrace my former life. This morning, I was able to walk the halls pain free as we went for our morning workout, and then coffee and newspaper downstairs in the lobby.
Now is a wait and see time. How long will the treatment last? Is it only temporary? Is there something more that will have to be done? In the meantime, I am going to enjoy as many as possible of a new/old relative pain free days as I can.
Thursday, September 26, 2024
Birding Turner Lake
Hidden away next to Kings Valley Highway and just south of Highway 22, is a private reservoir named Turner Lake. Although shown on the eBird map as a Hotspot, access is controlled by the Oregon Fishing Club. The Village Birders from Dallas Retirement Village were fortunate enough to have the services of Tim Johnson of Santiam Flycasters and also Salem Audubon, provide access and guide us on a bird walk around the lake. Fog hampered our view, but with the help of our Merlin phone apps we were able to identify 27 different species. Eventually the sun won out over the fog, and we actually were able to see some of our birds. A big thanks to Tim, and also to Lane our bus driver. Here is the link to our bird list.