Sometimes I shoot photos for a family who seems to be having a great time but no camera with them. Most of the time they are content with a quick snap using their phone's camera (I, however, am no fan of "selfies"). In the depth of the Channels that was not as good an option so I photographed them and then sent them the photo. They were so nice and the little girl was a trooper. It is a long hike up and back and she did it on her own. Made me sad that I couldn't complain and grumble about how hard it was when she was having a great time. Anyway, it is a fun way to meet some people - I love the little one peeping over dad's shoulder to see why they stopped. (Slight edit from original to minimize "violence" per friend's suggestion!)
Meanwhile (two photos) /
One the top of the Channels are these two relics of the 1940's a fire tower and ranger cabin. They were built in 1942 and likely were used for those who were trained to spot enemy planes and for fire use. I do not know when they were closed. The lower treads were removed from the tower to discourage climbers and there is not much left of the house.
Perspective (two photos) /
It is hard to convey the scope of the Channels and the depth of the mini canyons you wander through. So, here are two photos that include some people. The second is of a lady as you enter the first bit of the Channels. So we are about a third of the way down. The first photo is deeper into one of the crevices and if you look carefully, really carefully you can see a man in the middle bottom of the photo. It was also 20 degrees cooler in this maze than one top.
Indeed, More Rocks! (two photos) /
Look at the colors. When you first descend into the creases everything looks grey or maybe green but as your eyes adjust you begin to see the colors that have leeched into the rocks, gold, red, purple, orange and green mostly. The two photos today show only a portion of the deep slice of rock but each rock here is about 15 or 20 feet high.
The Channels /
This is a fantastic rock labyrinth atop a mountain in Southwest Virginia. About 25 miles north of the village of Meadowview (mile 24 on I-81) on a switchback road to a pass in the mountains you arrive at the parking area for your 3.2 mile hike to the summit. What you find when you get there is well worth the trip and, while the view is very nice, it is not the view that propels you. More this week about the Channels.
Good Morning Monday /
Along the shore at Gulf Islands National Seashore. A WWII watchtower rises along the tree line.
Bird Week V: Rocket Birds 7 (two photos) /
We end Bird Week with my favorite of the Canaveral National Seashore, a Reddish Egret. I have not seen this bird too often and it is a striking color especially the bill and the neck colors in a breeding bird such as this one. They often will spread their wings like a canopy to create shade that attracts prey.
"My heart is confident in you, O God; my heart is confident. No wonder I can sing your praises!" Psalm 57:7 NLT
Bird Week V: Rocket Birds 6 /
This bird was once known as a Louisiana Heron is now a Tri-Color Heron. How does that happen? Does a bird just think a name change after doing a stretch in the swamp will erase his record? No, the American Ornithological Society each year adds or substracts species and subspecies as they are constantly being reclassified and they usually change a few names. Like our Tri-Color friend morphed a few years ago. This also adds confusion as you keep a life list of birds because, one year you may add a Western Scrub Jay and then the next year there are two varieties of Western Scrub Jay now the Californian and the Woodhouse. Which did I see or did I see both and my list goes from one to two? I did see both because the Woodhouse is only found in the central Rockies and the Californian Scrub Jay in, well guess. A couple of years ago my list shrank by one as a bird once listed separately was combined with another. This year the Cassia Crossbill was split from the Red Crossbill so if you are in Southern Idaho you can add the Cassia as it is only located there. Whew. And you thought this was only about pictures.
Bird Week V: Rocket Birds 5 /
The American Coot, insert old coot joke here, I'll wait. Felt good to get that off your chest, rigfht? So, the Coot is an interesting bird. First note the purple "bump" on the top of the forehead and the band around the beak near the front. That becomes more red in breeding season. I also watched a flock of coot smim in a line, maybe 40 or 50 of them, out from shore then form a line roughly parallel to the shore and all furiously swim back toward shore pushing their potential meals in front of them. And they sound funny!
Bird Week V: Rocket Birds 4 /
This is a very immature White Ibis. The bird's pink colors will turn deep red by next spring and the brown feathers will molt leaving only bright white feathers.
Bird Week V: Rocket Birds 3 /
A nice perspective on a Blue-wing Teal. Most of the time I see them far from shore, dabbling or flying. I like this shot with the small greens. Note the distinctive white crescent - it equals a Blue-wing Teal.
Bird Week V: Rocket Birds 2 /
I was thrilled to get this shot of a preening Anhinga along a canal in the Canaveral National Seashore. The light was in the right place, he/she seemed unperturbed by my approach. The only issue was I had to hand hold the camera because of the foliage and the angle but it still came out very well. The Anhinga does not have waterproof feathers like a duck so they spread their wings to dry as this one is doing. A very interesting bird and I know you want to learn more so click here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anhinga
Bird Week V: Rocket Birds /
At long last Bird Week V has arrived. But these are no ordinary birds. Not only do they live in a NPS, but they are of the rare Rocket Birds because they live at Canaveral National Seashore! Yes, you can see the launch pads from their nests. So our first RB is the Great Blue Heron bundled up against the wind.
Sachs Bridge /
Three of the Union Brigades arrived at the battle via this bridge and all most all of Lee's Army of Northern Virginia retreated across it after the battle. I would love to come back here again to shoot some more photos in different light. Neat place. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachs_Covered_Bridge
"This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him." Psalm 91:2 NLT
Three More... /
last three shots of the old mile NASCAR dirt track in Hillsbourgh NC. You can walk the circuit and see some of the original grandstands, old cars and some reconstructed buildings. A beautiful place along the Eno River.
One of three old racers parked along the track
Concrete grandstands and refreshment stand
Entrance
Small Sacred Spot (two photos) /
To the men who fought here - where they were and what they endured made this a remarkable place. Not sure all the reasons why Gettysburg rose above most of the battles to the place it holds today but a tour of the field where these three days unfolded is moving and meaningful 155 years later. The two monuments here are in a less visited spot, most people drive past, few stop. It is between Little Round Top and the area of Picket's charge, which most people visit. The 93rd Pennsylvania - after an overnight 39 mile march - filled a gap here just as the weary soldiers from the Wheatfield were streaming back closely pursued by the Confederates. The 93rd surprised the CSA and the tired soldiers retreated. They held this ground from the 2nd to the end of the battle. Then in 1884 survivors erected a monument, the state of Pennsylvania added another in 1888 and today we drive past hardly seeing a small marker that meant so much to these men.
The 1888 marked from Pennsylvania
The identification on the 1884 marker.
Tobacco Water? /
This is shot in Durham at the site of the old Lucky Strike factory. It is the American Tobacco Historic District. There is the ball park, famous from the Bull Durham movie, lots of restaurants, theaters and more. The industrial heritage is seen in lots of gantry, smokestacks and old track. This is a neat section where you can see the water cascading down the steps and the walls leading to a long stream through the district. I shot this on a slow shutter speed with a ten stop filter on a photo jaunt with my grandson. Nice evening.
Different Perspective /
This is a view of Little Round Top, a keystone of the battle of Gettysburg. The heights commanded a flank of the long Union line and it was imperative that the high ground stay in Union hands. The attacks on the hill came beyond the trees here and on to the extreme east where the Union line was anchored by the 20th Maine. This shot with the sun nearly set giving a nice glow to the tall grasses was from the northwest edge near the old Millerstown Road and was held by Weed's brigade.
Not Quite My Car....(four photos -B&B) /
...but I can dream. This beautiful replica Cobra is powered by a 289 engine. We arrived at our delightful B&B in Gettysburg, Pa about the same time our host returned from a car show in his Cobra. Peaceful Farm in Gettysburg is a great place to stay if you want a comfortable place, full kitchen, living room, two bedrooms, and wonderful hosts - Kim and Jim. Located on Herr Ridge just east of town and very close to the area the 1863 battle began, the main house was witness the those July days as it was built in 1860. The B&B is a more recent addition. Kim is knowledgable about things to see and places to eat in the area and she stocked the kitchen with much more than we needed for the day. Very thoughtful. I took a couple of quick shots of just some of the careful details in the home. We made our reservation at Airbnb.com
Welcome to Monday /
The sun shines through the giant redwoods on California's northern coast. This is along a road in the Redwoods National Park. This is quite close to the area where Lucas shot the Ewoks scenes in Star Wars. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ewok
