The summer heat helps bring a lot of birds to our patio water fountain, including this juvenile cooper’s hawk.
He/she has spent much time in the olive tree, which looks down on the fountain and bird feeders.
They haven’t learned yet that other birds know they are there, so waiting will get he/she nowhere.
Male Black-headed Grosbeak at Our Patio Feeder — Image by kenne
Grosbeaks tend to visit feeders, but this guy is the first one I’ve seen at our patio feeder.
Black-headed Grosbeak Video Clip
After spending the morning at Universal Studios Hollywood, Hugh noted that we were just a few miles
from where the 1932 Academy Award-winning film “The Music Box” – starring Laurel and Hardy was produced.
This is the actual filming location of the movie – where the comedy duo attempt to carry and deliver a piano
up the long flight of stairs, failing miserably multiple times. Hugh grew up loving Laurel and Hardy movies, particularly this movie.
Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy “The Music Box” 1932
Hugh Poland On The Music Box Steps
The Music Box Steps
The Music Box Steps
Mule Deer In A Grassy Area Next To Bubbleberry Inn, Springdale, Utah
Old Faithful Visitor Education Center
Slowly Building Up
Old Faithful (June 6, 2023)
Old Faithful
as Scorpio’s underground secret springs
burst from rock as Sagittarius:
publicly to proclaim truth and joy.
— saiom
The most common animal observed in Yellowstone National Park is bison.
However, we didn’t see any elk, which are the most common animal in the park.
Bison, lying in the dirt near the river, begins to scratch his chin.
Bison Chin Scratching
A bison moving quickly, but . . .
. . . causally by people fishing in the river
Once entering the northern entrance to Yellowstone National Park, we followed vehicles on a twisting two-lane road (closed December-April).
We first stopped to video waterfalls just to the road’s left. After a bit of research,
I was able to identify the falls as Rustic Falls on Glen Creek.
Hot Springs
Devils Thumb
Mammoth Hot Springs with travertine terraces, which are formed from limestone.
Thermal water rises through the limestone, carrying high amounts of dissolved limestone (calcium carbonate).
At the surface, carbon dioxide is released, and calcium carbonate is deposited, forming travertine,
the chalky white mineral forming the rock of travertine terraces. The formations resemble a cave
turned inside out. Colorful stripes are formed by thermophiles or heat-loving organisms.
Hot Springs
Hot Springs
Bison in a meadow below several hot springs.
Bison below several hot springs.
Hot Springs Near A Creek
About Two Hours from Gardiner, Montana
Our next stop was Spokane, Washington, at the Hampton Inn near the airport, where Matt Bailey (son-in-law) met us.
We randomly chose a place called Fast Eddie’s to go have a beer or two.
Somewhere in the Coeur d’Alene, Idaho area. The next stop is Butte, Montana.
Somewhere in Montana
Ramada Inn, Butte, Montana
On our last night on the Norwegian Bliss, we went to the show SIX, which included a special ending for the audience to video.
Our last stop before returning to Seattle was Victoria, Canada. We had not planned to go ashore because we had visited this beautiful town before, and the cruise schedule provided little time there. Instead, we spent some time poolside, even though it was chilly. It was the first time to see the sun in several days.
Our next to last cruise stop was Ward Cove (Ketchikan). We had previously paid for a Tongass Rainforest Exhibition excursion out of Ward Cove. We didn’t know until arriving at Ward Cove that it is an old mill 14 miles outside of Ketchikan. Norwegian Cruise Line has converted the building into a cruise terminal shuttling people into Ketchikan or on excursions. Before serving as a cruise terminal, it was a pulp mill that operated from 1954 to 1997.
There were several shopping opportunities in the Mill at Ward Cove.
Many of the land excursions involved “hurry up and wait,” in this case, standing in the rain.
With hoods up and umbrellas, we headed on our trek into the Tongass Rainforest.
Banana Slugs and Rain, and More Rain
Tongass Rainforest Photos
As a naturalist and nature guide in Sabino Canyon, I found myself frequently critiquing our guide. He was not very engaging.
We spent a fun evening with the Latin Duo (Columbian) as we departed Juneau on May 30th. The next stop is Icy Strait Point.
Looking back at the Seattle Space Needle as we depart the pier (May 27, 2023).
Cruising To Sea Images
Dinner Table On Memorial Day
Located on 17 acres in Sitka, Alaska, the Alaska Raptor Center provides medical treatment to over 200 injured birds annually. Although we specialize in raptors, we will aid any needy wild bird. We strive to heal, rehabilitate and release all of our avian patients; however, some are injured too severely to fully recover and survive in the wild. These non-releasable birds may join our Raptors-in-Residence team, helping us teach the public and schoolchildren about the wonders of raptor natural history and the habitats in which they live!
It was not easy to take photos of the raptors in the flight rehab area since the viewing area had screening designed to not allow the bird to see visitors.
Alaska Raptor Center Video Clip
