Mountain Rides and Birding Sides

  In your mind there is a plan, it's a perfect world, and you accomplish all you set out to do.  In this case, scout the loop road for a field trip you're leading next Saturday the weekend before, hopefully setting your eyes on the elusive Northern Parula which has been seen sporadically.  In your mind you get up early, see the bird, and discover a few other specialties for your trip.  

But you wake up a bit late, and after a shower Scout is waiting at the door, meowing plaintively for belly rubs.  You lay back down and he falls against your side. Deebs crawls up and lays on your chest, and Pickle nudges his way up as well for chin rubs.  Kino huffs and puffs in the hallway, his way of letting you know he knows you're awake, so come out to see him.  It's Saturday and he is looking forward to a ride up the mountain.  As you get ready you make the mistake of sitting on the couch and Sassy lays on your lap, her chin pressed down firmly on your leg, claws dug in slightly to hold you in place.  They know it's the weekend and compete for their extra quality time. 

There's still work to be done, watering plant, changing the cat boxes, but you know Kino won't last that long, so you scoop him up while Mrs. S prepares the car with extra pillows.  You stop for coffee and a danish, then head up to find a suitable spot to stop and sit alone with your friend, and without the distraction of other people.

 It is a warm day and many of the parking areas have vehicles save one just before Middle Bear Canyon.  You park and carry Kino out, noticing a short path to the dry riverbed, where some snow still shows in patches.   There is a nice place to sit, but possibly too steep for Kino, so he lays against your lap, his head pushed against your right arm, which serves as his pillow.  

  
As you listen to the gurgling of water somewhere near you see your first sunrise of the day, at 11:30, the bright ball just clearing the hillside before you.  It becomes clear why the snow here has lasted so long.  You sit quietly, relishing the serenity of the moment.  Twenty minutes pass, and your leg is asleep as time becomes unimportant, an intrusion to your current state of bliss.  Eventually you get up, carrying him back to the car, his head resting on your shoulder.  

After returning home you drive 45 minutes to the Audubon shop to pick up a box of loaner binoculars for your trip.   The trip is marked full with 25 participants, but still 10 more make it on the list.  Today especially you can understand why an afternoon trip listed as a "sleep in special, is so popular.  Luckily your friend Kendall, a wealth of knowledge on all things nature, accepts an invitation to co lead the trip.  

You leave the shop with window hummingbird feeder and laminated bird guide of the area, which may be useful next weekend.  Since you are in the area, a stop to Native Seeds Search is in order.  A couple bags of native grass seed will be good for the yard, although some may be eaten by your new resident, the pocket gopher.  

On the way home you stop by the woodland road, where bluebirds greet you on the roadside.  You have to capture the electric colors on these stunning winter visitors, hoping your guests will witness their beauty next week.      

It is too late to go to the loop road, but a twenty minute stop at the big pond is worthwhile, especially since it is the same time you would stop during the upcoming trip.  Three female Common Mergansers swim together, their long bodies distinguishing them from all other ducks on the pond.  








I walk the perimeter, where three Vermilion Flycatchers sally back and forth from branches and power lines.  Who could ever tire of seeing these red gems of the desert?









Sunday I almost made it to the loop road, but it became apparent Kino would need a bath.  After his bath we went back up the mountain road and parked by Gordon Hirabayashi, where we climbed up to catch the setting sun's rays against the grassy hillside.  



I never was able to scout the loop road, the plan for that weekend.  But "life happens when we're making other plans," and I know I will look fondly back on these memories not just now, but in the month's ahead, when fond memories are all that's left.   Thank you for your appreciation of the ones closest to you.