Category Archives: Nature

The Wild

Winter storm #1, 2014

Our first winter storm of 2014 is mostly history. Who says it doesn’t snow in South Carolina?

This storm was interesting in a couple of ways. Because of the temperature profiles, there was really no question about what sort of precipitation we were going to get: it was all snow. Usually there’s a lot of uncertainty about whether we’ll get rain, freezing rain, sleet, and/or snow. Often it ends up being freezing rain, resulting in ice on everything.

The other interesting thing is that this storm drew in moisture off the Atlantic, and the amount of snow was actually higher towards the south. A friend in Greenwood, to the south, reported about 2 inches of snow, while I measured just under one inch.

As usual, the effects of this weather continue. Any snow that melted but didn’t dry up will be ice by morning, “black ice”, so called because you often can’t see it when you’re driving down the road. If you’re not careful, you can end up in the ditch with no clue what happened.

Can’t let this go out without some creature content:

Respect your elders

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What if I told you that you could see your future? Hold that thought.

When I was growing up, I was taught to respect my elders. Back then, that generally meant listening to those elders and doing as they said. One thing that I’ve learned more recently from my elder (my Dad) is that this is still a good rule, but the implementation is a bit different. Now, even though I can be considered an “elder” myself in some circles, I still need to respect MY elders. Now that means being appreciative of their knowledge, experience, and helping meet their needs. Back when I was little I was the one with the needs, which my parents met in every way. Now it’s my Dad who has the needs, which it’s up to me to meet.

The other day my Dad and I were walking in to the supermarket. While he’s remarkably spry for his age, he doesn’t do anything fast. A young man rush up behind us and my initial impression was that he’d have pushed us out of the way if he thought he could have gotten away with it. Now, maybe he was on his way to the pharmacy for some urgently needed medicine, but I suspect it could have been due to his just not having any idea about the capabilities of someone in their 90s.

Now a days, many people’s only contact with the elderly is visiting them at a facility every third Thursday, or maybe they just see them on TV. They do not see what it really takes to live at that age, on a day-to-day basis, what the challenges are, and the sheer guts it requires. In the absence of that knowledge, they just assume that the elderly are just like everyone else. The man in a hurry at the supermarket may just never have had any experience with an elder.

I would encourage you to spend some time with your elders. Learn what they need and what their limitations are. Better yet, get involved in caring for your elders. You’ll learn a lot about life at going-on-three-digits of age. When you meet an elder in public, cut them some slack. They’re doing the best they can do. Actually, it’s not a bad idea to cut everyone a bit of slack; is it going to make or break your day if it takes a few extra seconds to get to the ice cream aisle?

Now about that thought I asked to hang on to… If you could see into the future, YOUR future, would you do it? Wouldn’t you like to know what life has in store for you? You can, or you can at least get a pretty good idea. Look at your elders, particularly those in your own family who you share genes with. If you live that long, and the odds of you living to an advanced age are getting better and better (“The longer you live, the longer you’re GONNA live”, my Dad says), your future awaits.

So, respect and care for your elders, and teach your young’uns to do the same. You’ll be glad you did when you’re an “elder”.

I hope NPR’s Scott Simon doesn’t mind my quoting him:
“And when she told me, ‘Honey, always take time with people in their 80s,’ I hear her voice coming back into mine now. ‘Always take time with people in their 80s because for more than a decade, they’ve been looking right across the street at death and they know what’s really important in life.’ I don’t know about you, but I can stand to hear that message.” – Scott Simon On Sharing His Mother’s Final Moments On Twitter

Creature Feature 2013 #13

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I hung out in the back yard for a bit on Christmas Day and snapped a few pictures of the backyard wildlife. This Tufted Titmouse stopped by for some fast food:

… to go:

And he wasn’t the only really small bird. This Chickadee was on the alert:

These folks (Mourning Dove and Blue Jay) stopped by the see what was going on:

Meanwhile, out on the lake, it’s pretty much the winter season. This Seagull is far from the coast, but that’s not unusual for this time of year:

One of the geese seems to be off to a rough start to winter, but she seemed to be flying just fine, even if minus a few flight feathers:

The weather cleared up just in time this weekend to get in some flying. I think this is Rainbow Falls, near Jones Gap, SC (click on the picture and zoom into the full-res image):

while clouds hung on over the Smokie Mountains:

I know this is a “creature feature” and you don’t see any creatures in those last two pictures, but I’m sure they’re in there somewhere. Some would consider the planet itself a creature (check out the “Powers That Be” series of books by Ann McCaffrey and Elizabeth Ann Scarborough for a story of a planet that really does fit that description).

Soggy weekend

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Not a real good weekend for outdoor activities, but we did manage to sneak out into the air a bit under a ceiling that threatened to become a floor in places:

Duke Power maintains a hydro-electric facility called Bad Creek that, in part, operates like a big mechanical battery. During times when they have extra electricity, they pump water up into the reservoir. When demand cranks up, they let the water run back down to generate additional electricity. Those low ceilings didn’t leave room to get much closer than this.

Almost oddly, the sun did manage to find a hole here and there.

Update: Even though Sunday turned out to be overcast, drizzly with occasional rain, around 40F degrees, and a chilly northeast breeze, I couldn’t just sit around the house. I went out on the lake for a bit. One thing that I’ve noticed is the apparent indifference that a lot of the wildlife displays towards the weather. I’m sure they’re aware of the conditions, since it’s a matter of survival, but, also a matter of survival, they can’t just curl up somewhere. They have to get out and eat. It was a deadful day for trying to take pictures, but I caught this Kingfisher hangin’ around a fishing spot, getting a bit ruffled by the wind.

Creature Feature 2013 #12 – Heron Special

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A chilly day on the edge of winter, but it’s still neat to be out on The Lake. I know I titled this “Heron Special”, but the Great Blue Herons weren’t the only birds out there. This Kingfisher was just hangin’ out, fluffed a bit against the cool temperatures:

(as usual, click on the picture for a higher-resolution version)
So I’m paddling along and I spooked a Heron that I didn’t see. I try not to do that, but I just didn’t see this one. She took off and headed up the lake, but then decided to turn back. Maybe she recognized me and realized I wasn’t a threat, and wanted to get back to that spot.

Nice wingspan, complete with winglets:

She treated me to an airshow-like low pass right in front of me, camera snapping away.

and circled around into the trees. You can just about see her in the trees here:

For a large bird, they can get around in the trees pretty good. Here’s one just jumping off the top of a tree and transitioning into a flight configuration:

The operation looked very awkward, but he very quickly was in full flight.

Creature Feature 2013 #11

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The seasons have definitely changed. I took this picture on October 30:

And this one just yesterday, November 16, in about the same spot:

Other cycles are also in play, as this tree looks ready for recycling:

For all the changes in the weather, the water birds are still very active. In fact, it was a surprisingly good day to be out on the water with my camera.

This is what refueling looks like for a couple of mallards:

And these birds sure know how to operate in “congested airspace”, with nary a radar transponder or anti-collision light in sight:

The airshow continues with a nice echelon turn:

…and the mallards join up for a classic “V” formation:

While a couple of turtles take in the action and some late-season sun:

Some ducks heading off on a triple date?

There are a number of groups of Canadian Geese around the lake, but, who’s this guy? You can also see him in the “congested airspace” picture above, if you look closely .. maybe click through to the full-res version.

With the change in seasons comes a change is who’s around. Some of the lake denizens have migrated south, while others have moved in from the north; more of those cycles. I think this may be a Red-necked Grebe (in winter plumage), which would make her another winter resident:

Speaking of winter residents, seagulls are starting to show up. Here’s a Ring-billed Gull:

And a young and somewhat rare Little Gull:

Obligatory Kingfisher and Great Blue Heron pics:

The afternoon had been mostly clear skies, but late in the day a cloud deck started moving in from the southwest. The Sun didn’t go easily, though:

Creature Feature 2013 #10

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It’s quiet out on the lake now with the seasons changing. Many summer residents have fled south, and the year-rounders are hunkering down for the coming winter. Still, though, there’s plenty going on as “business as usual” continues for many.

At first I thought a bit of vegetation had gotten lodged on the trash can by the house. This, of course, is exactly what this creature, a walking stick, wanted us to believe.

One of the things I found interesting about the Space Shuttle (RIP) is how it transitions from a space vehicle, to an aircraft, and eventually to a ground vehicle. Birds do something similar in transitioning from a flier to a pedestrian, completely changing shape and how they move. Most birds, of course, do not go into space often. (obligatory Great Blue Heron picture)

It was a cool, breezy day on the lake, one that many of the resident geese figured would be good to curl up with a good book … or, just curl up.

But other birds were busy with “business as usual”. Here some crows are takin’ it to a hawk, who was definitely not where she was wanted.

The crows met up later to discuss the matter.

Ride for Raptors, 2013

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The 2013 edition of the Ride for Raptors is history. Another great ride through the hills of Pickens County, ending up at the Pendleton Fall Festival, and supporting the Carolina Raptor Center.

Many rides start with doves or balloons. This one is a bit different. I also saw a real wild hawk, probably a Cooper’s Hawk, fly over about 20 minutes before the ride started.

The ride gives you a chance to practice a little urban riding crossing US123 and going through Central, but it also traverses some very out-of-the-way scenic places. This was taken at the 3rd rest stop.

60 or 100 miles? Ya know, I could probably do 100, but it’d take me until Tuesday.

Some of the terrain involved. I wouldn’t want that driveway.

Actually, that wasn’t the …er… most challenging. Maw Bridge Road climbs off the river with about a 9 to 10% grade for about a mile. I wasn’t going to stop there for any pictures.
Lunch was waiting at the finish, courtesy of Subway, my favorite “fast food”:

From there, it was a short walk over to the Pendleton town square and the festival.

Zlaty, the Golden Eagle in the background, and Skoshi, the Red Tailed Hawk, were there from from the Raptor Center.

These are birds that cannot return to the wild because of their injuries and have become used to humans, so they get to travel around to things like festivals. Zlaty was found in Arizona with his wing apparently shot off. Skoshi has an undersized eye and was rescued after he injured his wing on that side. I kind of feel like I know them, as many times as I’ve seen them at this ride. Zlaty is about 30 years old and Skoshi is not far behind.
A Greenville rehabber brought a little Screech Owl. This is a full-sized adult. So cute, unless you’re a rodent…

There was a distinct Halloween theme around the festival and around town. Funny, I don’t remember seeing this guy out on the ride:

If I did try to do the 100 mile route, I’d probably look like this (minus the Clemson flag).

I hope I’ll be doing this ride again. A letter in the registration packet announced that Rich Mead is retiring from organizing this ride. If you or someone you know can take up the task of keeping this going, please contact Rich, +1 864 244 0263 or ride4raptors@mindspring.com.

Creature Feature 2013 #9

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Fall in the Carolina Piedmont is characterized by pleasantly warm days and cool nights. With the water still warm from the summer, this leads to steam fog:
We can probably expect more of that as the season progresses.
This Osprey was out early catching breakfast. Mmmmmmmmmm….

“Ok, ready over there? You grab one leg, I’ll grab the other… on three… one… two …”

Autumnal Equinox

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The seasons are changing. It’s noticeably quieter out on the lake now as migrants are starting to migrate and everyone else is preparing for winter. I’ve seen evidence of this at my backyard feeders too.

We’ve already had the cultural end of summer (Labor Day), today is the astronomical end of summer (the equinox), and even the weather seems to be pushing towards a meteorological end of summer. Some trees are already starting to turn:

The sky was mostly overcast yesterday morning when I was out on the lake, contributing to the feeling of “fall”:

But this morning was bright sun, and some fog hanging over the North Rabon Creek (taken from US76, where I was cycling):

When I got back from taking that picture, a group of jays were squawking up a storm at the house. There was a hawk hanging around and everyone knew about it (sorry, just had the cell phone for this one):