Happy Monday!

Wishing everyone a great day and a happy new week!

"Leave the roads, take the trails."

"Lose yourself in nature and find peace."

"We take photos as a return ticket to a moment otherwise gone."

Comments off, enjoy your day!

Happy Monday!

 Happy Monday! 😊

Wishing everyone a happy day and a great new week!

"Take time to do what makes your soul happy."

Watkins Glen State Park, New York. 

"Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose Joy and keep choosing it every day."

"We take photos as a return ticket to a moment otherwise gone."

Comments off! Enjoy your day!

Happy Monday!

 Happy Monday, everyone!

I hope you all have a great day and a happy new week!

Middle Falls, Letchworth State Park New York

"Be a rainbow in someone else's cloud."

Comments off, enjoy your day! 

Happy Monday!

 Happy Monday everyone!

Have a great day and a happy new week!

Watkins Glen State Park, New York

Comments off, enjoy your day!

Happy Thankful Thursday!

 Happy Thursday!

 I am continuing with my throwback photos of our visits to various National Wildlife Refuges around the USA.  I found out due to shortages of workers at the wildlife refuges, many of the wildlife refuges are lumped together and called a complex. A complex can consists of up to 7 or more wildlife refuges in one area of a state. A refuge complex could possibly only have a few part time or full time workers.  If you visit, you might want to check to make sure it is not closed for hunting and or maintenance. Visitors centers maybe closed due to COVID but the wildlife drives and trails are open.

 

I have so many photos, I had to break up the post. With these COVID times, we are not traveling. I am thankful to share some archived photos, I hope you enjoy. I am thankful for all these wonderful memories hubby and I have while traveling.

 

1.  I am starting off this post with  our visit to New Mexico, we were able to visit 2 wildlife refuges. This first one is called Bitter Lake NWR, not far from Roswell New Mexico. Below are the Sandhill Cranes, refuge sign, possible Lesser Goldfinch, Pied-billed Grebe, Loggerhead Shrike, White Pelicans with ducks and more Sandhill Cranes.

Click on photos for larger viewing....

 

 

 

Bitter Lake NWR this is a link to my original visit and post.

 2. While on the wildlife drive we saw the migrating Sandhill Cranes, ducks, geese and many other species of birds. Pretty view of the refuge located where the Chihuahuan Desert meets the Southern Plains and wetland area of the Pecos River watershed.

Bosque Del Apache NWR link to original post and photos.

3. This refuge is located in San Antonio New Mexico. This was one of my favorite refuges in New Mexico, the birding was great. I actually saw a Mountain Lion crossing the wildlife drive, my first time seeing this critter. Below are the Sandhill Cranes, top right is the Road Runner a lifer for this trip, Gambel's Quail lifer, White-crowned Sparrow, Marsh Wren, Snow Geese, Northern Harrier and Killdeer.

4. Sunset at the Bosque Del Apache NWR , flock of blackbirds with the Cranes.
 

 

 

 Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge   a link to my original post and photos.

5. This refuge is located in the Finger Lakes region near Seneca New York. Below are sightings from the wildlife drive the Purple Martins, Great Egrets, Canada Geese, Red-wing Blackbirds, Bald Eagle, Northern Shoveler duck, Pied-billed Grebe, Great Blue Heron, Tern, Gadwall ducks, DC Cormorant, Song Sparrow, Mallards, unknown Sandpiper and lots of turtles. 

 

Pea Island NWR  my original post and photos.

6. This wildlife refuge is located in North Carolina at the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Pea Island is one of 9 refuges that make up the North Carolina Coastal Refuge complex.  Below are the Great Egret, Double-crested Cormorants, White Pelicans, Swan, Ruddy Ducks and a Eastern Meadowlark.

 

 

 

 7.  Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge,  Oak Harbor Ohio. My visit here was a quick.  I was on a trip  with a couple of birding friends to Magee Marsh in Ohio. Magee Marsh is a famous spot for spring time birding. My friends and I drove the Ottawa NWR wildlife drive, visited their visitor center, we saw the Bald Eagles, Egrets, deer and the White-crowned Sparrow.  

 

Cape Meares NWR  My original post and photos

 

8. Oregon, one of my favorite states to visit. Hubby and I drove up and down the Oregon coast. Along one section of the coast is the Cape Meares National Wildlife Refuge, part of the Three Arch Rocks, Oregon Islands NWR complex. Nesting seabirds include the Common Murre, Pigeon Guillemots, Pelagic Cormorants and the Black Oystercatcher.  The Cape Meares Lighthouse is actually part of a state park, the surrounding area is the wildlife refuge.

9. A view of one of the islands, covered with nesting seabirds.

 

John Heinz NWR   original post and photos

10. This mosaic is photos from our visit to John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge in Tinicum Township Pennsylvania. It is not far from Philadelphia PA. 

Included below the boardwalk trail at the wildlife refuge, views of the wetlands, turtles, ducks, marsh wren and flowers.

Savannah NWR South Carolina my original post and photos.

Now down the east coast to South Carolina, we were able to visit 2 national wildlife refuges in this state. We have been to the Savannah NWR and Pinckney Island NWR. 

11. Savannah NWR photos below lots of turtle with alligator, lots of alligators, Glossy Ibis, White Ibis, Green Heron, Great Egret with the Snowy Egret. Part of the Savannah NWR is in South Carolina and part is also in Georgia. We have been to both, the wildlife drive and the visitor center.

 

Pinckney Island NWR  My original post and photos.

 

12. Pinckney Island NWR South Carolina near Hilton Head SC .

 Below, Eastern Blue Birds, Common Moorhen, Great Egret, Little Blue Heron, Pied-billed Grebe, Great Blue Heron, White Ibis with gator and Phoebes.

 

I will have one more post to finish off my National Wildlife Refuge visits.  I am thankful to enjoy all my moments with hubby.  Thankful for the joy of seeing wildlife.

Go outside and breathe deeply.  Enjoy every moment. 

Take care and stay safe! 


Live simple and be happy!  😊 Keep smiling!

Thank you Martha for hosting Throwback Thursday 

Thank you Michelle for hosting Thankful Thursday. 
 

Thank you to Yogi the host of   Skywatch Friday
 

Thank you to Jutta the host of Nature Thursday

Thank you for visiting and for your nice comments on my previous post. Have a happy day!!  😊

 

More Finger Lakes New York

Hello and Happy Monday!


During our trip to the Finger Lakes area we visited a lot of New York State Parks, we took many hikes to see various waterfalls.  We rode past vineyards and hundreds of wineries, some were in a beautiful area with views of the lakes. 

On May 22nd, after doing the hike at the Buttermilk Falls State Park we drove to the nearby  Robert H Treman SP to see more waterfalls. We saw the Mill, Enfield Falls and the Lower Falls which was an easy walk.  Then we were off to see the 115 foot Lucifer Falls. The Gorge Trail to Lucifer was closed so we took the Rim trail to the Lucifer Falls overlook. 

This is the Robert H. Treman Falls, it has a swimming area. 

The waterfall below is close to the Mill, I believe the name of this falls is Enfield Falls. 

The Mill and adjoining home were originally built in 1839 and restored in the 1920's. 

I am guessing this is a Hermit Thrush. Please let me know if I have the wrong id.  

Below is a view of the Lucifer Falls, to the right of the falls is the Gorge Trail which was closed the day we were there.  They were having a rescue training practice.  We saw them carrying back a dummy on a stretcher.  These are strenuous hikes, I am thankful for these rescue workers.  The trees were in the way, I could not get a full shot of the Lucifer Falls. 

The wildflower Trillium was seen all along the Rim trail. 

The Thrush seemed to be more out in the open, I did hear others birds like the Ovenbird, Northern Parula , Wood Thrush and possibly the Scarlet Tanagers.

On this day we were not done hiking just yet, after leaving the Robert H Treman SP we drove to the Taughannock Falls State Park.  I will share that waterfall and hike on another post.  



Thanks for your visit today!  I hope you enjoyed my post and photos.


Thanks to Angie the host of  Mosaic Monday

Thanks to LadyFi  the host of Our World Tuesday!

Check out the links above, I hope to see you there. Thanks to the hosts today. Enjoy your day and new week.


As always I thank you for stopping by and as always I appreciate your comments.

Saturday's Critters #286

Welcome to Saturday's Critters!


If you love all God's creatures like I do and also like to blog about them and take critter photos this is where you can share your critter post. Link up your post and share your critters, join in with my critter party ! You can share any kind of critters the real ones, pretend ones, statues and paintings, a new or old post!

On the afternoon of the second day of our Finger Lakes NY trip  we drove to the Montezuma Nat'l Wildlife Refuge in Seneca Falls New York.  The wildlife refuge is located near the end of the Cayuga Lake.  We drove the 3.5 wildlife drive, seeing Purple Martins, Great Egrets, Canada Geese, Red-wing Blackbirds, Bald Eagle, Northern Shoveler duck, Pied-billed Grebe, Great Blue Heron, Tern, Gadwall ducks, DC Cormorant, Song Sparrow, Mallards, unknown Sandpiper and lots of turtles.  

The Canada Geese were the most common bird seen at the wildlife refuge.  

There were a few Great Egrets in different areas of the refuge. 

I am guessing at this id, I think they are Gadwall ducks. 

We saw a few Great Blue Herons at the wildlife refuge. 

I think this is a juvenile Bald Eagle. I do not see the white head. 

Another guess at this bird, a Caspian Tern?  I appreciate any corrections on my id guesses. 

The Purple Martins were at two bird houses near the visitor center. 

The Pied-billed Grebe is a cutie. 

I really loved this Bald Eagle sculpture near the end of the wildlife drive. I think it can be seen off of Rt 90.

I appreciate and thank everyone who links up their post and for all the wonderful comments !









Here is a list of my linky parties;

Also visit:  I'd-Rather-B-Birdin. Thanks to the gracious host: Anni.

Happy Thankful Thursday!

Happy Thankful Thursday!


On May 22nd  we started off the day with a hike at the Buttermilk Falls State Park in Ithaca New York.  It is a Gorge trail with steps along the waterfall and gorge. We completed the loop on the Rim Trail, which was mostly a dirt trail. It was a another beautiful sky and weather day, my luck continues with good weather on our trip. 

I was happy to step out of the car and see a few Baltimore Orioles in the trees above my head.  You can see we had a pretty clear blue sky. Also included in the mosaic are a couple of Scarlet Tanager images, we saw and heard him coming down the Rim trail. 

I was happy to see this juvenile Oriole, or is it a female?  The male was nearby too. 

" The earth has music for those who listen"  William Shakespeare

The view of the Buttermilk Falls.  

The water sculpted rocks are called the Pinnacle Rock. 

The wildflower Trillium were plentiful in the forest next to the Gorge Trail. 

"In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous" Aristotle

Besides seeing the Trillium we saw some Jack-in-the-Pulpit below.

"Loose yourself in nature and find peace" Ralph Waldo Emerson



One of the cascades or small waterfalls seen on the Gorge Trail. 

This bridge took the trail across to the Rim Trail to finish our hike back to the parking lot. 

The of the top of the Buttermilk Falls. Across the way on the hilltop I could make out a barn nestled in the trees. 

I am thankful our country has such beautiful scenic places to visit. I am always thankful for nice weather during our outings.  I am thankful for all your visits and comments. 


Thank you Michelle for hosting Thankful Thursday. 
Thank you to Yogi the host of   Skywatch Friday



Thanks so much for visiting and for your nice comments on my previous post. Have a happy day!

Watkins Glen State Park

Happy Monday everyone!

On the second day of our latest Finger Lakes NY trip, hubby and I hiked the trail at Watkins Glen State Park. The park brochure says there are close to 832 steps. We missed some of the steps by taking the Indian Trail which loops the trail back to the beginning. Watkins Glen is a pretty area of the Finger Lakes area of New York. 


Views of the Gorge trail, signs and steps along the way. At the Mile Point Bridge we met up with the Indian Trail which took us back to the beginning of the gorge area and parking lot. 

The Gorge trail took us up and down steps, through tunnels and behind waterfalls. Above is a suspension bridge looking down at the gorge. 

Hubby standing on the trail behind the waterfall. 

The views were beautiful along the Gorge trail, lots of ferns, moss and cascading water. 

I had to stop a bit and rest my legs, walking up these steps was a work out.  While taking a rest, I was able to listen for the birds. I heard some Ovenbirds, Scarlet Tanager, Dark-eyed Juncos and some other unknown birds.

The Dark-eyed Juncos seemed to be the most common bird at the park. 

A look at the trail and bridge ahead from one of the tunnels. 

Below is where the Rainbow Falls meet a cascades coming from another direction.  

We passed many cascades and waterfalls.

A peek at the sky from the gorge trail. 

The wildflowers we saw along the trail, some lilacs, columbine and wild azaleas. On this day, the weather was beautiful and we hiked a total of 4 miles. 

Thanks for your visit today!  I hope you enjoyed my post and photos.


Thanks to Angie the host of  Mosaic Monday

Thanks to LadyFi  the host of Our World Tuesday!

Check out the links above, I hope to see you there. Thanks to the hosts today. Enjoy your day and new week.


As always I thank you for stopping by and as always I appreciate your comments.