R: Belted Kingfisher.
Today I had a very short time for Naturing, due to some medical annoyances I had to unexpectedly deal with all day. But I’ve been wanting to middle in GGPark Middle for a while now. And I couldn’t have picked a nicer day for it.
I intended to do the Middle Trifecta (Mallard Lake, The Oasis, Elk Glen Lake). And I started off with Mallard Lake, like I do. Going counter-clockwise, like I do.
As I was loading up my digital camera bag and binocs, I noticed a Vireo-looking bird hopping about low in a massive Willow. And, FOOLISHLY, I decided to keep on with that instead of dropping everything to keep my eyes on the bird. So. Was it still there after I finished donning all my things? Of course, not.
I just stood there. For A WHILE. Hunting for some sign of it. It didn’t help that the breeze came through in earnest every so often. And I chuckled at the thought that because I’m a raptor (per Brian, because of well I can spot small things relatively far away) perhaps that was why I had such a hard time finding the bird in there. All those moving Willow leaves, in all their assorted colors, made it just too dang hard.
But I had also seen a Hummingbird once I pulled up, so I walked over to see if I could at least find that. And I happened to encounter a Spotted Tussock Moth caterpillar instead. On the ground. Bookin’ it, like there was no tomorrow!
Now, this caterpillar appeared to be heading in the direction of the lake. Coming from THE ROAD.
??
Did it actually cross the road???
I don’t believe I’ve ever seen this particular caterpillar walking on the ground before. And it had me in stitches. I also don’t think I ever realized which end was its head and which end was its rear. Watching it hustle-scamper along was too hilarious. I’m sure the handful of folks who drove past me thought I was on something.
But this moth’s rear is bigger than its head end. And it kind of looked like the bustle of a skirt bumping up and down as it made decent ground. The caterpillar seemed to not know which way to go at one point, and it stopped to seemingly fixate on a tiny twig it came across. And I realized I might never see the rest of the lake or my route if I lingered longer. So I wished it well and left it alone.
What was also exciting was hearing the sounds of a Belted Kingfisher while I was admiring the caterpillar. I ALWAYS hope to see it there. And always wonder if it’s always the same Kingfisher…
But it always seems to prefer the South side of the lake, so I kept on my way so I could get better looks. I stopped to briefly enjoy a Steller’s Jay that paused to look at me and immediately make the same cries as a Red-tailed Hawk. Nutso. And to catch a glimpse of a Yellow Warbler in one of the drooping Sycamores.
It was then that the Kingfisher appeared on the edge of a branch on the island! It was washed out in the sunlight, but it was such a thrill to see it. AND to watch it dive into the surface of the lake to try catching something!
Made it around the West end of the lake and started seeing lovely Water Primroses in bloom. Also began hearing chatterings of a variety of birds in the trees and shrubs around me. But the shade was proving it tough to find them. I did manage to spot Pygmy Nuthatches above me. A Western Tanager eating an Ngaio berry off the side of the trail. And even caught sight of two Common Raccoons high up in a tree, duking it out. Which provoked all the birds in the area to start making their calls.
Started to notice the ohsomany spiderwebs all over the Himalayan Blackberry bushes, which had a fair amount of ripe and quite sweet berries. Out of nowhere, an Orbweaver ran down to the center of its web, posed for me, then retreated as fast as it entered to hide under a blackberry leaf!
While on the South side of the lake, I got to watch the perched Kingfisher. Overlooking the lake below it. Making its adorable calls. A Pied-billed Grebe casually cruised on the lake below. While a Common Yellowthroat pair bopped around the bushes on the island.
And then I saw something ODD. Where the branches are that pop up from the lake. Where the Turtles like to hang out. It looked like a really large turtle back was exposed above the lake’s surface. And a long neck of something I swear I’ve never seen before. Because of the way the branches were in front of it, I honestly couldn’t get a good enough look at it.
It then started to sink into the lake. And I started to wonder if I was looking at one of the Carp that are in GGPark lakes? Maybe? But it honestly looked like a hybrid creature. And I was starting to understand how people could come to believe in a lake monster. Really, though.
Made it to the East end of the lake, where two people were. In the water stream area. It looked like the female of the couple was collecting Watercress, which grows right on top of the stream. Huh! So that’s a thing?
Over at the waterfall, birds were taking turns for their baths. First it was a Song Sparrow. Then a Townsend’s Warbler. Then a Pygmy Nuthatch, which I enjoyed the most. Maybe because it’s the cutest bird in the flippin’ world? And the way it takes a bath is EVEN CUTER??
Oh, and it was delightful to see a Red Admiral defiantly claiming a tree trunk near the waterfall all for itself.
The Kingfisher had left its favorite spot in the East to go back to the South, and I had to follow it. Where I finally got ok photos. I so did not get any great photos of birds today. One of those times when the sun is just too strong. And the shade is too dark. Guess that’s what I get for Naturing close to the Golden Hour.
But, WHATEVER. Mallard Lake was just stunning in the sunshine. So much so that I felt ok that I didn’t end up having time to continue on to The Oasis or Elk Glen Lake. My time was up. I had spent it all at Mallard Lake. And I was surprisingly alright with that. Maybe spending so much time with a Kingfisher left my cup full…?
