Troutbirder II

Troutbirder II
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Thursday, August 12, 2010

Biking

The extreme heat and humidity are seriously crimping my outdoor activites recently. Yesterday, Baron didn't even seem interested in our daily hike. He lay panting on the concrete floor of the garage.
This morning I resolved on an early bike ride before the heat of the day settled in. It was off to the Shooting Star trail passing through Lake Louise State Park. I've taken this trail several times in the last few weeks. It has much to recommend it. Beautiful prairie wildflowers, deep woods, birds and most of all.... IT'S FLAT!
So binocs around my neck, point and shoot camera in my pocket, I headed west away from the rising sun. Last week, I took the same ten mile route with Joanne G while Mrs T. and Joanne's husband John picked us up at the end of the trail.







There were several somewhat exotic but potentially helpful prairie sunflowers along the way. The Cupplant's inverted leaves hold emergency supplies of rainwater in their inverted cupped leaves. Also, the very tall Compass Plant, a sunflower, has large leaves that oriente themselves on a north south axis thus helping lost pioneers or bikers find the way home.

More delicate plants along the way included: Hoary Vervain,












and the ever popular purple coneflowers. On the evening Joanne and I had biked the trail, I noticed some flooded soybean fields along the way. Without my binocs I was unable to determine what the shorebirds were as we passed by. This time I came prepared. Although the extent of the water had shrunk drastically since the previous week, some birds were still there going about their business. To no great surprise, there were a number of killdeer, but then I noticed several larger waders.










Shorebirds are quite uncommon in the southeast counties away from the Mississippi. We have few lakes, and the wetlands have, unfortunately, been mostly drained away. I wasn't quite sure I was seeing a Yellowlegs or what kind of sandpipers, so I left my bike behind and began stalking them , camera in hand.
A Lesser Yellowlegs, for sure. And nearby were several Least Sandpipers scurrying about in the grass. Methinks, one of these days, I may concede the point and invest in one of those highpowered cameras where you can count each feather on the bird. In the meantime though biking and birding, exercising and checking out the wildflowers sure is fun. Hope you enjoyed the ride!

15 comments:

  1. I feel invigorated now, seeing how much fun you had. Those compass plants are interesting.

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  2. Sorry to hear that you are suffering from the heat. You are good to get out for an early morning ride. I've been taking my dog swimming with me on the hottest days. Nice to see your photos of the landscape too.

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  3. I always enjoy the ride with you, TB.
    Thanks for the lovely photos and the tour.

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  4. Thanks for the morning bike ride. Now, I can take my exercise gear off and go back to bed!

    Jane

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  5. Good for you for getting out and riding your bike! You saw a nice variety of flowers and birds.

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  6. you had me at heat and humidity-ugggh-can't stand that combination. Nice little journey and some rally pretty flower photos!

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  7. Well, methinks that a camera like that would be an albatross around your neck on a bike...lol! Stay cool and don't let Baron overheat. :c)

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  8. Could you please send some heat my way? It been raining for 3 days. Saskatchewan is supposed to be dry and hot in August. Not this year! :( Looks like you are having some lovely sunshine ~ terrific photos!

    Happy Weekend!

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  9. I enjoyed your ride as well. The heat & humidity along with the skeeters have kept me hidden indoors lately. Hubby has been brave enough to go out to battle them for a bit, and they do not normally bother him, but this year is an exception. I am not to sharp to water birds & keep my books near by in case my mind wanders for my yard birds :) So many sunflowers, esp wild ones look a like to me, you certainty have that knowledge locked up! Do you use anything for skeeters?

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  10. Thanks for taking us along on your ride. I'm very impressed that you even went, considering the heat. I used to bike all the time in my younger days, but I don't any more now that we're in the mountains. Thanks, too, for the nature lesson along the way.

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  11. Poor Baron. This heat must be really uncomfortable for him. Here biking is big too but everyone goes out at 5am as it is much too hot otherwise. Then again, you could always take a cool splash in those watering holes along the way? :)

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  12. Beautiful photographs.

    But...I didn't see a helmet. Have you already forgotten the tumble you took?

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  13. Sounds (and looks) like your ready for that high-end camera. Nice to get out early and beat the heat.

    PS: if you do plan to visit Montana, give me a heads up as I'd like to meet you, wet a line, maybe watch a bird or two.

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  14. I DID enjoy the ride--thank you! It's absolutely just TOO hot to get out now but more recently, there've been near constant thunderstorms (at least they're some relief, but we live in the woods, so getting out's still not a good idea!)
    Hubby & I are talking about each getting adult trikes this Fall. I need one (my balance is gone.) Not sure why he wants one, but I'm not going to complain--so long as we can get out biking again!

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  15. Nice Wildflowers along your ride! I enjoyed them! :)

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