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Borrego Springs, CA

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

More trail checking

After loading up the truck with all of the recyclables from the refuge this morning, Bridget and I were off to the recycling plant in Detroit Lakes.  We had quite the truckload of paper, cardboard, plastic, and glass.  You have to drive rather slowly so you don’t lose your cargo along the highway, but it sure beats working inside.  I’ve found a kindred spirit in Bridget.  We both willingly work the VC when we have to, but would sure rather be outside doing something else.  I nearly bust a gut yesterday when she told me she might have to work the VC three days next week.  Her comment about it was, “Just shoot me!”  I like that woman!

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Once we finished that chore, we were free to do some more trail checking for downed trees.  We also wanted to find any other places where the pink lady slippers might be blooming so we can tell visitors where to look for them.  We found several other spots, but none quite so good as right along County Road 29.

Mourning Cloak, White Admiral, and Northern Crescent

I decided we should check Teacracker Trail once again since there had been several storms since our last drive along it.  I’ve tried to find out how it got it’s name, but so far nobody can tell me.  We came upon a nice bunch of butterflies dining on what I think was some fresh wolf scat.  (Northern Crescents, White Admirals, and a Mourning Cloak.)

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I think that’s a Silvery Checkerspot dining along with two kinds of dung beetles.  Sure wouldn’t be my cup of tea for lunch, but I guess there are needed nutrients there for things with more refined tastes than myself.  Yuck!

We didn’t make it all the way through Teacracker, as another big tree had fallen across the trail.  We’ll all be working on the loon survey next week, and that tree will have to be cut up so surveyors can get through to count the loons.  That meant another half mile back up routine before we could turn around.

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We checked a couple of other short trails and refilled pamphlets at several of the kiosks before heading home.  The first False Sunflowers were blooming, and the Northern Crescents were taking advantage of them.

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                             When we got back to the compound, a mother killdeer was on high alert.

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Seems she had four little ones up and running to protect.  Such knobby knees!  No wings to speak of to fly yet, but isn’t this one just too fluffy and cute?  I took lots of other photos today of dragonflies, but I’ll have to post those another time.  We also saw a bear first thing this morning before heading out, but all I got was a nice picture of grass.  Eye rolling smile  I think maybe Bridget got a picture of its ears.  We just weren’t ready for it…

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                                                                               THE END!!

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

24 comments:

  1. Love watching killdeer protect their nests and young. Never liked dung beetles.

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  2. Oh my gosh...those babies are just too cute! Why a thrill just to see your photos! Thanks Judy for making my day.

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  3. Oh, those baby Killdeer are so cute! I've only seen adults, which I think are beautiful birds. But the babies are darling. You sure have a lot of pretty butterflies there. I have the hardest time getting butterfly photos. Here in New Mexico when I do see one, they just flit from place to place, no time to even focus. But I keep trying. :)

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  4. Just have to say....it's kind of rare to see a blog with close-up pictures of wolf poop. LOL The butterflies sure are beautiful though.

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  5. Somehow butterflies and poop just should not be together. But, nature had her ways is right. Wish I coud identify as well as you.

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  6. lady slippers, butterflies and killdeer babies all in one blog. Great post!!!

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  7. The little killdeer is so precious. I love those knobby little knees.

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  8. It feels weird to see butterflies on poop, but the butterflies are very pretty!

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  9. We had 3 huge piles of bear poop outside our door yesterday morning... maybe I should have left them to attract the butterflies ;-) As always, I love seeing your photos... especially the baby kildeer in this post.

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  10. Well I now can cross seeing wolf poop off my bucket list thanks to you! :cD

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  11. Bummer you missed the bear pic, but that tiny killdeer is priceless.

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  12. Ick. I guess I'm glad the poop provides nutrients for something. Look at those long legs on those tiny bodies. They are so cute. Wonder how the killdeer babies in WY are doing. I'll have to check with Diane.

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  13. awww. . .I'm real jealous about those pink lady's slipper pics. . .sure hope I get to see some at the State Park today.

    Love the butterfly pics as well. . .nice!

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  14. Those baby killdeer are adorable.

    If a butterfly ever invites me to dinner, I will pass...thank you very much!

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  15. What a sweet baby and such beautiful slippers. A great post, as always!

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  16. The beauty of the butterflies somehow gets lost in the poop. Truly though, the butterflies a beautiful. I am like you, keep me scheduled for the outdoors.

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  17. I think it would be torture to have to sit in the VC instead of being outside. Can you spell torture?

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  18. There is a recycle place in Ponsford, big blue bins next to the firehall....that would be about 17 miles west of the VS. As long as it is Becker County it is all good. Hope you are surviving the skeeters..they are getting bigger and more vicious:(

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  19. Judy, Bridgett is a hoot. Have had the pleasure of their company a few times. She is just one bundle of energy and
    smiles. Love your pics as always

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  20. Teacracker? Maybe in some long-ago time, folks stopped with tea and crackers for a snack along the trail.

    Virtual hugs,

    Judie

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  21. Whatever animal it is the babies are always sooo cute.

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  22. Cute little killdeers and I just love the butterflies.

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