Princess Snow

I'm going to digress today on my blog to where it all started for me, turning from an occasional hiker to an avid hiker and from a fine artist to a nature photographer/passionate birder.  It's a good topic also, since the Winter of 2013/2014 has seen a Snowy Owl invasion unlike any since the Winter of 1926/27 (according to North Jersey.com article, "North Jersey birders delighted by snowy owl invasion").  According to the article, when lemmings peak, the Snowy Owls produce larger clutches, then force their babes out to fly South to find food.

The Winter of 2011/2012 sent one of those darlings down to Merrill Creek Reservoir about a half-hour from where I was living at the time in New Jersey.  We all 'flocked' (no pun intended - well maybe ; )) to see her.  I nicknamed her, Princess Snow.  There she was that first day I saw her, sleeping in a tree.  A hiking group had already exhausted her.  I know because I overslept and was suppose to be with them.  By the time I got to visit her, she was tuckered out. 


Princess Snow in the flesh. 

I am a friendly sort, so I started talking to the 'birders' there and found them to be very friendly also.  I went back to see Princess Snow several times that Winter and started hanging with the birders and an older wildlife photographer who let me look through his scope (because she liked to fly up on the rocks and hunt from there) and he would tell me different birder stories.  I thought to myself, these birders are great people so I became one. 

Princess Snow departed in the Spring.  I believe it was sometime in April 2012.  I like to believe Princess Snow made it safely back up to the Arctic, found a handsome and good provider of a mate, and had little Snowy Owls herself.  I know for a fact, she left a lasting impression on me as well as other birders and spectators.  So here's to the Snowy Owl invasion - may they all safely make it back home.  Those whom are being rehabilitated (like the one here in WNC) may they recover fully and be released to fly safely home also and have babes (yes, I know that's not the technical term). 

Grandfather Mountain

This is one of my favorite places.  I am a member here and come at least once a year but now I live closer so I will visit more often.  Grandfather Mountain is situated in Linville, NC.  It is North of where I live right now, so it gets more snow and ice than I do.  Grandfather Mountain is not only a great place to hike, but it also has wildlife habitats.  Also, it has a little shop and a FUDGE SHOP!  That's right.  There's chocolate on that mountain.  : )
Depending on how you travel there you may hit Brown Mountain first.  Brown Mountain is famous for 'lights'.  Apparently at night you can see lights or orbs around Brown Mountain.  There may be a geographic reason for this though.  Years ago I saw a show that reported on lights near where I grew up in NJ.  We natives refer to it as "the Hooker Man" but it may just be the way the quartz electromagnetically reacts to atmospheric changes.  If you want to know the story of "the Hooker Man" I suggest reading Weird NJ.

Brown Mountain.

Brown Mountain.

After we pay our admission or flash our membership card, we will enter the gate and head up the mountain.  On your way up on the right is a picnic area.  This also has a little loop for hiking also. 

There is also a wood shop where you can purchase hand made plaques and items and watch the woodsman work.

Here we are.  Great elevation but we are still on our way up. 

We have to stop off at the Sphinx Rock, because everyone does and right around the corner (within a short walking distance) is the FUDGE SHOP!!!

Fudge shop.
Next we will go up and then round the bend and stop off at the Wildlife Habitats.  Lets stop at the Deer Habitat first.

Then the Cougar (or Mountain Lion).

Then the River Otters.

Next the Eagles.  The first photo is of Wilma (God Rest Her Soul).  Wilma died in 2010. 

The next is a Golden Eagle that is no longer there unless used for an educational raptor.

I Love Golden Eagles. 
This is the current Bald Eagle at Grandfather Mountain.

Around the Wildlife Habitats and the Gift Shop building you will see flowers.  These are Day Lilies. 


Instead of driving all the way to the top where you can park, I always park at the first level parking and hike up through the trails so I can see the floral and fauna and yes I have seen wild animals such as squirrels, chipmunks, and white-tailed deer.

And the beautiful Rhododendrons. 
So I made it to the top and here are the magnificent views. 



This photo below with the tower on is actually Grandmother Mountain or so I was told.  I guess you don't want a bachelor mountain.  : )

There are viewers on the mountain for you to look through. 

And you don't want to miss walking on the Mile High Bridge.  They close the bridge if the winds are too strong. 


So we are heading back down the mountain so I can show you the best part of Grandfather Mountain and that is ...

The Grandfather Mountain Bears. 

And they look forward to seeing you, especially if you have nuts, seeds, and honey.  : )  Something nutritious please. 

I Love the Bears. 
I will be writing more about Grandfather Mountain when the weather gets warmer.  I am a member so as soon as the weather gets warmer I will head up the mountain. 

2014 Calendars for Sale!

 2014 Calendars for Sale with my Photography:
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/NatureExplorationPhotography1

Lehigh Valley Zoo - Part Two

In part two I am going to begin with one of my favorite residents of the zoo and that is Cranky.  Cranky (the name they gave to him) is an African Spurred Tortoise and he has the most expressive face of any reptile I have seen.  When it is winter he stays inside with the Kookaburra.  In Spring and Summer you may see him sash-saying around the grass eating by the Guinea Hens. 

A little ways down from Cranky with have two more smaller Tortoises, Kangaroos, the Aoudads, Camels, Wallabies, Onyxes, and Zebras. 

Next come three of the animals I also love which are the Gray Fox (up there with Cranky), the Canadian Lynx, and the Bobcat.

Louie (his name) the Gray Fox.  Louie came to them from a smaller zoo within past few years and is adjusting well.

Lexi was someone's pet for a year before they realized they could not raise her and she has been at the zoo over 10 years.  I found a kindred spirit in Lexi.  She's a good girl. 

Shitz-pa (spg?) hangs on usually on her branch in the front unless too many visitors are there and she wants privacy.   I saw her eying one of the Peacocks who was sitting close to her pen one day. 

These are the beautiful Palominos at the zoo who once lived out on the Trexler Game Preserve.  They were moved in so the zoo could take care of them and they are getting older.  I believe my friend at the zoo told me that they are around 30 years old each.  They don't look a day over 19.

Then there are the Mexican Wolves, whom last I knew were on the endangered list along with Red Wolves.  Why do people kill animals they don't understand?  These wolves are at the zoo for their protection and to eventually be used in breeding.  They offer a wolf feed where you can watch them devour a deer (most likely road kill).  It's interesting to watch because you can witness the 'pack' mentality.  I may decide to post my photos of it at a later time here.
There is a Porcupine and several Raptor habitats and you will round out at the Lemurs.  This little pair (one male and one female) like to hang out in their tree.  I believe the male has the reddish face.  Anyway, you may witness the Lemur feed also which will allow you to get better photos of them, because they tend to be reclusive. 

Since I've been there (almost a year ago) they have added some new animals.  I believe they got a Raccoon and a Skunk.  Their map can be found here.  http://lvzoo.org/zoo_map.cfm
On your way out don't forget to cross the fjord, so you can get a glimpse of the elk herd. 

I nicknamed him King Wapiti.  He has a harem of females.

And the herd of Buffalo.  My friend, Kelly, at the zoo fought to allow the Buffalo to breed and so there are babies now.  I can't wait to go up and see them again.  Hopefully this Easter. 
The Lehigh Valley Zoo is one of the nicer zoos I have gone to.  Also you can hike on the Trexler Game Preserve.  It is well worth the trip and every visit helps the birds, animals, and reptiles get fed, have shelter, and veterinary care.  Please do not boycott zoos because you think you are helping the animals because you are not.  Many of these animals come to the zoo because they are endangered, suffer from a medical condition, or have been imprinted upon and can not survive out in the wild.  Please support your zoos.  : )

Lehigh Valley Zoo - Part One

This is my last post on Pennsylvania for a while, but I wanted to write about another hang-out of mine which was or is the Lehigh Valley Zoo.  The Lehigh Valley Zoo is on the Trexler Gamer Preserve up in Schnecksville, PA.  It is situated above Allentown PA. 
After entering the gate, if you veer to the right it will take you right to the South African Penguins, which are usually in chorus with one another.  There are 8 - 10 little penguins and they love to have company.

Yes, he is going to jump.  They love to swim.

These two are trouble.  Brother and sister River Otters.  They also love company, except when they are napping in their den. 
Not all Snowy Owls are the same.  This past winter we have had a Snowy Owl invasion.  All those Snowy Owls looking for rest and food.  This Snowy Owl I nicknamed, Ms. Snow - u - don't because she appears to be a diva.  She actually relaxes in the Autumn and the Winter, but during busy times, she skeptical towards her guests.

I love the pond area where there are Black Swans, a Trumpeter Swan, a Mute Swan, Mallards, a Duclair Duck, an Egyptian Goose, a Red-Eared Slider, as well as visiting birds. 

They house a variety of birds such as the Lorikeets.

And the Kookaburra who erupts in laughter from time to time.

Several raptors including a Bald Eagle, Golden Eagle, Turkey Vultures, Red-tailed Hawk, Peregrine Falcons, Ravens, Barn Owls, and a Barred Owl. 

She's not amused ... by anyone.
Another one of the species of birds are the Peacocks, or Peafowl.  They wander the park like the royalty they believe they are.  They usually mate at the Prairie Dog habitat.  You can hear their high-pitched screams or see them walking as a group with their chicks.  I love the peacocks.  They will actually follow you around if they find you interesting. 

There are also a pair of Grey Crowned Cranes. 

I forgot about the Emus and the Ostriches, who are always alert to what is going on in the park. 

This concludes Part One of the park.  The next part will cover the mammals. 

Indian Ladders Waterfalls

Indian Ladders is a hike I went on once with the Appalachian Mountain Club and I tried to go on it again but what I thought was it was not and we only hit one waterfall.  Very few people know this trail where you hit Tumbling Waters waterfall, Upper Indian Ladders waterfall, and Lower Indian Ladders waterfalls.  I remember parking by the Mile 10 marker off of Rt. 209 between Bushkill and Dingman's Ferry and entering with the group into a forest area. 

The hike started out along a stream and went upwards into the Pennsylvania forest.  We got glimpses of small waterfalls along the way.

We walked up a bunch of hand made stairwells. 

Lizards, newts, and skinks along the way.  Also fungus - lots of different colored mushrooms. 

First waterfall we hit was Tumbling Waters that we saw between the trees till we got closer.

Tumbling Waters.
Then we walked further and hit Indian Ladders Upper and then Lower Falls. 

I remember when I first saw the Upper Falls thinking this must be the Mother of all Falls, but I've been to waterfalls in NC now and they are just as equal in majesty.

This is one of the more scenic PA hikes I've been on.  I know that at some point we had to use a rope to descend part of the trail because it was steep, so you want to have some hiking experience behind you before you go on this trail.  I went on this hike back in August 2011, so you may want to check road conditions after the past couple hurricane seasons the Northeast has had and plan accordingly.