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. 

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.  : )

Cabelas

This post is rather on where to get hiking and camping supplies rather than hiking itself.  I must stress again that I like my wildlife and birds alive and not dead before I start, but I do respect the art of taxidermy.  Cabelas is a store that not only offers great deals on products, but also has the most incredible taxidermy displays that are curated in a store.  They are museum quality.   The store I have gone to is the Hamburg, PA store.
Immediately as you enter the store, you are hit with the taxidermy displays.  There is a huge installation in the center of the store.


Several species of wildlife are on this display from deer, elk, moose, wolves, musk ox, bears (all breeds), mountain goat, etc…

You wonder how they get them posed so well.  They obviously didn’t shoot them posing for the camera - well I hope they didn’t.  That would be sadistic. 

This big boy is enormous.  It’s sad to think their lives were ended.

The moose actually has the whole family there with the female despite her not being pictured here with them.  The curator obviously respects the lives of these animals and want to show them in their everyday lives.
There is a separate room for deer.  There are lots of deer in the room alone.



There is also a section for African animals, which is my personal favorite since it’s highly unlikely I will be able to go on an actual safari. 

The African Lions are beautiful.

They curated them on a ‘hunt’. 

And there is a Rhino among other animals. 

Just another day at the watering hole. 

Besides the Center exhibit, the deer exhibit, and the African exhibit there are smaller ones in glass cases of birds and fish on the walls in the fishing department.  I believe more customers spend their time taking pictures with their smartphones than shopping - at least the first couple times they go.  I can’t speak for the other Cabela’s stores, but the Hamburg store is incredible.