Note: The last photo in today’s post MIGHT disturb some viewers. It’s of deceased heron that I saw in some trees, and it’s sort of crazy. There’s no guts or anything, but dead is dead, and some folks don’t dig seeing dead. — Management
Thursday
I was back in the woods for a much better hike on Thursday morning, despite the swamp-ass conditions; 77˚ and 85% humidity at 6:30 in the gahdamn morning.
I busted out a 5-mile loop, and was so soaked with sweat that I looked like I fell in the river.
I didn’t see much in the way of critters, but I did see my first Cedar Waxwing of the summer. Sadly, the shot I got (as you see below) was absolute crap due to the bird being backlit by the white sky.
I played around with it a bit to confirm that I did indeed see a Waxwing, and that only further bummed me out, because Cedar Waxwings are possible my favorite birds outside of birds of prey.
Friday
Friday morning was another humid sweat-fest, and I got my first black fly bite in quite a while. The bite came 24 hours after I had a conversation with a friendly trail runner I see often, who jokingly said he got his run in without any bites from the black flies.
Just as I was starting down the limestone path to the trails, I saw some Cedar Waxwings in some nearby trees.
This time, I didn’t have the bright white sky to contend with, but it was another dark, cloudy morning, and the woods were dark! “NOT AGAIN!” I thought as I did my best to get some shots.
After I took the shots, I took a look at the LCD screen and knew the shots were better than yesterday’s, but at 5000 ISO, some Lightroom trickery in the form of Noise Reduction was going to be needed.
I’m happy enough with the shots, but of course, I would love some in better conditions. Thankfully, I now know a couple of sections of the trails that they frequent and can keep an eye out. I don’t remember seeing any Waxwings in this area during July, but I’ll take what I can get and hope to see more.
I also had some luck getting a couple shots of a Pearl Crescent butterfly hanging out on some grass along the trail.
I also spooked what I believe was the SAME Great Blue Heron THREE times in the span of about a mile. I wouldn’t see it, but it would see me. Then fly further up the river, and I’d try a shot and fail. We would do this dance two more times.
Just as I was checking the tall dead trees along one section of the river where I often see birds of prey, I spooked the heron for the third time. Then, I went back to scanning the dead trees, and what I saw was crazy!
High above the river, roughly 70 feet or so, I could see the carcass of a heron hanging! It was wild, and several hours later still has me wondering if it was the target of a bald eagle or if it somehow became wounded during yesterday’s batch of heavy thunderstorms. I have a feeling some eagle or osprey will be eating good later whether it was their kill or not. It’s sad to see, but all part of Ma Nature being metal as fuck.
Not sure what the weekend holds for getting outside, all I hope is that it’s better than last weekend, ’cause that one freaking blew.
Later.
THE SOILED SOUNDS TRACK OF THE POST
You know I have to give a shout to the late Ozzy Osbourne who passed this week. Live Ozzy is the best Ozzy, and Live at The Budokan is one of my faves to listen to when I’m hankering for some Sabbath or Ozzy (mainly for Ozzy’s crazy banter)
Fun fact: When I was a little kid my older brother and cousins (all metal heads) would say “Jason, what’s your favorite song?” and I remember telling them “IRON MAN!!!” And then doing my best “I am Iron Man” voice.
EDIT: In my opinion, the best Ozzy live album is Tribute, but in recent years, I’ve enjoyed listening to the pumped up sound and outrageous banter on Live at The Budokan.