Tag Archives: wildlife

National Wildlife Day Photo Contest

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 Photo Contest

I haven’t been involved with a photo contest in quite awhile. I used to enjoy them but they can get expensive. Many have entry fees, sometimes fees per photo so it can get pricey. Anyway a friend sent me a link to Mystic Aquarium’s National Wildlife Day Photo Contest and suggested I enter. There was no entry fee and the prize, if you won, is the right to name a seal they are releasing. So its basically just for fun and that’s about the amount of effort I made. Just for fun.

 

My Entry

I didn’t even look at the competing entries, just made a quick grab for something from my archives. I kind of  like my choice but since it’s from the lizard family it might not have a lot of universal appeal. Maybe I should  have gone with a deer or a bird. Actually I was thinking about my whale breach photo but couldn’t remember where it was filed and didn’t want to take the time to look. So my Key Largo Iguana was it.

Key Largo Iguana- Photo Credit Deb Neumann

The 4 Finalists

It will be another week before the winners are announced but I didn’t even make the finals.  Here’s the top 4 as it stands now.

 

If I had thought about it I have pictures for all 4 categories that made the finals and here they are.

 

Finalist #1- Puffins

I like Puffins. I could have submitted a Puffin picture if I’d thought of it. 

Puffin 2016- Photo Credit Deb Neumann

Finalist #2-butterfly

Oh. I have so many butterflies but my favorite is on the sunflower.

Sunflower and butterfly 2018- Photo Credit Deb Neumann

Finalist #3 – Fox Kit

This one was a bit harder. I have a fox kit picture but I balanced the camera on the car window and never thought to shut off the engine so it wouldn’t be Photo Contest worthy. There was a little camera shake.

Red fox baby on Monday

Red Fox Kit 2017- photo credit Deb Neumann

Finalist #4 – Whale

I’ve been on whale watches from Cape Cod to Maui. I have tons of whale pictures. Even some of whale breaches. Here’s one.

Breaching Whale

Whale Breach 2017- Photo credit Deb Neumann

That’s a wrap

I have so many more wildlife photos that I just didn’t think about. I have seals and Elk and Moose. Even some Grizzly Bears. And this post about photo contests wouldn’t be complete unless I shared the one that made it into a National Geographic Contest. It didn’t win but at least it got past the initial screening. I’m pretty proud of that!

2015- Photo Credit Deb Neumann

I hope you enjoyed

What’s in North Dakota?

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What about a trip to North Dakota?

In 2011 my sister and I spent an amazing week in South Dakota. When I was planning that vacation everyone asked me What’s in South Dakota? Truthfully, I had no idea except Mt. Rushmore but it turned out to be one of the best vacations we’ve taken. It had all my favorite things like wild animals, draw dropping scenery and even a dinosaur dig. So when I ask myself what’s in North Dakota, I hope I have a similar surprise! 

The Number 1 Attraction

The number 1 attraction in North Dakota is Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The park lies in Western North Dakota where the Great Plains meet the Badlands. A scenic loop drive will take you through the south section’s colorful Painted Canyon. The badlands in South Dakota are breathtaking and I’ve been to the Painted Desert in Arizona so I will have to explore the Painted Canyon!

File:Painted Canyon overlook Theodore Roosevelt NP ND1.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

Painted Canyon Overlook; Photo credit Wikmedia Commons

Wildlife

One of the best places to view wildlife is on the South Unit’s Scenic Drive. Bison, mule deer, prairie dogs, and horses are readily visible. Also be on the lookout for coyotes, pronghorn, bald and golden eagles, white-tailed deer, turkeys, and elk.

What's in North Dakota?

Prairie Dog with Flower – Photo Credit Deb Neumann 2011

Leaving the South Unit behind I’d like to head north for the North Unit’s scenic drive. A 14 mile Scenic Drive (28 miles round trip) is an out and back drive. The first half of the road traces the bottom of the badlands. Midway through, it crawls up out of the canyon to the North Unit’s most iconic view, River Bend Overlook.

20+ EPIC Things to Do Theodore Roosevelt National Park (+ Photos)

River Bend Overlook- Photo from Internet

 

From there, it’s an easy drive along the rim of the badlands to Oxbow Overlook at the road’s end. The road is almost entirely paved with only one stretch of gravel and is open to motor vehicles (including RVs) and cyclists.

Bison are common but careful observers may spot bighorn sheep on or near steep cliff edges. Since I missed the Big Horn Sheep in Colorado I’m still anxious to get a look at some. 

Aurora Borealis

Around here the Northern Lights ( Aurora Borealis) are a rare sight and often lost in the ambient light from the cities and towns but North Dakota is said to be prefect for viewing the lights that dance across the sky in vivid green, purple and blue. The aurora is most active in March and September. Still likely to have snow at that time of year!

Northern Lights Free Stock Photo - Public Domain Pictures

Northern Lights Free Stock Photo – Public Domain Pictures

If I get to go…

I’m sure there are many more things to see and do in North Dakota. I must remember to have my passport in case I cross to Canada or get to the International Peace Garden that sits on the border of the US & Canada. 

 

 

 

Colorado Thumbnail

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Colorado

What can I say about my Colorado vacation to sum it up? First off, Take time to adjust to the altitude. That I suffered from altitude sickness was a complete surprise to me. I grew up in mountains. Granted my childhood mountains were  a bit smaller than 10,000 ft but I still expected it to count. Plus I’ve been to Wyoming and at 8,000 ft I had no problems at all. Maybe age , overall health or just that extra 2,000-4,000 ft tacked on made a difference.

Mount Quandary 2022

Hiking, Skiing

Breckenridge is a beautiful little town but other than the quaintness there isn’t much to do except hike in the summer or ski in the winter. There are few roads and like any area with more winter than summer, road work has to be crammed into those few warm, storm free months. Getting anywhere required patience. The road construction had traffic tangled from just about every direction. 

Lake Dillon 2022

 

Wildlife

Friends who had been to Colorado told me about the abundant wildlife but I didn’t see much of it. Spotted the Moose family a couple of afternoons and there was a beaver lodge. After watching for the little rodents at various times without success I finally concluded the lodge was abandoned. The big horn sheep were no where to be found although I did see one deer and one pronghorn.  The most exciting moment was spotting that big white bird. (I still think it was a whooping crane) I love a mystery and think it would be great if whooping cranes were making their way back to Colorado. 

Colorado Moose 2022

I was warned about bear in the area, not sure if they were grizzly or black bears but I didn’t see any. The dumpsters were always chained shut to keep the animals out of the trash. 

Maybe the lack of wildlife was due to the heat. Temps were in the mid 80’s most days. I was told to expect low 70’s so that could have had the animals looking for shade.

What I missed

Colorado is now checked off my list of states that I’ve gone for vacation but I’m not done with the state yet. It’s huge and now that I know driving in the summer is not a viable option ( unless you like traffic jams)  I’ll need to consider short visits in different areas. 

Breckenridge Gondola 2022

I wasn’t able to get the web site for Rocky Mountain National Park to work. You have to have a reservation now to get in and you have to do it online so I still want to go there. Great Sand Dunes National Park was too far from Breckenridge so I will need a return trip for that. Heading to the south western corner of the state is the Durango and Silverton railroad. That’s a train ride I really want to take. Finally there is Mesa Verde National Park also in the southwestern part of the state.

Back near Denver a side trip to Colorado Springs will let me experience riding the Cog railway up Pike’s Peak. Then take time to visit Garden of the Gods. So much still to see!

So you see I’ve only just scratched the surface of what this state has to offer. 

 

South Park

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South Park Colorado

“Going down to South Park and meet some friends of mine”.  Never thought I’d find myself in the fictional town of South Park but as I drove through the tiny town of Fairplay in the county of South Park Colorado, there they were- Cartman, Kyle, Stan and Kenny!

I was actually heading toward Colorado Springs when I happened upon this little store with the South Park Theme. The store had a unique name too, The Salt Lickin’ Goat.

It was crammed with T-Shirts, hoodies and sweatshirts with a whole display of South Park themed shirts. That was a fun diversion.

RT 285

My plan was to follow 285 to the Garden of the Gods then catch the last ride on the Cog Railroad up Pikes Peak. The geography made a big change as I left Fairplay. I came down out of the mountains and land leveled out. Here were the herds of cattle and ranches with horses. I even saw a blond buffalo. Yup, it was wandering along the fence line. I suspect it belonged to the ranch. I’m driving a hybrid SUV and I can’t help being thankful for that because there is nothing here but open range. No gas stations or shops. The roads that branch off are all dirt roads. 

Wildlife

I don’t know if I can really count that buffalo as “Wildlife”, but I can count the pronghorn that I saw nose to fence. It was just the one antelope and he seemed to be really fixated on the field beyond the fence. I’ve heard that Pronghorns won’t jump fences. They try to crawl under or go through them. Maybe he was contemplating his options.

See the source image

I hadn’t seen many birds other than ravens but as I passed a creek a big white bird took off. It was really a beautiful bird; about the size of a Great Blue Heron, I know I’d never seen one with markings quite like that, so I was excited to look it up.

Whooping Crane

Well, it seems we have a mystery. When I searched for a bird that looked like this one, I found a Whooping Crane.

See the source image

It was an exact match but according to my online sources Whooping Cranes no longer live or migrate through Colorado. So, I saw a bird that shouldn’t be here or I mis-identified it.  Since I was driving and couldn’t get a photo, I guess I have no proof. But between you and me, I’m sure it was a whooping crane!

Oh, and in case you’re wondering. I never made it to the Garden of the God or Pikes Peak. I’ll have to save those stops for my next visit.

Georgetown Loop Railroad

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Historic Railroad

Can you hear that lonesome whistle? 

After seeing the Steam engine puffing by with black smoke billowing from its stack I knew I’d be riding the Georgetown Loop Railroad. 

I’m not a true train buff but there is just something about a steam engine that stirs the heart.

Georgetown Loop Railroad

The Georgetown Loop Railroad was completed in 1884. It was built to connect the mining towns of Georgetown and Silver Plume. The builders planned out a corkscrew route to make the grade between the towns more manageable for the steam engine. Although the towns are only 2 miles apart, the loop is twice that distance and crosses 4 bridges.

 

On this bright and sunny summer day all of the cars were open air. 

Devil’s Gate Station

 I was waiting at the Silver Plume Depot to pick up my tickets for the 11:25 train. There are restrooms, benches and tables and a nice friendly atmosphere. I should have known that was too easy. I was at the wrong depot. My departure point was the Devil’s Gate Station. Devil’s Gate was completely different!

The parking area at Devil’s Gate was huge and full. Walking down the steps from the parking to the depot area was like entering a beehive. Lines were everywhere. Lines to get into the gift shop, lines to pick up tickets, lines for the restrooms and lines to board and exit the train. Tour busses unloaded their passengers and guides called out instructions to their charges. The contrast to Silver Plume Depot was startling. 

 

All Aboard

 Our conductor had the perfect voice for the All-Aboard call and in spite of the noise and confusion boarding was quick and efficient. In no time at all the whistle blew 3 short toots and the train pulled out with a jerk. Everyone was warned that it wouldn’t be a smooth start and to keep hands and children inside the cars.

This was Big Horn Sheep country, and I kept my eyes open for possible sightings, but the only wildlife out today was a deer getting lunch in some low brouse.

My favorite parts of the trip were the creek crossings. My seat allowed me to watch the engine as it started across the trestle bridges. 

A Perfect Day for a Train Ride

All in all, it was a perfect day for a train ride. It was sunny and warm with a lovely breeze. I even got a bit of a sunburn.

Everything about the depot was clean and welcoming. The staff were fun and friendly. I’m really glad I took the time to explore this area and enjoy this train excursion. Maybe I’ll get to see the Big Horn Sheep another time.