Post by Gord on Aug 17, 2008 17:40:16 GMT -8
Was too tired, hot and sunburnt last night so was not able to share about our trip.
I was up at 5:30 to get rolling. It was fairly foggy too. As I was getting in, I heard what sounded like a large flock of Barn Swallows flying overhead. I could not see them to get an idea of how many, but it sure sounded like an easy 100. A Common Yellowthroat and couple of Savannah Sparrows were in the broccoli field possibly eating the Cabbage Butterfly caterpillars.
Met with RyJay (Ryan), Thor and Dave at Thompson Park just a hair past 6
and headed up. On the way, we saw a Pileated Woodpecker fly over and later what was probably a Sharp-shinned Hawk (we would confirm one later in the hike). A Snowshoe Hare cooperated for a couple photos until it seemed to notice the truck and bolted.
A nice doe deer was feeding on the fireweed.
We arrived at the parking lot to discover four trucks, two dirtbikes and an ATV already there.
As much as I didnt want to be uncharitable, I was a little disappointed especially when I saw the dog carrier strapped to the back of the ATV. Ryan was looking to complete the hat-trick for Ptarmigan and was needing to see a White-tailed and dogs always concern me especially since seeing a dog on leash up there is about as likely as seeing sasquatch (which apparently recently happened so caulk one up for Bigfoot 
).
A small group of about six Gray Jays few past. We also had a good look at an Olive-sided Flycatcher right before Spoon Valley.
Dave getting a good look
At Spoon Valley we did not have to look very hard to see two Black Bears feeding on the slope. Ryan packed a small spotting scope and got a closer view. I now have two people I admire deeply for taking scopes and tripod to the top of Cheam on our walks. (Doug Cooper from last year was the other)
Thor and Dave spotted a juvenile American Dipper in the creek. Cute little guy.
So far, birdwise anyway, it was fairly quiet. The wildflowers were spectacular. I have never seem them this way in mid August before. The late snows no doubt attributed to this.
Lupines
This is from that little patch of cotton grass near the parking lot.
Our Heros among the flowers.
The butterflies were beautiful as well. As I left the shadow of Lady Peak (with a bit of dread I admit) and stepped into the sun they were everywhere. I was thinking of Stan when I was taking pictures and made sure I got an underwing photo as well. ;D
This species was difficult to get a good look at never mind photograph. It was one of those kinds that fly in a tantalizing manner that suggests it is going to land at any second on that daisy or maybe that nice warm rock but instead (eventually) dives into the grass only to reappear as you approach from the trail with camera raised to repeat the process. At last, a yellow flower held its attention long enough for a photo. I dont think Ive seen this species very often.
There was also this interesting moth that I dubbed "Christmas Tree Moth" by its colouring (the iridescent spotting did not turn up in the photo too well) . An active little fellow, it had what I would call a neck as it seemed to turn its head as it examined the flower. I think it was a moth anyway.
I would like to launch in a perky fashion back into talking about birds, but it was still rather quiet. I would not see a American Robin all day nor any other common sightings such as American Pipit etc. Wilson's, Orange-crowned and Yellow-rumped Warbler were warbler species encountered in small numbers. I had fallen behind chasing butterflies but the others had a small flock of Grey-crowned Rosy Finches. I also had two fly over but I dont think they were the same birds. Then we were getting into ptarmigan country and the hunt was on. I found two tail feathers, a couple dust pits and droppings which was the closest we would come. This certainly leads me to bring up the sunny clear day theory. While I have encountered them on such days (I think the Rock Ptarmigan, and two coveys of White-tails were seen on such a day) the overcast and misty days are without doubt the best. It makes sense that they would prefer the cover. Also, as the 50 or so people on the mountain would suggest, it might be getting a little busy for them. Im not sure.
Up on top, Dave spotted a Pika and a little Yellow-pine Chipmunk came to say hi and beg for handouts. Given the hot weather, I had not much to share
swapping the granola bars, pretzels and so forth for a keg of Gatorade.
Ryan checking for Ptarmigan with the Fraser River in the background.
We saw Black Swifts here as well. I saw several times two coming together in what was apparently adults feeding young on the wing. They were quite vocal as well and chased each other quite a bit.
These guys are practicing to put the Snowbirds to shame.
I saw 15 at once but could only get 7 in the frame.
A big Raven tried to carry that woman away before diving down towards Jones lake.
We then decided it was time for home so headed down for a uneventful decent. Northern Pygmy-owl, an intended going away gift for Dave will have to be a welcome hope present. Ryan still has an excuse to hike Cheam (or maybe Lady Peak this time) again. Good bunch of guys to share the trail with. Thanks guys! I really enjoyed it. Good to meet you, Ryan.
The parking lot as we left. Great to see people enjoying such a beautiful place.
Back on the pavement I noticed that my dashboard was informing me that tire pressure was low. I was not aware that a vehicle could share that kind of knowledge about itself. Furthermore I mused, if it knew that a tire was low, it only makes sense that it also knows which of the four it is and can tell me that too. This is not the case however as the message is vague when it comes to further details. This then only heightened my concerns as I wondered if this feature only kicks in once it is obvious to a casual glance which tire is losing the battle to stay round. This turned out to be true and it was not long before that tire was flatter than a pancake and I had barely time to get the jack under it before it would be sitting on the rim. What fun changing tires in 30 degrees with humidex adding 10 degrees. Turns out this was the culprit!! I dug it out with my pliers after I was satisfied that the tire pressure (funny enough, the dashboard was still claiming the tire was "low"...I guess FLAT is not in its vocabulary) was such that it would not transfer sharp object from the tire and into myself.
Back home, I saw lots of Barn Swallows on the wires. There were about 70 total as well as a young Tree Swallow. What I found very interesting was seeing several landing on the road and picking at things after obviously looking around. I wonder if they were eating dead bugs that were hit by cars. A sassy Savannah Sparrow came to check it out but was promptly set upon by an adult Barn Swallow. This happened twice.
Just as I was going indoors, I heard the calls of small sandpipers, possibly Western Sandpipers flying over. I stood outside for a further 10 minutes and there would be two more small flocks pass over all heading in a westerly direction.
Sorry for the long report! Look forward for the next outing we can organize.
I was up at 5:30 to get rolling. It was fairly foggy too. As I was getting in, I heard what sounded like a large flock of Barn Swallows flying overhead. I could not see them to get an idea of how many, but it sure sounded like an easy 100. A Common Yellowthroat and couple of Savannah Sparrows were in the broccoli field possibly eating the Cabbage Butterfly caterpillars.
Met with RyJay (Ryan), Thor and Dave at Thompson Park just a hair past 6
and headed up. On the way, we saw a Pileated Woodpecker fly over and later what was probably a Sharp-shinned Hawk (we would confirm one later in the hike). A Snowshoe Hare cooperated for a couple photos until it seemed to notice the truck and bolted.
A nice doe deer was feeding on the fireweed.
We arrived at the parking lot to discover four trucks, two dirtbikes and an ATV already there.
As much as I didnt want to be uncharitable, I was a little disappointed especially when I saw the dog carrier strapped to the back of the ATV. Ryan was looking to complete the hat-trick for Ptarmigan and was needing to see a White-tailed and dogs always concern me especially since seeing a dog on leash up there is about as likely as seeing sasquatch (which apparently recently happened so caulk one up for Bigfoot 
). A small group of about six Gray Jays few past. We also had a good look at an Olive-sided Flycatcher right before Spoon Valley.
Dave getting a good look
At Spoon Valley we did not have to look very hard to see two Black Bears feeding on the slope. Ryan packed a small spotting scope and got a closer view. I now have two people I admire deeply for taking scopes and tripod to the top of Cheam on our walks. (Doug Cooper from last year was the other)
Thor and Dave spotted a juvenile American Dipper in the creek. Cute little guy.
So far, birdwise anyway, it was fairly quiet. The wildflowers were spectacular. I have never seem them this way in mid August before. The late snows no doubt attributed to this.
Lupines
This is from that little patch of cotton grass near the parking lot.
Our Heros among the flowers.
The butterflies were beautiful as well. As I left the shadow of Lady Peak (with a bit of dread I admit) and stepped into the sun they were everywhere. I was thinking of Stan when I was taking pictures and made sure I got an underwing photo as well. ;D
This species was difficult to get a good look at never mind photograph. It was one of those kinds that fly in a tantalizing manner that suggests it is going to land at any second on that daisy or maybe that nice warm rock but instead (eventually) dives into the grass only to reappear as you approach from the trail with camera raised to repeat the process. At last, a yellow flower held its attention long enough for a photo. I dont think Ive seen this species very often.
There was also this interesting moth that I dubbed "Christmas Tree Moth" by its colouring (the iridescent spotting did not turn up in the photo too well) . An active little fellow, it had what I would call a neck as it seemed to turn its head as it examined the flower. I think it was a moth anyway.
I would like to launch in a perky fashion back into talking about birds, but it was still rather quiet. I would not see a American Robin all day nor any other common sightings such as American Pipit etc. Wilson's, Orange-crowned and Yellow-rumped Warbler were warbler species encountered in small numbers. I had fallen behind chasing butterflies but the others had a small flock of Grey-crowned Rosy Finches. I also had two fly over but I dont think they were the same birds. Then we were getting into ptarmigan country and the hunt was on. I found two tail feathers, a couple dust pits and droppings which was the closest we would come. This certainly leads me to bring up the sunny clear day theory. While I have encountered them on such days (I think the Rock Ptarmigan, and two coveys of White-tails were seen on such a day) the overcast and misty days are without doubt the best. It makes sense that they would prefer the cover. Also, as the 50 or so people on the mountain would suggest, it might be getting a little busy for them. Im not sure.
Up on top, Dave spotted a Pika and a little Yellow-pine Chipmunk came to say hi and beg for handouts. Given the hot weather, I had not much to share
swapping the granola bars, pretzels and so forth for a keg of Gatorade.
Ryan checking for Ptarmigan with the Fraser River in the background.
We saw Black Swifts here as well. I saw several times two coming together in what was apparently adults feeding young on the wing. They were quite vocal as well and chased each other quite a bit.
These guys are practicing to put the Snowbirds to shame.
I saw 15 at once but could only get 7 in the frame.
A big Raven tried to carry that woman away before diving down towards Jones lake.
We then decided it was time for home so headed down for a uneventful decent. Northern Pygmy-owl, an intended going away gift for Dave will have to be a welcome hope present. Ryan still has an excuse to hike Cheam (or maybe Lady Peak this time) again. Good bunch of guys to share the trail with. Thanks guys! I really enjoyed it. Good to meet you, Ryan.
The parking lot as we left. Great to see people enjoying such a beautiful place.
Back on the pavement I noticed that my dashboard was informing me that tire pressure was low. I was not aware that a vehicle could share that kind of knowledge about itself. Furthermore I mused, if it knew that a tire was low, it only makes sense that it also knows which of the four it is and can tell me that too. This is not the case however as the message is vague when it comes to further details. This then only heightened my concerns as I wondered if this feature only kicks in once it is obvious to a casual glance which tire is losing the battle to stay round. This turned out to be true and it was not long before that tire was flatter than a pancake and I had barely time to get the jack under it before it would be sitting on the rim. What fun changing tires in 30 degrees with humidex adding 10 degrees. Turns out this was the culprit!! I dug it out with my pliers after I was satisfied that the tire pressure (funny enough, the dashboard was still claiming the tire was "low"...I guess FLAT is not in its vocabulary) was such that it would not transfer sharp object from the tire and into myself.
Back home, I saw lots of Barn Swallows on the wires. There were about 70 total as well as a young Tree Swallow. What I found very interesting was seeing several landing on the road and picking at things after obviously looking around. I wonder if they were eating dead bugs that were hit by cars. A sassy Savannah Sparrow came to check it out but was promptly set upon by an adult Barn Swallow. This happened twice.
Just as I was going indoors, I heard the calls of small sandpipers, possibly Western Sandpipers flying over. I stood outside for a further 10 minutes and there would be two more small flocks pass over all heading in a westerly direction.
Sorry for the long report! Look forward for the next outing we can organize.
