Riders in the Sand
I just happened to be in a great spot to photograph these trail riders returning from an extended ride at White Sands National Monument, New Mexico. I had been looking for a vantage point to photograph the sunset without any of the numerous people in the picture. But I didn’t mind these people, not one bit. Read the rest of this entry »
White Sands National Monument – Evening
I am going in a sort of reverse chronological order of my latest trip from Southern California to Oklahoma. These photographs were taken the night before the previous post images. Read the rest of this entry »
White Sands National Monument – Dawn
I have moved to Oklahoma for a better job, and enroute I spent a little time visiting national parks and wildlife refuges. White Sands National Monument, New Mexico was the last place I visited, and a big plus was visiting with Jim and Marlene who I knew as volunteers at Big Bend National Park. The chief ranger there was also in Law Enforcement at Big Bend, so it was old home week for us, remembering the magic of that wonderful park and the people who made it special. Read the rest of this entry »
Mustangs are Marines
Veterans Day is a good time to recognize the four-legged Soldiers and Marines – the K-9s and the horses that have gone into battle. Fortunately, some formerly wild mustangs in the U. S. Marine Corps have a peaceful mission. They, with their humans, form the Marine Corps Mounted Color Guard and are stabled at Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, Calif.
These palominos are all from BLM Herd Management Areas in Nevada and elsewhere. Some were tamed by prisoners. Many are trained by a local horseman. All of the Marines assigned to the MCG are trained to ride, to put on shoes, and to care for their equine charges. When you see them leading the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena every New Year’s Day, or catch them at a rodeo or small-town parade, you can see that the horses and humans are “proud to claim the title of United States Marines.”
https://www.dvidshub.net/video/418453/mounted-color-guard-parade#.VkSPVrerTIU
The horses are given formal names after famous Marine battles, but are called by their nicknames: Aries, John, Norman. Unfortunately the plans I had to do an in-depth video with articles about the MCG and the mustangs themselves won’t happen. I am transferring to a new and better job in Oklahoma. New stories. New birds. New experiences.
Read about the horsemanship training the Marines receive:
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/175060/marine-horsemanship-fundamentals#.VkSTr7erTIU
Cindy Bourgeois McIntyre as an 18-year Women’s Army Corps recruit, 1974
Contact: cindy at cindymcintyre.com
Kokanee Salmon Spawning
If you’ve never seen salmon during spawning season, Taylor Creek on the shore of Lake Tahoe is a wonderful spot to see them. The kokanee salmon were introduced decades ago and are actually landlocked sockeye salmon that spend their entire lives in freshwater. Born in Taylor Creek in South Lake Tahoe, California, they spend their lives in Lake Tahoe and two to four years later make their way back to their birth stream to spawn.
I watched one pair for about an hour until it began to rain. The female chased off other females, the male chased off hopeful males, and occasionally she would sweep the gravel bottom to prepare her “redd” or nest. The male took his place on her right side waiting in excited anticipation for the moment they had lived their whole lives for – the signs that she was ready to release her eggs and he could fertilize them. Their genetic duty done, they will then die. Unfortunately I never saw the actual moment of spawning because it started to rain. Nor did I see any of the black bears that come to feed on the salmon. But I felt privileged to see one of nature’s amazing sagas. This short video will let you share in the gentle drama, too.
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Website: CindyMcIntyre.com
Online gallery: Smugmug and Fine Art America
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Contact: cindy at cindymcintyre.com
Sea Otter Antics Video
For stills of these too-cute critters, see my blog post:
https://cindymcintyre.wordpress.com/2015/10/25/sea-otters/
Website: CindyMcIntyre.com
Online gallery: Smugmug and Fine Art America
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Contact: cindy at cindymcintyre.com
Taylor Creek, South Lake Tahoe
On my recent California road trip, I visited Taylor Creek in South Lake Tahoe specifically to see the kokanee salmon run and the black bears that come to feed on the spawning fish.
Although the number of salmon was very low, I was very happy to be able to see them in the clear, shallow creek. Unfortunately, the black bears didn’t make an appearance. However, I did enjoy the tapestry of fall colors.
The bare alders with their wispy branches remind me of needle art landscapes I’ve seen, silvery threads amid the knots and embroidered leaves.
The trail to Lake Tahoe was an easy walk.
The paddlewheel tourist boat is rippled and warped by the heat waves.
Common merganser
Common mergansers in the creek hoped for an easy meal of salmon.
The serrated bill makes good grabbers. I watched one of these ducks in a high speed underwater chase after the spawning salmon. It came up without its meal. Oh well. Better luck next time.
Kokanee salmon spawning pair
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Website: CindyMcIntyre.com
Online gallery: Smugmug and Fine Art America
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Contact: cindy at cindymcintyre.com
Long-eared Owl Family
Long-eared owls
I was in Ridgecrest, California yesterday and returned to the cemetery where our birding group had seen a family of long-eared owls. I walked for a half hour peering in every tree (they’re extremely well camouflaged as you can see) when I found them almost right next to the car!
This pair was very alert, but the other two owls resented being awoken from their naps.
Anyway, here are their portraits.
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Website: CindyMcIntyre.com
Online gallery: Smugmug and Fine Art America
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Contact: cindy at cindymcintyre.com
Mule Deer
Deer tend to come out when the light is low – early morning or at dusk. These mule deer were in and near Pinnacles National Park, California. Some are “artsy” blurs. Enjoy! Read the rest of this entry »
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