Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
General Subjects => Travel / Places to Visit => Topic started by: ranunculus on June 29, 2007, 09:56:43 PM
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...Well, we are back... from three weeks of continuous glorious sunshine, brilliant blue skies and a baking wind-assisted heat wave that blew through Las Vegas at the end of the holiday. Please don't growl under your breath...there was a major downside to all this opulent warmth and azure skies, the majority of flowers were frightened to show their pretty little faces....even the deserts were seemingly bereft of bloom. We DID find a number of species on our travels across Utah, Arizona, Nevada and California and we DID capture these isolated specimens on our memory cards, but it has been a very, very dry spring and early summer in these western States and the pickings were much more lean than we had hoped.
We began our trip in majestic Zion National Park (after flying into Vegas from Manchester), were privileged indeed to see the incredible beauty of Bryce Canyon and Cedar Breaks, endured the blistering heat of Death Valley, toured the High Sierras taking in Whitney Portal, June Lakes, Mono Lake, Mammoth Lakes and the ghost town of Bodie, crossed Yosemite, reached the Pacific coast at enchanting Monterey, drooled our way down the Big Sur coastline to San Luis Obispo, headed east to Lake Arrowhead for a couple of magical nights, crossed the barren Mojave and finished our break with three nights in the city that never sleeps or runs out of water it seems (if the fountains and Venetian canals are any indication). A truly amazing holiday that proved even more exciting than we intended (Sue certainly didn't expect to stand thirty feet away from a large black bear and I would never have volunteered to be dragged onto a Las Vegas stage to become a stooge in a performance by Cirque du Soleil)...Oh no I wouldn't Mrs Clement!
We have arrived home to tales of storms, floods and pestilence (well it is East Lancashire) and now it is my duty to post some images (2691 shots in 21 days during which we drove over 2900 miles, stayed at eight different locations and ate so well that we won the Pudsey Pig every evening).
Wildflower images, wonderful scenery and assorted abstracts will no doubt follow, but we will start with some birds and critters that crossed our paths.....please enjoy, we endured such terrible hardships to capture these meagre offerings....Oh the heat....... :D :D
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....Another couple for you enthusiasts to name please....
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brilliant quality photos. What's your camera?
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Great photos Cliff, can't wait to see the rest of the trip.
I thought I'd take up the bird identification challenge, dug out the field guides and came up with the following answers for your feathered friends:
1. and 6. Western Gull (Larus occidentalis) - adult
2. Dunlin (Calidris alpina) - in breeding plumage
3. probably Sanderling (Calidris alba) - non breeding adult in moult
4. Heerman's Gull (Larus heermanii) -adult
5. tricky one this, but possibly a juvenile California Gull (Larus californicus)
7. Western Gull (Larus occidentalis) - 1st year in foreground, 3rd year in background, they exchange the black spot on the bill for the red one in pictures 1+6 when they reach maturity at 4years old.
By the way, you could have seen the Dunlin and Sanderling in the UK without travelling all that way ;)
Bring on the next challenge.
Peter
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Peter you are being very brave with the LBJs and the gulls
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Someone had to stick their neck out! :o
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Got these pics sent to me, so I assume they are in the public domain? Bear-faced cheek if you ask me.
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unbelievable that that rope can hold a bear
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The first photo almost looks photoshopped, but I guess the bears back feet are holding the tree.
Rob
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I thought the same about the first two images. Is Anthony playing games?
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For the observant amongst you, you will notice that the first pic is taken from the opposite side from the rest. I suspect, if it is genuine, and there is no reason to doubt it, that the bear made several attempts, perhaps from both ends of the rope?
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Wonderful bear shots!
Welcome home Cliff - well, your home I mean. An amazing holiday by the sound of it. Really? The Cirque du soleil? Wish I'd seen that!
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Many thanks Mark, Peter and Lesley....both for the kind comments and for the identifications. In answer to your question Mark, I have recently acquired a Nikon D80 and these are the first batch of shots taken in the field...a mixed batch of landscapes, portraits, night shots and close-ups to test the camera and it's nervous operator. I am very pleased with some of the images and less than pleased with others (though this is, I am certain, due more to the inexperience of the nervous operator than any fault of the equipment).
Anyway, some more images to test your resolve....not, I'm afraid, in any logical sequence, just as they fall from the memory cards into my out box....
Firstly...from the magnificent Monterey aquarium
Secondly...from our room on the 31st floor of Treasure Island, Las Vegas
Thirdly...the beautiful early morning mists in the San Bernadino mountains from Lake Arrowhead
Next...elephant seals basking on the beach on Big Sur
Next...Big Sur overlook
Next...island of cormorants, Big Sur
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...And, at last, a few plants to keep the interest going...
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...And a final couple for today...
jellyfish Monterey aquarium
Beautiful Monterey.
Tiny sand dweller Monterey.
Shrub Monterey
Thistle
Polemonium2.
Polemonium These two now identified as Nama rothrockii
California poppy
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Cliff, this is the best holiday I've "had" in ages! I would give lots to see a sea otter in the wild...and I didn't know about sea squirrels! I thought it was just Cyril on his hols!
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Many thanks Maggi...so glad that you are feeling a little better and able to travel (if only in my rather heavy footsteps at present). Perhaps you might enjoy a few moments in Zion National Park....preferable to watching these interminable rain clouds dash across the sky? By the way, I don't think the squirrels actually swim or surf but I might be wrong (again)?
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More from this WONDERFUL National Park at Zion...
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What an amazing collection Cliff. Who needs alpines with all that lot to see? Oh those stunning Castillejas!
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Thanks Lesley....there are plenty more images to post, but none as vibrant or as beautiful as those Indian Paintbrushes.....
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A couple more images from Zion, then we will head off into the White Mountains of California, the home of the oldest living things on earth (no NOT me!!! :D), the beautiful but ancient bristlecone pines. A selection of images captured up on the Methuselah Trail, a truly magical hike that we undertook in intense heat, brilliant sunshine and with drought conditions underfoot. Hope some of you might enjoy looking at bark and timber patterns as much as I do? Apologies once again that these images do not follow the chronological pattern of our trip but I would like to post them as they appear on my screen rather than mess about later.
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Batch two from the White Mountains.....
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Batch three from the White Mountains....
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Fantastic photos, Cliff. Beautiful bark 2 especially would make a wonderful print enlarged to, say, 80 x 50cm.
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Wow! This is fantastic! I think the beautiful timber 2 shot is like a close-up of a fabulous tiger ! And there are those that could be feathers... wonderful!
Wouldn't mind if the Petrophytums we have wanted to get that big!
Ian called the waterfall shot, a "Freefall", which I thought a quite natty title!
Loving this, Cliff, couldn't care less what order they come in!
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By the way, I don't think the squirrels actually swim or surf but I might be wrong (again)? says Cliff
Don't be daft, Cliff, it's a well known fact that everyone surfs in California ! 8)
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Okay....so we don't mind too much about the chronological order of the postings?....Well can we now travel into the High Sierras of California with our base being the beautiful town of Bishop (we can thoroughly recommend the gorgeous Best Western Creekside Inn in this quiet resort and the dining at Sizzlers). The town is a great access point for high mountain trails on either side of Owens Valley and quite convenient for Mammoth Lakes, Mono Lake, Bodie and Yosemite to the north and Big Pine, Independence and even Death Valley to the south. It is possible to visit both the trailhead for Mount Whitney (the highest mountain in the contiguous United States) AND the lowest point in the USA in Death Valley on the same day (well it is when Sue is driving)!!
Just outside Bishop one can access the incredible Buttermilk boulder area (one of the few homes of the wonderful Ranunculus andersonii) and it was a pleasure to scramble among these amazing boulders in search of any sign of one my favourite buttercups. Though the arid, scorched earth yielded little return for such effort under a blazing sun, we think we MAY have discovered remnants of foliage of one small patch of Ranunculus in the deepest shade under the largest of boulders, but we must await the authoritative advice of my good friend Larry Blakely to even claim this small victory. California is desperate for rainfall and the High Sierras are no exception. The earth is turning quickly to dust and even hardy desert species are dying of thirst in many areas....but the pool at the Creekside Inn still proved a tremendous attraction after a day in the mountains...
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Bishop, our base for five nights.....
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Kerrripes! I didn't realise the boulders were that big. They look only a metre or so. Did you try giving the balanced one a push?
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amazing photos. How did the rocks get there?
The blue bird is a Bluebird
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But we have two bluebirds Mark. The bird in the photo is the Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis). The other species possible in the west would be the Mountain Bluebird Sialia currucoides.
Isn't it interesting how we, serious gardeners who use scientific names for our plants, seem to default to common names for birds and animals?
Carlo
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Cliff,
enjoyed the great pics from your US trip.
Zion National Park is fantastic.
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I was going to say western Bluebird assuming he say it out west somewhere. It crossed my mind recently too about not using bird names that should be as easy to use as a plant name
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Great show Cliff ! This brings back happy memories of some ten years ago when I visited the area a couple of times and was just as amazed as you are at the enormous beauty of nature in that part of the world.
I wouldn't mind going back, but will settle for some more of your great pix at the moment. ;D
Thanks a lot
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Thanks Luc et al,
Just a few more images this evening, at least it gets me away from those damn tennis covers going back and forth across the courts....strains the neck watching them.
Where to this evening, it won't matter really as I'm sure we will revisit most of the areas in future postings (I can hear the groans from here)!
Shall we start at Mono Lake, do the June Lakes loop and then head over Tioga Pass into Yosemite....have we got time before the news?
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...And there's more....
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Fab, Cliff, but there is a "Taggart" just starting on telly and I'm addicted... will come back later!!
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By gum Maggi...thanks for reminding me...I'll go and clean out the attic.....ANYTHING BUT TAGGART!!!!!
:o :D :o :D :o :D :o :D :-*
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Did you run out of 'Wow!'s, Cliff?
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Superb series of pics, but shouldn't it be in a folder on its own and not in "Wildlife 2007"?
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Thanks Anthony, you're probably right as many of the images do not fit the title 'Wildlife 2007'. Would it be a major task to move the whole shebang?
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Only in a separate folder of its own because it's so distinctive and because it will be easier to find in the future for travellers to the area or just for the pleasure of a revisit. As a record of a holiday, these pics are outstanding.
If there are two USA bluebirds, this one must be the Bluebird of Happiness - Oh God Lesley, that's disgusting ::)
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On the basis that it may be as easy to move the entire subject to a new folder as it might be to move each of it's parts (?), I will continue posting until requested not to or until I am clipped around the ear with a chair leg.....
Today sees us enter the unbelievably beautiful Bryce Canyon (we had no idea of just how dramatic and unworldly this unique place was), of which much more later.... and I have shoved in another shot from Zion NP just because it was on the same little memory card.....
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Wonderful shots Cliff.
Your earlier comments on Ranunculus andersonii reminded me of an article i read a few years ago in an old bulletin ,(can't remember whether it was NARGS-- SRGC --AGS ,and my thoughts are a bit cloudy because of the passing of time).
However from what i recall it was mentioned how a couple of folks were searching for the plant on the slopes of a mountain range in Utah which abruptly arose from the edge of a salt lake.Having examined and exhausted all the 'likely places' it was only by luck when one ventured around the 'back' of the mountain that many many singular well spaced plants were found of a pale pink colour.
Shame you were not able to locate it in flower.I would have enjoyed seeing your shots,espec the close ups and comments on it's beauty/habitat etc --all with a thought in mind .....just in case i ever come across seed.Smile.
Cheers Dave.
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Okey dokey, here is a new thread for Cliff and Sue's fab holiday fotos. The pair of them maut be made of strong stuff to manage such a busy trip.... can only be grateful for them sharing it with us here, I must say. I know how long it takes to fix all these shots for the forum and I am truly delighted that you are taking the trouble for us, Cliff. What a sweet little buttercup you are!
Just fascinated by the rock cliffs in Bryce Canyon.... who knew you could make such landscape with crushed cornflakes? :o
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And.... that ice blue calochortus is STUNNING!
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I believe you just go 'Snap, crackle and pop' and they are done Maggi (corny, I know), but then this IS a serial joke. Perfect for Lewisia kellogii perhaps?
...And, confession time, the calochortus was actually brilliant white, the image just captured the amazing azure sky reflected in the petals. An ice blue mariposa lily would really get the officianados hopping!
Many thanks for 'splitting' the thread away from 'Wildlife', perhaps a few more lurkers may be tempted to view both threads now...?
Why lurk folks when you can PARTICIPATE?
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Why lurk folks when you can PARTICIPATE?
Good point, Cliff: join in, why don't you folks out there?
I did wonder about the calochortus... I looked at it for some time, to see if I could detect that it was reflection and decided it was so perfect it must be a blue in the flower... did think it might have been as flower was beginning to fade, but it looked too good for that...just shows us how conditions can conspire to deceive... it would be a real find, though, eh? Perhaps you'd better go back again to search... just in case?!!
By the way, I found an up to date email address for the one I asked you about.... I just hadn't looked in right place, so only found out of date version!!
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Thank you for sharing, those pictures were absolutely incredible!
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Many thanks Linda, it's a pleasure to share just a glimpse of the awe we felt...
Back to Red Canyon and the sheer beauty of Bryce Canyon on this visit....
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Oh Bryce, you take the breath away....
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Cliff,
Where is my thesaurus!
Wonderful, beautiful, delicious, exciting, inspiring ...
Why didn't I even see a fraction of all that when I was in that part of the world?
Chloë
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Last batch for this evening....
Many thanks Chloe!!!
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...How could anyone not enjoy this magical place?
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It is truly incredible. :o Thanks Cliff.
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But we have two bluebirds Mark. The bird in the photo is the Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis). The other species possible in the west would be the Mountain Bluebird Sialia currucoides.
I am a bit late in responding to this - slow dialup and gardening take time. ;) There are three bluebirds in North America: eastern, western, and mountain. I think that Cliff's bird is a male western bluebird, (Sialia mexicana) with its very blue throat and the chestnut patch looking as if it extends over the back. The male mountain bluebird is wholly sky blue, with no chestnut markings at all.
We occasionally see eastern bluebirds in our garden, but they don't nest here as we don't have enough cleared areas, and yes, Lesley, it is a happy day when they arrive.
Sharon
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More great scenery Cliff !
The little hike we did at the time into Bryce, following the Navajo loop trail is something I'll never forget. It was one of the most intense emotions I ever felt faced with the wonders of nature. Glad to see that you were just as impressed.
Thanks again for your efforts in showing us !
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Unbelievable, that I didn't find this thread earlier ???
Wonderful shots, Cliff!!!
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Fantastic photos of plants and great scenery.
Thank you, Cliff.
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Thanks to you all...so glad you are enjoying our trip NEARLY as much as we did...
One of the sorties we made from our first base at Zion (in splendid Springdale) was a loop through Kanab and on across a small corner of Arizona via Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park and Pipe Spring National Monument back to Hurricane and Zion. A super, but terrifically hot day which included an impromptu visit to a car show in Kanab; a foot burning experience hunting for plants in the impressive pink sand dunes and a mindful (rattlesnakes are very prevalent), but lonely (Sue wouldn't risk it) hike to the upper cliffs of Pipe Spring....never encountered a rattler but a young hare certainly made me jump a bit as it broke cover from the tinder dry scrub....
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...And on we go....
Springdale was holding a wonderful annual festival celebrating the native flute while we there and we were lucky enough to get tickets for one of the evening performances featuring flautists from all across the USA and even from as far away as Australia.....and the performances were held in a beautiful auditorium set high into the hills above the town...a perfect and remarkably atmospheric setting for some truly haunting music...
though the image of the venue might have to wait for the next posting...my apologies.
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Let's begin with the auditorium whilst I remember...
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Cliff, this is worthy of an article in, nay complete edition of, 'The Rock Garden'. A terrific series of pics. Lifts the spirits after a rather sad and gloomy two weeks. That, and some superb tennis today.
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Steady Anthony! ....but very kind of you to suggest such a thing....
Next stop... Mammoth and Horseshoe Lakes....where we were shocked to discover devastation of trees unlike anything we have seen in Europe.....the culprit, CO2 omissions from the earth...the two posters illustrate the problem. Whilst only on a small scale at present (in a relatively restricted area above the very beautiful Horseshoe Lake), it must threaten the very future of these pristine wilderness areas.
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....A few random shots on this particular memory card....please don't get dizzy from traversing the locations too quickly....
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...We will stick with random locations for this batch....
Back to a 'structured approach' for the next lot..... (hopefully)....
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Cliff,
I have to add my praises on this magnificient thread it fair lifts the spirit as we suffer the second wettest June since records began.
What a tour de force, which reminds me Le Tour starts today, I put you top of the class and give you 5 gold stars.
Thanks for taking the time and effort to share your trip with us all.
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Thanks Ian...but I'll look awful in a yellow jersey....like an inflated melon.....
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Okay, Cliff, so yellow is not your colour... what about the polka dot jersey... for the King of the Mountains??!! ;D 8)
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>Probably common but name please.jpg
Fairy Duster Calliandra?
Later, seeing the previous snap, Albizia julibrissin?
Great pictures BTW.
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Isn't that ALWAYS worn by the great Lithuanian rider Harry Trichium.....na.....num?
Thanks David....for the kind comments .... and the identifications.
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This evening we will head out of Bishop and visit McGhee Creek, Convict Lake and other beautiful locations in the High Sierras....
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Still on the trails around Bishop....
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The first two images speak for themselves....near Mammoth Lakes....
...And a quick visit to the hot springs near Lee Vining....
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Many thanks for sharing these images, Cliff, wonderful pix.
I have to say that I find desert landscapes quite fascinating. I was lucky enough to visit canyonlands in Utah a couple of years ago. Some amazingly sculptured and etched rock - quite awesome. I was also intrigued by the desert crust, a rare and thoroughly endangered habitat, mainly due to quad bike trailing, which seems to be a favoured pastime out there. Great pity as the crust takes many decades to regenerate.
And I did see a rattler! Whilst looking for some shade to eat lunch I suddenly heard the telltale rattle - it was just one of the smaller species though, only about a half metre long. But we did beat a cautious retreat.......
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A fabulous holiday for us all Cliff. You'll need another one to recover from all this posting ;D
The "common in Utah but what is it," reminds me of what my Ma used to grow as Bells of Ireland but for the life of me I can't remember the botanical name. I think it was an annual and I haven't seen it for years.
Convict Lake is lovely but what have they done with them all? Drowned them? and I thought trees were supposed to take up CO2 to their benefit, the purpose behind forest planting to help with carbon emissions. Is this not right?
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Got it! well, Google got it for me, Molucella laevis, Bells of Ireland
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Many thanks Lesley and David.....I too knew 'that I knew it' (if you get the gist), but couldn't get as far as coming up with Bells of Ireland....good old Google!
I believe the convicts are all running businesses in Vegas Lesley....that croupier certainly took a dollar or two from Sue's usually well-protected purse.... :D :D.
Where is the wonderful John Good when we need a scientific problem explaining....are you out there Prof.?
I agree about those infernal quad bikes David, they seemed to be everywhere.....but the desert areas ARE enormous.....too large to comprehend until you set off across them....
A few images from the first memory card now (talk about organised chaos)....some shots taken from the plane as we crossed the States on the way to Vegas from Manchester.
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You know, I didn't think this thread could get any better and then Cliff comes up with these shots of Convict Lake....just beautiful, these photos are so clear and atmospheric.
These airplane shots are fascinating... as well as being some of the best I have seen taken from a commercial airliner. I didn't realise that the Americans were trying so hard to decorate their whole country as a giant Stars and Stripes! They are getting pretty good at the stripes, but the stars are still in the circular stage, it seems ! ::)
Cliff, I am delighted to see that you are an afficionado of Le Tour and so aware of the fabled career of Harry Trichium-na-num ....while away on your travels you must have missed the announcement of his retiral, on account of frostbite, to his family's mountain retreat.
So, the door is open for you, after all!
[attach=1]
Here you are, and there's a little one for Sue, too!
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Many thanks Maggi, the jersey fits a treat (though Sue has had to pass hers on to our 10 month old grandson Ollie, perhaps a tad TOO small, eh)? :)
Can anyone explain (seriously or otherwise...well it is Scottish Rock) why, in the image entitled 'Flying across America 7', the ground is a) covered with these strange circles and b) why one of them resembles a clock?
Are we to interpret that these might be messages to the UFO's that are rumoured to frequent these parts?
And Maggi....'frostbite to his family's mountain retreat' can be exceptionally painful as can gout in the condominium!
Why waste a posting opportunity.....some more random images including some from Death Valley...
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Trust the Americans to come take the 'crop circles' to a new level (see above pic from aeroplane). ::)
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cliff,
Really enjoying your pictures. I have been most of the places , but over the last 4 years, not all in one go!
I have added a pic from Bryce canyon you missed out especially for maggie, its not a Westie unfortunaly, but a poodle I would think.
As for the crop circles - you know how big the american pies are.
The blank bits are obviously where Maggie and Lesly have been ;D
The crop circles are large irrigated fields, the watering system gradually walks round in a circle. You can see how much land there is out there if they can waste all the corners! I doubt it broke down one day making the eaten piece of the pie.
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Thanks Susan....missed the pooch in Bryce, perhaps he was being groomed?
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I think Susan's pooch from Bryce is an American cocker spaniel... they've got very fancy hairdos ....
[attachthumb=1]
On behalf of Lesley and myself, I'd like to point out that we are professionals and never leave anything half-eaten! Mind you, I've never experienced real American pies..... have you, Lesley?
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If there's one thing that could drag us away from painting and decorating in this heat wave, it's photos from the maestro.
As always Mr. Buttercup, we are in awe of your talent (except for singing of course) to not only take such incredible photos, but to 'find' the shots as well.
We were of course disappointed that you chose Bryce Canyon over Berea but there's no accounting for taste!!!
You really MUST get on the NARGS invitation list, especially the Ohio Valley Chapter (send Steve a DVD of your trip) and maybe we'll get to 'put you up' for a couple of nights and show you the Eastern Bluebirds.
Love and Yorkshire Puddings
Alan & Sherba
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Well I've tried a few Maggi, pumpkin, pecan and banoffee which were made by an elderly American lady who lives nearby. All very good but I find I need large quantities of strong black coffee to follow as they're all very sweet. Being that way myself, I don't need so much sugar of course.
The black circles look, says Roger, like a tray of biscuits just taken from my oven, and burned to their usual cinders. This is utter rubbish and the tray shows that he's already filched several which he wouldn't have, if they'd been inedible.
If they seemed to be above the ground I'd suggest an oil storage depot but they seem to be flush.
Alan and Sherba, great that you're here with us. The first of many posts I hope. Welcome, welcome.
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I see it is a Scot that has the spotty jersey tonight.
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Thank you kindly you Kentucky folk...now get back to the decorating and make a start on those guest quarters....
Several more images to brighten somebody's Monday (hopefully)?
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Sorry, I forgot to mention that these images were all taken around Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear Lake...
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.....Apart from the Cambria shots which were taken in ...... Cambria (Doh!!!!) on the Pacific coast.
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Just a few more to bring the thread to it's penultimate stage.....
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...only Bodie to visit on the final posting which will be sometime this week....
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Nice bear.... will we get to see the accompanying shot of Sue doing two hundred miles an hour in the opposite direction?
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I tried Maggi but I just wasn't quick enough with the panning of the camera! :)
Actually she was reassured by the fact that at least six other cars had stopped to see what was going on and a plethora of cameras (and quite large female torsos) were pointing through the trees....even a VERY irate bear wouldn't have got his claws on ALL of us (and this was a very placid, obviously well-fed, creature with a penchant for strolling and slumbering)....and, no, we were not taking these things lightly, we DID stay at a very respectful distance and tried not to disturb the tranquility of the situation (though others on the scene were a little less restrained we must admit).
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Yes, Cliff,
even if you can't outrun a bear you should be able to outrun another tourist!
cheers
fermi
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Depends how many legs they have Fermi.... :)
A few also-rans from the Big Sur phase now.... we WILL get to Bodie and the end of the trail this week..
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...And just a couple more from the also-rans of Big Sur...
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Quite nice over there isn't it? ;D
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How right you are Anne, or, as my brother once said (he was very young at the time, and trying to emulate our trans-Pacific cousins - "You slobbered a bibful baby." (My mother was very :o :o :o :o :o)
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What a picture you bring to mind Lesley.....
I am babysitting for my ten month old grandson today...I'll bear your comments in mind...
Spotted a few more from Monterey that might just fit the bill....hope you aren't all out with the USA?
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What that first Monterey shot needs is a pirate ship hoving into view, not a yacht on the horizon. Just says "pirates" to me! And no, I haven't droolled over sorry, that should be "seen" Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom in the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' movies!
Hope the young Brochure ( that is the correct term for a small Book-er, isn't it?) is having a good day with his Grandad!
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Is the pink plant that is "locally plentiful" a type of thyme? Surely not?
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I can visualize the Jolly Roger rounding the cape but unfortunately this is the Pacific and the chances are that it would be a luxury yacht or as below....
The mass of pink was created by enormous banks of huge flowered mesembryanthemums....oh that we could grow them like that in continually wet Whitworth...
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By the way Maggi.....the feminine form for a young Book..er would have to Pam..phlet and a young male would more correctly be called Booklet. When they reach eighteen they legally become Manuscripts or Manuals if they drop out of University....
Doctor, please pass the tablets....
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Right, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Bodie as promised...a true ghost town (not a set built for a western), which once boasted as many as 10,000 residents (only 5% of the original buildings are still standing)...a truly lawless outpost in the middle of nowhere....Sue and I felt quite at home really!
We will finish this epic trip (eight pages is QUITE enough), as we started, with a picture of a feathered friend in front of a Pacific Ocean backdrop.
A truly memorable holiday of 21 days, 2900 miles driving, nine hotels, motels or B & B's (at Zion, Lone Pine, Bishop, Lee Vining, Oakhurst, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Lake Arrowhead and Las Vegas) with only one night spent in slightly less than totally satisfactory accommodation. We ate wonderfully and cheaply, fuel costs were hugely inviting, we never felt threatened in any way, shape or form (except, perhaps, by the critters in our imaginations) and we were welcomed, looked after and tended with nothing but courtesy, friendliness and care. All in all a magical adventure (that truly didn't break the bank) and one that, should you be tempted to follow, we would highly recommend. Hope you have enjoyed the pictures!
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...And on to the end...
Sorry there weren't more plants....blame global warming....or the Bush administration.
Our thanks to Larry, Gordon and Kath and Bobby and Edward for their very kind assistance with the planning of this trip.
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BRAVO !!!!!
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I have thoroughly enjoyed this post. Thank you for sharing it with us. You have a very good eye for a photo, that's for sure. Every one looks like a picture postcard. Fascinating photos of the plants you encountered. I've got some castilleja seed sent to me by my daughter, must be one that grows in Canadian Rockies though as it is packaged with Canadian wild flower caption. I've not done anything with it yet as I'm not sure what to use as a host. Anyone got any ideas?
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castilleja seed I'm not sure what to use as a host.
http://www.ou.edu/cas/botany-micro/ben/ben158.html
describes how someone did it.
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A truly memorable journey Cliff for us as well as for you and Sue.
Maggi, how about a pre-Christmas competition among members, for the best topic of the year? The prize would be a 3-week holiday in the western USA of course.
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Great idea Lesley,
Can I suggest a second prize of one month's accommodation in or near Dunedin with helicopter transfers to the mountains of our choice?
I'm amazed that SRGC funds will stretch to include these wonderful prizes, I suppose this will inevitably push up subscriptions .... or would it be funded by a generous donation from our new President? (Anybody hear a loud thump and a controlled scream)?
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An excellent thread Cliff, Well done ;D I have enjoyed every step along the way and have been greatly edumified (as my mother would say). Now it's back to sunny Lancs ::) - but I wouldn't swop with them for a minute, wonderful to visit but how nice to be home! I look forward to your next trip.
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Wow Cliff, what a wondeful series of pics. Since I'm taking over from you in December as Group Secretary can I get in now and book you for a talk next season?
Also it is lovely to see Alan and Sherba downing the paint and paste brushes to post on the forum. Glad to see domestic chores are not absolutely overwhelming you two.
Shelagh
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Great idea Lesley,
Can I suggest a second prize of one month's accommodation in or near Dunedin with helicopter transfers to the mountains of our choice?
This is a good idea Cliff and as soon as I get the word, I'll book the helicopter. I'm coming too. I've always fancied a mountainside lunch or dinner, with best double damask cloth and napkins, finest crystal (I'll borrow my sister's Waterford and sterling silver cutlery), flowers of course and a decent chef to cook and serve. Ladies in frilly hats, gentlemen in dinner jackets, black ties. I know a good string quartet......
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....And short readings from Farrer by the lyrical voice of Harold McBride....and English tea made from the snowmelt....Ranunculus, Notothlaspi and Lobelia roughii at our feet (we are, of course, permitted to edge out onto the scree) and Leica cameras at our disposal all day. As for the maidservants...... :P :-* ;)
Maggi....are you taking notes....?
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Maggi....are you taking notes....?
No
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A totally amazing journey. Where are you off to next year and can we come come too?
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You can see where he's off to next year Mark ;)
Maggi, don't be a spoilsport! :-*
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I feel the need coming on for a small advert:
From 25th-27th January 2008 the new Zealand Alpine Garden Society are holding a Study Weekend: "Up High and Diown Under, A Weekend of Alpines from 70° N to 40° S "
This event will be held at Linclon University, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand. Details from Ann Cartman or our own Doreen Mear via doreenmear@xtra.co.nz
A worthwhile reason for anyone to choose a holiday destination, I would think!
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Maggi--I'll be there ,( if i can tear myself away from mountain visits),as i hear they have booked one or two decent speakers.--wink wink*
* for some reason i'm unable to add any icons.
Cheers Dave
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I'm glad to hear that, Dave! Finn Haugli is a favourite in this household, for sure!
I have graciously consented to the removal, to NZ, of the Bulb Despot for this event. Heaven knows how I will cope without him for the duration but I intend to get a life-size cardboard cut-out of him to stand in the bulb house in his absence so I should be less lonely! And, yes, I do know I could go too! But I can't!
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I know, Maggi. The quarantine restrictions on bringing Lily with you would just not make it worthwhile! Just gives me more of a reason to return to Scotland soon to see all three of you in Aberdeen!
cheers
fermi
PS is the BD bringing a cardboard cut out of you and Lil?
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Oh god...he is here again!
Permission to post a few more images from the trip please? Images that missed the original boat but weren't quite bad enough for the recycle bin. A mixed bunch that may possibly fill a few more postings....you could always get a petition up to Ban the Booker!!
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I was thinking more in terms of the Booker Prize, Cliff !
If I weren't sitting here with frozen feet and three jumpers on, I'd be fantasising about dipping my toes in that sandy pool....lovely!
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Was the duck up the mountains? It looks like a Mallard hybrid
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Hi Mark,
Ducky was on the shore of Lake Arrowhead, at about 5100 feet.....he was suffering from altitude sickness though.
Cheers,
Cliff
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My thanks to Larry Blakely (who resides in Bishop, California...the lucky chap) for pointing out that the images marked as Polemoniums on page one of this posting are in fact the quite rare Nama rothrockii (and for providing some of his own wonderful pictures for comparison from the excellent Calflora site and a close-up at the following link:-
http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/images/rothrocksnama4.jpg
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Anyone remember my shots of pelicans and sea otters captured on the coast near Monterey and how pleased I was with the results? Well, old bighead here is absolutely delighted to provide this link to shots of the same subjects by a 'proper' photographer ......
Please don't compare...just enjoy....
http://www.astronomy-images.com/day-images/elkhornslough-07/elkhorn_slough.htm