Yesterday began with the usual unexpectedness that I have enjoyed here at the refuge. We decided to walk along part of the closed central patrol road over to Benson Pond. This was a productive birding spot last year and we were looking forward to what might be waiting for us this time.
As soon as we pulled out of the cabin area, I caught a glimpse of a weasel not much bigger than my fist carrying some furry gray ball. We stopped and got some pictures. To my surprise, the weasel’s prey was still alive and needed to be subdued a couple more times while the pair posed for photos.
Storm clouds patrolled the whole valley as we made our way up to the point where we would start our hike. They could be seen with wispy tentacles of rain falling on the sage below. We knew we were taking a risk, but we had enough rain gear and warm clothes to get through a pretty mean squall. When we arrived at the closed gate, we could see one of the larger storm clouds headed right for us and so we waited it out. I remember commenting that if I weren’t such a lazy ass, we’d have been half way to Benson Pond when it hit us.
There were no other humans, but mosquitoes and fly catchers, two other levels of the food chain were abundant along the way. There were so many mosquitoes that I started to doubt my place in the natural order. If we were bitten enough times, would they find our dessicated, bones in the summer after the road reopened?
We survived, and we enjoyed the hike. We even saw a Great Horned Owl and a couple of owlets in a lofty nest.
In the evening, we took another hike up the river trail that started near the P Ranch. Along the way, there were Bobolinks, which I’ve never seen anywhere but here. Their call has kind of a metallic tinkling quality that I love. I also saw a pair of Red Winged Blackbirds antagonizing a pair of Sandhill Cranes. At one point, one of the large Cranes Lashed out in frustration at his tormentors. I almost felt sorry for it even though he was likely threatening a nearby nest.
We’re driving towards Burns now and will be leaving the area after we get some breakfast. I have really enjoyed myself here and it was good to let go of work for a bit. I’ll be back to the grind tomorrow, for now, I’m taking in the amazing scenery and looking for wildlife darting in and out of the sagebrush that lines the highway.