Month: March 2019

I am mesmerized by Ospreys.  They are . . . well,  fascinating.

A fish-eating bird, sometimes called a fish hawk, Ospreys are large chocolate brown and white raptors with yellow eyes and distinct appearance.

 

 

 

Their wings form an M-shape as they glide or hover over water looking for fish.

 

Early one spring morning, I was wandering along a riparian marsh in the Phoenix area looking for birds—or whatever else might come along. I had been watching one particular Osprey.

With talons extended, it suddenly plunged into the water, rising up triumphantly grasping a fish and flying away! I was frozen in place, totally awe-struck. It is astounding that this bird can plunge, feet-first, down more than three feet into the water, catch a fish, then be able to get back up into the air and fly away with its meal.

These are Ospreys in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Every year I enjoy watching them once again rebuild their massive nests, sit on eggs, bring food for chicks, and finally the fledged young (leave their nest).

 

This nest near Lamar Valley is also rebuilt every year by Ospreys. It is thrilling  to watch this particular nest as it is near the road and guests on my tours can easily observe them.

 

My first time visiting Yellowstone National Park, my partner Steve and I were at Grand Geyser with hundreds of others waiting for it to erupt. There we were, this “mass of humanity” sitting on the benches waiting. Watching. Waiting. All but me. 

I was sitting totally the opposite direction of everyone else busy watching an Osprey cruising along the Firehole River. Occasionally it would hover in one spot, watching, suddenly diving down into the river after a fish. Steve caught me on camera—once again mesmerized by another Osprey.  It’s now the masthead photo on my blog.

Tomorrow marks six weeks until, once again, we head back up to Yellowstone National Park. Time to begin preparations for our annual migration. My partner Steve and I are tour guides in Yellowstone every summer, driving visitors around the Park to learn about this amazing place we call home every summer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

As I observe the different birds migrating through Arizona on their way north, I’m thinking how I’ll watch them once again in Yellowstone. It reminds me of how we now have our own annual migration.

 

We get to enjoy our beautiful Arizona winter and, now, spring with all the incredible wildflower blooms.

As our wildflowers here in Arizona begin to fade, upon our migration north we enjoy spring wildflowers once again all the way up. 

When we arrive finally in Yellowstone there is much snow and Yellowstone Lake is still frozen. But the spring thaw, melt off and green up begins immediately. From early spring wildflower blooms, through to summer flowers and, then, by late September Yellowstone grasses once again begin to brown up, often covered with a blanket of snow. By the time we begin our migration south at the end of September, many of the birds have already begun their southern migration. 

I enjoy the time I spend here in Arizona in the winter, preparing for the busy summers in Yellowstone. Winter is a time for rest and regrouping. Similar to our birds, I’m storing up my energy, preparing myself for the coming time of change. I’m preparing for “nesting” in Yellowstone in making sure I’m healthy and prepared for the rigorous summer ahead. There are long days of work sometimes, yes, but it is worth it. I get to LIVE in Yellowstone National Park for five months every summer! 

I look forward once again to my early morning walk over to the Old Faithful Village for breakfast, often watching the Old Faithful geyser erupt through the trees with the early morning sun rising through the mist. I end my days walking home from our vehicle bus barn to our dormitory room, either with an incredible sunset or, sometimes, late evenings with millions of stars overhead. 

I look forward to the “chores” of our migration (thankfully we have six more weeks to prepare). I’m looking forward once again to our annual migration to the far north and reuniting with friends—many of whom have just finished working the winter season as well. The Park is currently closed to most over-the-road travel but preparation begins soon for our summer season. 

The migratory birds here in Arizona are spending a short time feeding and resting up as they continue their travels north. Similarly, I’m resting and feeding my soul with thoughts of another summer season in our country’s first National Park. I look forward to the preparation: what is needed for our absence, what to take, what to read in re-familiarizing myself for a totally different environment. We migrate from the low Sonoran Desert, where we spend our winters, to the high Rocky Mountains and thermal areas of Yellowstone. It’s a preparation I look forward to while enjoying our wonderful Arizona springtime, thinking of spring in Yellowstone. Its a migratory life I lead now. It won’t always be that way. But, for now, I enjoy this life I lead while I can.