+Let's Look Over Thayer Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 Cache Critters of Antarctica (#19 in a series) Nope, we ain't out of Penguins yet, Neko Harbor, Antarctica These are Gentoo Penguins... Quote Link to comment
+jahoadi and john Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 Cache Critters of Antarctica (#19 in a series) Nope, we ain't out of Penguins yet, Neko Harbor, Antarctica These are Gentoo Penguins... I'm not sick of them yet...they are kinda cute in their own way...(if you can forget about how they "poop"). Quote Link to comment
+Let's Look Over Thayer Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 they are kinda cute in their own way...(if you can forget about how they "poop"). They say that "Ignorance is bliss." But you couldn't just leave well enough alone. You just had to ask the question... what's the red stuff on the ground? Your mind is expanded and you will never be the same again... Quote Link to comment
+Let's Look Over Thayer Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 Cache Critters of Antarctica (#20 in a series) Pale-faced Sheathbills, Neko Harbor, Antarctica Quote Link to comment
+Let's Look Over Thayer Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 Cache Critters of Antarctica (#21 in a series) Deception Island is part of the South Shetlands. The Island is volcanic caldera. This caldera has an opening to the ocean, called "Neptune's Bellows", which is large enough that ships can sail into the caldera. The island is still considered to be volcanically active. It last erupted in 1969 and it is due to erupt again soon. The island is home to an Earthcache named Deception Island. The last cacher to log this cacher before us is named Gary Samad. Small World. Chinstrap Penguins Swimming, Deception Island, Antarctica Quote Link to comment
+Let's Look Over Thayer Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 Cache Critters of Antarctica (#22 in a series) Antarctic Tern, Deception Island, Antarctica Antarctic Terns can be nasty little blaggards. We were warned to stay away from where the terns were nesting. The photo below shows the remains of a bunch of whale oil barrels. This is where the terns are nesting. If you get too close, the adult birds will fly up about 30-40 above you and then dive bomb you. So, I thought I was staying well clear. Apparently not clear enough and I got swarmed. I backed off. Way off. Apparently not far enough because they just kept right on diving on me. The photos above were taken when they were setting up for their next dive. I didn't take any photos when they were diving because I was too busy waving my arms to keep them at bay. I felt like I was in a Hitchcock movie... Quote Link to comment
+Let's Look Over Thayer Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 Cache Critters of Antarctica (#23 in a series) More Penguins Than You Can Shake A Stick At, Deception Island, Antarctica Kind of hard to see the penguins but every little bump that looks like a white rock is a penguin...even the ones high up on the hillside... Quote Link to comment
+"lostguy" Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 Cache Critters of Antarctica (#23 in a series) More Penguins Than You Can Shake A Stick At, Deception Island, Antarctica Kind of hard to see the penguins but every little bump that looks like a white rock is a penguin...even the ones high up on the hillside... Thanks for all the photos James. Most of us don't even get to see this much interesting photography in National Geographics. Quote Link to comment
+Let's Look Over Thayer Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 Cache Critters of Antarctica (#24 in a series) If You Are Tired of Penguins, It's Jahoadi's Fault, Deception Island, Antarctica A selection of Chinstrap Penguins. Mostly the penguins stay on the outer edges of the Island, but a few of the brave and/or curious venture into the bay. Quote Link to comment
+Let's Look Over Thayer Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 Cache Critters of Antarctica (#25 in a series) Humpback Whales, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica This is a mother and calf. Quote Link to comment
+Let's Look Over Thayer Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 Thanks for all the photos James. Most of us don't even get to see this much interesting photography in National Geographics. Ms. LLOT and I consider ourselves extremely fortunate to have been able see these critters and it is our pleasure to be able share these experiences with our friends, acquaintances and fellow cachers. Quote Link to comment
+jahoadi and john Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 Just a quick pause in the Penguin Parade for a local snake we saw at Hollenbeck. We have no idea what it is, but it had no rattle and it's skin was almost iridescent so we took a picture. Quote Link to comment
+"lostguy" Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 Just a quick pause in the Penguin Parade for a local snake we saw at Hollenbeck. We have no idea what it is, but it had no rattle and it's skin was almost iridescent so we took a picture. Chuy and I ran into one of these in Horsethief Canyon once and Ginger almost stepped on it without even seeing it. I think Chuy knows the name of the snake. I think it was Mike or something. Quote Link to comment
+TrailGators Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 I think Chuy knows the name of the snake. I think it was Mike or something. Quote Link to comment
+SD Rowdies Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 (edited) I think Chuy knows the name of the snake. I think it was Mike or something. Back when I was a boy nobody named snakes, we just 'et 'em. Taste like chicken. As a young boy I had an older pal that collected snakes in ground pits. Now and then we would get a snake out of a pit to play with it. I had the crazy idea to poke the tail of one snake down into its throat to see what would happen. Once a snake has something well into it's throat it just keeps on swallowing so that, in the end, that darned snake flipped inside out. Now that was something to see. Luckily I knew how to reverse the process 'cause my momma always made me flip my socks right-side-out before puttin' 'em in th' warshin'. Edited January 26, 2009 by SD Rowdies Quote Link to comment
+Snake & Rooster Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 I guess rattlesnake avoidance training is only effective against rattlesnakes. Quote Link to comment
+John&Jess Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 Just a quick pause in the Penguin Parade for a local snake we saw at Hollenbeck. We have no idea what it is, but it had no rattle and it's skin was almost iridescent so we took a picture. Aww heck! You guy's could have probably petted that guy. That's a Rosy Boa(Coastal?) of some sort (Gecko Dad insert comment here ) Very cool snakes, sweet to see a healthy one out there in the wild... nice find! Not sure what he(?) is doing out so early in the year though, seems kinda cold for those guys still. J&J&j Quote Link to comment
+FlagMan Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 Just a quick pause in the Penguin Parade for a local snake we saw at Hollenbeck. We have no idea what it is, but it had no rattle and it's skin was almost iridescent so we took a picture. Aww heck! You guy's could have probably petted that guy. That's a Rosy Boa(Coastal?) of some sort (Gecko Dad insert comment here ) Very cool snakes, sweet to see a healthy one out there in the wild... nice find! Not sure what he(?) is doing out so early in the year though, seems kinda cold for those guys still. J&J&j Hey!! That was sneaky!! You slipped in the extra j... Details, please!! Quote Link to comment
+FlagMan Posted January 31, 2009 Share Posted January 31, 2009 I went out and did the "Nun" series today, and this beautiful hawk flew down in front of me and landed on the side of the trail. S/he allowed me to take about 35 pictures or so, and some of the better ones are posted here. Maybe someone can identify what type of hawk this is? I'm afraid its wing may be damaged, but I couldn't really tell. It did fly down to me, but its right wing looks a little funky in some of the pictures... Quote Link to comment
+TrailGators Posted January 31, 2009 Share Posted January 31, 2009 (edited) Here is a good list of birds found in San Diego. Maybe it's a Sharp-shinned Hawk: Edited January 31, 2009 by TrailGators Quote Link to comment
+TrailGators Posted January 31, 2009 Share Posted January 31, 2009 Maybe it's a Northern Harrier.... Quote Link to comment
+TrailGators Posted January 31, 2009 Share Posted January 31, 2009 My final guess is a Fuertes' Red-Tailed Hawk... Quote Link to comment
+Let's Look Over Thayer Posted January 31, 2009 Share Posted January 31, 2009 Cache Critters of Antarctica (#25 in a series) Apologies for the gap in the Penguin Parade. Life's been a little full right now. But in the meantime, there've been some other great cache critters. Love that hawk... What's Going On Here?, Petermann Island, Antarctica Quote Link to comment
+jahoadi and john Posted January 31, 2009 Share Posted January 31, 2009 Cache Critters of Antarctica (#25 in a series)Apologies for the gap in the Penguin Parade. Life's been a little full right now. But in the meantime, there've been some other great cache critters. Love that hawk... What's Going On Here?, Petermann Island, Antarctica AWESOME...and note the pink hue to the snow....if ya all want to know what causes that....... ok never mind... Quote Link to comment
+Let's Look Over Thayer Posted January 31, 2009 Share Posted January 31, 2009 Cache Critters of Antarctica (#26 in a series) Ms. LLOT's Close Encounter of the Penguin Kind, Petermann Island, Antarctica This is unusual. Penguins are not, for the most part, afraid of humans but at the same time, it's pretty rare that they have enough curiousity to approach a human. This one is young though (note the dark halo around the eye) so maybe it's the curiosity of youth... AWESOME...and note the pink hue to the snow....if ya all want to know what causes that....... ok never mind... Inicidently, if you look, in the 2nd to last shot, at the breast of the penguin in #25, the pink there is caused by the light reflecting off of Ms. LLOT's jacket. Quote Link to comment
+TrailGators Posted January 31, 2009 Share Posted January 31, 2009 Cache Critters of Antarctica (#26 in a series) Ms. LLOT's Close Encounter of the Penguin Kind, Petermann Island, Antarctica This is unusual. Penguins are not, for the most part, afraid of humans but at the same time, it's pretty rare that they have enough curiousity to approach a human. This one is young though (note the dark halo around the eye) so maybe it's the curiosity of youth... AWESOME...and note the pink hue to the snow....if ya all want to know what causes that....... ok never mind... Inicidently, if you look, in the 2nd to last shot, at the breast of the penguin in #25, the pink there is caused by the light reflecting off of Ms. LLOT's jacket. Great photos James! I'm going to have to show these photos to my daughter. She LOVES penguins! Quote Link to comment
+Snake & Rooster Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 Hmmm, Pygoscelis antarcticus, the Chinstrap Penguin. Pretty easy to see where they get their name. Mrs LLOT must have been thrilled at the close encounter . . . unless the guy picked that moment to poop, of course. Quote Link to comment
+Let's Look Over Thayer Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 Hmmm, Pygoscelis antarcticus, the Chinstrap Penguin. Pretty easy to see where they get their name. Mrs LLOT must have been thrilled at the close encounter . . . unless the guy picked that moment to poop, of course. Initially, Ms. LLOT was reluctant to lie down on the ground due to penguin poops but the naturalists who were with us said not to worry as it will clean up easily with water. By the way, the photo in #26 was taken by Frank Todd, who was one of the naturalists -- and who, in an earlier life, designed the Penguin Experience exhibit at Sea World San Diego. Quote Link to comment
+Let's Look Over Thayer Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 Cache Critters of Antarctica (#27 in a series) OK, time to close out the Antarctica series. Jodi, this one's for you. Full Disclosure: Not my photo. It was taken by Kevin Morgan, another of the naturalists on the expedition. A Parting Shot, Petermann Island, Antarctica If anyone is not completely penguin'd out by now, there are a truckload of penguin photos as well as quite a few non-penguin photos of our expedition at OldHundred.org Quote Link to comment
+jahoadi and john Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Cache Critters of Antarctica (#27 in a series)OK, time to close out the Antarctica series. Jodi, this one's for you. Full Disclosure: Not my photo. It was taken by Kevin Morgan, another of the naturalists on the expedition. A Parting Shot, Petermann Island, Antarctica If anyone is not completely penguin'd out by now, there are a truckload of penguin photos as well as quite a few non-penguin photos of our expedition at OldHundred.org The really funny thing is that I had to point it out to John I hate to see the Penguin Parade end. They are so cool. Thanks for all the great photos Jim and Maria! Quote Link to comment
+Let's Look Over Thayer Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 Finally getting around to loose ends. This is the second lizard that I found on a Dalmatian cache -- in this case it was on Tippy - 101 Dalmatians - GC1H0XJ. It was a cold morning and this guy was real sluggish. Hence the reason that we were able to pick up the ammo can without him running away. We set him down gently across the trail from the cache. Quote Link to comment
+Let's Look Over Thayer Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 (edited) Double Post. This business of the forum acting like it isn't reacting to "submit post" is starting to annoy me... Edited February 7, 2009 by Let's Look Over Thayer Quote Link to comment
+Toby's Gang Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 I found an interesting cache container today and on it was a little critter that wasn't too happy about being disturbed. Quote Link to comment
+fisnjack Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 (edited) messed up the picture Edited February 25, 2009 by fisnjack Quote Link to comment
+SD Rowdies Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 I found an interesting cache container today and on it was a little critter that wasn't too happy about being disturbed. Dang! that must be the container that was archived and removed just before I looked for it. Quote Link to comment
+Let's Look Over Thayer Posted March 1, 2009 Share Posted March 1, 2009 Not really a cache critter. Ms. LLOT was eating breakfast when this roadrunner decided to visit our back yard! Quote Link to comment
+Let's Look Over Thayer Posted March 1, 2009 Share Posted March 1, 2009 I was in Balboa Park trying to find "Spy School 2-- Codes and Secret Writing" (GC18N0J). I didn't find the cache, but I did get a good look at this Sharp-Shinned Hawk. Quote Link to comment
+Snake & Rooster Posted March 2, 2009 Share Posted March 2, 2009 A hike this morning on the Santa Rosa Plateau turned up this Southwestern Pond Turtle, that we rescued from certain death along the road. He was a bit shy and refused to come out and say "Hi" This fellow was in the vernal pools looking for breakfast. Unlike the turtle, this garter snake was kind enough to swim over to us. OK, while not a "critter", it is still alive. Quote Link to comment
+dhsundance Posted March 2, 2009 Share Posted March 2, 2009 Almost stepped on this one. But he wouldn't have noticed, since he was dead. Quote Link to comment
+Team Gecko Posted March 8, 2009 Author Share Posted March 8, 2009 I went out and did the "Nun" series today, and this beautiful hawk flew down in front of me and landed on the side of the trail. S/he allowed me to take about 35 pictures or so, and some of the better ones are posted here. Maybe someone can identify what type of hawk this is? I'm afraid its wing may be damaged, but I couldn't really tell. It did fly down to me, but its right wing looks a little funky in some of the pictures... Tom- An interesting encounter. Very surprising it would land so close to you. The dark leading edge on the underside of the wing and the white breast/mottled pattern suggest a light morph juvenile Red-tailed Hawk. The heavy beak and size also suggest a young Red-tailed Hawk. As you suggest, it may be injured or possibly is still learning to fly. Thanks for sharing. -GD Quote Link to comment
+SD Rowdies Posted March 8, 2009 Share Posted March 8, 2009 I went out and did the "Nun" series today, and this beautiful hawk flew down in front of me and landed on the side of the trail. S/he allowed me to take about 35 pictures or so, and some of the better ones are posted here. Maybe someone can identify what type of hawk this is? I'm afraid its wing may be damaged, but I couldn't really tell. It did fly down to me, but its right wing looks a little funky in some of the pictures... Tom- An interesting encounter. Very surprising it would land so close to you. The dark leading edge on the underside of the wing and the white breast/mottled pattern suggest a light morph juvenile Red-tailed Hawk. The heavy beak and size also suggest a young Red-tailed Hawk. As you suggest, it may be injured or possibly is still learning to fly. Thanks for sharing. -GD I'm with Don, a red-tail fledgling. When living in Alpine a fledgling red-tail flew first-flight from a nearby nest to our patio late one evening. Worried that skunks or possums would kill the fledgling I picked it up and placed it on a low branch of the pine tree that sheltered our patio. Spent some time talking to the fledgling and smoothing it's feathers. It survived and would now and then return to the low branch of our pine tree and allow Sandy and I to approach very near and speak to it face to face. First-flight bonding I suppose, and a thrill for Sandy and I. Our life- list for the Alpine property was something like seventy-five species. Great shots by the way, well done. Quote Link to comment
+SD Rowdies Posted March 8, 2009 Share Posted March 8, 2009 (edited) For you city folks, a rare sighting ... White Faced Rumpliker Why do brown cows give more milk that black cows? Edited March 8, 2009 by SD Rowdies Quote Link to comment
+SD Rowdies Posted March 8, 2009 Share Posted March 8, 2009 (edited) Make up your own redneck joke. Honk if you know where this is. Edited March 8, 2009 by SD Rowdies Quote Link to comment
+Team Gecko Posted March 8, 2009 Author Share Posted March 8, 2009 Make up your own redneck joke. Honk if you know where this is. Looks like a view of Iron Mountain from the Elle Lane spur trail. -GD Quote Link to comment
+FlagMan Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 Found this canine skull on the trail near RS-St. Michael's View. Check out my log for more pics... Quote Link to comment
+SD Rowdies Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 Make up your own redneck joke. Honk if you know where this is. Looks like a view of Iron Mountain from the Elle Lane spur trail. -GD Yowza, one of the most bucolic views in our county. Quote Link to comment
+SD Rowdies Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 More Ellie Lane livestock ... Up close and personal. Quote Link to comment
+travelita Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 ... Up close and personal. I got your “Up close and personal”. Fore more: Twin Peaks Cache I (GC8008) Quote Link to comment
+SD Rowdies Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 (edited) ... Up close and personal. I got your “Up close and personal”. Fore more: Twin Peaks Cache I (GC8008) 'Tis the season once again ... for spring flowers and rattlesnakes. Don't pick the flowers and don't step on the rattlesnakes but have a nice day along the trails. First rule to avoid snake-bites is to take a friend along on your hikes and make sure to always walk behind your friend. That way you can go for help when your friend steps on a snake. For maximum protection sign your friend up for snake-avoidance training just before before the spring-flowers bloom. You're welcome, Harmon SD Rowdies Edited March 15, 2009 by SD Rowdies Quote Link to comment
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