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posted: May 2nd, 2019 |
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This page begins with a reminder about our newest book, just in case you are interested. After that we take a trip to the summit of Murphy Dome for a look around. Finally, we go to Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge to see what kinds of Migratory Waterfowl can be seen. Click on any thumbnail to begin.
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| Our Newest Book |
Here is an image of the front cover of Twelvemile: Summit to Summit. You will most likely note that this is quite different from our usual cluttered book covers. I had a great deal of help and advice from an Australian friend who taught me that "less is more" and that for this book the cover text and everything else about it should look elegant. He rejected many of my trials, but he finally said "that's it!" Thank you Josef. If you would like to see the details page for this book CLICK HERE. You can go to the Amazon order page from there as well as be able to download a PDF of the book. This book is available in both paperback and hardcover editions. It is not, and will never be available as an e-Book. The reason for this is due to the "coffee-table" format, i.e., 11 inches in width by 8.5 inches in height and also due to the fact that 75 of the included photos are two-page spreads, that is, they go full width of the open book - about 22 inches across. It would not be possible to see and appreciate these two-page spreads in an e-Book. The second and third images below show two-page spread photos; the first image shows pages 174 & 175 and the second image shows pages 206 & 207.
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| End Newest Book, Begin April 10th |
On April 10th we drove up to Murphy Dome (2,884 foot = 879m) again to see how the snow and everything else had changed since our last trip up there on February 2nd, 2019. The first shot in this row shows a great shot of Denali by Kazuya. The second and third shots are scenic shots.
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There was enough ground which was snow free so that we were able to wander around up there for a couple of hours or so and not have to walk in any snow which was deeper than our ankles. The first two shots are scenery shots and the third shot shows Saxifraga tricuspidata - the Three-toothed Saxifrage in its winter/spring colors.
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These incredibly colored lichens (Xanthoria elegans) were the most colorful thing we found. The first shot shows Kazuya photographing them, while the second and third shots show close-up shots of them.
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Here are two more shots of this amazing lichen (Xanthoria elegans) and then a shot of a different rocky prominence.
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The first image here shows a 2-shot panorama of what are probably the White Mountains. The second shot is a scenery shot and the third shot shows a very small Cottongrass (Eriophorum vaginatum) plant which is just beginning to bloom.
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Here are three additional shots of the Cottongrass (Eriophorum vaginatum) buds which are forming. This was the first time we'd ever seen Cottongrass at this stage of its growth cycle.
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| End April 10th, Begin April 12th & 14th |
On both the 12th and the 14th we visited Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge. These three shots show that the Trumpeter Swans (Cygnus buccinator) have arrived. Swans are not only the heaviest living bird native to North America, they are also the largest extant species of waterfowl, with a wingspan that may exceed 10 feet (3.0 m). You can also see Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) and Mallard Ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) in these photos.
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Here are three more shots of Trumpeter Swans, Canada Geese and other waterfowl which have stopped over at Creamer's Field for a break from the trip to the nesting areas, which are farther north.
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Here are two shots of Trumpeter Swans in flight - such a huge bird. We also took a walk on what is called the "Borealis Trail" while we were here. This is a walk through a Northern Boreal Forest, which is becoming flooded and slowly dying due to the increasing permafrost melt and other phenomenon related to global warming or climate change.
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Here are two additional shots of our walk on the "Borealis Trail". Several years ago this was dry and the trees were healthy.
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Here are two final shots from our walk on the "Borealis Trail" The second shot is an iPhone panoramic shot.
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| End April 12th & 14th, End Page 1 |
| Thanks so much for taking the time to look at this page. Now, please go on to Page 2 for the continuation of this month's adventures. |
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