Corvallis to Marys Peak backpacking - 6/13
Lisa Millbank
Before
the sun came up on Sunday (6/13), we were surrounded by a fabulous bird chorus.
A female RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD perched near the tent. A male began his display
dive, oriented so that his throat patch flashed in the sunlight for her. The
most notable birds were not the most talented singers (that honor went to the
SWAINSON'S THRUSHES and BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK), but we were glad to hear them:
WILLOW FLYCATCHER and NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL. It was a clear and beautiful day,
although we felt sore from hiking, so we somewhat painfully walked down to Woods
Creek Rd. to get on our way home.
The warm weather brought out
dragonflies and butterflies. We saw a LORQUIN'S ADMIRAL, RED ADMIRAL, MUSTARD
WHITES, SPRING AZURE, ARCTIC SKIPPERS, CALIFORNIA TORTOISESHELL, SILVER-SPOTTED
SKIPPER, WESTERN TIGER SWALLOWTAILS, and PALE SWALLOWTAILS, along with some
unidentified fritillaries. We never did identify any of the dragonflies, but
some appeared to be large darners.
Two reptiles were sunning themselves
in the warm weather: a WESTERN SKINK and a NORTHWESTERN GARTER SNAKE.
Unfortunately we had seen far more roadkilled reptiles than living ones. In the
heat of the day we watched several BLACKTAIL DEER who seemed to be heading down
to Woods Creek for a drink. Don took a nice video of an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER
(video) singing.
Some MULE'S-EARS (Wyethia angustifolia) were
open on our way home. WESTERN SCRUB-JAY fledglings were begging and being fed by
a parent.
The biggest surprise of the return trip was a HORNED LARK
singing in a fallow field off of Philomath Blvd. His delicate little song was
barely audible above the roar of traffic. If the field is cultivated next year,
I'm sure there will be no larks there.
Slowly, we plodded our way home,
getting more and more worn out, but happy to have had a great adventure. I
couldn't help thinking about the terrible toll petroleum production is taking on
birds and other wildlife (as in the Gulf and Great Salt Lake oil spills), the
potential disaster of climate change caused by emissions, and the countless
roadkills of critters large and small. It was nice to enjoy this adventure with
less impact than car or air travel. We have a new perspective, looking up at
Marys Peak, and knowing how it felt to walk every step up to the top and back,
3800'+ above and with a round trip of over 40
miles.
|
|
|
Northern Pygmy-Owl Willow Flycatcher |
| Wrentit |
| Cassin's Vireo |
| Belted Kingfisher |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk |
| Killdeer |
| American Kestrel |
| Horned Lark |
| Mallard |
|
Vaux's Swift
Bird species total for trip:
89 |
