Birds and Fossils

Great night’s sleep and free continental breakfast to start the day. Conversation with B.C., an APW (American Postal Workers’ Union) president from Idaho that we met over breakfast and he talked our ears off about taking a course in hypnotherapy course he was taking in Brigham City, UT and his meeting of Presidents Clinton and Obama. Breakfast goodies not too good. Wonder if Howard Johnson knows this place is a step down from a Motel 6 but using the HOJO name.





Off to Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. The three-hour tour was wonderful and we were joined in the van by 9 other bird watchers. Paul was our volunteer guide and the tour was free! The yellow-headed blackbird was eye-catching, plentiful and loved to pose. This mule deer crossed our path and nonchalantly walked into the water and stopped. Can you guess why?



Caught this white pelican in a yawn or was it something else? Paul had his 400x20 scope set up and I was able to take this photo by placing my lens over his scope's eye piece. I was thrilled. I've never seen a pelican push up his inner pouch like that!




We left a donation and Paul’s tip in the visitor’s center for them to continue their work with the 250 species of birds that stop there on their migration route. And were enthralled with this blue dragonfly.




A couple hour scenic drive brought us to Bear Lake. Very large and azure blue with sailboats and motorcraft looking like dots.


Hummingbirds feeding. Snapped a few and off to Fossil Butte National Monument.






The visitor’s center is being redecorated with stones housing fossils in-situ. Saw two electronic ranger stations created by our friend and national park/monument volunteer Bill Hood. Very informative. Took the scenic drive up the monument and onto a dirt road until it turned into a 4-wheel drive terrain. Wonderful pix of the canyon below.

And our drive to Cokeville, Wy was shorter than expected. Upon checking with Angie and Seth, our hosts and owners, they gave us directions to view a waterfall and six cascades!




The scenery was magnificent but the hungry mosquitoes were the size of a horse fly. Grabbed my Off! Fan that you wear on your belt but I didn’t stand in one place long enough for it to create the “protective zone”. Yeah, right.



Full of ourselves from great pictures of cascading water, we went directly to Blondie’s Diner for a 12oz Prime Rib dinner that we shared with the addition of an extra salad. Yummm. A quick stop at the Flying J for gas and cokes and back to our room to download our photos, charge up our cameras and write to all of you.



Next stop-Grand Teton National Park.