Should Be Guest Blog: Take It Slow

CTC chum and teaching colleague Ryan continues his shyness, or a desire for a camera trap curse, so here I am again to muse of his adventures...

Every summer, usually a couple days before the final day of school, Ryan splits the Bay Area for the East Coast to visit family.

The main destination is Indian Lake, a part of a chain of lakes called ... the Indian Lakes in Ontario, Canada.
The goals here: achieve an advanced state of chillness to recuperate from the stressful life of a special ed teacher, do some fishing and hang with the kiddos.

Along the way, his naturalist skills continue to develop.

Last summer on a wander, he noticed distinct chew marks on a tree he believed to be from a porcupine. A camera was set up in the area and the result was a new species for the CTC family!

like its summertime neighbour, taking it slow

JK and I look forward to future Canadian dispatches from the horse's mouth this coming summer.

Weasel Wednesday / Mustelid Miércoles

It would be nice if this was a regular feature.
We'll see if the camera trap gods allow it !

taken last spring at the las gallinas dock -- our usual happy hour spot

Ballad of the Booby

an August in twenty thirteen
the blue-footed boobies
journeyed north for the anchovies
word came they were all juvies


a terrible birder joined the quest
anxious for a brief glimpse
Bodega! Reyes! The City!
denied in each instance



a guano rich rock in Marin
the final chance for the success
highway one hugs the winding coast
he, oddly free of stress


then at mile nine - quick over a fence
sharp shrubs, slick sediment
left his clothes torn with hands bleeding
damn all impediment!


at the edge where spray could be felt
rest along a rocky rise
binoculars out on the search
relentless scans tire eyes


to the north a lonely fisher
while straight a-west booby
"nay, there two clearly on Gull Rock"
the birder cried with glee

after an hour he was sated
steep hike up, yet peppy
a glorious success today
what could halt this jolly?


there at the top - two old birders
with scope trained obscure
"come have a look" they said with grins
without sweat, a sight pure