Go Fly A Kite!

I found this cool machine so I ordered one! It's a handy charging unit for 110 electric things, has Power sockets for DC charging, and it has USB charging, it will jump a dead battery, and it will inflate a tire, and it's rechargeable. When it will not charge you can buy replacement battery for it around $60.  SO this is cheaper than a 100 watt solar system I was considering and I will get about the same results. So one is on the way I'll have to let you know how it goes.  I got it from Amazon.  I really don't want to attach solar panels to my van since I'm not traveling all the time...this I can carry when I need it and when I don't it can store in the shed. Although it is a great emergency tool also. Check it out here DieHard

I Had a day trip on the 9th...Like I mentioned I'm keeping my eye on the ebird alerts just in case something interesting pops up that I can go hunt for....but this one I actually found on Birding in SC Facebook group I follow, a guy posted some awesome shots he took at Bear Island.  I have posted about Bear Island WMA  (wildlife management area) maybe a few times before on this blog.  It's about 2 1/2 hrs south down the dreaded I-95 to the Low Country.  I kinda decided to go last minute.  AND amazing we've had a couple days of lower humidity so it was windows down all the way south!

Spanish moss on the trees

I arrived about 11:30 am the breeze hung around till about 1:30 then it began to warm up but I still had a nice day out.  Some mosquitoes, and 2 ticks attacked me!  My skin is still crawling!   

At the Kiosk, you sign in and there's a comment card....'More Birding Access Please' was my comment...every time I go here it's locked gates and the reeds are so tall there is no place to view the open water,  the old rice fields...just a wee bit of mowing, maybe a boardwalk...throw us birders a bone please, they cater to the hunters, and yet we birders  get no special treatment. They plow tracks and plant crops to bring in geese, and ducks that over winter here that is for the hunters, because in the fall they close the main gate to anyone except hunters with special permits!  Who knows my comment may help.  It's a fantastic place but the drives are always gated and locked so you don't get to cover as much ground as you'd like.  I took one long hike to find the majority of the waterfowl at the Pecan Tree Road area, hench the ticks! shudder

Eastern Kingbird

The water level is controlled by these canals and wood structures called trunks...

they can open and close them

these roseate spoonbills look like cotton candy up on these posts...

The pink is already beginning to fade as breeding season passes...

a good look at the underside of that awesome spoonbill

The wood storks were feeding even farther away so I was happy when a few flew over me way up high so this is cropped...but it's cool to see the underside too!

Anhinga were scattered here and there and this one flew over me too...see his big webbed feet...

This moorhen,  (common gallinule) came prancing across the road...

Showing off her big green feet!

This shot was quite distant and right out in the bleaching sun, but check it out...I call this Standing Room Only!

L > R We have Royal Tern, Laughing Gull, Forster's Tern, Ring Billed Gull, Great Egret, Ring Billed Gull. 

Saw some Tri-Colored Herons out there too 

There's an ocean of sweet grass here...and if you have ever visited Charleston SC you know the awesome work of the Gullah, descendants of long ago slaves from Africa who settled on the barrier islands of SC.  They have their own language, culture, and they're artisans with great talent passed down through generations. 

Times were that as you drove down to the low country on the old tarmac you would see self made 3 sided roadside stands and in those would be the women weaving their sweet grass baskets and  all displayed for sale. I purchased such a basket many yrs ago...and I still have it.  I imagine you might find a few stands still around, but most artists take their arts n crafts down in the Market Place in Charleston.  That is a fun thing to do if you find yourself footloose in that lovely city.  One that now is becoming overcrowded and heavy with stalled traffic.  

In the above photo do you see just down from center a little rock looking thing in the water?  I did too, so I zoomed in...hello!

Just a young one about 2 ft long, I didn't see any large adults this time...wonder where they were?...another reason I don't like having to wade thru tall sea grass to get to the water's edge to see the birds.

This is one viewing platform on the  refuge...

It's right by the road so I've never seen anything in this area, maybe a Great Blue Heron or some coots on occasion.   It is a beautiful view tho...

One cool thing about trying to see over the grass is seeing all these dragon flies sitting up like pinwheels on the stems....I found 11 in this one photo!  The air was thick with them!

This one caught my eye..especially the red dots on the wing tips...

And the name is even more eye catching, its a Halloween Pennant, (Celithemis Eponina Drury)

Avocet 

These 4 showed up and I can't figure why ebird said it's rare...beause I've never been here without seeing Greater and sometime Lesser Yellow Legs too...hmmm  This is Greater yellow legs in breeding plumage note the barring across the flanks and down onto the belly 

WAY up high had 4 Mississippi Kites...Only one got close enough for a photo...and I had to crop it to even show this to you 

And along with those 4 was the bird I went down to find, it is not rare they do breed here but I had never seen one so now I have...

also a heavy crop of the lifer........Swallow Tailed Kite! 

And what a beauty!!  An amazing flyer!  Easy to see where he got the name...

He swooped...he tucked and dove....

#447

And then swiftly flew far away!  Another day spent out in nature, my Savior!

PEACE

Every day is a new Adventure.

Ducking the Heat!

It's been HOT! More humid than anything...but that makes it so uncomfortable to be outdoors where I love to be so I've been a couch potato.  I have been doing most of my outdoor chores, get it done as early as I can ...meanwhile I'm back to receiving the ABA rare bird alerts for my area...and one came over  that I watched for a few days....it was a bit of a drive but with the AC blasting in the van I figure may as well make the drive, get off the couch for a day, so on the eve of the 4th, away I did go.

 

North up I-26 which they call East and West, so  I guess we must drive West...to get to North Carolina, about 37 miles over the border near Asheville.  It was a bit cooler, or less humid I should say.  (90 degrees) If you've visited or ever heard of the Biltmore Mansion, and the Biltmore Forest, right along the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains, that's where I was.  My target area was Julian Lake Park...it's a nice park on the banks of the Julian Lake, there's picnic areas, a playground, fishing pier, a dock for boats, and plenty of Ducks and Geese!

My target bird was actually a duck! But while looking for him I saw this....an Egyptian Goose!  Wow. check out these feathers. 

Egyptian Goose

#445

And those PINK legs...what a surprise, I had not seen him reported...so I was happy to see one here.  

These ducks and geese are wild, but they are also well cared for, I must explain.  They live the life of normal waterfowl, they have predators, they are free to come or go but why would they go when they are being fed?  I met one of the volunteers...and she explained that there is a group of benefactors who come and feed the ducks and geese that call this lake home. 

I walked around with this lady who is one of the volunteers that feeds the waterfowl...

She took me over and I got to hand feed some of the Greylag Geese and the Muscovy they were so gentle when they took the pellets from our hands....and the Muscovy had 4 ducklings...so very cute.  This one eating up here is only a year old she is not the mother of the chicks, they may be her step siblings. 

And my first Indian Runner, a Domestic Duck, they walk upright like a penguin!  Here's one but he didn't walk for me he was enjoying a rest...Brown duck on the left 

I reported these as Greylag and Canada Goose Hybrids, 

And some others, 

I'd say this was def a hybrid too...

AND last but not least the target bird, this lone white cheeked pintail!  What a beautiful duck!  I didn't get to see him in the water wish now I had waited till he was ready for a swim, but he was more interested in resting after he foraged on the pellets the lady tossed out...

#446

This duck is much smaller than a mallard...

Look at the lovely feathering on his back...and he has this brilliant green wing stripe showing up here in this shot..

This is not a domestic duck, he is hanging out with a group of hand fed ducks and why not... he arrived wild and has settled in nicely....I don't know about his breeding code, but he sure is a fine looking duck.  The volunteer told me he has been living here on and off...he left when it got cold and returned in the spring.  It is a Neotropical species spottily distributed in South America and the Caribbean and a frequent visitor to marsh land in Florida...according to Cornell Lab.

A really fine day of ducking the heat!  I'm creeping up on 450, half my goal at half the year so my cup is half full!

PEACE

Every day is a new Adventure.

Independence is Priceless

SO this last trip was long if you recall I left home on about March 15th driving and camping across  GA, FL, AL MS, LA, TX, AZ, NM, UT, and finally to CO, and on the return add NE, IA, IL, TN, NC, SC returned on June 8th around 6,500 miles I didn't get exact mileage, that's a pretty good estimate.  I ended up camping 30 days out of the 2 1/2 months I was away...

One thing I get asked a lot when I'm in campgrounds is "how do you like camping in  your van?"  So I thought I'd answer that question here on my blog.  First off I love it!  It's so simple.  I pull into my spot, hang my screens, get my chair out, tie the dogs up in the shade...and we're done!

Yes If I had the budget I'd buy an awesome class B with all the super bells n whistles, but that is not in the cards.

I feel lucky that I found this van back in 2011 and (knock on good wood) I've been able to put 60,000 miles on it and a lot of that has been traveling miles.  I actually have less stuff I take along now than I did in the beginning because I found I really don't need much!  And it depends on whether the dogs are with me, and I have some ideas on new plans for traveling with dogs IF I continue to take them along...it's not that they are not good dogs they are, but it's 3 individuals each with different needs, may as well be traveling with 3 babies!  I did swear this was their last long cross country trip but one thing I've learned is:

 never say never!  

I'd like to see a 5th wheel or travel trailer get in this spot that was built around a lava flow!

So my 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 has a 5.2 liter engine, it is 8 cylinders and it still runs good.  One thing I know is this; I can take it anywhere you can take a regular truck! SO I'm not limited to just highway and paved campgrounds.  I take more risk than I should and it certainly is not a 4 x 4...I nearly got stuck in deep loose gravel on this past trip so it's a matter of not pushing the envelope...I have gone up steep narrow mountain dirt roads and had to keep going till I could find a spot big enough to turn  around without falling off a cliff!  It is not good in mud or deep sand, so if it's muddy I'm not going there. For the most part I can get into tight small spots, and I have had to cross more than one creek in it.  If I was towing any type trailer I would not be able to do that.  If I had a big high thing like a Sprinter, I would probably cave the top in on low hanging limbs...

Goose Island, TX April 2017

I have been using an air bed, but that is changing! I have plans to order a 6" or maybe thicker...high density foam rubber mattress I can order a piece 54" wide by 70 inches long  to put over my fold down bed.  

the bed is 69 inches long and 48" wide  May 2014 Lake Hartwell, SC

I'm tired of a couple things. 

 # 1 the noise of the squeaky air bed when I move around on it.  It rubs against the vinyl trim of the walls and its like when you rub a balloon against something!  (that creepy clown with a balloon sound)

#2 it makes my hair stand up in cold dry air, and I am constantly getting shocked, and look like a pinhead! ZAP!!~~

#3 It deflates or goes flat in the middle of the night!  

#4 It's like sleeping on an ice cube when the air is cold!

#5 And it's very uncomfortable to sit on it's like a bouncy house..lol If Annie is on one end and I sit down she nearly flies up into the air...lol that part is kinda funny tho. 

I will enjoy NO more pumping up! 

With Annie Otter Creek, VA Aug 2016

I loved my Coleman SUV Airbed, never had any of those issues with it, but it died, and  they don't make those anymore....I hate the one I replaced it with. 

So no more! I can make a nice cover for the foam mattress. Hopefully it will be an easy find.  I saw a 10" one on overstock but I'd rather find one I can cut to the exact size I want.  When it's not in use I can store it in a big vacuum bag! Stay tuned for that change. 

My van has lots of pockets for storage of small stuff...

The bins are along the top, these 2 captain seats are removed and in storage since I don't need them.  They snap in and out pretty simple but they are heavy! 

I like having the plastic lightweight 3 drawer units! I normally have 3 with me 

# 1 for clothes and it doubles as a bedside table, 

#2 for food storage, stored in the back cargo area 

#3 cooking kit and stove gas bottles storage. also in the back cargo area facing the back.   Each of these provides good flat storage on top for other "things". Like extra blankets, big beach towel, dirty laundry bag. 

Back yard 2011 the day I bought it.

The back cargo area, when the seat is laying down in bed position there is actually MORE room at the back since the bed slides forward about 10 inches when it's laying down. 

I didn't take the shelf units on this last trip because I needed the floor space for the dogs...so I felt very disorganized....I had my pots n pans in a storage bin strapped to the cargo rack that attaches to the trailer hitch...That was handy but I hated having to deal with securing it to the carrier every day for travel...and it was always covered with road crime and dirt. 

with the cargo carrier on the back Routt NF, CO Sept 2017

Sept 2016 Upper Peninsula, Michigan Heating up bath water

                                             

... idea: is dog carrier cages that flatten and can be assembled so the dogs have their own space and can be put outside the van when in camp!  Of course they would have covers for any weather issues!  I have a good system with screens on my windows and the door openings side and rear...this works really well 

Screens in place, a folding step to make getting in and out easier
Big Bend, TX May 2017

I am considering putting a swivel on the passenger seat so it can become my inside chair for relaxing, computer working, watching DVD's, journaling etc or for visitors.  Most of the time I'm out of the van , life happens outside, I don't want to cook in my van, if I had a second car yes, but I don't right now.  So I will continue to cook outside.  

OH and nap taking!

Pancake Bay, Ontario Canada Sept 2016 

If I'm going to stay in one spot a few days I take all kinds of things with me...and that is fun, but not necessarily fun to do alone, on this trip I had a friend along, notice the "spare bedroom". (tent)

canopy and tent  Cape Hatteras, Outer Banks, NC June 2015

My normal set up is just my chair! I can cook right at the back by placing my folding table on the bumper and extending only one set of legs, this is the fastest method and I don't have a lot of set up or take down to do. 

Big Cypress Swamp FL Feb 2016

Mainly what I do inside is dress, work on the  laptop, watch a DVD, sometimes eat if its cold or buggy, relax if its cold, and sleep.  I'm pretty much inside once it's dark and outside as long as the weather is nice the rest of the time.   I can charge my phone, camera battery, DvD player, and computer as I drive daily but I'f I'm not driving then I use my Battery Pak, it's 1012 AMP...

 I  have the Coleman electric ice chest but it will drain my battery if I'm not careful. Meaning I need to be driving at highway speeds to keep the battery fully charged...if I end up sitting in traffic, or taking a slow cruise down a dirt road, I have to unplug the electric ice chest.  I'd like to go back to using a regular ice chest with a drain tube, when it's cold weather I don't even need an ice chest...stuff just gets cold overnight!

this simple set up is when I'm going out for a short trip like a week or less...Dupont State Forest NC 2014

And as mentioned I normally cook outside and set up my folding table if the picnic table is missing or grungy. 

Veggie Links when I first got the butane in Sept 2015,
Craters of the Moon, Idaho

Another very tight camp spot, Blue Ridge Parkway
Rocky Knob Campground Oct 2014

And the same site in Rocky Knob, VA Aug 2017 here is my normal set up

My stove, folding table, folding chair, and small ice cooler.  

It only takes minutes to set this up and put it away at the end of the day...

Sometimes it's just a quick snack in a pull out like here at Crater Lake with Casey...

Just grab something out of the cooler like humus, cucumbers, and crackers....and sit on the bed or set up my chair inside the van, its within easy reach at all times. 

Crater Lake Oct 2015

the no cook  are my favorite meals....and especially when shared with my buddy....

Flickr Ate My Photo

This was my first camp trip with the Van June of 2012,  Edisto Beach, SC.  My son borrowed the van for about 6 months right after I purchased it, so that is why it took so long for me to get in my first trip....I was still working full time my boss closed down for a week so she could take a vacation so it was off to the Beach for 3 or 4 days.  AND 

Mom and I took so many wonderful day trips in the van, my forever shotgun rider....

SO when people ask that intro question "how do you like camping in your van", all these wonderful trips and many more pop into memory and so I would say I've had 6 great years of camping with my van, and I wouldn't trade anything for it, and can't wait till the next time!

Happy Independence Day!

PEACE

Every day is a new Adventure.