Week 14: #52 Ancestors – Water By Eilene Lyon Priest Lake, near Canada in Idaho's panhandle, has long been a popular recreation area. In the 1920s, actor/director Nell Shipman "discovered" the lake and established Lionhead Lodge and her own film production company there. Though she stayed only a couple years, her movies introduced the country... Continue Reading →
Louisiana Wild
By Eilene Lyon Since we won't be traveling in the foreseeable future, I decided to look back at a trip we made in April 2012 to Louisiana - our first visit to the "deep South." It coincided with the migratory bird festival on Grand Isle. And since this past Saturday was World Migratory Bird Day... Continue Reading →
Biking Dalmatia
By Eilene Lyon After spending two relaxing days in the old city of Dubrovnik, we took a cab on Sunday afternoon to the harbor at nearby Gruž to board our home for the coming week, the Harmonia. The ship is family built/owned and under contract to the German company, Inselhüpfen (Island Hopping). Though many Harmonia... Continue Reading →
Signs of Life
By Eilene Lyon Spring is well underway in southwest Colorado. Let's see what we can find in the yard and neighborhood. Weeds always seem to get the jump on everything else, especially the mustards. Then there are the usual suspects. Only a few flowers have bloomed in the yard. But more are on the... Continue Reading →
I Dig Compost
by Eilene Lyon The Putterer warned me several weeks ago that the compost bin was dangerously close to running over (he usually empties the kitchen slop pail). One of my spring rituals is getting the finished compost out to put in my barrels and vegetable garden. We have one of those Darth Vader-style bins that... Continue Reading →
Northern Velebit National Park
By Eilene Lyon Your first question must be, “Where on earth is Northern Velebit National Park?” The answer is “Croatia!” This park lies in the north region of the greater Velebit Nature Park. Another national park is located in the southern end. Northern Velebit is Croatia’s newest national park, established in 1981. It isn’t even... Continue Reading →
For the Birds
By Eilene Lyon The latest issue of Living Bird Magazine from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a clarion call to bird and nature lovers everywhere. I urge you to at least read the editorial "The choir must become a force for change." Somewhere between 45 and 50 million Americans say they are bird watchers.... Continue Reading →
Rio Grande Headwaters
By Eilene Lyon South of the South Fork of the Rio Grande that flows down from Wolf Creek Pass, the campers (many of them hunters) were thick as late-summer flies. We spent one night on Park Creek as a waypoint between the Conejos River (two nights) and the Rio Grande headwaters, west of Creede, Colorado.... Continue Reading →
A Bird In Hand
By Eilene Lyon My usual MO when it comes to wildlife is “observe, don’t touch.” After all, we make life difficult enough for critters as it is. No need to add to their stress. Sometimes, though, a compelling conservation reason negates the usual policy. Based on long-term surveys, e.g. the Audubon Christmas Bird Count, it’s... Continue Reading →