Last day on the road (Iowa and Illinois to Michigan)

     Overnight in Coralville , a suburb of Iowa City, the home of the Iowa U. Hawkeyes and after a good complimentary breakfast at the Comfort Inn, we headed east for the last day on the road for this trip. The Iowa River runs through Iowa City (bet you didn't know that!). Most of this eastern part of Iowa grows less corn than the western part as the terrain changes abruptly with more rolling hills and steep revines cutting up the landscape. The same is true of western Illinois. We noticed the difference between the very large acreage in ranches and farms in Nebraska and western Iowa but the very much smaller ones with more farmhouses closer together in Central and eastern Iowa. In Nebraska there were places where looking in any direction there was not a farmhouse in view for as far as you could see. NONE! The one muddy road that we took had fine birding sites, was an example  of no houses anywhere, as the road is strictly a farm road and is not use (nor plowed) in the winter. Fortunately we went on that road before the rain and snow.
     One of the highlights for me was the most beautiful rest area facility that I have ever been in on any highway in the USA. Many of Iowa's rest stops have been converted to 'green', modern, works of art .  Inside it is difficult to describe adequately, but there are frescoes, works of art, and animal bones  (ancient) embossed in the walls for visual effect. The skylights and transoms lets in the light at different heights. The post card picture will show what the outside looks like and I think you would say it looks like a hotel or large house at least. They are works of art! There art more than a dozen now in Iowa.

     We did not see any of the wind generator propellers or the generators that we did yesterday.
Just outside of Iowa City is West Branch, Iowa and is the birthplace of President Herbert Hoover. There is a museum and his home site is there.
     At the crossing the Mississippi River at Davenport/Rock Island there is a wonderful vista on the IL side at an state Rest Area. It is worth the long drive (1/3 mile) to it, as it overlooks the River for many miles to the north. We took the time to stay a few minutes and take  some pictures. There are three bridges at that point crossing the River. One for I-80, one for I-74  and one for I-280

The view at the Mississippi River on the IL side looking north (upriver) 

Note the truck top just showing its roof on-80 below.

Davenport is on the IA side of the River.

 
Ruth takes a stroll to stretch the legs after a morning ride. This is the same rest area. The Mississippi River is on the background.

     We moved along the I-80 corridor nicely and smoothly with not many trucks until we got to the interchanges at Joliet Il. There were a few places where the orange barrels were out , mostly where they were working on the bridges and overpasses. I suppose it was a normal day of traffic, but it sure looked like the rush hour (12:00 Pm). Even though I-80  has five lanes at one point , it is a mad scramble. Also the speed limit changes quite often from 55-65-70-55-70-65, etc. That can be confusing to the accidental traveler.  In western IL the I-80 corridor crosses the  old Hennepin Canal as well as the Michigan Illinois Canal.   Q. Know anything about them?
    No suspense.   A.   The Hennepin Canal was built in the 1800's to shorten the distance for transporting goods from Chicago to Rock Island by 418 miles. It was never operated, however, as the Corps of Engneers widened the Locks on the Mississippi River and the Canal was never used. It is a recreation  area now and used by the public. (A very long State Park)
     The Illinois- Michigan Canal (Lake Michigan)  was opened in 1848  and continued in use until 1933, when railroads, and other waterways were improved, so it too, was no longer needed. Interstingly after the great Chicago fire in 1871, the refuse and debris from the fire was dumped into the canal and ended up in Lake Michigan. The city of Chicago got its water 3.5 miles out on the lake so this could have been another disaster. They stopped doing this and prevented a calamity, more than likely.
     It was good to see Michigan again. Ruth and I have not had time to visit the southern shores of Lake Michigan and talked about putting that on our "buckty list" soon. There are two roads (little known) that run quite close to the lakeshore. Those roads are A2 and M 63. They go through such towns as  Ganges, Glenn, Riverside, Shoreham, Lakeside, Herbert and Union Pier. Some of the signs you may have seen when driving I-94 or I-196. We will keep you posted if we do that .
     We arrived at home at 4:00 PM to see the snow piles gone, and the hyacinth blooming along with the daffodils. Spring is truly here in spite of what they said was an almost record cold last night here at 22 F. Brr.
     We are happy that you were able to follow along and join us vicariously at least. There will be more trips, so stay tuned.   - Jim and Ruth. (A  few "add ons" follow)

This message is quite clear as the boys ran into Indians and 4 arrows went through them. They lived to a ripe old age.  This is just south of Grand Island NE

Here is the same site that was under a controlled burn the day we went by.  (See previous days)

This is about 4  days later. (After the snow)

When I got home the first hyacinth had bloomed, along with some cold, drooping daffodils.

And surprise of surprises! A bird had laid an egg in the bird feeder. 

I suspect that it was from a Mourning Dove as it is all white with no markings at all.

Headin' home from a successful birding trip.

Tuesday April 15, 2014  Nebraska to Iowa - One more day on the road!

     Although there were drifts of snow from the north wind,s now and sleet on Sunday that were still in windrows along the north side of I-80, the sun felt warm in the 37 F temps all day long to Iowa City (Coralville IA). The middle of the week is not as busy on the road even with the usual number of trucks Some were local taking farm and ranch needs to get the spring planting started, and others on the long haul from California, Texas, Minnesota, and points beyond. It makes one realize how much we depend upon one another for products that come not only from overseas, but from the far reaches of  our own land.  I saw tomatoes from Canada, steel from Gary, fruit from California, trucks marked 'edible food', milk trucks,  empty cattle trucks and of course lots of grain, especially in the corn states of Nebraska and Iowa.  One truck passed us going up hill at 75 mph and I am sure he was empty and just anxious  to get another load to haul across country.
     Perhaps the biggest item (LITERALLY)  were the many trucks hauling those large white blade s for the new wind generators that are going up all through Iowa especially.  Each truck had an escort car ahead and behind it as those blades are 118 feet in length.  I think Ruth and I saw 8-9 of them along with some of the huge generators that move the electricity generated from them.  Total height of the nenerators is 212 feet plus the blade height!

 Can't get it all in one picture. (Ruth too it  as I couldn't get them at all.

 Well, here is the midle section

 Showing one along side a 56 foot long truck and trailer.

One of theblades in the open shows its length.
How would you like to park one of these?

     Birding was about average for us on the road especially the freeway. We saw 15 species which is about average for 70 mph viewing.  Saw quite a few hawks today and in one sewage pond from a rest area we actually saw our first Wood Duck of the trip. See, when birding, and at other times, you just shouldn't give up. Ruth said our total species on the trip was 75 so it was a good effort. Oh, one of the birds seen yesterday was reported as blue phase Snow Geese, but after thinking it over and checking the books and references, we decided that those five birds running down the road near the prairie chicken viewing, were Sharp Tail Grouse. Same family as the P.C. but even more rare to see in soem areas of the plains. There were five of them in a "pack". They ran down the road ahead of the car for about a third of a mile as we had a good look at them. (No pics) They are very similar to this Spruce Grouse .

We did go ut at sunset to see the Prairie Chickens one more time in the same spot as before, even though the temps were hovering at about 37 F with a slight wind in the face. I confess I was the wimp and sat in the car a few times to warm up while Ruth stuck it out getting video and pictures of their dancing. It was a beautiful moon that evening, although we di not stay up for the eclipse.

Supper tonight was across the street at Perkins where Ruth and I both had the turkey dinner with all th trimmings. (Easier on my system at this time as mashed potatoes go down easy and stay down.). It is very quiet here in Coralville tonight. I'll wrap it up tomorrow, but thanks for reading and following along. Happy travels!

Ruth shot this through the bare trees giving a stark effect to the scene out there on "One R Rd."

 The light from the sunset on the barn is a good contrast to the moon.

Sunset was very "clean" with no clouds to give it character.

Finally the moonrise added to the crispness and beauty of the evening.
In some places it was blood red.

Last day saw the most birds

Monday April 14, 2014 (4-14-14)

     One would expect that after a day and night of blowing snow and sleet, that the birds would be hunkered down and hard to find. That was not the case and we picked a few new ones as well. As a matter of fact the Sandhill Cranes (well, some of them) were out in the fields and others were soaring around in large numbers most of the day. Seems like they do not all go north at the same time, but in groups  at different times. Sort of like being on the freeway all at the same time would not be a good idea, so they stretch it out.  (food availability, etc)
   A bird we saw in a bush by a small pond was the Northern Shrike which was a surprise to see. They are the bird that often impales its' prey on a barbed wire fence.

     It was a four hawk day (Red Tail, Sharp Shinned, Kestrel and later in the day a Northern Harrier)), We also did better on the sparrows like the Savannah, Vesper, and Grasshopper Sparrow. At the Crane Trust visitor center we got our first Goldfinch and a White Crowned Sparrow. They have some feeders out back with a good window to observe the birds. On one pond we did observe two Horned Grebes which was new on this trip. All in all we observed 43 bird spedies today, which was the most of any day. Our total separate species is now 67 on this trip.
     The snow still was drifted in spots and made a few roads and bridges places to proceed with extra care.

 Some cranes are still here and need food badly.

It was 82 F on Saturday and this snow came on Sunday.

     After traversing what we felt was enough of the roads, we stopped at two lakes near the freeway (ponds made from soil taken when the freeway were built) as they had good bird selection a few days ago. They were again good places to view.  Lots of ducks again today and although we did not add any new birds we did see two semi palmated sandpipers on the shore of one of the small lakes.
     We did have a light dinner at "Whiskey Creek" Restaurant before we went to see the Prairie Chickens. Ruth had ribs (rather dry) and I had a chicken done over a bed of spinach dip, with a SW salsa mixture on top with a baked potato. No dessert!
     We ended the day by heading out to view, one more time, the Greater Prairie Chicken as they do their dance at sunset as well as sunrise. We were fortunate to arrive at the same place as before and they were there. We took more pictures but certainly being able to view these rare birds was all we needed. It is a gift. While we were there a Harrier was harrassing the birds but they were able to fly away for awhile until he finally left.
     All in all it was a great week and we accomplished what we set out to do, namely see the masses of cranes and view the Greater Prairie Chicken in their natural habitat by ourselves. Platte River is a necessary stop for the Cranes each year.  (People pay good money to visit a guided blind to see the Prairie Chicken).

Meadowlark at sunset.

Many  historic trails that cross here.

Full moon tonight preceding that eclipse.  It was rising as we finished with the
Prairie Chicken viewing.
   So we head back tomorrow and with a stop over in Coralville IA. I may add a few notes of that day. Thanks for reading and drop a line so I can hear from you .(It will come automatically if you write a note here on the blog) . Happy birding…Jim and Ruth

Snowing in Grand Island Nebraska

Sunday April 13, 2014 Eighty two degrees yesterday and twenty nine today

     As the morning temperatures plummeted to freezing during the early morning, it became apparant that no traveling outdoors should be included in the travels today. Besides for us it was Palm Sundsy and that meant a time for worship . We did that at the Trinity United Methodist church right here in Grand Island. It was a traditional service in the Methodist tradition, complete with a chancel choir and a handbell choir. The handbells played two numbers with ten members on three octaves. This church in the middle of Grand Island was established in 1888 an the new church built some 50 years ago, although the members I asked didn't know the date. One key item we heard was that this church will be establishng a JFON center for the surroundng area as there is a great need.  Many immigrants are working in the meat packing industry here and in the public schools 75 perent of the students  are minorities.
     Then it was time for breakfast and we returend to "Tommies" , a popular 24 hour breakfast spot near the motel. This time it was very crowded although the wait time was about the same as when it wasn't crowded a few days ago.
     We returned to the motel for about an hour waiting for the Fonner Park Race track to open.The first race was at post at 1:00 Pm. We arrived at the track (a few blocks away) just as the first race was starting, so there was time to make our selections for the third race and beyond if necessary. By this time it was snowing quite hard and even though the pavement on the roads was still warm, it looked quite bad.
     We made selections for the third race, while we  watched the second race start (See pictures) on a very muddy track with the wind at 35 mph. No one payed much attetion to the few geese on the infield until at the first turn after the race started,  one of the geese was on the track and got clobbered as the horses  made the turn. The man next to me threw his rolled up program on the floor in disgust as his horse must have hit the goose and the horse slowed to a walk. In the middle of the same race a rider was thrown off his horse.  Even though that race finished that was the LAST race of the day, for about 10 minutes later they announced…"Due to the conditions of the weather and track, there will not be another race today". We had placed our bets and so our $4.00 was returned and we can anounce that we did not lose any money on our bets today! They even gave your money back for your partially used program.
    When we returned to the truck the ice pellets were stinging the face so I picked Ruth up at the door after a painful walk to the truck in the parking lot.
     For a light meal we chose a sports Bar on the northwest side called "Whiteys" that had a good sandwich and burger menu as well as salads and soups. I settled for chicken noodle soup and a mushroon and chicken sandwich sans Swiss cheese.(not on my recent diet list.)  There were a dozen TV screens so many activities were being watched.
     What a day!
     Needless to say , we spent the rest of the day in the comfort of the room watching both the Detroit Red Wings (won 3-0) and the Masters Tournament fom Augusta. (Bubba Watson won that.)
Tomorrow we had planned to revist some sites, but if it is still this cold and nasty we will wait it out, Tuesday is supposed to be better so heading back to Michigan it mght be better weather.
One more post tomorrow at least so we will see you then.--Jim

 Just to remind you that the Sandhill Cranes have left for Canada and Alaska.
Our trip was timed perfectly as we did see many of them.

 One of the period homes in the neighboring county. Love the wraparound porch.

 On the way to church we  stopped to admire this freight train. (It was mandatory)

 The handlers wore parkas and the jockeys shivered as the walk
 to the post began. The favorite "Beefy and I No it" won this
 'Maidens, Three Year Old and Upward' race.

 This Park is 87 years old and running strong. Note the north wind.

 Talk about a MUDDY track!  The scrapers worked on it after each race.

The snow last all day and accumulated some. The sleet was biting.
 It  was 82 F yesterday.

Nebraska's Wildlife Management and Production areas. A tour!

     The title sounds a bit mundane , but actually there was a lot of bird life in those hidden, out of the way WMA's and WPA's. I had secured a map of some 37 of them from the internet, but that only told where they were in 1 mile grid lines, and main highways, with no names on the side roads. So we had to approximate the miles down a road and hope we had the right one. I think our percentage was about 85% "on the money." Two of them we missed entirely, as by the time we found our mistake it was much too far back to return.
     The entire trip is called a 'day outo tour' and covers some 135 miles. It was 40 miles distant from our motel so that added 90 miles to the journey. The names of these WMA's include names like Sandpiper, Green Wing, Green Acres, Morphy,  Kirkpatrick, Kissinger, which are named after the birds and people that had helped to set these up. They are used both for wildlife and bird management, as well as hunting and fishing where there are lakes or ponds on the land.
     One of the best birding sites was called Moger as there were many types of waterfowl that we observed. Let me tell you about some of the roads. Most of them were improved gravel and traveled easily, even if we had to use caution where the sand had created some ridges. But look out for the ones that had a sign saying,  "Use caution and give way to farm vehicles". Those roads were esentially one lane, rough, and filled with old dried,  mud rutted, tire tracks. They are NOT used in the winter. Caution was the key word there.  As we entered one particularly difficut and narrow road a rancher/farmer came out  on the road and we flagged him down to ask about the WMA nearby. He was familiar with them and told us what we might find. He was right 'on the money' except we saw all that he mentioned, but never did see any Wood Ducks.  Ruth was disappointed as that is her favorite duck.
     This trip covered four counties in Central Nebraska namely, Hamilton, Clay, Fillmore, and York. All of these are south of I-80 and east of Grand Island.
     Of course this day was no different than any others in that we took our own lunch and looked for a cemetery to have our midday meal. We settled for a high rise overlooking Massie WPA which has a trail for boaters to lug a canoe or non motorized craft to the lake about 500 yards from the parking lot.  Some of the sites did have pullouts and others did not and were tucked along side a corn field or at the edge of a plot of tilled soil. I think we crossed the same Railroad  some 15 times. None of the crossings were "improved".
     The birding was good and today I will post the birds we saw. Ruth tells me that we now have reached 61 different species identified. Today we saw 35 bird species. They were;
Starling, Killdeer, Rock Dove, Mallard, Mourning Dove, Eurasian Collared Dove,  Robin, Turkey Vulture (in a field eating), Red Winged Blackbird (many) , Common Grackle, Boat Tailed Grackle, Grasshopper Sparrow, Ring Neck Pheasant, Red Tailed Hawk (3), Northern Flicker, Slate Colored Junco, Purple Finch, Kestrel, Snow Goose, Canada Goose, Common Merganser, Coot, Blue Winged Teal, Northern Shoveler, Tree Swallow (they just arrived today), American Widgeon, Ruddy Duck,  Pintail, Ring Billed Gull, Bufflehead , Song Sparrow, Brown Headed Cowbird, Redhead Duck and Broad Winged Hawk.
     Seeing the Snow Geese was aparticularly high point, as we did not see any Crane today. We believe they have not left for Canada and Alaska. But, the snow Geese often leave with them or about the same time. So, even though they were a long ways from us, we did, with the aide of the telescope, identify them in their flock of 100 or so on a pond. What a thrill.
     Yes we have been very fortunate  in that two nights ago we did see thousands of  Cranes come in at sunset to roost, and today they are gone.  It was like "death warmed over" to go by every corn field and see no Cranes where just yesterday every field had some. They are amazing. So I will include some of the sites that we saw today and a few surprises in the pictures,.
     Tomorrow we will attend church and also watch the horses run at Fonner Park,  Grand Islands 67 year old racing track. It is just a few blocks from our room.  Catch you tomorrow.

 As far as the eye can see there is cropland getting ready to plant again. Corn mainly.

This is the view of Massie WPA.

 Little or no water in most ponds as they (NE) received just 5" of snow all winter.
This is where we ate lunch.

 The ubiquitous signs spreading information to the visitors and hunters and fisherman.

 This was the best birding site we found today (Moger WPA) where we had help from
a local rancher,

 This was the two mile road that led in and out of the WPA.
It was much rougher going up the hill.

 One of the small ponds where the ducks were found. We flushed them
when we drove by.

The "Hot air Balloon" at York (water tower)     Lest we forget the Cranes, They are in Canada now.

Our First Greater Prairie Chicken Viewing

Friday April 11, 2014 --Prairie Chicken Heaven

In order to see Prairie Chicken that is found less and less each year, some states of  the Plains, like Nebraska, have habitat that will allow them to breed there. It is grassland that sustains them with little interference from predators and humans.  We journeyed about 20 mile NE of Grand Island on a road by the Taylor Ranch to watch their ritual at 6:30 in the morning as light showed and the dawn broke forth. It was a marvelous sight and even though we were some distance from them (300 yards)  the significance was not lost.  These are the Greater Prairie Chicken as there is an Endangered Lesser P.C.

 They jump in the air, blow out their cheek pouches and hoot and cluck.There
were 8 in this lek that we counted. It wasmagnificent.

Here is another male jumping for joy. The ladies just watch and walk around them.

     Other venues included a Boy Scout Lake where we picked up 9 species of birds and among them was the beautiful Ruddy Duck. One WMA (Wildlife management area) we sought was "under reconstruction" and it was almost impossible to recognize it as a viable wildlife area. I am sure in a few years it will be more acceptable for birds and animals. One of the better sites was a park just a few miles from the motel that is dedicated to the Mormon Trail that went through there. . There is a  lake that is situated with this camping and picnic park ( a very large one) and had many waterfowl that we observed. There were  Scaups, Cormorants, more Ruddy Ducks, Green Winged Teal, Shovelers, Red Headed Ducks, a Spotted Sandpiper. The  surprises today were the  Greater Yellowlegs, White Pelican, Tundra Goose, and a Brown Headed Cowbird. There were 32 species in all . Yesterday we counted  40 , but the sites were much better habitat and we traveled more miles to get them.
     We ended the day with a stop at Ruby Tuesday for dinner and inasmuch as I am still limited ineating  many foods I settled for a crab cake, baked potato and a delicious cranberry/pineapple "Berry Fresh" cooler. Ruth said the hamburger she had was the best in many years It dripped on your fingers and was a perfect 'medium rare'.
     In the evening we post our pictures (some 200 tonight), label them and compile them together.
     Tomorrow we will venture a distance away with a loop tour SE of Grand Island. There are some 25 sites in all and even f we don't see them all, it will be new territory and away from the Cranes and the Prairie Chicken for away. There are still many Cranes here, but they can go all at the same time when the time is ripe and their "bellies are full of corn".  Catch you tomorrow.

 Meadowlarks by the hundreds sang all the tine we watched the Prairie chickens

 Sunrise this morning to match the sunset last night (see)

 Morning ground fog at the Taylor Ranch with the Prairie Chickens

 The hill in the background is where the Prairie Chickens danced. Ruth was the "guide".

 A Canada Goose wanted his picture taken. OK, I humored him.

 Thought you fishermen would enjoy this post!

 Lots of cattle in Nebraska and this is one of the feed lots.

 A typical dirt road like  we traveled many times here in Nebraska.

The activity on the farms is picking up rapidly. They had only 5 inches of snow
 this winter,  so moisture is a severe problem.  Rain is expected tomorrow evening.