Day 31 .Owls, Bald Eagles and' lotsa' coal trains.

During the day today , Ruth and I had to cross the BNSF (Burligton Northern and Santa Fe RR) tracks about 8 times. Our goal was to reach either the North Platte River or the Platte  R. where it becomes Lake McConaughey.  The tracks run parallel to the Lake's northern shorleine. It seems that 50% of the time there was a train coming when we did. One time the gate was down, so we stopped, then the gate went up,  and I could see the train coming but knew it was on an uphill grade with 125 cars loaded with "sub bituminous" coal so it would not be there for a few minutes at best, Ruth urged me to cross and I did safely. Don't wanna mess with trains "No where , no way, no how".

The coal cars carry 210,000 pounds of coal which is the top limit for weight for these trains of 12,500 tons of coal. The come out of the Powder River basin where 80% of the nations coal is produced. There is such a  heavy 'overburden' and the mines are bowl shaped so the top layers are getting deeper each year and the coal less accessible. The price will contnue to go up  unti it is not profitble anymore. Solar anyone?

 This is an example of the effect of the drought on the fields. This is silage grass, which normally can produce  4-5 times in a season.



Below is one of the roads we drove to find birds.  Quiet quiet most everywhere except for a family of young Northern Flickers that was learning the tricks of survival. (See other picture)

The ubiquitous coal trains that supply most of the country with power and much industrial heat.

We ended up with a 40 bird count day that was good and added two new birds to our list, namely the Horned Grebe and the Ring Necked Pheasant. Seeing another Great Horned Owl and a Bald Eagle made the day exciting.

We ended the day getting to Lake Ogallala again but the wind was stronger than yesterday. A stop at a beautiful Museum and Gallery in Ogallala ended the day before Ruth had her hair cut . We had an Italian dinner at Valentino's Buffett, which had many dishes from which to choose  (Italian) and 8 types of pizza in the buffett. We had a good discussion with Jerry the manager about birds, birding and travel in the Plains. He lived in Yankton were we will travel next.

 This refuge is under the jurisdiction of three agencies, State , County and Federal.  It covers some 65,000 acres along the banks of the North Platte and Platte Rivers. Hunting  and fishing are  main activities here.


Below a great habitat for Flickers, woodpeckers and owls. We saw some of the former.

The entire north end of Lake McConaughey is a marshland or perhaps a slough if you will. Lots of ducks.

 

A view of the lake from a road
overlooking the water. 


To the right a few of the turkeys we have been seeing. These guys crossed the road in front of us.








This is a great Wood Duck Habitat. They love 
quiet water in the woods surrounded by the trees.
 Can you see them? (3)

Finally the pheasant we saw. There is great deal of hunting here of the Pheasant, but they are elusive without dogs.

We head for Yankton SD tomorrow and the Missouri River of Lewis and Clark Fame.






One of the displays of the Polished Petrified wood at the Museum . Two brothers (Korean War Vets) have done this work all of their lives. There were thousands of articles. It was a "World Class," exhibit. The pictures don't do it justice.