Day 190, Wed., Oct 10, 2018--Back to Montezuma NWR , this time with a birding "buddy".

I wondered how the name "Montezuma" came to be for this NWR and so I looked it up to see where it originated. Actually the northern end of the NWR is the Montezuma Swamp and the Refuge took its name from that... BUT...

"The Finger Lakes Region was formed by the melting glaciers of the last glacial period, over ten thousand years ago. The northern and southern ends of the lakes gradually developed into extensive marshes. First the Algonquin Indians and later the Cayugas of the Iroquois Nation were the earliest known inhabitants to reap the rewards of the bountiful life in the marsh. The name "Montezuma" was first used in 1806 when Dr. Peter Clark named his hilltop home "Montezuma" after the palace of the Aztec Emperor Montezuma in Mexico City. Eventually the Marsh, the Village, and the Refuge all acquired the name."

We all learned from that one.

It would be redundant to repeat the travel to and in the Refuge, but suffice to say we did not stay as long as previously, but we did identify more birds.  We identified 37 species today , many of the same ones, including the BALD EAGLE.
 

Like the Rails, the Herons use the cattails as cover when seeking food. This is a a Great Blue Heron. It also shields the sunlight from their shadows.

We were privileged today to have a passenger go with us,  whom we met on the Visitors Center deck while watching the birds in the Pool by the Center.  She was 'Carina' and very fine lady from Rochester (by way of FL and Sweden), who was alone. Ruth asked her if she would like to travel around the Refuge with us. "Yes" she said and we were on our way. She was a good birder and living in Florida for many years had access to and took advantage of, the many venues for birds there. It was a fun time as we exchanged information about what we did and did not know about birds. Little things that we take for granted we would point out, as the difference in the molting of the birds that they must go through to survive, as feather get worn out and some are lost each year.

Carina had a good eye for birds and was alert to their location and movement. It was fun for us to share and I know she enjoyed the time we spent that morning and early afternoon.

We did see 37 species that afternoon and she, too, recorded the birds on her electronic notepad as we  moved slowly along the Refuge road.  Ruth writes them first before we use the computer. A few times we would get out the scope for a better look at a bird, especially ones we did not immediately identify. This Wood Duck was one.

A Wood Duck in the reeds. (Male)

After saying 'goodbye' to Carina, we put all our equipment back in place and headed for home by way of the grocery store this time in Seneca Falls. (The town with no more falls --see last nights blog).

A few words about the Erie Canal are in order as we have crossed it more than 7 times this week. We did visit lock # 27 at Geneva as you might remember. Here is a brief summary of the canal that runs from the Hudson River to Lake Erie. It made New York City what it is today!
 

Where the Flint River flows into the Canal at Lock #27.

Lock #27 at Geneva NY

Looking upstream (toward the Hudson River) at Geneva NY

 "The canal was first proposed in the 1780s, then re-proposed in 1807. A survey was authorized, funded, and executed in 1808. Proponents of the project gradually wore down opponents; its construction began in 1817. The canal has 34 numbered locks starting with Black Rock Lock and ending downstream with the Troy Federal Lock. Both are owned by the federal government.  It has an elevation difference of about 565 feet (172 m). It opened on October 26, 1825. (Think Niagara Falls drop of 176 feet)
In a time when bulk goods were limited to pack animals (a 250-pound (113 kg) maximum), and there were no railways, water was the most cost-effective way to ship bulk goods.
The canal was denigrated by its political opponents as "Clinton's Folly"  or "Clinton's Big Ditch".  It was the first transportation system between the Eastern Seaboard and the western interior of the United States that did not require portage.
It was faster than carts pulled by draft animals and cut transport costs by about 95%. The canal gave New York City's port an incomparable advantage over all other U.S. port cities and ushered in the state's 19th century political and cultural ascendancy."

We ended the day with one washer load of socks, sweats and sweatshirts (Sounds like all Jim's?) and a supper of LO's from the wonderful meal out earlier this week.

Tomorrow we will head for Niagara Falls for a short stop to take (hopefully) some photos and then finish the day camping at Port Rowan on Lake Erie.   That will be close to the Long Point Bird Observatory. Four more days left in the trip.