Patt Arrives

20090530 – Patt Arrives

Did more maintenance on the RV, filling water, gas, dumping the holding tanks, then headed to the airport for some reading while waiting for Patt's arrival. Her plane was on time. We picked up some food for the next few days, then headed Southeast on US89, generally following a route I found in a pamphlet titled “Birding Trails in Montana's Russell Country”—route called “King Hills Scenic Byway”. By the time we got to the first point of interest Patt was nodding off and needed a nap. The site was a State Park, next to a stream. Lots of kids playing in the cold water, escaping a warm afternoon. She slept for an hour and a half while I walked up the stream trying to pick up a few birds. I was about a mile out when a rattlesnake and I startled each other. After that I headed back, feeling quite exposed in my moccasins rather than the hiking boots that would have been more appropriate.

We went another 30 miles then pulled into the US Forest Service Aspen Campground south of Monarch. Here we heard more birds than we were able to see or identify. Supper, an early campfire, and early to bed for Patt who has a lot of sleep to catch up from her recent busy schedule. I hope she gets some benefit from the vacation style of the coming week. It's good to have her here.

Birds: House Sparrow, Starling, Brewer's Blackbird, Common Raven, Grey Catbird, Spotted Towhee, Blue-Grey Gnatcatcher, American Robin, Yellow Warbler Song Sparrow