Nature, travel, pets, home renovation, and geekery
While on a hike today in Sistiana, Italy, I saw an entire convention of caterpillars. One group was marching in a conga line on top of a wooden fence. The other group was further down the same length of the wooden fence and were gathered together in a mass. I have never seen anything like it. If anyone can identify these caterpillars and state if this is normal behavior, I would be happy to learn about it.
First off, the reason why I am titling this post cetaceans, is that I can’t remember if they naturalists on the ship decided these were whales or dolphins. While on my ill-fated trip to Baja California, the ship passed cetaceans several times, and several times the cetaceans came to ride our bow wave. It was so fun to see them. I decided to post some of the better photos that I took. If anyone can identify which specific cetaceans these are, I will happily update my post. Also, in some of the up-close photos of them riding the ship’s bow wave, remora fish stuck onto the cetaceans are visible.
Pod of cetaceans
Pod of cetaceans
Pod of cetaceans
Pod of cetaceans
Pod of cetaceans
Cetaceans riding the bow wave
Cetaceans riding the bow wave
Cetaceans riding the bow wave with visible remora fish
Cetaceans riding the bow wave with visible remora fish
Cetaceans riding the bow wave
During the short amount of time I was able to enjoy my cruise in the Sea of Cortez, I was able to do a little hiking as well as view some beautiful scenery from the boat. The geology reminds me of Arizona. There are some beautiful red rocks and layered sedimentary rocks. There is also scary but interesting plants including cactuses.
Baja California
Red rocks
Desert landscape
Desert landscape
Desert landscape
Cactus
Red rocks
Red rocks
One of the things I was able to do while on my short cruise in the Sea of Cortez was to go snorkeling with sea lions. There is a small island, which is more of a large rock outcropping, were birds and sea lions live. The water beneath is filled with fish, otherwise why would the birds and sea lions be there. People are allowed to snorkel in the area, but they are not allowed to dive there. We were even required to wear a slightly inflated flotation vest to prevent us from diving. We were also warned that the sea lions are quite playful. They are known to like to gnaw on people, like a puppy might when playing. I got gnawed on at my wrist. Then either the same sea lion of another gnawed on my ankle and kept going right up to my thigh.
The sea lions are amazing to watch. They are so swift and fast. They are extremely hydrodynamic. They are cute and playful. Although the gnawing didn’t break the surface of my skin and didn’t hurt too much, I could have done without the gnawing.
These are not the best photos I have ever taken, but GoPros are only point and shoot. Still I though I would present some of the better ones.
Sea lion gnawing on someone’s elbow
Sea lion
Sea lion swims right in front of my face
Sea lion
Sea lions
Sea lion
Sea lion cuddling (?) with someone
Sea lion gnawing on someone’s fin
Sea lions
Sea lion
Sea lion
Sea lions
Sea lion
Sea lion
Sea lion
While visiting Maine, we took a whirlwind trip though Acadia National Park. The park is spectacular. There are wonderful views from Cadillac Mountain and along the coast. While we were there, a fog rolled in and provided mysterious and obscured views. Based on the views, I have come to the realization that Maine’s coast is just a series of rock outcroppings.
View from Cadillac Mountain
View from Cadillac Mountain, to the left is the sand bar of Bar Harbor.
View from Cadillac Mountain
View from Cadillac Mountain
Pink granite cliffs
Pink granite cliffs with river rock beach
Fog settling over boats in harbor
Scattered across Maine’s Blue Hill Peninsula and Deer Island is a pretty plant known as beach rose. A bit of internet searching leads me to understand that unfortunately this pretty plant is invasive. It is still pretty though, and I enjoyed photographing it.
Beach rose
Beach rose with beetle
Beach rosebud
Beach rose hips, immature
Beach rose hips, ripe
I love to photograph fungus. I don’t know why, but I do. I don’t really like to eat fungus, but I like looking at it. More accurately I suppose, I like looking at the fruiting bodies of fungus. I’m in an area of New York that is filled with forest, and they have recently gotten a lot of rain. Fungus are growing and reproducing in earnest. I’m visiting relatives, and in one small area on their property, I spotted what I guess are at least six different types of fungus. So I went crazy with my camera.
I just got back from a very short trip to Albany, but the main reason I went to Albany was for the train ride up there. Amtrak has several train routes that go from New York City to Albany. I have taken two of these routes before, and I just love the view. I spend almost the entire time staring out the window at the gorgeous Hudson River, which can be seen during the vast majority of the ride. Below are a few photos I took on the route. The first six were taken on the train ride up to Albany as a storm was passing through and the sun was setting. The last three were taken on the way back down to New York City.
Tappan Zee Bridge, old one being deconstructed in front and new one in back
Near Tappan Zee
Bannerman Castle
view of area near Saugerties
view of area near Catskill
view of area near Catskill
Hudson Lighthouse
US Military Academy (West Point)
Bear Mountain Bridge
I recently took a rail excursion in Delaware on the Wilmington & Western Railroad in a Doddlebug. What kind of a train is a Doodlebug? It is a self-propelled one car train that was used on less populous branch lines. This particular one is used on Wilmington & Western Railroad’s route though the Red Clay Valley. The tracks follow along the Red Clay Creek, which is a pretty little creek. For our excursion, we stopped and explored Brandywine Springs Park, which is park that is also a bit of a archeological dig of the historic Brandywine Springs Amusement Park, an early 20th Century amusement park. After the park, we just rode along enjoying the valley. It is a lovely ride and a fun train on which to ride.
Doodlebug
Doodlebug
Red Clay Creek with Greenbank Mills & Philips Farm in distant right
Brandywine Springs Park
Native orchid
Covered bridge over Red Clay Creek
Red Clay Creek
