Salt & Shade

The Sea Lion Exhibit within the Rocky Coast complex at the North Carolina Zoo will be closed later in July for 4 to 6 weeks to install a new shade structure over the animals.

Planning has also begun on a renovation of the Rocky Coast exhibit to convert it to salt water.

Unique Bat & Mole

Group finds star-nosed mole and hoary bat on Grandfather Mountain.

Claim Untrue?

Detroit Zoo Director Ron Kagan has long claimed to hold a full doctorate. It now appears he does not.

Mother and child

Mother and child
Originally uploaded by ucumari

NC Zoo African Plains photo by ucumari, taken June 25 and titled June 28.

Many Baboons Remain

NC Zoo African Pavilion keepers report that three Hamadryas baboons have been sent to Riverbanks Zoo. (We still have lots more!)

Temperatures Rising

From NC Zoo media release: "ASHEBORO, N.C.— In support of and in compliance with North Carolina animal cruelty statutes, the North Carolina Zoo reminds the public of the dangers of leaving animals in vehicles while owners visit the park or while away from their vehicles for extended periods.

"Summer has officially started and warmer weather can mean danger for pets.

"At the N.C. Zoo, when a pet is left in a vehicle and is reported either by a park ranger, a visitor or a staff member, a zoo animal management supervisor is called to assess its condition. The supervisor measures the internal temperature of the car and also the core temperature of the animal with an external infrared device. If the temperatures exceed recommended veterinary guidelines, a sheriff’s deputy is called to the scene to enter the vehicle. The animal is then confiscated and given treatment as needed. It is left to the discretion of the deputy as to whether criminal charges are filed against the pet owner."

The inside of a car can reach and exceed 107 degrees (F) quickly these days. An animal's (or child's) temperature can reach and exceed 106 degrees soon thereafter. That can quickly be fatal.

Aviary - June "Midden" Report

From NC Zoo: "Golden Headed Manakin is sitting on eggs. Two Pekin Robins have nesting events at the present moment. African Pygmy Goose is incubating eggs."

"Midden" Also Reports

Also from the NC Zoo (The Valerie H. Schindler Wildlife Rehabilitation Center): "Baby animal season is in full swing. Many successful releases [back into 'the wild'] have occurred. Obtained 2 more barred owls, a flying squirrel and a crow for education."

The last sentence refers to animals which can not be released, usually due to extent and nature of injury, but can be used to educate people about the causes of animal injuries and "orphanings", etc.

Puffins May Hatch

The Rocky Coast keepers at the North Carolina Zoo report in this month's issue of "The Midden" that some puffins are with eggs and hopefully they are going to hatch 2-3 puffin eggs this year.

They also note that "Peregrine Falcon is off exhibit due to sea lion shade construction."

Being Tourists

Evan and I slid on Sliding Rock, checked out Looking Glass Falls, ate lunch at Pisgah Inn (at about 5000 feet) and had ice cream at a little soda shop (Rocky's) in Brevard on yesterday's Blue Ridge Parkway drive.

Wild Turkey

Another recent hike near Asheville resulted in a wild turkey spotting.

Greenmon had recommended that I travel to the Cataloochee Valley of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The drive up and down into the valley on a winding dirt road is worth the effort alone. And you might see elk, wild boar and black bear.

What Was Going On?

I'm back from several days in Asheville and vacinity with son Evan.

This morning I was walking along the Blue Ridge Parkway, after coming off a trail, and came across what I thought was a roadkilled little brown bat.

When I poked it gently with my walking stick, however, I found the "tangled body" was actually one laying atop another. One was almost twice as large as the other.

Wikipedia says that little brown bats (if little brown bats they really were) give birth in May through July and that the young grow to adult size in just four weeks. (Breeding season is supposed to have ended many months ago; the young nurse constantly their first two weeks of rapid growth.)

Anyway, they separated and one little bat (Mom?) put up quite a defense against the walking stick, showing a wide mouth full of tiny, sharp teeth.

Government Support

Calgary Zoo built its elephant expansion "largely" with money provided by the province.

The North Carolina Zoo's (the state zoo's) new elephant/rhino expansion received no support from the State's capital budget. New construction was funded by individuals, corporations and private foundations.

North Carolina's House of Representatives and its Governor have provided about $3.5 million for other NC Zoo capital needs in their 2007-2008 budgets. The NC Senate, however, has provided $0 in the capital budget and $1 million, instead, in additions to the operating budget, with conditions. (The capital budget differences will now be negotiated in a joint House/Senate committee; North Carolinians might consider talking to their State Senators about their interests in this matter.)

Yum, green beans

Yum, green beans
Originally uploaded by alumroot

"Sweet Pea, the spider monkey, enjoys a green bean," says alumroot of this April '06 upload into the "Costa Rica" file. Title by alumroot, too.

That Place is a "Zoo"!

An Afghan political leader has been expelled for likening her country's parliament to a zoo.

Why? Perhaps she was meaning to say that everything is in good order and well taken care of and in place!

Yet Another Virgin Birth Confirmed

I've posted about this before too.

This time a study "confirms" the virgin birth of a shark.

Pachyderm Picassos

More wild animal art. (I've posted here before about zoo animal artists, from elephants to chimps to snakes.)

Caldwell Zoo, Tyler, Texas, is offering art by a black rhino and an African elephant.

"Rhinos use the appendage, called a prehensile lip, to explore their surroundings and browse for grass and tasty treats, his keepers said.

"It's also useful for smearing paint, said keeper Jade Tuttle, who recently returned from a rhino conservation conference held in Australia." (Jacque Hilburn, tylerpaper.com)

Space for Pachyderms

San Diego's Zoo's larger, rural Wild Animal Park is noted for its wide expanses. This article says it has 10 African elephants on three acres.

The NC Zoo had three to five African elephants on 3 1/2 acres and is now giving a total of 7 acres to what it hopes will grow to become a herd of 10-12 elephants. (The NC Zoo is introducing 9 southern white rhinos to a 30-acre exhibit which they share with dozens of head of antelope - the "African Plains".)

Funny Face

Funny Face
Originally uploaded by Becki Dickinson

NC Zoo DeBrazza's monkey photo and title by Becki Dickinson, uploaded to flickr 2/12/07.

Human Error

The Denver Zoo yesterday reported that they found that the keeper mauled and killed by a jaguar in February did not follow two basic procedures.

The story was even picked up in Vienna, Austria.

Elephant Travel

It takes some doing to send an elephant on a trip. This article considers what it will take to ready Alaska Zoo's Maggie for her planned trip somewhere south.

8 Out of 9

Accompanied new North Carolina Zoological Society Board Director R. Sean Trauschke, V.P. - Investor Relations, Duke Energy, Charlotte, out onto the African Plains here today.

The six new rhinos (three females and their three calves) were out with the antelope and the two additional female rhinos, who have long been here, were being "introduced" to them, corralled into the "boma", an area of a few acres separated from the rest of the African Plains by some open fencing.

Only our long-time male, Stan, was off exhibit. (Stan came out of his barn and into his outdoor exercise yard to visit new Director Sean as we chatted with pachyderms keeper Jim Small and the Zoo Society's Dr. Jayne Owen Parker.)

Two Elephants Cool Off

Two Elephants Cool Off
Originally uploaded by russlings

Yes, two! (Recent NC Zoo e-mail.)

"BEATING THE HEAT--An elephant at the North Carolina Zoo finds a way to beat the high temperatures Tuesday at its exhibit pool. A second elephant, barely visible above water to the left, finds an even better way--submerged." (NC Zoo photo by Tom Gillespie)

Comin' to getcha!

Comin' to getcha!
Originally uploaded by ucumari

NC Zoo volunteer ucumari took it and put this title to it June 11.

"62 people call it a favorite." (flickr)

Ivory Trade Suspended

African nations with elephants have agreed to suspend international trade in ivory.

However, critics say illegal domestic ivory traffic was not addressed.

Masha, We Will Miss You!

Masha, We Will Miss You!
Originally uploaded by beachbum1616

June 2 photo, June 14 upload and title by beachbum. (Link)

More Trouble

The Alaska Zoo recently lost a camel, as it has been dealing with the Maggie controversy.

Just like can happen with small human populations, there can be random runs of illness or death.

Would just recommend full transparency to any zoo regarding a necropsy, even if the report says "death by unknown head trauma" or "unknown causes".

Also Concerned about Big Fence

Defenders of Wildlife also have grave concerns about the impact of a huge fence at the Mexico/USA border.

California Girl?

Alaskan zoo elephant may be headed to California.

This is the African elephant for which the Alaska Zoo built a giant treadmill. Understand that never worked out.

Fence Will Harm Wildlife

The NY Times and MSNBC are among the others covering the story of the expected negative impact of a massive fence at USA's southern border on wildlife. This article offers much of the thinking from the environmental perspective.

"The border wall would impede the jaguar, Mexican gray wolf, and Sonoran pronghorn, among others, from cross-border recovery." (plentymag.com)

"Up to His Neck in Alligators"

The NC Zoo Society director of major gifts Cheryl Turner wrote me an e-mail today telling me why the NC Zoo's John Groves would be hard to reach by phone today.

John will be "up to his neck in alligators" she reported because he is bringing three alligators to the Zoo from Florida.

What an interesting place to work. A place where you can receive such an e-mail and where I have found, in my "in" box, as requested, an ostrich egg.

Nice to See

The keepers who worked most closely with Masha have been much impacted by his passing, as you might imagine. Following close on the loss of the rescued harp seal, Masha's loss has resulted in as much emotion here as I've seen in a long time.

It has been quite nice to see the wonderful, person-to-person support being offered here to those keepers by others at the NC Zoo who well understand and empathize.

Masha, rest in peace

Masha, rest in peace
Originally uploaded by ucumari

"Masha (a Russian word for bear) had to be euthanized today. He brought me hours of enjoyment and will be missed by so many." (Photo, title and quote by ucumari, who took this photo May 29.)

Masha Euthanized

From a just released NC Zoo media advisory:

"Masha, one of two polar bears that came to the North Carolina Zoo in November 2002 after being confiscated by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) from a circus traveling in Puerto Rico, was euthanized today after exploratory surgery revealed extensive abnormalities that had kept him in constant pain and suffering.

"Years of malnutrition and deplorable living conditions while being kept by the circus are thought to have initiated and exacerbated the bear’s deteriorating health, according to zoo veterinary staff.

"Masha was one of six polar bears confiscated by UDFWS in 2002 from the Suarez Brothers Circus in southern Puerto Rico and one of two that was given a new home at the N.C. Zoo. A USFWS investigation uncovered alleged violations of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which resulted in the bears’ confiscation.

"The other confiscated polar bears went to Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, Wash., and to the Detroit Zoo.

"Exploratory surgery this morning revealed gastric ulcers, bladder and kidney infections, pneumonia and other physical problems. The surgery additionally revealed that he was suffering neurological problems that had rendered him unable to walk or even stand. He had stopped eating more than a week ago.

"“The (N.C. Zoo) polar bear keepers devoted all the time and energy required to give this bear the quality of life he'd missed out on for most of his life,” said N.C. Zoo Curator of Mammals Lorraine Smith. “This loss is especially difficult for them.”

"Although no official records exist for Masha prior to his arrival, zoo officials believe that he was about 24 years old. But Smith said that that age could be deceiving when considering how he was forced to live for those years before arriving at the zoo and that his overall health would suggest a much older bear.

"In 2002, prior to the bears’ confiscation, bear experts had made several trips to Puerto Rico to evaluate the six bears’ condition and indicated that their health had deteriorated significantly since March of 2002, when another bear was confiscated and moved to The Baltimore Zoo.

"A necropsy (animal autopsy) will be performed at the zoo and tissue samples will be sent to the College of Veterinary Medicine at North Carolina State University for a more complete analysis. The zoo should have final results in about three weeks.

"The zoo’s second polar bear, Wilhelm, that arrived with Masha in 2002 is in stable health but will likely never fully recover from his years of similar poor living conditions at the circus. He remains on exhibit daily."

Immersion Walkway Delivers!

Watani Grasslands
Originally uploaded by ucumari

Ucumari shows that the NC Zoo's new Immersion Walkway offers views of African elephants like never before.

Black Bears & Bees, Oh My!

NC Zoo, June 16, activities feature the black bears and bees. Meet keepers for both and more.

More 'Gators

Three more alligators, from St. Augustine, Florida, are expected at the NC Zoo June 18.

Curator of Animals Steve Miler hopes they are out of quarantine and on exhibit in the Cypress Swamp by the Fourth of July.

More Antelope

North Carolina Zoo Curator of Animals Steve Miller reported to management staff today that he is pursuing a plan to bring 25-35 more "hoof stock", including oryx and Thompson gazelles, to the Zoo's African Plains this year.

It is too hot to ship those animals to the Zoo now and for the near future.

Masha Very Ill

Sorry to report that Masha, one of two NC Zoo Polar bears, is quite ill.

Masha was rescued from a bad circus situation some years back and sent to the NC Zoo for rehabilitation with another male from the same circus. He has never gained weight to optimal levels.

Another Opinion on Maggie

Here is another opinion on Maggie the African elephant being relocated from the Alaska Zoo.

"How can the zoo justify keeping such a social creature alone for 10 years? Alaskans' affection for her does not a herd make." (HeraldNet editorial)

16 Pachyderms?!

The female African elephant coming to the North Carolina Zoo this summer from Edmonton's Valley Zoo "will join a growing herd that by the end of this year may include two males and five females" according to The Courier-Tribune, Asheboro, NC.

The NC Zoo started the year with 6 pachyderms - three southern white rhinos and three African elephants, two females and one female of each. With the rather recent arrival of six more rhinos - three females and their three calves - and the projected number of elephants noted above, we would have 16 pachyderms by the end of the same year. (Seventeen if another male rhino could be added.)

"We are delighted that they chose the North Carolina Zoo. By doing so they have recognized the quality of our staff, facilities and program, and have afforded Samantha an excellent opportunity to become part of the North American breeding population," Guy Lichty, NC Zoo curator of mammals told The Courier-Tribune.

Canadian Elephant Heading to N.C.

Edmonton, Alberta's African elephant is coming to the North Carolina Zoo.

""North Carolina was probably the most ideal situation for Samantha to go to," said [Dean] Treichel, [operations supervisor, Edmonton Zoo].

""It's one of the best in North America. I'm really quite pleased that Samantha is going to that facility.""(Bob Weber, Canadian Press)

A rock show!

A rock show!
Originally uploaded by ucumari

Photo of NC Zoo triplet African lions with Mom, June 4, by ucumari, who also titled it.

Rescued Harp Seal Dies

From a very recent NC Zoo media release:

"A harp seal that arrived at the North Carolina Zoo April 30 from a New Jersey marine mammal rehabilitation center died Sunday from what veterinarians are calling severe cardiac abnormalities that the animal apparently had upon its arrival at the park.

"The harp seal, a six-foot long, 300-pound male, was originally found stranded on a beach near Sea Bright, N.J., in February, according to Bob Schoelkopf, director of the Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) in Brigantine, N.J. The seal was malnourished and suffered from blindness in one eye and poor vision in the other, Schoelkopf said.

"The animal’s eye problems made it difficult for it to catch fish and left it unsuitable for release back into the ocean. After more than two months of rehabilitation at the MMSC, the harp seal had regained its weight and the center began looking for a permanent home, Schoelkopf said. They chose the N.C. Zoo because of its experienced keeper staff and spacious outdoor exhibit for seals and sea lions.

"The gross necropsy (animal autopsy) on the harp seal showed cardiac abnormalities (endocarditis, dilated ventricles and myocardial infarcts) and an area of hemorrhage in one of the cerebral hemispheres consistent with a stroke. Additionally, zoo veterinarians felt that the seal was well-aged since its teeth were extremely worn.

"Tissue samples will be sent to the College of Veterinary Medicine at North Carolina State University this week for a more complete necropsy. The zoo should have final necropsy results in about three weeks.

"While not endangered, the harp seal is a protected species and it is rare for the species to be exhibited in a zoo or aquarium, according to Schoelkopf. Only two others are exhibited in the United States, at the Detroit Zoo and Sea World of Florida."

Portrait of a King

Portrait of a King
Originally uploaded by V. Mason

Taken (and titled) this year by V. Mason, at "Out of Africa", Arizona.

Zebra Tufts

zebra image
Originally uploaded by russlings

NC Zoo zebra taken June 2 by the Zoo's John Ireland.

From Immersion Walkway

From Immersion Walkway
Originally uploaded by russlings

John Ireland captured this of an NC Zoo African elephant from the new Immersion Walkway, opened now to Zoo visitors, although the whole Watani Grasslands, with larger rhino and elephant herds, will not have its grand opening until 2008.

The views of pachyderms will be much improved, as will be the breeding potential for rare southern white rhinos and African elephants.

NC Zoo New Calves

Nc Zoo New Calves
Originally uploaded by russlings

The NC Zoo's John Ireland captured this today of two of the Zoo's three new southern white rhino calves, now out on the African Plains.

Reach out, reach out and touch someone!

Reach out, reach out and touch someone!
Originally uploaded by ucumari

NC Zoo photo and title by ucumari. Taken May 29.

Harp Seal Soon

The NC Zoo hopes its new harp seal will be on exhibit at the Rocky Coast this month.

erosion

erosion
Originally uploaded by Captain Flexible

Captain Flexible's title says it all!

Taken today at North Topsail Beach, N.C.

Alaskan Elephant to Move

Maggie, the African elephant in Anchorage, will be sent somewhere warmer.

"Several years ago, the zoo put Maggie on a diet after she tipped the scales at 9,120 pounds. She also was put on a new health regime, including having a $100,000 treadmill custom built. Trainers have yet to entice Maggie to use the 16,000-pound equipment more than a year-and-a-half after it was delivered, although zoo officials say significant progress has been made." (Rachel D'Oro, Associated Press)

Zoo Nebraska "Verdict" Soon

A report on Zoo Nebraska and its handling of a chimpanzee escape a couple years back will be released soon.

I drove by it about a month before the escape and thought little of it.

Preview Immersion Walkway

Besides seeing now if you can spot rhinos on the developing Watani Grasslands Reserve at the NC Zoo, due to hold its grand opening next spring, visitors are currently being invited to preview the new "Immersion Walkway" and the rest of the pathways of the pachyderms project, under construction.

Friday, I went out onto the Walkway for the first time. The Zoo's three elephants were near the Walkway and I had the thrill of looking UP at them.

The Immersion Walkway will allow visitors to see elephants to the right, as they enter, and rhinos, antelope, ostriches and more to their left. The Walkway also features a sculpted cheetah on a rock and giant ostrich eggs.

The paths also offer a full-sized bronze rhino and a hangar, inside of which is a helicopter to help educate visitors to the fact that we are losing the Earth's populations of elephants and rhinos and scientists are going to great lengths to try to stem the decline.

The framework of what will be a "tree" mister is already in place. Behind-scenes still are a range rover and huge elephant-scratching "tree", also destined for the Watani Grasslands Reserve.

6 New Rhinos Out!

The six new southern white rhinos (3 "moms" and their three calves) went out on the NC Zoo's African Plains exhibit this morning.

Might we see 8 or 9 rhinos on the 30-acre Plains soon?! (I saw our original two "ladies" on the African Plains Friday; looked right at home.)

AH...AH....ACHOOOO!

AH...AH....ACHOOOO!
Originally uploaded by ucumari

Ucumari took and titled this yesterday. One of the NC Zoo African lion triplets.

Little Mole Rats Need Big Assistance

Interesting article on what the Bronx Zoo animals do in winter.

"For at least one animal, everything must be just right. The mole rat looks like a wrinkly sac of teeth and organs, but he is the Little Lord Fauntleroy of the zoo. Staff must maintain the temperature of these cages within five degrees of the mole rat’s comfort zone, lest the colonies suffer. “We have tons of heating systems for their colonies,” says Hope Pinckney, a keeper at the Bronx Zoo." (Scienceline)

Talking Apes

Something I missed while I was away in late May was this story about researchers who taught bonobos and orangutans to "talk".

Much here about how humans may learn to speak, as well as the plight of the Earth's great apes.

""Language is culturally acquired. Its(sic) not learned," said [researcher Bill] Fields. "It's acquired in the immediate postnatal antogyny of the organisms(sic) life. The only organism(sic) capable of learning language are babies."" (ABC News)

"[Researcher Rob] Shumaker said there is(sic) an estimated 10,000 to 50,000 bonobos left in the wild, and 50 - 55,000 orangutans in the wild, so raising awareness of just how smart these creatures are might encourage the public to take their problems more seriously." (ABC)

Tip of the hat to Greenmon, to whom I owe some ale coasters from Wales.

2-Tone Fluorescent Frog...

...is among 24 new species just discovered in Suriname.

$7 Million Goal Reached

From an NC Zoo media release of several minutes ago:

"The North Carolina Zoological Society today announces that recent donations to Project: Pachyderms bring the total raised to $7,030,000 – exceeding a $7 million goal. Funds from Project: Pachyderms will help expand the N.C. Zoo’s elephant and rhino exhibits and help create...the Watani Grasslands Reserve with 44-acres of exhibit space and improved facilities for larger elephant and rhino herds. Already under construction, Watani Grasslands Reserve will provide an enhanced visitor experience and establish the N.C. Zoo as a world leader in elephant and rhino conservation.

"“From the volunteer group ‘Randolph Friends of the Zoo’ to two of North Carolina’s three largest banks to many individuals, foundations and other corporations, the private sector response to Project: Pachyderms has been very gratifying,” said Russ Williams, N.C. Zoo Society executive director. “It is remarkable that $7 million have been raised for this capital need at the State Zoo without any capital budget commitments from the State.”

"Williams pointed out that the State of North Carolina has provided no funding for Zoo animals, exhibits or visitor facilities in 15 years. This year, the Zoo requested $4.25 million for construction of a Children’s Nature Discovery Center, $3,006,000 for construction of African Plains barns and $450,000 for a building for the Zoo horticulture department. The House budget included funding for the African Plains barns and horticulture building. The Senate cut all Zoo capital funding but considered an increase in the Zoo’s operational budget. House and Senate differences have pushed Zoo capital needs into Conference Committee for a decision.

"“The private sector has done more than its fair share for 15 years,” Williams said. “State capital support now is very important to the Zoo’s conservation and education missions, animals and to the 700,000-plus people who visit the Zoo every year.”

"Williams encouraged legislators to be aware that “the private sector can only do so much, and that 15 years of private support, such as that for Project: Pachyderms, demonstrates the value of the Zoo to North Carolinians.”"

London Coastal Path

DSC_0012_2
Originally uploaded by russlings

This is part of a garden work of art that Ann and I found in London and felt represented the coastal paths of Great Britain. The blue pebbles were the ocean. The jagged rocks, in the "water" and on land, are easily seen. The trees are planted at a slant, we decided, to give it all a wind-blown feel.

The path itself and the hedgerows are seen in part here.

The cliffs seem to be represented both with the rocks seen on the ground at the right, almost half way up the photo, and with rocks, mostly out of the frame at left, attached to a building's wall.

Or maybe the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path was just imprinted in our minds after 60 miles and dozens of hours on it and this was a simple abstract work of landscape art.

Anyway...note the pigeon exiting in a "northwesterly" direction.

...and Even More Civilization!

DSC_0050_2
Originally uploaded by russlings

The pubs in Wales were all smoke-free.

In London, the buses proclaimed that London would be "Smoke Free, July 1". Not sure just what that means. The pubs were very smoky in late May.

...and More Civilization!

DSC_0043_2
Originally uploaded by russlings

London, Ann Lynch photo, May 30.

...and Civilization!

DSC_0027_2
Originally uploaded by russlings

At least this McDonald's, in a Lebanese community within London, looked nothing like any other McDonald's I'd ever seen.

Ann Lynch photo.

Back to London...

DSC_0030_2
Originally uploaded by russlings

Then it was back to London and a little sightseeing before the next day's flight home.

It seemed that all our travels, on this trip to Wales, whether by planes, trains or Pembrokeshire Coastal Path, took about six hours of actual transport. (Thus yesterday morning's half hour jog and today's one-hour seemed especially short.)

Looking Back

DSC_0001_2
Originally uploaded by russlings

Nearing the end of our last walk in Wales, Ann aims the camera back. The point at upper left is the point that was upper middle in the post below about the start of this day's walk.

It is where the water disappears behind the cliffs at right that the path often descends steeply to a little fishing village or few homes in a secluded and protected bay, usually with a larger haven/beach than this one.

Nice Day in Wales

DSC_0003_2
Originally uploaded by russlings

Ann captured this little moment in the May 28 walk.

A. Lynch photo.

Get Here at Low Tide!

DSC_0979
Originally uploaded by russlings

The stones and little bridge here help you take the short-cut from St. Ann's Head to Sandy Haven IF you get here between a couple hours before and a couple after low tide. Come later and your 9.3 mile trek becomes about 15 miles!

Ann Lynch photo, 5/28.

Iron Age?

DSC_0993
Originally uploaded by russlings

There are the remains of some very old walls and structures along the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path, Wales.

Ann Lynch, 5/28/07.

Ahead on the Trail

DSC_0997
Originally uploaded by russlings

I got a little bit ahead of Ann on the Pembrokeshire Coastal Trail May 28. (I'm the blue speck - if you click on to enlarge- on the horizon, just left of center.)

Floral and Fauna

DSC_0990
Originally uploaded by russlings

Wales, May 28, by Ann Lynch.

Also Smarter than I

DSC_0943
Originally uploaded by russlings

Our final day's walk in Wales (9.3 miles, May 28) also started out cool, wet and windy.

The cattle knew enough to stay out of the wind. (Ann and I headed for that exposed point behind them...but the day improved quickly.)

A. Lynch.

Dale

DSC_0926
Originally uploaded by russlings

That's the name of this pretty, little Welsh village on the Pembrokeshire coast.

The wild flowers looked great in the rain. (The pub, just down the road, with its small, but roaring fire place this cold, damp day looked even better.)

Wind Blown Look

DSC_0970
Originally uploaded by russlings

Seen along the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path (Wales) this wet, windy day. Looks like the wind blows here often, no?

Ann Lynch.

More Welsh Wildlife

DSC_0914
Originally uploaded by russlings

The rainy weather this day in Wales brought out this fellow(?) seen on my glove.

Ann Lynch photo.

Smarter than I

DSC_0904
Originally uploaded by russlings

We had one rainy, 20 m.p.h. windy day in Wales.

The sheep knew enough to stay out of the wind.

Ann Lynch took good photos even in the rain and wind.

Skomer Flowers Up Close

DSC_0802
Originally uploaded by russlings

Another, closer look at Skomer Island, Wales' sea of flowers.

Ann Lynch photo.

Skomer Wildflowers

DSC_0804
Originally uploaded by russlings

Skomer Island offered more birds and more wild flowers than the mainland...and that's saying something, especially for the flowers!

Gannets!

DSC_0781
Originally uploaded by russlings

This woman on Skomer Island, Wales gave me a chance to look through her spotting scope at "the gannets". All I saw was open ocean and a smaller island in the distance.

She told me to look again. The island looked to be half white. Those were hundreds of thousands of gannets. The "white" was moving and you could see some tiny flights above the island.

Also on Skomer

DSC_0847
Originally uploaded by russlings

These are the other birds spotted on Skomer Island, Wales the day we were there by the 150 people on it that day.

Weather-permitting, Skomer accepts 100 to 200 people a day for hours of walking its paths.

Pleased that several days earlier I told Ann that oystercatchers seemed to be on the rocks below, although I had only seen them before in Baja California, Mexico. Note that they are listed here.

There are a half million or so Manx shearwaters on Skomer, but we saw none of the nocturnal birds which spend the day in underground burrows, as do the puffins and rabbits. (We did see what was left of some shearwaters that large gulls had killed the night, and nights, before.)

Ann Lynch photo.

Puffins!

DSC_0736
Originally uploaded by russlings

On the second, and final, "rest" day of our Pembrokeshire Coastal Trail "honeymoon", Ann and I caught good enough weather to make a ferry crossing to Skomer Island.

We saw hundreds and hundreds of puffins and much more.

A. Lynch.

Nest

DSC_0571
Originally uploaded by russlings

Ann noticed these gulls temporarily off their egg on a cliff of the Pembrokeshire Coast, Wales.

A. Lynch.

Welsh Daisies

DSC_0560
Originally uploaded by russlings

Also on the coastal path.

Ann Lynch.

Rock Climbing Calves

DSC_0535
Originally uploaded by russlings

Along the coastal path in Wales.

Ann Lynch.

Green Town

DSC_0493
Originally uploaded by russlings

In this case I mean green with vegetation. Even the towns are often so full of greenery and wild flowers. (And as hilly as the coastal path.)

Here Ann captures me walking in Little Haven, a side trip we added to the 11-mile walk to nearby Broad Haven. ("Haven" appears to be synonymous with "beach" along the Pembrokeshire coast.)

With Raised Pinky

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Originally uploaded by russlings

We stopped for a "cream tea" during the walk from Solva to Broad Haven, Wales.

Ann Lynch photo.

High Energy

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Originally uploaded by russlings

These Welsh horses showed more energy than I was feeling at this point in our 11-mile coastal trek of May 24.

Ann Lynch photo.

Nearby Green House

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Originally uploaded by russlings

In sight of the house shown in the two posts below is this very different, also very environmentally friendly, Welsh house. Note the small wind mill.

Another Ann Lynch photo, like the one below.

Same House as Below

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Originally uploaded by russlings

Green House

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Originally uploaded by russlings

Very environmental house as seen from the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path, Wales on our second day of scheduled walks (Solva to Broad Haven, 11.1 miles).

Ann Lynch photo.

Welsh Youngster

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Originally uploaded by russlings

Came across this still wobbly colt and Mom on our first long walk in Wales.

Ann Lynch photo.

Welsh & Irish Flowers

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Originally uploaded by russlings

More wild flowers along the coastal path in Wales. Ann Lynch adds the "Irish" to the scene.

Ann is at one of the hundreds of gates we passed through or over on the path. (You are often walking through farm territory which you share with sheep and cattle; the farmers would prefer that their animals not follow you to your B&B.)

R. Wms. photo.

Welsh Wild Flowers

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Originally uploaded by russlings

May is great time for the wild flowers in Wales.

Ann Lynch photo.

"City" Life

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Originally uploaded by russlings

On the main street in the "city" of St. Davids, Wales. (It was granted city status by Queen Elizabeth II.)

Ann Lynch photo.