Jan 28, Friday
Today, I am going on an adventure.
My adventure began at River Heritage Park, a park that overlooks Wilson Dam, which is usually flooded with birds, but not today.
I was not to be discouraged, I adventured across Wilson Dam to the overlook and Rockpile.
It was a bitterly cold day below freezing, and I could see literally 1,000s of pelicans, seagulls, and cormorants (snake birds) sitting on the rocks below the dam.
There were a few that challenged the north wind foraging for food and a few white pelicans floating down the river.
Nothing keeps the pelicans from floating down the river, even the turbulent water at Wheeler Dam.
 |
| Buttercups |
Rogersville Park is usually flooded with birds today, I saw buttercups reaching up with closed eyes.
What adventure was waiting for me at Joe Wheeler Lodge? I am joining a group of fellow lovers of photography and nature.
Tonight, there will be a Horsd’oeuvers of Cheese, crackers, and fruit as we mingle with others.
There will be a signup sheet for the activities on Saturday.
Alabama weather this time of year is so unpredictable, from 19 in the mornings and 50s to 60s, sometimes 70s during the day. I am going to wait until tomorrow to decide what my next adventure will be.
Jan 29, Saturday,
With a good night's sleep and a light breakfast, I was ready for the day.
We spent the morning listening to Rocky talk about the many facets of the camera and how to use them.
Many, like myself, were still in a maze of confusion about the camera. We love the auto modes.
Lunch consisted of a BLT with onion rings.
 |
| White Pelicans at Wheeler Dam |
& with making new friends.
At 1pm, everyone met upstairs to disperse into different groups.
One group was going to the Wheeler Wildlife Refuge in Decatur.
Another group was going to Wheeler & Wilson Dams and other local sites nearby.
The last group was going to watch a falconer release three Harris Hawks into the woods to hunt for food (small animals).
It was cold but not bitter cold like yesterday, but we were bundled up.
The groups dispersed in different directions. Ours was inside the Joe Wheeler State Park.
Before the falconer released the Harris Hawks, he had anyone wearing fur or a colorful hat remove them. The birds may think they are small animals and attack, nor do they like bright colors.
The birds were released for the hunt, and away we went, following them into the wooded area.
They didn’t go too far into the woods, but they did stop to watch or even pose for us.
The hawks treed a squirrel, but the squirrel outfoxed them. No catch today for the Hawks.
Our group walked down to the edge of the Lake near the cabins. We saw shells, fossils, wild mushrooms, and driftwood.
We saw Spoonbill Ducks swimming in a nearby sewage area, they love the minnows that grow there.
There was a Bald Eagle in the Day Use, and that was our next stop.
With the camera in hand, we slowly advanced up the hill, stopping for that next great shot.
 |
| Bald Eagle with his eyes on us. |
The eagle got wind of us and flew away.
At the lake, we saw a kingfisher, Canadian Geese, and a gray heron.
We sat down at the edge of the lake and watched the sunset.
What a way to end our hike.
 |
| Lake Wheeler, as the sun goes down the ripples and different colors upon the lake. |
We enjoyed a seafood buffet as we sat around socializing.
The falconer returned with one of his Harris Hawks with Q & A time.
Rocky finished the day with a slide show and several stories.
 |
| Harris Hawks |
What a wonderful way to make new friends with a keen interest in photos and nature.
 |
| A shadow of friends |
