Nevada's First White Wagtail!!!

I knew right away, when I saw the small black-and-white bird, picking along the foundation of the concrete building, that it was something I had never seen before.

Mom, Dad and I were touring Gallagher State Fish Hatchery, located on Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge, and we were between facilities walking outside when I spotted it. Luckily, Dad had his binocs back in the car, so he jogged over to retrieve them. Even after getting a closer look, we were clueless... what WAS this bird?

I now question my judgement, but we continued on with our hatchery tour, tucking this unusual animal in the back of our minds for the moment. And Mom? The most diligent photographer I know, the woman who keeps a photojournal of our every moment - inns we stay at, restaurants we eat at, flowers we walk past - what does she do? Does she pick up the new Canon hanging around her neck and snap some photos? No, but she takes pics of the mass-produced trout in the large tanks we visit! Go figure!

As soon as our tour is over, we head home to check Sibley's. Not even having an idea of what this bird is, I pretty much start at the beginning (passing up the seabirds - murres and storm petrels - skip over the raptors, pass up the hummers and parrots) until I get to the pipits and wagtails... Hmmmm, that Black-backed Wagtail sure does look like that bird we just saw. However, its range is nowhere even remotely near to us. This would be unheard of! Can't be - what a rare find THAT would be, ha ha. So on I go - icterids, sparrow, finches... until I reach the end of the guide. Nothing else caught my eye, so back to the wagtail I go. Wow, that sure looks like our bird. More investigation and I learn this is an ASIAN species. CAN'T be what we saw - but... what else could it be?

So, back in the car we go. How FOOLISH that we didn't have Mom take a picture! What a mistake we've made! What are the chances it will still be there? Down at the hatchery, Dad and I begin combing the grounds, searching for the small black-and-white bird. Ten minutes, fifteen minutes, no luck. Crap - we REALLY messed up. And then, there before me not ten feet, blending in with the mottled gravel of the hatchery grounds, is the bird. This time I'm armed and ready, and manage to snap some photos.




It IS the wagtail - it HAS to be the wagtail! It looks just like the photo! But - that still doesn't make sense! Why here, in the middle of Nevada? It's not supposed to be here! After feeling like we sufficiently harassed it to the point we felt comfortable doing, we retreated and drove home to ponder our finding further.

After looking back and forth between the field guide and my photo umpteen times, making sure I was not about to make a complete fool out of myself, I was convinced. I then proceeded to post my discovery to the Nevada Bird Listserve, and also to enter it on ebird. Rod and Jeff made a trip down and also saw and photographed the bird. My email inbox was all abuzz for the rest of the day! The following day, birders drove from Las Vegas, Reno and Elko, all corners of the state, in the hopes of seeing this rare bird, but to no avail - apparently it had decided to move on. Where to? THAT is the question. What WAS it doing here, and where did it go? It will remain a mystery, but I'll never forget my personal rare bird find - what an experience!

Note: I later learned the Black-backed Wagtail has been lumped and is now the White Wagtail.

Our First Visitors to Ruby Lake

Mom and Dad flew out to visit us in late May/early June, and we were so excited to play hosts! They flew into Salt Lake City, the nearest airport to us (4-4.5 hours away), rented a car and drove out to Ruby Valley. They arrived on Friday May 28 in early evening. We had a busy time planned for them - just how we like it!


Mom had packed an entire carry-on suitcase full of plants, and I was fortunate to have their help in some of our yard beautification projects! They don't let grass grow under their feet - Mom and I got to work right away planting flowers out front! And even though it was almost June, it was COLD!




Here is the water feature I'd already installed in the flower bed, we just planted around it! I've had birds drinking and bathing from it, including a Lewis' Woodpecker, Yellow-headed Blackbirds, Brewer's Blackbirds, and Lazuli Buntings.

Rod had to contribute to the flower bed too with his own personal touch!

Dad, aka "Durvish Dad", helped around the house too, from washing cars to planting vegetables in the garden to hanging birdfeeders.

Saturday, their first full day, we headed to Lamoille Canyon, also in the Ruby Mountains but about 1.5 hours away. It was absolutely beautiful. We couldn't get that high up into the canyon, however, due to heavy snow pack covering the road.






We did get really close to a porcupine, who seemed completely unconcered with our presence...



... and we saw a whole herd of mountain goats!

Sunday we got up and headed towards the Utah border to Great Basin National Park, a little over 3 hours away. To do this, we headed south to Ely and traveled on Highway 50, the "Loneliest Highway in America".



However, we all agreed that the road taking us south out of Ruby Valley and through Long Valley was MUCH lonelier!




We did pass a small group of "wild horses" on the way.



These are very controversial out here. The BLM and the Humane Society of the United States are always fighting about these horses. They are truly feral horses, that have been living free on the open range for decades. There are many facets to the issue - from them not having adequate water or food on the open range and thus starving, to the case that they are destroying habitat, to the possibility that they are competing with native wildlife as well as cattle. As an ecologist, I totally see a case for the fact that these are non-native introduced species that shouldn't be here as they unnaturally alter the ecosystem and affect the wildlife living in it. However, for every feral horse out there there must be HUNDREDS of cows, so it seems ridiculous to me to take on the issue of eliminating horses for the minimal damage they may be causing, when the effect on the environment from cattle is astronomical. Until grazing is addressed, talking about the horses seems absurd.

Here we are, at GBNP!



We drove up Wheeler Peak scenic drive (at over 13,000 feet, it is the second tallest peak in Nevada) and debated hiking to the top, but here's what we encountered:



Hmmm... maybe we'd better not. Instead we found a lower elevation trail - Pole Canyon:



We stayed at the Silver Jack Inn, which was really a trailer converted into very simple rooms.




And we ate at the Lectrolux Cafe - an eclectic little restaurant/bakery/gifty shop that I loved!



Here, we celebrated Mom's birthday!



Monday we headed back to Ruby Valley, and Tuesday I had an OB appointment in Elko. While there, we visited the Northeast Nevada Museum and saw the original Pony Express cabin, which used to sit on the south end of the refuge.



We also ate at The Star - a Basque restaurant/hotel started one hundred years ago as a safe haven and socializing spot for Basque sheepherders who had settled the area. The food is served family style - cabbage soup, salad with a creamy garlic dressing, bread and butter, and french fries for all - plus whatever main course (usually a garlic-laden meat such as steak or lamb) you order. (Except for me - I just do the sides!)



We spent Wednesday - Friday bumming around the refuge. We got a tour of the Gallagher State Fish Hatchery, where I spotted a bird never before seen in Nevada (see following post). We planted my vegetable garden. We drove the refuge auto loop (more than once). We hiked Cave Creek trail, and walked the dogs around the refuge roads.



Dad hiked up to the top of the mountain behind our house. Mom helped me do some baby preparation. It was nice to just spend time together.

When driving the auto route, this Killdeer frantically hopped up and down, capturing our attention and luring us away from her nest - which we weren't sure about where it was located, but upon further investigation Dad found the four small speckled eggs, right in the middle of the road.

We also got some great looks of a Short-eared Owl!

Saturday, Mom, Dad and I headed to Salt Lake City, leaving Rod behind for a long three weeks by himself. We toured the Mormon/LDS Temple Square area in the middle of SLC. We had two very nice "sisters" who gave us a tour, and learned a lot about the Mormon religion. It was a great week!

What I Love and Hate About Ruby Lake

What I Love About Ruby Lake

• It is one of the most scenic places I have ever lived. The Ruby Mountains are absolutely breathtaking!


• The abundant wildlife, and tracking its phenology. It's cool to watch the changes in what's present with the changing seasons. There are always new species arriving daily! I've already seen 99 of the more than 220 bird species on the refuge, and there's always the possibility of something new. I've seen a herd of over 150 mule deer, pronghorn antelope, and glimpsed a porcupine and a badger. Hopefully soon I'll track down a bighorn sheep and a mountain goat!

• I have a National Wildlife Refuge for my backyard! (And front yard, and side yard...) YOU CAN'T BEAT THAT!


• The night sky - the stars are spectacular, and if you watch long enough you're bound to see a falling star.


• The phenomenal view from our front window - we have a panoramic view of the marsh, the Maverick Mountains, nesting Canada Geese, Sandhill Cranes, Trumpeter Swans, and the occasional Golden Eagle or Harrier Hawk that flies by! We get mule deer in our yard!

• I can get a lifer while taking the dogs for a walk - today I got a Lewis's Woodpecker!
  
• Birds I'd seen never or only once before moving here are now abundant (like Yellow-headed Blackbirds).


• The people in Ruby Valley. While we may be completely opposite philosophically and politically (I'm having a hard time adjusting to the rancher mentality: cow = good, wildlife = bad), they are the nicest, most welcoming people. I've received a bounty of gifts since arriving - houseplants, Costa Rican Lizano salsa, homemade hand lotion, German pancakes (eaten at their house for a dinner invite), a bunch of chives for my garden, and a pack of dishcloths. Additionally, I've been invited to and attended several functions, from book group (we're currently reading Thomas Hardy's Far From the Madding Crowd, and I'm hosting book group this month!) to Tamale Making to Cooking with Wheat. I've met many people here that have graciously accepted me into the valley - it is a close-knit community that I feel fortunate to be a part of.


• The night sounds - I can walk out the door at night and hear coyotes yipping, Great-Horned Owls hooting, and Canada Geese honking.


• Our Ruby Lake family (and extended fish hatchery family). We get together fairly regularly, for supper, a movie, to watch HBO's The Pacific, to attend Cowboy Poetry... Tomorrow we're going into town to have lunch and buy trees for our yards!


• The endless recreational opportunities - any moment I can walk out the door and hike Cave Creek, walk the dogs through the refuge, drive or bike (which I have yet to bike but intend to) the auto loop looking for wildlife, hike up the canyon behind our house (Rod's new favorite activity, hoping the Great Basin Rattlesnakes will emerge any day now...).

• Possibilities for exploration nearby, including Lamoille Canyon, Great Basin National Park, natural hot springs, Franklin Lake Wildlife Management Area, South Fork State Park (of the Humboldt River), Ruby Crest Trail, and the fall migration through the Goshute Mountains. These are all on my summer to-do list. If by next winter I'm still lacking one of these, someone please harass me about it - call me lazy.
  
• Starting our family - we are extremely excited about our little one on the way!
  
• Our house - it's great! Nice, new, spacious - the nicest place I've ever lived outside my parents' home. And better yet? We have a large yard with space to play - I've planted lots of flower bulbs, installed a water feature with fountain, and will have a nice little vegetable garden (if it will produce during the two-month growing season we get).
  
• I conducted the Sage Grouse surveys this spring - the first time I'd ever even seen one was on my first survey. Their display was one of the coolest things I've ever seen a bird do!
  
• Warm sunny days here - they are AMAZING!!!
  
• The isolation hasn't been as bad as I'd expected... that has been a pleasant surprise. In fact, I rather enjoy being tucked away out here on the most remote refuge in the lower 48, away from all the hubbub of town.
  
• I have all the time in the world! The ONE thing I ALWAYS wanted more of before moving here!
  

What I Hate About Ruby Lake

• The weather. I am a WARM weather girl, all the way. My whole life I've said I could go from fall to spring, and skip winter altogether. And I've moved to where it's winter 8 months of the year! We are still building a fire on May 7 to keep from freezing to death in our house, and at home it's a sunny 80 degrees. Argh. And the WIND! The wind is incredible here - it's a rare treat when it gives us a break.
  
• Being so terribly far from our loved ones. A plane trip is required to see any of them, and until we win the lottery, those trips are few and far between.
  
• I have all the time in the world. Be careful what you wish for! It has been more of an adjustment that I'd imagined, going from having a full-time job interacting with students on a daily basis, to being lucky on days I interact with anyone other than Rod! When I had my job all I wanted was more time - now that I have more time... well... you get the point.

At-Home Sushi

I'd been eyeing these sushi kits at the grocery, and finally decided to give them a go. Each kit makes 12 pieces (although both boxes were short wraps - one only had 10and one 11, not sure what's up with that), so I got one for each of us.

It is SO easy, and as yummy as what you'll order at any restaurant! The seaweed wraps are packaged and ready to go, you pop the sticky rice in the microwave for 2 minutes, and fill with whatever you want - done!

I stuffed mine with avocado, and Rod's with a mixture of shrimp, avocado and green onion. Just use very small pieces or you won't be able to roll them up! If you really squish the edges of the wrap together, it will stick.

I rounded it out with some steamed edamame (salted, it makes a yummy treat that we love - find it in the frozen veggie section) and hot tea (TAZO's Green Ginger). Our Asian lunch was complete!

Hummus - Yummus!

Gave my first go at making hummus, and must say it turned out FANTASTIC! If you have a food processor, you can easily make this yummy snack!



These ingredients make a fairly large amount - you may want to half it, depending:
2 cans chickpeas/garbanzo beans
8 oz. Tahini (found in ethnic section of any grocery store)
juice from 1 large or 2 small lemons
4 cloves garlic
1/2 C water
salt to taste
optional: 1/2 C roasted red peppers

Process the chickpeas just enough to break them up. Add the remaining ingredients and process until smooth. Add more salt or water as needed.

Serve with crackers (I like Triscuits), pita chips, or raw veggies - MMMMM!

Creamy Cheese Capellini - A Weight Watcher's Recipe!

Made this for supper the other night - yummy! It makes 4 servings, and each has only 8 WW points!



Ingredients:
1/2 pound whole-wheat capellini or linguini
2 tsp. olive oil
3 plum tomatoes, diced
2 garlic cloves, finely crushed
6 oz. baby spinach leaves (I used half a bunch)
1 C fat free ricotta cheese
1 C shredded mozzerella cheese (you could use fat free here for even less points!)
1/2 tsp. salt
pepper to taste

1) Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and reserve 1/4 C cooking liquid.
2) While pasta is cooking, heat oil in skillet over medium-high heat, add tomatoes and garlic. Cook approximately 2 minutes, then add spinach in batches until wilted.
3) Add pasta, reserved cooking liquid, cheeses and salt. Stir until cheeses are melted. Serve with pepper if desired.

ENJOY!

Southern Nevada Getaway

Last Friday, March 12, Rod and I headed out from cold and snowy Ruby Valley to the warmth of southern Nevada. We pulled out around 5:30 pm once he was home from work, and decided to brave the southern route, which shaves one hour off of our trip, even though there were unmaintained rough dirt roads we'd have to traverse. This was unchartered territory for us thus far, but Eric and Lowell assured us we'd be okay. Well, fifteen miles south of the refuge we started to have our serious doubts. After navigating several miles of muddy slushy sloppy roads, we felt we were at the point of no return, so we gritted our teeth, said our prayers, and continued into the quagmire ahead of us, hoping to come out on the other side. Though there are several ranches north of the refuge, there was only one we knew of south, the Blue Jay Ranch. We soon happened upon it, and I made a quick glance at the mileage, so that if we became bogged down somewhere on down the road I'd know how far we had to walk back to that ranch. By now it was twilight, which added to our uncertainty. We eventually (white knuckled and hearts fluttering) popped out by the Bald Mountain mine, where the roads we were told began to be maintained again. The timing was perfect - a mine employee happened to be walking from his truck to the office, so Rod leapt out and ran through 18 inches of piled up snow and scrambled over a barbed-wire fence to pick his brain about what was to come. He assured us the roads were fine from there on out, and said he'd be leaving later, so if we had trouble he'd find us. Relief! I was worried we may be spending the weekend out there until Jeff happened by us on Monday on his way down to Vegas!

On our way, we not only encountered the infamous "black cows" on the road (imagine traveling down the road at a pretty good clip, in pitch black because you're in such isolation there are no lights of any kind, and realizing - well, hopefully you realize in time - that there is an extremely large jet black object standing before you), but I saw my first "wild horses" - five of them. Three hours before making Las Vegas, I noticed a glow off on the southern horizon. We speculated - Rod wondered it we could possibly be seeing remnants of the setting sun even after 9 pm, but it was in the wrong direction... - and decided it had to be a large city. Las Vegas? Surely not - could we really be seeing Vegas lights three hours out?!? Sure enough, we followed that glow all the way in - what. a. site. Sin City should be named "City of Lights". We'd never seen anything like it. As we crested a ridge, down in the valley was the most spectacular collection of lights we had ever seen. The dichotomy between the stark barren desert we'd been driving through for hours and this was staggering.

But, Las Vegas wasn't our destination, not for tonight. We continued south, to one of the southern most towns in Nevada, Laughlin, near the confluence of Nevada, Arizona and California. We stayed at Don Laughlin's, for whom the town is named, Riverside Casino. We were there to enjoy the Wings and Wildlife Festival, and see a new part of our new state. Over the course of the next two days we went on two nature walks - Grapevine Canyon, where we saw some magnificent petroglyphs and I got a lifer Sage Thrasher, and a walk along the Colorado River with some very friendly birders - and took a 3 hour water taxi ride up and down the river with another group of birders. The weather was amazing - sun, sun and more sun - although we about froze to death on the boat. THIS is really what I was here for!







On Monday we leisurely slept in before heading north towards Las Vegas, where we'd spend the week. We stopped in Boulder City at Hemenway Park in an attempt to see the Bighorn Sheep which graze at times around the ball fields, but to no avail. Then headed north of Vegas to the Corn Creek Station of Desert National Wildlife Refuge (the largest refuge in the lower 48), where Rod has his first meeting at 2:30. While he worked, I played (all week, really). I birded around the station for the next 2.5 hours, seeing such birds as Phainopepla and Townsend's Solitaire. I met Becky, the wife of another FWS employee, also a birder and a botanist, who would become my companion for the week.




Once the meeting was over, we headed to the Red Rock Rescrt Hotel and Casino - WOW. I'll say it again - WOW. Hands down the most posh place we've ever stayed (of course, that's not saying much when we gravitate towards Motel 6's where we can have our dogs!). A full mini-bar, flat-screen plasma, jacuzzi with a TV over it, telephone by the toilet, leather-paneled walls, granite tiled bathroom, more pillows on the king-sized bed than we knew where to put them all... we felt like royalty! And if we chose, we'd never have to leave - several restaurants, a movie theatre, a bowling alley, and of course - slot machines. We did try our hand one night - we each got $3 from the casino, and put in $10 of our own. We walked away (well, rather, ROD walked away, I'm no good at it!) with $29. A $19 profit? Not too shabby.

Tuesday Becky and I visted Henderson Bird Preserve - a collection of 9 ponds absolutely TEEMING with birds. It was an amazing place. Wednesday we took a guided hike at Red Rock Canyon on the Moenkopi trail - more great sunshine and warmth! Wednesday night there was a retirement party at a restaurant for Marti, who we owe Rod's job to. I had the chance to meet some of the FWS employees for this region for the first time. Everyone was SUPER friendly, and I made a really good contact of someone who, oddly, used to live at Ruby Lake and knows a coauthor of mine at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary. Thursday it was back to Red Rock Canyon to hike the Lost Creek and Oak Creek trails. Then yesterday it was time to call an end to our vacation - sigh. After another leisurely morning, we ambled northwards, stopping at Pahranagat NWR. Funny story - the first bite Rod ever got on a FWS job was the manager position at Pahranagat. After he interviewed, we got pretty excited, researching the area. Of course, he didn't get the job, but yesterday we got to visit the refuge that we once thought we may be at.






On our drive home, we saw our first elk - three of them - standing off the roadside. We continue to be amazed (and a little intimidated) at the sheer vastness of this state, of the west. You could really get in trouble out here! We would literally drive for HOURS - sometimes on highways, sometimes on dirt roads - and not see another soul. Not what we're used to back home!

I am pleasantly suprised today to see that most of our snow has melted while we were away, and that the high today is 52 and tomorrow is 58! Is spring really on its way???