Sorry it’s been so long between posts, but we are both hopping around here with new programs and hikes and... well all kinds of stuff. We purchased a motorhome from our good friend Jan and I drove it up here, but other than that, have not had the chance to use it. Looking forward to a few days at the North Rim in it this week.
Settling back into the life of the Grand Canyon has been easier than I thought it would be after 6 months of long daylight hours in Alaska. My body quickly adjusted to the more “normal” sunrises and sunsets and even though the days are crisp and the nights hovering around freezing this time of year, I’m happy for the sunshine after all those months of rain and overcast skies. Although I experienced the year without summer, I also had the year of 2 autumns since that season begins in early August up around Coldfoot.
The wildlife here is surprisingly more abundant than what we experienced in the far north. I awoke the other day to a tremendous ruckus in the Pinion treetops that turned out to be a flock of maybe 2-300 Pinion Jays scouring the cones for seeds getting ready for the cold times ahead. And the antics of the huge population of Ravens as they squabble amongst themselves investigating every object on the ground could entertain even the non-bird lover for hours. I’ve added 4 new birds to my “Life list” just at the leaky water fountain in front of headquarters. I set my camera up on a tripod and sit and wait for them to come in for a drink. The other morning the water had frozen over, probably for the first time in the season. and it was a hoot watching the little Pygmy Nuthatches trying to figure out what was going on. They would glide in with feet out in front as they always had, and then would slide right off the edge of the fountain to the ground with what could only be described as a quizzical look on their tiny face. After a few more unsuccessful attempts. they succeeded in not skittering off the edge but couldn’t figure why the water was hard. They started pecking at it, tentatively at first, then with the ferocity of a woodpecker. Ice chips were flying all around until finally some liquid water appeared and thirsts were quenched.
Today as I rode my bike home after attending an afternoon California Condor program in the village I had the misfortune or good luck, depending on the outcome, of finding myself in the middle of 16 elk cows and calfs and one very excited Bull elk who was not at all happy to see me there. This is the rutting season when the big males are attempting to keep their harem together and will challenge any man or beast (or automobile!) that comes between him and them. Stories of unfortunate joggers and hikers and plain ignorant tourists trying to get too close for that great photo that end up being charged and many times injured had already spread through the canyon as they do every year at this time. I wanted no part of it. Just my luck, the ladies decided to stop and lay down all around me.
I decided I might have a better chance out pedaling that big boy than attempting to outrun him, neither which was true I later found out. I slowly weaved my way through the curious big eyed beasts while watching him watching me. Made it! Back home over a cold beer, I thought about this encounter and compared it to the Grizzlies up north that worried me so much. I wonder if they make an Elk spray?
In Alaska when I went into the woods there was always a kernel of uneasiness way back in my head that around the next bend I might encounter a Grizzly. I almost wish I had just to put it to rest since most of the time bear encounters are not all they are hyped up to be. But it never happened, so I really don’t know how I would have reacted. I do know that probably because that uncertainty is gone in these woods, I am much more relaxed and able to enjoy my surroundings to a greater degree. Was I being irrational? Probably but....