The Purple Penguin

Up well before dawn, dressed and in the car. Drove in the dark all the way up to Dante’s View where Joe got all settled for photos. In the freezing cold. Really freezing cold – it was about 32F. Brrrr. Watched the sun rise and Joe take photos, while freezing. Once the sun was up I sat in the car to warm and Joe kept taking photos. He was the first out on the spur and the last back. And thinks he got one or two photos.

We then headed to Artist Drive to see the colours and got several photos there. It was lovely with sun coming in; colours really stood out. Probably won’t show up in the photos but we tried.

Then we went back to Furnace Creek for breakfast. Had a very good breakfast which fueled us up for the day. We then sorted out a rental jeep for tomorrow.

So once everything was sorted we headed out to Salt Creek to see pupfish. There aren’t many out there this time of year – they hole up in the deeper water (what little there is) but we got to see some. They are very tiny. We also saw three or four different types of birds getting ready to look at the photos and ID them. We also saw why some rangers are talking about closing out parts of the park – the area has a boardwalk which you are suppose to stay on – fragile plants and animal life, not to mention the water (which is saltier than the sea but supports life). So we watched while people jumped off the boardwalk to stroll around the creek and tramp into the hills. Even saw the prints where some idiot took their dog for a walk in the creek. Disappointing.

We then went to have a quick look at the sand dunes near Stovepipe Wells. They don’t look that impressive until you see the people on them and then the scale becomes apparent. Against the mountains in the background they look tiny, but they are actually very very large.

We then drove out to Rhyolite, a ghost town near Beatty, which was quite interesting. It has a bottle house and ruins of several buildings as well as the remains of mines in the hills above. Very interesting to walk around. Joe got some photos of the moon but not sure how those came out!

Then it was a hurry back to pick up our jeep. We’re off early again tomorrow, out to Racetrack Playa and then to where ever we can get to before the jeep is due back!

Picked up our car, a cute little VW Beetle. Which was great until I got to Death Valley and realised we really should have booked a four wheel drive! We got lost getting out of Vegas, they don’t much like road signs or warning you before a turn. But we finally made it out and on the way. Stopped at a little casino on the way to California for brunch. Then on to the Valley.

Drove into the National Park and stopped at Zabriskie Point for our first look at the valley – impressive. Got to the Furnace Creek Ranch and checked in then off to sort out stuff for the next morning. Got dinner and while Joe was downloading photos I fell asleep.

Up early but out late! First stop the Visitor’s Centre where we got a couple of bird books and leaflets on the wildlife. Also got information about where a little VW Beetle will be able to drive. Then off down towards Badwater and promptly turned onto a road that the little VW Beetle was not suppose to go. But it looked interesting out into the valley! And we did fine. Stopped at a parking area and Joe got loads of photos (and I even took a couple!) then off to the next stopping point for more photos and turn around and back out to the Badwater Road. Headed straight on for Badwater where we walked out into the salt pan and got more photos. Didn’t see any snails in the water but did see a wading bird which was probably a killdeer, though that would have been uncommon. Unfortunately Joe didn’t get a photo, but he did get a photo of the shrike we saw – a Loggerhead Shrike. Another uncommon bird! But that’s about all we saw. Death Valley is quiet and little to see except other tourists!

We then headed for Natural Bridge and walked up to the first dry waterfall. Scrambled up that a bit but I decided I didn’t want the hassle of getting back down so stopped. Beautiful area. Unfortunately the light all day was dull as it was very cloudy so Joe’s photos don’t do justice to the areas we saw! We also drove through artist canyon but again the light was so dull we decided not to stop for photos.

We then headed for Dante’s View and got there for sunset. Joe stood out on the shelf for ages taking photos of the sun going down – finally the light cooperated and he got some lovely photos. I sat in the warm car (it was freezing!) and watched the sun set and the people. Really nice day.

Up far too early. Had a wake up call for 4.30am scheduled but they rang at 4am. ARG. We rolled over, set another alarm, and tried to go back to sleep. Up at 4.30 and first thing is put on the coffee. Then get ready. Down to the front by 5.30 for our pickup to the airport.

We booked with Maverick Helicopter tours to go to the Grand Canyon then raft down the Colorado River. Got all sorted and weighed for the helicopter and we were off. Way nifty to ride in a helicopter! We flew over the Strip then off to Lake Mead and over the Hoover Dam (whoa!). Then into the Canyon flying under the rim. Got to see the new visitor centre with the skywalk, which looked teeny tiny from where we were. We landed for about 20 minutes to have breakfast (with champagne) before loading back up and flying off to get refuelled in the middle of no where. No really, middle of no where, there was nothing but a couple of tanks and a pump! Then back to Boulder City airport where our ride to the raft was waiting.

Had to drive down to the rafting place to pick up our packed lunches, then join the queue of cars to the dam. Lots and lots of dam tourists. We turned off just before the dam and drove down to the river and the raft. The raft was a large patoon boat, very steady and no white water. We stayed at the bottom of the Hoover Dam for a bit learning about it and getting a good view from the bottom. Then we were off pottering down the river. Right off saw a golden eagle soaring above us, then a little bit down the river was a bald eagle having lunch! Photos to be on Flickr soon. We were rafting through Black Canyon and it was lovely. Stopped at a beach for lunch, then carried on to see the old gauge station and hear stories from our guide. Then our boat stopped. Wouldn’t start. So we got to drift while another raft came for us!

Got off at Willow Beach where our bus was waiting for us to take us back to Vegas. As we were on the other side of the river we got to join the queue of dam tourists again and take ages and ages to cross the Hoover Dam. But nifty to see the top! We didn’t stop to gawp – well except when the tourists did to get their dam photos. So we took photos then as well.

In all a very fun day. We’re now off for dinner at the Stratosphere!

Joe has photos up! On Flickr and Panoramio. In Flickr you can filter them as Scotland.

He took loads more. Lots and lots and lots more photos.

Well, for the last day I had booked a boat trip out to see the wildlife and Mull. I booked with Mara Mhor for a one day trip (Wildlife Safari) out to Mull and around the coast. So we we were up and out early to catch the boat for 9.30. We ended up being a bit early. The weather has been pretty nasty, so our first task was to decide with the other couple who were going whether or not we were even going out. Well, that was a non-starter, of course we were going out! And we decided to head along the coast and not bother with Mull.

We had some rough water, but it wasn’t too bad. We headed out to a salmon farm and saw the nets and salmon. We could hear the feed going through the pipes into the nets which was weird, and watch the salmon jump. It was interesting to see it up close. We then went around a seal island and saw several seals just lazing around. Though a couple decided to hit the water when the boat came up. Joe got some photos and then we headed off along the islands. Some wonderful scenery and good hot chocolate! During a particularly tricky bit with rough water we came across about three dolphins who started bow surfing. So we were all gathered at the front of the boat watching dolphins while our poor skipper had to navigate us through the rough water! Then off to an area of Jura where his mate had seen a sea eagle nest. We cruised slowly along when the other passenger suddenly started pointing – he’d spotted the eagle sitting up in a tree. So we drifted and watched the eagle, who had no intention of moving at all, sit in the tree. Beautiful.

Then we headed back to Oban. We had a wonderful time, saw loads of sea birds, and got lots of interesting stories. A very good trip.

Have we mentioned it’s wet? Very wet? Miserably wet? Joe thinks it started out drier, but that’s because he’s so wet. Anyway, we drove out to Inverinan to see osprey. Along the way Joe said he saw something so I pulled into a forest track and parked and Joe headed out to see if it was a log or what. Turned out to be deer! We saw one, then it got spooked by a car and we saw the other one as they both headed into the trees. But we still saw the deer! The rain had actually stopped for a bit, and when we got to Inverinan we got out and stood and stared at the osprey nest off in the distance. Watched the osprey sitting under the nest until he flew off. He was hunting and we got to see him dive before we lost view and the rain started again. Poured down. So we drove off to see if we could find the second nest. Found that and parked up in a passing zone area and watched. We were at a lower level then Joe had been before so we really couldn’t see much. Decided to wait until noon and see if anything happened. Just as we were getting ready to go, the osprey flew in, with a fish lunch! Watched him circle the nest area several times, the female came out  of the nest and sat on the edge waiting for him, and he came in and delivered lunch. Then flew off to sit in a nearby tree and preen. Sat and watched him until he flew off hunting again. Wonderful!

Got to Timber Trail and wondered if we should bother in the rain. Decided to carry on and head toward Tarbert. We stopped at Dunadd and climbed up to the fort. Tough climb in places but very good views out over the bog and farmland. Joe got some panoramic photos and we got blown about for a bit! Then on to Tarbert along Loch Fyne. Found parking in Tarbert and walked along the harbour then up to the castle. Had a poke around the castle ruins and looked at the view over the harbour before heading back into town and having a late lunch/early dinner. We had decided to get in early so we headed back towards the B&B and pretty much just drove through. We did stop at Kitchurn Castle viewpoint and walked out to see the view. Of course it rained and the ground was pure bog so we got a bit wet. But the view over the loch to the castle was nice. If wet. We still haven’t seen how to get over to the castle!

But now we’re out of time for wandering around the loch! So it will probably stop raining. We’re off tomorrow for a boat journey around Mull to see water wildlife.

Woke up to rain. Pouring rain. Dreary day. Horrid nasty wet miserable grey and did I mention wet day. So we decided hiding from the rain in a hollow mountain sounded like a good idea and we drove to the Cruachan Power Station. So arrived at the visitor’s centre to discover that several bus tours and many other tourists had decided hiding in a hollow mountain was a good idea. And the next tour was about a 2 hour wait. In a vistor’s centre that was packed with a coach or two of elderly tourists plus the other bunch of tourists that had driven up. So we decided to head out and just drive and see where we ended up.

So headed toward Inveraray, where there is a castle. We thought we might stop and see that. So on the road and thought about stopping for photos but the rain was pretty relentless and it was wet and miserable. Once we got to the castle, we sat in the car park and watched the rain and decided we couldn’t be bothered to get wet and then drip all over someone’s stately home. So we headed off again, looking for a break in the rain (and sunshine would be nice) and then decided we couldn’t be bothered with the Auchindrain open air museum (who puts an open air museum in the wet?) nor the Crarae Woodland gardens (did we mention it was wet?) so we carried on down the A83 along the wet Loch Fyne.

We finally reached Lochgilphead where the rain stopped. So we parked up and walked along the loch. The town is tiny but has a wonderful little place called Smiddys where we had a nice light lunch. While we were there the rain started again, but stopped before we finished and left. Leaving Lochgilphead we had a choice – we could carry on down the coast to Tarbert and onwards or turn back up and head towards Kilmartin. So we headed up to Kilmartin, then Kathleen saw the turning to Crinan and just turned.(It was one of those ‘I’m sure I’ve heard of this place’ moments.)

We followed the Crinan canel to, well, to Crinan (where did you think it would go?) We went to Crinan harbour and got out and Joe got some photos while Kathleen looked at birds and waves and boats and generally nifty stuff. Then we drove up to the village and the beginning of the canel. Parked up and watched two sailboats come into the lock to come into the basin. While watching them the rain started again. So back off to the car and onward. We decided to head across the Moine Mhor (the bog) (and rather expecting hobbits and orcs with a name like that!) Yet another tiny one lane road with no name (oh, just been informed its the B8025, right, sorry). But a straight across the bog sort of road. Stopped off halfway across to go across a boardwalk to see the bog and watch the birds. Of course it rained. Then carried on to find out it ended at the Lady Glassary car park, where you can park up to go see the standing stones and temple wood stone circle. We also walked up to the cairn. Joe got several photos and at one point the sun even came out for him. Then we stopped in Kilmartin to get some photos across the landscape and the tombstones in the church yard.

Then onwards along the A816 towards Oban. Stopped off along the way for photos, including another standing stone in another sheep field. Then to Oban where we parked and had dinner. Went to a pub near the ferry building and had an excellent dinner. Got back late but can sleep in a bit tomorrow.

Kathleen had a slow day doing not a lot, but did manage a walk in Glen Nant. Didn’t see loads of wildlife, though did see a buzzard overhead and lots of little birds, including a wren feeding some fledglings. Otherwise just a lovely walk and a lazy day reading.

Joe had a busier day. Up at 6ish and off by 7am to head to Oban. To the harbour to spend some time photographing black gillamots. Practice taking photos of them in flight and then tried some portraits and shots of them in their nesting holes on the walls of the harbour. Had some coffee and then went off to a site of scientific interest, which is floating vegetatian to see what we could find. It was a new site for the photographer so we explored. We found loads – dragonflies, damsonflies, butterflies, froggies (K- sulk) and on the way out saw a vole. Oh, also had lunch there and he provides a very good lunch! From there we went to check out osprey. The first nest was too far away to get anything decent photography wise, but the second one again we tried something different. We went on the opposite bank we were eye level with the nest and managed to get some good photos. Then back.

I booked Joe on a course with Loch Visions. Joe says he had a good time and would recommend him if you want to come up and do some wildlife photography here!

After Joe returned we headed out to Oyster Inn and ate overlooking Loch Etive. Nice meal and wonderful views.

Had breakfast and then started to get sorted for the day. There was another couple staying at the B&B with us and he was also doing the photography course, so I drove him and Joe off to the course. Dropped them off and carried off down the road. Came across a bit where they were repaving so parked up and read for a bit – this is a one lane road, so nothing to do but pull into the passing area and wait. Watched the birds, read, and wondered if it was going to rain.

Drove the rest of the little road down the loch, but not stopping to do any sightseeing this time. It was threatening rain. Got to Kilmartin and the museum. Turns out there are swallows nesting in the toilet block! Right in the back corner is a little nest and if you stand very still and quiet you can watch them feed the young. That was nifty.

The museum is interesting and I learned quite a bit about the area. From the museum you can even see the cairn where the exhibits were found. I had a nice lunch there, then walked over to the church to see the crosses and tomb stones. Very interesting. Well, it was interesting to me, which is why I went when Joe was occupied with other things. From the side of the church there is a wonderful view over the valley and the line of cairns and features.

I decided to wait for the walks as the weather was threatening still and I figured Joe would like to take photos. (erm, and I sort of forgot to have a camera with me.) So got back in the car and headed up the A816 to Oban. Beautiful drive, even though the skies opened and it poured it down. Still raining when I got to Oban so I did the shopping I needed to do in the rain, then scooted off to get back to collect Joe. Sat in the car and read until they were done.

Sounds like Joe had a marvy time, but I’ll let him tell that! This should be marked as Frog Blog!