Today finds us near the middle of nowhere, at Lake Almanor, California, in the only campground we've seen where card keys are issued to allow campers to get through the gated entry and gain access to their camp. Should we be worried about something?
Of all the places where one could camp, you may ask why we chose Lake Almanor. Fair question.
It was not because of the amazing recreational opportunities the huge lake affords (we don't have a boat), proximity to our home (it's more than 200 miles away), or the millions of gallons of water we could siphon out and bring home (we don't own a tanker truck, yet). Rather, Lassen Volcanic National Park was booked solid, and this was the closest place at which I could make a reservation!
We spent yesterday touring Lassen looking for a few birds we need this year, and it's truly a beautiful place. The main road winds through craggy mountains, verdant forests, and mirror-smooth lakes, while miles of hiking trails let you get up-close-and-personal with the park.
And, it's still alive! While the volcano isn't currently erupting, steam vents, mud pots, and boiling pools like this one demonstrate that lots of activity is happening not far underground:
No worries, though, as more than 100 years have passed since the last eruption! The odds are very low it will explode tomorrow. Fairly low.
Oh, and we picked up four new birds for the year, three of which were life birds for us! The only target we missed from this area was Yellow Rail, which hadn't been seen in a couple weeks.
But that's all beside the point. What I'd really like to discuss is one of the Greatest Threats to our American Way of Life, the grouse and specifically the Sooty Grouse:
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| A Sooty Grouse, strolling right in front of me like I'm not there. Devious. |
This seemingly innocuous and mild-mannered creature is harboring deep, dark secrets. Dark.
The Sooty Grouse lurks about the forest, well-camouflaged, and leap onto stumps without warning, scaring the daylights out of you. Is that not psychotic, anti-social behavior?
He acts unafraid and innocent, bolding strutting about on logs while cooing gently. They lure you into a false sense of security, as though they were the gentlest creature in the forest. To wit, here are two of them performing this act:
Oh, they look cute and fluffy all right. That's their game, their trick. But, then they'll do this to each other, and if they do this to each other, what would they do to you? (these are Sharp-tailed Grouse, but they're all related)
What is their endgame? What are they trying to achieve? Nobody knows, and when we figure it out, it may be too late. So, my suggestion to help preserve our nation and probably the whole human race:
Grouse for the new Thanksgiving dinner!
Hungry,
Me
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