Bird Banding at SFBBO

SFBBO - San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory works on conservation of birds and restoration of the bird habitats. For tracking and studying the birds, their features, population and ensuring their wellness the volunteers of this organization catch the birds and band them(i.e put a ring having a serial number around their feet). Sometimes they catch an already banded bird in which case they examine the bird (like a check-up!) and make note of the birds statistics like molting, wing span etc.

The program that we attended was for families to see how the birds are caught, examined and banded. Since the area where the banding is done is a restricted conservation area, it is inaccessible for public. A special permit is issued to Audubon Society to do these programs couple times a year and that is how we could be part of this learning experience.



All the families met at McCarthy Ranch and we carpooled to the bird banding station at Coyote Creek (4-5 min drive). Various birds can be found here and you really need a binocular for this trip. We were taken for a walk about 20-35 minutes through the dense overgrowth to see the nets where birds are caught. There are about 50 nets and are operated only on certain days. The nets are very delicate and almost invisible to a flying bird. There is always someone walking past these nets to check if a bird is caught (Since the bird banding process is very intimidating for the birds, the volunteers want to keep it as short as possible). We were lucky to see an actual bird, song sparrow, caught in the net. It was removed from the net and put in to a cloth bag. On our walk we came across jack rabbits, a gray fox, and many birds like turkey vultures, kites, finches etc.

Back at the banding station, we watched 3 birds, a song sparrow, a common yellowthroat and a Bewick's wren which got caught in the nets. These were previously banded birds(on their legs), so the volunteer examined the birds, measured their weight and then let them go. The entire process took about 10-15 minutes for each bird. When the birds are caught they need to be held in a special way, so as to not hurt them as well as not to allow them to fly. Volunteers are trained in this technique.

The volunteer then showed us the bird skin displays of birds like the barn owl, red tail hawk, kingfisher, starling, blackbirds, house sparrow, wrens... and told us some interesting facts about these birds. The entire process of bird banding was very interesting and novel experience for me and my daughter.

Trip to Yellowstone National Park, Day 2 - Utah and Teton National Park

We took the rental car from Salt Lake City Airport, Utah to Wyoming. As we drove from Utah, we got to see the jagged and rugged mountains of Utah, which look really "scary". Along the route we could see farms and ranches.We took the scenic by-ways through the Wasatch National Park and the Cache National Park before reaching the Teton NP. The mountains were clad with evergreen trees and we could see only greenery wherever our eyes set.



During this drive we spotted a fox, magpie birds, deer and plenty of field mice on the road. The road was pretty empty and we could take halts to click pictures.



As we got closer to Jackson Hole which is a town on the south of Grand Teton NP, the traffic increased. The drive along the snake river is marvellous with plain green fields and valleys surrounded by green mountains. Some of the mountain peaks were still covered with snow.Finally we reached the Teton NP and were amazed at the sight of Teton range. This range is called as teenage mountains as they are still rising or "growing" due to activity of the tectonic
lates beneath.



The visitor's center in the Teton NP has great exhibits that interest the kids. The rangers in the visitor's center gave us information as to which hikes would be best with kids. We first drove along the Gros Ventre river, a tributary of the snake river. There we spotted lots of Bison's, some crossing the road and momentarily halting the ongoing traffic.



Our next stop was the Jenny Lake, here we took a motor boat ride to the other end of the Lake. We hiked half way to the hidden falls, and came across the lower end of the falls. The force of the water that gushes here is breathtaking! There is a bridge from which you can witness this gushing underneath.



Next we went to the Jackson Dam/Lake where we were hoping to see the Trumpeter Swan. However we did not find any! We had to content ourselves by looking at the Pelican. After a very busy day finally we checked in to Colter Bay Log cabin. The overnight cabin stay was a good experience for the kids.

Trip to YellowStone National Park, Day 1 Train

Two months ago i.e. in the beginning of May-2010, I had the least idea that we will be going to YellowStone National Park. I had decided to take time-off to spend some time with my kids while they had their summer vacation. During the same time a colleague had visited Yellowstone NP and had described the natural wonders. I was struck by an idea to go on a trip to Yellowstone.There was not much time to plan, and with 2 kids under 10, I had to keep the trip flexible.

I started reading about this grand place, books and internet were my resources. I also made kids aware of what they should expect on this trip, enjoy nature's beauty and wonders. Wyoming is a gem with world's most beautiful wonderland as well as a historical past. We decided to cover all this in 7 days minus 1 day of train travel, however we were so mesmerized by the wonders that we had to leave the history for another visit. Yellowstone NP is truly a Natural Science Wonderland where chemistry, microbiology, geology have worked together to create a marvellous view.

Yellowstone NP is located in the Northwest of Wyoming. 90% of Yellowstone NP is in Wyoming and rest of it in Montana and Idaho. Yellowstone NP is part of the Rocky Mountains along which runs the continental divide. Yellowstone NP was formed as a result of volcanic eruptions millions of years ago.

I have divided these posts by day, since there was so much we enjoyed each day we were at the National Park.

Day 1(Train): It had long been my husband's wish to travel by train within US, but due to our fast-paced lives, it never came true. On this trip we decided to take things at our own pace and we wanted to enjoy nature. We had to choose between driving and taking the train, both would take almost the same time, however at the end of first one we would be dead tired! So we decided to take the train.



We took Capitol Corridor from San Jose to Emeryville and then boarded California Zephyr from Emeryville to Salt Lake City, Utah. I had booked the family room, so the kids could get some "space". The train travels from California to Nevada during the day time and the crosses in to Utah during the night. During the daytime we could see the striking summer time features of Sierra Nevada, Lake Tahoe, Truckee river. The view is superb!



In the family room we got 3 window seats to view the panorama, however the view from the dining car was amazing! We arrived at the destination early next morning at 4:00 a.m. MST.



I would recommend train ride only one way, since it would be boring and time consuming if taken both ways. The sleeping cars include free meals and first preference for dining. A little expensive, however worth a try.