I also saw the birds that were laughing at me and decided to shoot them. Relax, I meant photograph them. They were small birds with blue and red colourings and they were quite pretty, if only they would stand still for a moment. One eventually landed on a tree branch and I took a photo on maximum zoom and then moved closer hoping to get a better one.
The bird was having none of it and departed swiftly. When I got the picture home I discovered to my delight that the bird was in fact an American kestrel, the smallest of the American birds of prey, and this particular specimen had a dead frog in its
talons.
I hadn't planned to hike too far, the circular hike would have taken close to three hours and as I was wearing the wrong shoes, had no hat and no water, I thought it best to keep it quick.
My plan was to get to the base of the cliff face and then turn and come back. It looked easy, but as is usually the case when I try to do something, it wasn't. Perhaps I am merely out of shape, in fact that is a given, but the dusty path strewn with rocks, intent on tripping me up was really taking its toll.
I passed two hikers on their way down; in fact I heard them long before I saw them as the sound was carrying a good 50 metres. I am sure they had no idea I could hear them, and it was only a shame they were talking about something so boring I have already forgotten it. I tell you this because about 15 minutes later as I was on my descent, having achieved my goal, I spotted a gnarled cactus with a face. I stepped off the path to take a photo when a snake bit me hard on the ankle. Well, okay it wasn't a snake, but it sure hurt like one and my shriek and spout of obscenities carried not only 50 metres, but I suspect 50 miles down into the valley.
Why nobody came to help me I don't know, although I suspect they thought I was either a madman or suffering from an extreme form of Tourette's syndrome and wanted to keep their distance. It would seem that the offender was not a snake, but in fact a very sharp and painful ball of spikes. I couldn't actually believe the amount of pain it was causing, but I still had my wits about me and so I took a picture. The dubious wisdom of hiking through spiky, snake infested terrain wearing only Nike Air Max and ankle socks is now apparent and I shan't repeat the folly.
talons.
I hadn't planned to hike too far, the circular hike would have taken close to three hours and as I was wearing the wrong shoes, had no hat and no water, I thought it best to keep it quick.
My plan was to get to the base of the cliff face and then turn and come back. It looked easy, but as is usually the case when I try to do something, it wasn't. Perhaps I am merely out of shape, in fact that is a given, but the dusty path strewn with rocks, intent on tripping me up was really taking its toll. I passed two hikers on their way down; in fact I heard them long before I saw them as the sound was carrying a good 50 metres. I am sure they had no idea I could hear them, and it was only a shame they were talking about something so boring I have already forgotten it. I tell you this because about 15 minutes later as I was on my descent, having achieved my goal, I spotted a gnarled cactus with a face. I stepped off the path to take a photo when a snake bit me hard on the ankle. Well, okay it wasn't a snake, but it sure hurt like one and my shriek and spout of obscenities carried not only 50 metres, but I suspect 50 miles down into the valley.
Why nobody came to help me I don't know, although I suspect they thought I was either a madman or suffering from an extreme form of Tourette's syndrome and wanted to keep their distance. It would seem that the offender was not a snake, but in fact a very sharp and painful ball of spikes. I couldn't actually believe the amount of pain it was causing, but I still had my wits about me and so I took a picture. The dubious wisdom of hiking through spiky, snake infested terrain wearing only Nike Air Max and ankle socks is now apparent and I shan't repeat the folly.
