We make a spring trip each year to Idaho to visit my Mom, celebrate her birthday, help in her garden, and see a few flowers. This year we added in a few of the National Park Service units, a niece's wedding (Congratulations Nichole and Adam), and a visit to our sister-in-law Cynthia. It was a whirlwind trip.
Our first exploration day was to Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument and Thousand Springs State Park. We walked part of the Emigrant Trail, saw the fossils in the museum, and birded. Lots of water in the area, and many places to do quick checks for birds.
This is Elmer the fossil prehistoric horse.
We also stopped by Malad Gorge State Park. The highlight is the pedestrian bridge across the Malad River gorge. From there you have views of the springs gushing over the edge, the Devil's Washbowl, and you can bounce up and down when the 18 wheelers go by on the adjacent highway.
Minadoka National Historic Site was the next national park service unit we visited. Like Manazanar in California it was where people of Japanese ancestry were held during World War II. I wasn't expecting much as it is relatively new but ended up being very impressed. The film was deeply moving and was told by survivors of the camp. They had a powerful voice for the injustice of what happened to them, and a vision of why we shouldn't forget, and what we can do for a more just future.
Our first stop was a look at the Snake River in Twin Falls.
Guard Tower at Minidoka
On our way to the wedding in Salt Lake we swung by Bear Lake Migratory Bird Refuge. Having only eBirded in southern Utah I added 47 birds to my Utah list. Ok, my whole list is only 159 species, so it wasn't that hard. We had 56 species for the day, but somehow it didn't seem very birdy. Like most places this spring, there was plenty of water. At the visitor center we ran into an old Model A car group. I really liked the radiator cap and it seemed appropriate for a wildlife refuge.
On the way north to visit with Cynthia at her new house, we made a stop at what used to be Indian Rocks State Park in Idaho. We were looking for petroglyphs. Eventually, after a two mile four wheel drive expedition in our Subaru, we discovered we were on the wrong side of the highway. Eventually we made our way to the correct side and saw a few very nice petroglyphs. From talking with another couple, we suspect there are many more petroglyphs in the area, but as it was both late and raining, further searching will have to wait for another day.
We took Cynthia out to some of our old birding haunts, Camas National Wildlife Refuge and Market Lake. We were hoping to see a moose. No joy there, but we did have a nesting Sandhill Crane next to the road, a couple of Trumpeter Swans, and my 257th species for Idaho, a Red-breasted Merganser. We also ran into a group banding birds. Always fun, especially, when we got to release the birds.
Our next adventure was Camas Prairie Centennial Marsh. Yes, time to see the camas lilies. This year our favorite spot to photograph the flowers was underwater. Oh, bother.
Camas Lily, Camassia quamash
I'm not sure when I was last at Craters of the Moon National Park, but I know it was a long time ago. The park service's estimate on peak flower bloom was a couple weeks in the future, but we went anyway and it was fabulous. We hit peak bloom time for the onions and Spotted Fritillary! We thoroughly enjoyed it, and will try to go back during peak for some of the other species.
Small Onion, Allium parvum, one of five species at the monument
These are tree impressions, created when lava covered living trees.
It is hard work getting photos of the fritillaries.
I did Jr Ranger books at all the sites. And got a bunch of badges.
One of Mom's flower beds.
Happy birthday Mom!
Flowers in Nevada on the way home were very nice as well. When it next rains, we will have to spend a couple days admiring them. Who knew Nevada could have superblooms.
Arrowleaf Balsamroot, Balsamorhiza sagittata
Several valleys were filled with desert globemallow.
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