Month of September 2023 (Nat’l Avg $3.818)

Just got back from a road trip to northern KY. With the cruise set at the speed limit (hint - very high in the free parts of the US) and driving on 6% grades in the mountains, the HEH held in the mid 50s on each tank. This last tank that included lower speeds and flatter terrain, it's at 61 now. Not bad for 65mph interstates with headwind.

 

I haven’t seen any deer down in the bottomland for 10 days. I think the does & fawns have crossed the river, maybe to join the bucks up in the hills. Watch my posts. I’ll probably see lots of deer now.

They placed many hundreds(?) of thousands of white salmon in at the river mouth. The fisher-people have been having a good time. Even I like to use the binoculars to see the pinks jump out of the water, while they move upstream.

 

I’m missing the Ospreys. Yeah, I think they went migrating to the South about 5-6 days ago. Others in the apartment complex are missing the Ospreys, too. I’m also missing the family of Bald Eagles from the nest across the river. They left on migration, 2+ weeks ago.

Anyhow, I was in the bottomland yesterday, on walk-about. While sitting at the river, I saw a Turkey Vulture in the sky & soon after, a second Turkey Vulture showed up. Then, a third. Fortunately, altho I had zoom binoculars, it was the wider-angle Penncrest. Got all 3 TV’s in the same field of view! Then, a fourth Vulture showed up & flew 100 feet over my head. The binoculars gave a wondrous view, looking straight up! Eventually, the first three drifted higher on the air currents & moved way upriver. Finally, all four TV’s were gone. It was nice sitting on one of the rocks next to the river. It was no later than 5minutes & I saw another TV. Within minutes, I saw a total of 5 TV’s. I assume some of them may have been of the first group of four TV’s. But, I may have seen 9 different TV’s. Anyhow, I like Turkey Vultures while watching them with binoculars. The TV’s made up for the Ospreys & Bald Eagles that left on migration…… at least, a little bit.

 

Got back from my Michigan pilgrimage Tuesday. 625 miles total.
From Aurora IL to Bloomfield Hills : 310 miles, fcd =56.0 MPG
From Bloomfield Hills to home : 315 miles , fcd = 58.5 MPG.

Bought fuel in Paw Paw MI for $3.699.

 

Lowest price in Everett, WA is $4.799. A station close to me is selling for $5.199! I…..continue to walk!

Latest I heard was putin wants to continue the Ukraine war, betting “don’T rump” becomes US pressy-dent again. The “don’T rump”-putin “love fest” will strengthen, thus giving better energy deals to putin.

 

Yesterday in the bottomland near the river, I saw a Kingfisher fly by, as I was binocular scanning the terrain. Would not have seen it, otherwise. Too distant & fast to tell if it was male or female. At a distance, I’ve seen several flying individuals at times over the last week, so don’t know if it’s the same bird.

Also, saw an Osprey sitting in a tree across the river. Appeared to be smaller than the Ospreys(including the young) that were in the local nest, which I think already went on migration.

Saw two flying Turkey Vultures on separate sightings, one sighting showing nice bird detail with great scenic river views in the background, just like National Geographic would.

Also, binocular tracked about 50 flying crows along the river, which I don’t often do. But, I thought it interesting, they landed in maple trees, with their tops turning to the earliest “fall” colors. Does anyone know if “fall” leaves provide any sustenance that green leaves don’t give?

 

Today , 62 deg F in Naperville , 61 in Elk Grove.

Wind NNW 7

33.1 miles, fcd = 56.5 MPG.

 

↑Two days ago:
…. saw an Osprey sitting in a tree(snag) across the river. Appeared to be smaller than the Ospreys(including the young) that were in the local nest, which I think already went on migration.
////////
Yesterday, saw the same Osprey in the same tree, but this time sitting on the very top. I had a 12 power binocular, instead of a 10 power. Got a good rest & saw the Osprey better. It may be a little bigger than I thought yesterday, but thinner & smaller sized than the young birds from near the apartment. Yes, when I get these 12 power binoculars focused correctly, details are nice, tho the big lenses are susceptible to heat waves.
Out of the bottomland to the west & towards the Senior Center, I saw 2 Turkey Vultures & an hour & half later saw a 3rd TV. Maybe the 3rd was one of the two I saw earlier. I wouldn't have seen the 3rd one, except I did one of my occasional rotations to check for birds or animals behind me.

 

Today, going through the bottomland to the Senior Center, I saw 2 flying Osprey together with the 12 power binoculars. They were distant, & I was glad I had the 12power. Also, a bit later, I saw 3 flying Turkey Vultures & a red-tailed hawk. The SC lunch was also great, meatloaf, mashed potatoes & gravy, succotash, & dinner roll. The lunch is a real support for me. All the cooks are pleasant & one said she was going on a mountain hike to Lake Valhalla tomorrow. I've been there, & I'm NOT talking about Richard Wagner's Ring of the Nibelung. Doing her cooking duties while hiking, she said she would carry extra food for the backpackers she MAY meet, who could need some extra food, while they are hiking the Pacific Crest Trail along the backbone of the Washington state Cascade Mountains. Mighty kind of her.

Returning to the apt. thru the bottomland, I saw the 3 Turkey Vultures AND the 2 Osprey.....again flying.

Later, on a second bottomland walk, I saw a young girl with foot scooter, ringing medallions on a string & singing to herself. I said hi to her, but she didn't acknowledge me, as if I wasn't there. She may have been a bit loopy or pretending to be, so guys wouldn't approach her......or so goes the theory.

 

Saw the girl on the scooter again, singing & talking to herself. She was going too fast on the descending gravel footbridge switchback exit over the creek. She managed to make the switchback, but I don't think she knows, she has a risky future ahead of her.

 

Today, thru the bottomland, I saw a nice Blue Heron standing in the river rapids looking for a morning meal of fish. The 10x40 roof prisms made a great view.... despite no fish to eat. That reminds me, the Church breakfast was excellent....biscuits & gravy, eggs, bacon, apple juice, ending with a wonderful, strawberry, blueberry, banana & raspberry mix. On the way home, garage sales were visited, & I got 3 pairs of nice dress loafers for $10.

 

Filled up this morning at Exxon in Elk Grove.483.9 miles,
fcd =55.6,9.299 gallons.
Price was $3.899. This is the same tank that I filled on Sep 5
in Paw Paw MI.

 

Nice tank!

 

Yesterday, on 2 consecutive walks in the bottomland, I saw 2 single Osprey. Of this 2nd sighting, the Osprey was on the hunt, circling the river. I moved into the shadows, so I would disturb him less & no other people were near. His first attempt striking the water failed. He rose from the water, & disappeared into the trees. Two minutes later, he was back. Circling again, he dove into the water, coming up with a fairly small fish. He flew into the air, moved down river, & then into the trees to feed.

Also, on the two walk-abouts, I saw 3 Turkey Vultures each time. On this 2nd walk, the 3 TVs appeared to be separate, altho 2 eventually circled in air together. A bit later, the 2 landed among crows, who may have had a meal of something. That’s why the TVs joined them. Later still, the 3rd TV joined them. But, I don’t think they got much.

PS….Took a third walk, but outside “of being nice outside”, it was uneventful.

 

Still running on the 9.4 gallons I bought over in Cumberland MD back at the end of August. Drove home to LI and have been daily driving since. DTE showing about 80 miles with the "needle" just under 1/8, so I will have to fill tomorrow or Wed. It's crazy to think of how much land you can cover on a wee bit of fuel.

 

Today , 55 d eg F in Naperville , 56 in Elk Grove.

Wind NW 7

33.1 miles ( I usually put 33.3 miles here because that's what the
Prius measured it at) fcd = 53.9 x .945 = 50.9 MPG.

 

Today , 51 deg F in Naperville,54 in Elk Grove.

Wind W 1

33.1 miles , fcd = 56.2 MPG

 

Hybrids to ya! I don't have a hybrid, just a regular Hyundai Elantra. It CAN get fairly good MPG, but with my reduced economic status & gasoline over $5 here in western Washington, I'm walking, despite my health problems. My bottomland adventures(not really), have caused me to walk even more. I haven't been accurately tracking, but it does appear that in 2.5 months, my tenni-runners have put on 400+ miles. I am really astounded! I'm sure tho, since the female does & fawns have moved out & back to the hills, & the future rainy cold fall & winter are near, I'll walk less. Yesterday afternoon, it was raining & there was no walking. Not supposed to be any rain till Sunday now.

Oh, yeah. Even without a Hybrid, lots of land is covered "on a wee bit of fuel".