At some point every winter we snowshoe to the Kendall Peak Lakes. We decided to see what they look like in Fall. It turns out they’re really pretty. We went up the road/trail to the first lake. It was fun to watch some dipper birds chasing each other and working the various streamlets around the lake.
We were greeted by a varied thrush - who tried his best to sing/whistle as we passed . . .
Varied thrush
Nearing Third Lake through nice forest . . .
Wandering the slopes above Third Lake . . .
Kendall Peaks and forest above Third Lake
We started on a path to the second lake, but lost it, and just made our way through the woods to the second lake, and then on to the third lake. From the third lake we wandered up a ridge toward a saddle near Pt 5441’. We decided we needed to take a different route . . . another time. The forest is mostly not too brushy. We ate our lunch at the third lake and watched what we think was a female surf scoter.
I think this may be a Surf Scoter . . . she kept her distance but did not leave.
Pt 5441 above Third Lake
Pt 5441 (CR)
Kendall Third Lake with Pt 5441 (CR)
Smooth lake gives glassy reflection . . .
Third Lake is not in the ALW, but feels like it . . .
On the way down we followed a bootpath from the third lake down to the second lake. We found a path going toward the first lake, but lost it and just went through the woods.
Don't know what these are . . . British Soldier lichens in blue uniforms? . . .
Kendall Second Lake has nice color . . .
Kendall Second Lake . . .
Near Kendall Second Lake
Kendall First Lake is filling in - lots of colorful vegetation. Watched several Dipper birds at work.
Kendall First Lake
On the way down from the first lake we walked over to the overlook at the end of the road/trail to the first lake. Then we went to Kendall Knob #1 for the view. The views are different in Fall. . . there are many more scrubby trees like alders interfering, but good views can still be had.
Pt 5441 (C)
Afternoon view from Kendall Knob 1
View from Kendall Knob 1
Hibox Mtn from Kendall Lakes area
View south from Kendall Knob 1
Labeled . . .
It was nice to fill up the day with a relaxing Autumn wander.
Thanks for the interest. We are really curious about all this stuff that we see. My vision doesn't always let me figure these out on the spot . . . so I rely on photo zooming at home . . . and help from friends!
This is as close a close-up as I could get . . .
The lichen was located on a rock/boulder near the outlet of Third Lake.
Another picture of the lichen location . . .
On closer inspection, this is a male ruddy duck that is most of the way from breeding plumage to winter plumage. One really weird thing about ruddies is that the male bill turns from bright blue to gray in winter. You can see this bird still has a bluish bill.
Ruddies have a very distinctive shape. If ducks were boats, ruddy ducks would be tugboats.
Between every two pines is a doorway to the new world. - John Muir
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Between every two pines is a doorway to the new world. - John Muir
Don't know what these are . . . British Soldier lichens in blue uniforms? . . .
It took a little sleuth work to identify this lichen. It is Pilophorus clavatus which also goes by the common names of Matchstick Lichen or Devil's Matchstick. It frequently is found growing on rocks as is the case where you found it. https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/179856-Pilophorus-clavatus
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