Barry and Dana on the Road, and more......: Day 2 at Grasslands National Park

Early start today. Up at 0600 and out the door at 0630. Sunshine greeted us as we headed south of the town of Val Marie to our first destination of the morning, Two Trees Day Use and Trail Head. 10 minutes south of the town we turned onto the access road and into the Park. 2k later we are at the Day Use Area. We are alone. Again. Not uncommon on our visit to the various stops in the Park. i am sure that the Park will get busier as the summer wears on. Right now however, not so much.

We parked and took our box breakfast prepared by Diana at the B&B up to the picnic tables and chairs. Granola, yogurt and fresh fruit. We made coffee and tea and sat in the morning sun. There were birds singing and calling all around us. Dana spotted a Common Nighthawk perched on a branch in a nearby tree. The bird was sleeping. Common Nighthawks are primarily daytime hunters and feed on insects. As we are preparing our crunchy granola Dana notices another Nighthawk, then another. I start looking around and spot 2 or 3 more. In total we counted about 10. They did not seem to be bothered by us. I got a few good photos. I posted one below. They are unusual looking birds that can be easily missed as they blend right into a tree branch. As the sun warmed the air the Nighthawks woke and individually launched and flew back and forth in the open grasslands gathering their breakfast. I'll stick to granola....

After breakfast we walk a bit of the trail looking for Sparrows and other song birds. We identified a Clay-coloured Sparrow, a lifer for us. Also a Bobolink, Common Yellow-throat, Least Flycatcher (first one we have seen, but have heard one other so this one is technically not a lifer), Cedar Waxwing, Flicker, Western Wood-Pewee, to name a few....

One other first on this short hike. That is a "tick". Not sure what species but Dana found it crawling up the outside of her shirt-sleeve. She pounced and eliminated the threat. At-a-girl.....

The rest of the day consisted of driving gravel roads in search of sights and birds. Mid day we got a bit nervous as a major storm was approaching. Warning are posted in the park to heed these storm warnings and if it looks like it is going to rain, get out or stay put. It seems the gravel roads can turn to clay pits very quickly. Calling the local Automobile Agency for a tow is definitely not on.

We picked up another bird species for our life list in the afternoon. The Chestnut-collared Longspur. Happy, happy!!!

For dinner tonight we thought a change of scenery was in order so we drove 55km north to the small town of Cadillac, Sk. One gas station, one hotel, one school, one grocery store and I assume more than one horse. We rolled into town in a major storm. Steady rain. We refuelled at the garage and headed for the tavern for food and beverages. Compared to the hotel in Val Marie this one was only dated, not run down. It was clean and very well used. We enjoyed cheeseburgers and bevies. We chatted with the barmaid about the town and weather. She said that the rain is welcomed as it is the first measurable rain in 2 years. Think about that for a minute. I asked the barmaid what was the local favourite beer. The answer is the same as you get at most small towns out here: Coors, Coors-Light, Kokanee, Blue..... I asked and received a Molson's Canadian. Advice for your future travels here: If you come from the land of Micro Beer, as I do, do not ask for a Micro Beer, and definitely don't ask what the locally brewed beer is. Apart from deer in the headlights looks you are just going to be thought a weirdo, or worse, one those nuts from the west coast. Ha!

A couple of farmers came into the the tavern, ordered Kokanee and Bud-Light, in bottles as we have yet to see beer taps in southern Saskatchewan, and began talking "farm-talk". One was talking about the best phone app for weather forecasting and the other about the price of hard Durham Wheat and Chick-peas. Before you think I am disrespecting these fine folks let me assure you that I am not. What we were witnessing was basic life here in farm country. The rain today may make the difference between a really good year or a really bad year. These are real life issues ones that I certainly don't have to deal with. I for one am glad to support our farmers and I wish them much success. If I could make it rain for them, I would. As you know I travel with weather events. I bet they didn't know that while I was sitting there in that old tavern in Cadillac, Sk. enjoying my Molson's Canadian and cheeseburger with my sweetie.

Tomorrow we head east into Manitoba for more adventures on the road with Barry and Dana....

Enjoy the pics!