Quiet Ride on the Tanglefoot Trail
With Terry away on a fishing trip, I had another opportunity to bike the Tanglefoot Trail alone today. The last time I rode alone, I asked God to show me some pretty birds to photograph. He put a skunk and a snake in my path.))) Today, I decided to just wing it…and ask God for safe travel!
Sunshine and a Spit Bath
My first stop was a pasture full of cows stretched out in the sunshine. One mama was giving her calves a spit bath, and they seemed perfectly content to soak up the attention. I’m always amazed at how animals care for their young. Such an ordinary little scene, but worth stopping for.
A New Bird for Me
I did get a few bird photos, including a Song Sparrow—a new bird for me! I never knew there were so many different sparrows. Honestly, I often can’t tell what I’ve photographed until I get home and see it on the computer. Then I get ChatGPT to help identify it.)))
I also use the Merlin app to identify birds by sound. You would be amazed at what’s around you that you never see! Sometimes it picks up 10–15 different species during a stop. Those identifications give me clues about what to look for, but sometimes it’s fun just to listen and see how many it recognizes.
If you’d like to try it, Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab is free for both iPhone and Android. Just search that name in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, or visit the Merlin download page. Once you’re set up, choose Sound ID and let it listen. You don’t even have to leave your porch to see who might be singing nearby!)))
A Little Surprise Under My Feet
My last little photo opportunity was a chipmunk. Now, I’m a country girl. I grew up on a farm, picked cotton, worked in the garden, waded creeks, and climbed trees. You name it, we did it. But I never saw a real chipmunk until we traveled out west and spotted one along the Beartooth Highway on our way to Yellowstone.
Well, lo and behold, there was one right beside the Tanglefoot Trail! Squirrels are everywhere along the trail, so at first I thought it was a young squirrel. A closer look through my camera revealed those little stripes. I took a few pictures, started riding away, and spotted two smaller ones! They scampered off before I could get another photo.
Here I am in my twilight years, still finding something new practically under my feet. And yes, that little chipmunk made me happy.
Time to Notice
There’s something about a quiet ride on the Tanglefoot Trail on a sunny, cool day. A little pedaling, a few stops, and time to notice what’s around me. I came home with some pictures and a smile—and thankfully, no skunk or snake stories this time.)))
