More and more Readhead Ducks (Aythya americana) have begun to settle on the pond over the last few weeks affording some better photography. 

Walton County, Georgia

A crisp breeze moves through the pines. The continuous climb of the stream-side trail elicits some heavy breathing which can be seen in the chilled air, cleansing the lungs. An array of crystal spikes hang inverted from the fallen trees that straddle the waterfall and drip shimmering, crystal drops. What a beautiful day for a hike! What a beautiful place to do it!

Vogel State Park is located at the base of Blood Mountain in the Chattahoochee National Forest in North Georgia. It is one of my favorites as it embodies that Appalachian Mountain beauty. The well-laid trails are perfect for even young hikers like my daughters. As we learned at an interpretive lesson that evening at the park headquarters, much of the park was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the 1930s. Those were tough depression days, but they spared no gift in laying out this park. 
​ 
After several hours, we make it to the peak of Bear Hair Gap Trail. An overlook through the trees reveals Lake Trahlyta far below. At 2,500 feet elevation it is one of Georgia's highest altitude state parks. My desire was to backpack the Coosa Backcountry Trail, which leads to the Appalachian Trail near Neel Gap, but my girls are still far too young. But still, this day hike is quite fulfilling, soaking in the mountain landscapes. 

​Friday, 12:25 PM – Monroe, Georgia. ​Although it was a chilly 43 degrees with biting winds, I couldn’t sit stir-crazy in my office chair any longer, especially seeing a beautiful blue sky shimmering off the small wind-driven waves on the pond.  The Hooded Mergansers (Lophodytes cucullatus) were finally there on a sunny day. It seems that every time I’ve tried to photograph them, they are sitting on the pond on overcast days. 

I went out to stealthily sneak up on the Mergansers. Unlike city park Mallards, these little ducks are so skittish and quickly paddle or fly to the opposite side of the pond whenever any person, car or truck passes by. I decided to sit and hope a passing public works vehicle on the opposite side would push them my way.
​
While crouched in a shady spot and waiting for the keen-eyed guys to forget about me, I saw a hawk fly into a snag on the far end of the pond. A moment later, I saw a second hawk catching a draft on the 20 mile-per-hour winds.  I focused my 300mm lens on the hawk in the air. The short tail and streaked belly- band let me know I was watching a Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis). It was awe inspiring how this bird drove face first into the cold wind.  He was soaring and occasionally flapping his wings, but stayed perfectly in one spot in the sky. For 48 seconds I kept my camera still and without panning or moving, the hawk stayed within the focus grid of my camera. 

After the brief ride on the wind, he dove and then cut a sharp curve toward the snag at the opposite end of the pond where the other hawk was perched. I watched in amazement. Instead of perching on a limb next to the other hawk, he perched on the other hawk and stayed for about 8 to 12 seconds. 

​Though most sources state breeding doesn't begin until March, and mating usually follows aerial courtship displays, I’m pretty sure about what I witnessed. It certainly wasn’t a violent attack meant to drive an adversary away, as both proceeded to sit perched near each other for another five minutes or so. Both flew off as I invaded their privacy and neared the base of the tree for a better photo.  
​
Satisfied I had cured my cabin fever for the moment, the biting wind drove me back into my office. Once again, the crafty little Mergansers managed to avoid a sunny day close-up photo! But at least they drew me out of my office to witness this Red-tailed pair obeying the command of their Creator! 

Brasstown Bald two Mondays ago; Hard Labor Creek this past Saturday; Sandy Creek hike Sunday. I am so desiring for an extended hiking and camping trip. What I love is getting out in God’s world: no TV’s, no Nintendo DS, no radio commercials, NO SCREENS! I could have cared less about the Super Bowl as we hiked.

Small ideas of outdoor devotionals and children’s church lessons come into mind as we are hiking. Yes, this world is not our home, but while we are here is it not better to enjoy God’s creation more than man’s inventions?
​
Even getting outdoors door-to-door for outreach is so enjoyable. Amanda and I lead a small group in an older neighborhood of mature trees sporting hosts of woodpeckers and other birds. Amanda’s friend Gabrielle was first to excitedly point out a Red-tailed Hawk.