Yikes! What a title…Oh no, not another old man rant?! (Mountain misery…) It’s alright – this is about the welcome sights and sounds as you sit by the fire, or awaken and stumble out of your tent early on a bright morning. An old(ish) man, content.
We stayed at Green Point campground once again, and I’m so happy to say it was a wonderful experience. Fellow campers were well spaced and well behaved – like we all hope for when you first roll in.
We had a green and leafy walk in site, mere minutes from the beach, with the constant sound of the Pacific surf drifting up from below. The first night we dropped off with light rainfall drumming on the roof of the tent. It’s ok to drop off to the sound of rain, but you don’t really want to wake to it…
…we got lucky, and awoke to bright skies and big sounds. Much of the cacophony came from the multitude of birds, seen and unseen, that were our companions. I’m not knowledgeable in identifying bird calls or song, but it is very pleasant to sit and listen. I wrote brief notes one morning in an attempt to describe some of the calls:
– sounds like it is saying “trouble-trouble”
– sounds like two coconut halves clopping together
– a wooden note on a glockenspiel?
– cawing, croaking, whistling, chattering, chirping, squawking and shrilling
Hmm. I read my notes and decided to put the pen down, pick up my coffee, and just watch and listen. And really, the word cacophony is the wrong word to use – it was anything but harsh or discordant (but I like the sound of the word, so there it is in the title!)
Steller’s Jays flashed across our site, brilliant blue against the green, never still long enough to me to get a photograph, they were intently foraging on through the campground.
The whirring buzz and flit of hummingbirds is a delight, and if they catch me unawares (which is most times) they always have me leaping up in crazed self defence until I realize it is a hummingbird and not a large hornet out to get me (sad, but true, and happens nearly every time…) I love seeing hummingbirds. To a small boy growing up used to the ducks and pigeons in various London parks, the very idea of hummingbirds was so exotic. It still is! One morning, I saw hummingbirds smaller than butterflies, and butterflies larger than hummingbirds. How cool!
Looking up and through the trees, there almost always seemed to be small clusters of ravens wheeling, tumbling, and floating across the sky. I know little about what the behaviour signifies, but it seemed they were being competitive, showing off their aerial skills. I appreciated the show.
Sit looking up long enough, and eventually a bald eagle will glide over. Always excited to see one, bald eagles are simply magnificent. To me, they are so representative of wilderness and rugged landscapes. I think I said it last week, (Seals, bears, and bald eagles) but I’ll say it again, it is always a thrill to see a bald eagle.
An American robin would sometimes hop past, and a small sparrow sat and sang and sang for several minutes – long enough that I managed a (blurry) photograph.
What a way to start the day! And continue the day. And finish the day. It was hard to drag ourselves away. A joy simply to sit there – birdsong, breeze in the trees, drips and drops after the rain, and surf sounds below – what a camping soundtrack. With a cup of coffee, about perfect, and an old(ish) man, content!
Thanks for reading! Please feel free to leave a comment or share a story, and have a wonderful weekend!
(With the exception of the bald eagle, all the photographs were taken less than 10 metres from our tent – it was a beautiful site!)
OldPlaidCamper 
An enchanting post pc. Relaxed, observant, appreciative — nothing like a few days in the woods to open up our eyes and mind. Thanks so much for sharing this lovely experience with us. Your photos are terrific, love the bald eagle. I think the “beautiful singer” you photographed might be a wren. I loved your notes, and had a fun laugh at your confession about the leaping hummingbird experience.
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Very happy you enjoyed this one – I’m pretty sure you’d have been able to identify the birds we heard! Thanks for identifying the wren. I’m confident in naming the bald eagles, but after that…
Have a great weekend!
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The best part about camping (for me) is the early mornings before the grounds get busy with the local tourist or glampers. No noise, but nature and sitting and enjoying it all. As always a wonderful post. Have a beautiful weekend.
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We really lucked out that time – quiet campers day or night and a real chance to enjoy it all as hoped for.
Thank you, and have a wonderful weekend!
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What a wonderful experience. I love your descriptions of the bird sounds.
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Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed reading this, and I appreciate you taking the time. I’m not at all experienced in identifying birds unless they are really distinctive, but it is fun being there and trying anyway.
Have a wonderful weekend!
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I haven’t been camping for almost two years and that is a long time for me. Your post inspires me want to go on a camping travelling adventure. sigh……beautiful photos and you seem to be very sensitive to nature, I appreciate that so much, especially in this modern world. Is it possible to get permission to use your photo of the bird (the little guy) as a painting? I always give credit to the photographer. 🙂
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Camping is always a treat, provided you can find a quiet spot – that seems to be the challenge…
Please feel free to use the photograph for a painting. I’m delighted you might want to do so!
Thanks, and have a great weekend!
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thank you! how do I give credit to you? I don’t think that I know your name…..should I refer to your blog as well, if and when I do a painting using your photo? You have a wonderful weekend as well. 🙂
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This really makes me want to grab the tent and sleeping bag and get out there this weekend!
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Always a good choice – thanks, and enjoy your weekend!
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Your camping soundtrack, photos and bird song descriptions were wonderful. Be careful with the hummingbirds, once you reach the old(ish) stage, it becomes much easier to hurt yourself when you’re jumping out of chairs and flailing your arms. Enjoyed your story and have a good weekend.
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I will be careful – explaining an injury due to hummingbirds would be awkward…
Thanks, and I hope you’ve had a good weekend!
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How wonderful. I agree, eagles are majestic. Here in Australia we have birds that sound like they’re swearing. F… and cockatoos that screech. Hardly relaxing to wake up to.
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