24 June 2005 Marsh Fork

I went on a 10 day natural history trip to the Marsh Fork of the Canning River for members of The Nature Conservancy. As the TNC representative and supposed naturalist, I talked to the members about The Conservancy's work and goals in the Arctic and helped with natural history as I could. The real naturalists and river guides were Wilderness Birding Adventures (that's Bob and Lisa in the photo). Our first layover day was at the base of this canyon and the holy grail of birding for that day was to be the gray-headed chickadee. After a leisurely breakfast of pancakes, we all headed out on a hike. We started out wearing sandals so we could cross the creek, then changed into hiking boots. About a half mile up, we crossed back over the creek to access a waterfall inside a cave. Then back across the creek and up a steep, rocky slope to the top of the canyon wall. Near the top of the slope, Ted or Lisa spotted the gray-headed chickadee. We all parked ourseves on the slope and watched two chickadees flit about in the willows.