Wetlands Preserve with Sue and Dave
Portal RV Resort
Moab, UT
April 21, 2016
If you are ever in Moab and want to enjoy a quiet, peaceful walk among the reeds, Scott M. Matheson Wetlands Preserve is just the spot.
From Main Street/Hwy 191 turn west onto Kane Creek Rd. at the McDonalds. The preserve parking lot will be about .81 of a mile on the right. It is well marked.
Joe and I had the pleasure of spending time with Sue and Dave (belugasexcellentadventure.blogspot.com) at this magical place where water meets earth...a stark contrast from the red rock cliffs that surround it.
As we rounded a corner, we stopped dead in our tracks.
It seems turkeys have the right of way. Sue and Dave identified these as Rio Grande Wild Turkeys.
Rio Turkeys thrive in cottonwood river bottoms. They eat pine nuts, acorns, juniper berries, grasses, weed seeds, and leafy green vegetation. Benjamin Franklin called the wild turkey "a bird of courage" and if he had had his way, the wild turkey would be our country's national symbol. These are the largest of all Utah's game birds.
These handsome fellows were quite noisy and it's no wonder...courtship begins in early spring. Miss turkey was headed the other way!
Sue also identified this Spotted Towhee. What a beauty! They spend most of their time in leaf litter. But I did read that spring is a good time to catch an unobstructed view of them as the males climb into the shrubs/trees to sing their buzzy songs.
We also walked down to the Colorado river.
These Cinnamon Teals were having fun riding the current and then swimming back.
Such a delightful day...
Until next time, happy days and...
What a nice day. Water in the desert always seems to draw the wildlife.
ReplyDeleteYes it does Judy. We heard lots of birds singing and rustling in the leaves, but didn't see that many. I'm thinking a few more weeks and there will be more birds to see. The turkeys were so funny...
DeleteWe've been to most of the 'tourist' stops among the 'Red Rocks', but this we totally missed. OMG - wildlife abounds where water flows. We should be in the area next Spring and your post is now in the folder :) Thanks!
ReplyDeleteAwesome Jeff. Hope we will see you here!
DeleteWhat a wonderful hike you had, love th contrast from the desert and wildlife.
ReplyDeleteIt's a quiet spot away from the hustle in the parks and downtown. We didn't see any one else until we were leaving.
DeleteI saw Moab first time in 1996 when it wa still quiet and not too expensive. I cam back again and again over the years. Still love the surroundings like Dead Horse State Park and the Nat'l Parks. The quiet rails though are rare now so I love your posting showing a great alternative.
ReplyDeleteThank you...
DeleteA nice peaceful, relaxing day with nature:)
ReplyDeleteRelaxing with nature and friends is always nice....
DeleteWith the kind of weather we are having, I surely will miss the Preserve. Missing it is just one good reason to comeback. So many activities/places Ive missed :(
ReplyDeleteSo are the Turkeys the one we kept hearing from the campground?
That's a good possibility ML...we have seen lots of turkeys in the campground in years past. You definitely have to make a return trip!
DeleteI wish I had known that preserve was there when we visited Moab! I never knew there were turkeys there!
ReplyDeleteYou will just have to come back Lisa...
DeleteLooks like a perfect day with great peeps. Love the cinnamon teals :-)
ReplyDeleteThey were so much fun to watch Jodee.
DeleteGood to see you're still having a great time, taking great photos and enjoying yourselves!
ReplyDeleteLife is good Jeri!
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