I’m running up to Harriman with Andrea so we can trek around Silver Lake. Would you like to accompany us? I was asked last Saturday morning by my wife. Before you decide to resume rock searching, you should get back into shape.
I was aware that they had intended to go on the trek the week before, but they chose not to go since the trail was blocked because of bear activity.
Reluctantly, I at last consented that if the bear decided to return, it would be safer if the three of us made more noise. I heard them talking about the lovely flowers they anticipated seeing on the four-mile stroll around the stunning lake as we drove there. Their enthusiasm was contagious, and I wanted to take some photos of the flowers and, ideally, some wildlife and birds. We were all not disappointed.
The Silvery lupine, Sticky geranium, a variety of yellow salsify (goat’s beard), and the stunning blue and yellow Showy fleabane blooms were all over the place as we began our journey close to the dam. Various flycatchers and dark-eyed juncos were gathering whatever insects they could catch.
I was unable to photograph the chipmunks since they were so active, but at last a red squirrel paused long enough for me to obtain a photo. We noticed a small herd of elk that had descended to drink along the trail around 1.5 miles into the trek. Only fleeting glimpses of them were visible to us, as they moved through the dense foliage like ghosts.
We eventually saw our first people as we approached the halfway point, when mountain bikes and even a group of hikers caught up with us since I kept pausing for photos. My wife and her friend were patient with me, occasionally pausing to ask me a question or check that I hadn’t turned into a bear’s lunch.
When they encountered a group of Canada geese with a large black bird perched on a stump in the water, they came to a halt. It was a fish-eating bird, a double-crested cormorant, which takes great pleasure in Silver Lake and all of its tiny fish. As we arrived at the stream that feeds the lake, we noticed little fish and swarms of minnows consuming the floating hatching insects.
The second part of the trek was lined with damselflies, dragon flies, and a variety of small blue butterflies. I once spotted a beautiful colorful butterfly that I thought was a fritillary, but after doing some study at home, I believe it was a rare Gillett’s checkerspot. Only Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, and a tiny area of Canada are home to them. For their larvae to eat, they require huckleberry and twinberry bushes. Along the walk, we noticed both of those shrubs growing green berries.
It wasn’t the only unusual sight I observed on the walk; I also took pictures of a rare white-flowered Sticky geranium in a big patch of vibrant ones.
We observed a flock of pelicans attempting to capture some small fish and a lone sandhill crane around the northeast side of the lake. After forming a circle, the pelicans would swim in unison, attempting to herd the fish together as they snatched them up with their massive bills. Additionally, we observed Caspian terns diving for fish swimming close to the surface.
The four-mile journey felt more like a ten-miler to an elderly man who was out of shape, but the sights and sounds were well worth the time and effort. I was reminded that Harriman State Park is in bear country and that hikers should be able to use bear spray after we finished the hike by watching a demonstration of its use.
A treasure and a fantastic location for recreation is Harriman State Park. Because of what I see when I walk slowly, I like to hike it. I hope everyone is enjoying the summer and had a great Fourth of July.
The typical color of sticky geranium | Bill Schiess, EastIdahoNews.com
Silver Lake shoreline: a rare white sticky geranium | Bill Schiess, EastIdahoNews.com
On Silver Lake, a double-crested cormorant | Bill Schiess, EastIdahoNews.com
The trail east of Silver Lake features a rare Gillett’s cherckerspot butterfly. | Bill Schiess, EastIdahoNews.com
An exquisite Sego lily close to Silver Lake’s beach. | Bill Schiess, EastIdahoNews.com
