Hamming it Up

I have to say, it has been a quite a weekend of activity here at Intrigued starting last Friday when we made our way to the race course. Although only 45 minutes away, staying overnight at the trail site takes a lot of stress off the race prep, not to mention the fact the launch was at 5am…or as Linda puts it 5 “Hell NO”am. I still need to get the race recap up on the mothership, but I can let the cat out of bag – I successfully added my 5th buckle from this 50 mile race to my collection. That means another 50 to make 250 for America’s 250. A few things went right, a lot of things didn’t during each of the 5 ten mile loops. Ultra racing is problem solving at the core and I had plenty of chances to demonstrate that over the full day (and night) effort. Prime directive was to get through without re-injuring the ankle or elbow and no new “major” damage to anything else. Glad to report that was accomplished although there is some rib damage that is taking longer than expected to get past. Again, more details once the recap is officially posted. The next day Linda guilte…err, encouraged me to go on a local craft/antique tour (Spoon River Drive) which helped get a lot of the built up acid drained and then made a trip down to St. Louis to get some work done on our RV. Time now to sit back, rest a little and then dig into all the Haunted trail props that need to be packed away. Oh, almost forgot some great news, our Haunted Trail recap video I added to my last post was picked up by the YouTube algorithm – getting thousands of views a day and growing steadily yay! (link here). Enough about me…let’s get to today’s Featured Feathered Friend shall we…

Hammond's Flycatcher found in Madera Canyon, AZ in March 2025

Now if you are like me when I saw this Flycatcher in the queue you probably groaned..well, if you are birder as you know that likely means potential hours nose deep in the reference books. Normally, I would ask you to take a guess as to the species…but that would be impossible from this first shot. Hit the jump and I’ll show you how to properly ID this Empidonax.

Continue reading Hamming it Up

Ah Kah a Qual

The time has come to once again test my training, fortitude and based on my wife’s assessment – my sanity. Two years ago nearly to the day a rock lurking under some devious leaves caused 16 hours of rather excruciating pain giving way to 2 solid years filled with various medical procedures, recovery, therapy and training to get back to this spot, my return to the ultra racing circuit. Not sure what to expect really beyond the overwhelming feeling this is where I belong success or failure. My planned pacer bailed on me yesterday, so I will have plenty time in my head to figure myself out. The good news is Linda will be with me at the loop starts to keep me in the best condition possible. I have been working her day and night on the key verbal communications “Linda, now repeat after me if I whine about being tired or sore you reply: ‘You lily-livered POS, get your damn ass back out on the course, get it done and stop acting like a baby‘”. She still needs some work getting the right tone, but she should be good to go by race time! If you don’t hear for me in a while, assume the worst ha. As a way to calm the nerves, thought I’d work on a post, one about outing that felt as equally tough as this upcoming race. Please give it up for the latest featured feathered friend making its debut here at Intrigued. (including a special haunting surprise at the end!)

Black-Throated Gray found at Florida Canyon, Arizona in March 2025

Any guesses? Probably beyond obvious, but as a hint it is a member of the Warbler family. Hit the jump to learn more about this rather monochrome looking specimen.

Continue reading Ah Kah a Qual

Number 30

I am currently in the sweet spot so to speak. The mental and physical stress of the annual Haunted Trail event has passed for the most part along with yesterday’s final taper run before the ultra race, means a good rest is at hand. The full fretting on the upcoming race hasn’t set in yet giving me a rare moment of calm my body badly needs. Taking it really easy for the next few days in hopes of getting some of the tweaks, twinges and dings to subside to put me in the best condition to battle the trail – the trail adage holds, you just need to get to a point where the entire body hurts as much as the individual angry parts and then you can transition to the mental part of the task. I’ve never forgotten the wisdom a good friend passed on to me many a year ago – “Equilibrium is the secret to success – if you injure your hand, just smack the other with a hammer and carry on”. That may say more about me and the friends I keep than their “wisdom” ha. The good news is there is time to get a post (and maybe more than one) out during this rare moment of relative stillness. To kick that off, here is today’s featured feathered friend.

Ash-Throated Flycatcher found at Patagonia State Park, Patagonia,AZ in March 2025

Any guesses on an ID before you hit the jump – hint, this is the first time this species has been featured here at Intrigued.

Continue reading Number 30

Feels Like a Thrashing

I have to admit, this month (and longer) has been an absolute grind. The lead up to our annual Haunted Trail of Fears event was a pressure cooker as the weather was not cooperating AT ALL. My brother Ron was down just about every weekend to help get everything prepared (broken props fixed, new props finished, props/scenes built and the mind numbing process of putting batteries in everything. We started setting up on Friday, one week before the event kickoff. For practically that entire week it rained various amounts to a point the pathways down into the valley were worthy of a Woodstock Festival. Thanks to incredibly gracious help, the trail was completed (big thanks again to Ron, Brad and Jan and the others in the Scream Squad). Unbelievably lucky, the rain relinquished for the two nights of the event for one of our best haunts ever, only to give way to the burden of pulling it out back of the valley before the rains start again late this evening. Add in the final stages of training for the ultra in two weeks and you have yourself a recipe for a well tenderized body. With the double session 20 miler yesterday for my last endurance training cycle, I can finally start the final two week taper to race day. More importantly, time to get some of the weight loss back (as a toll indicator, managed to lose ~14 pounds), get some of the swelling out of the ankle and basically REST….but before I do that, there is one more task to check before the end of the month.

Sage Thrasher found at Tucumcari Wildife Management Area, Tucumcari, NM in March 2025

Yep, it is the end of the month and we are one post down from our self-imposed quota – Intrigued’s quality control department has been leaving nasty messages on my phone threatening me with disciplinary action, public shaming and removal from the company bowling team if I miss the performance targets. NOBODY wants that to happen, so hit the jump for today’s Featured Feathered Friend.

Continue reading Feels Like a Thrashing

Small Corn Bird…by Brad Marks

Hello everyone! The adage regarding the reports of my death are greatly exaggerated (or the many other variations of that saying) come to mind after my absence here these last 6 or so days. I am proud to say our annual haunt event is officially in the books and based on the feedback received so far, a huge success. I do not want to go into detail now and take away from Brad’s post – not to mention I really, really need some sleep, but I did want to note how much we appreciated all the prep/build help we received this year. Especially my brother Ron who spent many a weekend down here working very long hours and the rest of the Intrigued staff, including Brad and Jan, who spent multiple days in the rain and mud with us to get the props into the absolutely saturated valley, stage the scenes and power it all up – forever grateful! Not sure how much sleep I actually got over these last couple of weeks, however I can tell you the somewhere along the trail sits the 14 pounds I lost in the process. Just need to finish the tear down, restore the body and then get focused on the big race in a short couple of weeks. Will hopefully touch base again soon, but until then, enjoy another incredible find from Brad and Jan on their Caribbean assignment.

Take it away Brad…

Jan and I were enjoying a warm Caribbean day overlooking a beach taking photos.  We were on assignment in Curaçao (pronounced “kyer-uh-SAU” or “cure-uh-SOW” with the end rhyming with how or plow) and had stopped for a bit at Playa Kenepa Grandi (Large Kenepa Beach in English) on the island of Curaçao. 

Most of the members of our tour group were ignoring the fantastic view from the bluff and were standing in line for a frozen adult treat, or visiting the facilities.  The beach was about a quarter mile away and 100 feet below us. Picture a horseshoe; we were standing near the left end of an upturned horseshoe with the beach down in the “saddle” area of the “U”. There was a winding trail from the edge of the parking lot down to the beach. It was rumored to be a clothing optional beach, but we were unable to verify. Imagine, if you will, light blue water near the beach and graduating to a deep blue further out to sea. There was also a slight ocean breeze blowing towards us from the beach.  Jan and I, of course, were exercising our cameras.

While photographing the bright orange Venezuelan Troupial (link here), this other yellow bird kept leaping into the frame. Later in our photoshoot, we found out that two other bright yellow birds were indeed juvenile Troupials. So, who is this photobombing bird? The new bird looked a bit different than the juvenile Troupials we caught a few minutes later. This new yellow bird wasn’t making any noise so Merlin couldn’t help.

Yellow Orioled found by Brad and Jan on Playa Kenepa Grandi

Learn more about this colorful photobomber after the jump!

Continue reading Small Corn Bird…by Brad Marks

Spin the Wheel

True to Brad’s comment on a previous post, I did manage to find a 4th end of the candle to light ha. Tonight will be the last bit of rest before we start hauling everything down into the valley for the big event. By rest I mean squeezing in an 8+ mile night run (there is still a race to be ran after all this), assembly of a couple of remaining props and …well this rush of a post, Note, it would be incredibly gracious if I could get everyone out there to combine their willpower on a single objective..make it stop raining here!!! Similar to my last post, going to go with a truly random assortment of shots. Basically, opened the gallery folder of unpublished shots from our Texas trip back in January 2025 and spun the wheel on the mouse. Wherever it landed..that’s what you get – a couple of times my finger slipped and you simply got the next one, but all is good.

No time to waste, let’s get to ‘dem shots!

Various shots from trip to Texas in January 2025

For our first entry, the wheel has chosen a resident of Anahuac ….oops again, Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge. They have a LOT of these prehistoric creatures laying on their banks – this one was one of the larger ones we have seen there.

Hit the jump to see where the wheel takes us next!

Continue reading Spin the Wheel

Mexican Eagle…by Brad Marks

Got a call from our Quality Department none too pleased with our current level of output this month. My whines and excuses fell on deaf ears as they simply point up at the month quota goal sign while playing their tiniest violin. Even hitting the 21 mile day running milestone this week – a mere 3 miles from the peak training effort I need to hit prior to the Oct race, still held zero sway . Heartless I tell ya! Anyway, no worries (yet) as I have an “ace up my sleeve”…or rather a “Brad in my folder”! Been saving up his adventures for this very situation. Apologies in advance for my lack of comment responses – we be burning the candle on three ends ha,

Take it away Brad…

Having adult children with their own careers makes family travel a challenge sometimes, but all the more rewarding when schedules mesh.  Jan and I found a moderate length cruise around the Caribbean in early March that would fit within the vacation time Allyson and Garrett had available to them.  The cruise took us to five new countries (six for Garrett) including a partial Panama Canal transit.  No, the ship didn’t sink part-way through.  The ship only had enough time to go into the Canal Zone through the Atlantic set of NeoPanamax locks (the new larger set of locks completed in 2016), wait a couple hours on Gatun Lake for its turn to pass back through those same locks on the way back to the Caribbean.  The new set of larger locks are one-way only, sort of like many tunnels through the mountains in the Black Hills: ships have to wait for on-coming traffic to clear before proceeding through the set of three locks in the opposite direction.

One of the stops on our recent Caribbean assignment was Curaçao (pronounced “kyer-uh-SAU” or “cure-uh-SOW” with the end rhyming with how or plow or now).  Please do not pronounce the last syllable with a hard “c” which sounds like a “k” as in the word “cow” or they will definitely know you are from America, or have had a bit too much of the blue liqueur famously named for the island.

Jan and I were taking a tour of a local ostrich farm.  Since the ostriches were captive, I can’t really count them, and I’m not.  They are just a prop for this story.  Our tour group of about 25 people had been broken up into two groups, because the local tour vehicle was a small minivan with iron pipe benches bolted into the bare metal interior.  There were no glass windows in the “van” so we could freely take photos without odd reflections from the glass.

Crested Caracara found by Brad and Jan on their trip to the Caribbean

Now that looks like an interesting bird, hit the jump to learn more.

Continue reading Mexican Eagle…by Brad Marks

Sleepless in Peoria

We are only two weeks out from our annual Haunted Trail event and let’s just say there is a LOT of work still to be done. Technically, with tremendous help from my brother Ron, we are ahead of schedule from last year’s effort….but, we grow by at least 10% every year. Many of the tedious tasks are out of the way (ex. putting batteries in all the props and our proprietary controllers, testing them and fixing everything that broke during the tear down last year or just from being stored for a year in changing conditions. In all of this the training for the October ultra continues leaving little time for bonding with my pillow. As previously noted I will be leaning heavily on Brad and Jan to get us through September. Just so they do not get too overwhelmed, jumping in today to bring you the One-Offs. Those shots are just hanging in the photo queue because they didn’t have an engaging story and/or just not enough images to entertain you – also sneakily doesn’t require a lot of writing/prep as it is really just meant as eye-candy.

Various finds from our trip out to Arizona in March 2025

All of these images have a common thread – they are all outtakes from our trip out to Arizona back in March 2025. Hit the jump to enjoy this cornucopia of tins.

Continue reading Sleepless in Peoria

Not a Little Blue…by Brad Marks

We are knee deep in props at the moment, troubleshooting mechanical issues (number one skill required for haunts for sure), finishing up this year’s new additions and installing a small truckload of batteries (easily over 600 range). Thanks to immense help from my brother Ron, I dare say we are either ahead or minimally on plan – I am cautious as we are ALWAYS working it right up to when the guests start arriving (Brad can confirm). This year, Linda added in a two day break from the prep work for a little relaxation and that started today. We our now in St Louis to see our favorite band AC/DC!! (technically tomorrow night). Since the tickets were purchased nearly a year ago, we have been keeping our fingers crossed both Angus and Brian would make it to the concert date – only 24 hrs left to worry ha. There has been a front-band change as the Pretty Reckless was a late swap out for the Foo Fighters – technically a trade up in star power, but we were really looking forward to seeing little Cindy Lou rock it out (link here – yes, that is Taylor Momsen). While Linda and I enjoy the remaining hours before near deafness , Brad is going to take the helm and bring you another adventure from their trip Down Under. Take care everyone and “For those about to rock, we salute you!” (link here).

Every now and then when Jan and I are photographing birds, I’m certain I know what the bird is.  At least I think I am.  That’s the case here, sort of.  However, I wasn’t even present when most of these photos were taken this time.  Let me explain.

Jan and I had gone different directions while on assignment in Cairns (pronounced “cans”) Australia.  Seeing the Great Barrier Reef was one of my life goals.  That is, until the marine forecast called for 2-meter (6 foot) waves and a very small boat.  I decided to stay on solid ground and keep breakfast down while Jan decided to brave the 2-meter waves on the Coral Sea to go see the Great Barrier Reef. 

The excursion catamaran took Jan to Green Island, about 27 kilometers, or 45 minutes off the coast of Australia perched atop the Great Barrier Reef.  The sea was quite rough that day so Jan decided not to snorkel.  Plus, she had one of our cameras, so snorkeling was really out of the question.  Besides, we left our underwater camera at home for this adventure.  (Small disclosure, we’ve seen and photographed many coral reefs in the past, and this one looked to be similar to the other ones, so I didn’t feel too horrible about missing it, even though it is the Great Barrier Reef.)  Jan opted to leave the big glass (200-500mm) in the hotel room, in favor of the small travel lens (18-200mm) because it was a bit easier to handle and keep dry on a small rocking boat.

Green Island is only accessible by boat or helicopter.  It is populated strictly by tourists during the day, or by a few lucky souls staying overnight at the resort.  There is a small resort that guests would stay over for a night or two, a couple of restaurants and bars, and limited shopping on the small island. 

There are no permanent residents.  Most of the island has partially paved trails, some raised wooden decking, and sand beaches completing the circuit around the island.  You can circle the island by alternating between the beach and the trails.  Green Island is small enough (1.6km or about 1 mile circumference) to casually walk completely around in under an hour if you don’t stop to take dozens (or hundreds) of bird photos.  Jan found most of the tourists stayed near the shopping areas and were not on the trails or the beaches furthest away from the pier.

Pacific Reef-Heron found by Brand and Jan Marks in Cairns, Australia

The early prediction market odds are leaning to “you might get this ID wrong”. Take your guess, put your money down and hit the jump to see if you are today’s winner!

Continue reading Not a Little Blue…by Brad Marks

Bunting to First

By the time you read this, we will have officially used up all the available days in August. I am stunned to say the least… not so much that another calendar page has been torn off, rather we will be in official haunt month. I am sure my long-time readers (so appreciative) are likely bored of hearing about our haunted trail and the effort it takes to get that built, put on for two days, and then torn down every year. It is truly the pinnacle for our year and a culmination of all the prop building and preparation that occur through the entirety of the year. Unfortunately, the “fun” times give way to full on stress when we get to this point as the project plan needs updating hourly the weather forecast is constantly fretted over and “overwhelmed” becomes the word of the day. All of this is really just context to let you know I will be stepping away from the Internet most of September as a result. Fear not, Intrigued will continue to bring you content with the help of Brad and Jan who will be going to bat in my absence. Truth is I have been saving up their adventures to this point knowing this was on the horizon (note, they also just returned from another exciting adventure in the field).

Since our power hitters are coming on deck, thought the perfect strategy would be to “Bunt” my way to first (of the month ha).

Lark Bunting found at Lorsburg, NM Welcome Center in March 2025

No mistaking that bill for a member of the Bunting family. Hit the jump and we will introduce you to a new featured feathered friend making its debut on the wild side of Intrigued.

Continue reading Bunting to First