Month: September 2026

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