In search of the first Satin Flower of the year

looking towards victoria from the top of Mt macdonald

the trail leads from the right to the left and back over the same route

Today we hiked up the steep slope of Mt Macdonald and then explored the hills connected to the mountain on the south side. For the most part it was promising to be  a nice sunny day, a few high wispy clouds but not enough to block the sunshine. By the time we got to the top of Macdonald about 1000 feet above the car the wind had picked up and was blowing quite briskly from the north. No Vultures or eagles yet, maybe to early in the morning for them to be soaring around in the wind. A Red-tailed hawk was circling to the south of the summit however.

Fox Sparrow

On the way down the other side of the summit we came across a commotion of bird scoldings. Juncoes and fox sparrows, even an Anna's Hummingbird got into the action. We searched around the area for some time but came up with no answer to why. Maybe we just couldn't see the saw whet owl or cooper's hawk that they could.

Looking south from the second hilltop

We then made our way down to the access road way before crossing it and heading up another steep trail to the top of the next hill. The CRD has carved another road in the area inorder to have access to the radio and telephone towers on top of Mt Macdonald. They did cover up the old roadway however with alot of debry to rehab the landscape.

one of the valleys to cross to connect to the other hill tops

After climbing up to the last hilltop I brought out my scope and started to search for the Golden Eagles that, if they are nesting in nearby nest tree this year, should be in the vicinity. But no luck, couldnt see into the nest but no birds were perusing the area at all. So they may be using another unknown nest this year. arrgh
Have I mentioned how windy it was. Man, it was a cold wind, more like January than the first day of srping, by the time I was finished with the telescope my hands were pretty much icicles, and time to get moving to warm up. My hiking companion  looked quite comfortable huddled out of the wind  soaking up the sunshine. 

Mt Braden and Golden Eagle territory

I decided the most likely spot for the Satin Flower was down on a south facing outcrop, since none have been seen yet today. And I had pretty much given up hope of seeing any in bloom since the plants were only a couple of inches above the moss so far.
 We headed down the ridge line to the far end of the Mt Macdonald hilltop chain. From the very south tip of the hill we could see a 180  degree view of the south tip of vancouver island.with not a house or road in sight.

Finally on the very south tip, as far as I was going to search was One Lonely  Satin Flower in full bloom. a 2 mile trek up and down, more up than down, to find one silly little flower. In a few weeks these hills will be covered in them. Now back up and over and down two miles to the car, ouch.