I am officially half way through my hellscape with one event down and one event looming at the end of this week. We put an official wrap on this year’s annual Haunted Halloween Trail late Sunday night as we finished pulling all the props out of the woods. Based on the feedback we have received so far, the scare division had another successful year. I’ll let Brad weigh in on how he thought it went.
To be honest, the trail doesn’t happen this year without a lot of people pitching in to help me out. My injury really put a strain on all the things that needed to be done to put this event on: prepping the trails, pulling everything out of storage, loading up the power sources, organizing the items into their zones, hauling it all down into the valley, putting it up, turning it on and then in a state of total exhaustion, pulling it all back up. A special shout out to my brother Ron who came down several weekends including the three days leading up to the event to help work out the kinks and keep everything rolling. There will definitely be posts coming to cover the highlights of this year’s haunt.
With that out of the way, I can now focus on the upcoming 100K attempt that launches 5am Saturday. Like with the Halloween party, a lot of things will have to go right to get through that. Now doing my best to catch up on sleep and tamper down some pains and strains that cropped up from last weekend’s efforts. In honor of what has past and what is to come, I bring you today’s featured feathered friend.
Hit the jump to read about our rather pointy feathered specimen.
The Phainopepla would be a fitting mascot for our haunted trail as they are pretty evil looking with their dark cloak accented by their blood red eyes. Not to mention their “Exorcist” pose when they rotate their head 180 degrees (not responsible for resulting nightmares). In case you are wondering, the association to the upcoming event is how much I “strain” to spell their name right – would it have killed the bird naming org to just go with the “Shining-Robe” for the species name!?!
As a bit of background, this specimen was found while visiting a place called Sunset Park in Las Vegas, NV back in March of this year. This was our first time at this park and I need to give Linda full credit for discovering it. I was desperately hunting for a Gambel’s Quail thanks to failing to spot one at Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve. That is one of the sure things when we come to Vegas and for some reason they were nowhere to be found…at least on our initial visit to Henderson (link here). There were also eBird reports on some other targets at Sunset, so we made our way over there. As far as parks go, these one was particularly interesting. As we pulled in, there was some form of homeless encampment near one of the buildings (note, we later realized that was a police building of some kind which really seemed odd). That was quickly forgotten as we continued our drive through the park and spotted another +1 for the year just strutting around a parking area (future post). As I was tinning that bird I noticed a child “with” his parents near a large pond. I say “with” in the sense that for about 10 seconds he was by their side before tearing off after a flock of Geese chasing them to and fro until they had enough and flew to the middle of the nearby pond. Quite disappointing as I thought for sure there was going to be an Intrigued post on a kid getting a deserved mauling,
From that point, the park looked like a typical urban park. Central pond, various sized baseball diamonds, disc golf course, lots of trees etc. What I wasn’t expecting is what we found at the far end of the park. We came to another large parking area next to what looked like desert scrub. There were two paved trails there meandering through the desert setting. One was a 3/4 mile loop and the other a 1 mile loop, but they combined allowing you to take a longer path around the outside. They even had a large mound/hill area you could walk up to get a nice overview of the park. Can’t remember why Linda stayed at the car as I headed out to explore this new area. Nearing the end of the outer loop, I noticed this female Phainopepla singing in a tree not far off the path.
Although I already had the species checked off thanks to a prior visit to the Las Vegas Wash at the Clark County Wetlands Park, one cannot just pass up the opportunity to take time to visit with such a cool looking Flycatcher – especially a birder that happens to also be a Halloween aficionado. For the next 30 minutes, this specimen was incredibly accommodating shifting from time to time so I could get a variety of angles (except straight on for some reason). Decided to pull myself away when I remembered Linda was patiently waiting in the car. I really enjoyed my time at Sunset and you will be seeing a few more posts from additional tins during our visit.
I’ve already covered the finer details about this species in my previous post, so I’ll not keep you for another run through that. What I will leave you with is a strange thing I noticed on Cornell’s Phainopepla page (link here). I wonder why they chose a Cedar Waxwing as the profile silhouette for this species. Granted their nearest ancestor is the Cedar (per that overview page), but I have never seen a Shining-Robe drop its crest like that in any of my many encounters. If they were just being lazy, you would think their Northern Cardinal (link here) or Steller’s Jay (link here) would have been a closer match. What say you Cornell?
No, I do not expect an answer ha. Hope you enjoyed today’s featured specimen. Difficult to spell for sure, but I’m thinking this weekend is going to be a bit harder than that. Take it easy everyone and wish me luck. Brad is already standing by with new adventures just in case things go off the rails.
Wildlife Intrigued 
What a striking bird! The one shot looks particularly menacing! I look forward to photos from your Halloween event. Please take care, Brian! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you enjoyed the featured bird – admittedly, the male counterpart looks even more menacing in its jet black outfit punctuated by the blood red eyes. We will definitely get the pictures out soon Cheryl, just need to get them collected and ready for viewing. Will probably have our video out before than which we will be sure and share here as well. Thanks for dropping in!
LikeLike
That’s a great photo of the spider. Cute bird with its spiky, punk do on its head. Good luck on you 100K run. But don’t break a leg.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have to come clean and admit my partner in haunt took that shot – one of the few that really came out nice of that scene on the very dark trail. As an early spoiler, I came up one loop short on the full 100K, but did earn the buckle for successfully completing the 50 mile portion (similar to last year). Had an unfortunate situation the day before the race that left me unable to stand which resulted in some serious pain management/tolerance during the race. I’ll give more details in a future post, but with everything that took place going back to the elbow injury, the trail work and then the back giving out, I couldn’t be more pleased with the results.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Les choses sont contre toi! Congratulation on making most of the 100K. Running 50K is impressive when you’re not in pain. It’s super impressive when you’re half crippled.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sure seems like it these days ha. Someday the stars will align and I’ll get it done. For now, I just need to set my sights on getting the body recovered and then start the progression to getting prepared for next year – losing 2+ months of solid training this year didn’t do me any favors, that’s for sure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s amazing how fast you lose fitness.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is exactly what I just mentioned to Linda along with – ” as a result, its gonna take a least another oh, 5 months before the elbow will be good enough for any house chores…maybe more with my advanced age and all so you might want to hit the gym”. She was impressed on how fast I was able to duck her slap with my injured back hehehehehe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good luck and be safe, don’t go knocking yourself out!
Really like this bird even if I can’t even pronounce the name!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks B., I can confirm I successfully avoided getting knocked out – I can also confirm I came mighty damn close ha. More details to come, but I managed to clip another root hidden deep in a prairie crossing that gave quite a jolt to the bad elbow when I finally gave up the klutz ballet and hit the ground. Pick yourself out of the grass, make sure arm still attached, no bleeding holes, a glance to make sure no one saw you go down and back at it for another 30+ miles….this time much more cautious. I think we should just go with Wally’s name “Evil Cardinals”. Much easier to say and spell. Thanks for dropping in B. and appreciate the well wishes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I share in your excitement of spotting the phainopepla, Brian, and also of having to slow down to type the word. Always a treat to come upon this desert bird and to find one singing must have been super. That’s the thing about birding, you can be in an urban park, sewage ponds or the middle of nowhere and still find some of the coolest birds. Good luck with the run, Brian, and really cool scary spider scene.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am so glad they didn’t reference the Phainopepla in my high school typing exam – would have probably resorted to hunt and peck ha. You are absolute right Jet – there are so many places to enjoy birding and I think that is one of the things that make it so captivation…along with the low entry barrier to start… a pair of shoes and a cheap pair of binoculars will take you far when you are just starting out. Appreciate the encouragement on the run and definitely channeled all the good wishes as I battled the trail demons (and my inner demons to be honest) to eventually make it through. There will be more details in upcoming post(s), but I did complete the 50 miler, but the bonus 10 miles for the 100K was a bit out of reach thanks to all the roadblocks just getting to the starting line this year. The good news is I have plenty of time to rest now and recover from all the big events in the past month. Glad you liked the spider shot – just one of the many scenes from this year’s haunted trail extravaganza (there will definitely be more shots coming from that work). As always, thankful for your time and enjoyed reading your comments.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a cute and interesting bird! I couldn’t take my eyes off this bird. You were lucky enough to spot it and take a photo. I wish you the best of luck in your running, Brian.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the encouraging words Kaya, needed all the support I could get to make it through the race thanks to some prerace issues and a mishap during run, but as this say, all things pass. The Phaino is definitely a cool looking bird and they tend to hold your attention in the field – suspect some kind of dark super power in their eyes ha. They are rather hard to spot, but it definitely helps to learn their call to help get you pointed in the right direction. Appreciate you dropping in!
LikeLike
The Phainopepla is a bit spooky looking with those red eyes and black “mascara” surrounding them. The Alice Cooper of the bird world.
Good luck with the run and don’t push too hard. It’s pretty cool that you are able to do it considering the injury.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great reference Steve, Alice is a perfect association, especially when it comes to their male counterparts in their slick back outfits. As evident by this response, I did technically survive the race, maybe not the full results I was hoping for, but based on what it took to even get to the starting line this year, pretty pleased on how it all turned out – more to come on that front in a future post. Take care!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very cool spider shot, and Very cool bird, great photos! I confess, I too have felt that impulse to just let nature have its way with children ignored by their parents… but that’s my evil side, and my good side always intervenes with short smiling lectures on the risks the child is taking. I swear, some parents think “nature” and “zoo” are synonyms. Ok, end of rant. Good luck with your running (and remember, except for renegade branches, you make your own luck – take care out there!).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Sam – have to admit, that was taken by someone else, but I liked it so much we immediately added it to our gallery. It is actually some iPhone trickery of a merged 24 frame shot in the dark. You are right on about the nature and the zoo reference – even when I’m at the zoo I wonder if in some cases they have the wrong subjects behind the gates. I definitely hit a renegade branch (read root) early on in the race that landed another direct hit to the bad elbow, but it seems to have held .. what a relief, but it made me extremely paranoid the rest of the race, especially when darkness fell. More details to come, but I technically survived. Appreciate the drop in Sam.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Until now I had never seen or heard of this bird – probably just need to go to Vegas more… Anyway, I loved your outstanding photos of her and enjoyed the post. Good luck with the race and the Halloween fun!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Both big events are wrapped up for the 2023 season now. Technically survived, but each year it seems it takes a larger toll to get through. Luckily it is so much fun to put the trail on every year… the run…no so much “fun” but a great feeling of accomplishment when you make it through. Now time for some badly needed rest. Appreciate you coming by.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think this year’s Haunted Trail was a smashing (pumkin) success! Especially with memorial to Ellie Beau. Can’t wait to see the video from this year’s event.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Brad (and nice Chicago band reference). The video is currently in progress – just making a few last minute editions and then we should have it out to everyone.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looking forward to it. As is the Editorial team.
LikeLiked by 1 person
…but you had the pleasure of witnessing it first hand – the video might be a let down ha.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a good reminder, helps refresh the memories.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yeah, the bird. To quote a line from the movie The Big Year, “It’s grey!” Like many comments, I had never heard of this one; just shows how much I have to learn.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You were right there in its region less than a month ago!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great shots of the phainopepla! We lived for a time in west Texas and loved spotting these “dark Cardinals” as my friend called them.
Good luck with the upcoming event. Sounds fun. Exept for that work part.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Wally! I like the “dark Cardinals” moniker – will have to use that going forward ha. As evidence by this response, I technically survived the big run, but one must pay the pain toll to make it through and that I did. Will be putting out more details, but for now it is rest, more rest, more rest, foam rolling and then…well, more rest ha. Appreciate you dropping in Wally.
LikeLike
You really must have had sinister Halloween and ultra thoughts on your mind when you wrote this. I would never associate the words evil and exorcist with this bird, especially since she was so accommodating and kept showing you all her attractive sides. 😊
I hope the “event” this weekend went well for you, fingers crossed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have to admit, the male version of the Phainopepla is a lot more menacing looking with its jet black outfit and red eye. I was definitely channeling some dark energy for that post having made it through one big event and looking towards to the death march of a trail run. All past now except the healing and documenting what went right and what went wrong to be better prepared for next year. Glad you dropped by!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t wait to read your report.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll let everyone know once the post is up on the mothership. Working on the synopsis now Pt 1: Some Pain, Pt 2: More Pain, Pt 3: Holy Crap, More Pain!
LikeLike
Stunning images
LikeLiked by 1 person