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Double-Crested Cormorant LbNA #56634 (ARCHIVED)

Owner:The Olde Oak
Plant date:Dec 1, 2010
Location:
City:Kelseyville
County:Lake
State:California
Boxes:1
Found by: Not yet found!
Last found:N/A
Status:m
Last edited:Dec 1, 2010
To find the Double-Crested Cormorant Letterbox head over to Clear Lake State Park on Soda Bay Road south of Lakeport. Clear Lake State Park is on Soda Bay and sports numerous waterfowl, one of which is the Double-Crested Cormorant. Take a look at some facts about this fisherbird:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double-crested_Cormorant

When I saw the image of this cormorant I thought it was something fancier than the normal cormorant with which I’m familiar, but that is not the case. The image I first looked at and is represented on the stamp is the male cormorant in his fine breeding plumage with his handsome white crests on his head.

Soda Bay itself is a whole other story:

According to Pomo legend, a beautiful maiden living on Mount Konocti created Soda Bay with tears shed over the deaths of her feuding father and lover. Geologists believe Soda Bay was formed by violent volcanic events that created a circular crater - called a “maar” - when magma came in contact with lake water.

Today, Soda Bay still bubbles with volcanic gases of carbonated water that rise from the bottom of the lake, making the surface look as if it were boiling. The larger vent holes - some reportedly more than 100 feet deep - serve as nursery colonies for millions of juvenile catfish, attracted by plentiful food and protection inside the caves.

I myself failed to see any of these interesting bubbles, but be on the lookout when you go!!

At the State Park gates be prepared to pay $8 day use fee or $7 if you’re an oldster. Drive to the Day Use Area and park near the back. Now walk over the foot bridge that crosses Cold Creek. It’s on the east side of the parking area to the south of the restrooms. On the other side of the bridge to the left, or north, you’ll see another parking area. Cross this parking area and spy another restroom. You will be taking Kelsey Creek Trail for a short while, but while I was there it was hard to find the start. Head north past the restroom until you spy to your left one of those faux wooden walkways suspended over a marshy area. Follow that walkway. When you see a bat house keep going. At the second bat house (TMS) which should be on your right stop. Go around that tree to the slough side. Face the middle of the tree with your back to the slough. The letterbox is in one of the cavities formed by the large oak roots. The cavity you want is on the right side, one of the higher cavities. As you look at the tree trunk and if you sight straight down its right side the letterbox cavity is beneath and just to the right of the main trunk line. The Double-Crested Cormorant Letterbox should be behind some leaves and pieces of bark.

Please close tightly with all plastic tucked completely in box, and shove box all the way in camouflaging the opening with bark and leaves. And please be discreet!

Thanks for coming!!