GC2T6VJ CLAPS: Birds of Armand Bayou (Unknown Cache) in Texas, United States created by cachestacker

This cache has been archived.

cachestacker: Bye, bye birdies!

GC2T6VJ ▼

A cache by cachestacker Message this owner

Hidden : 5/30/2011

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

CACHE IS NOT AT POSTED COORDINATES!

Welcome to the Clear Lake Area Paddle Series! These paddle series are designed so that the caches would be obtained, primarily, by paddling (kayak, canoe, raft, etc.). Of course, there may be other ways to get to the cache. That's up to you. Just watch out for the alligators!

Learn more about the CLAPS paddle caches by clicking on a cache in the series from HERE: CLAPS Bookmark Page.

The Armand Bayou Paddling Trail follows Armand Bayou from near its confluence with Clear Lake, upstream through the Armand Bayou Nature Center to Horsepen Bayou and continues far upstream past Bay Area Blvd. Alligators in excess of 10 ft. are commonly seen. The alligators may be a feature that stands out to novice paddlers, but most 'non-birders' don’t really know about the significant bird diversity that is present here - right in our own back yards.

More than 220 species of birds are found in the area, including Osprey, Roseate Spoonbills, various Egrets, Herons and Pelicans. The bayou, while surrounded by urban development, remains one of the few relatively pristine waterways in the Houston area. Its unique character was recognized when it was designated as one of only four Coastal Preserves found along the Texas coast. Lands adjacent to the bayou provide a glimpse of riparian coastal flatland forest and tall grass prairie habitats that were once abundant in the area. The area is rich in wildlife and is known for very diverse bird fauna.

One of the most interesting things you will hear while out on the water is the birds themselves. Occasionaly the flap of wings (sometimes as a pelican takes off, smacking the water) or the flutter of smaller birds through bushes or bush. But mostly what you hear are the different songs, calls, chirps, caws, warbles, and cries. With over 220 species found on Armand Bayou at some time or another throught the year, you are sure to hear a cacophony of bird noises every time you go out on the Bayou. Some of these sounds are pretty. Some are pretty startling! Some are just downright strange.

Below are just a few of the most commonly found birds found on Armand Bayou. I have seen all of these birds between the headwaters of Armand Bayou and Clear Lake while paddling, along with numerous other, and much larger, birds. While there are several different species of Egrets, Herons, and other birds frequently found on the Bayou, I have listed some by their generic name for the purpose of solving the first part of this puzzle and used a photo of one I liked.

I will say, however, the one bird remaining on my Armand Bayou bird list is that of Aviarius Geobirdus, a/k/a the Geobird. This small, multi-colored bird has yellows, greens, blues, and oranges on it. The Geobird has a very unique chirp that is unlike any other bird. Native legends hold that this bird will lead you to a cache of treasure if you can interpret it's call. Nobody to date has been able to capture a photo of this bird, nor a recording of it's chirp. You now have your mission! Feel free to post a photo of the geobird if you find it, just don't give away the solution to the final if you do.

Solved coords to first stage (of two) are N 29 ___ ___ . ___ ___ ___ W 095 0 ___ . ___ ___ ___.

Those not chirp-enabled can read the multi-tag on the geobird
at the solved coords to get the final coords.

Latitude	Longitude
Cormorant	Dowitcher
Egret	Ibis
Downy Woodpecker	Dove
American White Pelican	Flycatcher
Canadian Goose	Is this what a Geobird looks like? Don't think so...

You can check your answer to the first stage of this puzzle on Geochecker.com. This stage will give you coords to the final.

FTF pin for FTF.

Congrats to no muggle & bittybit for FTF!

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Check out the CLAPS Challenge Cache HERE: CLAPS Challenge Cache - GC2ANX3.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Svefg fgntr: Gubfr jvgubhg n puvec znl arrq gb yrnir gurve obng. Frpbaq fgntr: Va penpx bs gnyy gerr ng rqtr bs errqf. Abg zrnag gb or qvssvphyg gb cnqqyr gb. Ab arrq gb tb vagb gur errqf.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)

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CLAPS: Birds of Armand Bayou Mystery Cache

This cache has been archived.

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Geocache Description:

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