9/12 Smoky Walk at Massacre Rocks State Park

I am at this state park for a few days.  When I arrived yesterday, and even this morning, the sun was out with just a little haze.  However, by late afternoon, the smoke haze got a lot worse and air quality got worse, to the point where you could smell the smoke in the air.  Visibility was worse, as well.

The sun looked a little orangish and pale. 

There are other, higher mountains in the distance--just cannot see them. 

More about these rocks tomorrow, but they were brought here from father north by an enormous flood when the glaciers melted and a large lake broke through. 

The water is the Snake River.  You cannot see it well, but the banks on the other side show volcanic origins.  I will get better photos tomorrow, assuming the smoke is less.  And more tomorrow on the history of this place, which is along the Oregon Trail.

A family with kids was having a great time climbing in the big hole in this rock.  In fact, there were four people inside! 

I stopped when I saw these birds.  They looked a little like mourning doves, but were a little bigger and had rings around their necks.  Apparently, they were Eurasian Collared Doves, which are an invasive species that have thrived due to their nesting three times a year and having more young in each nest.