Silver Sage Realty » Community & Lifestyle

Sage Grouse Mating Ritual North of Bliss

Connie Herbert — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 20:02:22 +0000

View a video I took of Sage Grouse last weekend when I was thrilled to have a chance to see them during their mating ritual at a lek north of Bliss. I’ve heard about this ritual for years, but had no idea that it occurred so close to home. It required rising early so we could be at the lek at or before dawn. It was awesome to see so many of the males puffing their chests and spreading their tales while producing a sound similar to a cork popping. Imagine popping corks of many bottles around the same time. I took several pictures and videos. There was more activity earlier in the morning when the light was not as good so had trouble getting really good pictures. The video doesn’t do the sound justice since the wind covered it up some. I can’t wait to witness it again next year. I hope you enjoy the video and pictures. This is just one of the many benefits of living in Idaho.

Miracle Hot Springs, A Jewel in Hagerman Valley

Connie Herbert — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 03:58:22 +0000

One of the jewels of the Hagerman Valley is Miracle Hot Springs. It offers two outdoor pools plus several private soaking pools. I love to relax in this naturally warm geothermal water and let it wash away my stress. There are also several heated domes for overnight guests and campsites. You may also enjoy a massage while there. Click here to read about a this special place.

Spring in Hagerman

Connie Herbert — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 18:06:18 +0000

This last weekend offered a multitude of spring activities in Hagerman. I helped with planting trees in Billingsley Creek State Park. with a large group of volunteers mostly from outside of the Hagerman area. After finishing it we visited the great flea market that is held every Saturday at Billingsley Creek State Park. They have great vendors and I was told that they have as many as 250 visit the market each Saturday. If you enjoy flea markets this a one that you don’t want to miss. I even had a brief message while there that was just what I needed after all that shoveling.

While driving around the valley we witnessed people taking part in many of the great activities available in the area. There were sturgeon fisherman, a group of bird watchers, walkers and fly fisherman. Sunday turned out a little overcast, but we took advantage of the last weekend that the Malad River will be open for fishing until the opening of general season in May. It was a fun day fly fishing on the river with mixed results. Dry flies were hatching and fish were feeding like mad. We weren’t alone as there were several other fly-fisherman who were there also. Twice a group of three kayaking paddled by us enjoying the rough water of the Malad River created by all of the rocks. It really was a beautiful weekend in Hagerman.

Area Information Provided by Twin Falls TravelCast

Connie Herbert — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 06:13:56 +0000

The Twin Falls Chamber posted a great video on YouTube about the geology of the Magic Valley area including the Hagerman Valley. This video gives the viewer a good understanding of how the area was formed saying, ”The Twin Falls Area and the surrounding Magic Valley have a violent yet magnificent geological history. Visit the Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument to discover world-renowned fossils, and take to trip to the Snake River to discover how one of the worlds great waterways was formed.”

Fossil Gulch Wind Park Video Tour

Connie Herbert — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:02:07 +0000

Watching windmills being erected on the horizon has been fascinating over the past few years as the number of windmills have slowly increased. Trucks go through Hagerman with the enormous shaft and blade; so large that only one part per trailer is hauled. From a distance I find the appearance of the windmills on the distant horizon to be very pleasing with their interesting geometric design. Up close they are much larger than anticipated as you can see in this video from Man Source posted of the Fossil Gulch Wind Park. The author said, “this is video of the Wood River Community Advisory Committee trip to the Fossil Gulch Wind Park on January 18, 2007. The site near Hagerman, Idaho, built in 2005, has seven 250′ tall wind turbines which produce a total of 10 megawatts.”

In a presentation to the Greater Twin Falls Association of REALTORS yesterday, Jan Rogers, Executive Director of the Southern Idaho Economic Development Organization said that 160 megawatts of renewable energy is coming out of this region alone into the Idaho Power system.

Agri-Action at College of southern Idaho’s Expo Center

Connie Herbert — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 18:14:22 +0000

KMVT Video report of Agri-Action:

North Canyon Medical Center Nearing Completion

Connie Herbert — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 02:37:54 +0000

North Canyon Medical Center in Gooding is nearing completion with the ribbon cutting and public tours coming up on February 12th. The opening of this new state of the art medical center will benefit not only the community of Gooding, Idaho, but all of the communities in Gooding County and beyond. The communities who will benefit from the new medical center include, Hagerman, Wendell, Bliss, Shoshone, Glenns Ferry, Jerome, Fairfield, and Buhl.

Update on Meeting on Nitrate Levels in Cassia County

Connie Herbert — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 01:00:30 +0000

I just wanted to give an update on the meeting held in Burley today regarding the high nitrate levels in drinking water in parts of Cassia County. The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) was represented as we as the South Central Public Health District . The discussion also adress concerns about hormones and other chemicals also found in some of the wells. That problem is not affecting a 300 square mile area, but not all of Cassia County. According to the Times News article, “South Central Public Health District Environmental Health Specialist Scott Arnell said residents can test their wells by picking up a bottle from their office and mailing it to a laboratory in Twin Falls or Pocatello. The cost runs about $12.”

Schedule for Twin Falls County Zoning and Code Update Sessions

Connie Herbert — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 20:17:03 +0000

The Twin Falls County has several open houses scheduled around the county to seek input from citizens. Two are occurring this afternoon and evening and one tomorrow. This is short notice, but if your are want to give your input the schedule is available on the Twin Falls County website.

Shoshone Provides Opportunity to Meet with State Officials

Connie Herbert — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 19:34:28 +0000

Shoshone with be the “capital for a day” according to an article in the Idaho Mountain Express. The event will be Wednesday, January 27th. Those who want to know more and have a chance to meet with Governor Otter and members of his cabinet read the details in the Idaho Mountain Express.