late December

Christmas was quite an event. We spent 2 1/2 days making a variety of appetizers, soup, dips, and party food for the Christmas Eve dinner. Our 5 guests were very appreciative and photographed the holiday table. Sunday we attended a church service, went caroling at a nursing home, and visited with some of her relatives. A very nice day.
.......Snowy Owls are being reported in Colorado !! A week ago one was seen in the NE corner of the state, for 2 days, and disappeared. Monday we drove south to Aurora following another report of a Snowy at the dam for Aurora Reservoir. Several housing developments have been built along the water, so we wended our way thru the narrow streets looking for a view across the frozen reservoir. At our 3rd stop we met some birders who confirmed the owl had moved to the south. We found our way back thru the subdivisions to a walking/ biking path. It was a beautiful sunny afternoon to be walking across a snow-covered field. It really did look like tundra in some places. No Snowy Owl appeared.
......Tuesday, after some errands, we stopped at St Vrain State Park for an hour of duck watching. Redheads, Buffleheads, Ring necked Ducks, a Canvasback, and a few Northern Shovelers. Robins and Song Sparrows surprised me. Late afternoon we returned to Latham Marsh and were treated to a show by the Short-eared Owls. Female Northern Harriers were looking for dinner as well.

Photos of the Short eared Owl, and the Harrier. photo credits to Nina Hansen.

pre-Christmas

We continue to find additional ways to save our birdseed from the squirrels. Greasing the poles with Vaseline does work, if the pole is in the center of the yard. A squirrel ate an entire peanut butter suet cake before I greased the poles. The finches' favorite feeder is close to the fence, within jumping distance of the squirrels. I have tried to tilt the large squirrel baffle toward the fence to present as much barrier as possible. Nina said a squirrel came in anyway.
........A month ago she purchased a "live trap" similar to the devices I used as a student. While the peanut butter is attractive, the squirrels are too smart to go inside to eat it. Inserting a paw thru the wire mesh will spring the trap, but does not result in a food reward. The squirrels on the porch at the seed tray look at me thru the glass door trying to pretend they are too cute to scare away. They know they are being bad.
.........Our Christmas tree is absolutely amazing. 7 feet high, its a good artificial tree with abundant branches. She will place several balls on a branch starting near the trunk and coming toward the tip. My 2 boxes of ornaments is dwarfed by her 8 or 10 boxes. We only used half of her strings of lights, about 12 or 13. The boxes of plastic gold snowflakes are really tacky, but she likes them. Fortunately the boxes of garlands were not found, so the ornaments are not as hidden as they would be otherwise. Truly the most highly decorated tree I have ever been involved with.
Sunday night we went to a performance of Handel's Messiah. They played selected portions of the Messiah. The chorus was very good, as was the orchestra. My mind picked out the violin pieces. I remember that piece and that piece. My sister played violin in a Messiah orchestra, probably more than once.
........Birders in central Colorado study Gulls in the Winter. I have learned of a place about 20 miles away to go to see Gulls. Ring-billeds are most common, Herring, California, Thayer's can usually be seen. A large Glaucous Gull towered over the others. Bonaparte's, Lesser Black-backed and Iceland are occasionally found.
Photo of a Thayer's Gull, credit to Nina Hansen, and her wonderful camera.

another Elk

This bull Elk was seen from a viewpoint in Rocky Mt Park. Photo of the reservoir is a typical scene in the grasslands.

into the mountains

Rocky Mountain National Park is an hour's drive west on Hwy 34 thru Big Thompson Canyon. 10 days ago we took a spontaneous Sunday afternoon trip to Estes Park. We carried our binoculars and forgot the cameras. Halfway to the park we found 4 Bighorn Sheep standing at the edge of the highway !! Up the cliff were 5 more Bighorns watching the cars from above. It was amazing to see, and we had no camera.
Today we repeated the trip, driving into Rocky Mt Park as far as the road is plowed. We saw one Raven flying across a meadow. On this eastern edge of the Rockies the mountains are broad, rounded and well forested. The pine bark beetle has caused much damage and tree mortality in the park. As we were leaving Estes Park, returning to Hwy 34, a herd of Elk created an "Elk-jam" as the traffic came to a stop while a few of them crossed the road.

A winter snowstorm is forecast for tomorrow. We will stay in and make a pot of soup.

mid-November in Greeley

We have a loyal flock of House Finches and House Sparrows that visit the backyard feeders every morning for seeds. A Northern Flicker has come 3 or 4 times, but the squirrels always seem to eat the peanuts first. Migrating Juncos are a treat, 3 subspecies of the Dark-eyed Junco complex have been visiting: Pink-sided, Slate-colored, and Oregon.
....Today I joined a group birding trip looking for raptors across the plains. Red-taileds predominated, followed by Kestrels. 3 Ferruginous Hawks were seen sitting on phone poles, and one Prairie Falcon. Early afternoon became very windy and we cancelled visiting some reservoirs. In the winter Colorado birders study Gulls. Ring-bills are abundant. In much smaller numbers are California, Herring. and Lesser Black-backed. A few Thayer's Gulls have been reported.
....Most of the boxes in the house have been emptied and contents have been shelved. Important items like power strip surge protectors and connecting cables for electronic devices are coming to light. Boxes in the garage and downstairs storage room have last priority. Each piece of furniture has been moved into its appointed place, and more rooms are being painted.
The snow from the early Nov storm melted within a week, and we were able to finish raking leaves in the yard.
...I haven't taken any new photos in nearly 3 weeks. These photos are from October . Job seeking efforts continue.

The first week

We moved into the house in Greeley CO on Tuesday, Nov 1 with help from members of Nina's church. We are grateful. During the unloading of trucks a snowstorm arrived, and continued into the night. In the morning 10 inches of snow covered the ground, trees, streets, etc. And we still had to return the BIG trucks to Budget !!
My Silver truck sat for 2 weeks in her friend's yard and started up well after we shoveled a path to the road. Hooray for a new battery this summer in Jackson.
........Settling in is taking awhile. So many boxes. She wants to re-paint some of the rooms. We hope to have Internet by the end of the week. She has 6 "shepherd's crooks" hangers for the backyard. I erected all 6 of them and hung as many bird feeders as I could find. Now we have 4 fat, well-fed squirrels and no birds have visited the yard.
.....I did my first exploration this morning, driving north to the small town of Nunn and following a report of Longspurs. The grasslands reminded me of central valley California where I used to go birding. Horned Larks were present in abundance, but no Longspurs. The surprise of the morning was a probable Rough-legged Hawk soaring in circles looking for breakfast.
......Photos of Silver truck, Fuji bike and Dolphin on the roof, and of Nina's backyard the next morning.

the BIG move

From AZ saguaros to Colorado cottonwoods. Friday mid-day we picked up the 2 rental trucks in Tucson. One truck is towing a trailer with Nina's car on it. Despite my complete lack of experience with large trucks, they handed me the keys to a diesel truck with a 24 foot box behind, and sent us out into Tucson traffic. These trucks are enormous !! The cab is big and has landscape visibility.
Strong young men from Nina's church arrived on Saturday morning and loaded the 2 trucks with all her furniture, many boxes, and 2 bicycles. After lunch we drove away, north on Hwy 19 to Hwy 10 east. I wasn't very good with that BIG truck Saturday afternoon and evening. We finally arrived in Deming, New Mexico at 9:30 pm. Sunday morning we had our first mis-hap, the trailer nearly came off her truck. It had been hooked-up, detached, and re-attached during the loading of the trucks. The final attachment had not been secured. It could have been very serious. After waiting for awhile a very competent mechanic came from Silver City and put everything back together.
We went on to Las Cruces and north on Hwy 25. I was becoming much better with the truck. When pulling into a gas station or truck stop we needed to have alot of room for turning corners. Its also important to remember the trucks are 12 ft 6 in in height. That evening we stopped in Santa Fe. I was able to do a few 3-point turns to get the truck into position alongside a semi-truck in the motel's truck parking area.
New Mexico is very dry. Rio Grande River in southern NM is low, Cottonwood trees south of Socorro look dry and dusty, altho some are turning yellow. We did not stop at the good birding place, Bosque del Apache, because of driving the BIG trucks.
In 1995 I worked on a research project near Raton, NM, looking at the effect of Cowbird parasitism on nesting birds. This area is in the high grass plains with scattered junipers and cedars.
Southern Colorado looked equally dry. Two or 3 times we passed old wooden cabins with Cottonwoods on two sides. Photogenic, but we didn't stop much on Monday.
Photos of a Crested Saguaro, and Karen with BIG truck.

end one adventure

And begin another. I stayed one night with my friend Sandy who lives in a small town outside Colorado Springs, and arrived in Greeley the next day. I had an uneventful flight from Denver to Tucson. My friend Nina is a wonderful person. We are working to finish packing up all her things at the house, AND move my storage unit to the house. 2 rental trucks have been reserved to drive all the boxes and furniture to Greeley. A very different type of adventure.

Photos of the Cattle drive I encountered on Hwy 50 east of Gunnison, and a trail along Arkansas River at Salida, where I stopped to make lunch that day.

driving Colorado

I wanted to share some more photos from the past 2 days. The scenery has been amazing. From Durango north on Hwy 550, east on 50 thru Gunnison, north again on 285.
..... I intercepted a cattle drive on Hwy 50 this morning. 3 cowboys on horses, one dog, and a herd of cattle being moved to another pasture in the middle of the highway. All vehicles stopped and waited for the large beasts to move on down the road. Moooo, Moooo, They were not happy about the cars so close to them.

Photos: Aspens and Conifers along Hwy 550, Mountains heading into Ouray, Monarch Pass with fresh snow.

and More Photos

I Camping near Colorado River in southeast Utah.

Reflections in a quiet pool near Courthouse Wash

I named this one Arch within a Arch, in a massive block of sandstone.

Landscape Arch stretches across the hillside, a slender ribbon of rock.

Ancient Rocks and Ancient Cultures

Wednesday I departed from St George, Utah driving north on Hwy 15 to Hwy 70 going east. Cottonwood trees in the dry washes are starting to turn yellow, just a few leaves. This is DRY country !! The landscape along Hwy 70 from Fremont Jct to Green River surprised me. Several scenic viewpoints for places with names like Devil's Canyon and Ghost Rock, large red sandstone reefs, and pale grey-purple hillsides. Eagle Canyon had brown-grey blocky walls and was very deep. There is snow on the high peaks in central Utah.
Thursday morning I entered Arches National Park. Many of the arches here are created from erosion of sandstone fins. Pothole arches form high on the side of a sandstone formation, first from cascading water erosion, then from overhead freezing and cracking of the roof. I enjoyed hiking on the sandstone slick-rock as well as on the trails. This landscape is so large it dwarfs the people walking under an arch.
.....As I continued east into Colorado the red sandstone formations faded away, replaced by the pale brown and white canyons of the Sagebrush uplands. I stopped at the Anasazi Heritage Center outside Dolores. It features a wonderful display of pottery, basketry, ancient tools, models of how the ancient Puebloans lived, and photos of the intensive archeology done ahead a dam being built on the Dolores River. These ancient people did not simply vanish, as visitors were told years ago, they migrated south and east to join other groups of Puebloans. Today's Native Americans consider these ancient people to be their ancestors.
,,,,,Further east the countryside is more green and less dry. Hillsides of russet, orange and yellow Oaks were brilliant in the afternoon sun.
Photos of Double Arch in Arches NP, and Escalante Pueblo after excavation.

a few additional photos

Kolob Terrace area from the top, approaching storm.

Hiking on Angel's Landing Trail. chain for a hand rail while walking on the edge.

hiking thru Refrigerator Canyon on the way to Angel's Landing.


Lupine leaves frosted last night.

Zion

Using the magic of cell phones I was able to meet up with my brother and his wife on their epic multi-country bicycle trip. Late afternoon, along Hwy 89 just north of Hatch UT, I spotted them. None too soon, the weather was deteriorating rapidly. We finally found a camping place 5 miles up a side road in the Pinyon-Juniper forest. Raining, raining, raining.
The next day we leap-frogged the bicycles and gear down to Orderville's only grocery store, with Gary riding into a stiff headwind from the storm. We had lunch at a Rock shop that also sells food items. It was a fun atmosphere to be surrounded by large crystals and rocks. The shop owner recommended another side road to find a camping place.
.....Wednesday morning we loaded ALL the bicycles and gear into my truck, and squished ourselves into the truck's cab so we presented one vehicle for entrance into Zion National Park. That afternoon we hiked Hidden Canyon, a really pretty area. It rained on the way down, back to the shuttle stop. Wet and chilled, we drove into Springdale to a cafe for hot tea and a bit of Internet. Gary had previously contacted a Warmshowers host in St George, and they graciously welcomed us into their home, out of the rain.
Thursday was spent on errands and catching up on Internet. It was Friday before we ventured into Zion NP, this time to hike to Emerald Pools. The waterfalls are still flowing well, keeping the ferns watered on the cliffs. Fall has not yet come to the Zion valley, Swamp maples and Cottonwoods are still green.
Friday we hiked the Angel's Landing Trail. I was surprised by the large number of people on this trail, everyone was out enjoying the views from the top. That night we camped at the top of Kolob Terrace area of Zion park, nearly 7900 ft elevation. This morning the temperature was 28F in my tent !! We hiked near the West Rim of Zion valley giving us very different views of the park.
Photos of a creek near Emerald Pools, and a view of the towering sandstone cliffs from Angel's Landing trail.

On the road again

Where to start ? Friday morning (30) I checked out from being an employee and went to look for my mail package. By 4pm I had the verdict, no mail envelope today. A very frustrating afternoon
...... I headed south past Willow Flats, the autumn colors were beautiful, and continued to Jackson Hole for groceries. South of Jackson Hwy 191 goes thru Hoback Canyon, a steep walled canyon with a few sporadic bushes holding the talus in place. Golden Aspens splashed the upper mountainsides with bright colors, contrasting with dark conifers. Two wildfires were burning along 191: one seemed to be in the southwest corner of the park and the other was beyond Bondurant. It was getting dark quickly so I spent the night near Pinedale, WY.
Sunday morning I backtracked a little to join Hwy 189 South. The grassy plains seemed dry and held few trees. Pronghorn antelope bounded across the fields. Ravens and Black-billed Magpies foraged on several dead animals along the highway edges. Cottonwoods grew in roadside ditches and along Green River. An interesting historic sign gave details of the Green River Rendezvous. From 1826 - 1840 beaver trappers would meet each summer to sell the beaver pelts, and celebrate the summer season.
I drove on thru Kemmerer and had lunch in Evanston. The landscape was so dry. Three cowboys chased after their cattle in brown grass fields.
Leaving the interstate behind, I turned south on Hwy 150 toward Wasatch National Forest. Mirror Lake Scenic Byway is a beautiful road thru the forest. Aspens were again glowing golden against the Spruce and Firs. Small alpine lakes were pretty. The Uinta Mountains Wilderness Area looked like a wonderful place for hiking. High point along the byway was over 10,500 ft.
Wasatch NF is heavily used by the residents of the cities around Great Salt Lake. The entrance fee (Adventure Pass) is $ 7.00 for 1 - 3 days. Campgrounds are $ 18.00 per night. A thunderstorm was forming over the Uintas, and rain sprinkled me while I was hiking near Mirror Lake. I continued on, leaving the NF, and the high country.
.......I passed thru Provo quickly and turned east on Hwy 6, Provo Canyon was beautiful. 10 - 15 miles down Hwy 6 I found a small road with a parking space at the end. Junipers and Rabbitbrush decorated hillsides. Good enough for tonight.
......Sunday morning greeted me with a strong breeze blowing up the canyon. Small towns of Helper and Price had a history of mining and railroads. The landscape from Price to Green River was dry, naked earth with an occasional clump of dry grass. Grey-brown soil had eroded into arroyos by now dried creeks. From Hwy 70 I turned south on 24 to Goblin Valley State Park.
Pink canyons, red and white striped walls of sandstone, and brick-red short, rounded formations are all part of the scene at Goblin Valley. The goblins are fun-sized, and seem more friendly than the tall hoodoos at other locations. I did a wonderful hike in the slot canyon, Little Wild Horse Canyon.
Photos from Grand Tetons Park, Willow Flats and a deer at Spaulding Bay.

Season Finale

Cabin Office closed today, all the guests have departed, all the other visitor services have closed as well. I will be helping another department for a few days and will be heading south by the end of the week.
Aspen trees are turning yellow in certain areas. I have heard a few Elk bugling in the distance. Bison are acting frisky, snorting and rolling in the dirt.
The last adventure of the season was a paddling trip. A co-worker and I launched kayaks just below Jackson Dam and paddled the Snake River south to a well-used take out location. The Snake is a one-way river, as the current is strong. We left her car at the take-out area. It was a beautiful morning, with the willows and bushes in Autumn dress. A Bald Eagle flew from a tree on the river's edge, over our heads and disappeared into the forest. The water is so clear I could see fish swimming near the bottom.
........The adventure of leaving WY has yet to be written.
Photos of the north end of Jackson Lake, and a surprise encounter with 2 Sandhill Cranes near Spaulding Bay.

more photos from tram hike

A hillside of Lewis's flax, with Alpine sunflower, and yellow paintbrush.
Trees have a hard life at 10,400 ft.
Rendezvous Mountain

After Labor Day

Several guest service buildings are now closed for the Winter. All the horses have been trailered away from the corrals, the cafeteria is closed, activities booth has been shut down, and the visitor center has shortened hours. Its good to be able sell a night of cabin lodging to people who have no reservations. The cabins were 100% filled for 3 months.
...........Avian notes: The lone CAL Gull has returned to the Marina. Barn Swallows nesting on the grocery store building have successfully fledged 4 young ones. I saw the entire family sitting on a street light arm a few days ago. White Pelicans have departed from Oxbow Lake, replaced by a group of American Wigeons.
...........Yesterday I drove to Jackson Hole and beyond to Teton Village. My coupon for a free ride up the tram was accepted, and I ascended to 10,400 ft with other visitors. Mountain views to the south and west were amazing. Forest fires burning to the southeast were pushing smoke up the valley and made for hazy views in that direction. Alpine tundra flowers are still blooming in some places, and a few tree islands sheltered Yellow-rump Warblers and Chickadees. Clark's Nutcrackers flew between the tree islands gathering seeds and hiding them. These birds have phenomenal memories and can remember the location of buried seeds far into the winter.
The experience of hiking above tree-line was truly wonderful. In 2 months this area will be covered with snow.
Photos of kayaking on String Lake, Gentian blooming at 10,400 ft, and trees close to tree-line.

Seasons are a-changing

The effects of Hurricane Irene were felt way out here by some of the guests. Several people told me, "We were on the last flight out of JFK airport, or out of Washington DC, or . . . . I offered our office phone and extra chairs to families stranded in the park. Flights back home had been cancelled and their reservations had run out. Travelers were "on hold" for up to 1 1/2 hours trying to re-schedule their flights.
Monday afternoon I did a short hike to Grand View Point, walking through a lovely Aspen-Fir forest. Hillsides were golden in the late afternoon sun. It made a pretty scene with the craggy mountains behind in filtered light from the approaching thunderhead clouds. Leaves of the Arrowhead have dried and are rattling in the wind. Willows and bushes are turning yellow. Only the late summer flowers, the Asters and Goldenrods, are still blooming. Fields where the Bison are grazing have become brown and dusty green. I saw a Pronghorn Antelope running along the edge of the Bison herd, nearly invisible in the brown grasses.
The early mornings are cooler now. I took Dolphin-kayak out to String Lake where there are a few birds left. Pink-sided Juncos and Red-breasted Nuthatches are calling from the trees. I watched a Warbling Vireo feed a begging juvenile sitting on a branch. There is not much time for the second brood to grow up and get ready for migration.
........Photos of Coralroot with the fruiting bodies, and the view to the east from Grand View Point. The mountains in the national forest are more rounded.

Yellowstone again

Enticed by a report of Gray Partridge in Bozeman, MT I decided on another bird adventure. The very good shorebird migration locations in Montana are too far away for a short visit, so I opted for less driving to Bozeman. I selected a route past Midway Geyser Basin to Madison, exiting the park at West Yellowstone. Hwy 191 follows the Gallatin River going north. This is a popular area for fly fishing and white water rafting. The landscape moves from being heavily forested to a steep walled canyon, to open sagebrush flats. T'was a very scenic drive. A thunderstorm was breaking over Bozeman as I arrived, causing me to take shelter in a coffee shop until the storm passed.
........ Early the next morning I found Sourdough Trail, part of a network of trails maintained by the local Rotary Club. The trail protects a riparian corridor between 2 housing areas and a golf course. Black-billed Magpies were dominant. I also saw a Song Sparrow, Yellow Warblers, Evening Grosbeaks, and a few Mallards. Backyard feeders of a house had attracted both Black-capped and Mountain Chickadees, as well as Common Grackles and House Finches.
......Birds had slowed down by mid-morning on this warm Summer day so I left town and headed south, back to the park. A few hours later I was standing on the edge of a natural wonder, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. The falls were thundering, roaring down the canyon. Late afternoon sun made this a spectacular scene.
I saw Ospreys nesting on a rock spire, part of the canyon wall, and being fed by a parent. No predators will climb up to bother this nest !! At another viewpoint I watched a Clark's Nutcracker bill-wiping several times on a branch.
The next morning I launched my kayak at Bridge Bay marina and paddled out into the sparkling blue waters of Yellowstone Lake. Its a huge lake and I stayed close to the shore. Wildflowers are still blooming near the lake edge, watered by small trickles of water flowing into the lake.
.........Around Colter Bay I was beginning to think the forests were totally devoid of avian life, when a Cassin's Finch showed up yesterday afternoon. This morning, behind Jackson Lake Lodge, I watched 2 Sandhill Cranes fly over. Several minutes later I heard other SH Cranes calling. That really is a sign of Fall when the Cranes are migrating.
.......Photos of Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Rainbow in the mist of the waterfalls, and West Thumb Geyser Basin.

more photos from hiking

Purple flower is called Elephant's head (notice the tusk-like feature)

A little Pika among the rocks.

and, a Glacier Lily, the last of this season's blooms.