At 5:50 a.m. this morning, a sound out my bedroom window brought me immediately from sleeping soundly to alert and awake. It was the distinctive, bright whistle of a mountain lion.
I only learned the sound a couple weeks ago, when I first heard it—and soon after saw (at a distance) what animal was doing the whistling. I’d then researched the sound online a bit, and apparently internalized its pitch and timbre. Which is why, upon awakening—instead of running for my camera and trying for photos—I lay there perfectly still with my eyes wide open.
A minute or two later, after I heard the cat’s final kip-kip as it moved away up the hill, I double-checked the recordings I’d found, Sure enough, that had to be a cougar. Later I heard a security cam on a street not far from me had captured a pic of a mountain lion this a.m. So it wasn’t a dream after all.
Thus, today’s hike with Captain Jack came with a little extra distraction—but the only critters I encountered up there were birds.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 8 a.m., I hiked some 1,500 feet up a mountain.
’Twas a chilly, gray morning. The air was clean, the sky tumultous. The forecast called for the possibility of thundershowers later. (Only a little light rain came.) Dog and I enjoyed a quick, sweet hike up the trails.
Black-chinned Hummingbird.
Not so many birds, although those we encountered were quite vocal, including one calling in the greenery that I did not recognize. (Possibly an odd-voiced towhee.) The two most photogenic species were—again—Lazuli Bunting and Black-chinned Hummingbird.
Still quite a few resident species I have not seen; still time to see ’em, but I might have to stray from my patch.
And I do love my sweet patch.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 7:30 a.m., I hiked some 1,500 feet up a mountain.
Dog and I did the Millcreek circuit today—up the valley, over the ridge, down the switchback—an elevation gain of about 1,500 feet or so. The day was mild, a bit breezy, comfortable. The landscape was green.
And I’m kinda crushin’ on Black-chinned Hummingbirds.
So many today (I’m thinking at least eight), and in all the places I know they’ll be. I have a feeling that by now they even recognize Jack and me.
And I’m learning their behavioral quirks. In particular, I’m diggin’ their great pendulous flight displays—it’s as if they’re writing a gigantic U above the landscape. I’m also learning what flowers they like to sip.
Not seeing as many Broad-tailed Hummingbirds these days. (Guessing they’re earlier nesters and so have gone rather quiet.) But that’s O.K. by me.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 7:45 a.m., I hiked some 1,500 feet up a mountain.
