This morning was cool and breezy with sprinkles blowing around. We actually took a little stroll in the (very light) rain, dog and I. Also encountered quite a few birds, many of ’em clearly keeping track of youngsters.
The highlight was a solitary Townsend’s Solitaire, perching, fly-catching, and emitting a very subtle version of its every-two-second territorial call.
I stood a while watching and listening to my first summer solitaire.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 8:30 a.m., I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
Rain this early morning. Captain Jack and I awoke to a gray day and a chill: about 42 degrees (F). We waited until the air dried up a bit, then hiked up the switchback—and saw no other dog or human. Saw a few birds, though.
Notable were two hawk species on this morning’s list. Not far from the trailhead, soaring in the direction of town, was a handsome Red-tailed Hawk. Then up the drippy valley trail (Coyote Canyon, I hear it’s called), I heard the distinctive kip-kip! calls of a Cooper’s Hawk.
The Cooper’s silenced the voices of Warbling Vireo and Black-throated Green Warbler, but I didn’t mind.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 8:45 a.m., I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
The air this morning smelled slightly smoky, as dog and I ascended the trail. I suspect because of a fire down around Lehi. (Fireworks.) Mostly overcast, in advance of promised thundershowers (which did arrive this afternoon). Just felt a little off up there.
But we were blessed with a trio of grosbeaks, and a courageous display by two gnatcatchers (and a goldfinch) against a nonchalant (but much larger) scrub-jay.
Dipped (photo-wise) on a Warbling Vireo and two Black-throated Gray Warblers. But that’s OK.
Every day is a good day.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 8:45 a.m., I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.