Dog and I enjoyed another cool morning hike this day—albeit a cloudless one. Only the moon and a few raptors up there. Heard a Cooper’s Hawk call from the nest above little Coyote Canyon, saw another circling above the house home this midday (with pay), and a red-tail in late afternoon.
Despite the drought, fledglings of several species are taking wing. House Finches have multiplied exponentially. I wonder how many more birds will head south come fall than showed up in spring this year.
(Note: I wonder this every year.)
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 7:15 a.m. (8:15 MDT), I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
Another coolish morning (60s (F) when we hit the trailhead, dog and I) under a partial overcast that would eventually lead to a mostly sunny day. Mostly the usual suspects, bird-wise—excepting the third bird on my list, a young Sharp-shinned Hawk, and the second-to-last, a Brewer’s Sparrow.
The Brewer’s was a highlight. When I heard its song coming from the scrub habitat above us, I first assumed it was a chippie—until I realized its typical trill had begun with a shorter trill at a higher pitch. Stopped me in my tracks. Scanned the scrub and (by some stroke of luck) managed to spy the little sparrow perched in on a twig maybe 75 yards away. Thanks to my trusty superzoom, I managed to confirm my suspicion after downloading the photos.
And this hot dry summer’s just begun.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 7:14 a.m. (8:14 MDT), I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
The forecast called for a chance of thundershowers this morning, but no such luck. Instead, dog and I had a lucky overcast and cool, room temperatures. And a good hike. Along with a nice assortment of bird species.
Most unusual was a random Warbling Vireo moving through the trees just above the neighborhood. Most thrilling was a raven lying low over the bench. (Hadn’t seen a raven in quite a while.) And most photogenic was a grosbeak singing in a treetop near the old Monarch Quarry.
We’re supposed to get a rather mild weekend, too—before summertime returns with a vengeance next week.
No matter, we shall hike regardless, Jack and I.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 7:05 a.m. (8:05 MDT), I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
