Waited a while this morning for it to stop snowing. Had a good six inches at home, I’d say, and a good eight up on the deer trails. Swapped grips for snowshoes.
Despite the late hour, we were first up the switchback, dog and I. A few little birds near the trailhead, but nothing but deer in the foothills. Lovely powdered scenery, gray sky, not too cold—30s (F)—and an altogether nice hike. However, I wanted a bird pic. So we took a little swing down the lower trail, where I found a willing siskin.
And tomorrow, it’ll be a new year.
Grandeur Peak Area List At 10:22 MST, I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
1. House Finch** 2. Black-capped Chickadee 3. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay 4. Rock Pigeon* 5. Pine Siskin 6. Dark-eyed Junco 7. Sharp-shinned Hawk
Elsewhere
8. Lesser Goldfinch (v)
Mammals
Mule Deer
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere
For my birthday today, I had a wintry, windy, bright, fun morning hike with the Captain. Seeing as how it was above freezing, I decided not to wear a winter coat—and nearly regretted it—but after a while the sun (and exercise) counter-balanced the brisk wind quite nicely.
Few birds, a couple rabbits, lots of deer. Then, on our return, I happened to spy two eagles circling in the blue above the ridge. A birthday gift for sure.
Then, this late evening while taking Jack out one last time, I heard the voice of a Great Horned Owl—only my second Utah owl.
Snow and colder air coming. (It’s winter, after all.)
Grandeur Peak Area List At 9:28 MST, I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
1. House Finch** (v) 2. Black-billed Magpie** (v) 3. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay 4. Rock Pigeon* 5. Pine Siskin (v) 6. Black-capped Chickadee 7. Common Redpoll 8. Golden Eagle
Mammals
Mountain Cottontail Mule Deer
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere
A morning much like yesterday’s, but with a very slight breeze, a slightly chillier temperature, a little more snow, and a bit of hazy sunlight. A different selection of birds, three cottontails, nine deer, a few humans (whose conversation was intelligible to me, but who did not notice us at all).
Saw a flicker. Heard a bunch of chickadees. Came upon what looked like Mountain Lion tracks. Grabbed a photo or two.
A couple days left in the year. A few hours until my birthday.
Grandeur Peak Area List At 9:36 MST, I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
1. House Finch** 2. Black-capped Chickadee 3. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay (v) 4. Northern Flicker 5. Pine Siskin (v) 6. Rock Pigeon* 7. Accipiter (sp?) 8. Black-billed Magpie (v)
Elsewhere
9. Mourning Dove 10. California Gull
Mammals
Mountain Cottontail Mule Deer
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere
