Jack and I did the “ridge hike” today, our circuit up to the Pipeline Overlook, then around and down Coyote Canyon (which we usually ascend). Got a better look at the Neff’s Canyon fire, still smoking. Also got good looks at several nice birds.
This is my second fall migration here in the high desert, and the sagebrushy foothills aren’t as busy as probably the basin is (at least around the rivers and lakes), but it’s still pretty fun.I’ve especially liked the challenge of spotting—then ID’ing—little quiet birds flitting in the leafy valleys. Today I had three of those, but only ID’d one: an Orange-crowned Warbler.
Good climb for me and Jack this morning. Already thinking about tomorrow’s.
Grandeur Peak Area List
Beginning at 8:23 a.m., I hiked some 1,200 feet up a mountain.
1. House Finch*
2. Lesser Goldfinch**
3. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay
4. Black-capped Chickadee
5. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
6. Spotted Towhee
7. Yellow-rumped Warbler
8. Hummingbird (sp)
9. Northern Flicker**
10. Downy Woodpecker
11. American Robin
12. Cooper’s Hawk
13. Mountain Chickadee (v)
14. Orange-crowned Warbler
Elsewhere
15. Black-billed Magpie
16. Eurasian Collared Dove (v)
Mammals
Red Squirrel (v)
(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
Tags: American robin, black-billed magpie, black-capped chickadee, blue-gray gnatcatcher, cooper's hawk, downy woodpecker, Eurasian collared dove, house finch, hummingbird (sp), lesser goldfinch, mountain chickadee, northern flicker, Orange-crowned Warbler, spotted towhee, Woodhouse’s scrub jay, yellow-rumped warbler
