This last morning of a crazy year brought a mixed bag: mist, snow showers, glimpse of sun, Golden Eagle.
The eagle showed up near the end of a quiet hike with Captain Jack—encountered one human friend and one dog friend, few bird species, and few photo ops. Then the snow picked up, and just after I said to Jack, “Guess it’s just six species today,” I spied the eagle. It was soaring low, scanning the landscape for rabbits. Soon enough it disappeared in the mist, and we resumed our descent.
But a couple minutes later, it reappeared, flying with a purpose, very nearby, heading in the opposite direction. I watched it pull up and settle atop the bluff behind us. Retraced my steps in a hurry (losing both ice grips) and managed a few photos of it from below.
Thanks for the 2020 send-off, eagle.
Grandeur Peak Area List
Beginning at 9:22 a.m. (MST), I hiked several hundred feet up a mountain.
1. Black-billed Magpie
2. House Finch (v)
3. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay
4. Rock Pigeon
5. Spotted Towhee
6. Black-capped Chickadee
7. Golden Eagle
8. Pine Siskin (v)
Mammals
Red Squirrel
(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
Tags: black-billed magpie, black-capped chickadee, golden eagle, house finch, pine siskin, red squirrel, rock pigeon, spotted towhee, Woodhouse’s scrub jay
