Warm and muddy yesterday, cold and snow drifts this morning. Waited until 10 a.m. for the winds to die down a bit, then hit the wintry trails. Dog and I were the first up the switchback, knocking down deep drifts.
Honestly didn’t expect many birds in such weather, but there were a few. Even got a couple photos. And just as I’d predicted (hoped!), the air grew calm by the time we neared the ridges. Took more energy to slog through the deep snow—but it was worth it.
Both Jack and I loved our hike on this, St. Valentine’s Day.
Grandeur Peak Area List
Beginning at 10:03 a.m. (MST), I hiked several hundred feet up a mountain.
1. Black-billed Magpie**
2. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay
3. American Robin*
4. Black-capped Chickadee
5. Spotted Towhee
6. Northern Flicker
7. House Finch* (v)
8. Rock Pigeon
Elsewhere
9. House Sparrow (v)
(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
Tags: American robin, black-billed magpie, black-capped chickadee, house finch, house sparrow, northern flicker, rock pigeon, spotted towhee, Woodhouse’s scrub jay
