We were second up the trail this morning, Captain Jack and I. Someone (and dog) slogged up the switchback through several inches of fresh snow before us. Was not as cold as it is curently in Texas (!), but light snow was falling. Didn’t imagine we’d encounter much in the way of wildlife.
But I was wrong. Eight bird species presented themselves (and six mule deer). A couple even posed for photos—notably an anxious Spotted Towhee.
The deepest stretches of snow were about a foot deep—by far the most of winter—but the sun even made a brief appearance this p.m. From what I hear, tomorrow might be a similar kind of day. Which is O.K. with dog and me.
Grandeur Peak Area List
Beginning at 8:44 a.m. (MST), I hiked several hundred feet up a mountain.
1. House Finch*
2. Black-billed Magpie*
3. Rock Pigeon*
4. American Robin
7. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay
5. Spotted Towhee
6. Black-capped Chickadee
8. Northern Flicker
Elsewhere
9. Eurasian Collared-dove
Mammals
Mule Deer
(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
Tags: American robin, black-billed magpie, black-capped chickadee, Eurasan collared dove, house finch, mule deer, northern flicker, rock pigeon, spotted towhee, Woodhouse’s scrub jay
