On something of a lark (or simply remembering my lifer pair of Mountain Bluebirds last April there), I led Jack up to the cairn ridge—and beyond. We two oldsters hiked up above 7,000 feet and took another route down.
The day was cool at first but warmed up considerably. Saw no bluebirds—nor many species altogether—but we did encountered a pair of Chukars and, descending near the raven stone, the ravens themselves flew silently from behind us, very near, and off across the valley.
A long hike that left us both a bit spent, but well worth it.
Grandeur Peak Area List
Beginning at 7:32 a.m. (8:32 MDT), I hiked some 2,000 feet up a mountain.
1. Lesser Goldfinch**
2. Black-billed Magpie*
3. American Robin*
4. Spotted Towhee
5. Rock Pigeon*
6. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay
7. Black-capped Chickadee
8. Red-breasted Nuthatch (v)
9. House Finch**
10. Chukar
11. Pine Siskin (v)
12. Common Raven
13. Song Sparrow* (v)
Elsewhere
14. House Sparrow (v)
15. Northern Flicker (v)
16. California Quail
17. Eurasian Collared-dove
Mammals
Rock Squirrel
(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
Tags: American robin, black-billed magpie, black-capped chickadee, California quail, chukar, common raven, Eurasian collared dove, house finch, lesser goldfinch, northern flicker, pine siskin, red-breasted nuthatch, rock pigeon, song sparrowhouse sparrow, spotted towhee, Woodhouse’s scrub-ay
