This morning was smoky—unhealthy air. Smoke from big wildfires in Northern California. But dog and I hit the trailhead fairly early, and I felt a little breeze rising, and—although quiet at first—by the end of it, I had a nice list of bird species.
Including three hummingbird species. What I like to call “the Trifecta”: rufous, broad-tailed, and black-chinned (in that order). The broad-tails were especially active, and especially in little leafy Coyote Canyon. (“Trifecta” might also describe the three Cooper’s Hawks I spied: an adult atop the bluff, and two of the four young ’uns, near the nest).
A good hike, despite the bad air. Then, not long after our return, the smoke really started rolling in—and with it a rich smoky aroma—turning the sun red. And I heard on the radio that Salt Lake City this afternoon had the worst air of any major metropolitan area in the world.
Supposed to stay smoky all weekend, along with advisories to stay indoors, but Captain Jack and I will venture out anyway for a quick stroll.
Grandeur Peak Area List
Beginning at 7:28 a.m. (8:38 MDT), I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
1. House Finch**
2. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay (v)
3. Broad-tailed Hummingbird
4. Mourning Dove
5. Rock Pigeon
6. Red-tailed Hawk*
7. American Robin*
8. Cooper’s Hawk
9. Spotted Towhee (v)
10. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
11. Rufous Hummingbird
12. Black-capped Chickadee
13. Lazuli Bunting
14. Black-throated Gray Warbler
15. Black-chinned Hummingbird
16. Lesser Goldfinch**
Elsewhere
17. California Quail
18. Black-billed Magpie
19. Eurasian Collared-dove
(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
Tags: American robin, black-billed magpie, black-capped chickadee, black-chinned hummingbird, black-throated gray warbler, blue-gray gnatcatcher, broad-tailed hummingbid, California quail, cooper's hawk, Eurasian collared dove, house finch, lazuli bunting, lesser goldfinch, mourning dove, red-tailed hawk, rock pigeon, rufous hummingbird, spotted towhee, Woodhous’s scrub-jay
