For my birthday today, I had a wintry, windy, bright, fun morning hike with the Captain. Seeing as how it was above freezing, I decided not to wear a winter coat—and nearly regretted it—but after a while the sun (and exercise) counter-balanced the brisk wind quite nicely.
Few birds, a couple rabbits, lots of deer. Then, on our return, I happened to spy two eagles circling in the blue above the ridge. A birthday gift for sure.
Then, this late evening while taking Jack out one last time, I heard the voice of a Great Horned Owl—only my second Utah owl.
Snow and colder air coming. (It’s winter, after all.)
Grandeur Peak Area List
At 9:28 MST, I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
1. House Finch** (v)
2. Black-billed Magpie** (v)
3. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay
4. Rock Pigeon*
5. Pine Siskin (v)
6. Black-capped Chickadee
7. Common Redpoll
8. Golden Eagle
Mammals
Mountain Cottontail
Mule Deer
(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
Tags: black-billed magpie, black-capped chickadee, common redpoill, golden eagle, great horned owl, house finch, mountain cottontail, mule deer, pine siskin, rock pigeon, Woodhouse’s scrub jay
