What began as a damp, chilly, quiet morning in the foothills (after an overnight shower or two) turned out to be the most exciting of the young season for dog and me.
Golden Eagle.
First, the sound of a siren rose from I-215 below, and a few seconds later, the scrub downhill from us erupted in yips and barks and howls. Many coyotes, singing at the tops of their lungs—and for a good couple of minutes. (And behind us, from somewhere high up the near the ridge, came another solo howl.)
Next, we encountered a little flock of juncos. First juncos since spring.
Finally, a Golden Eagle flew by. First eagle—or big bird of any kind—in a good long while.
I’ll take a morning like this one any ol’ day.
Grandeur Peak Area List At 7:40 a.m. (8:40 MDT), I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
1. House Finch** 2. Rock Pigeon* 3. Ruby-crowned Kinglet (v) 4. White-crowned Sparrow 5. Northern Flicker 6. Mourning Dove 7. Black-capped Chickadee (v) 8. Song Sparrow** (v) 9. Yellow-rumped Warbler 10. American Robin 11. Lesser Goldfinch** 12. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay 13. Black-billed Magpie (v) 14. Dark-eyed Junco 15. Pine Siskin (v) 16. Golden Eagle 17. Downy Woodpecker (v) 18. Spotted Towhee (v)
Mammals
Red Squirrel Mountain Coyote Rock Squirrel
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere
I hadn’t managed any decent bird photos in the past few days. Birds had been about, but they would not agree to pose for my camera. Quite a few birds, yesterday. Not as many species today—but two were willing (if not eager) to stick around long enough for portraits.
First was a flicker, in full sunlight. Next was a young Cooper’s Hawk Jack and I had to approach gingerly—as it was preening.
Clean air, cool temps. All-in-all, a lovely morning.
Grandeur Peak Area List At 7:22 a.m. (8:22 MDT), I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
Brrr, kinda. The temp was about 42° (F) when dog and I hit the trailhead. But the sky was nearly cloudless, and the sun warmed us to the point that I had to unzip my hoodie to get a little air. Certainly a fall-like feeling.
And the birds! There were many. On the one hand, they were cooperative enough to show up; on the other, very few bothered to pose for photos. So here’s a look at another goldfinch (a female this time).
Oh, and I spied a coyote for the first time in a while.
Looking forward to tomorrow’s little excursion.
Grandeur Peak Area List At 7:16 a.m. (8:16 MDT), I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
