We got an early start this day, dog and I. No unusual birds at the outset (although we both spied a cottontail), then when we got to little Coyote Canyon, I made a split decision to hike the ridge, and we headed up the switchback to the Pipeline Overlook.
A clear morning, cool in the shade, warm in the sun. From about 800 feet up, I happened to look down and see a coyote casually trotting along a trail we’d hiked about 45 minutes before. New flowers along the trail, little patches of remnant show.
Toward the end, I happened to spot a Sharp-shinned Hawk circling above us—a migrant perhaps. A good day, with exciting times to come.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 7:16 a.m. (8:16 MDT), I hiked about 1,200 feet up a mountain.
I could tell as dog and I ascended the switchback that this would be another mild one. The temps in the shade were low enough that I needed grips for the ice and the newly thaw-exposed earth was hard and firm—but in the warmth of the sun of another clear morning, all felt like mud and spring again.
Add to this the fact that I heard four or five Spotted Towhees singing (also chickadees, finches, and juncos), and there’s proof that the equinox is less than three weeks away.
Many birds—especially juncos, towhees, and chickadees (including a pair of Mountain Chickadees). Got a nice look at a Cassin’s Finch. And on our return via the olive grove, I spied a handsome coyote, who stopped to pose for pics.
And back home in afternoon, another sign: a cocky collared-dove, strutting and flirting with his girlfriend.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 8:39 a.m. (MST), I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
And an adventure it was! Light snow showers overnight had whitened things by the time Jack and I hit the trails (a bit late, I must confess). Had no idea what to expect but was pleasantly surprised.
Was flurrying lightly when we we topped the switchback. I already had six species when I spied a thrush nibbling on Russian olives. Stumped me for a minute, what with the snow and overcast—so it was a nice little thrill wen I recognized it as a female Mountain Bluebird.
There were three others with it. Two pair. Grabbed some photos and ventured on.
Encountered no other humans or dogs, but we did surprise a big handsome coyote, which loped silently up a ravine and out of sight. Then, up in the junipers, we rounded a rocky outcrop to the sight of a bunch more Mountain Bluebirds. A flock of more than two dozen, by my count.
I’d seen only three in my life before today.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 8:46 a.m. (MST), I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
1. House Finch* 2. Black-capped Chickadee 3. Pine Siskin 4. Lesser Goldfinch** (v) 5. Spotted Towhee** 6. Mourning Dove 7. Mountain Bluebird 8. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay 9. Song Sparrow (v) 10. Ruby-crowned Kinglet (v) 11. Black-billed Magpie 12. American Goldfinch 13. Juniper Titmouse (v) 14. Dark-eyed Junco
Mammals
Red Squirrel Mountain Coyote
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere
