When Jack and I hit the trail this morning, I saw faint curtains streaming from the clouds in the sky and thought, rain. And maybe a little rain did fall out there in the basin under those faint curtains, but none fell on me and my dog.
We had a good hike, though—17 species, most in a while. Got a glimpse of a tanager and three Black-throated Gray Warblers and another coop. Back home in hot, sunny afternoon, a monarch in the garden.
My first rainless experience. Kinda makes you think and wish and hope.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 6:55 a.m. (7:55 MDT), I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
This morning was coool. Both figuratively and literally. Temps in the upper-60s (F) for much of our hike—most all of it, in fact, until we emerged in the sun on the deer trail on our return, dog and I. Moreover, some cool wild stuff showed up.
Mountain Cottontail.
More than the usual number of birds were out enjoying the coolness as we headed up the switchback. (The usual suspects, but still.) I wondered if a cottontail might take advantage of the cool shade—and there it was, a bunny in the grass. On up the trail flitted bird families (as evidenced by the slight chips of youngsters and bright chips of their parents). Saw tracks in the dry dust of what appeared to be a quail.
Coming up lush little Coyote Canyon, I heard a singing vireo—and the sudden cry of a Cooper’s Hawk. Soon after we turned onto the deer trail, I heard it again. Then two—what sounded like a fledgling, and the other an adult. Out came the adult, calling ki-ki-ki-ki-ki! (Trying to get the fledgling to fly, was my guess). Then it posed for a photo.
If this morning’s hike were a short movie, I’d watch it again.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 6:37 a.m. (7:37 MDT), I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
Interesting hike with dog this morning. Got to the trailhead at the usual time, and there was a breeze, and the sky was mostly overcast, and the air was a lot warmer than yesterday—nearly 80° (F), I’d say. A few birds about, the usual suspects.
Headed out, we surprised a huge flock of pigeons—maybe 240 or so?—which amused me in their synchronized circling.
Returning via the deer trail, I followed a scattering of chip notes to discover three species hopping about in a smallish juniper: Lazuli Bunting (a female), Black-throated Gray Warbler (two juvies and an adult), and Warbling Vireo. That was fun.
Then, on our return, a few raindrops fell. Literally a few. (Well, OK, maybe a few dozen.)
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 6:32 a.m. (7:32 MDT), I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
1. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay 2. Lazuli Bunting 3. Black-capped Chickadee 4. Black-billed Magpie* (v) 5. American Robin* (v) 6. Mourning Dove 6. Spotted Towhee 7. Black-chinned Hummingbird* 9. House Finch** 10. Rock Pigeon* 11. Black-throated Gray Warbler 12. Warbling Vireo 13. Lesser Goldfinch** (v) 14. Song Sparrow (v)
Elsewhere
15. Eurasian Collared-dove 16. California Quail (v)
Mammals
Rock Squirrel
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere
