I’ve been getting a kick out of watching hummingbirds the past several days. They love little Coyote Canyon—chasing each other, zipping all around, twittering and playing those instrumental wings. It’s all I can do to follow ’em with my eyes, let along grab an occasional photo. And I generally have no idea what their up to. Three species today. Love those little guys.
Another noteworthy sighting: first Chukar in a while.
It was a smoky hike, though, thanks to the Parleys Canyon fire a few miles to the east. The fire’s ten percent contained tonight, with no structures yet threatened. The original estimate of 3,000 acres was reduced today to 619 acres, as crews got a better look at the burnt area through the smoke.
Pretty sure it’s still the largest wildfire of the year so far. Hopeful that things will be fully under control in the next day or two.
Grandeur Peak Area List
Beginning at 6:55 a.m. (7:55 MDT), I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
1. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay**
2. Eurasian Collared-dove*
3. House Finch*
4. Black-capped Chickadee (v)
5. Rock Pigeon*
6. Broad-tailed Hummingbird
7. Mourning Dove*
8. Warbling Video
9. Black-throated Gray Warbler
10. Rufous Hummingbird
11. Chukar (v)
12. American Robin (v)
13. Black-chinned Hummingbird
14. Lazuli Bunting
Elsewhere
15. House Sparrow
16. California Quail
17. Black-billed Magpie
Mammals
Rock Squirrel
(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
