We’re going through quite a warming trend here in Salt Lake City—well, all of Utah, essentially. While certain parts of the continent enjoy truly nippy winter temperatures, we’ve had highs of 50 degrees (F).
Most of the snow along the trail had melted by the time dog and I climbed the switchback this morning. Mud—mud everywhere (rather a rarity in these parts compared to Maine). But we didn’t mind. Also quite a few birds. And a squirrel. And a cottontail.
The most fun part was near the end of our daily excursion, when I heard the chatter of a Juniper Titmouse. I crept silently toward it (Jack creeping silently behind me) and stopped near its tree. Happily for me, a branch of the separted us, and it didn’t notice our approach. We both waited, for perhaps 20 or 30 seconds.
Then finally it popped up to pose for a photo.
Grandeur Peak Area List
Beginning at 8:48 a.m. (MST), I hiked several hundred feet up a mountain.
1. American Robin*
2. Black-capped Chickadee*
3. Lesser Goldfinch** (v)
4. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay*
5. House Finch*
6. Spotted Towhee*
7. Rock Pigeon*
8. Dark-eyed Junco*
9. Black-billed Magpie* (v)
10. Northern Flicker**
11. Juniper Titmouse
Elsewhere
15. House Sparrow (v)
17. European Starling
16. Song Sparrow
Mammals
Rock Squirrel
Mountain Cottontail
(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
Tags: American robin, black-billed magpie, black-capped chickadee, dark-eyed junco, European starling, house finch, house sparrow, juniper titmouse, lesser goldfinch, northern flicker, rock pigeon, song sparrow, spotted towhee, Woodhouse’s scrub jay
