Have I yet mentioned here that dog and I are moving back to Maine toward the end of next month? We’ve truly enjoyed our years here—despite a pandemic, earthquake, crazy windstorm, mountain lion in the back yard—but I really miss water. (Also, the daughter will be moving back, too, ASAP.) Getting kind of excited about it, tbh.
I’ll miss this inimitable landscape, the smell of Big Sagebrush leaves, Mule Deer, Golden Eagles, Lazuli Buntings, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers—the high desert plant and animal life generally. Also the people and dogs of Salt Lake City, friendliest I’ve ever met (no lie).
Today as we ascended the familiar trails—and I scanned the familiar ridges for ravens, checked the usual patches for deer, and climbed the all-too-familiar switchbacks, we met no humans or dogs—I got a little wistful.
Still a bunch of hikes to go, and I’ll soak it up. This morning, for instance, was a uniquely miraculous one: a nice hike under overcast skies, prior to another forecast snow. Eleven of the usual suspect bird species, a solitary deer. The air tasted clean, the views across the basin were inspiring.
Soon enough it’ll be spring. Won’t be my first change of scenery. Might be my last, though, depending.
Grandeur Peak Area List
At 8:45 MST, I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
1. Pine Siskin
2. Dark-eyed Junco
3. Spotted Towhee (v)
4. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay**
5. House Finch** (v)
6. American Robin** (v)
7. Rock Pigeon*
8. Northern Flicker** (v)
9. Black-billed Magpie** (v)
10. Song Sparrow** (v)
11. Black-capped Chickadee (v)
Elsewhere
12. House Sparrow (v)
13. Lesser Goldfinch (v)
Mammals
Mule Deer
(v) Voice only
*Also Elsewhere
**Voice only Elsewhere
Tags: American robin, black-billed magpie, black-capped chickadee, dark-eyed junco, house finch, house sparrow, lesser goldfinch, mule deer, northern flicker, pine siskin, rock pigeon, song sparrow, spotted towhee, Woodhouse’s scrub jay
