Birds & Waterfowl

Birds and waterfowl are plentiful in Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park.  A recent survey performed over Christmas holidays confirmed a record number of total birds as well as record numbers of several individual species. 

I recently purchased a new long lens.  The larger wildlife in the park were not cooperating, so prompted by reading of our record number of birds, I decided to test my new lens on some of the many birds in the area.  Below are some of my recent shots.  The spring should bring literally hundreds of new species.

Moab - Arches, Canyons & the Colorado River

I took a short 3 day trip down to Moab the other day just to break the winter duldrums.  I've read about Moab for years in various outdoor adventure magazines.  Frankly, I figured it was overblown and expected to be let down.  I was not. 

Traveling from Colorado, be sure to take scenic Hwy 128 instead of Hwy 191.  It is absolutely breathtaking.  The scenic highway meanders through free-range, scrubby, destert fields the first few miles and seems lonely and empty.  It then turns west and falls into a canyon following the Colorado river.  It was breathtaking this time of year, filled with ice as it meandered past the red canyon walls.

Arches National Park is truly amazing and worth seeing.  The photo ops are unending.

Canyonlands will probably turn out to be my favorite of the two when I have more time to explore it.  It is much larger so I was only able to skim the surface in the 5 hours I had to visit it.  There are thousands of canyons that beg to be explored when I have more time in better weather.  The weather was cloudy, then it started snowing, so my pics of Canyonlands don't do it justice.

I can't wait to go back in warmer weather to hike Canyonlands and to float the Colorado. 

First Day of Winter in Rocky Mountain National Park

Had to get out into the park on the first true day of winter.  There was snow on the ground, but the weather was agreable, the sun was out and temp got up to about 32.

The animals were moving about and easily seen. 

These Coyotes were hunting and ignored me for the first few minutes I was observing.

They then displayed a curious behaviour.  They layed down in the middle of a snowbank, right out in the sun in the light of day.  I was amazed and sat watching them for several minutes.  They showed not intent to move at all.  After a few minutes I decided to move on. 

As I moved about 50 yards up the road, they suddenly sprang up on their feet and immediately crossed where I had been standing.  Seems they were very particular about where they wanted to cross the road.

The next day, I hiked up Cub Lake trail.  Will post pics soon.

Brainard Lake - Indian Peaks Wilderness

We visited Brainard Lake Recreation Area in the Indian Peaks Wilderness this weekend.  First time I've been since the snows have come.   According to several sources, this is one of the most popular snow shoe sites in all of Colorado.  The abundance of snow, the many lakes, and the beautiful peaks would explain why.

The entrance is just across Colorado Hwy 72 from the town of Ward.  If you've never been to Ward, well, you're in for an experience - good or bad depends on your taste, but it will be an experience.  Ward is a small community of non-conformists.  It consists of a small general store, a couple of churches, a restaurant ( Marroco's ), and about 200 residents.  No matter how you feel about the town, consider a nice traditional Italian dinner after your hike or trek in Indian Peaks.

The road is closed at the fee collection booths starting in November, so its a two mile hike up to Brainard Lake, but both snow shoe and ski trails start just past the gates.

With so many lakes , hockey and ice skating are popular here in addition to snow shoeing and skiing.

Winter is here.  I am beginning to see why many say it is their favorite time of the year in the Rocky Mountains.  I've been doing some more hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park and will be posting some winter pics of RMNP soon.

Exhaust fumes, Thin Lizzy, instead

Went to Boulder today. Time to get out of the fish bowl. Outdoor photography of a different sort.

The Loch / Sky Pond

My favorite hike in Rocky Mountain National Park is without a doubt the hike to the Sky Pond. Sky Pond is a small alpine lake, fed from Taylor Glacier, sitting just below the headwall of the Loch Vale. To reach it you must pass Alberta Falls (0.8 miles ), The Loch which is beautiful itself, and Glass Lake. The entire hike is somewhere between 4.7 and 5 miles. It involves a 280 foot vertical scramble up a cliff on the west side of Timberline Falls. It can be slippery and dangerous as ice is often present even during summer months.


The first set of pics are from a September trek.
























The following pics were taken just last week. It was cold and the trails were snow packed. Snow shoes would have been nice, but we managed with micro - spikes.

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Cold in Colorado

Winter has come early to the Colorado Rockies. Snow plows are out in Estes Park.

The roads in Rocky Mountain National Park were passable, even in a 2 wheel drive vehicle at low levels around Moraine Park, Beaver Meadows, and Horshoe Park. The Park is covered in a nice 6 -8 inch blanket of snow. It is really nice and quiet. Wildlife are on the move and easily seen. Below are several images made today in the park.