Near Westcliffe
Ground squirrel
View from Baker Mountain in Larimer County
Bison
Walker Ranch Trail
Diamond Lake west of Nederland
Lone Eagle Peak in Indian Peaks Wilderness Area
Saturday, June 4, 2016
My Sister's Backyard
My sister Kathy, and her husband Jim, have a large backyard. It's about an acre in size, has an narrow irrigation ditch running near the far fence line, and they have a garden plot, a raspberry patch, and a wide variety of trees. Several of the trees are cottonwoods, and there are elms, pines, a weeping willow, and a few apple trees. The apple trees are a remnant of the apple orchard that stood where the neighborhood was built, and the irrigation ditch was also a part of the orchard.
I've spent a little over two hours a day for the past three days in that backyard. The first hour with Rosie, the elderly Irish Setter, and the second hour with Emmett and Nicodemus, two Jack Russell terriers. The first hour with Rosie is always quiet and contemplative - her "walk" is really a short stroll two ways to my sister's yard, just for a change of scenery for Rosie. We usually see several neighbors along the way, and also greet other dogs and dog-walkers - Rosie is very social, but no longer has great stamina, due to her age (14). Once we reach my sister's yard, we usually stroll around the perimeter, and then Rosie lies down in the sun and soaks up her vitamin D. Me, I read, or visit with my sister if she's home, or watch the birds and wildlife, or just sit and think.
When I return with Demus and Emmett, it's another story. Emmett spent the first five years of his life in a wire crate in a basement; since he was rescued, he loves being outdoors - even though he was afraid to walk on grass at the beginning. Nicodemus, on the other hand, just wants to play ball - I throw, he returns it; easy. Emmett is constantly sniffing, looking, rolling, chasing, and exploring the entire yard. Demus and I do the ball thing...
For many years, a chickadee pair has used a woodpecker hole in the apple tree as a nest. The tree is next to the TV room and the dining room, and is beside the back deck. Three days ago, I was interested to see a small brown bird disappear into the hole - it was definitely not a chickadee, and my fleeting impression of it was "a wren." Another bird returned and sat on the apple tree branch, among the leaves and sang a bright, rolling song. I've never gotten a good look at the bird(s) since, but I keep hearing their songs , and seeing them in the leafy branches. I finally called my sister last night, and asked what type of bird they had in the old chickadee hole. It is a wren. That made me feel a little better about my identification skills.
Also, yesterday, while the wrens were serenading Rosie and I, I glanced behind Rosie and saw a large cottontail rabbit emerge from the rose bushes. I immediately clipped the leash onto her harness in case I needed to restrain her (which I did) and we spent 30 minutes watching the rabbit move back and forth across the yard, eating dandelions and washing it's face. Once the rabbit had gone back to ground, I released Rosie and she decided she had to trail it's scent. With Nicodemus and Emmett, later, the rabbit never showed. (I wonder why? Hee-hee!)
I've spent a little over two hours a day for the past three days in that backyard. The first hour with Rosie, the elderly Irish Setter, and the second hour with Emmett and Nicodemus, two Jack Russell terriers. The first hour with Rosie is always quiet and contemplative - her "walk" is really a short stroll two ways to my sister's yard, just for a change of scenery for Rosie. We usually see several neighbors along the way, and also greet other dogs and dog-walkers - Rosie is very social, but no longer has great stamina, due to her age (14). Once we reach my sister's yard, we usually stroll around the perimeter, and then Rosie lies down in the sun and soaks up her vitamin D. Me, I read, or visit with my sister if she's home, or watch the birds and wildlife, or just sit and think.
When I return with Demus and Emmett, it's another story. Emmett spent the first five years of his life in a wire crate in a basement; since he was rescued, he loves being outdoors - even though he was afraid to walk on grass at the beginning. Nicodemus, on the other hand, just wants to play ball - I throw, he returns it; easy. Emmett is constantly sniffing, looking, rolling, chasing, and exploring the entire yard. Demus and I do the ball thing...
For many years, a chickadee pair has used a woodpecker hole in the apple tree as a nest. The tree is next to the TV room and the dining room, and is beside the back deck. Three days ago, I was interested to see a small brown bird disappear into the hole - it was definitely not a chickadee, and my fleeting impression of it was "a wren." Another bird returned and sat on the apple tree branch, among the leaves and sang a bright, rolling song. I've never gotten a good look at the bird(s) since, but I keep hearing their songs , and seeing them in the leafy branches. I finally called my sister last night, and asked what type of bird they had in the old chickadee hole. It is a wren. That made me feel a little better about my identification skills.
Also, yesterday, while the wrens were serenading Rosie and I, I glanced behind Rosie and saw a large cottontail rabbit emerge from the rose bushes. I immediately clipped the leash onto her harness in case I needed to restrain her (which I did) and we spent 30 minutes watching the rabbit move back and forth across the yard, eating dandelions and washing it's face. Once the rabbit had gone back to ground, I released Rosie and she decided she had to trail it's scent. With Nicodemus and Emmett, later, the rabbit never showed. (I wonder why? Hee-hee!)
Friday, June 3, 2016
My Frequently Seen Scenes
The Front Range from Superior
Boulder Creek in Boulder Canyon
Clouds nestled behind the Flatirons
Boulder Falls in Boulder Canyon
Iceberg Lakes west of Nederland
Xeriscaping in Lyons
National Center for Atmospheric Research at the base of the Flatirons, snowy Twin Peaks behind
Thursday, June 2, 2016
Colorado Scenery
Near Grant
Storm Mountain sunset from Old Flowers Road
Sky Corral Lodge
Back scratch
Near Steamboat Springs
Shrine Ridge, near Vail
Pendleton Ridge
Riding near the Wyoming border
An Evening Visitor
Since we've moved into the apartment building that sits directly on CO 36, the Old Pony Express Route, and the main road through Boulder, I have seen a lot of birds, squirrels and cottontail rabbits.Our building faces 36 to the east, but we live on the southwest corner, and have an open space park with a creek running through it, about 200 yards away. We've been feeding the squirrels and the small birds since we moved in. We have a good, heavy, metal edged feeder that we put sunflower seeds in for the birds, and we scatter nuts, corn, and fruit and veggies for the squirrels.
I have frequently seen a red tailed hawk perched on the telephone pole where Bertrando, the friendliest squirrel, suns in the morning, and he also takes his food up there to eat. I've never said anything to Beatrice, as she does not like raptors at all. I kept my mouth shut for 11 months regarding the hawk, but I usually see him/her early in the morning, once or twice a month. I had just gotten the cats off the balcony, a short while ago, and closed the sliding glass door, when I noticed quite a few birds flying in front of my bedroom window - next to the balcony. I didn't remark upon it, as we have flocks of sparrows, finches, starlings, and ravens frequent the area. Then a big shadow went by the window, and Lovey, who was in the windowsill, started her "Let me eat you" chittering. Nedi quickly joined her. We had a very large red tailed hawk sitting on our balcony railing. I grabbed my camera and was able to get one good shot -
I have frequently seen a red tailed hawk perched on the telephone pole where Bertrando, the friendliest squirrel, suns in the morning, and he also takes his food up there to eat. I've never said anything to Beatrice, as she does not like raptors at all. I kept my mouth shut for 11 months regarding the hawk, but I usually see him/her early in the morning, once or twice a month. I had just gotten the cats off the balcony, a short while ago, and closed the sliding glass door, when I noticed quite a few birds flying in front of my bedroom window - next to the balcony. I didn't remark upon it, as we have flocks of sparrows, finches, starlings, and ravens frequent the area. Then a big shadow went by the window, and Lovey, who was in the windowsill, started her "Let me eat you" chittering. Nedi quickly joined her. We had a very large red tailed hawk sitting on our balcony railing. I grabbed my camera and was able to get one good shot -
The bird was intent on a pigeon that had landed on the balcony, and had gone under our low table that the plants sit on.
What a huge majestic bird - such power....
The moment didn't last long as Beatrice ran out with a windshield snow brush and scared the hawk - but it didn't fly away until the poor pigeon left first. I hope the pigeon escaped, but I also know about the circle of life and death... The hawk is still a glorious bird!
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
Around and About - Photos
Colorado lynx
Assateague pony at sunset
My rental on Chincoteague
Cormorant yoga - photos by Patty Ann Vamvas
Assateague turkey
Assateague Channel dolphins - photo by Steve Hansen
Scott City, Kansas last week
Kansas, late May 2016
Happy June!
I'm so happy it's June; for me, it marks the beginning of summer. (I know that we've got three more weeks of Spring, but still....) We had a rain shower about 2:30 this morning, as I heard the drops hitting my window. And, even though it's June 1, it was 50 degrees (F) at 5:30, when I arose - we're expecting a high of 70 today. There are some lowering clouds on Green and Bear Mountains, with clouds in the low spots behind the Flatirons. It looks odd, but it happens frequently when we have moisture in the air.
Nedi is upset that we're restricting his time outside on the balcony. There are several groups of house finch fledglings that visit the balcony, and we have a swallow's nest in one of the exhaust vents about six feet away from the south railing. The babies like to congregate there, and Nedi is a mighty hunter; not that we want him to be. I re-potted the catnip yesterday and fertilized all the plants; then we had the rain this morning, so I can breathe easy until tomorrow. With a breeze and humidity at less than 10%, the plants dry quickly!
Besides being the first day of June, it also marks seven weeks to my departure on vacation - back to Chincoteague and Assateague Islands. After last summer's fiasco at Washington National, I'm flying in and out of Baltimore Washington International this year... At least I arrive before noon, so I can hopefully beat the afternoon rush across the Bay Bridge. And I plan on visiting the Maryland end of Assateague - I have never done so, to my knowledge, other than walking up to the state line from the Virginia side.
The Maryland NPS got a surprise when it was noted that they have two babies on the ground (Carol's Girl and Jojo have foaled), but still have two, not one, pregnant mares. Charmed and Gokey Go Bones are still waiting to deliver. The first two had solid chestnut foals - waiting to see who delivers what color now...
On the Virginia end of Assateague, the ponies owned by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company have produced 46 babies so far. Currently, Diamond Jewel and her colt sired by Riptide are on Chincoteague. The colt (whom I call Ford) has a cut on his leg and was limping. He is now on a farm with his dam and is receiving care from the veterinarian. I have to admit that I love the solid color foals as much as the pinto babies. I love the wild and crazy markings that our pinto ponies produce, but I also appreciate the chestnuts, bays, browns, palominos and buckskins that hit the ground. I guess I like the solid colors because it's easier for my eye to just conformation without all the patches of color. The CVFC ponies have produced an outstanding crop of foals so far - and I can't wait to see the rest. I have a feeling that we'll have one to three foals born during Pony Penning week - July 25 through 29.
One of the best places to see photos of the new foals - and all the ponies on the Virginia end of Assateague Island -is on the DSC Photography website. For the 2016 foals, the dam and probable sire are listed, as well as color and sex, and the date they were first seen. You can then look at the adult sections, and see photos of the parents. Their URL is: https://www.dscphotography.net I hope you enjoy the photos - I do, every day.
Nedi is upset that we're restricting his time outside on the balcony. There are several groups of house finch fledglings that visit the balcony, and we have a swallow's nest in one of the exhaust vents about six feet away from the south railing. The babies like to congregate there, and Nedi is a mighty hunter; not that we want him to be. I re-potted the catnip yesterday and fertilized all the plants; then we had the rain this morning, so I can breathe easy until tomorrow. With a breeze and humidity at less than 10%, the plants dry quickly!
Besides being the first day of June, it also marks seven weeks to my departure on vacation - back to Chincoteague and Assateague Islands. After last summer's fiasco at Washington National, I'm flying in and out of Baltimore Washington International this year... At least I arrive before noon, so I can hopefully beat the afternoon rush across the Bay Bridge. And I plan on visiting the Maryland end of Assateague - I have never done so, to my knowledge, other than walking up to the state line from the Virginia side.
The Maryland NPS got a surprise when it was noted that they have two babies on the ground (Carol's Girl and Jojo have foaled), but still have two, not one, pregnant mares. Charmed and Gokey Go Bones are still waiting to deliver. The first two had solid chestnut foals - waiting to see who delivers what color now...
On the Virginia end of Assateague, the ponies owned by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company have produced 46 babies so far. Currently, Diamond Jewel and her colt sired by Riptide are on Chincoteague. The colt (whom I call Ford) has a cut on his leg and was limping. He is now on a farm with his dam and is receiving care from the veterinarian. I have to admit that I love the solid color foals as much as the pinto babies. I love the wild and crazy markings that our pinto ponies produce, but I also appreciate the chestnuts, bays, browns, palominos and buckskins that hit the ground. I guess I like the solid colors because it's easier for my eye to just conformation without all the patches of color. The CVFC ponies have produced an outstanding crop of foals so far - and I can't wait to see the rest. I have a feeling that we'll have one to three foals born during Pony Penning week - July 25 through 29.
One of the best places to see photos of the new foals - and all the ponies on the Virginia end of Assateague Island -is on the DSC Photography website. For the 2016 foals, the dam and probable sire are listed, as well as color and sex, and the date they were first seen. You can then look at the adult sections, and see photos of the parents. Their URL is: https://www.dscphotography.net I hope you enjoy the photos - I do, every day.
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