Sunday, June 28, 2015

Black Canyon to Gunnison



Colorado has been going through a heat wave, over 100 in some areas.  We found a nice RV park in Olathe on the Uncompahgre River for a couple of days of air conditioning.  We then left for the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.  First stop Hays Falls where we found the American Dipper and nesting Townsend's Solitaires.  A stop at a picnic area was a great place for Cassin's Kingbirds.
Am. Dipper loves the rapids

Cassin's Kingbird



The Black Canyon is amazing!  The park road runs along the rim 2,800 feet above the rapids of the Gunnison River.  Fantastic views of the jagged rocks, but photos never do it justice.




Bloody Cicada


Birds, insects and flowers were abundant, a pleasant surprise as the habitat didn't look like there would be much here.
Bushtit

Callippe Fritillary

Claret Cup Cactus

Mariposa Lily

Western Tanager

Virginia Warbler

Northern Sagebrush Lizard

Prickly Pear Cactus




After a few days of camping at the canyon we drove along the Curecanti National Recreation Area, three reservoirs of the Gunnison River. The Blue Mesa being the largest lake at 20 miles long and sitting at 7,500 feet above sea level.


Sage Thrasher

Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel

Rock Wren at Blue Mesa




We camped at Elk Creek and enjoyed a beautiful sunset over the Blue Mesa Reservoir.
Black-tailed Bucks in the Sage



We drove up Soap Creek Road into the National Forest and found a great campground where we decided to stay.

Black-tailed Bee Fly





Ty found the (rare for us) Williamson's Sapsucker and we watched the nesting cavity where the pair diligently fed young.  Early next morning a large Cinnamon Black Bear came to check out the camp dumpster hoping someone had forgotten to lock it.  No luck!  It was too dark to get a photo.

Soap Creek Pinnacles 




We then drove into Gunnison, made a stop at the Visitor's Center hoping for some locations of the elusive Gunnison Sage Grouse.  They were a little helpful and we headed east to search the vast miles of sage brush.  Like looking for a needle in a haystack!  Beautiful rock formations were along the way.



Took a site at the Tall Texan RV Park and would try again early the next day.  After a couple hours we stopped at prospective habitat on a gravel road.  As we scanned the hillside, a hen walked out on the road right in front of the RV followed by two half-grown chicks.  A few minutes later farther ahead another hen came out on the road with at least one small chick we could see.  A true blessing to see this elusive and impressive bird.




This weekend was also a great time to catch up on recharging batteries and to get the laundry done.  A part of living "on the road".  The RV park had quite a few nice birds including this resting Com. Nighthawk that made itself known by calling every once in a while.

Moving onward tomorrow.

God Bless you all.
Ty & Ida Baumann

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Rocky Mountain National Park



Following the Trail Ridge Road along the Alpine (above tree line) in the Rocky Mountain National Park is amazing!  From Rainbow Curve to the Lava Cliffs; the curving road is over 2 miles above sea level.  The Tundra Community is extraordinary; how these creatures and flowers survive in this harsh environment is hard to comprehend.
American Pipit

Yellow-bellied Marmot

Alpine Forget-me-nots

White-tailed Ptarmigan 

White-tailed Ptarmigan

Lava Cliffs

Brown-capped Rosy-Finch

Light colored Coyote eyes Marmot

Alpine Buttercup

Clark's Nutcracker


We headed to the continental divide at Milner Pass - altitude 10,758 ft.  Stopping at Irene Lake picnic area where Clark's Nutcrackers and Gray Jays were ready to clean up the left overs.
Gray Jay



We camped at Timber Creek in an Elk Meadow - and there were plenty of elk.

Dusky Grouse near the campground




Moose were also enjoying the abundance of submerged vegetation nearby.  We also had two yearlings run right between the campers and tents - wondering who took over their favorite grazing area.


Weather turns quickly in the mountains from sunny and 70's to rain and hail at 40 degrees.  We had almost an inch of hail on the ground in 30 minutes of pounding on the roof of the RV.



Here's a sample of more flowers and birds in the park.
Skyrocket

Cordilleran Flycatcher

Ponderosa Pine pollen "cones"

Western Blue Flax

Fiddleneck

Colorado Columbine

Old Man's Whiskers

Redstone Cliffs


Our week at RMNP was ending but only the beginning of our Colorado adventure.

We headed southwest by the Lake Grandy Reservoir to the Kremmling Cliffs.  Then through the magnificent Glenwood Canyon and camped at the Redstone National Forest campground.  Many beautiful areas.

So much of God's creation to see.
Ty & Ida Baumann