Colorado through New Mexico

 

We drove to Woodland Park, Colorado to spend some time with

our Nephew Nate Baumann and his family.

This is a high altitude city and we found some nice birds in the area.

Steller's Jay

Clark's Nutcracker shares with American Robin

And another Steller's Jay

Pygmy Nuthatches checked out the cones in the Pines and Firs

Broad-tailed Hummingbird checks their feeder

Red-naped Sapsucker

Mule Deer Fawn grazing in the neighborhood

We took a ride to Eleven Mile Canyon, glad we weren't in the RV.

Eleven Mile Creek rushes through the Canyon

Take a listen....

American Dipper, one of five that we found

Taking a peek under water for food.

Bald Eagle

As we drive back to Woodland Park, Pike's Peak looms on the landscape.

Standing at 14,100 feet, covered with snow year round

No RV's allowed on this steep road to the summit, glad to have Nate to take us in his truck.

White-crowned Sparrows don't mind the snow and cold.

Looking down from the summit, gold mine near top of photo, beautiful cirque lake reflects the sky.

Beautiful rock formations

Nate & his wife Amanda and Ty & Ida (winter jackets necessary)

Far below is the city of Woodland Park and Charis Bible School where they work.

Surprise birds at the summit - Townsend's Solitaires

Least Chipmunk

In northern New Mexico we found Little Creel Campground and after a shower, a beautiful full rainbow.

And another great surprise - a colony of Lewis's Woodpeckers

Such amazing colors, they were hawking for insects and harvesting acorns

While driving south we passed this natural rock formation called Echo Auditorium

We drove south to Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge finding some "southern" birds -

Gambel's Quail

Canyon Towhee

Black-throated Sparrow

Looking west from the Refuge.

Over 300 American White Pelicans were feeding and resting on the refuge pond

Mule Deer with atypical antlers

Lazuli Bunting female

Greater Roadrunner ran next to the RV for quite a distance giving Ty a great opportunity for a photo.

Into steaming hot Texas next, down to Mission and counting hawks again.

Love & Prayers,

Ty & Ida Baumann