Larimer County Driving Tour

Mid-day isn't the best time for birding but it will do when it's your day off, you wanted to sleep in, and you only have a few more days in a wonderful state.  I started with a quick stop at Dixon Reservoir to scan for ducks.  Easily picking up Cackling and Canada Geese and Common Goldeneye.

Next was a pull-off at Horsetooth Reservoir with a few more additions in American Kestrel and Red-tailed Hawk flyovers.

I love Bellevue and drove by for one more look as I headed up Rist Canyon.

The finale of the evening would be a easy drive down Poudre River Canyon.

The sun was out and the frozen river was melting.  It was such a beautiful day and a gift from Colorado before I fly to New York.

The dogs even got a little walk around Picnic Rock which they enjoyed more than you can tell from this funny photo.  Daisy never understands why I have to take photos when all she wants to do is get to some unseen destination.

It was the perfect day to drive about Larimer County.  I picked up two lifers, enjoyed the sunshine, and had some quality time with my pups.  I'm going to miss this place.

American Dipper

Finally the elusive American Dipper was bagged!  In celebration of completing my Master's I took the pups on a little drive down Poudre Canyon on Friday.  I've been searching for a dipper for over a year now but it finally all fell together.  I just took a chance at skimming the rocks as I slowly drove by the river and right after passing Mishawaka I saw the little dip jump off a rock.

The perfect place to see a dipper since a parking lot was literally 5 feet in reverse which I did despite the danger because of my overwhelming joy. A quick hop across the road and I was face to face with a nemesis bird.

You can see why the bird is easy to miss in the photo above due to it's uncanny ability to just turn into a rock.

This little fellow was perfect and gave me a show for about 15 minutes before flying downriver.  I watched it feed, swim, hop and bob.  The best part was I had it all to myself on a beautiful, sunny Colorado day.

Thanks little American Dipper with your rolly-polly body, your funny walk, and your feeding show on the Poudre River.  You made my day!

Life in the Foothills

In October we were given an opportunity to house/cat-sit up in the Foothills overlooking Fort Collins.  As we settled into our temporary Bingham Hill residence I noticed a few patterns.  One were the deer, a cute little family of three that would often show up around dusk to feed around the back deck.

Despite coming in to feed near the house, even in the courtyard, they were still skittish and would keep their distance.  I like it when deer are like that, friendly but not so use to humans. It also means the permanent residents of this home don't feed the wildlife and truly do keep wildlife wild.  

The sunsets and sunrises were beautiful, the sparrows plentiful, the deer photogenic, and the views went for days but I must admit, it's nice to be home.  I live down  there somewhere under that light pink sky.  It's not as scenic as the foothills but it's nearly perfect with it's plentiful bookcases, un-made bed, and dog hair.