Lily Lake Walk (May 23, 2015)

We've had one of the rainiest springs here that we can remember! Some locations in the foothills, like Golden, have gotten over 12" of rain this spring. And it's not over.


Twin Sisters, viewed from our house yesterday evening


When we woke up to clear blue skies this morning we decided to do a walk around Lily Lake before the clouds moved in again.


We covered the blue lines on this outing

When we arrived at Lily Lake a little after 9am, Longs Peak wasn't visible, but as we continued we got some very good views of it.


Longs Peak obscured by clouds (Estes Cone at right)

Quaking Aspen starting to leaf out!

View to the northwest

It was also very obvious that beavers were doing a lot of work on the southwest side of the lake. We might have to go back out at dusk to see if we can watch them working.


Beaver dam (or lodge?) right off the accessible trail



We also got a chance to see a few birds, including the Red-winged Blackbird, Ring-necked Duck, a Mallard, Brewer's Blackbird, a couple of Canada Geese.


Ring-necked Duck

Mallard

Red-winged Blackbird in breeding plumage

Brewer's Blackbird

Brewer's Blackbird in an unusual pose

Mike had some fun photographing a cute little Douglas squirrel, Tamiasciurus douglasii, (aka pine squirrel or chickaree) busily chomping away on a pine cone.










When the clouds cleared, Longs Peak, capped with a lot of recent spring snow, appeared in dramatic fashion!


From left to right: Mt Meeker, Longs Peak, Mt Lady Washington, and Estes Cone

Longs Peak! Do you see the beaver?

We timed our outing just right. By the time we got home the skies turned dark and cloudy and the rain started falling again!

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