January Birding

Brrrr... it has been particularly windy this January. But we've gotten out a few times, primarily in order to check out some birds not usually seen around Colorado.

Click on any image to see a larger version of it.

Snowy Owl east of Barr Lake; a little too far for a decent picture

At least two Snowy Owls have been seen in the vicinity of Barr Lake State Park in Denver this winter. This is more evidence of the irruption of this species into more southerly areas that has been noticed in several states this year. We did find our young "Snowie," a new species for our life list! But he was so far away that without a tip from another birder down the road, we might not have found him. We were able to more clearly appreciate him with the help of yet another birder's spotting scope. The owl sat perfectly still out in a field the whole time we watched, with only his head turning now and then.

Can you spot the bird that's different? (the Blue-morph Snow Goose)

Earlier that day we walked along the south side of Barr Lake and spotted Bald Eagles galore and a few Snow Geese, including what we believe to be the blue morph or "Blue Goose." Around the nature center were songbirds, most notably American Goldfinches on the feeders. We'll have to go back and walk the entire 8.8 mile trail.

On another day we drove out to Nunn, CO where, for the first time, we didn't see any Burrowing Owls. We did enjoy seeing a flock of Horned Larks and we also saw our first Eurasian Collared Dove. We then went on to Pawnee National Grassland where we saw very little bird activity, even at the Crow Valley Recreation area. But we did see some Pronghorns and a coyote.

Horned Lark near Nunn, Colorado

Another wayward bird, the Long-tailed Duck had been spotted at Denver City Park and we got a good look at him this past Sunday. In spite of terrible wind gusts, Mike managed to hang onto our camera and get some nice shots of the duck formerly known as Oldsquaw, and his Duck Lake cohorts. We especially enjoyed seeing several Hooded Mergansers up close.

Long-tailed Duck (M) at right with Common Goldeneye on left

Hooded Merganser (male)

Speaking of life lists, we have been reading two birding books this month -- The Big Year and Kenn Kaufman's Kingbird Highway. What fun to compare what we were doing in 1973 with the hitchhiking adventures of a teenage birder!

We have been tracking sightings on the iBird app for iPhone and updating our Bird Brain software to manage our life list as well as start a new list for 2012. As I type, we are at a meager 57 species for the year, but we have high hopes of increasing that number greatly with our upcoming trip to south Texas.

Christmas Count

This holiday season we traveled to four states in 3 time zones in order to connect with important people in our lives who live across the miles. Along the way we tried unsuccessfully to see some vagrant birds (Emperor Goose in Portland, Hooded Crane in Tennessee) but did manage to spot 2 juvenile Whooping Cranes wintering at Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge near Birchwood, Tennessee.

Juvenile Whooping Cranes at Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge in Tennessee

We had productive birding and pleasant walking at the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, and enjoyed visiting the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge and the Audubon Society of Portland again. In the end we added 35 birds to our 2012 list and our Life List is now at 265. My favorite new bird on our list is the common Red-headed Woodpecker, but we also enjoyed seeing Anna's Hummingbird and were surprised to learn that they winter in Oregon.

View of the Columbia River from the Astoria Column

We also spent a great day exploring Fort Clatsop in the Lewis & Clark National Historic Park, then on to charming Astoria, OR where we had lunch, and undoubtedly the best onion rings ever, at the Wet Dog Cafe.

After a quick foray into Washington to see lighthouses at Cape Disappointment and North Head, we headed back to Portland via Camp 18.

Mike and Susan at the North Head lighthouse

Here's the rest of our trip count:

3 parents
2 brothers
2 sisters-in-law
1 niece
4 nephews
2 friends
1 puppy
Too many dinners, treats (especially Mom's peanut butter cookies), and calories to mention!

Thanks to everyone for their hospitality, conversation, games, gifts and making our trip memorable in so many ways.

Happy New Year!

Scenic Utah Backroads

Sunday we headed home from Page via Cottonwood Canyon Road to Utah Scenic Byway 12. I was a little nervous knowing we'd have no cell coverage, but it was just fine. In wetter weather, these roads become impassable. But the kiosk at the Big Water Visitor Center said the road was okay for 2WD cars today.

Entering Cottonwood Canyon (click image to enlarge)

In the beauty of the morning light, we saw our first Northern Shrike! A good omen. Cottonwood Canyon Road goes along a massive formation called the Cockscomb, and there are many other interesting geological features along the way as well. Unfortunately, high power lines run the length of the road, somewhat spoiling the rugged wilderness scenery.

Yellow Rock formation in Cottonwood Canyon

"Candyland"

Almost to Highway 24, we stopped at Grosvenor Arch. This beautiful arch was originally called Butler Arch but was later renamed for Gilbert Grosvenor, the first full-time editor of National Geographic Magazine.

Grosvenor Arch

Shortly after Cottonwood Canyon Road became paved again, we detoured into Kodachrome Basin State Park which was fantastic, even in the mid-day light. Definitely a place we'll want to visit again and do more hiking. Who can resist a park named for one of the most beloved Kodak film brands?!

Nature Trail at Kodachrome Basin State Park

Canyon in Kodachrome Basin State Park

At Highway 24, we stopped at the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Visitor Center in Cannonville.  It was tempting to head west to nearby Bryce Canyon, but, constrained by time, we decided to stay on our easterly course. The road between Escalante and Boulder was pretty, but once again we were disappointed to see all the high power wires.

Viewpoint along SB12

Henry Mountains, just after sunset as viewed from SB12

With so much to gawk at along the way, we only made it as far as Torrey, UT just outside of Capitol Reef National Park. We stayed at the Best Western there, where we enjoyed a great view from our balcony. In the morning I heard new bird noises, and I think they must have been Chukars.

Panorama Point in Capital Reef

Monday we drove through Capitol Reef, stopping first at Panorama Point and the Gooseneck. We then did the Scenic Road in Capitol Reef, and drove about halfway out to the Grand Wash.

Along the Scenic Road in Capitol Reef

There is a lot more to see in Capitol Reef, but our Traverse may not be the car to see it in. We took in the visitor center's excellent movie and looked at some more petroglyphs before leaving the area.

Fremont Indian Petroglyph panel in Capitol Reef, circa 700-1200CE

The scenic drives with crazy landscapes were behind us now, with the exception of Goblin Valley State Park. We spent an hour or so walking around the odd "goblin" sandstone formations before heading back up to get on I-70.

Sandstone formations in Goblin Valley State Park, Utah

Goblin Valley State Park

Even though it was getting late and we'd been on the go all day, we couldn't resist stopping in Breckenridge to see Steve & Lauren in their new place. (It's so cute!) After a quick dinner and a delicious CoCoNut Porter at Empire Burger, we said our goodbyes and were on our way home.

Here's a map of this part of the trip:

View Larger Map

We'll be back to the southwest again soon!