December 25, 2010
Richard Stevens:
Originally, Rebecca Kosten and I were going to drive the DIA Owl Loop looking for Short-eared Owls. When we got on the highway, no traffic. Christmas morning perhaps is the only day now that one can drive our highways at the speed limit. To take advantage of that, we headed down to Deer Creek Canyon and Chatfield Reservoir (Jefferson County).
We drove around the Deer Creek Canyon subdivision, which is not far from Chatfield Reservoir. Rebecca spotted a small nest like silhouette, which turned out to be a Northern Pygmy-Owl!
Continuing to the boat ramp at Chatfield Reservoir to be there just before sunrise, we spotted a Short-eared Owl flying back and forth over the model airplane field. After five minutes, the owl disappeared to the southwest (behind the trees just outside the southeast entrance to the park).
When we arrived at the boat ramp, the Glaucous Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull and Thayer's Gull were all standing on the sand spit. Many Ring-billed Gulls were flying over the marina. With some patience, we found at least one Bonaparte's Gull among them.
With the outstanding weather, Denver is experiencing (this morning it was 27 degrees at 7:00 am, but no wind and no snow on the ground), we decided to celebrate a little white Christmas with a ride into the foothills. Most every store was closed, but we actually found something edible and rather tasty at 7-Eleven while fueling the car.
Red Rocks Park was passed and we could not resist a quick stop. The Golden-crowned Sparrow and Harris's Sparrow were below the platform feeder behind the Visitor's Center when we arrived. Less than 5 minutes later, the Curve-billed Thrasher popped out from behind the 4 X 4 north of the feeder. We waited 15 minutes and started to leave when the White-throated Sparrow also jumped out from the western brush.
White Christmas: We walked around Genesee Mountain Park for about 30 minutes (one of us finally got cold). A small flock of 4-6 Red Crossbills (mostly males, a couple of females) fed on pinecones in the trees around the group picnic area parking lot (how's that for a string of nouns? :-)
Three species of nuthatches, many Pine Siskins, Downy & Hairy Woodpeckers and many Dark-eyed Juncos entertained us! It was our white Christmas!
We decided to continue west and drive up Mt. Evans Byway from Idaho Springs back through Evergreen. Snow covered Echo Lake and the surrounding trees would have made a nice Holiday Card photo.
Two Pine Grosbeaks flew about the trees on the south side of the lake. We listened for the sound of woodpeckers at the Echo Lake Campgrounds. The distinct drumming of an American Three-toed Woodpecker gave away its presence. It turned out to be a male with its yellow crown!
We continued down the highway through Evergreen and made one final stop for the day. Lair 'O Bear Park sometimes attracts Northern Pygmy-Owls late on a winter day. We were passing through at the right time of day and waited; without success.
During the wait, a walk down to the footbridge at the east end of the park added a couple of American Dippers to our day list. They are as entertaining as any bird I can think of as they bob up and down while standing on the ice and rocks. Then they have the courage to jump into the freezing water to catch a nibble of food. Burrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
It was a superb ending to our extraordinarily enjoyable Christmas Day! We hope all relished theirs as well!
Richard Stevens:
Originally, Rebecca Kosten and I were going to drive the DIA Owl Loop looking for Short-eared Owls. When we got on the highway, no traffic. Christmas morning perhaps is the only day now that one can drive our highways at the speed limit. To take advantage of that, we headed down to Deer Creek Canyon and Chatfield Reservoir (Jefferson County).
We drove around the Deer Creek Canyon subdivision, which is not far from Chatfield Reservoir. Rebecca spotted a small nest like silhouette, which turned out to be a Northern Pygmy-Owl!
Continuing to the boat ramp at Chatfield Reservoir to be there just before sunrise, we spotted a Short-eared Owl flying back and forth over the model airplane field. After five minutes, the owl disappeared to the southwest (behind the trees just outside the southeast entrance to the park).
When we arrived at the boat ramp, the Glaucous Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull and Thayer's Gull were all standing on the sand spit. Many Ring-billed Gulls were flying over the marina. With some patience, we found at least one Bonaparte's Gull among them.
With the outstanding weather, Denver is experiencing (this morning it was 27 degrees at 7:00 am, but no wind and no snow on the ground), we decided to celebrate a little white Christmas with a ride into the foothills. Most every store was closed, but we actually found something edible and rather tasty at 7-Eleven while fueling the car.
Red Rocks Park was passed and we could not resist a quick stop. The Golden-crowned Sparrow and Harris's Sparrow were below the platform feeder behind the Visitor's Center when we arrived. Less than 5 minutes later, the Curve-billed Thrasher popped out from behind the 4 X 4 north of the feeder. We waited 15 minutes and started to leave when the White-throated Sparrow also jumped out from the western brush.
White Christmas: We walked around Genesee Mountain Park for about 30 minutes (one of us finally got cold). A small flock of 4-6 Red Crossbills (mostly males, a couple of females) fed on pinecones in the trees around the group picnic area parking lot (how's that for a string of nouns? :-)
Three species of nuthatches, many Pine Siskins, Downy & Hairy Woodpeckers and many Dark-eyed Juncos entertained us! It was our white Christmas!
We decided to continue west and drive up Mt. Evans Byway from Idaho Springs back through Evergreen. Snow covered Echo Lake and the surrounding trees would have made a nice Holiday Card photo.
Two Pine Grosbeaks flew about the trees on the south side of the lake. We listened for the sound of woodpeckers at the Echo Lake Campgrounds. The distinct drumming of an American Three-toed Woodpecker gave away its presence. It turned out to be a male with its yellow crown!
We continued down the highway through Evergreen and made one final stop for the day. Lair 'O Bear Park sometimes attracts Northern Pygmy-Owls late on a winter day. We were passing through at the right time of day and waited; without success.
During the wait, a walk down to the footbridge at the east end of the park added a couple of American Dippers to our day list. They are as entertaining as any bird I can think of as they bob up and down while standing on the ice and rocks. Then they have the courage to jump into the freezing water to catch a nibble of food. Burrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
It was a superb ending to our extraordinarily enjoyable Christmas Day! We hope all relished theirs as well!
1 comment:
I am a novice birder, gaining momentum. I found this blog by accident online somewhere, and I wanted you guys to know I have gained a wealth of info from you. Places to go, things to look for, etc. Just letting you know that your entries are benefitting and providing enjoyment for people.
Dan Stringer stringdan@aol.com
Post a Comment