Category Archives: Nature and the Outdoors

Crested Butte

The area around Crested Butte is world famous for its variety and quantity of wildflowers. There’s a festival every summer, which we wanted no part of. We arranged to visit the weekend after. We weren’t the only ones with that … Continue reading

Posted in Plants, Scenery | Comments Off on Crested Butte

Lifer #499 — Dusky Grouse

dendragapus (from dendron, tree, and agapao, to be fond of) obscurus (dark, dusky) Friday, July 20, 2018 — 12:16 pm St. Elmo, Colorado — Chalk Creek Drive (County Road 162) As is the case with most gallinaceous birds, you don’t … Continue reading

Posted in Birds | Comments Off on Lifer #499 — Dusky Grouse

St. Elmo

St. Elmo is a ghost town in the Sawatch Range about two hours west of our house. The road that leads to it passes through the Chalk Cliffs along Chalk Creek. The town was established in 1880 when silver was … Continue reading

Posted in Birds, Historic Buildings, Mammals | Comments Off on St. Elmo

Lifer #498 — Calliope Hummingbird

selasphorus (from selas light, flame, and phoros, carrying) calliope (named for Calliope, fine-voiced chief of the Muses, who presided over eloquence and heroic poetry) Thursday, July 19, 2018 — 4:55 pm Colorado Springs, Colorado — Colorado Springs Utilities Xeriscape Demonstration … Continue reading

Posted in Birds | Comments Off on Lifer #498 — Calliope Hummingbird

Wild Basin and Trail Ridge Road

Black Swifts were reported from the Wild Basin area of Rocky Mountain National Park. I took a Wednesday off work and drove up early. Wild Basin is in the southeast corner of the park, reached by a rutted dirt road. … Continue reading

Posted in Mammals, Scenery | Comments Off on Wild Basin and Trail Ridge Road