I’d been hoping for six lifers on Tuesday, and I’d only seen two. My main objective on this day was Phantom Canyon Road, but I decided to take a couple hours and hit a spot that was supposed to be good for birds that inhabit the PJ. (That’s how the local birders refer to the Pinyon-Juniper scrub that covers the lower slopes of the foothills.) I drove up the Arkansas River Valley into Canon City and then south into Temple Canyon.
There were birds around, but I wasn’t having much luck identifying them. I parked and wandered around at a few different locations. The road curled upwards for three or four miles and then crested this ridge.
Two things happened right about here. First, the road got a lot rougher and I had to drive slower. Second, I passed a sign that read “Welcome to Temple Canyon Park.” I thought I’d been in Temple Canyon Park all along. I realized that to go further would mean a serious commitment of time. I pulled through a picnic area and turned around.
I birded my way back down and finally saw a lifer (next post). At one stop, a friendly Ash-throated Flycatcher stopped by to say hello.
I only saw one other car during the hour I was on the road. People had dumped trash near the bottom, but apart from that, the canyon was very pretty and felt remote.
A Scaled Quail hopped on a fencepost as I drove out of the canyon, while a second one scurried behind a patch of yucca.
At this stage of my birding career, any trip that delivers even one lifer is worth the time.