Almost over

Just a little over two weeks and then "On the Road Again"...can't wait.....We will be going to the Grand Canyon.  Hopefully I will have LOTS of pictures.

Rufous Hummingbird

So we have had quite the array  of Hummingbirds this year.

Black-chinned Hummingbird

Calliope Hummingbird

Broad-Tailed Hummingbird

All of these birds have been great to watch...sure wish we had this much variety in Georgia.  Not that I don't enjoy the Ruby-Throat Hummingbird.  We have had lots of birds to look at this summer.  We caught a Golden Eagle on one of our hikes.   We got pretty close before he took off.

Golden in flight

Golden Eagle

 






We went to the Rocky Mountain NP for two fun filled nights of "real" camping.  Had a great time, Chris and Justin came and joined us.  We did not see as much wildlife as we usually do.....or I should say that we did not see as many Elk as we usually do.  But we did manage to see some Big Horned Sheep and Moose with a calf.  Soooo awesome....I sure didn't think that the Moose was going to happen.  Always wrong place, at the wrong time.

His little harem

Bull Elk and in charge

This bull let all know that the group coming through was his.  There was about thirty or so.

Lone Ram

Big Horned Sheep

The Big Horned Sheep where plentiful this visit....I have not seen this many in one place.

Moose Calf

Mother and calf

This was sheer luck.  We where just about out of the park and Paul saw them.  We followed them for a ways.  But these last few shots where the best.  Maybe next time we will see a bull.  I just don't know what I would do if I ran across one of them....

Lands End Road

Looking back over one of the valleys

This Lands End Road is one of my favorite to ride up.  I have never seen any wildlife on it, but an awesome drive.  Looking back over the valley once we get to the top....too cool.

This place is really very beautiful....I am sure that there are other places that match or even exceed it's beauty, but this place really has that "AWE" effect.  So very lucky to see it, not once, but several times.

Still missing Faith, but all is well with us and Scarlett.

Middle of Aug

Most of the time the park is quiet, except for the weekends...and it looks like we will be busy every weekend through Oct.  Week days, good, weekends, busy....story of our lives.

The migrations have begun...we are seeing different types of Hummingbirds.  For the first time I have actually seen a Broad-Tailed Hummingbird.  They are pretty.  Most of the other hummer's have started their trip south, where ever that might be.  I know this because, instead of filling up the feeders everyday, I am down to filling up one feeder every other day or so... still I have managed to go through twenty-five pounds of sugar.

Our neighboring camp host has migrated south also...they have gone home.  We will be on our way shortly, but on a sadder note.  We will be leaving one of our beloved fur kids in Colorado.  Faith is not doing well and we feel that it would be an injustice to try and make her travel all the way back to Georgia. She will be missed.

So, most is well with us....until the next time.

So July is almost over

So we are almost finished with the month of July....wow.  One more and we will be on our way to someplace new......then Georgia.  

Cooper's Hawk and nest

Cooper's Hawk

We have been in the bird rescue business. Our Cooper's Hawk seemed to have had some over crowding issues and a couple of them ended up on the ground.  We did manage to get one up in the tree, (as far as we could), but the other just did not seem to get the hang of it.  So after several attempts at placing him in the tree, we decided that he would have to go to rehab and get stronger.  Maybe we will see him in the skies around the park.

We did have some excitement close to the park...the farmers field just outside of the park caught fire. Fortunately it did not catch his house or barns on fire. We think that it might have been started by a cigarette. 

Farmers Field

Terri, Sarah and Sam

Terri and the kids came out and visited with us for a couple of nights.  We went to the Monument, trying to get to cooler weather.  It was a great visit. Then Chris and Justin came out to visit and we went up on the Grand Mesa....again for some cooler weather.  Are you seeing a pattern here....it has been HOT!!

Chris and Justin

Golden Mantel ground squirrel 

Very fat cheeks 

We are seeing some of the Hummingbirds that migrate through....The Rufous and the Calliope.  They don't stay around very long.

Rufous Hummingbird

Calliope Hummingbird

I also had the chance encounter with a very "little friend".  I have never been able to hold a hummingbird, but this little guy was a bit confused and thought that anybody that came near should be feeding him.  So with a little encouragement I helped him to the feeder.  Alas I think that he has it figured out now, and does not let me get near him.

Little Friend

Me and my little friend

Raccoon doing some fishing

The wildflowers have been pretty.  Not as much as in years past, but pretty just the same.

Wild Flowers on the Mesa

Wild Flowers

So we have a couple of camping trips planned, one at the end of the month up to Stage Coach SP.  We will get to visit with our friends, Jeany and Ken.   I am sure that it is cooler there...okay I am hoping that it is cooler there.  Then we are into August...and we will make a run over to the Rocky Mountain NP...it just would not be a trip to Colorado without a trip to the Rockies.

So as always, all is well with the girls and us...until the next time.