Some Fun Utah Birds

La Sal Mountain Loop road is a great and interesting tour. The road was open and we did not see another person. 

But we saw this lovely male Dusky Grouse.

 This Crow was on a fence post in Castle Valley, part of the loop, and was making clicking sounds as he danced up and down. We couldn't see any females, but he put on quite a show.

A Rock Squirrel, soaking up some sun.

 This bird we found in Canyonlands and I really enjoyed seeing a small flock. Only one cooperated for a photo, but it was enough. Black-throated Sparrow. Lovely.

This little interlude was very fun. Two Common Ravens being pegged by Pinyon Jays. Looks closely, can you see the jay's mouth open in a SQUAWK?

 The Raven wasn't to concerned, with me or the jays.

 Pinyon Jays are amazing.

 And very loud, constantly.

An amazing view off of Dead Horse Point.

If you have never been to Moab, you should go.

Lovely Visit To Moab, Utah

Al and I recently took a mini vacation to Moab, Utah. Have you ever been there? It's lovely. 

We stayed at Red Cliffs Lodge, see it down there? Right where the Colorado River meets the road.

We went for a one hour horseback ride and saw this sign at the stables. 

Loved it.

Our rowdy and rambunctious steeds await. Mine is the one on the far left. Sundance.

Some of the beautiful scenery we enjoyed.

Al - Cowboy Man of the West on Harley. Whoa Boy!!

Our guide Jill expounding on the wonders of the west. Check out that view, will ya?

My trusty mount again, Sundance.

 We did some driving around too, here is a pic of Castle Valley.

 And me taking photos of the wide open spaces in Canyonlands.

Of course I loved this fencing made up of dead juniper trunks and branches.

 You can't even believe the magnitude of this scenery. 

I Can't Help It. More Dachsing Through The Snow Photos!

As most of you know we have received a great spring snowstorm here in Loveland.

We have 12+ inches of snow.

"Um, well, thanks for digging us pathways"

 To plow or not to plow, that is Kevin's question.

 Plow.. I guess.

 PLOW! Says Cowboy!

 "Yee HAW! Giddy-up! GO!

 Here comes the DOG!

 Leapin' Lizards!

 Cowboy and Greta snow racing!

Spring Marches in at the Denver Botanic Gardens

Well I did my monthly visit to Denver Botanic Gardens in March. It was lovely.

I "discovered" these lovely ducks in Marnie's Pavilion, but have yet to figure out what kind they are. Very cute and about the only birds I saw or heard there!

 Lovely Crabapple tree full of last seasons fruit. No robins partaking though.

And the conifers....oh my are they lovely. Speaking of Conifers, I'm taking a class there April 20th, taught by Pat Hayward. Conifers Class. I can hardly wait.

There were a few sneaky crocus flowers that I enjoyed very much.

 Such teeny exquisite beauty.

 And here is a midget kind of an Iris. Amazing.

 Little tiny spots of glory here and there.

 In some places they had names which I appreciated.

 I love this - I think it's Little Bluestem grass - the pink stuff and more crocus coming up.

More lovely bunches.

A rather brazen group here. Makes one want to lay down next to them and have a conversation.

Snow drops I think. Wow.

 Birch and Pine Trees. Does life get any better than this?

Cowboy! The Sailor Dog?

 Cowboy The Sailor Dog, Yep! That's Me!

Um. Wait. Excuse me, where are we going? This thing is rocky. 

This is NOT looking good Cap'n. Are we gonna DIE?

Cap'n Al, full of.. of..

Confidence. Yeah, that's it.

I'm looking for fish, trying to balance.

 Here is our view from our boat thing. We are waaay out in the middle of the water.

But I'm not scared. Nope not me.

Bravery Pupsonified.

Cowboy, The Sailor Dog!

Simon Is Thankful, And So Are The Birds

My beloved husband Al hung up my bird houses recently. It was a sunny February afternoon. Perfect for climbing twenty-plus feet up in the air on a big ladder with heavy birdhouses and a drill. 

I appreciate it, I really do.

 Al used to be a cable TV Advanced Tech and spent a lot of time on a ladder like this high in the air. I think this ladder weighs like 90 pounds.

 Here he is:

 And here is the big, heavy flicker house now in place.

This one was tricky as the tree is small, down a hill and right by the lake. 

A Downy Woodpecker house.

Al is installing a nice WBU Robin's ledge house on the shop.

He's even smiling. He loves me. Up he goes with a Chickadee house to install on a Russian Olive tree.

I wonder who will use it?

 Now he's heading up high to install a Chickadee house on an Ash tree. You try climbing a ladder with both hands full!

He doesn't even mind when I tell him exactly where to hang it. 

"Tell me what to do, but don't tell me what to do."

 Hey! Simon's back! He certainly approves. It's been a long, dark winter in the shop for him. Look for him next time you visit.