SNAP*Shot: Canada Jay–Mutually Captivated

Posted on by Joy

Living anywhere in North America, you will see birds in the Corvidae family: Crows, Ravens, Magpies, Nutcrackers, and Jays. They are bold, tend to be very noisy, and are the most intelligent birds in the world. Their intelligence actually surpasses that of many mammals. Research has shown that Corvids are capable of recalling specific past events, planning for the future, using cooperative problem-solving, and creating novel tools to solve problems. Maybe we should elect a few crows to Congress!

We know Jays in the USA because most are blue, but Canada Jays (Perisoreus canadensis) wear no blue and are slightly smaller, about the size of a robin. Living in spruce/pine/fir forests, they blend in nicely. They are quieter than their cousins, but much more curious. Never hesitating to get close to humans, they may land on your head or hand. I had a unique experience hiking in the mountains near home at an elevation of 9,200 feet. Hi there!

This is so fun!

Short but Sweet–Quarry Pass Trail

Posted on by Joy

We have walked in Red Rock Canyon Open Space before, but today we are exploring a short .2 mile connector trail called Quarry Pass Trail. We are heading down Red Rock Canyon Trail for the last mile of our 4-mile morning hike. Although overcast, it is not smoky today. The huge wildfires north near Rocky Mountain National Park (oh no!) have been inundating us with smoke when winds head south. We have a nice respite today, so let’s explore the connector trail I’ve never done before. We’ll have a new adventure together!

Off We Go!

Colorful Morning Hike–Mueller State Park, CO

Posted on by Joy

Mueller State Park is about 28 miles into the mountains from Colorado Springs. Covering 5,121 acres with ponds, rock outcropping, mountain views in every direction, and amazing aspen groves, a walk this time of year will be spectacular! Grab your water and get ready because we start our hike at about 9,650 feet and it will be a down and up huffer puffer as we drop 500 feet to Preacher’s Hollow and Never-Never Pond. We’ll take it slow because the thin air at this elevation will take its toll on us both!

Let’s Go, Trails #4 and #5

Ride~About: Colorado’s Absolutely Gorgeous Autumn Passes

Posted on by Joy

It is autumn my friend, and the talk of Colorado being THE place to visit this time of year is absolutely true. I’ve always thought, oh sure, but it can’t be that good, after all, Montana has Tamaracks. I was wrong! The color across the rocks; the ground cover everywhere including the tundra; the huge, dense aspen groves in every shade of yellow/gold/orange/red. WOW–let’s go!

View from Kenosha Pass–Red Cone, part of the Central Front Range of the Rocky Mountains
You are going to love this!