All posts by Sheila

I have a passion for the outdoors and I am most happy enjoying what nature has to offer. Hobbies include photography, birding, Pickleball, astronomy, biking, and hiking. I have been happily married, for 50 years, to an amazing person.

At Home, Photos-Flowers, Poetry

~Summer flowers

June 28, 2019 Sheila 3 Comments

a day with friends

a lovely walk

uplifts the heart

I took a walk with friends in the mountains west of Loveland, and captured our experience with my camera. It was a lovely walk along the Big Thompson River.

The flowers were beautiful, the river was roaring, and the conversation wonderful. We were on a mission to find an American Dipper, but it was not to be. Next time!

Enjoy the beauty of the summer!

At Home, Photos-Birds

Springtime Birds…

June 21, 2019 Sheila 9 Comments

~Happy Summer Solstice…

Today the first day of Summer and our weather here in Loveland, Colorado is cool and wet. I am hoping for a milder summer. Spring has been very cool and rainy. However, the bird watching has been awesome.

~I saw this Burrowing Owl at Coyote Ridge, Loveland, CO. This cute little owl was hunting food for his mate that was waiting on top of their nesting burrow. He would bring food back to her and she would head down the burrow to feed her babies. It was exciting to see the two interact. It has been a long time since I have seen a Burrowing Owl.

~Howard and I saw this beautiful Bobolink at Reservoir Ridge in Fort Collins, CO. It is only in Colorado for a couple of months. We were lucky to see it land on this scrub and exhibit its mating dance. This is a new bird for me, number 392.

~Always a pleasure to see the Kingbirds

~This female Red-winged Blackbird was taking a break from hunting for food and just seemed to be enjoying the sunshine. She sat on this fence post for a while.

~We were so lucky this spring to have about six pair of Western Tanagers visiting our feeders. They are gone now, probably headed north, and I believed I helped them on their journey by feeding them lots of oranges and grape jelly.

~We have had a pair of American Robins in our yard all spring. They have built two nests, one in a pine tree and one under our deck. The nest under the deck had three babies in it. I watched the three babies grow bigger each day. Then one day I looked at the nest and they were gone. I believed that they were too young to have fledged and that something must have gotten them. However, we are enjoying watching three beautiful spotted babies. Don’t really know if they are the same birds, but I would like to believe they are. Yesterday, one of the babies was standing in a tray of mealworms and begging the Mom for food. Too funny, poor Mom.

~A beautiful female Lazuli Bunting

~When on an outing to Barr Lake State Park near Denver, I spotted this Canada Geese family.

~The header photo is a Western Meadowlark.

I hope everyone enjoys the summer. I wish all my birding friends a summer filled with wonderful bird outing and plenty of birding observations.

On The Road, Photos-Birds

~A few more bird photos from Picacho Peak State Park

February 4, 2019 Sheila 4 Comments

~Picacho Peak State Park, January 3, 2019

I never get tired of these beautiful, tiny birds. Finally captured him sitting in a scrub.

Happy Birding!

On The Road, Photos-Landscapes

~A hike to Picacho Peak

January 30, 2019 Sheila 10 Comments

On Friday, January 4, 2019, while staying at Picacho Peak State Park we climbed to the top of the famous Picacho Peak. We began our hike at the Hunter Trailhead. The distance to the top is 2.7 miles with an increase in elevation of 2,014.

Description of the trail from a web-site: The trail to the summit is well marked and maintained. The trail is challenging and requires strong arms to grip the cables on ascent and descent- gloves are highly recommended. Views from the trail and the summit are great!

The weather on this Friday was perfect for the climb, not too cool or too warm. Our round trip took us a little over four hours. The path was steep and rocky, and in some places, we were walking along a sheer drop off. Beautiful, old Saguaro Cactus as far as the eye could see.

In several locations, we had to use the provided cables to help us climb the steep, rocky terrain. We had read where gloves were advisable and I was so glad I had mine.

In some places along the trail, we would descend only to have to hike straight up again.

I have never experienced anything like it before. I am so grateful that we made it to the top. We sat at the summit enjoying a snack and the view. It was a challenge and difficulty.

Our set challenge was met, it was so much fun and I won’t ever forget this climb/hike.

Didn’t take too many photos, because I needed both hands free to navigate the trail and to use the cabling. Howard took the panoramic, header photo using his Apple iPhone.

The only birds I observed along the trail were several Rock Wrens.

On The Road, Photos-Birds, Photos-Landscapes

~A nice hike up to an overlook at Picacho State Park, AZ

January 1, 2019 Sheila 6 Comments

December 30, 2018, A nice hike up to an overlook at Picacho State Park, AZ.

Temperatures have been in the low 50’s and high 40’s with overnight lows in the high 20’s. Last night it rained and we woke this morning to low hanging clouds below the snow-covered peaks. The sun finally came out and it tuned out to be a nice day with a high of 48.

Our hike on the 30th was very nice. We took a trail that was “training” for us in hopes of climbing to the top of Picacho Peak. Don’t know if we will make it, but it will be fun and interesting trying. Thursday is the day!

Picacho Peak State Park, campground in the background, left.

Even though it has been cold here, there are still a few blooming plants.

I don’t know why, but the fallen skeleton of these giant Saguaro Cactus fascinate me. Interesting fact sheet on the Saguaro Cactus can be found here: https://www.desertmuseum.org/kids/oz/long-fact-sheets/Saguaro%20Cactus.php

Just a couple from the fact sheet: simply amazing!

Life Span-With the right growing conditions, it is estimated that saguaros can live to be as much as 150-200 years old.

Size-Saguaro are very slow growing cactus. A 10 year old plant might only be 1.5 inches tall. Saguaro can grow to be between 40-60 feet tall (12-18m). When rain is plentiful and the saguaro is fully hydrated it can weigh between 3200-4800 pounds.

Can’t see the trail, but it was mostly vertical.

Yesterday, the 31st, I spent some time trying to capture a few bird shots at the motorhome. I don’t like to take photos of birds at the feeder, but with no trees around I had no choice.

Wolf Song Blog