Abe 5/31/13

St. Mary's Falls 5/30/13

I've done this hike several times now - it is a good moderate mountain hike - relatively strenuous on the way up so you feel you accomplished something, very pleasant return, ideal length of 6-something miles. Good combination of isolation, treed areas, and vistas.  The falls themselves are pretty but don't photograph very well and are not the textbook spectacular straight vertical falls.  Potential for lots of good flowers along the trail at different times of year, and there are a few social detour trails that are nice as well.

Mt. Herman 5/27/13 Memorial Day

It was Memorial Day weekend when we did this, so it was a bit crowded for my taste.  The lot for the trailhead was beyond full.  The hike is short  (4-something miles) with relatively steep incline on parts.  I think the views from the Palmer Lake trail area were a little nicer with less driving to get to, personally.

Kiowa Creek Sanctuary 5/26/13

Tree Swallow

Vesper Sparrow

Savannah Sparrow

Western Bluebird

Mountain Chickadee, Pine Siskin

Bear Creek Park Bird Count 5/18/13

New bird:  Willow Flycatcher  Good view of Lesser Goldfinch, too.  Northern Parula good views as well.

Black-chinned Hummingbird

Bullock's Oriole

Great horned Owl (mom?)

the kids

Garter Snake

American Goldfinch