Horsethief Park (between Divide and Cripple Creek/Victor) 6/8/12

The hike to Horsethief Falls is not terribly long, but to Pancake Rocks add 5 miles or so I think.  We ran out of time and I think we turned around just short of our destination.  So we'll need to try this one again.  

Figured out what it is - it is a Hermit Thrush!

Wilson's Warbler

Cheyenne Mtn Zoo 6/7/12

My favorite picture I took at the zoo today.  Beautiful day with mom and dad.  Happy Anniversary to them.

Mississippi Kite Update 6/5/12

The Kites arrived on 5/6/12  - at least that is when I saw them.  I think I saw another one flying near the Security Post Office 5/8.    I saw the pair mating in the trees behind my house 5/10.  I saw the mom checking out her nest on 5/13 - same one as last year, at the house just East of mine.  On 5/29, I and two other birders observed FOUR of them flying over my street.  Two of them were doing this cool diving thing where they bent their wings half-way back.  I am wondering if the other two are the juveniles that fledged her last year?  5/31 saw one flying down near the Knights of Columbus building - a different one again?  This week mom has been spending a lot more time on her test - she is mainly hanging out there now, so I'm guessing there are eggs in it now.  She seems to be doing a fair amount of maintenance.

Clement Stardust

Transit of Venus 6/5/12

Amir al-Mu'minin Imām 'Alī ibn Abī Tālib (a.s.) said:

to Qanbar when he wished to insult a man who had insulted him,

"Careful Qanbar! Leave your insulter to his disdain and you will please
the Beneficent Lord, displease Satan and punish thereby your enemy,
for by the One who split the grain and created the breeze, there is no stance
better than clemency with which a believer can please his Lord, and nothing
like silence to offend Satan, and an idiot is best punished by ignoring him."

[Reference: Amali al-Mufid, page 118, no. 2]

Eclipse photo from this morning around 4:20 a.m. 6/4/12

Waldo Canyon 6/1/12

Waldo Canyon starts out kind of drab - scrub oak that can be a bit hot in summer.  But the further you go, the prettier it gets, including a creek crossing and some shaded areas and nice variety overall.  Sadly, later this summer Waldo Canyon burned and it has not reopened as of yet (2013) and will not be like what is shown here in our lifetimes.

Green-tailed Towhee

Milbert's Tortoiseshell

Jones Park Loop 5/28/12

Pretty long hike!  Started at the lot on Upper Gold Camp, took Seven Bridges out to Jones Park, and back on 667/Bear Creek/Captain Jack's. May be closer to 10 miles than to 6.

This cave was awesome!

Olive-sided flycatcher

Memorial Day Weekend