Our major destination today was Colorado National Monument, near Grand Junction. This under-visited park is beautiful, and is definitely worth a stop. Not much hiking since the temperature was in the low 100's, and there's not much shade.
Red cliffs of Fruita Canyon
A view from near Window Rock. (Melissa's excellent photo!)
Book Cliffs View
Some interesting red rock formations near the campground
A view of the park road from above.
Independence Rock
After Colorado National Monument, we made a brief stop at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument. Nice view from the visitor center (see photo), but we were short on time and didn't stay long. Headed to Glenwood Springs for the night.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison
BIRDWATCHING: Not very much today. At Colorado National Monument, we started with some nice COMMON RAVENS, and GOLDEN EAGLE. At the Campground, a BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER, and many WHITE-THROATED SWIFTS. Not many birds around because of the heat. On the driving route we spotted a PINYON JAY, and a PEREGRINE FALCON. At Devil's Kitchen we stopped for a picnic lunch, and found an accomodating BLUE-GREY GNATCATCHER. At our brief stop at Black Canyon of the Gunninson National Monument, another BLUE-GREY GNATCATCHER, and a nice view of a WESTERN TANAGER. In the town of Hotchkiss near Delta, we found a EURASIAN COLLARED DOVE.
Black-Throated Gray Warbler on Window Rock Trail
White-Throated Swift over Window Rock. (It was cool to hear the swooshing in their wings!) (Melissa took this shot)
Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher at Devil's Kitchen
Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher at Devil's Kitchen (cool flight shot!)
Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher at Devil's Kitchen
Prairie Plateau Lizard
Western Tanager at Black Canyon of the Gunnison
No comments:
Post a Comment