We drove about 14 miles out to the Rifle Falls, and Rifle Recreation Area.
There is NO handicapped access to the falls so I found a good shady spot to park, mom and the dogs waited while I hiked the short distance uphill to view the falls. It is not a steep hill, but it's beyond Mom's ability. The falls are as pretty as I recall, I do think there is more lush green foliage around them now.
There's a hike to the top but I knew Mom would not stay put if I stayed away too long so no hike was done.
Rifle Falls is 3 good sized falls all falling off the same ridge...It really throws out a mist. So some rainbow effect shows up...
...and all this time I thought these black edges on the upper part of my photos was my hat...but I was not wearing a hat when these photos were taken,,,,so it means my camera is having an issue...eeeeekkkkk. And I've noticed a couple other issues with it...so I am going to have to replace my camera...I go through a camera about every 2 yrs! That is why I can't get into expensive cameras that I have to worry about tossing it around like I do. Hope it will continue to work.
We took the scenic route (kind of an oxymoron because every route is scenic) back to civilization and came across a huge herd of sheep. I don't know sheep so I have no idea what breed this is...
this is Rifle Gap area...
Spotted these 2 birds of prey along the roadside...the American Kestrel, a female.
a Red Shouldered Hawk in the cedar...
This is called Harvey Gap Reservoir the water is such a lovely turquoise color...I'd love to take my tube down there and float...the water is Freezing!! It looks warm and inviting but when I stuck my foot in....OHHHH it was cold.
back down in the valley it was hazy...
and later at home we had some lark sparrow's give us a visit...
and the Ash throated Flycatcher is teaching a young one to hunt...
We visited SIS, and at her window pair of Eurasian collared doves stopped by for a visit...
When I took the dogs out the other morning, the deer were in the front this time....his shadow is really cool don't you think?
then they disappeared over the ridge...
We had a nice rain overnight and in the morning the clouds gave us a nice sunrise...we are still on Eastern time so we're up at sunrise every morning...
Being here is Mother and Casey approved!
Tuesday I had the opportunity to take a day trip to Vega State Park! I got my 399th lifer, soooo stay tuned for that!
PEACE
Eleanor Roosevelt: You must do the thing you think you can not.
Such gorgeous scenery! Your mom looks great! Bet she enjoyed the ride. 399? You've surpassed me. Must have been your Tx adventure ;). Pretty soon, you'll run out of birds! You'll have to travel S. America way to list new birds! I don't have an Ash-throated Flycatcher yet! Pretty little thing! XO
ReplyDeleteHI Karen! I would def love to go to South America... Unless I win the lotto$$ probably just keep pecking away here in NA hoping for those unseen birds!! Most of the time I'm in the wrong state at the wrong time! Mom has been pretty confused lately so every day is like starting over with telling her where she is, it was a challenging trip...but she always has a smile when I ask for one!
DeleteMy count is somewhere in the 320's, I think. I'd have to go look. There are still lots of North American birds for me to add! Bless your mom's heart! Every day really IS a new day! ;)
Deletewonderful pictures. Harvey Gap is so beautiful. Rifle looks like a neat little place altogether. CO. is a beautiful state. Your mom does always have a smile. Love her blanket. Hope when you start home all will go well.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jo! I will take some photos of the little town of Rifle next time we go down off the mountain, it's really a cute little town. It will be a while before I head home, planning for after Labor Day.
DeleteWOW that's great enjoy!
DeleteThe waterfall is great, so are the birds, but that buck in your backyard (?) is an amazing frameable picture. Wow.
ReplyDeleteThat black corner isn't on every picture. Why not just crop it out until /unless it gets worse? What happens to mine is usually a smudge or scratch on the lens that won't come off so every picture will have a round black spot one corner. my cameras last about as long as yours do.
Hey Sallie! This house is located on a hillside so there is no actual yard, that shot is on the ridge that is in front of the house so I guess it's the front yard kind of...when I think to do it I do edit it out but sometimes I get too lazy to do it!!
DeleteI really like what you've shown us of Colorado. Very pleasant scenery and good areas of greenery. Will you get the 400th ???
ReplyDeleteI most certainly will get #400! :o) A lot of irrigation is going on in the valley's the Colorado river provides lots of Irrigation.
DeleteLovely photos, what a beautiful place, I can see why your Mum looks so happy :)
ReplyDeleteI had to tease that smile out of her, we have enjoyed our back deck chats with morning coffee.
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