Rifle Arch Trail Hike

So Thursday morning we were up early again, and little sis and her husband brought us biscuits from McDonald's for breakfast, and took over the nanny sitting so off we went! Lucky for us it was partly cloudy, for this hike is in completely different terrain.  We leave the town of Rifle, and head about 7 miles up highway 13...

the roan plateau in morning light

...and to the trailhead...mostly out in the open but up in the higher elevation juniper/cedar/pinyon forest.  This one  is not long either....2.4 miles round trip.  

right away we scared 2 coyotes that we assumed were trying to snag a dove as there was a flock on the ground...we spooked the doves and the coyotes 

The trail crosses this thorn scrub meadow and then takes an uphill turn I turned around here and snapped the shot of the meadow we just crossed.  

ribbon of road

that's the trail down there....we just hiked on, that thin ribbon in the dirt...and the highway beyond where we drove in 

Sis enjoys the view

on top of the hill there is a nice view to the West....

part of the Roan Plateau...then the trail heads downhill and across another thorn scrub open area...

and as you look ahead more trees come into view and another uphill...the arch comes into view a little...

Can you see it yet?

taking a little rest

passed two gray flycatcher, 

AND a new bird for me, a horrible photo of the what I know as the Plain Titmouse, only to find out they were split way back in 1996..LoL so here it is the Juniper Titmouse. (the other is called the Oak Titmouse)  I think plain is the word, but sure looked good to me!

# 407!

Here is the arch! It's quite large...

there's a large boulder field right under the arch so we got a little closer and called that good...

this is a full sized tree on top there...

and from the ridge on the way back....

almost can see the parking lot...

Another fun day in paradise!! Best part Being with my SIS! ;O)

PEACE

Eleanor Roosevelt: You must do the thing you think you can not.

August in the Rockies

The new norm!  My camera won't allow tight zooms much anymore! So....

western wood peewee

At least there is an interesting background to this distant shot...and this was on the fence when I traveled through the valley, so they were close enough, shot through the windshield...

western kingbird and an a female Baltimore oriole birds of a feather don't always flock together...

black billed magpies if you wanna see the yellow billed magpie you gotta go to Southern CA, my sister said that would be the only "reason to go there"...lol she was kidding of course, but I think she was thinking of how hot it is there. 

certainly was not hot when we got up on a rainy morning...

I have enjoyed watching these juvenile ospreys.  

One day when I went one of them was exercising his wings...

and when I returned the next day he was gone...

I haven't been to check the nest since last week so I'm sure this one is in the air too by now...Did see another adult with this huge catch nearby...

this little pond is at the rest area I mentioned...

view to the east

and to the west...lots of habitat for insects too

a kingfisher flew over I snapped and this is the result....not a great look at one but he had his wings back in perfect formation...

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that was last week...Monday we went on a family picnic and a tube float in the Reservoir.  No Photos of that as I was in the water!  here is our site, what fun although we found a lot of mud at the put in area so next time we must find a mud-less put in, the swimming area is probably better but dogs not allowed in that section.  THE girls and Jimmy loved the swimming. Casey slept in the van while we played. 

Yesterday I drove up Castle Creek Road for a peek at what was there...found LOTS of awesome.

it's stunningly beautiful up there....I had planned to bird  at ACES, (Aspen Center for Environmental Studies) in downtown Aspen...omg Aspen has changed since the world found out how awesome it is...not my cup of tea any longer.  I recall us going to junk shops there in the 80's and finding street parking right outside the store NO MORE that was the good 'ole days.  So happy I found this awesome place of solace.  Once tourists find a place it is ruined forever, ie: Myrtle Beach. 

 since the Western Flycatcher was split I found  the Cordilleran Flycatcher.  It's counter part is the Pacific Slope Flycatcher. 

these violet green swallows enjoyed being on the ground 

finally got a decent look at the plumage on these birds, that's an immature bird on the right 

And here is the Rufous Crowned Sparrow.

the mammal of the day was this coyote, he had a lovely thick coat 

This is one extremely pretty spot...I was the only person up there that day...

today I went for a hike....next post the Grizzly Creek Trail, and more. 

PEACE

Eleanor Roosevelt: You must do the thing you think you can not.