COLORADO: Canyons and Cranes

Today’s highlights covered a variety of habitats, species and miles in the western part of Colorado. Our first stop of the day was on the outskirts of Grand Junction at the Palisades Orchards (above), where we quickly found our target Gambel’s Quail, sitting up on a brush pile in clear view.

Sunshine and blue skies kept us smiling as we explored Little Book Cliffs (above) in Cameo. The red, rocky slopes bordering the dirt road reminded us of habitat typical in Utah, not very far away, and we enjoyed a lovely walk up the canyon, looking and listening all the way. Our target Chukar proved elusive, though we scanned just about every boulder on the hillsides where we heard more than one calling, but could not locate the birds.

We got great looks at Black-throated Sparrows (above) perched on low sage bushes, Western Scrub Jays perched a little higher, brightly-colored Mountain Bluebirds flitting about, and an American Kestrel hunting low among the rocks. The melodies of singing Rock Wrens echoed wonderfully off the canyon walls, mixed with the distinctive calls of a flock of Pinyon Jays. We found a lone Gray Flycatcher and followed it until everyone got a satisfactory look at this round-headed, tail-bobbing empidonax. A few White-throated Swifts swooped high in the air, but Golden Eagles soared even higher over the ridges, flashing their golden hackles.

The long drive from the Grand Mesa surrounding Grand Junction to Steamboat Springs was punctuated by several good bird sightings, including many Black-billed Magpies in fields, sevral pairs of stunning Cinnamon Teal (above), numerous kestrels, and a Bald Eagle on a giant nest. The highway heading north hugged the Colorado River, then as we climbed towards the northwestern corner of the state, we followed the Yampa River eastwards. Both watercourses hosting many Common Mergansers and a variety of waterfowl.

Our mammal list expanded with sightings of Yellow-bellied Marmot, Least Chipmunks, Golden-mantled Ground-squirrel, Beaver and Wild Horses (above), along with the now-familiar Elk, Mule Deer, Pronghorn and Eastern Cottontail.

Though it was hard to top Little Book Cliffs, the highlight of the day may have been near the end. As we approached Steamboat Springs the setting sun illuminated a huge flock of Sandhill Cranes (above) spread out on a cultivated field. Many of the birds were jumping and dancing in display, sounding out their familiar bugling call.

The sights and sounds of the cranes were magnificent, but the Sharp-tailed Grouse (above) show was even better! As shadows lengthened in the setting sun, we watched about a dozen grouse feeding and a few displaying less than 30 yards away from us! A giant flock of Red-winged Blackbirds harmonized with the sunset symphony, while a few Yellow-headed added color to the group. A beautiful “gray ghost” hunted low over the fields, passing close to an intermediate morph Swainson’s Hawk standing on the ground. We ended our wonderful day with a delicious dinner at “Big House Burgers” in Steamboat Springs, thrilled with the day’s events and looking forward to the morning show of Sharp-tailed Grouse on their lek!