Dear Friends,Here's where we
We got to experience wonderful wildlife like the Mountain Bluebird go here for more on the bluebird. This was about as close as I could get to this lovely sky blue male who posed prettily while we waited for Bighorn sheep. We finally did get to see the Big Horns, go here for more info on Big Horn sheep. But, alas, no rams. The females and lambs live separately from the males. The ranger told us we were really lucky to see them at all. They only come down off the mountains in the summer months and then risk exposure to humans and their cars to get minerals from Sheep Lake, a natural salt lick.
Aren't they fabulous and bald! They haven't been sheared, they've molted for the summer. We really wanted to see a ram, but, they were well hidden. We did get to see a herd of of elk, several solitary coyotes, pika and marmots above the treeline on Trail Ridge Road, a moose wading in a stream and plenty of human friendly chipmunks and squirrels. Signs were posted to avoid the super friendly rodents because they have fleas that transmit plague. Yep, we are good do-bees and steered clear of them. All in all a very good critter filled visit!
Sunflower with beeThank you Kathleen for a wonderful time!
I am breaking from the Three For Thursday to show you this fourth photo. It's for Kathleen of Kasey's Korner blog. I am so glad we were able to get together. What a gracious and delightful host. She fed me delicious rhubarb muffins and iced tea; showed me her lovely garden and sent me on my way with a muffin and the best ever rhubarb and strawberry preserves. We loved them and devoured every bite!
That's all for now. With hugs to all and a special one to Cindy, My Corner of Katy for hosting Three For Thursday!
xxGail
I feel cooler just looking at that first photo! I'm ready to pack up & head out NOW! The wildlife pics are great ... how lucky you were to see such beautiful creatures. Kathleen's sunflower photo is amazing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining in the Three for Thursday fun!
I love Colorado, and your photos captured the best of it. But plague? Ick!
ReplyDeleteHi Gail,
ReplyDeleteStunning landscapes... so glad you could be there! Love the wildlife and I will have to visit your bluebird link. The plague!?? Really... by all means avoid those little critters. ;>0
Thank you for the lovely pictures! I miss Colorado!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! We love RMNP. We go there every 5 years in our vacation rotation. It was our honeymoon destination when/where discovered we like hiking. Neither of us came from hiking families but we tried it a little at RMNP and now hiking is part of every vacation. Glad you had a good vacation.
ReplyDelete"Aren't they fabulous and bald?" - so cute a comment! Looks like you're having a ball in beautiful surroundings and cooler weather - safe travels home!
ReplyDeleteI've never been to Colorado, but I think I'd like to go there!
ReplyDeleteGail, it sounds like you had a wonderful vacation!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos! I bet that 45 degree temperature felt great. We had a little relief with some rain but a few days in the cool temperatures would be very refreshing!
ReplyDeleteHey you, I haven't been ignoring you, just learning those life lessons.
ReplyDeleteMy apologies.
Jen
Oh Gail, what a beautiful sight, all of them! Scary about the rodents and the plague, for goodness sakes, I would have run for the car! Great that you got to get away from the heat and especially that you got to meet Kathleen and her lovely garden. The sky looks so blue! :-)
ReplyDeletexxxooo
Frances
Awww-some photos. When you return to Oklahoma someday we'll work out a trip to Bustani to see Steve and Ruth and buy a bunch of plants. He just wrote me and asked if I'd like to photograph the gardens in the fall. Uhm, yes, I would. Love ya.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful postcard-scenes, Gail! I would enjoy 45 degree mornings right now, too. I've never been to Colorado before, not even for a layover at the Denver airport:) But I've often heard how beautiful it is; one of my good friends goes these every year and particularly enjoys Rocky Mountain National Park. Did you happen to visit this park?
ReplyDeleteWhat fun to meet up with Kathleen!
Rose, I did visit RMNP~ the photos are from the park~I'll write more later...I think I want to see you and Becky; missed you in Buffalo. xxgail
ReplyDeleteWelcome home, Gail. Truly postcard pretty!
ReplyDeleteGail, an absolutely beautiful place! I wouldn't want to leave if I saw that everyday. Happy to hear you had a relaxing and enjoyable vacation.
ReplyDeleteLooks wonderful! I've never gotten north of Denver, but I just love CO. Hope to make it to Boulder soon, esp. as my niece might be moving back to MI!
ReplyDeleteIsn't the light wonderful. The blue skies are just fantastic. Your photos are just postcard perfect!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful place! Colorado is on my wish list of places to visit!
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy the rest of your vacation!
What lovely photos, Gail. It has been years since I have been there, but it is an experience that is with me for life! All the wildlife is magnificent--and the scenery breathtaking.
ReplyDeleteOh how you've bought back memories Gail. We've been to Colorado twice and had the most amazing time. We've been in June both times when the alpine meadow plants are a wonder to behold :)
ReplyDeleteHow nice to enjoy some cooler weather. Beautiful photos..
ReplyDeleteI can just imagine the cool evenings, nights, and mornings, and the sun-warmed but dry-aired afternoons of one of my most favorite states, Gail. What a respite it must have been, escaping from one of the most relentlessly hot, humid summers on record for the middle part of the country.
ReplyDeleteAnd what fun, having the opportunity to visit Kathleen.
I'm so glad you had such a nice time. How wonderful having the opportunity for a nice visit with your son. We miss them so much, but it's kind of awesome when our kids move to such great places to visit.
Absolutely wonderful, Gail! I could use some time in a place like this myself. Your photos are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos! Glad you had a cooler break. The last time that I was in the Rockies was late July one year and there was snow up at the Continental Divide (near Steamboat).
ReplyDeleteWonderful landscape,it's really nice to see the real USA where is no people.I can feel peace and silence.
ReplyDeleteYay ~ so glad you had a good time in our state Gail. I think you brought the cool temperatures with you ~ after you left it got hot again. In fact we had the second hottest weekend of the summer last weekend!
ReplyDeleteI'm truly honored you would take time to stop and see me. Come back anytime. :-)
After all the heat and humidity, there is really nothing nicer than a 45 degree morning. Looks like you had a great trip.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures, Gail! I'm envious of your trip.
ReplyDelete