Colorado - Utah - Nevada
Birds, Butterflies and Geology
July 7-16, 2012
The following images are excepts from a wonderful trip to Colorado, Utah and Nevada. Part vacation and part birding. All three target species were found (Gray Vireo, Flammulated Owl and Himalayan Snowcock). Mammals seen during the trip included Bobcat, Antelope, Elk, Mountain Goat, Bighorn Sheep.
Notable sites and locations visited:
Colorado National Monument
Uncompahgre Plateau - In western Colorado is a distinctive large uplift part of the Colorado Plateau.
Average elevation is 9,500ft. Uncompahgre is a Ute Indian word that describes the water:
"Dirty Water" or "Rocks that make Water Red.
Box Canyon, Ouray, CO
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, CO
Arches National Park, UT
Bridal Veil Falls, near Orem, UT
Alpine Loop road, UT - A spectacular 27-mile route within Uinta National Forest and the Wasatch Mountains,
which runs from US-89 near Highland, UT to US-189 in Provo Canyon, east of Orem, UT.
Antelope Island State Park, UT - Largest of the 10 islands in the Great Salt Lake
Ruby Mountains, NV - Lamoille Canyon is the largest valley in the Rubys. Canyon was formed by glaciers.
Numerous cirques and tarns adorn the hihest elevations.
COLORADO
Gray Vireo - Colorado
National Monument
Colorado National Monument
Violet-green Swallow - Colorado National Monument
Rock Wren - Colorado National Monument
Black Swift - Box Canyon, Ouray, CO
Cassin's Finch - Box Canyon,
Ouray, CO
UTAH
Delicate Arch - Arches National Park, UT
Bridal Veil Falls, UT (600ft)
Flammulated Owl (w/moth) - Alpine Loop road, UT
Fledgling (waiting for moth)
California Gull - Antelope Island SP, UT
NEVADA
View of
Right Fork Canyon looking south
from Lamoille Canyon - Ruby Mtns, NV
Western Branded Skipper - Ruby Mtns, NV
Fritillary sp. (Ether Coronis, Mormon, Great Basin or Zerene) - Ruby Mtns, NV
Dusky Flycatcher - Ruby Mtns, NV
Lazuli Bunting - Ruby Mtns, NV
Island Lake - Ruby Mtns, NV
Mountain Goat -
(Digiscoped)
Ruby Mtns, NV
