Lathrop has two reservoirs with a view of the towering Spanish Peaks to the south. The two reservoirs are surrounded by mainly Pinyon/Juniper habitat but there is also some grassland and small wetlands. With these varied habitats the variety of birds is very good. The day got off a little bit slow due to some fog and low cloud bank but then became a great day until some unsettled weather arrived in the late afternoon. I found several pairs of Yellow-breasted Chats as well as Bushtits, Juniper Titmouse, Yellow Warblers, Wilson's Warbler, and a MacGillivray Warbler which was a first for me. I did get a picture of the MacGillivray Warbler but as if often the case with these a lot of branches get in the way. A yellow-breasted Chat and Spotted Towhee (below) were quite cooperative.
When it became very windy I decided to drive the short 5 miles to Walsenburg (it really is nice to have a town nearby) and clean up the truck. I left 25 pounds of Commanche National Grassland dirt on the floor of the car wash.
When the birding drops off here one can always switch to the May wildflowers. Blue Penstemon, Claret cup Cactus, Evening Primrose, Plains Larkspur, Prairie Lupine, and Red Globemallow are all in bloom. If tomorrow is foggy without wind I will put away the long lens and photograph the flowers here before I leave.
Hiya John,
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely journey you're on here...I'm glad you got to see some good birds...AND flowers. I'm really sorry you didn't get photos in my yard; but as I said that pit will be a lovely pond next time you come through here. Maybe you'll be inclined to shoot! Have fun and thanks for the seeds.