A good weekend……...

 Guess who tagged along when we came west ??    He's quite popular out here in Bronco Country.

 Last week, our view on the  5+ mile "walk" in Dennis Weaver Park.    Check out the link for details but yes, this is the same Dennis Weaver from Gunsmoke (for those of a certain age ).   It is a beautiful place with stunning views and a haven for wildlife and birds.    Supposedly, it is a good eagle sighting area altho still early in the season.   Signs at the nearby Ridgeway State Park indicated recent sightings of mountain lions and bears (including a mother with cubs).  

Early Saturday morning I went over to the State Park for a program on bird banding.    The bander looked about 12 but she has been doing this for 7 years (traveling about the SW) and is working on her Master's in Biology.  

The first bird caught in the nets was a robin.    Even I could identify it even if the red breast didn't seem as vivid as I remember.

 I don't think you can see the netting in this pic but they hang them in various locations and check them every 10-15 minutes.   In cold or hot weather, they check more frequently.

 They place the collected birds in colorful homemade bags.

 The next bird was a Wilson Warbler.    She placed him upside down in a pvc pipe on a scale to weigh it.

 The tiny metal band filled with info on how to contact authorities should you find him someday.

 The next bird was a scrub Jay ….. she is measuring his leg to determine the proper sized band.   He was a fighter and it took two to manage him.

 On each bird, she blew on the breast feathers to determine the amount of fat on the bird.   Their skin is transparent (think featherless baby birds ) and fat deposits are visible.    The Jay kept grabbing her fingers with it's very sharp talons ( or is it claws ?….I looked it up and talons are on birds of prey altho it indicated that other birds have them as well….I thought talons sounded more fierce than claws).   He was given a pencil to hang on to and that seemed to quiet him….and saved her skin.

Next up was an orange crowned Warbler but I never could see the orange.

 We were on the banks of the Uncompaghre River which flows from the mountains to join the larger Gunnison River.    It irrigates our valley and Ridgeway Reservoir provides excellent recreation.
It is a beautiful river.
 

  It was a fascinating morning.   I can't identify many birds but I appreciate those who can and all of the efforts to educate the public.  

On Sunday, I enjoyed the 'Savor The San Juan's Tour' of 7 area homes with a local chef preparing food  from the local farms.    I had the most amazing bread pudding, incorporating local peaches,  savory and delicious salisbury steak from our Cobble Creek chef .    The gazpacho was delicious, the asian cucumber soup I passed on as well as a yak burger.   I did try the lamb bratwurst.    It was a fun afternoon and very popular.   We ended at a turn of the century saloon  for  local wine and beer tastings and more desserts.

In a couple of days, we will welcome Mark and Annette from the flatlands.    We will be easy on them the first couple of days but then we'll show them our world from the top of the mountains.