COLORADO AT THE SPEED OF LIFE

I've been living in the Security/Widefield area for over 14 years now and for as long as I can remember the Pelicans have always heralded the coming of summer.  Although their numbers have dwindled over the years and they no longer nest at Carp Lake (aka Pelican Pond) due to human interference, they still make a rest stop at the old fishing hole before settling for the summer at Big Johnson Reservoir.  This year the size of the flock has almost doubled from that of last year.

A couple of resident Canada geese took exception to the overnight invasion and tried to persuade their uninvited guests to leave but the much larger American White Pelicans ignored them and continued to paddle lazily across the water.  While patience is not a strong point with the honkers, the geese eventually took flight.  They will return when the pelicans leave on the final leg of their journey, just a couple of miles away. During the mating season the male pelican developes a fibrous plate on the top of its bill, which will fall off after a successful mating. 

I have never been up close to a pelican but interact with Canada geese quite often and consider the geese to be rather large birds.  Imagine my surprise when I saw how the pelicans dwarfed the geese when they swam side by side.  Just to give you an idea, the Canada goose has a wing span of about 6 feet and weighs around 14 pounds while an American White pelican has a wing span of 9 feet and weighs approximately 20 pounds.

CARP LAKE, COLORADO SPRINGS

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A male peacock basks in the early afternoon sun at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs.  Although not native to the area, the exotic birds have adapted to the climate and roam the mountain zoo grounds year round.

Its hard not to be mesmerized by the rich iridescent colors of the male peacock's plumage.

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A short compilation of pictures I've taken around Colorado, most within the past 12 months. People often ask me if Colorado is really that beautiful.  Well, yes it is.  But the beauty is only there if you are willing to see it.  I don't live in a picture post card, National Geographic picturesque town.  I live in Hometown America, in Anywhere USA, where beauty is everywhere.  All you have to do is to open your eyes, your heart and your mind to see it.

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A red tail hawk looks down from plucking a pigeon it just caught, but satisfied that I was just moving a branch and not trying to steal its meal, the raptor continued to eat.  I felt quite privileged because while it seemed quite comfortable in my presence, the hawk would become agitated and try to hide the carcass with its outstretched wings when other people would pass by.

Memorial Park, Colorado Springs Colorado

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Each year Colorado Springs host the Annual Balloon Classic over the Labor Day Weekend.  This year marked the 31st Anniversary of the nationally acclaimed event.  I have lived in Colorado Springs for 14 years, and while I have always made an effort to see the parade of hot air balloons, this year was my first visit to Memorial Park for the early morning mass accent. 

I got to the park just after 7am and the balloons were only just beginning to launch.  I was immediately sent into sensory over load.  I was like a kid in the candy store, I didn't know what to look at first.  It was a fantastic, amazing kaleidoscope of color and shapes.  The crisp morning air was ringing with laughter and heavily scented by sweet funnel cakes.

As each balloon lifted off, it glided gracefully over to Prospect Lake, right there in the park, and to the delight of the spectators, performed a 'Splash 'N Dash' which is when the balloon dips down to skim over (and sometimes even dunk in) the water before taking off again.

I had hoped to chase the balloons and witness their journey and decent but the wind was not in my favor.  In past years they would drift to the south near my house but the same breeze that prevented the balloons from being inflated last night for the 'Balloon Glo', would return to guide the graceful balloons in the opposite direction, too far for me to follow.  Still, the festival brought out the child in me and leaves me already impatiently waiting its return next year.

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MID-MORNING REPOSE

A bull elk rests after a long morning of bugling and sparring with other bulls.  Apparently he was victorious as a dozen or so cow elk grazed contently nearby.

* Estes Park, Colorado

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TURBULANT SKIES

Dark clouds loom over head bearing the threat of rain.  In the foothills of Colorado rain is almost always welcomed.  Several straight years of drought conditions have taught the region to cherish the moisture when ever it comes.

*American Mothers Chapel, Rock Ledge Ranch, CO

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ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH, Colorado's State Song... Part II

Colorado passed a measure earlier this month designating the late great John Denver's "Rocky Mountain High" as the state's second official song.  It was this song that inspired me to look towards the mountain as a young girl.  It was the poetic picture painted by the words and harmony that described a place so close to Heaven that I felt at peace when ever I heard the ballad.  Now, a long time resident, I am still in awe of the beauty of the state's mountains and wildlife, and I find a great sence of peace when ever I hear the song.

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'RIBBET'

This little guy beat the summer heat by floating lazily in Cattail Marsh Regional Park.

*Cattail Marsh, Fountain, CO

Tags: Cattail Marsh, Frogs

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'MEEP, MEEP!'

Yes, there are roadrunners in Colorado.  (And coyotes as well)

*Fort Carson, CO

Tags: Fort Carson, Roadrunner

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