“Is it too late to go look for elk?”
Of course it wasn’t, not when she wanted to go so badly. And the mountain was right there. Less than 10 minutes after leaving the house, we were cruising through Carson National Forest on our way up U.S. Hill, then over the pass to a big open meadow where we’d seen some before. Well, just once, actually. For all its great size and ample strength, the elk is a wary beast.
National forest at 9,000 feet
No elk this time, but we saw a bluebird prom: along a long row of fence posts running between the meadow and the right-of-way, about dozen Western bluebirds were “proinking” and dancing, flying little loops from once post to the next and having a high old time. We watched while a nervous trio hopped, flew, and made its way past. (A male and two females, that would have to be worked out.) This activity was all but invisible from the highway and continued undisturbed while what little traffic there was went whizzing by. I’d never observed such behavior among bluebirds in my life and counted this a high-quality experience.
So close, so different, these mountains covered only with trees, rocks, and snow. The car’s barely warmed up and we’re in Earth Spirit Voodoo Land.
Related posts:
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
I’ve always enjoyed Earth Spirit Voodoo Land, and am way past due for a visit!! But glad you got to visit…..Bluebirds are even beginning to make their presence known around these parts as well…..ciao’
Steve