Seasons of Change in The High Desert

August Sunrise at the Gates of Lodore Campground

Hummingbirds

I recently experienced yet another dramatic sunrise in the high desert. The morning sky changed from a flaming horizon devouring the clouds to a bluebell blue canopy alive with flocks of hummingbirds in pursuit of nectar from sources few and far between. 

They fly to my feeders within inches of my camera lens more leery of their peers than me who offers no competition for the sweet, red nectar.

Last snow of winter
at the Old Corral

Mid-Summer at the Old Corral

From early Spring to early Fall this high desert blossoms with a variety of flora. But overall the background panorama evolves from monotones of grey, and muddy ivory to a multitude of green, yellow, brown and vermilion colors made possible by declining winter snowpack melt and the sprinkling of summer' random cloudbursts.

We've had less than an inch of rain in the last two months..

Prickly Pear Cactus
Before The Rain

Prickly Pair Cactus
After Spring Rains

The hummingbirds are accompanied by flocks of crows and black-billed magpies, nesting pairs of Canada Geese, Orioles, Peregrine Falcons, and Golden Eagles.

Bald Eagle Flying Through
Indian Park Below the
Green/Yampa River Confluence

Canada Geese