High Peak Camp

It was a beautiful afternoon to snap some photos at High Peak Camp  (HPC) yesterday. The camp is a few miles south of Estes Park on Highway 7 and to say it is picturesque is an understatement. The clouds are lovely against the intensely blue sky and aspens are beginning to leaf out. I especially love the mill house and its setting. The local Salvation Army unit will send several Estes Valley children to HPC this summer for a week of fun, adventure, and learning. When I'm there it brings back memories of several summers when, as a child, I attended Girl Scout summer camp in Nebraska. They were wonderful times and I cherish those memories as I hope today's campers will.

First Hummingbird of the Season

Male Broad Tailed Hummingbird

When Mom told me yesterday that she had seen a hummingbird at her feeder, I quickly cooked up some *hummer food, filled my two feeders, and hung them on the porch and deck. It was a beautiful day so I had the windows open. I usually hear the hummers before I see them and, sure enough, I heard and then saw one get a long drink. I wasn't fast enough to snap a photo. This was a male broad tailed hummingbird, the first ones to arrive in Estes Park. The females will arrive later this spring and the male and female rufous hummers won't arrive until the first part of July. They are wee but feisty. The image above is one I found on the Internet copyright free.

*I use a ratio of 1 part sugar to 3 parts water this early in the season. When it's warmer, I use a 1 to 4 ratio. I stir it in a heavy sauce pan and heat until it boils. I let it cool then store it in a glass jar in the refrigerator. I've been told NOT to add any food coloring which is not good for the birds and not necessary for them to find the feeders. I bring my feeders in at night so as not to attract bears.

My Favorite Planet

Happy Earth Day!

Eagle Watch

I've spent a lot of time the past few days watching the eagle cam from Decorah, Iowa to the detriment of other tasks. Mom and Dad Eagle are doing a great job keeping the three little eaglets fed, warm, and safe. They've had some owl and raccoon encounters but fiercely defended their nest. Because the nest is close to a fish hatchery, their diet includes a lot of fish. But they have plenty of other food as well. The camera is live 24/7 and has infrared capabilities so you can see them even when it's dark.  Click here to see them - you might get hooked as I have.

The clouds have been spectacular and I've been shooting photos off and on all day when I'm not watching the eagle cam.

Entering Duck Mode

Start of last year's race

Preparations for the May 5 Estes Park Duck Race are in full swing. Wayne has a garage full of little rubber ducks (all counted and sorted and ready to float down the Fall River). He and I have about 1000 new ducks to number (on their bottoms with a Sharpie) to replace the ones lost or damaged last year. The total number of ducks that run the race is typically between five and six thousand.

This is what's going on outside at the moment (4 p.m. April 15). The big fat flakes are melting as fast as they hit the ground.

Morning View

Looking toward Twin Sisters

This was the view from my south window this morning just as the sun illuminated the peaks of Twin Sisters. I'm looking through the branches of one of the three ancient Ponderosa Pines just south of our house. We had a thunderstorm last night and this morning the air is fresh and piney. It makes me want to stand on the porch and just breathe in the mountain scent. A friend is driving up from Denver to spend part of the day with me. We will probably go up into the park so she can get her "mountain fix".

Tea, Please

Ginger Lime Infusion (delicious when added to hot or iced tea)

Iced or hot tea is my beverage of choice. I drink it all day long. My favorite is unsweetened green tea (usually Tazo Zen or Stash) spiked with my homemade ginger lime infusion - ummm...delicious! What makes it even better is that every ingredient is  good for you.

This is all you need to make a delicious ginger lime infusion

glass container of cold water, lime zest, grated fresh ginger

Zest of one lime

Grated thumb-sized piece of fresh peeled ginger

Add to fresh cold water in glass container. Refrigerate for several hours. Pour some through a strainer into freshly brewed tea. It will keep for two days if refrigerated. Even the color is refreshing.

Misty, Moisty Morning

A page from Richard Scarry's Best Mother Goose Ever

At last ... Estes Park is seeing a second "misty, moisty morning" which is quickly turning to snow. It's beautiful and most welcome! March is normally our biggest snow month and we had not one flake ... so "Snow April, Snow".

A view from my deck this morning