Canada Jay/Lost Lake/Boulder County

[Lisa Carp]

Four of us hiked on the Hessie Trail to Lost Lake this morning (which is off the road past Eldora Ski Resort.) It started with us having to wait for a Mom Moose & her Baby to move away from the trail so we could continue. We waited right near a tree with a hummingbird nest & Mom on the nest. Lots of BT hummers everywhere.

Coming down just past the lake is when we saw the Canada Jay (a lifer for 2 of us. Guess they are not uncommon around here?)  It was not shy at all which is why it's nickname is "camp robber." It is also known as the Grey, Gray & Whiskey Jack Jay. My older Sibley's call it a Gray.

Other birds seen:

A mallard & wood duck on the lake. The usual Kinglets, Nuthatches, Juncos, Towhees, Warbling Vireos, & Flycatchers were around. We did see two Red-Naped Sapsuckers at a nesting cavity & a Lincoln's Sparrow & Hermit Thrush.

It is a great hike (which to some of us means not too steep & not too long.) Still plenty of snow around & the creeks are rushing!

The Carp/Yapperts

Superior, CO