Visit From An Old Friend

River is visiting to go on a mountain biking trip with us! He is a part of the family.

Words to Live By

Yes, these are the four core values of the YMCA, but it was awesome to find this old Y camp on one of our weekend hikes.  It's a beautiful spot.  We could easily imagine all the young boys and girls running through the woods, thoroughly enjoying their week at summer camp in the mountains of Colorado. And besides, these really are words that ring true for me.

Learn To Fly!

I really don't intend for this to become nell's bird blog, but I couldn't resist sharing this immature Bald Eagle who was showing off during a Field Final yesterday.  It takes an eagle 4-5 years to reach sexual maturity and develop its adult plumage, including its white head and tail feathers; yellow talons and beak.   Trax is turning 16 next month and I cant help but see him in this young eagle.  His young adult plumage is transforming before my eyes, and I am enjoying watching him
Learn to Fly!

                            

Great Blue Heron

It's hard to believe the semester is coming to an end.  It seems like just yesterday I was sitting in my first Ornithology and Avian Conservation class being asked:  "If you could be any kind of bird, what would it be and why?"
That's a difficult question to answer for someone with such a fascination and love for birds.  There are so many birds I would love to be: I enjoy the social-ness and personality of  many of the Corvids, especially the Crow and Magpie; I am in awe of the Hummingbird family, with their need to feed their high metabolism so often, their crafty nests and the long incredible migrations they make; and who can resist listening to any Passerine or looking at any Near Passerine.  How do you possibly decide with the thousands of birds on the planet which you would be? I chose the Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias), a solid bird.  One who exudes strength, patience and solidarity.  One whose Native American Totem is the peace maker, with unique coloring, creating balance and able to stand alone.  Perhaps my desire is to be more like that...or perhaps that is truly who I am and just need to remember that. Either way, how fitting I captured this image of one yesterday.

Black-footed Ferret

We have been studying endangered species in Wildlife and Fisheries Management.  This week I had the opportunity to see one of the most endangered mammals in the world:  the Black-footed Ferret (Mustela nigripes).  Fort Collins is home to the Black-footed Ferret Recovery Program so we were fortunate to have the nations leading  expert come and present to us, as well as bring this 4 year old male, bred at their facility.

There is so much involved with the recovery of this animal, that I don't even know where to begin.    Some of you may being thinking why so much concern over a mustelid?  My answer:  The entire prairie ecosystem will change if they become extinct.  90% of their diet consists of eating prairie dogs which have declined in numbers due to poisoning, habitat destruction and disease such as the plague.  And to be honest with you, hearing some of the facts are heart wrenching.  Two that I keep hearing in my head are:    "Only 2% of the prairie ecosystem remains completely intact"  & "Our program funding is being cut back 20-40% this year and 20-40% next year."  I will end on a fact that leaves me at least a bit hopeful for this mammal:  Because of the efforts of the reintroduction program there are approximately 800-1000 Black-footed ferrets living in the wild in 8 of its 12 native states!

Love of Lacrosse

Trax has always been involved in contact sports.  He started playing lacrosse when he was in third grade.  As far as I was concerned it was the perfect sport of choice...mostly because I LOVE lacrosse and knew I'd be spending many hours on the side line watching his games.  Well, it actually became more than that for me. I helped co-manage his team for two seasons and as he moved up the ranks to elite traveling teams I became his personal chauffer  transporting him and other sweaty, stinky boys around the state of Colorado.  Something that was fun for a couple years, but as I became more involved in spending time training on my road bike I  began to resent all that traveling time on weekends. Well, thank goodness for high school sports where they mostly provide transportation to and from games. Unfortunately, due to all the budget cuts  there are no buses for weekend games.

Trax (in black) keeps the ball for the Coyote's possession.

Trax's team was invited to a Shootout this passed weekend that involved a 600 a.m. launch to south west Denver where the boys would spend 10 hours competing in three games.    And since it was a Saturday it was up to the parents to get the boys there.  I happily arranged a car pool and offered to bring the boys home from Denver.  This would allow me to #1- sleep in; #2- work on HW in the quietness of the house #3-check out the last game.  I do miss having the opportunity to see them play since most of the games are far away and during my classes in Fort Collins. Trax has really stepped up his game this year and has been averaging 4 goals each game!  I've enjoyed getting to as many of his games as possible.
The boys won 1 game and lost 2 games.  Alex took some awesome pictures while I paced the sidelines-I never could understand how most parents just sit in their chairs.  There is so much action!  So much action it is sometimes difficult to watch.  Like the following set of pictures that show a really nasty, illegal check Trax took to the head.

#26 in Purple should have received a severe penalty for that check to the head, but with only 5 seconds left in the game, the ref did nothing.  Oh the joys of watching testosterone filled boys, with long poles playing keep away and wearing very little padding!

DB is 2!

What is my Mom thinking....?

I wish I had never learned that darn "Leave It" command...

Ok, we get the idea...can I please just eat my breakfast?

Shazam!

Monday was packed with lectures and meetings in between classes.  I barely had time to breathe, let alone eat a few slices of turkey while I drove to interview an acoustician for my upcoming independent project.  So when I left Fort Collins at 430 really hungry and in need of some fresh air, all I could think about  was the leftover, savory, meatloaf and mash potatoes in the fridge, and my bike.  I ride my bike nearly everyday.  It is, and always has been what keeps me sane.  It used to be my main mode of transportation, but that has been replaced with 8+ hours of commuting in a car each week.  Something many Americans do regularly but a new challenge for my mind and body.

I typically ride a road bike but the last few years I have been riding my mountain bike more. There is a great trail system near my house that I love to take advantage of.  But my mountain bikes have always been a little troublesome. The first one, a Specialized Stump Jumper, was really nice!  I bought it used from a friend.  It turned out it was too small and I never really loved it per-say.  So I sold it last summer and bought a used Karate Monkey 29er. A much better fit, and I loved the stability the 29" wheels provided for me.  They roll over terrain more easily. But, it was a Franken-bike built by some kid.  The disc brakes always rubbed, it was a really, heavy, steel frame about 35 lbs, had a big downhill fork-which is very unpractical for me, I was always lagging behind Alex and Trax.  We have a trip to Fruita planned in a few weeks and I decided it was time to look for something more suitable.
A couple weeks ago Alex and I spent the late afternoon test riding a few bikes.  I found a Scott I loved!  Aluminum frame, disc brakes, 29 lbs.  A little flashy in color but smooth as silk, comfortable, a great fit and relatively reasonably priced. But I'm practical and decided to wait to see what the tax-man had to say before making this purchase...

I had a most pleasant surprise Monday night as I was shoveling my meatloaf and mashed potatoes into my mouth.  Alex walked in the door with a huge grin on his face announcing he had a surprise and it was in the car.  We walked out and on top of Virginia was Scott, who I had ridden, and loved, two weeks earlier! I was so stoked!  We got our gear on, put my pedals on and set off for a sunset ride.  As we were riding through the neighborhood to the trail head, I swear I heard a kid say Shazam!  Well, that's how it felt!  It felt so good and smooth! Alex immediately noticed  improvements in my speed and confidence.  I'm not a very hard, technically progressive mountain bike rider, but I rode so hard and so fast that I actually puked up my mashed potatoes on the way back!  That's how all Monday evenings should be!  I am feeling pretty spoiled, grateful and looking forward to our weekend in Friuta to work on some more technical riding with the boys and Shazam!

Who knew?

Besides eating the end result after we smoke meats, my favorite step is making the mop sauce.  We've always made a mop from a stick in the yard and an old t-shirt.  Who knew an actual bucket and mop existed, specifically for this process! Leave it to my Pit Boss, Alex to discover it!

Why so much about birds?

You may be wondering why I have been posting so many pictures of birds lately.  As I have stated before, I have had a fascination for birds all of my life.  They represent freedom and courage to me.  I could, and do watch birds for hours whether they are interacting with each other, or merely just trying to survive another day in this hectic, crazy, selfish world we live in.
When I began my Avian Conservation and Ornithology class in January, I realized there are many people out there who truly dont care about birds or find them the least bit interesting.  So be it.  That is why I previously kept my love of birds to myself.  The other side of the coin, which happens to be the side I prefer, are people who are bird freaks and whose days revolve around birds!  So, with that knowledge, I feel much more comfortable sharing my bird interests and happenings.

Male and female sit above the Rio Grande River at sunset in South Fork, CO

Sunday evening I watched a documentary for class titled American Eagle.  Admittedly, there are many sections that were difficult to watch.  These raptors have survived many perils through time.  And this morning as I was making my commute north, an American Bald Eagle flew just 15' above my car!  Then in the NPR news today an Eagle Cam was posted.  So much eagle news!  How could I not blog about these most admirable birds!

Spring Is Unfolding, Beautifully