Red Rocks Trading Post

So much chatter about exciting things at the Red Rocks Trading Post I finally adventured over there today. I left at 5:00 to avoid Denver traffic and that worked beautifully. In fact, I think I'll be making it a rule.

Good News! I think I figured out a plan for all these silhouettes:

I'm going to organize them here; and use them to practice identifying

 birds by shape (you know like the end covers in the Peterson guide?) 

So excited to have a purpose in my silliness!

I replenished the seed at the Trading Post and went for a walk on the short trail that loops around. It was gorgeous. Fantabulous sunrise.

While walking I was treated to Scrub Jays, Juncos and 

Magpies. I watched a few Canyon Wrens scrambling

on the rocks and watched a Kestrel peeping out at me from 

crevices above.

There are four special birds at the Trading Post right now. I got to see three of them today,

which was wonderful.

I glimpsed the Curve-billed Thrasher immediately

upon returning from my walk. He was really skittish though,

and only made brief appearances.

The Golden-crowned Sparrow appeared to be

buddies with the Thrasher - I never saw him alone!

Truthfully my favorite view of the day came while I was waiting for the rarities to show up:

This Canyon Wren came to the feeders several times while

I watched, though I never saw him eat anything.

Here's the White-throated Sparrow. I saw him after several hours of waiting - well

worth it!

Other "less-important"visitors to the Trading Post feeders today:

Could not have been a more perfect morning...

more of the same: