May 21, 2010

The Mountain Awakens

We hiked to the top of Lake Mountain last week, a distance of 2 miles and 1000 feet elevation gain.
Marsh Peak (12,240 feet) comes into view, still covered with snow.
On top of Lake Mountain (9000 feet), snowbanks still remain in the shadows.
This gray-headed, dark-eyed junco dances in and out of icy water from the snowmelt, hunting for seeds or insects.
This is probably the type of bird whose nest we found near the same aspen groves last July.
Buttercups are the only flower blooming at 9000 feet elevation, so far.  Spring is slow to arrive in the high country.  The aspens haven't leafed out yet.  
Gull Lake reflects clouds and sky.  We'll come back in a couple of weeks, maybe on horseback, to see what flowers are blooming then.

21 comments:

  1. such a lovely series of photos, it looks like you had a wonderful day full of fantastic finds!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Still looks a little bleak, but at least you saw some birds and flowers. About the only flowers blooming here are the Oregon Grape. Soon, spring will come to the high country.

    ReplyDelete
  3. So peaceful & beautiful, Janie ... I love visiting you & going on the trails ... so relaxing a guide you are.

    Have a fantastic weekend.
    TTFN ~ Hugs, Marydon

    ReplyDelete
  4. what a wonderful day in the Uintah's

    ReplyDelete
  5. Absolutely love the first shot at Lake Mountain through the birches, and that cute little Dark-eyed Junco, Western style!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Beautiful Janie... 9000 feet up is pretty darn high... And your hike, even though short, had quite an elevation didn't it??? Gorgeous picture of Marsh Peak.

    Have a great weekend.
    Hugs,
    Betsy
    P.S. How is that baby?

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm hearing that it's still snowing at my home in Breckenridge. I'm glad to be out of it for awhile while traveling!

    ReplyDelete
  8. My oh my...what a beautiful place. You should put all your photos in a book...stunning it would be!

    ReplyDelete
  9. My oh my...what a beautiful place. You should put all your photos in a book...stunning it would be!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Looks like you had a gorgeous day for a hike. Lovely images you've shared. =D

    ReplyDelete
  11. These are some really beautiful and lovely shots !!Simply fantastic !!Amazing post !!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Pretty photos! I'm surprised there were even buttercups blooming.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Beautiful pictures .... that reflection shot is amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  14. That bird's nest is just beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I really like your picture of the sky reflected in the lake. The buttercups are a beautiful vibrant yellow. I'm just glad we don't have any snow hanging around here!

    ReplyDelete
  16. What beautiful images you have captured Janie!!!!
    I ADORE your photo in the header as well.
    I hope you are having a great weekend.
    Suz

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi Janie...The air must get a little thin at 9000 ft, its not easy hiking two miles.
    Beautiful views of the mountains, junco and especially the bright yellow buttercups... but where in the world is Miss Daisy!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I now know where to go if I want to experience 2 spring seasons in a row. All the pictures are lovely, but I really like the last one.

    ReplyDelete
  19. You have gorgeous scenery in Utah!

    I've seen juncos here in northern California, too. Cute little birds.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Nice to see your high country start to open up. Maybe the warmth will move north--still buried here above 7,000 or so.

    ReplyDelete

LinkWithin

Blog Widget by LinkWithin