Three weeks ago, Lake Mountain (9000 ft) was covered in snow, and Gull Lake was still mostly ice, as you can see in the photo above.
Now, the first grass and flowers have appeared around the lake.
Buttercups
and Spring Beauty always bloom first.
We scan the lake for ducks and spot several varieties, too far away to identify.
The birds above are Wilson's Phalarope, we think. In phalarope species, typical avian sex roles are reversed. Females are larger and more brightly coloured than males. Females pursue males, compete for nesting territory, and aggressively defend their nests and chosen mates. She lays 3 or 4 eggs in a ground nest near water, then sashays off on a southward migration, leaving the male to incubate the eggs. Once hatched, the young feed themselves.
A bluebird peeks at us over a still-bare aspen limb.
We see deer,
and an elk taking an afternoon nap.
Near the trailhead, at 7800 ft, barrel cactus sports yellow flowers.
That's a huge difference in just three weeks. Did you have a late season snow, or was that the snow pack just melting off? Fun getting a peek through the aspen (at the deer), too!
ReplyDeleteVery nice. I am smitten by the aspen. I like the white bark. The barrel cactus has shorter and thinner spines and a tight cluster of flowers rather than a ring of flowers, all differnt from what I usually see in the deserts. I thought perhaps maybe a different species adapted to the high altitude. Finally I noticed the glove and got an indication of its size. I thought it much largere. It all makes sense now.
ReplyDeleteI ALWAYS LOVE YOUR POSTS!
ReplyDeleteCIAO!
HIP&CHIPS
Beautiful pics, love the elk napping.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to see that Spring has arrived on Lake Mountain. Your pictures are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteSpringtime offers its own unchallenged beauty ! Lovely pics.
ReplyDeleteWhat a difference. We have no snow. There are more flowers than we have.
ReplyDeleteThose phalarope females have the right idea. But very unusual.
what a drastic change, winter to summer! love the bluebird. and the cactus blending with the mountain fauna!
ReplyDelete- The Equestrian Vagabond
Spring!!!!
ReplyDeleteLove the bluebird....and of course, I can appreciate any woman who can sashay!
Interesting about the switched roles of the male and female Phalarope and that the young feed themselves. I especially like the resting elk picture. :)
ReplyDeletewhat a difference a view weeks makes. Things have been warming up fast around here.
ReplyDelete