Wednesday Wildlife

An American kestrel (Falco sparverius) is displayed by the "Eagle Lady" at Guadalupe River State Park on January 11, 2009.  This bird is also known as the sparrow hawk.  It is the only kestrel found in the Americas, and is the smallest falcon (and the smallest raptor) in North America.

 

   Note:  Click on a photo to enlarge.

 

Three-4-Thursday

Rio Chama 2012 - Aragon Rapid

Our second day on the river was a layover day at the Aragon campsite.  Eight of us hiked up Aragon Springs Trail to the end of the box canyon.  While I continued up Aragon Canyon above the pourover (and beyond), three of our adventurers were making a practice run through Aragon Rapid in their empty boats.  We would be heading down the river the following day in our fully-loaded craft, and they were checking out the feasibility of running the rapid rather than portaging their gear and kayaks.  Or, more likely, at least in Steve's case, just wanting to enjoy the challenge more than once.  Thanks to Larry for these three photographs.  As described in my December 20 post, which shows Mike running the rapid, a fallen piece of the cliff face had drastically changed the rapid's character since our trip the previous year.  The new boulder can be seen to Steve's left in the photo above.

 

Unlike most of our group, Steve ran the meat of the rapid.  The photo above shows him dropping into the large hole at the bottom of this wild section of the rapid.

 

All is well as Steve's kayak resurfaces and exits the hole.  As seen in my New Year's day post, Steve filmed himself running the rapid the day after this trail run.  He made it look easy.

 

Wednesday Wildlife

A family of Canada geese (Branta canadensis), which included three goslings, went for a swim and a stroll across the Rio Chama from us in May of 2011.  We were at the Chama Wall Camp.

  

Sunday Sunlight

The sunset at the Hausser Ranch on December 14, 2008, appears to set the brush on fire.
  

Three-4-Thursday

Texas Water Safari - 2011

Here are three more photos of Zoltan successfully negotiating Cottonseed Rapids early in the first day of the 2011 race.

Note:  Click on any photo to enlarge.

 

Wednesday Wildlife

A great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) was among the birds presented by the "Eagle Lady" at Guadalupe River State Park on January 11, 2009.  This large species is the most widely distributed true owl in the Americas.

 

Two-4-Tuesday

Texas Water Safari - 2011

Zoltan arrives at Cottonseed Rapids about two hours and nine minutes and nine miles into the race.  It looks like he is having fun.

 

  

Sunday Sunlight

More photos of the sunrise on January 10, as seen from the Mountain Deck Home in Garfield, Colorado.