Milner Pass towards Mount Ida

A hike along the Continental Divide. 

This route starts at Milner Pass on the Continental Divide.  It climbs from about 10,500 ft. MSL to well above the tree line, towards the summit of Mt. Ida, at 12,280 ft. 

Starting point - Poudre Lake at dawn.​

The route.​

Ptarmigan in summer colors.​

Elk graze at dawn.

"Nice rack!"​

​"Thanks - you, too."

Yellow-Bellied Marmot.​

Front porch with a view.​

View fullsize

​Many paths in addition to the human trail.

​Chipmunks at play.

​"Small Apollo" butterfly.

Looking from the Continental Divide over a few unnamed lakes towards Forest Canyon, with Trail Ridge and Trail Ridge Road in the distance.​

​Rocky Mountain panorama.

A rock rabbit, or Pica.​

​Storing up for the winter?

Mule deer.​

A mushroom bursts forth.​

Many mushrooms burst forth.​

Toad

As I was weeding one of the flower beds, I was a little startled by a sudden movement.  This fat boy had been sitting near the head of the micro-sprinkler, where he could be guaranteed a morning shower at least every other day.​

Western or boreal toad, Anaxyrus boreas.

Butterflies

At around 7000 feet, in the Big Elk Meadows area west of Lyons, CO.

Hoary Comma, Polygonia gracilus

Lupine Blue, Plebejus icarioides

Perhaps Speyeria atlantis, the Atlantis Fritillary.

Cedar Hairstreak, Callophrys gryneus

Streamside Checkerspot, Chlosyne nycteis

White Admiral, Limenitis arthemis

Small blue butterflies gather to feed on nutrient-rich water in a drying stream bed.

Fox kits

​I had the privilege of sharing several days early in the lives of five fox kits and their parents. And I was able to shoot some photos and video of the whole gang.

Follow the leader.​

Greetings.​

Time for a snack.​

More eagles . . .

The same Eagles as yesterday, actually. At least I think so.

Better light today, but not as much flying around. In fact, both eagles stayed perched the whole time I was watching them - about half an hour. They did do a bunch of calling and posturing right around the time the sun came up.