And the fox dance & the snow flies

Our little late season snow did show up last night. Caught a couple of photos early - the dusting melted away within an hour. The elk didn't seem bothered - were out in force this morning. Another excuse to have a roaring fire going!
Forget everything I said in the last post about the fox parents.Not parents at all. Not one, but two appeared back in the yard to play and sniff (and pee on) our new baby trees. We think they were two young males (the peeing clue) and they played all over the yard for 15 minutes. It was an amazing show - we just never know what's going to show up here...
This is a major week - we had both FedX and UPS actually come through the gates and deliver at the house!! I realize this doesn't seem like a big deal to you city people, here yes and yes. No more things flung in the dirt outside the gates. Hurray.
And the last piece of news - two days in a row we've managed to get through our steep 3 1/2 mile walk through the woods without stopping once to catch our breath. That is remarkable considering last summer it took a month to get to that point. I guess we didn't lose all the conditioning in, flat as a pancake, sea level Florida. A big hurray.

Yummy fires and animals with parenting skills

Okay, evidently it's still early here - snow flurries were in the air all day today. There's a end of season storm headed for Colorado the next couple of days. No big accumulation or anything for here (worse for Denver), just not warm spring weather. Actually the snow has melted off our driveway, but as you can see from the photos, the peaks still have a giant pile.
We've had the ambiance of a lovely fire going in the fireplace a couple of times since we've arrived with the chilly mornings. You may or may not remember my rant last winter on Colo state laws for new woodburning fireplaces. Giant fires behind closed glass doors do not make for good heat conduction contrary to the lovely instruction brochure. So we went on a hunt for a simple screen to protect the open area when we flung open those idiotic glass doors. Not to be found before we left for Florida. This time - success! Last one at the hardware store, but cheap and does the trick. Blessed heat pours out. Pretty - yes!
The local paper had an article about bears waking up for spring. I expect this will happen in the next couple of weeks. Imagine, they birth their babies while hibernating and the cubs nurse for two months with an asleep mommy and then she wakes up. Is this the easy way or what... Yes, I will have my spray ready - love to see a cub though...
Had to stop my post for a moment while the fox came back for more food hunting. I've read that the foxes have their babies (kits) in the den right now, and they stay in for two months. Sooo, I think this is a mom or dad on the hunt. Had to snap more photos - look at the head cocked - he/she is listening for rodent movement. Kept doing it over & over. Funny!

Rejoicing in the mountains

Great day today (and it was Mother's Day too). We went to Crested Butte to McGills for breakfast, and it is so quiet. The calm before the storm. Even the beautiful pots and hanging baskets are not out yet.
We drove to Taylor Reservoir to see the sights. That's major ice you see in the photo with a little open water around the bank. At the top of the reservoir, we got out (because it's obligatory) and the big horn sheep were out today. A warning: for a couple of my photos you may have to double click on them to actually see what's in it. I am using Mark's camera with a zoom, but still. Oh, my handy little camera is not working - stopped working after being at the beach with Tiffany & Chris in Naples. Sand in it?
Anyway, the water below the dam with catch & release trophy fish was crowded this morning. It's so early in the season, we were surprised.
Also passed a popular rock-climbing spot on the way back. That is one sport I'd be amazed if I ever try it. I'll be there to cheer someone else on though!
I haven't mentioned elk lately, but they're still here every morning. We're waiting for the deer to come back to Star Mt.
And, yes, the baby tree planting was out in force today. We planted 30 of the 60. Whoo...some work involved here! The photo is of some of the protected little baby aspen & spruce. Mark is not washing his hands of them, just moving to the next section of trees to check them out. I dragged hoses around, avoiding a large ant hill I was unaware of until that moment, to water the precious babies. We'll see what happens.

Fishing, bike, and gusty wind

Another great day at Star Mountain. Mark's first fishing day of the year. New waders worked well and he caught (but did not keep) 3 hefty rainbow trout.(16" and fat) And Mark's report is that a number of guided floats were going down the Gunnison river. Seems awfully early...
On our walk this morning, grouse were everywhere in the woods. The photo is of a male grouse, defending his territory, with probably a nest nearby. That giant eye looking thing is to deter. His head is to the left of that. He fans the tail and puffs up the giant eye. Pretty weird looking I think...
Hummingbird feeders are up and only one visit so far (possibly by the same lone one we saw yesterday) and this afternoon a big gust of wind flung one of the feeders down on the deck with pieces everywhere. The next purchase on the list...
Mark also picked up his bike in town that had been reconditioned. This, for those who don't know, is a 20 year old bike that has mostly languished in two different basements. I was sure the bike place would laugh out loud when he turned it in, but no, took it away, had it ready the next day and charged him $30 bucks. Now I'm waiting to see him out on the road...

Planting projects and missed deliveries

A day in the life: went into town to the forest service to pick up the baby aspen & spruce we had ordered last fall. 60 trees at a price that can't be topped ($1.00 a tree) However there appears to be a bit of work involved. We got great advice from forester Dan on how to plant (see pic) and what extras we needed. Hmmm...the total price has added up - bought tree plastic protectors, tablet fertilizer, polymer mix to keep moisture in, and minature sunscreens. All for tiny foot high trees. A weekend project here we come.
Ah, yes, back to the muck up of the delivery services here. FedX has called twice today to try and deliver (supposedly coming through the gates?!), and UPS is back on my bad list. Supposedly threw a package from Tiffany by the gates yesterday, but interestingly, no package. Tiffany had to take time out of her workday to contact people to find out what's going on. Aaugh.
The elk were out again this morning with some on our property, so I took a closer photo. After referring back to the mammal book, have realized these are all females, as the males only stayed with them through December, and none of these have even a hint of antlers growing back. Boy, those male elk, love em & leave em...
Dinner last night was great. Love that restaurant and in our opinion, it's the nicest in Gunnison. It wasn't very crowded since it's still quiet around the area, but should pick up soon. It's college graduation this weekend and they expect crowds.
We saw our first hummingbird of the season this morning - have no idea what they eating since almost nothing is blooming yet. So, out come the feeders & boiled sugar water. Hope it starts at a slow pace. Remember last summer we were refilling the feeders 3 times a day!

Revisiting and renewals

Lots going on here at Star Mt. Last night a fox hopped into our yard by the driveway and proceeded to look, listen, and catch a rodent all the while paying no attention to us. Don't know what type - it's sorta red and sorta white - maybe a red fox turns white in the winter?
Once again Mark woke me up this morning for the elk. Wow, a lot of elk. It's fantastic. No deer yet though. You'd think they would move around at the same time, not so evidently...
We walked up our normal trail through the woods this morning with some huffing & puffing. Sadly it will take awhile to acclimate. Photo is of first flower we've seen in bloom - I'm expecting an explosion of color soon.
Did errands in town including the all important renewal of Mark's fishing license. And he bought new waders (Simms for those who know about such things) which are supposed to last a good long while. His old ones are just about kaput with all the fishing he did last year.
We're having dinner at Sugah's in Gunnison tonight to celebrate our anniversary. Kind of nice to celebrate in the town where we met in the first place!

Happiness is Star Mountain

We've arrived after a giant driving trip from Florida to Mobile to Dallas to Santa Fe to Star Mt. Hurray! Much fun on our trip including going back to the Original Oyster House, a historic restaurant outside Mobile, AL.The kind of place that has waitresses who've been there for decades and fabulous seafood. It was a few scant days into the oil spill, but I heard concerned talk all around us. Keep positive thoughts for all our Gulf Coast neighbors...
Dallas was great seeing family, some or all will be coming to see us at Star Mt. this summer. Come one, come all!
Did some damage shopping in Santa Fe, a town I love. Mostly things for the house as we lean towards southwestern decor (no, we did not buy a pig) and Santa Fe certainly has plenty of that... Overate at some wonderful restaurants too - will definitely need to get on the high altitude exercise program at Star Mt.!
House is in great shape and we are thrilled to be here. Tiny bits of green here & there have already started popping up. And first drive in the woods scared up an elk, fairly close to where I saw the bear last summer. (not to worry - the bear are still asleep)
There were herds of elk on the hills out our living room windows early this morning. Mark was up early (the usual) and came to wake me up so I wouldn't miss them. They will find a place to give birth soon. Last year we saw more than one baby on Star Mt. - hoping that will happen again. Speaking of babies - a very pregnant coyote was wandering on the next hill over, also this morning, and there are tons on tiny calves & foals in the pastures on the way to town. Fertility bursting at the seams here.
Spots of snow here & there in the woods and on our driveway, but most is gone except of course the mountain peaks. We had a great sunset last night - don't know if the photo does it justice.
All in all, happiness is being here on the mountain. Looking forward to a great summer & fall...