August 2019 - Rocky Mountain National Park

A couple of days in the Rocky Mountains, focused on the west side of the park that we didn't get to in the previous visit due to road closure. Most of the time was spent hiking up in the alpine tundra, but there was also a lovely hike through a river valley. Wildlife sightings included lots of elk, a couple moose (found only on the west side), and a lot of birds.

The first wildlife of the trip: A fox on the drive in	The first elk sighting, a beautiful buck!	Elk number 2
The first wildlife of the trip: A fox on the drive in	The first elk sighting, a beautiful buck!	Elk number 2
A female violet-green swallow	A deer on the trail at about 10k feet elevation
A female violet-green swallow	A deer on the trail at about 10k feet elevation
A chipmunk looking down from his perch on the cliff	A pair of red crossbills	An immature red crossbill. Their crossed bill is so interesting!
A chipmunk looking down from his perch on the cliff	A pair of red crossbills	An immature red crossbill. Their crossed bill is so interesting!
Another perhaps immature red crossbill	A male pine grosbeak
Another perhaps immature red crossbill	A male pine grosbeak
The trail heading up into the alpine tundra		Marmots poking their heads out in the rising sun
The trail heading up into the alpine tundra		Marmots poking their heads out in the rising sun
	Sunrise in the rockies	A big marmot yawn
	Sunrise in the rockies	A big marmot yawn
Always fun to see snow in July!		A look back at the Never Summer mountains
Always fun to see snow in July!		A look back at the Never Summer mountains
A pika	Pika eating a flower	It's amazing how well they blend into the rock
A pika	Pika eating a flower	It's amazing how well they blend into the rock
An American pipit with a worm in his mouth	The view from peak 12,150 (ft elevation)
An American pipit with a worm in his mouth	The view from peak 12,150 (ft elevation)
Scattered ponds of snowmelt in the valley below	A mountain bluebird - certainly up in the mountains!	A lazy marmot morning
Scattered ponds of snowmelt in the valley below	A mountain bluebird - certainly up in the mountains!	A lazy marmot morning
There were wildflowers all over the place, and often covered in bees	Laying across and blocking the trail	An immature dark-eyed junco
There were wildflowers all over the place, and often covered in bees	Laying across and blocking the trail	An immature dark-eyed junco
Grand Lake, quite large and grand!	A white-crowned sparrow posing	A broad-tailed hummingbird
Grand Lake, quite large and grand!	A white-crowned sparrow posing	A broad-tailed hummingbird
Hummingbird action shot	A violet-green swallow heading out from his nest in the eaves	A large moose wandering around town in the early morning
Hummingbird action shot	A violet-green swallow heading out from his nest in the eaves	A large moose wandering around town in the early morning
Another moose		Another small herd of elk
Another moose		Another small herd of elk
A baby elk, spots and all	Breakfast time! Mom has a very fashionable radio collar	Descending into the valley
A baby elk, spots and all	Breakfast time! Mom has a very fashionable radio collar	Descending into the valley
Mountain chickadee	Yellow-rumped warbler (female, Audubon's)	A ruby-crowned kinglet
Mountain chickadee	Yellow-rumped warbler (female, Audubon's)	A ruby-crowned kinglet
The gray-headed type of dark-eyed junco	Wildflowers filling the valley	Another mountain chickadee
The gray-headed type of dark-eyed junco	Wildflowers filling the valley	Another mountain chickadee
Lincoln's sparrow		A northern flicker
Lincoln's sparrow		A northern flicker
The view from the alpine visitor center	12,005 feet elevation	The Never Summer mountains
The view from the alpine visitor center	12,005 feet elevation	The Never Summer mountains
The Ute trail, headed across the tundra	Incredible vistas	Long's peak
The Ute trail, headed across the tundra	Incredible vistas	Long's peak
The view to the east from timberline pass	The parks of the east side of RMNP can be seen way down below	And more great vistas on the hike back
The view to the east from timberline pass	The parks of the east side of RMNP can be seen way down below	And more great vistas on the hike back