In the
Shadows of the Rockies
by
Bobby
Harrison
Perhaps no sight is more inspiring than the
mighty Rocky Mountains. In Rocky
Mountain National Park the mountains rise to such heights as to divide a
continent into east and west, and host a wilderness that harbors a grand
diversity of flora and fauna. They are indeed
a spectacular
Moraine Valley, at over 8,000 feet
elevation is one of my favorite Rocky Mountain destinations. The valley, carved by glacial erosion is
surround by craggy, snow-covered peaks that rise to more than 14,000 feet. Spring is a mecca for wildlife such as Elk,
deer, bears, coyotes, ground squirrels and of course, birds. Wildlife is so abundant that viewing animals
is as simple as just being there. Of
course, I had come to Moraine Valley to photograph its birds, but the snow-clad
mountains and the curvaceous stream that meanders through the valley made the
experience even more enjoyable.
Moraine Valley, Rocky Mountain National Park
I arrived with great anticipation of
photographing birds. But, no sooner had I arrived, heavy, dark ominous clouds
roll over the mountaintops at the head of the valley. Within minutes the storm darken the sky and a
light rain began to fall. The images of
the birds I had envisioned soon vanished.
I spent the rest of the evening and night
in the campground listing to the falling rain.
In the wee hours of the morning the rain intensified, and my hopes for a
Rocky Mountain sunrise were dashed. As
the dawn waxed the rain stopped, but thick clouds covered the sky from horizon
to horizon. The world seemed mighty drab
that morning.
By the time I drove out of the campground
the sky began to clear. As quickly as
the storm had arrived the day before, the cloud cover dissipated. It was as if someone had flipped a light
switch, the sun shown bright, animals became active and the birds began to
sing. It was as though new life had been
breathed into the valley and those images I had envisioned earlier began to
fill my head once more.
Mountain Bluebird, Sialia currucoides: Moraine Valley, Rocky Mountain NP
Scanning the woodlands I saw all the
birds I had come to photograph. Mountain
Bluebirds and Pygmy Nuthatches were busily gleaning insects and ferrying their
gathered morsels to young still in nest. Violet-green Swallow swooped through
the air scooping insects into their wide gapes, while Black-billed Magpies
harassed a couple who had stopped for a picnic.
All the elements were in place.
After watching a pair of Pygmy Nuthatches
for a while I discovered their nest in an old Ponderosa Pine snag. Slowly I worked my way toward the nest tree. The nuthatches seemed at ease with my
presence as they continued to forage and feed their young.
Pygmy Nuthatch, Sitta pygmaea: Moraine Valley, Rocky Mountain NP
While I never tire of photographing birds,
I was distracted. While shooting the
nuthatches a pair of Mountain Bluebirds flew to a nearby branch. Opportunity had presented it self again. I took advantage of the fearlessness of the
bluebirds and shot frame after frame.
After a short time I discovered that they too had a nearby nest. As I lingered in the area both birds gave me
wonderful shooting opportunities.
Violet-green Swallow, Tachycineta thalassina: Moraine Valley, Rocky Mountain NP
But there was more. The Violet-green swallows circling above
decided to take a break from their feeding frenzy and alighted on a branch near
the nuthatch nest. The black-billed
magpies that harassed the picnicker’s decided to check out what I was
doing. A coyote intrigued by my presence
stopped by, and so did a cottontail rabbit, but he waited for the coyote to
move on before showing himself. Two
bull elk and mule deer strolled by, but they paid little attention to me.
Black-billed Magpie, Pica hudsonia: Moraine Valley, Rocky Mountain NP
Not every day is like the day that I
spent in Moraine Valley. Usually I spend
hours just waiting for one shot. But,
there is something special about Moraine Valley. Perhaps it is the fearlessness of the
wildlife, the high altitude light; or perhaps it is the grandeur of the
mountains themselves that draws one closer to the nature. What I did realize while standing in the
shadows of the Rocky’s, is come rain or shine never give up on what nature
offers.
Plan your visit to Rocky Mountain National Park with these connections.
Information on Rocky Mountain National Park:
Places to stay at Estes Park, CO:
Eateries at Estes Park, CO:
Places to stay at Grand Lake, CO:
Eateries at Grand Lake, CO:
