New Mexico - Arizona - Colorado Trip ~ March 11, 2006

When we woke up Saturday, it was snowing with a few inches of snow already on the ground. We worked our way to Colorado through the towns of Durango and Ouray and over the mountain passes to Gunnison. Along the way, we saw Common Merganser, Steller's Jay, Black-billed Magpie, Mountain Bluebird, Dark-eyed "Oregon" Junco, and a flock of Brown-capped Rosy-Finches.

Mountain Bluebirds at Ridgway State Park near Ouray, Colorado.
This pair posed on the fence along Highway 550. This photo shows the electric blue male and the duller female with her turquoise blue rump and grayish head with white eye accent.

A late afternoon scouting visit to the Waunita lek site produced a Golden Eagle perched on the fence right next to the road.

Golden Eagle near Gunnison, Colorado.
This mottled bird was photographed at the Waunita lek site. It clearly shows the 'golden' hackles on the head. Using the car as a blind, we were able fairly close to this bird, take some photos, and slowly leave without it ever flushing off its perch.

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