Connie owns a time-share in Vail, usually the second week of June. For some reason, that week often seems to bring the last spit of winter to the valley. This year it was exceptionally cold and wet while we there for the weekend. Both rained and snowed a good part of the time. The condo is right along Gore Creek, which roars three stories below. The tops of several Lodgepole Pine, Spruce and Firs are level with the balcony. There were several Broad-tailed Hummers working a feeder on a nearby balcony and would occassionally rest in the trees. Also saw a Ruby-crowned Kinglet in the trees.
During one of the infrequent and short sunny spells we walked up to the Betty Ford Wildflower Garden. What a great place. All kinds of flowers already in bloom. Spotted these Mountain Gentians, one of my favs. Once found an entire meadow of them up in Poplar Gulch near St. Elmo, Colorado. What a stunning blue!
During another very short sunny spell we took a short hike up the old highway on Vail Pass. Came across these White-crowned Sparrows in a meadow. And over across the meadow in a small tree was a Western Bluebird. Seems kind of high for Bluebirds but maybe not. It was chilly and it was starting to gropel on us. I think the birds were cold, too.
While walking spotted this Red Columbine. Not as spectacular as the blue version, but still a gorgeous flower.
Back at the condo, this small bird, I think some kind of a Flycatcher was trying to stay dry in a tall conifer. A White-crowned Sparros was singing in the top of that tree most of the time we were there. A Yellow-rumped Warbler was also working the grove out front.
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