One of our favorite things to do in RMNP is to drive up Old Fall River Rd. It is such a peaceful road and climbs from the thick forest to the alpine tundra. Just before the summit, one passes by a "peak" called Marmot Point. This year we decided to check it out. Well, it is safe to say it is well named! Yellow-bellied marmots were everywhere! Most were napping and the biggest one of them all showed us just how interesting he thought we were. A big yawn!
We haven't seen many bears in Estes, yet this year, but while Andy and I were out shopping for a bear proof canister one day, our trail camera was watching one. A mother sow and her two cubs took a nap right in front of our trail camera. For an hour and a half the trail camera took pictures of her. Most of the time she was napping, but every 10 minutes or so she would move, or one of her cubs would move, and the trail camera would click a few pictures. Here are our favorites from the day.
Early June is peak calving season for the elk in Estes Park. We had seen quite a few "lone" females in the neighborhood and figured we might get lucky one day. Almost! This cow elk was in the back yard in early afternoon. Our trail camera got a few pictures of her, and we think she was itching her side on a rock. In late afternoon, we saw her with her calf. What a cutie! A few days later we saw her and her baby back with the herd.
Oh, a note about her tags. She's part of a study with the Colorado Parks and Wildlife so she gets to wear a bit of bling. |
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