A red tail hawk looks down from plucking a pigeon it just caught, but satisfied that I was just moving a branch and not trying to steal its meal, the raptor continued to eat. I felt quite privileged because while it seemed quite comfortable in my presence, the hawk would become agitated and try to hide the carcass with its outstretched wings when other people would pass by.
Memorial Park, Colorado Springs Colorado
Each year Colorado Springs host the Annual Balloon Classic over the Labor Day Weekend. This year marked the 31st Anniversary of the nationally acclaimed event. I have lived in Colorado Springs for 14 years, and while I have always made an effort to see the parade of hot air balloons, this year was my first visit to Memorial Park for the early morning mass accent.
I got to the park just after 7am and the balloons were only just beginning to launch. I was immediately sent into sensory over load. I was like a kid in the candy store, I didn't know what to look at first. It was a fantastic, amazing kaleidoscope of color and shapes. The crisp morning air was ringing with laughter and heavily scented by sweet funnel cakes.
As each balloon lifted off, it glided gracefully over to Prospect Lake, right there in the park, and to the delight of the spectators, performed a 'Splash 'N Dash' which is when the balloon dips down to skim over (and sometimes even dunk in) the water before taking off again.
I had hoped to chase the balloons and witness their journey and decent but the wind was not in my favor. In past years they would drift to the south near my house but the same breeze that prevented the balloons from being inflated last night for the 'Balloon Glo', would return to guide the graceful balloons in the opposite direction, too far for me to follow. Still, the festival brought out the child in me and leaves me already impatiently waiting its return next year.
'RIBBET'
This little guy beat the summer heat by floating lazily in Cattail Marsh Regional Park.
*Cattail Marsh, Fountain, CO
Tags: Cattail Marsh, Frogs
'MEEP, MEEP!'
Yes, there are roadrunners in Colorado. (And coyotes as well)
*Fort Carson, CO
Tags: Fort Carson, Roadrunner
'ARE YOU MY MOTHER?'
This gosling is probably only a couple of weeks old. By nature Canada Goose are migratory birds but this one is hatched from a resident flock that lives year round at a pond by a hotel right off of the interstate.
*Colorado Springs, CO
Tags: Colorado Springs, Canada Goose
The Hero Rides Away...
Kit Carson riding off into the sunset just outside the main gate at Fort Carson, Colorado. The statue was intended to honor the base's namesake, however I see the rider representative of all of the soldiers from this post who have ridden off to defend our country and all that it stands for. Sadly too often of late the saddle has returned empty.
*Fort Carson, CO
Just an old jalopy hidden behind an equally dilapidated shed. How I wish I could have seen them when their paint gleamed. Still... I can't help but be taken in by the mystery they present in their current condition.
