Walking Mountains Curious Nature | Walking Mountains (9)

Walking Mountains

Our mission is to awaken a sense of wonder and inspire environmental stewardship and sustainability through natural science education.

A Rocky Mountain Love Story: Lichen!

Posted by Walking Mountains on May 2, 2016 11:57:25 AM

That’s not moss, it’s lichen! Next time you are on the trail, you can easily distinguish moss from lichen by getting up close and making some simple observations. At the most basic level, moss is a..

Topics: Curious Nature

Stories in the Trees: Scars On Aspen Trees

Posted by Walking Mountains on Apr 4, 2016 2:41:52 AM

Aspens form the backdrop to so many of our recreational activities here in Colorado. Hiking, skiing, camping and snowshoeing seem to be much more enjoyable when done in the shade and beauty of our..

Topics: Curious Nature

Rufous Hummingbird In Colorado Migration

Migration Madness: Swainson’s Hawk, Rufous Hummingbird, Warblers, Red-naped Sap Sucker

Posted by Walking Mountains on Mar 21, 2016 1:56:54 AM

Winter is on its way out and spring is on its way in! It’s time for budding aspens, rushing rivers, bare feet, and clear highway conditions. This time of year can go by in the blink of an eye, and if..

Topics: Curious Nature, Birding

Crazy Corvids

Posted by Walking Mountains on Mar 7, 2016 1:49:47 AM

As a naturalist up at the Nature Discovery Center on Vail Mountain, I am commonly asked about the large black and white bird they see hopping around town. Perhaps to a local, this bird has lost its..

Topics: Curious Nature, Birding

How to Identify the Douglas Fir in Colorado

Douglas-Fir – A Case of Mistaken Identity

Posted by Walking Mountains on Feb 29, 2016 12:59:39 AM

It’s difficult to see the forest for the trees, especially when most of those trees are conifers. After all, conifers all tend to look the same, especially from a distance. People don’t come from all..

Topics: Curious Nature

Living with Mountains Lions in Colorado

Posted by Walking Mountains on Feb 22, 2016 1:53:02 AM

I want you to imagine the wildest place you can. It doesn’t have to be a place you’ve been, I just want you to create that space, as you understand it, in your mind. What does it look like? Is it hot..

Topics: Curious Nature

Pine Marten in Colorado Rocky Mountains and Vail

The Secretive Pine Marten: How to Spot One

Posted by Walking Mountains on Feb 8, 2016 1:20:05 AM

If you’ve had the opportunity to explore the trails this season, you have probably seen a network of footprints decorating the blanket of snow around our valley. Although winter can seem quiet and..

Topics: Curious Nature

Animal Tracks are Stories in the Snow

Posted by Walking Mountains on Jan 25, 2016 1:27:26 AM

We have all seen them. Sometimes we see them as the chair lift steadily climbs up the mountain. Other times it we might see them during a snowshoe hike or even in our own backyards. Animal tracks are..

Topics: Curious Nature

Animals Keeping In Winter

Posted by Walking Mountains on Jan 11, 2016 10:25:23 AM

Each morning when I go out and brush the snow off my car, the temperature seems to be a little colder. As humans, we heavily rely on our layers and puffy coats to keep us warm. It’s not uncommon to..

Topics: Curious Nature

On Being Cold: Why are Some People more 'Cold' Than Others?

Posted by Walking Mountains on Dec 21, 2015 1:54:22 AM

Are you always cold? Always asking to turn the heat up? It can be the middle of summer, and I will still be cold in my sleeping bag, no matter how many blankets I pile on or how warm the night is...

Topics: Curious Nature

Creatures of the Night: Wolves! Myths about Wolves in Colorado

Posted by Walking Mountains on Oct 19, 2015 2:10:52 AM

As Halloween approaches and the days get shorter, you might find your thoughts drifting to spooky creatures of the night. From vampires and bats to werewolves and raccoons, nocturnal creatures,..

Topics: Curious Nature

Those Rotten Leaves - Decomposition In The Forest

Posted by Walking Mountains on Oct 12, 2015 2:49:53 AM

Now that the leaves have changed beautiful colors and are falling to the cold ground - what’s next? I bet you can smell it. Those leaves play an active role in replenishing the soil with what it..

Topics: Curious Nature

Curious Nature