You Call That a Mighty Oak? The Gambel Oak in Colorado
Posted by
Walking Mountains on Sep 12, 2016 2:28:24 AM
The monsters of the eastern forests are no Sasquatch—instead they are the massive and mighty oaks, growing many feet in diameter and over a hundred feet tall. The dozens of oak species native to..
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Topics: Curious Nature
If you’ve ever spent time in the mountainous regions of North America, you may have seen large white animals with curved horns and long scraggly beards scaling the rock faces of steep cliffs. These..
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Topics: Curious Nature
Swallow Your Pride: About the Swallow bird in Colorado
Posted by
Walking Mountains on Aug 29, 2016 2:15:17 AM
Throughout the spring and summer, you may see Swallows darting and sailing overhead while singing out their favorite songs. The beauty of their flight and harmonious sounds are a treasure in the..
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Topics: Curious Nature, Birding
Animal Horns vs Antlers: Why They Are Not The Same
Posted by
Walking Mountains on Aug 22, 2016 2:53:33 AM
Wow, look at the rack on that … elk, of course. But a rack of what? We tend to use the terms “horns” and “antlers” interchangeably, but they are really very different structures. A common..
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Topics: Curious Nature
High up on a mountain, little furry animals run between rock crevices underneath the snow. They cheep to one another, emitting a high pitched call to send signals to their friends. After resting and..
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Topics: Curious Nature
What is pollination? Pollination, essentially, is plant sex. More specifically, it is the act of transferring pollen grains from the male anther of a flower to the female stigma. The goal is to..
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Topics: Curious Nature
Long ago, before the discovery of the Eagle Valley and even before the rise of Egyptian pharaohs, a young seed drifted on the wind and landed in the Rocky Mountains. This young seed took hold of the..
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Topics: Curious Nature
Scatological Specimens: How to Identify Types of Animal Scat
Posted by
Walking Mountains on Jul 18, 2016 2:30:57 AM
“Ewwwww!” The kids were clearly repulsed as I wantonly picked up piece after piece of what looked like elk scat, holding it out for them to get a closer look. In case you don’t know, scat is the..
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Topics: Curious Nature
Beautiful and Blue: The Colorado State Flower, The Columbine
Posted by
Walking Mountains on Jul 11, 2016 2:47:42 AM
If you’ve been out hiking recently, you have probably seen this striking flower blooming in the summer wind. The pale-blue to lavender sepals, the delicate white petals, and the golden pistils is the..
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Topics: Curious Nature, Wildflower Update
Milkweed for the Mountains and Monarch Butterflies
Posted by
Walking Mountains on Jul 4, 2016 3:00:20 AM
Milkweed is becoming a popular buzzword in the gardening community and the push to plant it in gardens and on public lands seems greater than ever. While admittedly the flower has a lovely bloom, why..
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Topics: Curious Nature, Wildflower Update
Hiking a trail that meanders through the brilliant reds, yellows, purples, and oranges of emerging wildflowers, I feel a sense of wonder and awe. As I stop to enjoy the beauty of these blossoms, I..
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Topics: Curious Nature
Grilling out with friends and family, playing competitive yard games until late in the evening, hiking or walking the dog after work, and finishing the day with a breathtaking sunset. These are just..
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Topics: Curious Nature