Boulder, Colorado !

Click on the picture to better see the snow-capped Rocky Mountains in the far distance. I'm at St. Vrains State Park taking this picture, a few weeks back. It's about 20 miles east and a few miles north of Boulder. Saw 5 American White Pelicans ( what a sight to see them take off from the water ! ), a platform nest of Osprey with 3 big fledglings, many many swallows ( VG, Tree, Barn, Cliff), Western Kingbirds and several other species. There was a big stand of milkweed near the water that was in full bloom, but no Monarch activity. I need to go back there and see if there is now.
We've been here for almost two months now, and it's felt like coming home from the very beginning. The Western climate really appeals to my early years in California, and the geology is not only spectacular to look at, it also shapes the weather and plant and animal life.

We arrived in Boulder with our two cats, Sam and Tomsky, May 30th. The kitties endured being pressed into tiny cat carriers and stuffed under the seats in front of our feet, for the 3 hour plane ride. We stayed three nights at the Boulder Outlook Hotel. Sam's carrier had to be taken apart for him to get out of it..he'd snagged a claw on the padding I put in there for him. A "single stream recycling" cardboard box provided by the hotel to drop our recyclables into became Sam's spot to pass two days and nights in deep ( comatose ? ) sleep, getting out only to drink a little and use the litterbox. He rallied on the third day and decided to join the rest of us. Yeh ! Hang in there , Sam ! Tomsky spent hours at the big window that faced the dog exercise area, watching people and dogs go by.
Jamie and I set out right away, exploring the town ( and birding ! ) and getting ready to move into the great house he rented for us only a mile or so from Scot and Terry. The PODS arrived as scheduled, my car showed up on the transport, delivered without incident :) Jamie spent a few days ( after working all day ) unloading the PODS. Scot and Terry's youngest son, Byron, came over one day and lent a strong back and some fun. My stupid back doesnt allow me to lift much weight, so I mostly unpacked and sorted things as they came in.
Each day we go for walks, bike rides and/or hikes in the surrounding area or get in the Prius and head up to the mountains, or out to the foothills, hogbacks, mesas, grasslands, plains or flatirons to poke around. Downtown and the farmer's market is just a quick bike ride away. It is so easy to live here.

An Awesome Day

Wow. A gorgeous Spring morning just got better and better as the sun moved across the sky. An hour and a half of home yoga with sun streaming thru the east window got me warmed up.
A cleaning crew came and got this house cleaner than its been in 12 years in 2 hours ! Why have I resisted for so long ?

I spent some time in the basement getting the slab roller unearthed and the kiln spiffed up...someone is coming by to have a look at it tomorrow and possibly buy it. I am happy to move on. I feel the pull of printmaking again. So simple and direct. And watercolors. And just drawing. Why have I strayed ?

I sat out in the new flower bed ( new as of 2010 ) and pulled a few weeds and just absorbed being in the garden. Had not done that in months and months. A big garden spider ( some fort of wolf spider ) emerged from a hole, its legs looking exactly like teeny tiny threads of incredibly fragile twigs.
Wild violets are blooming. Spring Beauties are blooming. May Apples are up, but not blooming yet. Cutleaf Toothwort and Service Berry ( Shadbush ) are in full feather though. The Spicebush doesnt seem to be putting on quite the show as last year , when they lit up a section of the woods on Rickard road with their tiny yellow flowers. Back in our garden, the Moonbeam and American dream coreopsis are emerging, as are the Echinacea and the Rudbeckia Maxima. The Peonies are up a good twelve inches now. Daffodils are extra bright this year it seems !

I went for a walk and saw a Brown Creeper for the first time in several years. I finally saw a Field Sparrow this season! I'd been hearing them, but could not lay eyes on them !

When i got home I steamed up some bok choy to go with my leftover zuke/kalamata olive fritatta and some mac n cheeze. Yum yum. A smallish chunk of banana cake rounded it all off. And a few Dandies marshmallows.

Yesterday was cool and rainy most of the day, perfect apparently, for the rubbery looking orange fungus pictured here.

I think the neighbor's Chimney Swifts may be back...I'll have to check again tomorrow.

My 55th B-Day and a Move

Today I turned 55. Double nickel as my hubby would say :)
Big changes happening. We are moving from Northern Virginia ( Lovettsville ) to Boulder, Colorado, for at least a few years. We will rent out our house here, and just rent in Boulder. My brother Scot and his wife and family all live in Colorado. My mother and another brother lives in AZ, and yet another brother and his family lives in Southern California. We are excited about the change, but it's also a little intimidating ....starting a new life in another town. I love our neighbors here. I will really miss the everyday rhythms of the seasons on this spot of the planet, but Colorado will have it's own.
The birding will be very different. But the geology will be awesome !
Just wanted to "check in " and start blogging again...I miss it.
Two books arrived in the mail today, for my birthday...the new Crossley ID Guide, and Zen Birding. The Crossley Guide is the next step in the evolution of bird guides...the author and photographer has combined many positions and proximity shots of birds and even placed them in typical scenery, all on one page, along with a map for each bird. Fantastic ! It weighs in at 3lbs. 13oz, so we won't be taking in the field, but it will be great in the car or back at the house, cabin or cottage. Sally, Laureen and I will give it a workout while up in Point Pelee, Canada, next month !