Not A Bad Day Off - (Pagosa Springs, CO)

The road the V.A. Poma ranch is on is called Piedra Road, also known as National Forest Road 631.  At the western end of the property it forms the boundary and then goes another 20 miles up into the San Juan National Forest.

We decided to take a little drive out that way this morning.  We were told that Little Sand Creek had some good fishing, but it looked awfully small and would be a tough hike through brush to find some decent pools.

We continued on until we came to the North Fork of Sand Creek.  With its run of small cascades, it looked like a pretty spot to take a walk.

We parked and walked a short way.  Almost immediately I spotted an American Dipper.  This time I had the zoom lens and got a pic.  :)

Apparently they love waterfalls just as much as we do.  :)

And this small section of stream had some beautiful ones.

These were my favorites.

The terrain was just a little too rugged and slippery to climb very far upstream, so we turned and headed back.  With clouds rolling in and thunder rumbling, we decided to just fish at the Ranch.

As we reached the Ranch property, we saw a couple of marmots scampering in the rocky meadow.  I managed to sneak up on one for a good shot.

With a quick internet check, I found that the many marmots making their home on the Ranch are Yellow-bellied Marmots.  Marmots are North America's largest ground squirrels.  And I also learned that groundhogs/woodchucks are marmots.  Still learning every day.  :)

We parked the Jeep just off the road and walked down to the river.  Neither of us had any luck for quite awhile.

But, after losing one fly to a fish, I finally made a good cast that produced a fun battle with this Rainbow.

We got it back in the water and revived so it could provide a thrill for another angler sometime.

We stayed out just a little longer and then drove back to the rig as it started to rain.  A guest left some chicken legs still in the package.

We decided to grill them at the Ranch House for dinner.  I did the grilling, JoAnn made a polenta vegetable dish and a wonderful apple desert, and Linda threw together a salad.  Another nice meal on the Ranch House porch.

And of course the swarm of hummers were having their evening feeding frenzy.  There are so many, the few that try to guard the feeders just can't handle the rush - so they share out of necessity.  :)

We had a Calliope Hummingbird but I couldn't get a picture.  It was the first one I've ever seen and Linda just missed it.

We'll have to settle for this shot of a Rufous in flight for today.  :)

And with that, we called it a night.  Not a bad day off.  :) 

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Comments

[Larey Hazelton]

Marmots,groundhogs and woodchucks are also known as whistle pigs in this part of Western Colorado---
To quote,maybe paraphrase, a statement on the old Denver Post mast head---'tis a privilege to live in Colorado" Hope you are enjoying it to the fullest.

[Jan and Phyllis]

Howard -- I think this is the first time I've seen you wear something other than shorts. I think you are getting too soft!
Jan