High Elevations

One of the most spectacular experiences at the Rocky Mountain National Park is the drive up to the top of the world. At least it felt like the top. Above the treeline, in the alpine tundra, visitors are cautioned to stay on the paved roads and paths, as the sparse grasses grow so slowly that a footprint can take a hundred years to heal. The air is so thin that a 200 yard walk can make you breathless, and the view is enough to take your breath away.


Aaron swears he wasn't actually asleep.


A bird's nest at 12,600ft elevation. Possibly an eagle's?

Birds on the Potomac

When we went to Washington DC in February 2005, the Potomac River was frozen over, and many fish were trapped in the upper layers of ice, a fact that these birds were taking advantage of as we looked across the river toward the Jefferson Memorial. Notice that the birds are standing on the river. While we watched, many of them skated on the ice and others flapped their wings to give themselves push for little hops.



Birds feast on the frozen Potomac at the Jefferson Memorial, Washington, DC. Feb 2005

Bull Elk

A bull elk in the Rocky Mountain National Park, CO

We spotted this group of elk soon after entering the part from the West side. The park west of the Continental Divide is much less traveled than the eastern side, with approximately one-sixth the visitors yearly. If you are looking for Rocky Mountain wildlife, this seems to be the place to go. Before we crossed to the eastern side, we spotted three herds of elk, a solo male mule deer, numerous birds, and several smaller forest dwellers.