Bear Creek Nature Center

Life is incredible.  While visiting places around the world or near home, I always try to keep it close to areas protected for wildlife.  For many people, they'll just see a bird or two because they have kids or a dog on the trails.  It's natural for animals to "disappear" during the very busy human afternoon hours.  For wildlife photographers, the best time is when there is NO ONE around.  Nature should be shared by all.  Understanding this mentality, makes the wildlife/photographer aficionados plan carefully around the general public's schedule. 

White-winged Dove

We planned a family trip to Bear Creek Nature Preserve in Colorado Springs during the holidays with few people on the trails.  I love the walks but I also break off from time to time to explore the "quiet" spaces.  I discovered a fox and it got my heart beating real fast.  We were very close and I kept absolutely quiet, but I felt upset about discovering the spot where it was hiding.  I kept it quiet.  But as I do when looking for birds, I am super stealthy around corners and that's where the fox was hiding.  It felt trapped and that's the last thing I wanted for it to feel.  If it had been a bear or mountain lion, I may have found myself on the ground:)  But the fox slipped off into the shadows looking back at me from time to time.

Mountain Chickadee

Some animals or birds, don't mind the visits or creepy people filming them.  And sometimes you'll find yourself in dark tunnels with bikers:)

Either way, Colorado Springs is a real joy to visit.  It's a city full of life....human or wildlife.  In fact, it's one of the healthiest cities of the US.  People are out everywhere running, biking, hiking, and whatever else one does to stay fit.  It did get cold here though.....

Steller's Jay-unusual coloring for me, but these are the CO variety

The one thing unusual about this town is the early sunset.  Because of the mountains, everything goes dark early in the afternoon.  And it gets cold!  The weather is unpredictable and when we left, there was a huge snow storm! 

Knowing the fox was nearby, I snuck around one last time to spot this gorgeous creature.  But it was the last time we saw each other again.  I had not expected to get such beautiful closeups of this creature....ever!

During the month of February, I'm going to show some other critters I glimpsed in and around Tucson.  I'm finding that birding stronger has also allowed me to spot so much more than just the feathered critters.  It's incredible how camouflage plays a big role with all of these animals.

And during the month of February, I have some truly marvelous finds for you all. Of course, Ms. Kathie Brown and myself have joined together to find all of the birds in Arizona.  Well maybe not:) But just wait until you see what we turned up on our search around the state of Arizona during our BIG JANUARY!

For now, I'll leave you all with this parting shot of the fox.  Stay tuned for more next week.....

 Bear Creek Nature Preserve

  245 Bear Creek Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80906 

Phone:(719) 520-6387

Everytime I hear the words, White-winged Dove, this song always comes to mind.  In fact I hum the tune to Kathie, but I don't think she knows it.  Stevie Nicks is one of my favorites:)