Following my writing workshop at the Rocky Mountain Land Library, I do not return to Colorado Springs directly, but by a circuitous route, which has long become a favorite, as it combines varied landscapes with various nature preserves.
By traveling west on US Highway 24, south on US Highway 285, east on US Highway 160, and north on Interstate 25, I complete a circle and return to our doorstep at the foot of Pikes Peak. To do this 270 mile loop justice, it is best to spend at least two nights, but on this occasion, I am a little pressed for time, and stay out only one. Because I drive until the onset of darkness, and start out again at first light, I opt to sleep in the car in Alamosa’s Walmart Parking Lot, next to campers and trailers, whose drivers don’t want to pay for overnight accommodations either.
Along the way, I sample natural sanctuaries near or in the San Luis Valley, like Russell Lakes State Wildlife Area, Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge, and Blanca Wetlands, as well as Lathrop State Park near the Spanish Peaks, all of which make this birder’s heart sing, and I can’t wait to do it again. Here is a sampling of my favorite impressions and encounters. Thank you for your company.
Nach meinem Schreibseminar an der Rocky Mountain Land Library, kehre ich nicht direkt nach Colorado Springs zurück, sondern über verschlungene Wege, die Zugang zu allerlei Landschaften und Naturschutzgebieten verschaffen.
Indem ich verschiedene Bundesstraßen sowie eine Autobahnstrecke kombiniere, vollende ich einen Kreis, und lande wieder vor unserer Haustür im Schatten von Pikes Peak. Um dieser etwa 430 Kilometer langen Rundreise gerecht zu werden, wären zwei Übernachtungen angemessen, aber bei dieser Gelegenheit habe ich nur für eine Zeit. Da ich bis zum Anbruch der Dunkelheit, und bereits wieder vor Sonnenaufgang unterwegs bin, übernachte ich auf einem Walmart Parkplatz im Auto, neben einer Reihe Wohnmobile und Wohnwagen, deren Fahrer auch kein Geld für eine Übernachtung ausgeben wollen.
Entlang der Strecke beschnuppere ich eine Auswahl an Naturschutzgebieten, die das Herz eines jeden Vogelliebhabers höher schlagen lassen. Es folgt eine Selektion meiner Lieblingseindrücke und –begegnungen. Danke für die Begleitung.
To enlarge a photo, click on it. To read its caption, hover cursor over it.
Zum Vergrößern, das Bild bitte anklicken. Um den Titel zu lesen, mit der Maus darüber schweben.
Definitely worth sleeping in the car to witness sights like these 😃 . Love the reflection on the Blanca Wetlands photo.
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I am glad you agree with my choice of overnight accommodation, Platypus Man. 😊The San Luis Valley, home of Blanca Wetlands, always touches me with astounding views.
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schööööön. 🙂
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Das freut mich sehr, herzlichen Dank!
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gern. ich hab zu danken. 🙂
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Simply stunning! I am happy you could enjoy these views and twice happy you decided to share with us 🙂
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Thank you for your kind echo, dear Takami.
Warmly,
Tanja
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Excellent photos.
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Herzlichen Dank-thank you very much! 😊
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super Fotos, da bekommt man richtig Fernweh. 😉
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❤-lichen Dank, liebe Heike. Aber wenn Du jetzt schon wieder Fernweh hast, so kurz nach Eurer Superreise, dann kann ich nicht so richtig Mitleid haben. 😊
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Your mention of US 160 brought Great Sand Dunes National Park to mind. It seems you didn’t take the turnoff to go there before continuing back around to I-25.
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Very observing, Steve. You are right, I skipped the Sand Dunes during this particular trip due to time constraints. To do them justice, and to climb to the highest dune, one needs at least half a day.
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The avocets are particularly delightful, although the Blanca wetlands panorama is my favorite. I’ve never connected Colorado and wetlands: I suppose because the mountains get more publicity.
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I love avocets, and wish I could have approached them a little more, but they were very protective of their private space.
Many people associate Colorado chiefly with mountains, but more half the state is part of the foothills, Great Plains, or High Desert, with a variety of habitats. The state is a marvel.
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Sehr beeindruckende Bilder, die wahrscheinlich diese nicht so bequeme Übernachtung wert sind!
Viele Grüsse
Christa
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Dankeschön, liebe Christa. Die Unbequemlichkeit habe ich für diese Erlebnisse gern in Kauf genommen.
Bis bald,
Tanja
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Hi. That’s a beautiful sunrise. The bird life must be great at the Alamosa nature area.
Bye till next time!
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Thank you for noticing the sunrise, Neil. That was one of my favorite moments during the entire trip, and the birds liked it, too, as they were singing their hearts out. 😊
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[…] https://tanjabrittonwriter.com/2019/09/04/colorado-impressions/ […]
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I appreciate the link to my post. Thank you kindly, and best wishes.
Tanja 🌸
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Gorgeous compositions, Tanja! I esp. love the Blanca wetlands and glorious Alamosa NWR sunrise captures, wow!
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Thank you, Donna. Those two photos seem to appeal to many of us. I vividly and fondly remember both moments. 🙂
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Great shots, Tanja! 🙂
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I am glad you like them, H.J. Thank you! 🌻
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Wonderful scenery and love the avocets. Some really lovely images, Tanja.
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I am glad you enjoyed Colorado’s scenery, Steve. It is not as verdant and lush as Massachusetts’s, but it continues to take my breath away.
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Gorgeous photos! Thanks for sharing the beautiful landscapes and birds you saw on your trip. I remember car camping at a Walmart parking lot in Nevada many years ago. 😊
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Thank you, Myriam. I guess we have been initiated into the Walmart camping community. I don’t think I will make a habit of it, though. 🙂
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What a lovely way to drive home – the scenic route.
Wonderful photos.
Good to hear you had a safe place to overnight and park. I think that might be asking for trouble here in Australia (sad to say).
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Thank you, Vicki, I am glad I had the opportunity to experience some of my favorite destinations again.
It is quite common for campers to pull into parking lots overnight, and many stores tolerate it. Walmart in particular is known for its “hospitality.” It was my first experience, and I don’t plan to repeat it any time soon. 🙂
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Colorado is stunning! Your posts have made me want to visit it one day, Tanja 🙂
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Thank you, Pooja, I really hope you will be able to visit one of these days. For you, our mountains will be somewhat puny, for everybody else they are tall. 🙂
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the magical Colorado with its famous canyons….
Hi Tanja, have a nice day! 🙂
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You are right, Colorado is famous for its canyons, but it also has a lot of other natural features. I don’t think a single one of my photos shows a canyon! 🙂
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Wonderful to see shots of Colorado that are not usually shown. As a Mainer, I—like many others—picture mountains and arid conditions when I think of Colorado. Well, I learned something new today, and that is always good.
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Thank you, Laurie. Many people don’t realize how varied Colorado’s geography really is.
Thank you for stopping by and for commenting.
Best,
Tanja
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My pleasure!
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This makes me miss home and the mountains 🏔🙂
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I know how it is, JoAnn. I, too, love the mountains, but I miss the ocean, even though I never grew up on it. We can’t have both at the same time, it seems. 🙂
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That is true unless you have the means to have two residences. 🏡🌴
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Good point, JoAnn, but not one that applies to me. ☹ (not really)
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Wunderschöne Eindrücke und Fotos! Das diese Gegend das Herz höher schlagen läßt, glaube ich dir gerne. Die Vögel sind bestimmt auch eine große Freude gewesen 🙂
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Das stimmt, liebe Almuth. Manchmal muß ich mich kneifen, um mich zu versichern, daß ich das wirklich alles sehen und erleben darf. Und die Vögel lassen unter allen Wesen mein Herz am höchsten schlagen, aber das weißt Du ja bereits.
Herzliche Grüße,
Tanja
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Ja, das weiß ich liebe Tanja. Das ist doch wunderbar 🙂 LG, Almuth
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What a great day and beautiful nature pictures!
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It really was, Diane. Thank you for taking the journey with me.
Best,
Tanja
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I enjoyed these photos. These landscapes are so different from mine. Thank you.
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It is nice to learn from one another about the different regions of the world we inhabit. I am always fascinated by your photos and stories from Finland.
Have a pleasant weekend,
Tanja
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Beautiful pictures!
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Was für eine schöne Landschaft und tolle Beobachtungen. Die Säbelschnäbler finde ich ganz herzallerliebst … 🙂
Viele liebe Grüße,
Anna
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Es freut mich, daß Dir meine Rundreise gefallen hat, liebe Anna. Ich bin sehr dankbar, daß uns diese wunderbaren Landschaften jederzeit zugänglich sind.
Alles Gute,
Tanja
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One of my favorites to go to
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I’m glad to hear it. Thank you for your visit and comment.
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