As the cranes follow their instincts and fly south in autumn, I, too, followed my urge to undertake a brief trip in the same direction. I wanted to lay eyes on them once again during their stopover in Monte Vista, where they refuel their fat stores, before continuing the journey to their wintering grounds. I … Continue reading Blessed Birds
During one’s short stint on our blue planet, some days stand out because of sadness and pain, others for the joy they bring. As humans we are privileged to witness natural phenomena likely to give wing to our imagination. Colorado’s San Luis Valley with its stunning scenery happens to be the stage where, for eons, … Continue reading Birds of Ages
A topographic map of Colorado shows several high mountain valleys. Three of them are called “parks,” from the French trappers' appellation “parques,” because of the plenitude of huntable animals reminiscent of their homeland parks in Europe which were stocked with game. They are aptly named North, Middle, and South Parks. South of South Park, a … Continue reading Colorado’s Famous Valley
Whenever my voyages take me through southern Colorado’s San Luis Valley, I can’t resist the beckoning of Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve. Regardless of the number of previous visits, the beauty of its unique landscape attracts me time and again. This was the case in early April 2016, during my return trip to … Continue reading A Sandy World
The spring and fall migrations of Sandhill Cranes through Colorado’s San Luis Valley count among our state’s most highly anticipated annual spectacles for nature lovers. In March 2011, my family and I witnessed spring migration for the first time during the annual Monte Vista Crane Festival, and I returned for a second visit in 2014. … Continue reading Monte Vista
tanja britton 