Catching up

 

It has been a quiet week at the Canal Cottage.   But the weather here has been good, we have things to do,  and I am always grateful for ordinary days. One evening, we had a little  wander around at the nature area down the street from home.   It used to be the nature area next door because we could walk there along  a short path from where we live to the center of the park. 

 

 

The nature area hasn't moved and neither has the Canal Cottage, but  now there's a gate that prevents residents of our snowbird resort from using that path.   (We think it was a management decision due to insurance or legal concerns.)    It isn't safe to walk along the shoulder-less highway to the public entrance, so  now we have to drive there.  Which means we don't go as often.   It's never been the best nature park for seeing birds and animals, so if I have to get in the car anyway, it feels like we might as well go somewhere else.    

That's about it for pictures from the week, so this is a good time to serve up some planned-overs.  (Not left-0vers, because I have always meant to use these before the end of the season.)  Most of them are from our Autumn stay in Colorado, which was so picture-worthy that it is no wonder I'm still blogging about it.

 

 

On one of our mountain drives with our son, we stopped in downtown Ouray.  There is a beautiful koi pond (actually kind of a man-made canal and pond) at the town park.   It was a fun place for a rest-stop.

 

 

Ouray is a charming mountain town that looks like a toy village from the viewpoint above.  The town nestles at the foot of the San Juan Mountains, not too far away from where our son and daughter-in-law live.   

On another day we visited a city park  on land that was donated to the town of Ridgway by the family of Dennis Weaver (Chester in the long-running western series "Gunsmoke" for those old enough to remember.)  The Weaver family had a home in the area.

 

I believe the sculpture below was meant as a memorial to Dennis Weaver.   As the sign says it is a bronze sculpture of the American Bald Eagle.  

 

The Mountain and the sky are real.  But the Eagle is NOT the real thing!  

It really is quite a nice depiction of a soaring Eagle.  And I think the pictures look like it could be a real bird taken with a good zoom lens!  It would be a sub-adult because in the bright Colorado afternoon light, the white head didn't show up well.  If  I were at all inclined to cheat, it sure would be tempting to say I'd finally taken some good flight pictures!!    (But I wouldn't do that. )    By contrast, below are the best flight shots I've ever gotten of the real thing:   

 

 These were from "our" Eagle nest (the one here in Fort Myers Florida) in 2018, the year I stopped by the nest on the very day that one of the Eaglets of that season took its final flight away from the nest.  

 

And finally, one more picture which has nothing to do with anything at all that I've blogged about recently, but that I saved just because:

 

This handsome fellow belongs to a man who helps out at the property where we store our boat while we're away.  He was keeping a close eye on us when we went to bring the boat home last Winter.     Isn't that mask great?  Unsurprisingly, his owner called him "Bandit."  Definitely one of the most interesting random cats I've ever seen!  

 

SHARING these random cats, birds, and wanderings with the following:  Thank you to the hosts. 

MOSAIC MONDAY;  NATURE NOTES;  THROUGH MY LENS;   TRAVEL PHOTO SOUVENIRS;  MY CORNER OF THE WORLD; SIGNS SIGNS; THANKFUL THURSDAY;  SKYWATCH FRIDAY;  FRIDAY  BLISS;  and SATURDAY CRITTERS    

 

Comments

[handmade by amalia]

Oh, lovely photos! Such a nice time of year to be out and about, thanks for taking us along.
Amalia
xo

[DeniseinVA]

That's too bad about the gate but I'm glad you still have access to this beautiful area. Loved all your photos!

[Rain Frances]

Such beautiful photos Sallie! The koi pond is lovely, so colourful! ☺

[Michelle Keltner]

Glad to be catching up with you and I love the eagle statue and Bandit. I am a sucker for a cat :) Thanks for linking up!

[Sharon Wagner]

The cat looks like a cute bandit. I'd give him treats for free. No stealing needed!

[NatureFootstep]

Love the sculpture of the American Bald Eagle. And the cat, a great name for that unusual one. :) I too like coy-fish, quite beautiful ones :)

[Debbie]

lot's to catch up with, the picture of the fish is amazing!! what a beautiful view from the lookout!! how sad about the gate, keeping you out instead of encouraging all to walk around and enjoy the area!!

[Yvonne]

When we lived in Colorado Springs, we drove to Durango in the winter to take the Silverton train trip through the snowy mountains. We drove through Ouray on that trip, and the area is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. You must of enjoyed your trip immensely. What a lovely place for your son to live. Bandit does photograph well with his unusual colorings.

[Beatrice]

I can recall watching Gunsmoke with my family on either Sat or Sun evenings. Those were the days of some great westerns and we watched them all on weekend evenings. The bronze statue was a great tribute by the Weaver family. Too bad that the gate to the nature area probits walking there, but sure you will find other, perhaps better alternatives, even if it does mean driving there.

[Breathtaking]

Hello Sallie, Your own photos of the Bald Eagle are great, and it was lucky that you captured the young one leaving the nest for the last time. The Eagle Statue is so realistic, a beautiful sculpture indeed. I love your capture of the Blue Jay, Koi, and the very pretty Kitty, Bandit.
Enjoy your Sunday.
All the best

[mae]

Privatizing former right-of-ways is one of the most irritating habits of developers! Many of the closures are illegal, but the cost of going to court is horrendous, and even after one wins, the owners often just lock up again. Too bad you can’t get there any more. Even if it’s not as good as others, being right there is always a plus.

best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com

[Eileen]

Hello Sallie,

I do remember the Gunsmoke TV series, love the view of the mountains and the Eagle sculpture. Bandit is a cute kitty, I like his name too. Wonderful photos. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a happy weekend.

[Penelope Notes]

Beautiful markings on that cat with a permanent mask! Gunsmoke has been revived and there are many black and white television shows to see nowadays. Dennis Weaver always did come across as a very decent fellow and his donation to the community certainly proves it. Nice to see.

[Jm, Illinois, U.S.A.]

Greetings and Salutations! Say "hi" to Bandit for me. What a cutie pie.

[Heidrun STALLWANGER]

Bandit is a beauty. 😘

...Time flies like in flight, where are the days gone? I enjoyed reading here - especially the nature around.

And of course, I know the Western Gunsmoke very well. I must smile. It was a TV event in my childhood.

Star well and healthy.

[Amy Franks]

Koi are literally my favourite fish cos they are so colorful, I even have a koi fish tattoo on the back of my neck, sadly they are classed as pests here.

[Alan]

I love Bandit! I bet he is a character.

The eagle sculpture is wonderful. I've never seen one that captured flight so well. What do I know?? Nothing. I saw my first bald eagle in the wild last weekend. Didn't have my good camera so you'll have to take my word for it.

I love the big koi pond.

Take care!!

[Jim, Sydney, Australia]

That's great.

[Peter B,]

Sounds like Bandit has a good life. I love the markings! That's a beautiful fish pond. Something so relaxing about sitting next to a fish pond!

[William Kendall]

Bandit is a grand fella.

[A ShutterBug Explores]

Sally I posted some info about the Ten Pound Island name on my Wordless Wednesday blog if you want to read what info I found.

That beautiful kitty is awesome (love the name ~ it fits) ~ as are your magnificent photography ` Xo

Wishing you love and laughter in your days,

A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

[Jim, Sydney, Australia]

Great post.

[somewhereinireland]

The eagle sculpture is a beauty and so is Bandit. Have a wonderful day, Sallie.

[Bob Bushell]

The Sculpture of Eagle was beautiful and the Cat owner called Bandit, why!!!!!!!!!!!

[Gaelyn]

I LOVE that shot of the koi. Too bad about the gate closure. I remember Gunsmoke. You get good pics of birds. I find them flighty. ;) Sierra agrees, Bandit is a handsome cat.

[ellen b]

I like that...planned overs! You've got some nice ones. That's too bad about the trail being gated off. Hope your new week is going well.

[Juliet (craftygreenpoet)]

The eagle sculpture is beautiful and so are your photos. It's a shame that you can no longer access that nature area by foot. Bandit is a lovely looking cat!

[Michelle Banks]

I would love to visit the mountains although we drive through them on the way to see the grandchildren...I am sorry you can't get to the path easily....Michelle

[Lavender Dreams]

That really is a gorgeous cat! And it's been nice weather here except for a rainy day on Sat...which I didn't really mind. Love seeing your photos from other parts of the country too. I hope we get to travel out West again some day. Enjoy your evening!

[Pat]

Sallie, I fall in love with the San Juan Mountains more and more each time I see them. The first time was when we rented a house in Ridgeway for a few days over the Thanksgiving holiday. Our son was in AZ with his in-laws that year so our daughter's family came with us. We visited Telluride the day before the ski season officially opened and Ouray and drive on the Million Dollar Highway and saw the same "Switzerland of America" sign as you did. There was lots of snow and ice so we had to drive very carefully but it was so beautiful!. Then last fall we visited the other side of the mountains in Lake City. A small and rustic town nestled in the mountains. We can't wait to go back to all the places again!

[Sharon]

Love that eagle sculpture. I'm partial to the Colorado pictures! Thanks for posting.

[Su-sieee! Mac]

Bandit sure is handsome. I think Missy Molly might even swoon if she met him. The eagle sculpture is awesome. It certainly looks real to me. If we ever get to Colorado, I’d like to stop at that Switzerland in America village. Happy Trails, Sallie! :-)

[Lisa]

The American Bald Eagle sculpture is wonderful and the little blue bird in your first mosaic is delightful too. Thanks for sharing your photos.

[Eileen]

Hello,
What a shame, that a gate was put up and prevented your easy walk and access to the nature park. Love the Eagle sculptures and the real Eagles are awesome photos. Cute kitty! Take care, enjoy your day and new week ahead.

[Little Wandering Wren]

Yes, you're right when you can't walkout from the backdoor, you don't go as much! Your Colorado photos are wonderful all that blue sky and dramatic Swiss-like scenery where eagles soar. That masked cat is a star!
Have a lovely

[diane]

A nice collection of random shots. Its a shame you can't access the nature reserve from your resort. That is what I love here is we can walk into the forest at the end of our street.

[Angie]

Sallie - an amazing eagle sculpture. Such talent to capture the perfect motion of this majestic creature in flight! Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday!

[Lorrie Orr]

Too bad the gate was installed. Love the photo of the "toy" village in the valley. Bandit looks like quite a character.

[Sondra]

Oh too bad about the gate closure...people are so hung up on Liability these days...can't there be a sign enter or use this gate at your risk..so simple. The birds are awesome and so it the cat a real beauty.

[Margy]

How long will you stay at Canal Cottage? We will be in Arizona/New Mexico until May 1. It's getting pretty warm here, I think it's warmer than last year. - Margy

[Carol]

Wonderful photos - that is a shame about the gate to the park. They should have make it easier not harder. Love Bandit too!