Staunton Park or Lazy Chipmunk Saga ;)

Staunton Park is a great place to spend a few hours hiking and looking for wildlife. Going there, we hoped to see some Abert's Squirrels but... we were not lucky and didn't even catch a glance of them... But I shouldn't complain, because other squirrels were not only there, but were also ready to pose ;)

 

This day was just perfect for a light hike. Not too hot and not windy. Sunny enough with beautiful clouds decorating the sky...

 

American Robin didn't really trust people so it set off a second someone got too close...

The snow ridges were so bright and attractive I couldn't stop looking at them.

But the flowers were already basking in the bright spring sun ;)

Once we reached Davis Pond we met a company of ground squirrels :) Chipmunks are usually fast but curious. They rarely get close, but always stay nearby just in case you drop something tasty. This one was no exception, it was ready to jump and hide between the rocks...

But... others were different. Lying leisurely on the rocks, they didn't pay much attention when I tried to get closer...

This one looked very sleepy (but don't be fooled by their appearance, once you cross some invisible line, they will momentarily disappear from your reach).

Curiously looking at me ;)

Enjoying the sun :)

Yep, eating something juicy...

This one came really close and I heard him talking to me: "Hi stranger... what treat did you bring?" :)

Derived from the Hebrew word for Passover, "pasakh", the common name pasque flower refers to the Easter (Passover) flowering period, in the spring. Common names include pasque flower (or pasqueflower), wind flower, prairie crocus, Easter flower, and meadow anemone. I have always liked this flower, which can be found everywhere in the mountains.

This Chipping Sparrow didn't pose long. It was leaping nearby and looking for something to eat and flew away without a trace ;)

Isn't Pasqueflower just gorgeous?

Western Bluebird is the bird I haven't remembered seeing before. So it was nice to meet one in the forest...

But the forest itself was the best that day... It smelled of pine resin and fresh air... very springy, and everything else was just a bonus ;)

And you know the Red Winged Blackbird, right?

I've always loved taking pictures of the chipmunks, but that was the first time they've posed so lazily ;)  It was a nice photo shoot then.

Click here look at the sunny day in Fall - Short hike in Staunton Park... Fall colors!

or here if you prefer a foggy day ;) - Staunton Park hike... yes, again ;)

Pictures were taken on May 03, 2023.