Cicada Larva on Lower Monument Canyon Trail

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We found this cicada larva walking across the Lower Monument Canyon Trail on June 14th, 2014. We placed it in a bush nearby. Below are a couple of pics and a video.

Cicada Larva Video

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Bighorn Sheep - Lower Monument Canyon Trail

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We hiked the Lower Monument Canyon Trail on June 14th, 2014. We saw 2 groups of bighorn sheep (pics and video below). The first group had about 14 individuals. The second group had at least 10.

The sign at the trail-head.

Petroglyphs on the trail hint at what is to come.

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View of Independence Monument from the trail.

Looking back towards Grand Junction.

Mt. Garfield and Grand Mesa are in the background.
There are people on the trail near the middle of this photo.

 To give an idea of scale, now we're closer in.

Look for the people on the trail in the lower right hand corner.

 And closer still. Now those folks are on the bottom left.
A second group is walking in a line near the center higher up.

Closer still.

Bottom right corner again. Mt. Garfield in the distance.

And then the bighorn sheep appeared.

Video # 1 of the first group of bighorn sheep.

Video # 2 of the second group.

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Lizards on the Lower Monument Canyon Trail - June 14th, 2014

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Find the collared lizard.

Here he is.

The collared lizards in the Colorado National Monument
have such amazing coloring. It is always a treat to see them.

A second lizard.

And a third.

Very well camouflaged.

Later in the morning. Siesta time.

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Colorado National Monument on Horseback

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We went on a sunset horseback ride with Rimrock Adventures in Fruita. The scenery was fantastic, and our guide was friendly, with a great sense of humor. Here are some pictures:

Left click on this pic.

This was our guide Bo's horse Princess.

Looking off in the direction that we would head out.

There were seven of us altogether.

Early view of the monument.

The remains of an old structure along the trail.

The sunset gave us a good show.

Our guide Bo was great. He told lots of stories and jokes, 

while helping everyone feel very comfortable on their horses.

Telling us the scenery is about to change from great to awesome.

A nice view of the moon over the monument.

A short video from the ride.

Looking towards Grand Junction, Mt. Garfield, and the Grand Mesa.

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Collared Lizard on Serpent's Trail

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We spotted this yellow headed collared lizard today along Serpent's Trail on the Colorado National Monument near Grand Junction, Colorado this afternoon.

Yellow headed collared lizard looking out towards the Bookcliffs.

Short video of the view above.

Yellow headed collared lizard with
Colorado National Monument in the background.

Yellow headed collared lizard on Serpent's Trail.

Yellow headed collared lizard. Fabulous colors!

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