Just east of Canon City

I enjoyed listening to two American Dippers singing during my fitness walking just east of Canon City yesterday and today. A Marsh Wren scolded me briefly yesterday.

There is still a female Common Merganser in the canal that has been there for some weeks. I always turn around before the end of the road in order to avoid flushing her as her presence in this location makes me wonder if she is injured. Today I apparently walked past her as I encountered her on my return trip. She must have been resting along the edge of the canal as I would have seen her if she had been swimming as she usually does. I could not avoid walking past her as it was my only way back so I walked as far to the opposite edge of the road as I could and covered my eyes in hopes she would be less threatened. Even so, I was only 25-30 feet from her as I walked by but she did not flush. This is very unusual in my experience as I have found Common Mergansers intolerant of close human presence.

I believe that all creatures deserve consideration, which is just an extension of the Golden Rule.
SeEtta