Lenticular Clouds

Lenticular clouds can form when stable moist air flows over a mountain or a range of mountains.  The clouds have been mistaken for UFOs because they often have a characteristic lens appearance and smooth saucer-like shape.
In the top photo, elk graze in the foreground as a lenticular cloud forms over Twin Sisters Mountain.  Although I was not near my camera to capture a photo at the time, when the sun started to set this cloud developed a beautiful red color.  The bottom photo shows a lenticular cloud that formed near Long's Peak, as seen from the Bear Lake parking lot.
The first time a flatlander (like me) sees these clouds, it is a pleasant surprise.  The mountains also are excellent generators of rainbows in the summer.  Stay tuned for a rainbow post in a few months (I hope).

That First Sighting of the Divide

When traveling by car from Texas to Colorado, one route is to follow US 87 to meet I-25 in Raton, New Mexico.  After about 800 miles of rolling hills with pines, farmlands, dry plains, tumbleweeds, ranches, and buttes, one tops a hill and there they are--the Rocky Mountains.  It finally feels like one is actually making progress toward the goal of Colorado, although it is still another 6 hours or so to Estes Park.

Of course, on the return trip something of the reverse is true.  My mother told my husband, "every time we would leave Colorado when Lindy was a kid, she would watch the mountains out the back window for as long as she could see them and cry when she couldn't see them anymore."   My husband's response was, "nothing's changed."

Bobcats!

We have often seen bobcats in yards around Estes Park. Everything I read about them says they are solitary and nocturnal, therefore seldom seen. Not so around here. The two pictured here were photographed in a yard (I borrowed the photo from the Estes Park Newspaper).    They seem to be out and about earlier than usual this year due to the warm weather.

The larger, lighter male is on the right. They are the most plentiful wild cat in the U.S. and range across much of the country having adapted to diverse habitats as forests, swamps, deserts, and mountains. They can weigh up to 30 pounds and visually look similar to their larger relative the Canada lynx. The cat is named for its tail, which appears to be cut or "bobbed."

They usually eat rabbits, birds, mice, squirrels, marmots, other smaller game. The bobcat hunts by stealth, and attacks with a leaping pounce that can cover 10 feet. Females will raise a litter of one to six kittens who remain with their mother for up to a year.

As is seen with other wildlife in this area, including deer, elk, bear, and bighorn sheep, they have also adapted to living in the vicinity of humans. Not that they are tame or want to be approached by humans, but they do not seem put off by coming into areas of human habitation (housing areas). It's more like they just tolerate the human homes being there because there is prey that inhabits the yards. The homes in our area have one acre or larger lots, and so are scattered rather than being close together as in surburbia. I know there are lots of squirrels, gophers, rabbits, and mice living in my yard. Maybe I will get my own bobcat visitors soon.

Space Shuttle Remembrance

Here is a link to a movie that was compiled from HD footage taken on 2 Space Shuttle missions.  The cameras were mounted on the two solid rocket boosters:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=2aCOyOvOw5c
This is quite a view of launch, solid rocket booster separation, and the view from the boosters as they fall back to Earth and land in the ocean.  One part that is only visible for a few seconds is that of the Space Shuttle orbiter and tank flying away from the boosters after separation.  The whole thing is is amazing--it amazes me that the cameras could live through it.
I miss my Space Shuttle, can you tell? (but I don't really miss going to work).

Bluebonnet Time

Due to the warm weather and good rainfall that have come early this spring, the wildflowers are popping out a couple of weeks earlier than usual. This is projected to be a good flower year--last year was not, due to the drought and heat.  The Texas State Flower, the bluebonnet, is projected to peak by next weekend in areas where it is prolific, such as Brenham and Washington on the Brazos. Of course the bluebonnets are often mixed with primroses, indian paint brushes, rudbeckia, wine cups, prickly poppies, and verbena for a beautiful mixed bouquet. The flowers are already blooming in the Houston vicinity. Areas a little farther west, such as the Texas hill country may peak a week later than area farther east.   A cool front is expected Tuesday with temps in the 50's to 70's and clear skies for the rest of the week.  Sounds like a good time for a day trip to flower country.

Wind Power

In the past few years, Texas has become a "power seat" for the wind generated power industry.  The windmills in the photo above are just outside Dalhart, which we happened to be passing through right at sunset.  After dark, all you can see are the individual little blinking lights that are on each tower. As we traveled down the road toward New Mexico, it looked like we were passing fields full of fireflies.  It's very dark out there, and those little blinking lights are just everywhere.  Of course, during the day, you can see them all turning.  One thing that surprized me is that they turn much slower than I expected.  

I have noticed many trucks on Texas Interstate Highways carrying the individual turbine blades.  They are much larger than they look after installation way up there in the air.  One blade fills a really long 18-wheeler flatbed trailer.  I read recently that wind turbines in the western half of Texas supply up to 8% of the state's electrical power now.   I have also noticed many of these windmills in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Colorado.

At the Park

The trees are popping out with leaves (and mucho pollen); the redbud trees are blooming.  Things are looking nice and green around the Houston area.  Fortunately, the rains have helped with our drought, and more rain is forecast for the next few days.  This is a really nice time for being outdoors, with daytime temperatures in the 70's.  So there are many outdoor events and festivals now through April and May.  Then the hibernation begins untill Fall.

Garner State Park

 In 1935, the Civilian Conservation Corps began work at Garner State Park.  Located about 90 miles west of San Antonio, Texas, this is what I consider the prettiest part of Texas.  The CCC built many of the park structures in what is sometimes considered "National Park" style--using indigenous materials, in this case limestone and wood.  In the top photo, you can see the dance floor that overlooks the Frio River.  The second photo shows some of the rock vault work that forms the arches of the covered porch.  This building houses a snack bar and gift shop.  There are cabins available that are rented (well in advance) by the Texas State Parks Service, as well an enormous number of campsites with various levels of amenities.

  

Oh yes, there are innertubes for rent also, or bring your own.  The biggest draw here is the clear, cold water of the spring fed Frio River.  The greatest tubing river in Texas--not too wild for little kids unless the water level is high following a rain.  The photo above was taken in the fall when the cypress trees are providing some color.  But in the summer the large trees and cold water are welcome relief from the hot weather.  The elevation here is about 1700 feet, so nights are usually cooler even if the day is scorching--and the humidity is nada!  That in itself is quite a relief to people who drive the 6 hours from Houston for a little Texas vacation.