Pliers and Prairie Dogs
The Bird Conservancy of the Rockies seek to conserve birds and their habitats in the Rockies and beyond. I had the opportunity to attend one of their educational and bird banding sites Chatfield State Park whilst at World Ranger Congress.
They host a large number of educational groups and give people the opportunity to see birds in the hand and talk about related environmental issues whilst gathering valuable scientific data through bird ringing or banding. When bio-metric data is gathered about a bird and an individually identifying metal ring is fitted to the leg.
Yellow Warbler
Black-headed Grosbeak
Red-winged Blackbird
Barn Swallow
After the bird ringing demonstration we had the opportunity to travel around the local area in search of more wildlife.
Two of the highlights were a family of Black-tailed Prairie Dogs and some Yellow Headed Blackbirds. Click thumbnails for larger images.
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Rocky Mountain NP
In June I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to attend the International Ranger Federations World Ranger Congress at Estes Park on the Edge of Rocky Mountain National Park. As well as there being over 300 rangers from over 60 different countries there was also abundant wildlife, below are a selection of some of the wildlife I saw in and around Estes Park.
Entering the park
Looking towards the mountains
Broad Tailed Hummingbird
Broad Tailed Hummingbird feeding
Broad Tailed Hummingbird feeding
Golden-mantle Ground Squirrel
Golden-mantle Ground Squirrel
House Wren
Western Gray Squirrel
Western Gray Squirrel
Least Chipmunk
Albarracin cont.
Back in happier times when the EU was still thought to be as solid and reliable as the US electoral system
A journey continued in the lost world..
a beautiful town was found..
nestled among the hills..
a journey into the town…
with an aim to get a handle on the situation…
led to an uncomfortable love of the camera.
Going back to the black and white world of climbing…
which was found to be awfully cold…
this world of climbing led to confusion…
as men flew…
and danced…
their way under rooves…
seeking to go…
ever onwards…
and upwards…
to reach the heights of their reptilian overlords…
with those unable to climb feeling despondent left on the ground.
Oaken Bank Fire
In May some thoughtless individuals had and a BBQ in one of the nicest areas of the Peak District, this BBQ then set fire to approximately 100 acres of moorland and woodland, some of which had been regenerating for around 20 years. The photos below show some of the damage as it was the day after the fire had been successfully put out by a large number of dedicated Rangers, Firemen and Gamekeepers.
Once a wildlife haven
The path to dantes inferno
High tide mark
Tracks preserved among the flames
Rangers survey the damage
Eggs destroyed by the blaze
Smoldering ant hill
An island in the soot
Panorama of destruction
Albarraspring part I
In March of the year 2016 3 intrepid acquaintances traveled across the EU whilst they were still able to move with the possibly soon to be destroyed utopian ease of the Schengen agreement. The images below chronicle the first part of their journey which included; joy, despair, hope, probably exiled mafiosi, inanity and large amounts of cheap Spanish wine.
Alex displaying characteristic British technique on Spiderpig
Anonymous Euro powering through Spiderpig
Renegade bands of climbers leave cairns along safe paths…
with surprising levels of finesse
A night on the tiles can be unsettling…
with sinister individuals such as this man…
and his partner
Noguera’s answer to the aristocats
Alex on a classic Climbing Works style contortion problem
Which left his spine feeling tenderly exposed!
Jon prevails through the contortion…
To the glory jug
The door through to part II
Part II coming soon
The Real Fat shady
It’s the return of the, “Ah, wait, no way, you’re kidding. He didn’t just say what I think he did, did he?”
Jon Wells makes a return to rock climbing after a month of revision hibernation and eating cookies!
Photos below are of him on the 7A+ roof problem at Crag-x.
Moving out from the back of the cave
Eyeing up the lip
Bustin’ a move to the lip.
Techno prisoners
Bob Hickish did a new route called Techno Prisoners at Chee Dale Cornice the other day, it starts up Kristian Clemmows 8b Gran Techo, which looks like some of the best roof climbing in the peak! Techno Prisoners then continues straight up the headwall via some big spans.
Sadly the light wasn’t great as it was getting dark, but I managed a few reasonable shots.
Stretched out, high on the headwall (click to enlarge)
The crux move
Pressing out left.
Quality Control
A selection of photos of Quality Control F7a at Chee Dale Two Tier.
Emma Hanna in the lower crux
Emma approaching easier ground
Tim Hill wishing he was at Gogarth
Chee Dale looking very green (click for larger version)
more Dws action
Some more DWS photos from Dorset, all these were taken on Portland at Cave Hole.
Oli Hill on Ixtalan F6a (click for larger version)
Adam Bailes on the 3* Russian Roulette F6b+
Theo Elmer on Russian Roulette F6b+
Gus Hudgins on Russian Roulette F6b+
Spectating
Chris Barr on the classic Octopus Weed F6c
Obscene Toilet
Chris Barr on Obscene Toilet 7c at Ravens Tor
Setting off up the lower wall
Moving into the crux
Mid-Crux
The Free Monster
The Cornices are drying; then getting damp; then drying again! Mark Tomlinson on The Free Monster at WCJ Cornice.
Setting up for the crux
The crux move
And again, but wider (links to larger copy).
Lulworth
Some DWS shots from Lulworth Cove, Dorset.
Bob Hickish cutting loose on Mark of the Beast (click for large copy)
Adam Bailes off Mark of the Beast
Adam Bailes, splash down off Mark of the Beast
Bob Hickish shaking out lowdown on Adrenochrome
The Thumb
Bob Hickish on one of the best lines at Kilnsey and also its first 8a, ‘The Thumb’
Click For large copy
The Boltest
Adam Bailes and Bob Hickish attempting the classic 7c ‘The Boltest’ at Long Tor Quarry. A quality little north facing sport venue opposite High Tor.
More action at crag-x
The lime has been called! To celebrate a few photos from my favourite limestone bouldering crag.
Adam Bailes on Cherokee Lane 7B
Bob Hickish on the classic ZIppys Trav. 7A+
The roll over move on Zippys Trav.
Seans Problem
Steve Franklin despatching Seans Problem SS 7C+ at Crag-x, both pictures link to a larger copy.
China in your hands
A few shots of Steve Franklin and Andy Benson on China In Your Hands 7B+ at Gardoms South
Stanage
A rest day and nice sunny weather gave me the chance to take some photos of some trad climbs at Stanage.
Bob and Chris on Tower Face Direct E2 5b:
What every good photo position needs; a sandwich ledge
Bob about to set off on Scuppered E4 6a
Bob attempting to get to grips with the arete
I also got a chance to take the ‘must have’ Captain Hook 7B shot
Bits and pieces
a few pictures various locations, trad at stanage and various bouldering will be coming soon.
Bob on the top of Dick Williams 7B+ Secret Garden
Chris on Pinches wall
Mark on pinches wall
Ben throwing down some laps on Rockattrocity 7C
So I’ve Been a bit lazy!
Its been a long time since the last post. I’ve finally managed to use all the free time I have and put some up!
A days tradding at Curbar:
Bob getting stuck into Hercules E1 5a
Resting on Elder Crack E2 5b (click for larger size)
Jon on…..
……and off of Moonwalk E4 6a (click for larger size)
Secret Garden
The rain has finally stopped and it possible to get out climbing again!
In a break from revision a few of us went out to Secret Garden to have some fun sliding off the big sloping steps!
Jon on the classic Beach Ball
…. and gurning hard on the top holds
Adam Bailes on an unnamed 6C
Arty slopers shot
Arty Bryophyte spp. picture
Another arty Bryophyte spp. picture.
New years grit
A couple of shots from my first days out on the grit in 2011.
Mark Tomlinson on Marks Roof, Gardoms
Steve Franklin testing out the poor conditions on Famous Grouse, Burbage West
Chris Lockyer 