Last camping trip of the summer. Weather very co-operative. We hiked the trail west from the end of FS 107. What a lush riparian domain! In the first stretch, we encountered a lively mixed flock that included an adult Williamson's Sapsucker, several Golden-crowned Kinglets (getting scarce at this end of the state) and an Olive-sided Flycatcher. Further up the creek we found several MacGillivray's Warblers and an early migrant Wilson's Warbler. Other soon-to-be southbound migrants included Grace's Warbler and Western Tanager.
Dusk found us back at our main camp listening to competing Spotted Owls vocalizing from both sides of the canyon. What a treat to hear these iconic voices of the southern Rockies. Later a Northern Saw-whet Owl was doing a "cat call" for about 20 minutes on the slope above our campsite.
Next morning, activity was brisk with Plumbeous Vireo, Pygmy Nuthatch, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Rufous Hummingbird all present. A nearby burn area added Virginia's Warbler, Blue Grosbeak, Calliope Hummingbird, and numerous Green-tailed Towhees. A special treat was an ongoing pair of Three-toed Woodpeckers, relatively new colonizers to the area following a major forest fire about 4 years ago.