WINTER WILDLIFE VIEWING IN COLORADO
Bighorn Sheep and the Bighorn Sheep Festival in Georgetown (Nov. 14, 2009)
Bighorn sheep, Colorado’s state mammal are commonly seen in areas throughout Colorado during the winter months. Among the many prime viewing areas is the valley where Georgetown sits nestled along a winter-frozen lake. On the edge of the lake, overlooking the valley side is a wildlife viewing station, where on the weekends, Colorado Division of Wildlife-trained guides are on-hand to help you observe these nimble climbers, as well as explain more about their interesting life in the high reaches of the Rocky Mountains. If you can only visit the viewing area one day a year, make it in early November, during Georgetown’s annual Bighorn Sheep Festival. Held in conjunction with the Colorado Division of Wildlife, the festival allows visitors to learn more about one of Colorado’s largest bighorn sheep herds, browse the wares of local artisans and enjoy the chance to see these curly horned creatures scale the nearby mountainsides. For more information on this year’s festival, held on November 14, visit Colorado.com or contact the Colorado Division of Wildlife at Wildlife.state.co.us or by phone at 303-291-7386.
Snow Geese and the High Plains Snow Goose Festival in Lamar (Feb. 19-22, 2009)
Among the most iconic migrating birds in the world are the lesser snow geese. When a flock descends upon their migration stops, they cover the sky with specs of fluttering white and gray. One such spot is found near the eastern Colorado town of Lamar. Thousands of geese, on their way back up to the Canadian Arctic, where they nest, are found on the waterways and riparian areas in and around town. Each year, during the peak of the migration, the town celebrates these birds with the annual High Plains Snow Goose Festival. People from around the world congregate in town to take early morning tours to view the spectacular site of thousands of geese move in unison as they ride the currents and rest in the grassy fields. This year’s event will be held from February 19-22. Guided tours include trips to the best viewing locations, as well as excursions to the town’s other area attractions, including the Madonna of the Trail monument and viewing trips of other native wildlife. For more information on this yearly event, visit Highplainssnowgoose.com.
For more information on wildlife viewing throughout Colorado, visit the Colorado Division of Wildlife’s viewing page at Wildlife.state.co.us.
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