Winter Wildlife Viewing
Bald Eagle
Bald is beautiful, especially when it comes to our national bird. Here in Colorado, you can see this majestic eagle soar through our crystal blue skies and regally nest high atop sturdy trees. Home to roughly 50 nesting pairs, the bald eagle community in Colorado is well represented.
Make a point to look to the treetops when near high-mountain lakes and reservoirs. Larger bodies of water and rivers with ample fish support the voracious appetites of these raptors, as their main diet consists of fish and, at times, carrion.
Viewing Locations:
Bighorn Sheep
Imagine an animal whose horns are as tough as nails, who can withstand sub-zero temperatures and straddle precarious precipices against a mighty wind—all at two miles above sea level. That’s everyday life for the bighorn sheep. As Colorado’s state mammal, bighorn have come to epitomize the state’s majestic beauty. These sheep are versatile and tough, a perfect combination for the varied climate of the Rocky Mountains.
Viewing Locations:
- Brown’s Canyon, along the Arkansas River near Salida
- Georgetown at the Wildlife Viewing Tower
- Apishapa State Wildlife Area, 30 miles east of Walsenburg
Mule Deer
It's a magical moment when you wake up in the early morning, where a fog still clings to the landscape, with a mule deer foraging amongst the snow for dormant grass. Mule deer - with their rope-like tails, evenly forked antlers and perky ears – are the most common type of deer in Colorado. Mule deer bound with a whimsical, stiff-legged gait. Though light and graceful when in motion, they’re coarse-looking fur gives them a more “rugged” appearance than their white-tailed cousins, also prevalent in Colorado. In the winter, when the dueling of the fall rut has finished, large bucks shed their antlers. Antlers are popular collection pieces with outdoor enthusiasts - when on a winter trail, look to the less-traveled areas for a keepsake of your own.
Viewing Locations:
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