One of the first things we noticed when we moved here was the sign at the neighborhood park that warned of bear sitings. Although, four months later, we haven’t seen any bears, our neighbors have already warned us that they once saw a mountain lion walk across what is now our yard and we’ve seen coyotes & elk in the neighborhood.
This week was a particularly good one for siting wildlife. Gabriel, Lily & I were out playing in the yard (remember the post about the mud-puddle drinking?) when we saw a juvenile bald eagle fly overhead. Since the juveniles are missing the bright white head, I didn’t identify it for what it was until one of its parents followed shortly after. They were only about 20 feet above the roof-top, so we got quite a view and Gabriel immediately identified it as a bald eagle although I’m pretty sure that was the first one he’d seen in the wild.
Then, on the way to preschool this morning, Matt & Gabriel spotted a river otter in the retention pond at the top of our neighborhood (which is about 50 ft from the St. Vrain river). I’m guessing the little guy was digging around for the frogs produced by the hundreds of tadpoles we noticed in the pond this fall. I hope he got a good meal out of it because maybe he’ll be back next time I walk by!!
Although I may be singing a different tune if we get skunked or a deer or elk decimates my new landscape, right now I’m feeling pretty pleased with our decision to move here, and not just because of the wildlife. The Town of Lyons just released its plan for the large undeveloped piece of land at the back of Bohn Park and, despite the rampant criticism, I’m really pleased with it.
It has a zero-depth spray ground for the kiddos, a xeric garden (no, I haven’t yet volunteered to plan, build, or maintain it!), tennis courts (woo hoo!!!!!) and some additional picnic and bathroom facilities. It was already a nice park, with fishing access, a good play ground, and a beautiful river walk, so the only thing they didn’t put in that I was really hoping for was a public pool. Considering that the entire budget for Lyons Parks & Recs is $7,000 per year, it’s no surprise that a pool was out of budget. Although they did leave a plot of undeveloped land at the back…Maybe I should start the Lyons Pool Brigade.
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