2024 Recap
December 23, 2024
Did anyone else feel like 2024 went by in the blink of an eye? It seems like time just goes by faster and faster. I can’t believe we are already at the end of December! Looking back through photo memories to bring you some of my favorite moments reminded me just how much happened this year. Things definitely felt different this year since we spent less time putting up trail cameras and taking trips to the mountains. We did get a LOT of birding in, resulting in me getting just over 100 new bird species for the year (with hopes of adding a couple more on our trip to Wyoming). We also got some new experiences in!
In January, I attended the National Western Stock Show parade for the first time, and it was awesome! Followed by the National Western Stock Show event.
In February, we spent Super Bowl Sunday a.k.a. Superb Owl Sunday at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal, and we saw 6 different great-horned owls! We also went up to Georgetown and did some ice driving on Georgetown Lake. We made a weekend out of it and stayed in Kremmling and put up trail cameras as well. we enjoyed seeing elk mingling with horses and attending a mounted shooting event!
In March, I began my “Wednesday Walk” series with an inaugural walk at Belmar Park. We saw a swan at the lake, a fun and rare sighting! We also attended a mounted shooting event!
In April, we saw a bald eagle hatchling, enjoyed a rare look at a glossy ibis, and celebrated Earth Day in Rocky Mountain National Park with a pair of moose. We also took a trip to Meeker at the end of April and ended up having a ball exploring the area and birding (after our original plans fell through). We also enjoyed the local brewery across from our hotel a couple times ;-)
In May, we attended the Colorado Field Ornithologists convention in Lamar, CO. It was fantastic! I did a “big day” of birding with Denver Audubon and saw a rare Blackpoll Warbler. We ended the month with a mountain trip for Memorial Day and enjoyed lots of moose!
In June, I had the opportunity to photograph a cattle drive in Simla, CO. With the start of summer, the local community garden was starting to bloom, so I enjoyed some quiet afternoons photographing tiny moments.
In July, we traveled up to the Steamboat area to check our trail camera we had left up over the winter. We camped and had lots of bugs, but enjoyed hiking, birding, and exploring. I also finally made it up to the Brainard Lake area for some high country hiking, and enjoyed another rare bird for CO, the white-winged crossbill! We even squeezed in an end of the month trip to the Rawah wilderness and got lucky with a baby moose sighting!
In August, this month was packed with adventure, from hiking to four-wheeling, to birding, being outside was key! I also got to participate in a “portrait slam” where 30+ models and 30+ photographers did mini photo sessions, switching around with each other for a couple hours of fun! We were able to use the trains at the Colorado Railroad Museum for backdrops - it was rad! At the end of August, we got one of the last reservations to take the drive up Mount Blue Sky before it closed until 2026! We saw all the animals! Mountain goats, big horn sheep, BIRDS, plus pikas, and even a WEASEL! It was a real treat!
In September, we took another trip up to the mountains for four-wheeling, enjoyed more hiking adventures, and I volunteered with Denver Audubon several times at their host table. I also attended more bird-banding sessions and got to join the Tuesday Birders! Don got a trip to New York in, and I got to take a trip to Florida. We squeezed in a fall colors road trip on 9/29 and saw some incredible views, as the foliage was peak!
In October, I had my trip to Chico Basin Ranch. Towards the end of the month, I visited the Butterfly Pavilion to see the giant orb weaver spiders!
In November, I added a couple more trips with the Tuesday Birders & Don celebrated his birthday!
In December, I volunteered with Denver Audubon for their inaugural “Wings & Wonder Winter Fest” and celebrated my birthday. We end the month in Wyoming, with snowmobiling and a wildlife tour - can’t wait to share more when we return!
Happy New Year, everyone! Please enjoy some photo highlights from the year below (click on photo to enlarge):
If you made it this far, cool! My goals for 2025 include:
~Seeing 150 new bird species!
~Making 100+ more sales on Etsy and starting to earn a livable wage!
~And getting much more travel in!
~Plus, a lot MORE!
What are your plans or goals for the new year?