I spent this morning above Silver Lake (Brighton) sitting in a talus field watching for picas. These small relatives of rabbits only live in specific altitudes and temperatures and are endangered by global warming. The Silver Lake colony seemed very lively today. I counted at least 5 distinct individuals. They were busy gathering greens to dry in caches for winter. A very fat yellow-bellied marmot  was sunning himself on the rocks as well.

We saw a new bird (well, new to us) today. Our very first red crossbill. Stunningly red with black wings and, of course, a crossed bill. Other birds included 4-5 red tailed hawks, a kestral, a golden eagle who announced himself with a piercing shriek (froze me in my steps), lots of yellow-rumped warblers, mountain chickadees, juncos and a red breasted nuthatch. Oh, and 1 moose. A good wildlife day in Utah's mountains.