In The Shadow of Longs Peak
Banner Lakes
23 April 2021 and 24 April 2021
I had seen Banner Lakes, east of Hudson CO, on the map. The SWA website said human powered boats were allowed (and not limited to boating in conjunction with fishing) and I wondered if it would be a place to kayak. It is closed for hunting till mid-February. The area north of the CO 52 is closed for nesting birds till July 15th.
Since the south side is open, I headed out there, taking CO 52 east thru Ft. Lupton then Hudson and about 10 miles further. This is a very pretty drive with good parking at the entrance on the south side of the highway.
The south side has 3 lakes, none really big enough for the sea kayak, though the middle one would work if I were really that gong-ho. I head into the property, passing another visitor who is training her dogs, and turn down to hike between Lakes 3 & 4, crossing the dyke between the two. Both lakes are high. There are a couple of Canada geese lazing that scoot off as I approach. Red Winged black birds are chirping. Other birds too, but I am not able to identify them.
Once across the dyke, I turn south (left) and continue to walk. There are ducks swimming but I cannot get a good enough look to identify them, so continue on, taking photos as I go. Before long, I am at Lake #2 which is low compared to the other two, and is sporting several birds with long beaks! I can see they have a reddish/orangish coloring on their heads and a curled beak to boost. Avocets! There is another bird, also with a long beak, but it is not curled. Back at the car, I look in the book and decide they must be rails.
Unknown to me, I drop my hat somewhere along the trail on the way back to the car, so I drive out again on Sunday. My hat is there on the trail! Woo-hoo! I walk down again to Lake #2 and watch the avocets and rails and take more pictures. Then head home.
Next time I need to see if I can get to Lake #1.