What a view...

I have no idea what this Northern Harrier saw while soaring high in the sky, but the view across the lake was simply amazing...

 

Just look at those lightly powdered mountain ranges, deep blue water, and the endless sky above…

...isn't it beautiful? This is one of the reasons I keep returning to Barr Lake even when the leaves are gone and the trees stand bare, making everything look a bit unexciting at first glance. But the mountains and the sky are always a reward. Even before the snow covers the slopes and adds some contrast (click here to see how it looked like just over a month ago - Everybody is flying, swimming or perching), the scenery never disappoints.

And then there are the birds. Different birds. Sometimes they move in flocks, like these Red-winged Blackbirds that swooshed right in front of my face and landed in a tall tree nearby.

Still, I couldn’t take my eyes off the snow-capped peaks far in the distance. I found myself looking toward them again and again as I walked around the lake.

Not everyone enjoys crowd, though. Some prefer a solitary life - like this Northern Harrier (actually it is the same bird we started with). Soaring high above the tallest trees, it scanned the ground for a snack, but had no luck and soon disappeared off to the right.

The lake itself was full of life. Gulls drifted slowly along the shoreline, adding bright accents to the dark blue water.

The trail curved sharply around a small bay where dozens of geese rested before lunch.

Another turn and I spotted this American Kestrel perched high above the ground. The bird clearly felt safe and paid no attention to people on the trail. I watched it for a few minutes, and it never once looked down at me.

Just as I decided to move on, the kestrel lowered its head and looked directly into my eyes. I swear it winked at me before looking away :)

A few more turns down the trail and I stopped to watch a huge gaggle of geese drifting from right to left. Geese are probably the most common birds at Colorado lakes in winter, but sometimes they gather in such massive groups that they cover nearly the entire water surface.

While watching the geese, I spotted another Northern Harrier circling nearby. 

This one was a bit larger and flew higher, lazily gliding through the air while searching for prey. No complaints, I could have watched it all day.

This tree is my favorite. Why, you might ask? First, it’s photogenic. Second, it’s a favorite perch for bald eagles. I often see them resting on its branches. Not this time, though. The tree stood empty, so I took another photo of the tree and moved on toward the geese filling the bay.

I was admiring the mountains once again when everything suddenly changed. Something startled the geese, and they began to take off…

…then more, and more - wings beating loudly as birds filled the air, rising higher and higher.

Within seconds, the entire gang was airborne, surging across the lake in front of me.

Louder and faster, the skein climbed into the sky and disappeared toward the far end of the lake.

It all took less than a minute for birds to leave for good. What a spectacle it was!

Still under impression of what I had just seen, I turned around, and spotted a bald eagle showing me its tail. It had been there all along, so close, but I missed it while watching the geese.

No regrets, though. I still enjoyed watching the eagle glide above the treeline and head toward the mountains.

The lake was suddenly quiet. Not a single goose remained on the water. It looked completely different from just moments before... yet the mountains were as stunning as ever.

At that point, I turned back toward the parking lot. Passing the tall tree again, I noticed another kestrel landing on a branch…

…and just a second later, her partner joined her.

The mating didn’t take long. A few seconds later, the birds exchanged what sounded like a brief conversation before settling down to rest.

Soon after, a flock of starlings dimmed the sky. They moved swiftly and silently from tree to tree, flying in perfect coordination.

Far in the distance, another skein of geese was already approaching the lake.

Yet another flock of starlings caught my attention, and I spent a few minutes following their movement until they vanished.

When the starlings were gone, I looked back at the water - and the geese were back. Not the same gaggle for sure, but just as familiar.

I took one last look at the mountains before leaving the lake. But I know I’ll be back—walking these trails again, watching the peaks, and searching for more birds.

Photos taken on January 03, 2026.