SOUTHEAST COLORADO
Long-billed curlew calling. (SEColorado7498)
Hoodoo rocks are just one of the remarkable examples of geology in the Southeast Colorado region. Umbrella Canyon. (SEColorado3191)
Canyon habitat is typically full of surprises. Deep springs and rain runoff create pockets of water where salamanders and frogs live and provide food for other animals. Southeast Colorado. (SEColorado7235)
Wildflower. (SEColorado7161)
Dinosaur tracks in Picketwire Canyonlands, Southeast, Colorado. (071004-2542)
Mountain plover are a species of concern on the shortgrass prairie, but populations nest successfully in Southeast Colorado. (SEColorado7255)
Pronghorn roam the grasslands of Southeastern Colorado, foraging on grasses, shrubs and cactus. (SEColorado7536)
Old homestead. (SEColorado7040)
Shortgrass prairie - by name - is short in stature, but nevertheless rich in nutrients. When sufficient moisture is available, cattle thrive. (SEColorado7368)
Dinosaur tracks in Picketwire Canyonlands, Southeast, Colorado. (071004-2570)
Homesteading began in the late 1800's, but many families were forced to abandon their land at the onset of the dust bowl era. Pinon Canyon near the Purgatoire River in Southeast Colorado. (SEColorado7041)
These grasslands with Spanish Peaks in the distance are the richest component of Southeast Colorado. Grassland habitat provides the economic base sustaining the region. (070612-0061)
Yucca close-up. (SEColorado7259)
Pinon canyon expansion area. (SEColorado7107a)
Purgatoire River Canyon. (SEColorado7319)
1500 dinosaur tracks in Southeast Colorado are visible in our aerial. The U.S. Forest Service administers this site in Picket Wire Canyon. (Flight courtesy of Lighthawk). (070520-1106)
Grasshopper. (SEColorado0483)
Spotted ground squirrel. (SEColorado7513)
View from the dramatic mesa headlands overlooking the Purgatoire River. It is an excellent example of the range of biodiversity in Southeastern Colorado. (070529-6993)
Virtually unknown due to limited access, the canyon country in Southeast Colorado exhibits dramatic geology and rich riparian habitat. (Flight courtesy of Lighthawk) (SEColorado1088)
Swift fox are a species of concern in Colorado. These residents of the prairie are half the size of the more common red fox. (SEColorado2635)
Canyon areas throughout Southeast Colorado abound with rock art and artifacts, reflecting Native American occupation. (SEColorado2595)
Cactus. (SEColorado0324)
Long-billed curlews are among the species of concern on the prairie. Southeast Colorado may have the greatest density in the state. (SEColorado0411)
Texas horned lizard - Southeast Colorado is located at the boundaries of four major ecosystems, resulting in unusual diversity of reptiles and snakes. (SEColorado6836)
View from the dramatic mesa headlands overlooking the Purgatoire River. It is an excellent example of the range of biodiversity in Southeastern Colorado. (070529-6991)
Long-billed curlew flying. (SEColorado7387)
Snail kite catching crayfish (Rostrhamus sociabilis) in Lower RIo Grande Valley, South Texas. Second only recorded sighting in Texas. (Raptor086)
Southeast Colorado. (SEColorado6540)
Southeast Colorado is subject to severe drought, however, deep winter snows plus heavy spring rains made 2007 an extraordinary year for wildflowers. Pinon Canyon Expansion Area, indian paintbrush and gunnison's mariposa lily. (SEColorado7091)
Wildflowers. (SEColorado7107)
Dinosaur tracks in Picketwire Canyonlands, Southeast, Colorado. (071004-2502)
Purgatoire River Canyon. (SEColorado7268)
Dinosaur tracks in Picketwire Canyonlands, Southeast, Colorado. (071004-2532)
Dinosaur tracks in Picketwire Canyonlands, Southeast, Colorado. (071004-2490)
Dinosaur tracks in Picketwire Canyonlands, Southeast, Colorado. (071004-2567)
