Welcome to this week’s edition of Nature Friday where we join our friends from at Adventures of the LLB Gang. Be sure to check out what others shared for their Nature Friday blog hop. As you can see, I’m getting more used to doing these parkour poses for Mum. This is a huge log that’s pretty slippery so I had to hang on tight so as not to slip down while patiently wait for Mum to fumble take the pic. Umm, hurry up, Mum!
We have a little something different this week highlighting what the Colorado Department of Transportation Department (CDOT), working together with the Federal Highway Administration recently accomplished by opening the largest wildlife overpass crossing in North America on a stretch of I-25 between Larkspur and Monument, Colorado along a heavily used stretch area where wildlife crossings often collide with the heavy traveled north/south highway. At 200 feet wide and 209 feet long, with wide gradually sloped entrances, it should be easy and inviting for wildlife to use. The location connects wildlife corridors while preserving open space with good proximity to water and is known for heavy movement of large game. Wildlife tend to avoid tunnels, so this overpass is a better solution when keeping both large game and drivers safe.
The overpass spans six lanes of interstate traffic and connects 39,000 acres of habitat on both sides of I-25. This overpass should decrease the number of wildlife/vehicle collisions by 90% and provide a vital and safe connection for large game to cross I-25 in their natural habitat.
Wilson: When Mum first heard about the completion in mid-December, she became very excited, after having been in a car that was hit by a deer a few years back. It’s never pretty when wildlife and cars collide and too often results in fatalities for both people and wildlife. This project was one of 19 wildlife crossings in the U.S. Department of Transportation has help fund nationwide. Pretty cool stuff.
The Mum: Glad you liked it, House Pony. What a great way to save large wildlife and keep drivers from colliding with them. I just thought it was a very innovative way to keep both wildlife and humans safe.
Wilson: I love it when humans and animals can live in harmony. So, it looks like Nature heard your request for some snow. We have a good 4-5 inches and it continues to accumulate. I don’t have to go out in it, right Mum?
The Mum: Oh my gosh, you’re such a fair weather dog! Never fear, it should stop snowing later this morning and then we can carry on.
Wilson: Whew. Well that’s good to know. So this week we saw the Wolf Moon which was the first super moon of 2026. With the neighborhood being so quiet, it was almost eerie at sunset, especially since we been hearing more and more wildlife sounds at night. This week alone, we heard owls hooting and a bobcat’s screams.
The Mum: It was even cool watching it in the early morning hours against the backdrop against the foothills.
Wilson: The moon was fun to watch this week as we’ve enjoyed some pretty sunrises. The sky has been quite colorful.
The Mum: Mornings have been quite awe-inspiring. It’s been fun watching you check things out. I’ve begun to wonder if you aren’t part Bloodhound.
Wilson: The sniffs are just so doggone interesting. I’m completely enthralled at all the new, fascinating smells.
The Mum: You’ve been investigating grasses and logs like a detective. It’s exciting to see you learning about all that’s going on along our walks. Sniffing is a good exercise for your mind and the more engaged you are, the more relaxed you are. Did you see that coyote on the golf course late yesterday afternoon?
Wilson: Nope, I was too busy watching the hundreds of Canadian Geese while they were resting on the green.
The Mum: I think he was watching them as well. It was chilly day and they were resting near Hole #9. I think he might have been sizing up any weak ones for a bit of dinner. He didn’t stay in view long enough for me to grab a quick pic, but I’m going to try to be better prepared for the next time we walk through that area. I know a lot of people, especially small dog owners are afraid of them and will go to great lengths to keep their little fur babies safe. I don’t think you lived with me yet when a friend and I saw this little guy in Westminster when visiting a friend who works with the rescue a couple of years ago and we came across this little guy with his mum. I thought that anti-coyote jacket was wild. It seemed to be just perfect for that little guy who seemed to be having a bad hair day.
Wilson: Wait, people dress their dogs up like that? Poor little guy. Kinda feel badly for him.
The Mum: That lady was pretty adamant about having those jackets for her two little guys. I think if I were that afraid of my dogs getting snatched by a coyote in the city, I might find a different neighborhood to safely walk my pups and avoid the lake where she was walking hers, but to each his (or her) own.
Wilson: Well that’s about it for us this week. We’ve got lots to do in the house today and probably better get cracking at it. Looks like the snow has stopped and I can see a patch or two of blue sky so we best get rolling. We hope you have a terrific weekend and are able to enjoy the first weekend of the football playoffs and have enough time to get out and see what Nature provides. Right now, I need to get ‘back to work.’
Live, love, bark! 🐾
What a great and necessary gift to humans and their four legged friends! That overpass is such a great idea!
As for the goodest, handsomest boy . . he’s just amazing is what he is.
That engineering marvel is gonna do some real good work for both critters and peeps. And that seems to be the best part of that whole project. Win-win for everyone.
Wilson is settling in nicely in the new community. I love watching him revel in nature.
We need more win-wins, we really really do.
He’s a reveler, he’s a learner, he’s . . wait for it . . the goodest, handsomest boy!
💙
That overpass issss a werk of art an engineerin fore sure Wilson an Miss Monika!! Well dun Colorado Department of Transportation Department (CDOT) an Federal Highway Administration> Amazin what guud can appen when peepss get twotgether to werk on a purroject!!
So THE Moon WAS a Supurr Moon Miss Monika? Wee thott it was butt cudd foind NO innfo…
Wishin you both a guud week there..
~~~head rubss~~~BellaDharma~~~ an ((hugss)) BellaSita Mum
Thanks. We thought so too. Here’s a little info on the Wolf Moon. Enjoy. https://www.almanac.com/content/full-moon-january
We just love the idea of a wildlife crossing over I 25, now if they could just do something about the Denver traffic BOL!
Lovely sights today!
xoxo,
Rosy, Sunny and Beth
Thank you, Beth. Baby steps, Grasshopper! LOL But yeah, I’m hoping. There’s an article in the newspaper that said more are leaving than coming to Colorado. Maybe growth will slow down and traffic become less onerous. 🤞🏼 Hope your knee is feeling better.
Wilson! Your blog doesn’t come into my email when you blog, so I have missed you for a little while. Good to find you. I was visiting Teddy and saw you were there as well. Gorgeous pictures! And the Wildlife Overpass is absolute riches for all the animals who can pass safely!
Sorry you have missed a few posts. Although in all fairness, we did take a few weeks off when we moved. There’s a spot on the right side where you can subscribe for email notifications if you choose. I could never make the reader work well enough for me and offer emails or follows if more convenient. Thanks from stopping by-we appreciate it!
That wildlife overpass is truly brilliant. I hope it saves loads of large game as well as drivers. Have a super week, Carole!
Hi Wilson and Mum
What a beautiful Nature Friday in Colorado. We visited your beautiful state in 2017.
Just gorgeous….
I have never seen a dog harness with spikes…wow I guess it would work to save the pup from being snatched by predators but it is scary.
Hugs cecilia
Thanks, Cecilia for your very kind comment. Glad you were able to see our state-it’s got an amazing array of beauty-everything but the ocean.
That anti-coyote harness on such a little dog was truly a sight to behold. My friend and I were shocked. Still we couldn’t imagine walking in an area where there might be such potential danger when they could have avoided it by walking on neighborhood sidewalks. To each his own, I guess.
Thanks again for swinging by. We 💙 visitors.
Lulu: “Those wildlife overpasses are such a great idea! And I don’t blame the animals for avoiding underpasses. I would too after watching that old movie ‘Absentia’ with Dada.”
Java Bean: “Ayyy, that little dog looks like he just came from the punk rock show! I wonder who he went to see!”
Thanks guys. We thought the wildlife overpasses were absolutely brilliant.
Punk rock show indeed! Ha. You guys are too funny. Here’s hoping the rest of the weekend is pawsome!
Those skies are amazing! It sounds like your neighborhood is most exciting, as far as wildlife is concerned.
Thank you. Some mornings the sky looks like it’s on fire. I love it. We’re enjoying the neighborhood so far. Hope the rest of your weekend is as amazing as our sunrises!
Wilson, that wildlife crossing is one of the smartest things I’ve seen in ages. A great idea has come to pass with that overpass. Glad you have a lot of things to sniff out, including those wonderful skies. Your Mum has a nose for taking great shots, and those are beautiful indeed. We had some looks at that Wolf Moon here before the clouds rolled in. You had your snow. We’re having our rain. We can use it, and with temps in the 40s, I am sure our wildlife is appreciating the mini-break from Winter. You guys have a great weekend…and don’t work too hard!😉
Thanks, Bruce-you’re too kind. Nature presents itself, I just document it. 😊
We think those wildlife overpasses are simply brilliant. Have an awesome weekend. It’s been crisp morning today (in the teens) but 50’sF are returning tomorrow for several days. A little moisture from the snow and then 50’s…I’ll take it in January!
That overpass is really important for wildlife. Here is lots of car accidents with elks, deer, foxes and other animals and those overpasses could prevent both humans and animals.
The same here. So many animals and people as humans could be saved as humans continue to encroach on habitat.
Happy New Year dear Wilson and Monika. Hope you have a great year ahead. Loved reading about the overpass that gives wildlife the ability to cross without fear of being hit by vehicles. The pictures of the moon and the sky look stunning. I have never seen a coyote ….😄 only in pictures.
Happy New Year, dear Nimi! We send our best wishes for a year that filled with peace, joy and good health.
We absolutely loved the wildlife overpass-such a brilliant idea that will help both wildlife and drivers.
I so hope I can capture a pictures of a coyote or the neighborhood bobcat. I’ll keep my eyes pealed for sightings and will definitely share. How you and your family are well and happy. So good to hear from you. Hugs and tail wiggles from me and Wilson.
Thank you, dear Monika and Wilson, for your wishes. Received the hugs and tail wiggles 💕💕 and sending you big hugs. We are all well, thank you! We had a lot of family visiting over the holidays, so it was a very special time indeed 💕💕 I will await your pics of the coyote and bobcat whenever you manage to capture them. Stay blessed 💕💕
I feel bad for that dog too. Wildlife ramps are a great idea. I often see deer that have been hit along the turnpike.
The ‘look’ of that little dog was more than ridiculous. As more and more people move to the state of enjoy the lifestyle, the more wildlife is endangered and more fatalities occur in drivers. I hope with the addition of this enormous one, we can save more of both.Have a wonderful weekend.
All sorts of wonderful things in this week’s post. The overpass- magnificent. The anti-coyote coat- total hoot. Glorious photos as always. I’m glad Wilson is having fun exploring his new home turf too. Have a great weekend.
Thanks so much for the kind comments. You’re too kind. I was blown away by the overpass. Such a brilliant idea for all. Here’s hoping you have a fantastic weekend!
Wow, the temperature really plunged in a hurry there. It rained so much today we would have had that much snow too if it was cold. It was around 60 all day, though. (Not complaining!)
Chia: that dog…what’s sticking up on his head?
Xena: His hair. And he’s all yeasty, too. You can tell cause of all the red on his face.
Lucy: He needs Groomer Mom!
Mom Amy again: I actually think that’s a cool idea to coyote proof your dog, Although they probably wouldn’t come after the dog when it’s with its person. I’ve worried about hawks tryng to grab my little ones.
Extreme changes seem to be coming more and more common any more. I actually had to bundle up in a heavy coat and ski gloves to keep my fingers from freezing. It’s 19F currently and it was a quick early morning potty break for Wilson. Thank goodness!
I can understand how that coyote gear might be a practical idea but still think if your dog is in danger, it’s probably best not to leave them unattended, and especially avoid walking i coyote habitat. I’ve never seen a coyote come around when there were people with their pets.
So happy to hear about that crossing. I can’t wait to see it filled with wildlife.
Wilson has red around his eye? Or nothing? Hope it’s nothing.
It’s his natural coloring. A lot of white headed dogs are pinkish around their eyes. He’s very much in good health. But thanks for checking.
Glad you don’t have to wear one of those funky contraptions, Wilson! 😀
I love these new wildlife corridors, a win-win for humans and wildlife. I read about one that is located east of LA where cougars are now safer. And FL panthers (and probably gators) now have super wide underpasses to cross their territory.
Have a great weekend!
The mere thought of seering Wilson in one of those ridiculous contraptions just makes me giggle uncontrollably. With the population growing along the Front Ranch, these wildlife corridors make so much sense. We hope you have a terrific weekend!
Wow, the overpass is a great idea! Keeps animals and folks safe. I also love your sunset pics!
Many thanks, Dorothy. With our population constantly increasing projects like that make such good sense. There are way too many fatalities of wildlife and humans as habitat shrinks. We hope more get built to keep everyone safe. Have a wonderful weekend!
I love the idea of an overpass for wildlife. That is a perfect solution. When we lived on the Coast the dunes were filled with coyotes. So many little dogs were taken, even though there were signs warning folks not to walk their dogs there. Beautiful photos, Monika.
Many thanks, John. Not having little dogs, I guess I can understand. But if it’s that dangerous, I think maybe they should consider another route walking their dogs.
We sure could have used an overpass in Texas when a deer hit our car. Luckily we weren’t driving that fast (I guess there’s a good reason to travel on the FM roadways) but when it hit us it sounded like a bomb went off. The door was rather buggered up and wouldn’t open all the way but the fact that it was just around dusk, we got off fairly easily, all things considered. Have a wonderful weekend, John.
Great news about the overpass! And those sunrise photographs!
Thanks, Helen. Glad you liked our sunrise pics. That light blasts through the windows and I’m blown away with the color! Hope you have a ‘colorful’ weekend.
I’ve seem wildlife overpasses like that in New Jersey. Very cool!
Thanks, Kate. They truly are something to marvel at. This one is absolutely massive. Have a great weekend.
Such beautiful photographs of the sunrises and the wolf moon Monika and what a fabulous wildlife overpass! Wishing you and sweet Wilson a wonderful weekend 🤗❤️🐾 xxx
Thanks so much, Xenia. The moon was impressive, even with my cell phone camera. Wioshing you a ‘furbulous’ weekend!
That little dog looks like it has a lot of character, but I would be afraid that I would step on it or something. No question with Chester or Wilson! I love that wildlife overpass. Let us know how it works. Once they figure out what it is. It’s a cool idea
Umm, lots of character…is that the same thing as being an annoying nervous little thing (and he was pretty small too-my friend said he reminded her of a little bug)? I know, that was mean, but it’s no wonder with his helicopter mom who wanted to eradicate all wild critters that called the lake area their home.
Those overpasses work well. There are sloping banks for them to walk up/down and they have seemed to figure it out easily with other overpasses. Wildlife is suspicious of tunnels but the overhead design works better keeping them and peeps safe.
WOW! What great photos……that wildlife crossing is AMAZING and what a wonderful way to keep wildlife AND traffic safer…….that photo is also amazing for the wide open spaces. It’s nice to know there still ARE places like that without high rises, big polluted cities, etc. I have to admit that jacket the little pup has on looks crazy but it would totally discourage any big dangerous critter from picking him up!! Wilson, you hugging that big old log is a cool shot – you look like you kinda like climbing that thing!
Hugs, Pam and Teddy
Thanks, Pam and Teddy. Wilson is a pleaser so teaching him about parkour has been fun. I hope he enjoys it…beyond all the treats. LOL
Yes, we love the wildlife crossings. That stretch along a major north/south corridor is so jammed with traffic anymore and it’s critical to keep critters and peeps safe. We hope it saves lives for everyone.
My friend and i practically howled when we saw that coyote harness. It had to weigh more than the little dog! Have a ‘furbulous’ weekend! The sun has come out now and if if it’s on the cool side, we’re ready to hit the trail.
First off, I love that picture of Wilson hanging onto the log. I also love the idea of a wildlife crossing. We ended up last summer with a bear trapped in a grassy area between the north and south on-ramps to I-91. The ramps are at the end of another highway, and no one was sure how the bear got there. It took forever for CT-DEP to remove him to safety. Good luck getting everything done. Wilson, be careful not to overdo it 😉
You’re very kind, thanks. He’s still in the learning stage but gets better with each training session. He doesn’t even need to be coaxed like he did at first. He’s a smart boy and is improving all the time once he knows what he’s supposed to do. Isn’t I-91 is a fairly busy highway-that bear must have had an angel watching out for him! Have a great weekend, Dan.
I-91 is busy, and the highway ramps he was caught between is the road to the airport. He was very lucky. There was also a moose trapped there, later in the summer. I’m not sure where they need to put better fences, but something isn’t right.
With that kind of traffic (as in hoofs) it would make sense to install something in your area to keep both wildlife and drivers safe. No one wins when they meet up.
The problem here is a dramatic increase in development around that interchange. The land around there used to be tobacco fields. Now it’s mostly warehouses. The proximity of the airport and the highways (I-91 is 5 miles from I-84 and 5 mils from I-90).
Those critter crossings are wonderful, they should be everywhere! Keep on having fun Wilson!!!
Aren’t they brilliant? Sure wish they’d had them in Texas when I went down to visit my sister. Have a great weekend, Terry.
That moon was beautiful! How nice to see those wildlife ‘ramps’. Wish we had those here in Michigan, as the deer and other wildlife are in danger so often.
Right now we are warmish at 42F, but by Sunday we’ll be back into winter along with snow.
Thanks! We hit a deer (or rather a deer ran into us) when we were driving in Texas at dusk. We ere lucky we weren’t going too fast. When I owned a MG Midget, my greatest fear was hitting a deer whenever I drove to my parents house. That little car have been squashed for sure. I hope more rural areas with wildlife can partner with the feds to fix that problem.
It’s going to be cold today (if we’re lucky we might reach freezing) but it’ll get back into the 50’s all next week. Have a safe and happy weekend!
That little fellow in the coyote vest is the cutest!! I heard bobcats (cougars?) when I lived out there too. Also found some interesting, um, “meal remains” in the backyard.
What I found online (if you believe all that you read 🤣), at least in the area where I’m at, bobcat are more likely than cougars. Cougars (i.e. mountain lions) typically are more elusive but I guess it’s always possible. I can’t believe Jefco could create wildlife habitat along the trail if there were cougars around but stranger things have happened, right? 😉 When I lived in the Highlands, coyote sightings were not uncommon before it became too over developed and congested. I once disposed of a disemboweled outdoor cat that my neighbor who lived across the street, simply couldn’t deal with. I felt so badly for her-she feed that kitty & tried to capture it but her efforts were never rewarded. Outdoor cats live a rough life on the streets. Hope you have a great weekend.
We totally missed the moon as it has been too cloudy to see much of anything in the dark. This morning Mom and I were followed by a fox which hasn’t happened in a long time since the area has been so built up. It was kind of fun. It was walking right down our residential street. As for that small dog, we feel terrible. No one wants to lose a dog to a wild animal but having to go out like that is not nice either. Poor little one. Have a good weekend!
Yeah, it was embarrassing to see that little guy. The lady was a bit zealous and my friend and I thought if it’s that scary, why not walk on the sidewalk around the neighborhood. People just over-react.
The foxes in our old neighborhood were pretty shy and generally avoided close contact (probably because I saw them was when I was walking the dogs). I loved seeing them play in our yard in the middle of the night from the bedroom window and hope I can see more wildlife in the new neighborhood. Have a lovely weekend.