After several prior visits to Zion National Park in Utah, we explored a lesser visited area. Right off I-15 on the west side of the park sits the Kolob Canyons area, while most of the 5 million annual visitors concentrate in Zion Canyon in the center of the park along the Virgin River. Snaking north-south between those two areas is Kolob Canyons Road. Travelling and stopping for hikes along that road mid-week in January, we saw very few other visitors while enjoying the quiet beauty of Zion.
We did see lots of bald eagles.
A couple adults in their bold black and white were soon joined by several juveniles who displayed a range of colors and feather patterns.
Let’s just enjoy them soaring, playing with the Ravens and resting on rocks.
Along with some lyrics from John Denver.
I am the eagle, I live in high country
In rocky cathedrals that reach to the sky
And all those who see me and all who believe in me
Share in the freedom I feel when I fly
Come dance with the west wind and touch on the mountaintops
Sail o’er the canyons and up to the stars
And reach for the heavens and hope for the future
And all that we can be and not what we are
The John Denver Show, The Eagle and the Hawk, 1974