My day at Barr Lake

I got the great pleasure of being able to visit Barr Lake by Brighton, Colorado. https://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/barrlake 

Little did I know that it was a huge refuge for birds. As I was driving up to the main park entrance I saw an unknown hawk circling in the air. I was excited to potentially get some great shots of some birds as I visited the park. There are two main areas to park. One is at the boat ramp area and the other is where the visiting center is. There is a trail that completely encircles the lake. It is 9 miles around and great for walking and biking. When you start on the trail by the visitor center, they have placards that tell you about the local wildlife and what to look for. There are also benches every so often so you can sit and just enjoy nature. Barr Lake is a source of water for local agriculture. I do know that the company that controls the water has an agreement that they take the water in the lake only so far down. 

Bald Eagles

There is a huge gazebo at the southern end of the lake at the end of an elevated walking path that takes you a bit into the lake. This is very popular in winter as professional photographers go there to get some awesome photographs of bald eagles fishing from holes in the ice. There is a nest for a pair of bald eagles a bit away from the gazebo. I saw one of that pair while taking a ride with a park volunteer around the southern end of the lake. I also have seen a juvenile bald eagle near the northern end of the lake between the boat ramp area and the dam. 

Hawks

I have seen several hawks at and around the lake. I believe they are swainson’s hawks. I saw several both on my way to and from Barr Lake, and while I was walking around the lake. Not a hawk, but I also saw an American kestrel. 

Other Birds

While visiting I saw many other birds. Of course there were many geese on the water. I also saw many pelicans floating on the water and hunting for fish. I saw several egrets and grebes. There were also some other smaller birds that I was not able to identify. There were a few mourning doves that call the lake home as well. 

Throughout the year there are many various birds that call this place home. Unfortunately I was not able to see them. 

Other Creatures I ran across:

Great Plains Toad

Dragonflies

Robins

Rabbits

Crows

Racoons

Other Items

At the visitor center they have information about bald eagles, and feeders for some birds to feed off of. If you call ahead you can arrange for a volunteer to drive you around the lake in a caddy if you don’t feel like walking or are unable to walk. By the boat ramp they have canoes that you can rent. There is also an archery range a bit from the boat ramp area. About half of the lake is no boating or fishing which is nice for the creatures that live there. 

Final Thoughts

I really enjoyed my time at this lake. While there were people there, it wasn’t so busy that I felt like it was busy or crowded. I had heard another photographer talking about Barr Lake. When he was telling me where it was I thought to myself, “I really don’t know if I want to drive that far for just a lake when there are other lakes around here.” I am so glad that I happened to be in the area and stopped by. I even wish that I had gone up there sooner. I will definitely make another trip there, possibly in winter to see the eagles go ice fishing.