Just beyond the Trail Hub near the Paradise Valley Community Building along the Tatoosh Vista Trail -- which also serves as one of our Nature Trails in that vicinity -- one passes a Juncoes nest. Yet it is doubtful if anyone walking there would realize that there in the short grass with a deep snowdrift a short distance away a Junco had made its home and was rearing a family. The only protection offered by the location is a few overhanging blades of grass but the neutral, slaty color of the bird closely resembles the soil and vegetation about her.

When approaching the nest the Junco does not give a warning cry nor does it try to lead the intruder away from the eggs but it remains quiet and snugly hidden by the overhanging grass.

On warm afternoons the mother leaves her nest to search for food and then the nest is somewhat more noticeable because of the five light colored spotted eggs. So close is it to the trail and so well hidden from the naked eye due to the neutral color of the bird that once it has been observed one wonders if there is not danger of the nest's being destroyed by someone carelessly walking along off the trail. But under such conditions, with a snowbank but a few feet away, the offspring should grow to be hardy little Juncoes, if all goes well.