I recently traveled through the Alps on foot and, as you would imagine, it was absolutely gorgeous. Panoramas that could make you trip, gnarled unions of fragmenting glaciers and scaly rock, glowing green grasses. But, there was something missing.
Wildlife.
Yes, there was the occasional marmot or chamois. But, that was it. The only animal I saw time and time again was, of course, the cow. These cows may have looked a bit disreputable, but they weren’t wild.
So when I returned to Colorado, it was rewarding to begin work on this special issue of the magazine. It quickly reminded me of all the incredible species of animal that call Colorado home, some of which can’t be found anywhere else in the world, and some of which face threats that put their entire existence into question.
These animals could use our help. They aren’t as resilient as we humans seem to be to the onslaught of new roads and hazards in our state. While most of us probably daydream about roaming free, their very survival depends on it.
And they make Colorado an enviable place to live. They make every trip into the mountains an opportunity to be surprised, or astonished, by their very presence.
The next time you’re out roaming free, think of them. They want the same thing you do.
See more photography at www.chriscasephoto.com.
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