Steamboat Pilot & Today

Ducklings learn to lead the way on Pearl Lake last weekend. Photo by Ben Ratliff

Bear in a pond in our backyard. Submitted by: Josie Fratus

Mom nursing her cubs. Submitted by: Dave McIrvin

My husband I were greatly entertained by all the hummingbirds at our feeders. Submitted by: Rebecca Finch

One of five babies born on the ranch this year. Submitted by: Marcy Gruber

Men's sport racer Boyd Bass keeps a steady pace as he rides up the steep slopes of Mount Werner during Wednesday evening's Storm Peak Hill Climb. Photo by John F. Russell

Cassady Daley rides up the slopes of Mount Werner while racing in the women's novice class of Wednesday's Storm Peak Hill Climb. Photo by John F. Russell

Corey Piscopo leads a pack of riders up Mount Werner during Wednesday's Storm Peak Hill Climb. Photo by John F. Russell

Kristia Check-Hill heads up the slopes of Mount Werner on Wednesday afternoon during the Storm Peak Hill Climb. Photo by John F. Russell

Peter Kalmes leads the pack up Mount Werner during Wednesday's Storm Peak Hill Climb. The race is just more than seven miles long but many consider it to be one of the toughest of the season. Photo by John F. Russell

Mindy Mulliken races in the women's sport class of Wednesday's Town Challenge race on the slopes of Steamboat Ski Area. The Storm Peak Hill Climb is just more than seven miles long but is considered by many to be one of the toughest races of the season. Photo by John F. Russell

Chase Seymour rides up the slopes of Mount Werner during Wednesday's Town Challenge Storm Peak Hill Climb mountain bike race. Photo by John F. Russell

Old log by the Elk River in July 2012. Submitted by: Bill Dorr

Frank Becker, right, and George Avgares install one of 22 new recycling cans along Lincoln Avenue on Wednesday morning as part of a Leadership Steamboat project. The cans, sponsored by local businesses, are part of an effort to make Steamboat a little greener and protect the scenic beauty of the area. Photo by John F. Russell

Tamara Ryan performs during a rehearsal at the Depot Art Center. The Emerald City Opera promotes professional opera in Northwest Colorado and is currently hosting the Opera Artist Institute. Photo by John F. Russell

Keri Rusthoi performs alongside Tamara Ryan during a rehearsal at the Depot Art Center for an upcoming performance. Photo by John F. Russell

Opera singer Keith Miller rehearses a scene for an upcoming performance at the Depot Art Center. The Emerald City Opera promotes professional opera in Northwest Colorado and is currently hosting the Opera Artist Institute. Photo by John F. Russell

Tamara Ryan performs alongside Keri Rusthoi during a rehearsal at the Depot Art Center for an upcoming performance. The Emerald City Opera promotes professional opera in Northwest Colorado and is currently hosting the Opera Artist Institute. Photo by John F. Russell

Morgan Smith rehearses a scene along with Keri Rusthoi and Tamara Ryan at the Depot Art Center for an upcoming performance. The Emerald City Opera promotes professional opera in Northwest Colorado and is currently hosting the Opera Artist Institute. Photo by John F. Russell

The greater sandhill cranes that stop in western Routt County along their migration route will be celebrated during the first Yampa Valley Crane Festival in Steamboat Springs and Hayden from Sept. 16 to 19. File photo

A bear climbs down from a tree across from Bud Werner Memorial Library on Wednesday morning. The bear eventually came down from the tree and crossed the Yampa River. Photo by John F. Russell

A bear hangs out in a tree across from the Bud Werner Memorial Library on Wednesday morning. The bear eventually came out of the tree, avoided a large group of onlookers, and crossed the Yampa River on its way up Emerald Mountain. Photo by John F. Russell