A splash of summer

On March 1, 2021February 28, 2021 By Mike and Christy1 Comment

Well, yes it is only March, and winter will be hanging around, but who can resist a splash of summer just a little before it’s time.

A flash of red moving in the canopy lead us to a beautiful Summer Tanager perched overhead. These birds are specialized hunters of bees and wasps. Catching them on the wing and managing to avoid getting stung and removing the stinger by rubbing thier prey on a tree branch prior to confining their meal.

Most of our encounters with the brilliant colored males were looking through dense foliage however once and awhile one managed to land in clear sight and in camera view.

A little splash of summer on a late winters day.

Black on Blue

On February 28, 2021February 28, 2021 By Mike and Christy2 Comments

On a crisp and sunny February morning we spent some time watching a group of Crows playing around on an iced over lake. We were unable to tell what they were doing even after half an hour of observation. Could it have been looking for food, either embedded into the ice, or under it? Or were they just admiring their handsome reflections on the ice? Or who knows what. Anyway, it was fun to observe them walking ever so gingerly to avoid slipping around and peering into the ice for a reason we were unable to determine.

Reflecting Pool-2

On February 27, 2021January 31, 2021 By Mike and Christy1 Comment

The sun breaking through the clouds to reflect on itself on a cold winters day in the upper geyser basin of Yellowstone National Park.

Gone Bananas

On February 26, 2021February 26, 2021 By Mike and Christy1 Comment

While I am not a big fan of bananas this Variegated Squirrel sure was.

The Variegated Squirrel is a medium sized tree squirrel found broadly throughout Central America. A diurnal squirrel that rarely ventures onto the ground foraging and nesting in the trees.

It is funny how seeing a species of animal that is so similar yet so different, in this case a squirrel, from those in our day to day lives can elicit a deep internal wow.

For example, when a red squirrel passes us by in the forest nearby we don’t give a second glance, but we stood and watched this guy as long as we could remarking on the colors of their fur and behavior similar yet different from the squirrels in our forests at home.

Happy Friday and wishing you a wonderful weekend and perhaps a little something different?

Round and round

On February 25, 2021February 25, 2021 By Mike and Christy2 Comments

Round and round from one full moon to another.

Time is a peculiar thing.

Up the creek

On February 24, 2021 By Mike and Christy2 Comments

Up the creek and no paddle needed.

Remnants

On February 23, 2021 By Mike and Christy1 Comment

Remnants of fall on a winter day bringing feelings of spring. Perhaps it was the color or warm sun above.

Returning.

On February 22, 2021 By Mike and Christy3 Comments

A quiet morning.

Without fanfare.

Staying close to home.

Winter Warmer

On February 21, 2021January 31, 2021 By Mike and Christy3 Comments

We all have our favorites. A steaming mug of hot chocolate, a nip from the flask and sometimes and ice cold beer sure hits the spot but today’s winter warmer features just a hint of orange from that big old ball of fire in the sky.

Who Me?

On February 20, 2021January 31, 2021 By Mike and Christy5 Comments

A little eye to eye with a Black Capped Chickadee on a chilly and snowy afternoon.

nature has no boss

Author: Mike and Christy