In addition to the Glacier Lillies carpeting the forest floor these small Yellow Bells, which are also in the Lilly family, have kept us company this spring. The plants are only 10-30cm tall and usually contain a single flower. They grow scattered in patches both in open areas as shown below and in more forested areas as well.
We found flowers that ranged from the typical yellow to some that were a deep orange.
A small treasure that springs from the ground and one to look forward to again.
This little fuzzball is just learning to fly and hence spent a bit of time on the ground this day.
Spring time is Rabbit time. Last weekend we saw plenty of healthy rabbits roaming the sagebrush and grasslands of the Arapahoe Wildlife Refuge as well as plenty of Hawks looking for an easy meal. Luckily for this guy he stayed on guard and was reluctant to stray too far from the cover of the sage.
We have followed Anthrocharis stella commonly known as Stella Orangetip up and down the trail the last few week with little luck photographing these butterflies that rarely seemed to land. No fooling, one must have flown 25yards in front of us for at least 1/4 mile along the trail last week keeping tis distance but never landing.
When we did see one touch down it was always far in the distance and to make matters worse the wind seemed to be blowing just enough to make focusing with a long telephoto lens somewhat difficult. They definitely seemed to be searching for something specific in their flights and perhaps it was the small white flower in the photo above as they were scattered along the trail and not present in great numbers. Perhaps these flowers will increase in numbers as spring rolls on and then we will get a chance for more close-up shots of this fine looking butterfly.
A morning walk springs to life as fresh new leaves and vibrant colors paint the still brisk morning air.
The surprise of the day was a Dragonfly lurking about on wild roses trimmed short by the deer. Not much prey for this little predator so early in the season but don’t worry the bugs will come.
And even the coniferous trees were getting in on the action this morning.
Nothing fancy today….simply spring.
With this years insects hatching faster than this male Yellow Headed Blackbird can keep up with I can just hear the voice in this head saying “so many bugs so little time”.
Have a great day but no time for chit-chat when there are bugs on the pond.
First the all important pre-soak.
The wash includes a bit of agitation to help the dirt come loose.
The spin cycle or in this case high speed shake.
Feathers clean and looking sharp this American Robin is ready for another day.
Along the creek with buds just breaking out a trees first leaves of spring were not leaves at all.
It appeared that sap was flowing and attracting Comma Butterflies (Polygonia comma) of either the Eastern, Satyr or Hoary varieties to these willows just a few weeks ago. In addition to sap the leafless Pussy Willows further up the road were providing an early spring meal of pollen and nectar for the pollinators as well.
The namesake comma, or little c,is visible on both of these guys above.
… and the star of the show and a beautiful lift leaf on any plant.
And after a meal full of nectar a well balanced butterfly diet should include a little mineral as well. This Comma is engaging in a behavior known as puddling which I have observed over and over again but first read about on Piotr Naskrecki’s blog the Smaller Majority in an article entitles What Butterflies Like.
Anyway those first leaves of spring were not leaves at all.
It is always fun to see species not common to where you live when you travel. Wonderful colors on this acorn woodpecker which was photographed along the coast in northern CA.
Sharp Beak…Check
Sharp Claws…Check
Sharp Fence Post…Check
Sharp Song…Check,Check.
A Western Meadowlark perches on a somewhat overcast day adding a bit of color to an early spring day.
nature has no boss 
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