Grounded

On January 23, 2015 By Mike and Christy12 Comments

A Brandt Goose assessing the conditions out at sea on a stormy day on the pacific coast. Not sure if he was looking to fly or swim but he looked around for a minute or two then hunkered down to wait out the storm as the rain fell in sheets.

Winter Willows 2015

On January 22, 2015 By Mike and Christy15 Comments

At least once per winter we find ourselves skiing through a willow field on a grey cloudy day and every time I am beckoned by some force to stop and take a photo looking through the willows out into that grey winter sky. Something about this place just says winter in a way that hits home to me. No moose this time either.

Sunset at Upper Geyser Basin

On January 21, 2015January 20, 2015 By Mike and Christy30 Comments

It is hard to believe but when we started this walk in the early evening it was snowing like crazy so we decided to leave the good camera inside for a change and just to out and enjoy the snowy weather. Low and behold near the end of the walk it cleared a bit and we were reward with a wonderful show. As the sun went over the hill west of upper geyser basin it light up the clouds in the eastern sky which then reflected into the geyser pools. Glad we still had our phones in our pockets. Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park.

Shy

On January 20, 2015January 20, 2015 By Mike and Christy58 Comments

A porcupine peaking out from behind a lodgepole pine near Willow Creek Pass in Colorado. We seldom see theses guys while out and about so this was a treat.

Cold Plunge

On January 18, 2015January 7, 2015 By Mike and Christy12 Comments

Cold Plunge

Working against a blustery headwind this coot makes their way to the edge of the ice for a chilly dip in the local pond. It was really windy that day and cold.

Thieves in the pond

On January 17, 2015January 7, 2015 By Mike and Christy19 Comments

Thieves in the pond

I have seen widgeons stealing food from other diving ducks, mostly coots, but never got to photograph this behavior. There is clearly some tasty green growth on the bottom of this lake which requires a bit of a dive to reach. What to do if you are only a dabbler, steal from the divers like these redheaded ducks. It appears even the mild mannered Gadwalls were getting in on the action.

Sunset

On January 16, 2015January 7, 2015 By Mike and Christy23 Comments

Sunset

A northern shoveler taking to the skies in the last rays of golden light. Photographed along clear creek in Denver, CO.

Red Tailed Hawk

On January 15, 2015January 8, 2015 By Mike and Christy30 Comments

I think the fence post has to be one of the most valuable tools for a bird photographer. Without that perch it sure would be a heck of a lot tougher to get close enough for a decent photograph in the grasslands and plains were trees are sparse. This Red Tailed Hawk was happily perching on a post up near Walden, CO last summer.