Desert flowers enjoying the morning dew as we start on a hike in the canyon lands of the Colorado Plateau. These flowers seem to last only a day at the most. Knowing this we enjoy their beauty all the more. A life lesson taught flowers.
Yellow
Mostly yellow and just a touch of green on a cloudy spring afternoon.
Yellow bells ringing and although short and sometimes hidden in the grass they make a statement that is always bold.
Arrow-leaf Balsamroot is just now riding into town and when in full abundance paints the fields with that sunny shade of yellow.
Now on the wane yet still holding on the Biscuit root is one of those flowers inside a flower inside a flower. Fascinating to look at from macro to micro and back again.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Spring Snowy
With the grass greening up and water in the pond the frogs better keep their eyes open for this little hunter. A Snowy Egret works the ponds on a sunny spring morning.
Never a dull moment
It is never a dull moment when the White Faced Ibis are around. So full of color you just look and be in wonder. A full palette all in one bird. Truly amazing.
Little Grebe
A little Pie Billed Grebe affectionately described by All About Birds as “Part Bird-Part Submarine” for their ability to quickly dive like a submarine when threatened. Luckily this one did not feel threatened and we were able to observe them swimming in this small river hunting for their morning meal.
Early Risers
Spring has come late this year. With a late April round of snow and subfreezing temperatures to a wetter and colder than typical May. By Memorial Day the Glacier Lillies and Shooting Stars have typically given way to other spring wildflowers but not this year. They are still abundant and fresh.
While the rest of springs basket is starting to burst forth into bloom I am always thankful for these two early risers that signal spring is indeed here and especially this year.
Blue Grey Gnatcatcher
What an amazing looking little bird to spend some time watching. He hopped around from branch to branch and getting a photo or two seemed in the end pure luck.
All about birds had this to say “A tiny, long-tailed bird of broadleaf forests and scrublands, the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher makes itself known by its soft but insistent calls and its constant motion” and it sure fit this guys behavior to a tee.
To read ore about this bird visit https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Blue-gray_Gnatcatcher/lifehistory
Bullocks
The Oriole that is. Bight orange and beautiful the Bullocks Oriole. Who can resist that goatee and the Zoroesque mask. We typically see hundreds of Oriole nest in the winter and early spring but only catch a rare glimpse of the maker. This year we were lucky and got several nice opportunities.
Clearly Incompatible
An Adult Black Crowned Night Heron was quietly minding their own business standing silently and hunting in that patient Nigh Heron way. Then along came the Ibises probing and prodding right in front of the heron.
These two foraging styles were clearly incompatible and there heron quickly and elegantly took flight to find a quitter corner of the pond.
Leaving the Ibises to have this spot for their own.
The trio
While yesterdays post featured one of the smallest birds in North America todays trio of American White Pelicans features one of North Americas largest birds. We watched a large group of Pelicans lounging and preening on recent morning and this trio seemed right at the center of the action in addition to being full of personality to say the least.
nature has no boss 
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