A young and very teenage looking bull Elk gives us the once over as we slowly pass by.
Northern Flicker
A quick visit with a Northern Flicker. This fine looking bird flew into a tree filled with a mixed flock of small songbirds foraging away on a cold November morning and we are glad she did.
She made a quick check to see what all the commotion was about checking to see if there was food of her liking on and old fir tree.
But alas, after a quick check of both limbs and trunk she decided to move on. A nice splash of color on a quiet fall day.
American Three Toed Woodpecker: Picoides dorsalis
While out on a hike we followed the sound of a woodpecker pecking in the forest fully expecting to find a Downy Head or Hairy. When we finally spotted the source of the pecking we were thrilled to find an American Three Toed Wooedepcker: Picoides dorsalis working away looking for a meal. Why this species evolved to have only three toes instead of the typical four seems to be a matter for debate however the Cornell Lab of Ornithology suggest that three toes may help deliver stronger blows with the beak while foraging.
pounce
Prowling a meadow for the morning meal and it sure looks like something is on this Coyotes radar screen.
Target in sight and onto the pounce
Looks like this attempt was a failure but it does not stop a coyote from trying. A lesson learned.
Color, ravens and light.
Soaking up color on a typical November day. Cloudy skies gave way to intermittent beams of sunlight filtering through the forest. Warm layers on when the breeze blew and of when the wind was calm.
A Raven called and flew overhead and in the distance they touched down.
Gray trees cast a shadow on white-white stone as the sunlight filtered through.
Color, a raven and light kept things warm on this November day.
Happy Friday and have a wonderful weekend.
Thanksgiving 2020
Perhaps the fattest little chipmunk we have ever seen feasts on some late season flowers.
While our gatherings may be smaller this year they will not be any less festive and given what we have experienced this year we do have much to be thankful for.
Cheers and wishing you a wonderful day.
Buck!
On a recent walk we were lucky enough to be able spend a fair amount of time observing and watching a very handsome Mule Deer Buck escorting his harem through the forest.
While we hung out and watched the whole group of deer pass through the male stood watch curious yet calm and quiet.
Before the group moved away and into the deeper reaches of the forest the male put his nose to the sky to make sure all were present and accounted for.
A nice surprise and the highlight of the stroll.
At Sunset
Putting another day to bed while taking a long look at what felt like a very short sunset. Now the lakes are frozen over and sunset comes all too soon yet each day brings something special. Looking back as a way of looking forward to today.
Greased lightning
Greased lightning is the nickname we gave to these little rodents as they shot across the desert landscape foiling many of our attempts at photographing them. The White-tailed Antelope Ground Squirrel is a common to abundant desert dweller across the southwestern United States.
Right at home in this desert landscape the White-tailed Antelope is a diurnal mammal that feeds on a fairly omnivorous diet including seed, plants, arthropods and other insects as well as carrion.
They nest in underground burrows dug into the soft desert soil and use the burrow both as protection from predators and too keep cool during periods of extreme heat and cold.
Take a look at those little critters scurrying around the desert and you may just notice some greased lightning aka the White-tailed Antelope Ground Squirrel.
In the Wild
Oh the Squirrel. Our nemesis in the yard pillaging the bird feeders and outsmarting my attempts to keep them off. In the wild away from the city they are (serious hesitation) cute and this guy munching a pine cone as the November sky says time to fatten up brought a smile to our face.
nature has no boss 
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