We spotted many Swainsons Hawks while driving a quiet yet bumpy backroad but this one stood out. Standing tall and alert as a chilly wind more reminiscent of winter than spring puffed up those beautiful white breast feathers.
Snowcap
The male Snowcap Hummingbird can sure pack a whole bushel of beauty into its tiny body. That beautiful red body topped off by a magnificent white crown.
Feeding on flowers at the forests edge.
0r sitting perched…
Have a great and wonderful weekend.
An unassuming walk
Just the grass greening up in a landscape filled with sage and juniper. Quiet, perhaps the sounds of Meadowlarks and Sparrows singing, an unassuming landscape in a quiet place.
Yet upon closer inspection we were provided with quite a treat. Chocolate Lily – Fritillaria atropurpurea were hidden in theses still greening grasses.
Some were on full display and added a a wonderful splash of color and gave us quite a surprise on what we thought would be a unassuming walk through an early spring landscape.
It’s nice to have no assumptions.
References:
1.http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMLIL0V020
At the waterfall
A Green Heron tests the waters flowing down from a small waterfall in search of a mid-day meal.
Evening Grosbeak
A male Evening Grosbeak adds a splash of color to the local trees in much the same way those early spring flowers are adding a bit of color to the ground below.
Brown Jay
The Brown Jay is and conspicuous bird to say the least. We found a flock moving through the trees and calling loudly while foraging for a morning meal this day.
This bird deftly plucked the last berry from a leafless branch and quickly devoured it before moving along with the rest of the boisterous flock to find another meal.
Bluebird Day
A little mountain bluebird right at home in a big blue world. Even when small part of it all.
Grass and Moon
A full moon rises over the grassy hills on a silent night. No wind and just light clouds. The sun sets, the moon rises and spring finds it’s way.
Yellow Bells: Fritillaria pudica
Yellow Fritillary (Fritillaria pudica), just about 4 inches tall, but oh what a way to ring in the weekend.
Wishing you a fine day and wonderful weekend.
You guys…..
It was a cold snowy day just a week or two ago and it must have put the Junco’s in a foul mood that day as we watched numerous scuffles break out as they were scratching and foraging for a meal underneath an old spruce tree.
You guys….
Luckily the snow only lasted a couple of hours in the morning and just like magic the sun appears, the snow melted, and calmer heads prevailed.
nature has no boss 
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