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.
With the last of the snow melted life is springing up in all shapes and sizes. Flowers, tress, grasses and water rushing to fill the streams. In addition we sighted the first Chipmunk of the year a few days ago taking a break and enjoying their lunch as the sun warms the rocks.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Within a day or so of the ice melting off this small pond a spring surprise occurred.
Well…we started the winter with one Red Squirrel which we aptly dubbed our frenemy. Now it seems that there is a squirrel in every tree. Which is not exactly as nice as a chicken in every pot.
Although it is fun to watch the daily battles for territory as one squirrel makes a quick move across the yard to the tree another squirrel is occupying and the ensuing skirmish with several squirrels running rings around the tree. I cannot tell them apart enough to see who wins and looses each battle. Which is kind of like watching a sporting event but missing the ending. I have considered trying to paint each one a different color just for reference but decided that would not bee too nice and radio collar and gps tracking are better left for more scientific pursuits.
Anyway with spring comes more red squirrels, and thus more Frenemies and given their ever increasing numbers things are moving more towards the -en than the -frien side of things these days and yes they are cute…at times.
Slow and steady wins the race.
Have a wonderful and slow Saturday.
Just imagine spending the day eating one blade at a time. Slim pickings when all the grass is beneath the snow and winter just keeps going on.
Yellowstone National Park 2018.
Looks like Duck or Goose may be on the menu as a Coyote prowls the banks of the Platte River in search of a meal.
Denver, CO.
Frenemy….a person with whom one is friendly despite a fundamental dislike or rivalry.
Meet our new friend..a small Red Squirrel. Compared to the Grey Squirrels we are used to he is tiny yet just as feisty and shall I say squirrel like. Cute enough to be a friend but squirrel enough to be an enemy.
Only time will tell.
We were surprised when a pair of River Otters popped up over a river bank to check us out early one morning. Curious and inquisitive they had a quick look and then slipped back down the bank and out of sight.
Later on the family went out for a stroll along the riverbank and all marched in a line…well except for junior who had to make his own way.
Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge.
While drinking our morning coffee at our campsite we watched as this little Ermine pass by carrying a chipmunk as large as they were. Unfortunelty we had no camera in hand. A few minutes latter the Ermine scurried past us in the direction in which they just came from. Within a few minutes there returned again carrying a Chipmunk. Still no camera in hand. However when we saw the Ermine return again heading the same direction I grabbed my camera and was able to capture them caring their third successful catch back to their nest. It was a tough day to be a Chipmunk and a good day for the Ermine pups.
nature has no boss 
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