A small Cliff Swallow looking just like the master predator she is takes a break from their tireless foraging on a small frond of grass.
Seeing a bird land easily on this small tuft of grass provided a reminder of just how small and light a cliff swallow must be. About an ounce.
(Multiple Photos)
Well it had to happen. These two Great Horned Owl youngsters finally left the comfort of their nest cavity in an old Cottonwood tree. We first spotted a single young owl on this branch but just as we got out the camera a second flew down and joined the first. The second owl waddled around on the branch and got all cozy with their sibling who seemed a bit annoyed at having to share their perch.
A moment latter the owl in front took a leap of faith, with eyes fully closed, and landed clumsily on the perch below.
I am not sure how adult owls handle it but watching fledgling owls learn to fly is sure a nerve wracking experience for me.
A female ruffed Grouse hanging out in a lodgepole pine along the trail as we skied on down the trail.
Specimen Creek in Yellowstone NP.
A male Red Winged Blackbird and a female Yellowheaded Blackbird making the most of a late afternoon April shower and definitely not singing in the rain.
All puffed out and waiting for the sun to warm things up before hitting the lake to collect bugs.
There were literally billions, well OK, there were a boat load of swallows buzzing around the lakes in North Park last weekend collecting bugs off the top of the water. We went out early one morning to catch the action but it was cold and most of the swallows were hunkered down and puffed out trying to keep warm and the sun to come out.
It is always a nice when the Mourning Doves have returned to the neighborhood and such a pleasant sound to hear while on a early morning walk. I wonder what that small iridescent patch of feathers is for?
This spring the Dark Eyed Junco have been abundant. Singing from the junipers and shrubs which line the fields close by. They have bee around rain or shine and through wind and snow.
It is nice to have them around.
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Dark-eyed_Junco/overview
A Great Blue Heron perched on blue rocks looks for that afternoon meal.
A magnificent Blad Eagle taking a chance and playing with electricity.
Although power poles present a wonderful perch from which to hunt they also come with risks. Electrocution of raptors has increased as our construction of infrastructure has increased and with a little thought and consideration can be reduced.
Raptor interactions with power lines and power poles can be reduced and the following article suggestion way to do so might interest you.
https://www.eagles.org/take-action/avian-friendly-power-lines/
Announcing their presence with those wonderful squeaky sounds the Grackles are back in town. Isn’t it amazing that when photographed, in just the right light, a bird that looks jet black to your eyes is actually a multi-colored work of art. And eyes as cute as buttons…or are they buttons?
nature has no boss 
You must be logged in to post a comment.