We’re back

On April 17, 2019April 14, 2019 By Mike and Christy23 Comments

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The Sandhill Cranes are filtering through the area this week. Sometimes in ones and twos sometimes in bigger groups. Most we just hear flying overhead but a couple have touched down for a quick regaling stop on their journeys north.

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We encountered these two in an old farm field now for sale and with plans for development (probably another wonderful strip-mall) as other mall and townhouse are being built just behind them. It really drove home that habitat loss is occurring faster than you can shake a stick at and it really will not be long before the consequences are so few migrating large birds and animals they will feel extinct to most of us.

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This Crane had very attractive plumage and I could spend hours admiring it.

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The Cranes will be filtering through for the next month or so and I will enjoy every one I see.

As blue as blue can be

On April 15, 2019April 14, 2019 By Mike and Christy10 Comments

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With snow still filling the landscape the male Mountain Bluebirds have arrived to stake out their territories and find the best nest boxes along a quiet bluebird trail.

This handsome gentleman was quietly sitting on a fence post looking as blue as blue can be but in a very good handsome bluebird way.

When a Meadowlark Sings

On April 14, 2019 By Mike and Christy13 Comments

They sing with all their song.
And sing it all day long.

On a quiet country road in the grasslands of eastern Colorado.

Box 29

On April 13, 2019April 7, 2019 By Mike and Christy23 Comments

Last Sunday the wind was blowing hard but that did not deter these little Tree Swallows from spending their day looking for a suitable summer residence and it sure seemed like box 29 was high on their list of desirable homes.

The competition was high and words of caution we flying as freely as these swallows glide through the skies.

A quick resting spot on the roof was in order and acceptable to both shoppers at box 29.

Photographed on a very windy morning at Hutton Lakes NWR, near Laramie WY.

Golden Crowned Kinglet

On April 11, 2019April 11, 2019 By Mike and Christy10 Comments

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All puffed out and looking a wee-bit sleepy a Golden Crowned Kinglet rests after a cold winters night just a month or so ago. Mainly a bird that resides in the tree-top and is always on the move it was nice to get a glimpse of them resting down low. I bet the cold winters morning slowed them down this day.

Hoary Redpoll

On April 8, 2019April 6, 2019 By Mike and Christy2 Comments

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Sitting in the tree-tops with a group of Pine Siskins and other small song birds was a beautiful looking small bird we decided was a female Hoary Redpoll. She was at the southern edge of her winter range and it was a pleasure to get a glimpse of her before she returns to the high arctic tundra for the summer.

American White Pelican

On April 6, 2019 By Mike and Christy26 Comments

No matter how often and for how long, seeing American White Pelicans on alpine lakes in Colorado and Wyoming, in the Sandhills of Nebraska or just in the City of Denver always seems just a bit odd. One of those things you experience over and over and should register as normal but just isn’t. Anyway, this good looking Pelican is perched on Lake John on a cloudy and cold spring day near Walden, CO.

From black to blue

On April 5, 2019April 2, 2019 By Mike and Christy9 Comments

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From tip to tail from black to blue.
Looking out into the last of the rapidly melting snow.
A Stellars Jay enjoys the spring sunlight filtering into the forest.

Have a great weekend.

Hello Junco

On April 3, 2019April 2, 2019 By Mike and Christy6 Comments

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Seed in beak a Dark Eyed Junco is a welcome visitor on a early spring day. Although quiet now in a week or two the shrubs along the road nearby will be filled with their calls. There is no stoping mother nature.

Dynamic Duo

On April 1, 2019 By Mike and Christy8 Comments

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Pine Siskins, always buzzing about in the tree tops letting you know when they are there. Sometimes you you see them and sometimes you don’t. Either way it’s wonderful experience and a great way to start the day. This dynamic duo perched upon a tree top just long enough for a quick photograph. Given the sounds a big group can make in a quiet forest it never ceases to amaze me just how little these guys are.

nature has no boss

Tag: bird