Loggerhead Shrike

Sitting on a fence post looking for his next victim is a Loggerhead Shrike. “These birds sit on low, exposed perches and scan for rodents, lizards, birds, and insects. They eat smaller prey (such as ground beetles) right away, but they are famous for impaling larger items on thorns or barbed wire to be eaten later. The species often hovers. When flying it uses bursts of very rapid wingbeats.”

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Loggerhead_Shrike/id

This time the victim was a large Grasshopper.

Which the Shrike Caught and them impailed on this barbed wire fence.

The Shrike let the Grasshopper be for a minute but quickly went to town on his meal.

Laramie, WY.

Mid-day Monochromes

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Paddling along on a warm summers day. Too late for the morning light yet too early for sunset.

The sun high overhead as Cormorants rest…

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a tree reflects…
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the Heron ponders the day.

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Paddling along with the sun high overhead we gaze into the distance and enjoy summers light on a beautiful summer day.

Close Encounter

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On a recent hike through open grasslands with a few conifers mixed in we had a close encounter with this Northern Harrier who must of been defending a nearby nest. They were making plenty of noise and circling around above us as we walked the trail below. Occasionally they would dive bomb us flying straight overhead but never actually trying to make contact with us. We just pushed on through their territory walking a bit faster with each dive bombing pass yet pausing to watch this beautiful birds pass so close. Once we had ventured out of their space peace was had for all.