October Robin

On October 5, 2019 By Mike and Christy9 Comments

An American Robin Enjoying the fall light in a forest of mixed colors. We have tons of Robing in our area in the spring and early summer and as the young fledge they are absent until Autumn begins. Glad to see they have returned.

Three billion birds.

On September 20, 2019September 20, 2019 By Mike and Christy64 Comments

The findings of a study published yesterday in the Journal Science demonstrate that North America has lost 30% of it’s birds population since 1970. The authors of this study suggest that this loss of almost 3 billion birds is like a canary in the coal mine and conclude their abstract with the statement “This loss of bird abundance signals an urgent need to address threats to avert future avifaunal collapse and associated loss of ecosystem integrity, function and services.”

National Geographic summarizes the Science article well touching on the reasons why bird populations are in decline and why birds matter.

Habitat loss in the name of development another example of a fools progress.

Another strip mine, another strip mall. The human population is striping the planet bare. Time to take action and make sure your local governmental representatives at all levels work to protect habitat, the environment and the future of every species that inhabit the planet.

Morning Dipper

On September 10, 2019August 30, 2019 By Mike and Christy4 Comments

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An American Dipper looks to take a morning dip along the shore of a local lake. Seeing him as we paddled around the shore was a bit unusual as I can’t recall actually seeing a Dipper along a lake shore. We previously have only seen them in rivers and streams both of which are considered more typical Dipper habitat. It was good to see this guy working the lakeshore and a nice way to start the day.

Clark’s Nutcracker

On September 8, 2019September 8, 2019 By Mike and Christy6 Comments

A Clark’s Nutcracker enjoying an early fall day along the Lewis River Channel in Yellowstone National Park.

Loggerhead Shrike

On August 31, 2019 By Mike and Christy2 Comments

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.