Three big birds on one little rock made seemingly made for two. A full house indeed yet still a good place to pull up out of the current and just watch the water pass on by. American White Pelicans along the Madison River.
Tag: Birds
White Crowned Sparrow
An adult White Crowned Sparrow looks to have found an interesting meal.
Close Encounter
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.
From sage to treetop
On a recent hike across sage-lands dotted with forest the Sparrows were distant yet constant companions.
An unmistakable song
Along the trail the House Wrens song was unmistakable. Moving quickly in the underbrush but appearing just long enough for a quick photo. A house wren is always a great companion while on the trail and that song is unmistakable.
Female Yellowthroat
We spotted this Female Common Yellowthroat quickly moving in and out of the bushes while on a morning walk. While we most often see the males perched out in the open singing we very rarely have seen the female out in the open like this. She only stayed for a minute or two then flew off into a marshy area several hundred yards away.
Spotted Sandpiper
A spotted sandpiper serene and observant along the banks of the Snake River in Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park. It sure feels nice when we feel one with our environment.
From the water
A day spent paddling besides just being good clean fun allows you to see things from water level. Yes, these are birds we see from land, but while floating by in a kayak, seeing mergansers, red-necked grebes and bald eagles from the water provides us with a different perspective.
A common Merganser pair preens while perched on a log.
A Red-Necked Grebe pair courting and strengthening their bond.
An ever watchful immature Bald Eagle perched along the shore. All sighted we can see from land but when seen from the water make them just a bit more special.
The Bully
Meet the local bully a Male Rufus Hummingbird. We typically only have Calliope Hummingbirds list our backyard feeder so it was a surprise, and a welcome one, to have this beautiful guy visit. It was a pleasure until we observed his bullying behavior. He would fly to the tree the feeder was hung from and perch on a hidden branch waiting for unsuspecting Calliopes to visit. He would then swoop down and chase them off. The funny part is that he seldom visited the feeder for a sip of nectar himself. Beautiful but quite the bully this Rufus guy.
Free
A Raven soars below as we walk above.
Freedom to roam is freedom indeed.
nature has no boss 
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