One of our favorite forest singers the Warbling Vireo enjoying a bit of quiet time while on the nest. By now the eggs have hatched and young have left the nest. The next generation is on its way.
Tag: Birds
Shaking it off
With the rain begining to come down softly a White Crowned Sparrow flew up and landed on a fence post next to us shook off the rain and then got back on his way.
A little reminder well received.
The Kings
We have both the Eastern and Western Kingbirds residing in our region and although very different in appearance we typically see both species perched on fence posts or barbed wire foraging on insects spotted from their perches. Although we have encountered both on the same day we have not yet seen them in close proximity.
So West…Meet East
And East…. meet West.
Black Crowned
We see this Black Crowned Night Heron at the same spot along the South Platte river almost every evening in the summer patiently working the water for a meal.
Rainy Day Red Tailed: Buteo jamaicensi
A Red Tailed Hawk sits patiently on a rainy summer afternoon waiting for the next opportunity.
Near Box 62A
On the fence line near box 62A a Female Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides) was taking a break from tending to her nest. Looks like she has been banded for study. Bluebirds populations while recovering are still threatened by loss of habitat and competition from introduced species such as the House Sparrow and European Starling both of which compete for nest boxes as well as natural nesting sites.
Chipping Sparrow: Spizella passerina
It wouldn’t seem like summer without the sounds of the Chipping Sparrows echoing through the trees in our area. A beautiful little sparrow with their rufous crown. We see the Chipping Sparrow foraging on branches, jumping around on the ground and hopping about in the both pine and deciduous tress each summer.
More often than not a hike through the forest in July is accompanied by their song echoing through the woods. A song we thoroughly enjoy.
So here’s to the Chipping Sparrow a widespread, modest and wonderful summer companion.
Pine Siskins: Spinus pinus
On a rainy afternoon we watched a flock of Pine Siskins hanging out along a ranch fence line in the light drizzle.
When they show up in large flocks to backyard feeders or your local forest it may not be apparent but Pine Siskins are a Common Bird in Steep Decline. Pesticides, loss of habitat and predation from domestic cats, red squirrels, hawks, jays, and crows are all contributing factors to the decline of this species.
Since we typically hear them buzzing in the tree tops of pine forests seeing them lined up individually along the barbed wire on a quiet rainy day gave us a chance to know each on as a individual so to speak and it was nice to get to know them.
A wonderful little forest bird.
Swainson’s Song
As we set out for a walk on a rainy Monday morning we decided to just carry a lightweight macro lens on the camera as the birds would be hunkered down as it was raining slowly and steadily.
For most of the walk it was one of those very calm and silent mornings only a walk in the rain can bring. However on the way back down the hill we heard the beautiful song of several Swainson’s Thrushes echoing in the distance. As we walked towards the trailhead the songs became closer and more frequent. Much to out surprise the Swainson’s Thrushes were out from the tall trees and perched singing in branches down low. It was nice to get a glimpse of these reclusive forest dwellers and to get a few photos but most of all hearing that amazing song.
How do they get it to echo like that?
Calliope Hummingbird: Selasphorus calliope
We have had the opportunity to visit with these small guys up close this summer and they are a joy to have around.
From the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, “This is the smallest bird in the United States, yet this tiny hummingbird breeds in meadows and open forests high in chilly Northwestern mountains, and travels more than 5,000 miles each year to pine-oak forests in Mexico and back again.”
3 inches of spunkiness and color that is hard to forget.
nature has no boss 
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