The colors of spring have faded but this American Avocet looks none the worse for wear in non breeding plumage. They may be black and white but still looking stunning with those beautiful blue legs.
Tag: ecology
Mighty Might
While drinking our morning coffee at our campsite we watched as this little Ermine pass by carrying a chipmunk as large as they were. Unfortunelty we had no camera in hand. A few minutes latter the Ermine scurried past us in the direction in which they just came from. Within a few minutes there returned again carrying a Chipmunk. Still no camera in hand. However when we saw the Ermine return again heading the same direction I grabbed my camera and was able to capture them caring their third successful catch back to their nest. It was a tough day to be a Chipmunk and a good day for the Ermine pups.
Along the trail
Along the trail
Silent footsteps
Wildflowers speak
Northern, CO.
A Little Tune
A tiny marsh wren belting out a little tune on an overcast day in the Arapahoe National Wildlife refuge near Walden, CO.
Police Car Moth
Thanks to the help of 1nmbirder for assistance in correctly identifying this moth. WordPress readers are the best. Always ready to help in identifying and teaching about all the things we run across outside.
At first I thought it was a Ranchman’s Tiger Moth but it does appear to be a Police Car Moth. We came across these guys while they were feeding on wild aster and sunflowers high up on the trail in Central Colorado.
Searching the Sea Wrack
A White-Crowned sparrow searching the sea wrack for his next tasty meal. Little does he know one is lurking right over his head. Photographed on the Northern California Coast.
Blue Gentain
Blue Gentain blooming away as summer marches on in the mountains of Central Colorado.
Coneflowers
The coneflowers are sure making the most of the summer sun.
Red on Red
Hiking up the west elk trail we came across this fine looking Red Bellied Marmot hanging out in rocks that matched her fur. A perfect little hangout on a nice summer afternoon. Crested Butte, CO.
On a Sunless Summer Day
While camped at the meadows edge I look into a forest half dead.
The beetles’ have had their way.
The clouds got thicker and a late afternoon shower moved in from behind.
The rain came and the skies cleared but the pines in this forest will take longer to return if they do at all.
Ecosystems are dying or being destroyed around the around the globe.
From the polar regions to the tropical jungles to the coral reefs and the grasslands in-between.
We know this to be true.
Yes, there is untold beauty all around, but it’s becoming harder to see when looking into natures mirror on a sunless summer day.
Mt Zirkel Wilderness, CO.
http://polarsea360.arte.tv
https://undark.org/article/saving-americas-broken-prairie/
nature has no boss 
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