Feeling at home where the landscape reclaims the roads.
A quiet place where impermanence is understood.
On the Prairies and Sagebrush plains of Colorado what will be, still is.
April, 2017
Tag: ecosystem
Sage Thrasher
We watched and mostly listened as this male Sage Thrasher sang his long and complex song from the top a the sage brush on a quiet dirt road near Walden, CO.
According to All About Birds “males have long, complex, melodic songs, with remarkable variety. The rambling series of phrases, often preceded by soft clucking notes, is continuous and interspersed with moments of repetition and mimicry. Songs can be very long indeed; one male was recorded singing for 22 minutes straight.”
While this guys song was not a whopping 22 minutes it did go on and on leaving me out of breath just listening.
hard hats required
A little Female Downey Head Woodpecker woking diligently on construction of a fine new home.
She frequently checked her work to make sure the hole was just right on all sides
Then quickly got back to work.
No hard hats required in this construction zone but a well adapted skull like woodpeckers have helps keep their brains working after a hard days work.
http://www.livescience.com/19586-woodpecker-skull-concussions.html
Bison
Bison….making the landscape complete.
Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife refuge.
When a Meadowlark Sings
They sing with all their song.
And sing it all day long.
On a quiet country road in the grasslands of eastern Colorado.
Dressed for the occasion.
A little Prairie Dog stands tall to survy their surroundings on the Pawnee National Grasslands. He appears perfectly dressed for the dry grass this spring. Blending in well to your surroundings is a fine way to avoid those nasty Hawks and Prairie Falcons buzzing about overhead not to mention the myriad other animals and perhaps a reptile to two who night find the this little guy a fine meal.
http://www.defenders.org/prairie-dog/basic-facts
Pawnee National Grasslands, 2017.
April Morning
Whereas most of our spring has felt like Summer this spring day felt like Spring and even more it felt like April. April when the sky is blue, the sun is warm and the wind blows with the last of winters chill.
Where the tress lack leaves but you see them soon to come.
April when things change.
Photographed along Clear Creek in a spot that has called me back as the seasons change.
Wilsons Snipe
We spotted this guy patrolling along an irrigated ditch on a quiet country road in last weekend looking for a meal. Such a wonderful and beautiful bird and I sure hope to spot a few more this spring just for the fun of it.
Weld County, CO.
Thirsty
Wandering around on the Pawnee National Grasslands last weekend it was quite clear the land is thirsty.
Areas where temporary ponds usually are found are dry as a bone this year.
Flowers from last year remain but the new flowers are asking for rain.
A vast landscape in search of a drink…where are you April Showers.
April 8th 2017 on the Pawnee National Grassland.
Junior
On a recent trip to Yellowstone NP we watched this young mountain goat along with his mother feeding on some nice fresh greens not far from Mammoth Hot Springs. It is always fun to get to see these guys and this youngster just looked so sweet in his classic mountain goat pose on top of a rock.
nature has no boss 
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