While the waves were breaking big on the rocks along the shore a Black Turnstone takes it all in stride while foraging on a mussel crusted rock.
Tag: ecosystem
White and yellow
A field of white wildflowers with yellow centers welcomes a beautiful White Crowned Sparrow with yellow beak. Each right at home with each other.
Of the Earth
Moving slowly down the trail and looking remarkably like the earth he walked on we found this American Toad. He did look a bit grumpy and reluctant for us to take his photo so we let him be as he moved along into the grass beyond.
Along the Missouri
A Cedar Waxwing sits and peers out across the banks of the Missouri River. The Missouri is the longest river in the USA traveling from it’s beginning in the mountains close to home before traversing the landscape east and south for 2,341 miles. The Missouri has been a source of substance and transportation for up to 12,000 years. What a journey it must have been to travel this river before it was extensively dammed and wildlife abundant.
Along the creek
Water flows as birds sing.
The season’s move like water in the creek.
Content
A male Cassin’s Finch enjoying an afternoon break on a small wild rose-bush. These guys have a wonderful song distinct from other small finches and a pleasure to the ear.
Calliope and Columbine
A female Calliope Hummingbird measuring in at a mere 3 inches visiting a Sitka Columbine.
Two of summers treats rolled into a single meal .
Western Bluebird
After literally bringing some grub to feed his young a male Western Bluebird leaves the nesting box and perches on a fence pole in search of more food for the rapidly growing brood. We watched as both the male and female shuttled food in and waste out of the nest box with their young still safely tucked away inside.
The Western Bluebird is not as common as the Mountain Bluebird so it is always a pleasure to see that brilliant blue and orange. A fine way to start a summers day.
Whimbrels
On the same beach on which the Oystercatchers we feasting on Mussels there was a small group of Whimbrels hanging out, resting, and also foraging on the exposed bounty of the sea.
Like their large relatives the Curlew, Whimbrels nest on open tundra of Alaska and Canada. It seems that this must have been a group heading towards their breeding grounds and perhaps took a stopover on this beach to rest and fuel up.
Most of the group was resting on freshly exposed mussels beds a veritable Whimbrel bed and breakfast so to speak.
Beautiful birds we rarely get to observe so seeing this flock was quite a treat.
Chestnut-Backed Chickadee
Hearing the Chickadees calling in the trees above our heads we expected to look up and see either a black-capped or mountain chickadee as we had seen them earlier this day. However to our surprise we we greeted by this little Chestnut-Backed Chickadee looking down at us and hunting insects just above our heads.
The all about birds website starts their description of this bird by calling them handsome and I would have to whole heartedly agree with that.
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Chestnut-backed_Chickadee/id
nature has no boss 
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